“Urgh, Singapore is so small…,” commonly uttered by locals tired of the usual go-to photo spots for leisure and entertainment, we are all craving something new. OOTDs are an absolute essential for a modern, trendy feed. Since travel is limited during the pandemic, many are scouring for local Instagrammable photo spots in Singapore. We have resorted to ways to overcome cabin-fever, including going for staycations, exploring hidden local locations, and creating a semblance of foreign mystery.
Sieving out hidden Instagram-worthy photo spots in Singapore is becoming a necessity in inducing major feed-envy. It’s midweek and if you’re tired of always heading to the Marina Bay Sands or wondering where you should go this weekend, read on!
1. Petain Road
Situated a stone’s throw away from City Square Mall is a glamorous row of Chinese Baroque-style shophouses, built in the early 1930s. Despite the unsavoury origin of its street name, it is one of the most well-preserved terrace houses. Its facade showcases delicate ornaments and beautifully painted ceramic tiles. These buildings also feature neo-classical features with a touch of Peranakan flair.
With a million-dollar backdrop like this, it doesn’t take much to impress. Grab your girlfriend and snap away. The complementary colours of the tiles, the intricate floral details and the contrasting flooring seeks to enhance your OOTD shots. Overall, it’s distinction from the regular city landscape generates a dreamy mystique. Pictures like these are guaranteed to wow your friends and pique their interest.
Pro-tip: The benches situated outside multiple of these shophouses act as a perfect prop for posing. Additionally, the ledges found alongside the intricately carved pillars also provide a perfect location for product placement or for posing support. If you want more insights to taking the perfect #OOTD, click our blog post on how to pose for the perfect OOTD!
2. Redhill MRT
For those thinking, “what?”, I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.
This one can’t be more conveniently located. Situated along the East-West MRT Line, the station’s colours and symmetry produce a Wes-Anderson-esque effect, making it the ideal eye-catching Instagram spot. For instance, sport your fanciest pink outfit or an outstanding OOTD and you might produce one of your favourite Instagram posts. This is definitely the spot for experimenting with that brave look you’ve been deliberating. Additionally, if you need some posing inspiration for the perfect OOTD, we have just the post for you here.
Fun Fact: If you are a K-Pop fan, or in this case a Blink, this scene might be reminiscent of BLACKPINK’s train station in As If It’s Your Last video. Despite the actual filming location remaining undetermined, it definitely bears striking similarities.
3. Marina Square Maze
For the minimalists, modern basic fans, or streetwear enthusiasts, this one’s for you. Tucked in an obscure corner of Marina Square, it is a fire escape route designed just like a maze. It’s located at the mall’s rooftop and provides the perfect set up for clean, futuristic or post-apocalyptic shots. If you’ve been saving an out-of-your-comfort-zone outfit for a while, this place would be THE location for you to don that OOTD and capture a picture-perfect Instagram.
Moreover, it’s white walls, clean lines and open top allow you to play with different photo angles and make your outfit stand out. For those in love with industrial styles and street photography, this location creates a highly compatible setting for your OOTD. Surprise your followers with a standout photograph when you shoot here.
Pro-Tip: The journey there is slightly complicated. Head to level 2 of Marina Square and exit through the door nearest to #02-81. Head down the pathway till you reach a door marked “Stair 30-D-1” on your right. Enter the door and you’ve arrived!
4. Japanese Cemetery Park
Missed Japan’s spring blossoms because you’re stuck in Singapore? Fret not, you can not simulate a trip there by heading down to the local Japanese Cemetery Park. Nestled within a residential area in Hougang, it is the largest Japanese cemetery in Southeast Asia and acts as the burial ground of the early Japanese community in Singapore. While its historical significance and legacies should not be forgotten, this light-hearted blog post aims to shed light on its aesthetics.
It’s beauty is best described via the sense of sight, hence, behold the following…
In contrast to Japan’s Sakura season, the park houses a row of arches decorated with bougainvillea, a native bush. When the flowers are in bloom, the archways make for a picturesque photo reminiscent of springtime in temperate countries.
Despite its unconventional locale, the gorgeous surroundings definitely makes it worth a visit. However, be sure not to forget its significance while capturing your gorgeous OOTDs.
Pro-tip: Though bougainvilleas flower year round, definitely catch them during rainier months when they will probably be the most alluring.
5. The Mill
If darkness is your old friend, brace yourself for The Mill. Hidden among the industrial area of Bukit Merah, The Mill is a culmination of post-industrial American architecture and with a neo-gothic flair. Looking for drama? It serves.
It also houses a quiet garden terrace on the sixth floor where you can chill with your friends and definitely take more envy-inducing photos.
Pro-tip: If all that OOTD-taking got you parched, stop by Alchemist at The Mill. Buy a cuppa joe and maybe even capture a few more shots of their awe-inspiring Victorian style interior, topped off with a chandelier.
Get Creative and Discover More Of Singapore
While we constantly adapt to new forms of normalcy, we can approach this “obstacle” from a different perspective. Singapore’s size constraints can challenge and incentivise us to get creative and discover interesting photo spots. With that, we can stop comparing our feeds to that of curated travel influencers or foreign creators. Instead, let’s take a step back and explore what our little island holds. Planning a trip down these locations but need some outfit ideas? We’ve got you covered. Be prepared to brave the recent hot and humid weather with this guide on best clothing materials for the summer, get experimental with slits in this post or learn how to show off your thrifted finds here!
Once you’ve mastered the shots, we’d love to see you post them on the Shopform app!