Mention Singapore as a travel destination and images of skyscrapers and Marina Bay Sands probably come to mind. Well, Singapore is indeed known as a cosmopolitan city, but there are also lots of culture and heritage for one to discover on the little red dot.

With a unique demographic made up of 3 major ethnic groups - Chinese, Malays and Indians - Singapore is privileged to have its people live together in harmony and openly celebrating its diverse culture and festivals. To have a taste of the more traditional and colourful side of Singapore, plan a day trip to the following cultural enclaves to see a different face of Singapore you never knew.

Chinatown

Start the day out in Chinatown, the historical district where early Chinese immigrants live and gather. Have a traditional Singaporean breakfast at the Nanyang old coffee - the set of local coffee, tasty Kaya(coconut jam) and butter on soft fluffy toast and half boiled eggs with a dollop of soy sauce will set your engine running for the first half of the day. Do check out the mini coffee museum within the shop to have a look at some of the traditional coffee brewing equipment used.

Following breakfast, tread on down towards the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, a magnificent temple showcasing excellent architecture and a two-meter tall gold stupa that weighs 420 kg, situated at the Sacred Light Hall on the top floor. Admission is free, and visitors are welcomed to visit the temple or observe the ceremonies held twice a day from 9 am to 12 pm, and again from 3 to 6 pm.

Part of the Chinatown experience includes walking along the streets and finding all sorts of strange-looking herbs and dry food stuff sold by the Chinese medicinal shops. You will also find lots of trinkets and souvenir along the street markets.

Little India

Following Chinatown, head down to Little India for some traditional Indian food for lunch. You will have no lack of food choices here on any budget. Even if spicy food does not sit well with you, there is an abundance of choices, including street food like Roti Prata, or the marinated Chicken Tikka and delicious Palek Paneer that makes a great dip for a piece of fragrant garlic naan. For a good dum Biryani, locate the Bismillah Biryani Restaurant in Dunlop Street - the eatery received a Bib Gourmand award from the Michelin Guide Singapore.

After having savoured a delicious lunch, a walkabout to visit the different temples around makes for an interesting activity. Perhaps one of the most iconic temples in the area is the Sri Veeramakaliamman temple. Built in 1881, the Indian temple is one of the oldest in Singapore and is dedicated to Sri Veeramakaliamman, a powerful goddess and destroyer of Evil.

Do take off your shoes before entering the temple and if you are lucky, you may even see some ceremonies and mass. Since it is a religious institution, remember to be respectful and not take pictures within the temple itself. Devotees are rather accepting of visitors as long as you keep a low profile and do not disturb any ceremonies going on.

Explore the rows of shops lining up the main streets of Little India and you’ll experience an arousal of senses - from spices to aroma of flowers, glittering gold stores and colourful murals that make great photo opportunities.

Definitely make your way to Mustafa Centre, a sprawling mall that offers a unique shopping experience. You’ll find all sorts of merchandise from designer products, electronics to cheap grocery and spices. The shopping mall is open 24 hours, which means you can always go back late at night if your jetlag is keeping you up.

Kampong Glam

Just about a 5 minutes’ walk away from the Bugis MRT station is Kampong Glam, an area allocated for the Arab and Bugis traders during Singapore’s earlier days. The mainstay of the area is the iconic Sultan Mosque, the biggest mosque in Singapore. With its magnificent gold dome and background lights, the splendor of the Sultan Mosque is best viewed in the evening with the surrounding sunset.

Unlike the previous 2 cultural enclaves, the Kampong Glam area has a much more tranquil energy to it and less tourist crowd. Lining Haji Lane, you can find all sorts of home-grown designer brands, hipster cafes and shops selling all things vintage. Along the main Arab Street, you will find throngs of shops selling fabulous fabrics, hand-made perfumes and Persian carpets.

While smoking shisha pipes used to be a mainstay here, the government has banned it in recent years but you’ll still find many restaurants and eatery specializing in Middle Eastern food. To end the day, hangout at one of the hip bars for a drink or two with some live music and great vibes.