Singapore may be a small country, but its passport is rather mighty and packs a punch in terms of bringing its citizens to different parts of the world. According to the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index, the Singapore passport is among the top five most accepted passports in the world and its holders enjoy visa-free access to 173 cities and countries around the world.
Since narrowing down the options can be tough, here are five bucket-list-worthy destinations that should definitely be at the top of your list, especially since a visa application and related fees can add up.
Kazakhstan
Thanks to an agreement between the governments of both nations in 2015, Singapore passport holders can enjoy visa-free entry for up to 15 days.
Kazakhstan is still very much developing, which leaves beautiful landscapes and the great outdoors to explore. Though this may make moving around the country a challenge, it also means you can enjoy the sights without worrying about crowds of visitors getting in your way and enjoy the natural attractions that are largely untouched.
Visit the old capital of Almaty, which is reminiscent of cities in the European Alps, ski the mountains of Shymbulak, bike the Tien Shan mountains or hike and horseback through Charyn Canyon. The country is also one for history buffs, rich in archaeological remnants such as the spherical rocks of the Valley of Balls and Soviet-era architecture.
The visa-free agreement expires mid-2017, but may be extended depending on the relations between both countries.
China
Singapore passport holders have the privilege of visa-free entry into China through certain ports of entry for up to 15 days. Until recently, China visas were notoriously hard to secure, especially if you were trying to get one quickly. Even though procedures are much less painful, with China more readily offering multi-entry 10-year visas, it is still nice for Singaporeans to know that they can take off to China for a long weekend getaway, without having to plan too far ahead.
Though it’s one country, the regions of China could not be more different from one another, be it in terms of climate, landscape or culture. Three that should surely make your itinerary are Beijing, Shanghai and Xi’an.
Beijing, the country’s capital, is most people’s first stop and introduction to the country. Beijing is home to several UNESCO listed sites, including the Great Wall of China, the first man-made structure to be seen from the space, the Forbidden City, the former residence of the empire that ran the country, and the holy religious buildings at the Temple of Heaven. With all that sightseeing, you’ll surely work up an appetite. Don’t forget to try the most famous dish here: the crispy roasted Peking duck.
To see how foreign powers have influenced China, there’s no better place than Shanghai. From the architecture to the culture, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a city quite like it.
Ancient ruins reign supreme in northwest China in Xi’an, where the most well-known site is the tomb of Qin Shi Huang and his enormous terracotta army. History buffs will enjoy exploring the many tombs and pagodas from the Zhou, Han and Tang dynasties. And, because of how culturally diverse China is, Xi’An is also home to one of the oldest mosques in the country.
Cuba
Travel to Cuba has become much easier in the last few years, and with visa-free travel now available to Singapore passport holders it should definitely be an addition to your travel bucket list. It’s almost as if time has stood still for the country — much of the country’s colonial architecture remains intact and the cars on the road are largely classic American cars from the 1950s that Cubans have maintained and kept running (Fidel Castro imposed a law that required one to get government permission before they were allowed to buy a new foreign car).
The island of Cuba is also home to nine UNESCO world heritage sites. One must-visit location is the San Pedro de la Roca Castle at Santiago de Cuba. The fort, which was built in 1638, is a prime example of Spanish-American military architecture. There’s also a museum within that outlines the pirate attacks on the city in history.
The music and art of Cuba also have its own distinctive flavour. Cuban music has African and Europeans influences and ranges from salsa and merengue to rumba and jazz. No matter which corner you turn, you’ll likely hear music in the air.
Similarly, it’s not too difficult to find an artist sitting by the street and sketching a cityscape of sorts. The country also has artists who use a much bigger canvas such as Jose Fuster. Fuster has turned the town of Jaimanitas, which is just outside Havana, into his own artistic playground, decorating more than 80 homes with murals and tiles.
Mauritius
It was Mark Twain who said “heaven was copied after Mauritius” and, indeed, this country is not to be missed, especially for nature-loving Singaporeans. Not only is this diverse African country packed with beautiful beaches, rain forests and waterfalls, it also has amazing weather year round. We suggest visiting during its “winter” season from May to September, when you can revel in its cool, sunny and dry atmosphere.
Vietnam
Vietnam‘s doors to tourism have only recently been pried a little wider and Singapore is once again a holder of elusive visa-free entry into the country for up to 30 days.
Outside the city, in Sapa, there are many picturesque sights, such as the mountain ranges and terraced rice fields footed by lakes and rivers, the natural caves in Dong Hoi and the Cuc Phuong National Parks. Travelling around the country is also a breeze as locals are very friendly, and the food you’ll get to eat is delicious, varied and surprisingly healthy.
Main image: istockphoto/Doc_Steele
