To mark Singapore’s 60th birthday, Singapore Flyer has quietly transformed into something more immersive. The new experience at the 165-metre observation wheel now stretches to 75 minutes and features a ‘Time Capsule’ – a two-storey multimedia experience through Singapore’s past, present and future.
It’s still the city’s sweeping horizons that steal the show, but the reimagined ground-to-sky journey might just make your visit far richer.
Travel through time in the reimagined Time Capsule
Once you collect your tickets, you’re ushered into a dimly lit space where the only thing illuminated is R65, a time-travelling robot who sets the scene and prompts you to scan a QR code. This launches the Time Capsule web app that acts as your digital guide, offering behind-the-scenes stories and extra details at every zone.
Level 1: Tracing the roots of Singapore
Prince Sang Nila Utama’s legendary arrival is retold in a panoramic animated scene. Even if you paid close attention during history class, the tale of Singapore’s first days is staged with vivid projections that almost make you forget you’re in an attraction.
Next, you ‘meet’ the Orang Laut, Singapore’s original sea-dwellers, before stepping into the bustling port from the Maritime Silk Road era. The wooden boats, ocean sounds and projected market scenes evoke a time when life revolved entirely around the sea – long before skyscrapers defined our city’s skyline.
This is also where the QR code feature shines. Scanning each zone’s code through the Time Capsule reveals each character’s backstory and perspective, almost like you’re having a conversation across centuries.
Moving on, you encounter an illuminated floor that mimics the Singapore River, which animates as you walk along it! Along the walls, the riverbanks changed from simple attap houses to neat rows of shophouses, tracing decades of Singapore’s evolving landscape.
The final stop on level one invites you to sit at a familiar chess-tiled concrete table while a 300-degree curved projection charted Singapore’s rise into a modern metropolis. It’s a short but reflective pause before the experience shifts gears on the next floor.
Level 2: Heritage and heart of the nation
Heading upstairs, you walk past towering fabric panels adorned with colourful batik prints from Peranakan heritage, while mirrors and kaleidoscopic displays create playful reflections.
Step into the next room and you’ll be surrounded by festivals and celebrations, from lantern-lit Mid-Autumn nights to the roar of the Singapore Grand Prix, all coming together in a swirl of immersive projections and mirrored surfaces that reflect the city’s multicultural pulse.
Before leaving the Time Capsule, you’ll find a final space adorned with light-filled showcases and interactive games. While the games add a playful touch, it’s the gentle, dreamlike atmosphere that lets you wind down before the main event.
Spin above the city – with a twist
Afterwards, you head straight to the boarding area of the Singapore Flyer, where the slow climb into the sky begins, revealing expansive views of the Marina Bay skyline, like the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay and the southern coastline.
The FLYER360 app adds a twist to the ride. Just point your phone at a landmark and tap on it to discover bite-sized facts, like when the Helix Bridge was built or how Gardens by the Bay got its name. It’s a neat addition that gives the skyline more context beyond just pretty, glittering buildings.
See Singapore through Ah Guo’s eyes
Back on the ground, the Flyer hides another gem: Whimsical Reality, an art space curated by local artist Ah Guo. While the gallery has permanent fixtures, it’s occassionally refreshed with new works like the special SG60 showcase titled A Little Whimsical Salute, a three-panel watercolour tribute to Singapore’s journey from the 1960s to today.
Look closely and you might just spot charming Easter eggs like the iconic dragon playground tucked behind HDB blocks.
Celebrate SG60 with food, music and late-night fun at the newly revamped Singapore Flyer
There’s even more happening around the Flyer. Catch the Street Eats Under the Stars night market from Aug 6 to 10, featuring over 25 food stalls and live performances.
On National Day (Aug 9), rides will run until 12.30am, letting you catch rare late-night views after the fireworks. Special SG60 ticket bundles and dining deals are also available throughout August. More details can be found on the Singapore Flyer website.
From myths and memories in the Time Capsule to the sweeping skyline above, it’s not often that an attraction expands its offerings without raising ticket prices. So, whether you’re a first-timer or returning after years, it’s a fresh way to rediscover a city icon and celebrate how far Singapore has come.
sherly.goh@asiaone.com
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