Darren YeohWhile I love to travel, there’s one thing I absolutely dread: long layovers and airport transfers. Nothing beats arriving at my destination quickly so the real adventure can begin. Good news for those in Singapore: Changi International Airport offers direct flights to a surprising number of incredible places. Beyond the usual tourist hotspots like Bangkok, Seoul, and London, you can fly directly to the twelve hidden gems listed below. Consider this our little secret—and I’m only sharing it with you because you seem like a great person to share travel tips with!
1. Nagoya, Japan
Image credit:名古屋太郎
Despite being Japan’s fourth most crowded city, Nagoya is not mentioned much when discussing travel in Japan. And that’s a real shame. Nagoya, the main city of the Nobi Plain, is the capital of the Prefecture of Aichi. Its main attraction is Nagoya Castle, one of the most important locations during Japan’s Edo period. It is beautifully maintained and its gardens are a joy to behold in spring. Apart from the castle, Nagoya is home to many important museums and Korankei Valley, one of the most stunning places in Japan, especially when autumn comes round and the entire area is a fiery sea of red leaves. I swear, even as I write this, I can already imagine being in Nagoya with traditional Japanese music playing behind me. Or maybe it’s just my imagination. Sigh.
Airlines that fly to Nagoya: Singapore Airlines
2. Nadi, Fiji
Image credit: Markolf Zimmer
When I think of Fiji, I think of a warm climate, warmer people and beautiful natural landscapes. Nadi (pronounced Nan-di) is not far off from that picture. However, not many people know much about this quaint little town, often only stopping over as a transit point to other major destinations. Although it’s size is nothing to gawk about, Nadi does offer some rustic travel experiences. Of which, the most popular would have to be the Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Bath and the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. It is also one of the safest places in Fiji, so the next time you’re in Nadi, be it on transit or otherwise, don’t be in such a rush to fly off to your next destination. Spend some time with this little township and who knows what unexpected travel experiences you’ll encounter?
Airlines that fly to Nadi: Fiji Airways
Also Read: Why Fiji is The New Maldives
3. Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Image credit: Matt’s Life
I last visited Kaohsiung in March this year, and boy, do I miss the city. It’s never sat well with me that Kaohsiung never really gets the attention that other major destinations in Taiwan, like Taipei, and Hualien, get. There’s just as much fun stuff to do in Taiwan’s largest port city. Take for example, the artistic vibe of the Pier 2 Art Centre, which showcases some of the most creative masterpieces of local talents. Or the famous Lotus Pond and beautiful Shoushan National Park And let’s not forget the mouthwatering delicacies one can find while thronging Ruifeng night market! The city is less crowded than Taipei but still offers the metropolitan comfort of the Taiwanese capital. What more can I say? It’s just a beautiful city that is more than worth the visit!
Airlines that fly to Kaohsiung: China Airlines
Also Read: Visiting Kaoshiung: A Personal One-Day Itinerary
4. Danang, Vietnam
Image credit:Fa2f
Danang is a port city in central Vietnam and it is the third largest city overall in the country. Most people who visit Danang do so for the beautiful beaches in the city. The My Khe Beach is especially picturesque and a big hit among many travelers looking for the ultimate beach day. But Danang is not another typical coastal destination, it is also close to several UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Hoi An, and the mystical Phong Nga Caves (I highly recommend visiting this). And guess what, it’s only a 2 hour and 45 minute flight from Changi Airport! Not to bad if you ask me!
Airlines that fly to Danang: Vietjet & Singapore Airlines
5. Kuching (Sarawak, Malaysia)
Image credit: Lenny K Photography
Let’s start with somewhere closer to Singapore. When you talk about tourism and travel in Malaysia, you often get the Penangs, the Ipohs, the Malaccas, the KLs, and the Pulaus. Well, a highly underrated gem is Kuching in the state of Sarawak in East Malaysia. It is the capital city of Sarawak and it boasts amazing natural scenery, such as Mount Santubong, and a deep connection to the cultural heritage of Borneo. One simply must visit the Sarawak Cultural Village (the annual Rainforest World Music Festival is also held here) to experience the authentic culture of the aboriginal tribes in Sarawak. Teeming with nature and a cultural hub of diverse experiences, Kuching is a great city to visit, especially if it’s your first time visiting East Malaysia!
Airlines that fly to Kuching: AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Scoot, Singapore Airlines
Also Read: 10 Reasons Why Kuching Should Be Your Next Weekend Getaway Destination
6. Xi’an, China
Image credit: Chensiyuan
Now, let me just put it out there: China is HUGE. I have personally been to China on quite a number of occasions, and even still I dare not call myself an expert of travelling in China. There is just so much to see and do! Of course, everyone starts somewhere, and there is no better place to start than the capital of Shaanxi Province. It is much more affordable and cleaner than most major cities in China and it is quite a Muslim-friendly place, so there should not be any worries about missing out on the local delicacies because of religious practices. It is also home to the Terracotta army, as seen in the Tomb Raider movie starring Angelina Jolie. A haven of good food and beautiful sights, Xi’an is a great place to start your adventure into the heart of the Chinese Mainland!
Airlines that fly to Xi’an: Scoot
7. Darwin, Australia
Image credit: Smallest Forest
Almost every region in Australia can be a top tourist destination all on its own. Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane. But how many have heard of the Darwin in the northern region? Darwin is the closest in distance to Southeast Asia and is a true gem of the Oceania nation. Like most parts of Australia, eco-tourism plays a huge part, with Darwin being the home to several top tier wildlife reserves and national parks such as Litchfield National Park and Berry Springs. And for the truly courageous, you could challenge the Cage of Death in Crocosaurus Cove where you get to dive…with full-grown crocodiles! That is not for the faint of heart!
Airlines that fly to Darwin: Singapore Airlines
8. Davao City (Mindanao, Philippines)
Image credit: Bro. Jeffrey Pioquinto, SJ
Rounding up the Southeast Asian destinations (in this list) is Davao City in Mindanao, Philippines. It is the third most populous city in the country and the largest in terms of land area (more to explore, perhaps?). Davao City is another good city for eco-tourism, with its many city walking tours and beautiful parks. It’s also a cultural centre for various festivals and celebrations. It is also home to many significant historical monuments such as the Japanese Tunnel. When you’re there, do not miss the chance to hike up Mount Apo, the tallest peak in the Philippines! Be warned though, the hike may not be the easiest, but the view is definitely worth the aching muscles!
Airlines that fly to Davao City: Scoot
Also Read: 9 Things to Do in Davao City for First-Time Travellers
9. Chongqing, China
Image credit:Jonipoon
Chongqing is located in the southwest of China and is known as one of the five national city centres of the country. It is, of course, lesser known compared to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Tianjin. With over 10 million people living in the city, Chongqing is a bustling commercial cauldron but also one which maintains its harmony with nature. Indeed, Chongqing’s best destinations are its natural attractions, including the Wulong Karst National Park and Jinfo Mountain. The Dazu Rock Carvings are another stunning site not to be missed and for those who love Chinese history and folklore, don’t miss the chance to visit the temple of Zhang Fei while you’re there!
Airlines that fly to Chongqing: Chongqing Airlines, Air China, Singapore Airlines
10. Helsinki, Finland
Image credit: Kati Kosonen
Scandinavia is all the rage these days for young travellers! Destinations like Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo are all extremely popular these days, especially if you throw in the words ‘Northern Lights’. But what many people don’t know is that you can fly direct to, among other Scandinavian destinations, Helsinki, the capital of Finland! Helsinki is another one of those cities which have perfected the balance between natural charm and modern sophistication. Boasting many national parks and maritime attractions, Helsinki is complemented by the dynamic urban community of the city, which is well reflected in the food culture of the city
Airlines that fly to Helsinki: Finnair
10 is just the beginning
And that makes 12. To be honest, there are even more destinations that you can get to via a direct flight from Singapore. Some of them are well-known, some of them are gems waiting to be discovered. So if you’re living in Singapore right now, and you’ve got wanderlust, you should probably check out some destinations on this list. Trust me, you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
So what are you waiting for? Time to take to the skies!
