Duty Free Shopping at Changi Airport

Singapore’s Changi Airport is one of the main transfer hubs for people travelling to and from Australia, New Zealand and other parts of Asia. If you find yourself in a long stop-over you’ll discover that Changi is one of the best airports to spend time waiting for your flight. Coming second in 2012’s World Airport Awards, Changi provides a level of comfort not seen in many airports around the world and its sheer size can provide hours of duty free shopping pleasure.

  

If you’re in the market for luxury goods but don’t want to pay full price then this is a perfect opportunity to stock up. Boutiques at Changi include: Alfred Dunhill, Bally, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Bvlgari, Cartier, Coach, Emporio Armani, Fashion Avenue, Gucci, Hermes, Hugo Boss, La Perla, Longchamp, MCM, Miu Miu, Montblanc, Paul & Shark, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Shanghai Tang, The Fashion Gallery, Tod's and Tommy Hilfiger. If you want some fine jewellery to go with your new outfit you can check out Aspial, Goldheart, Lee Hwa Diamond Boutique, Luvenus, Pandora, SK Jewellery and Tiffany & Co. After that, don’t forget to buy a new watch from either DFS Watches, Gassan Watches, Ice-Watch, o.d.m, Omega Boutique, Rolex or Swatch. Finally for your fragrance and make-up needs you can go to Kiehl's, M.A.C. or Nuance Watson.

Of course the place to go for the biggest range of perfumes and aftershaves is DFS as they carry every brand you can think of. DFS is also the place for duty free liquor and cigarettes. The tax on alcohol in Singapore is quite high so the duty free liquor available at Changi Airport is a great deal for anyone on their way in to the country. However be aware that cigarettes are not able to be brought in duty free. You can buy them but if you bring them in to Singapore you have to declare them and pay the tax on the spot. Failure to declare them and pay the tax will result in a large fine.

       

Electronics are also readily available at duty free prices at Changi with an emphasis on cameras and music players. Just look for the big sign saying Cameras Electronics. Other stores include FOTOPRO and i-sound.   

Sometimes the best way to get through a plane trip is by stocking up on snacks and candy. Luckily Changi Airport has got you covered.  Head over to the following stores Bee Cheng Hiang,           Bengawan Solo, Candy Empire, Chocolates.Candy.Delicatessen, Cocoa & Co, Durian Mpire, Godiva, Kedai Kue Kue, Kim Joo Guan, M&M's World, So Chocolate, The Cocoa Trees and Umeya.

Of course now you might need some new luggage to carry all your purchases. Luckily the following stores can help: Delsey, Flight 001, Samsonite, TUMI and The Planet Traveller.

No matter if you’re coming in or leaving Singapore, or if you have a stop-over, you’ll find plenty to do and buy at Singapore’s Changi Airport.

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In The Neighbourhood

Singapore’s multiculturalism has created a diverse country made up of many unique neighbourhoods, each offering something different, from the adventurous to the familiar. Whether you want to browse trendy stores in historic Chinese shophouses, smoke a shisha, explore spice markets or feel like a taste of home, there’s a neighbourhood in Singapore for you. 

Ann Siang Hill

Catch the MRT to Chinatown and wander south-east through the historic alleys and you will discover Ann Siang Hill. This small hill is named after the last person that owned it when it was still private land. The area has important historical significance as it was the place that early Chinese immigrants used to come to send letters home to their families. Many professional letter-writers and calligraphers set up shop here to service the illiterate immigrates that wanted to send letters home. Later, Ann Siang Hill became the home of many clans and secret societies, which is a tradition in Chinese culture, especially amongst Chinese not living in China. The shophouses they once inhabited have since been restored and now hosts bars, cafés and a wide variety of shops. If you’re looking for chain stores or boutiques selling well-known brands then you’ve come to the wrong place. Expect shops selling books, vintage toys and clothes, locally designed fashion and a boutique nursery selling upmarket and stylish cribs, cradles and toys. Ann Siang Hill is also home to many restaurants, but if you’re looking to save money, maybe head downhill to Maxwell Hawker Centre. From a reservation-only Japanese restaurant to French and Italian cuisine to a restaurant that screens movies after the meal, Ann Siang Hill is one of the best places to go for fine dining. Also make sure you try one of the many cafes serving world-class coffee, including a French patisserie and a Japanese café. With the classic architecture of the shophouses which date back to 1903, Ann Siang Hill is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon or evening.     

Kampong Glam

Known as the ‘Arab Quarter’, Kampong Glam has been a centre for Muslims in Singapore since before Sir Stamford Raffles first landed. Once home to the Malay aristocracy, Kampong Glam is now a thriving hub based around the large gold-domed Sultan Mosque. The current mosque has been there since 1928 and is one of the most well-known landmarks among Singaporeans. Explore the many streets and lanes surrounding the mosque and expect to find everything you’d expect in an Arab Quarter including textiles, carpets and perfumes. But if you find your way to Haji Lane you will find something a bit different. This long narrow stretch of beautifully restored and colourful shophouses is home to some of Singapore’s coolest shops. Browse boutiques selling clothes by local designers, furniture shops selling one-off pieces, a Tokyo Bike store, a shop selling skateboards and streetwear direct from New York City design houses and much more. At the end of Haji Lane is the best Mexican restaurant in Singapore. There are lots of other places to eat in the Arab Quarter, explore the streets and you’ll find all types of Middle Eastern food with an abundance of Egyptian restaurants. As this was a Malay village, it’s the perfect place to try some proper Malay food. Kampong Glam Café is extremely popular among locals but for something a bit more unique you need to try Zam Zam. They specialize is a dish called murtabak which is a prata stuffed with eggs, onion and meat. Having been here for over a century, they’ve really perfected their recipe. Kampong Glam is also home to French restaurants, Japanese restaurants and a Swedish restaurant at the end of Arab Street. As Haji Lane doesn’t get going until mid-afternoon, the area is best for a visit around dinner time. After dinner watch the alcoves of the old shophouses get covered in carpet and pillows ready for you to enjoy a shisha. Also known as a hookah, this is one of the main attractions of the Arab Quarter. Be aware that as this is the Muslim area many places don’t serve alcohol. However on the edge of the Quarter is Bali Lane which is lined with bars. To get here just take the MRT to Bugis. Once you’ve left the station just head towards the ‘Gotham City’ building and Kampong Glam will be on the other side. The area is an essential visit for anyone travelling to Singapore.

Little India

Prepare for an assault on the senses. Arriving by taxi in Little India on a Friday or Saturday night, watch as your driver gets angrier and angrier as the locals refuse to respect the difference between the footpath and the road. It’s quite an entertaining spectacle! But as this can take a long time and make the taxi fare higher than it should be a lot of people just take the MRT. It’s easy to forget you’re in Singapore when visiting Little India. The mark left by the majority Chinese population on the rest of Singapore is completely absent from Little India. You’ll feel like you’ve come to another country as the sights and smells transport you straight to India. Your first visit has to be Tekka Market. People from all over Singapore visit Tekka for its fresh meat, vegetables and spices. The main reason for tourists to visit Little India, apart from the atmosphere, is the shopping. With stores selling everything you can think of at very reasonable prices it’s a bargain hunter’s paradise, the epicentre of which is a 24 hour mall called the Mustafa Centre.  Go shopping at any time of night for jewellery, household appliances, books, CDs, DVDs, watches, electronics, footwear and clothing. If you can handle the chaos and the crowds, Mustafa is one of the best places in Singapore to grab a bargain. Little India is obviously the best place to go for Indian food but surprisingly it’s also home to a few popular French restaurants. So if you’re in the mood for French food, Little India is a good chance to experience in a totally different atmosphere.   

Holland Village

Holland Village sits approximately 6 kilometres (almost 4 miles) by car from Orchard Road. A centre for young Singaporeans and the expat community, Holland V, as it’s known to locals, is a great place for lunch and dinner, especially for kids. All the big restaurant chains from Singapore have a presence here, as well as the Australian restaurant chain Crust Pizza. As the roads are closed Holland V really does have a village feel to it. Come for dinner on a Sunday evening and the streets will be full of kids running around and riding scooters creating a very family friendly atmosphere. After bed time though Holland V is a great place to go for a drink with the many bars and closed off streets creating a relaxed but exciting environment. Since 2011 Holland V has had its own MRT station but as it’s on the Circle Line it’s much quicker to come by bus or taxi.

Dempsey Hill

Originally a British military barracks, Dempsey Hill holds special memories to all middle aged Singaporean men, as it was here they reported for the start of their national military service in the 1970s. All that remains of the military past are the buildings, which have all been converted into restaurants, art galleries and antique stores. Dempsey is essentially a dining destination, with the only shopping being art and furniture. This makes it popular with newly landed expats looking for western food and decorations for home.  The restaurants include Italian cuisine, Mexican, Korean BBQ and an American burger place, complete with a crazy challenge to eat a burger too large for anyone sane. Fine dining is represented by The White Rabbit, a restaurant serving European food housed in an old chapel. Reservations are essential. Dempsey is a very popular day spot, especially on Sunday as it’s a great place for breakfast as well as lunch. To get here you can take a bus but a taxi would be more convenient as you won’t have to walk up the hill. 

When staying in Singapore it’s easy to get stuck in the main centres of Orchard Rd and Marina Bay, but luckily the excellent transport system makes it easy to explore more outlying areas which will give you a much more memorable holiday experience.    

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Singapore’s Shopping Wonderland

You will hear a lot when researching a visit to Singapore that there’s more to do than just shop. That is of course true but Singapore earned its reputation as a shopper’s paradise for a reason. Not just a city of malls, Singapore offers a vast variety of shopping experiences both traditional and modern.

If anywhere gave birth to the idea that Singapore was just a city of malls then it was probably Orchard Road. Mall after mall line the street, mostly connected by underground walkway, meaning you can visit most malls on Orchard Road without being exposed to the elements. This of course is one of the main reasons malls are so popular here, apart from Singaporeans love of shopping. For people that think mall shopping is sterile, one day of shopping in the Singaporean heat and you’ll soon realise why they work so well here. And with so many malls, developers have strived to make them exciting places to be. You’ll find amazing food from high-end gourmet to cheap food court style local flavours and shops ranging from Louis Vuitton and Gucci to Top Shop and Zara. Each mall has its own distinct vibe so check out as many as you can if on a shopping trip or simply looking for something to eat on Orchard Road. If time is limited then your top priorities should be Tangs; established in 1932, this department store was the one that started it all. Ion; this ultra-modern mall is the newest addition to Orchard Road. Ngee Ann City; known to locals as “Taka” because of the Takashimaya department store housed within. If entering from outside (as opposed to any of the underground walkways the join Taka below street level) you’ll be immediately struck by the grandiose forecourt. This area has become a popular meet-up and/or hangout spot. Paragon; across the road from Taka, come here for the very high-end fashion and stay for the Din Tai Fung restaurant on the bottom floor. If you haven’t tried xiaolongbao (dumplings filled with soup) then this should be your first top. Din Tai Fung is open in many countries now but keeping up with the Singaporean passion for food, there’s something extra nice about them here. Getting to Orchard Road is really easy. Just take the MRT to Orchard and you will arrive underneath Ion, which is pretty much the middle of Orchard Road. Or jump in a cab and give them the name of a mall, as they’re the easiest places to be dropped off.

If you want to try something different then the Bugis area is a good starting point. The train will drop you at a mall called Bugis Junction but if you cross the street you will find Bugis Street. Bugis Street has one of the most amazing and wicked histories of anywhere in Singapore. After its redevelopment the government decided it needed some reminders of the past. Now it is home to a busy bazaar with over 600 stalls selling anything you can think of. It’s still a hidden treasure with not many tourists braving the heat to check it out. So if you want to experience some shopping the old fashioned way then it’s a must. If you keep walking after you make it through you’ll soon come across Sim Lim Square. If you’ve never been to Asia, this is what you’ve been picturing a mall here to look like. Floors and floors of electronics including but not limited to: Computers and peripherals, cameras, surveillance cameras, mobile phones, video games and consoles and spare parts, lots and lots of spare parts. Sim Lim is also the place to go for repairs. Dropped your camera or phone while taking a tourist snap? Take it to Sim Lim to get it fixed. Sim Lim is not for everyone. The amount of people and the technological overload of the senses can turn people off. Also, although not encouraged, some vendors may try and charge you a highly inflated price and you’ll have to bargain. Be wary that sometimes the price might not be inflated and trying to bargain will cause offence. If this doesn’t sound like your thing then jump in a cab and head to Funan DigitaLife Mall. Although you might not be able to scrape as big of a bargain here, the atmosphere is significantly more relaxed. You should be able to find most things here that you would find at Sim Lim. Apart from maybe spare computer parts. Also with less aggressive competition the price might be a bit higher. If you like a peaceful shopping experience then it’s Funan. If you like a challenge, then it’s definitely Sim Lim Square.

In the opposite direction of Bugis Street, only a few blocks from Bugis MRT station lays Kampong Glam. Known as the “Arab Quarter”, the centrepiece of the area is the Sultan Mosque. Around here you will find Middle Eastern goods like carpets and perfumes. But venture just off Arab Street to the adjacent Haji Lane to find an abundance of stores where street wear, high-end and artistic fashion abounds, sometimes even in the same shop. With smaller and independent fashion labels being sourced from all over the world, Haji Lane is perfect for people trying for their own look and not necessarily wanting to get caught up too much in trends. Haji Lane is also home to stores selling elegant-but-cool homewares, just in case you don’t have a restricted luggage allowance.

 If the heat of bazaar and boutique shopping sends you running back to the air-conditioned malls, make sure you try and visit VivoCity; Singapore’s largest mall and the gateway to the island of Sentosa. And you also have visit The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands; with a museum, ice skating rink, indoor canal, theatre and casino, The Shoppes has plenty to lure along any non-shoppers you may be travelling with.

For a truly unique experience, shopping or otherwise, you can’t leave Singapore without visiting the Mustafa Centre in Little India. This 24-hour mall is truly an onslaught on the senses. Crowds are something you will get used to in Singapore, especially around Orchard on a Saturday night, but Little India is something else, and sometimes it feels like everyone is there to shop at Mustafa. If you can brave the crowds then you will definitely find a bargain amongst the more than 150,000 types of merchandise.

Whatever you’re looking for, you will find it in Singapore. With shops suited for every budget, department stores or boutiques, malls or markets, Singapore has something to suit any shopping style. And don’t forget to get your tax back at the airport when you leave.   

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Singapore River Explorer Boat Tours

The River Explorer is the latest addition to Singapore’s bustling waterways. Launched on January 1 2013, the River Explorer travels further up river than any tour boats or water taxis have been permitted to in the past.

The importance of the Singapore River in terms of the development of the country cannot be understated. Its necessity during Singapore’s pre-history as a fishing village is obvious, but once Sir Stamford Raffles sailed up it in 1819 it became the epicentre of trade and industry in Singapore. It was from this time, and this river, that Singapore became one of the most important trading posts in South East Asia and started the transformation into what stands today. The Singapore River stayed as a working river for well over 100 years; this led to its environmental decline so in the 1970s a massive clean-up plan was proposed. The enormous task was completed ten years later, and the river started its new life, evolving into the tourist attraction it is today. Since the building of the Marina Barrage in 2008, the Singapore River no longer flows into the sea, as the barrage has dammed the entrance to Marina Bay thus creating a new freshwater reservoir. So the importance of the Singapore River continues, with its waters supplying drinking water to the more than 5 million people that live in Singapore.

The Singapore River is approximately 3 kilometres long, from its source at Kim Seng Bridge to its mouth next to the Esplanade Theatre at Marina Bay. For the first time, you’ll be able to take a boat all the way from mouth to source and back again.

So what’s the best way to experience it all? The first option and a must for anyone visiting Singapore is the Boat Tour. At only $18 for adults and $9 for children and with boats leaving every half an hour between 9AM and 10.30PM, the tour is convenient as well as informative. For 40 minutes you will have a guided tour giving you a history of the river and the historic buildings that stand along the shore. Tours are primarily given in English but Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Bahasa Indonesia, Thai and Vietnamese are also available when booking in advance.

The second opinion is the Bubble Jet. More of a water bus than a water taxi, during peak hour periods there will be a pick-up every 10 minutes from one of the 13 embarkation points. Getting on the Bubble Jet at the Marina Barrage will take you to some of the following destinations: The Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay financial centre, Fullerton Bay Hotel, Merlion Park, Central Business District, Raffles Landing, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, Asian Civilisations Museum, The Arts House at the Old Parliament, Esplanade Park, Supreme Court, Funan Digital Mall, Swissotel Merchant Court, Chinatown, Fort Canning, Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay, Gallery Hotel, Studio M Hotel, Park Hotel Clarke Quay, Clarke Quay, Zouk, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium Hotel, Furama Riverfront Hotel, Copthorne King's Hotel and the end of the line, Great World City. All these locations are a very short distance from each embarkation point and as you can see by the amount of hotels located on the list, it’s perfect for visitors to check out the local sites or simply just to get from A to B. The final stop is the mall and cinema Great World City. This is also the source of the Singapore River. Although it looks like it keeps going, this is actually Alexander Canal, which extends westward from the original source of the Singapore River.

Go for the history and the sites or to simply visit the any number of bars, clubs and restaurants that line the banks, exploring the Singapore River is essential for any visitor to the country.

The River Explorer 

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One Day at Marina Bay

No trip to Singapore is complete without a visit to Marina Bay. As the entrance to the Singapore River, it was once an all-important trade route for fishermen and traders who were the life-blood of the island. Now it’s one of Singapore’s premier tourist attractions.

Instead of taking the train to Marina Bay MRT station, get off at Raffles Place and head east towards the Fullerton Bay Hotel. From here you should head north along the water towards the Merlion.

The Merlion is the mascot and national symbol of Singapore. Its fish body represents Singapore’s origin as a fishing village and the lion head represents Singapore’s original name, Singapura, meaning Lion City. The Merlion statue sits near the mouth of the Singapore River. At 8.6 metres tall and with a jet of water rushing out of his mouth, the Merlion is a must see to make any visit to Singapore complete.

From there you can catch a bumboat straight across the bay towards Marina Bay Sands. Opened in 2010, the $8 billion Marina Bay Sands is the most expensive stand-alone hotel casino ever built. Your first stop at this epic complex should be the ArtScience museum. Shaped like a lotus flower, this unique building does not fail to impress. With an always changing roster of international exhibitions, the ArtScience museum is just as impressive on the inside.

From there it’s into the mall. Officially called The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, this mega-mall really lives up to its name. At almost 93,000 square metres, it truly is a shopper’s paradise. If you’re one of the many people that doesn’t like shopping but once again have found yourself dragged to a shopping centre, perhaps you could take a gondola ride on the canal that runs through the mall. Or maybe sit and have a coffee beside the indoor waterfall, made up of collected rainwater. Plus there’s always the ice skating rink to keep you busy. Of course if something a bit more grown up is to your liking, then just pop into the casino. As the world’s largest atrium casino, with 500 tables and 1,600 slot machines, it will be very easy to match any shopper in terms of time and money spent.

With shopping bags filled and chips cashed, it’s time to make a trip up to the SkyPark, 191 metres above ground. Make sure you bring swimwear as the SkyPark hosts the world’s longest infinity pool. Swimming to the edge and peering over to take in the view of the city from almost 200 metres high, while floating in 376,500 gallons of water is a genuinely breath-taking experience. After your swim you can have a meal in one of the world class restaurants that sit in the SkyPark. After dinner make sure you take a stroll through the hundreds of trees that make this rooftop paradise a true park. Your walk should take you to the north end of the park where the platform overhangs by 67 metres, giving unmatched views of Singapore.

It’s not over yet. To end the day why don’t you catch a show in one of the two 1,680-seat theatres located in the mall down below? And if you really want to keep the night going afterwards, party the rest of the night away at the “floating nightclub” on Marina Bay.

From national icons and traditional water transport all the way to the future of shopping and leisure, a day at Marina Bay is a must for anyone visiting Singapore. 

Visitors.sg

Shopping and Tax Advantages for Tourists in Singapore

Singapore is famous for its amazing range of shopping options, but did you know tourists can claim back the 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) once you leave the country? Most large retailers and chain stores in Singapore participate in the Tourist Refund Scheme; just look for a blue sign saying either "Tax Free Shopping" or "Premier Tax Free". As the minimum spend is $100, you should always confirm with the retailer that they are participating in the scheme, just to be on the safe side.

Not all goods and services purchased are eligible for a GST refund. Goods partly or wholly consumed in Singapore, items purchased for business or commercial use, goods exported by freight, accommodation, car rental, entertainment and tour charges are all ineligible for a GST refund.

The first step to getting your GST refund is to claim the Electronic Tourist Refund Scheme (eTRS) ticket or a paper refund form from the cashier during your purchase. Make sure you have your passport with you as you will need this as proof of eligibility.

Make sure you keep the ticket or form safe as you will need them at the time of departure.
When arriving at Changi Airport for your departure, make sure you claim your refund before you check in for your flight as you may need to present the items you purchased to the customs officer. If you have an eTRS ticket you can claim your refund at the eTRS self-service kiosk. Keep in mind that even with the self-service option, you still might need to show your goods and the original receipt / invoice. This can be done at the Customs Inspection Counter. If you have a paper refund form, you can just head straight to the Customs Inspection Counter to have your claim approved. Once you receive your customs stamp you can check your luggage in along with the purchased goods.

Customs Inspection Counters and eTRS kiosks are available in all terminals of Changi Airport.

Once you have your customs stamp and have checked in your luggage, proceed through immigration and head to either the Global Blue Refund or Premier Tax Free counter. The one specific to your needs can be found in the documents you received from either the kiosk or the Customs Inspection Counter. Keep in mind that for credit card refunds, the credit card receiving the refund must be the same card that was used for the original purchase. Make sure you are familiar with all the differences between the two systems. In some cases a retailer may operate a refund scheme of their own. In this case please use the airport postbox to mail in the endorsed refund form. In these cases you may have to pay a small handling fee.

The retail experience in Singapore is something every dedicated shopper must experience at least once in their life, especially during the annual Great Singapore Sale. Tips like this can help you save money and make your time in Singapore more pleasurable.

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