The best way to explore Singapore is to do what the locals do. That's right, do things that are 'non-touristy'. I've compiled a summary of places and things you can do in Singapore that are mostly free, other than a bottle of drink and transport fares. We do hope you will find them useful and have fun!

1. Grab your 20 megapixel camera and head right down to Chinatown .... ok, ok, Two million pixel is just as good. Take some pictures of the old shops as well as their almost 90 degrees staircases. If you like taking photos of elderly people, there are many hanging out the wet market not doing anything.

2. Go to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve for mountain biking or walk around and smell the green. Bring a bottle water and shades.

3. Take a ferry (cost only $2) to Pulau Ubin and explore the area. You can also rent a bike or worn-out motocycle. Try going for a taxi if you're able to find one, they can climb rough terrains better than jeeps. Explore a few of the Malay kampungs and prawn farms.

4. Go to the Changi Prison. It's free entrance for tourist and inmates. Visit the museum and chapel for many WW2 history and photos.

5. Visit the Siang Lim Si temple at Toa Payoh. Watch people get blessed. For that non-believers, you can count the number of deities inside ... it ought to occupy you for just one hour.

6. Visit the East Coast Park for any swim and then satay-bee hoon at the hawker centre.

7. Have a train to Changi Airport. Buy two glasses of coffee, find a comfortable pillar in the departure hall viewing gallery, watch planes remove and get yourself your reason for not on the plane at risk of a holiday.

what to do in singapore

8. Take a map and walk ins MacRitchie Reservoir.

9. Go Sim Lim Square and check out the latest laptops and hardware.

10. Go jogging from Kallang River to Benjamin Sheares Bridge.

11. Have a train from the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. You can go over to Malaysia and back within a day.

12. Try waterskiing at Pungol.

13. Help make your own kite and fly them in the Marine South open field. After that, you'll have a delicious steamboat dinner in the many steamboat restaurant nearby.

14. Visit the Flea Market at Sungei Road. Some people called it the Thieves Market because most of the things that sold there are not bought through the merchants.

15. Go cycling at the Sembawang Park. Quiet and nice even on the weekends. Cycle to the end and you may see some of the big ships refuelling.

16. Bring your own pit and barbeque across the Upper Pierce Reservoir. But if you are feeling oily, don't jump into the reservoir, you may end up in Point no. 4.

17. Visit the Tekka Market at Serangoon Road for a number of vegetables and fruit. There is a stall selling one of the best Bryani Chicken Rice I have ever tasted.

18. Go fishing at Pasir Ris Park.

19. Visit the Kinokuniya Bookstore.You are dizzy after browing the library size bookstore, sit down for a bag at the cafe within the bookstore. If you think a bookworm on that day, then go to the Borders bookstore for any second helping.

20. Go to the Sungei Buloh Nature Park. Bring binoculars and do watching birds. After that, you can purchase some hydroponic vegetables home in the nearby farms.