① A Must-Visit for International Travelers
Sentosa Island, located on the southern coast of Singapore, is a well-known tourist attraction. It is a must-visit spot for anyone traveling to Singapore, drawing in countless international tourists. It welcomes approximately 20 million visitors annually.
While Sentosa Island is now a glamorous urban resort, it was once known as “The Island of Death from Behind.” In the 1970s, Sentosa was a barren land with nothing on it. It was a base for pirates and a place where epidemics were rampant, so even locals avoided it. The original name of Sentosa Island was Pulau Belakang Mati, which means “the island behind death.”
Singapore became a British colony in 1819 and a self-governing state in 1959. It was part of the Malaysian Federation until 1965 it gained independence.
During the British colonial period, Singapore was frequently invaded by pirates. The British military occupied Sentosa Island, but after World War II, Japan occupied Singapore and used the island as a prisoner-of-war camp.
In 1972, the Singapore government massively developed Sentosa Island. Despite the name change to ‘Sentosa’ and the development, it did not yield significant results initially. In 2008, Singapore announced the growth of a casino and Resorts World.
A Malaysian conglomerate invested approximately $ 5.1 billion to open the world’s largest integrated resort. Universal Studios, the fourth in the world, was established. Various facilities centered around Universal Studios were introduced to Sentosa Island. Gradually, the number of international tourists increased, and it became a famous tourist spot in Singapore.
② What to Enjoy & Hotels on Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island has various facilities, making it a place where you could spend an entire day and still not have enough time to see everything. If you’re planning a trip to Singapore, it is recommended to dedicate at least one day to exploring Sentosa Island. On Sentosa Island, you can visit the aquarium, home to over 100,000 marine creatures from more than 800 species, the largest water park, and a maritime museum.
You can also enjoy shopping and dining 24 hours a day at Festive Walk.
There are three beaches on Sentosa Island where you can enjoy various water sports. You can’t miss the performances on the island either. The island hosts musical fountains. These are held every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show’s highlight is the final scene, where you can watch the Sky Jet, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia.
Wings of Time begins after sunset at Siloso Beach. It offers a spectacular view with water jets, lighting, and state-of-the-art fireworks.
On the island, you can use various modes of transportation, such as cable cars and monorails. The Singapore Cable Car is a popular mode of transport on Sentosa Island, offering a panoramic view of Sentosa Island and as far as Malaysia. It is popular among international tourists for transportation and sightseeing, offering a view of the city’s skyline.
Resorts World Sentosa is a super-luxury integrated resort with six hotels on the island. Staying at a hotel while exploring Sentosa Island is also a good option.
Among them is the 5-star Equarius Hotel on Sentosa Island, which offers an aquarium view from the rooms. It is famous as a hotel where you can enjoy the aquarium from your room all day. The hotel offers a variety of room types and is a perfect place to enjoy a complete rest. You can have a comfortable time in various hotels.
③ Universal Studios
Universal Studios Singapore is at the heart of Sentosa Island. It opened on March 18, 2010, following the United States and Japan. Universal Studios Singapore is the first Hollywood movie theme park in Southeast Asia.
Universal Studios, about 60,000 square meters, comprises seven theme zones where visitors can enjoy 24 attractions. In particular, 18 of these attractions were produced exclusively for Universal Studios Singapore.
You can visit Shrek’s village, which can only be found at Universal Studios Singapore. Also, you can see the representative buildings of New York and Steven Spielberg’s special effects stage. Check the map and waiting times by downloading the Universal Studios Singapore app. It’s a great way to spend time more efficiently at Universal Studios.
By. Han Mia
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