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Two new Singapore attractions land themselves on Time Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2026

Despite being fairly recent openings, House of Tan Yeok Nee and Rainforest Wild Asia are receiving global love

Amanda Tan
Written by
Amanda Tan
Contributor, Time Out Singapore
TIME's World's Greatest Places 2026
Photograph: Darren Soh for House of Tan Yeok Nee (left), Time Out Singapore (right)
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Here’s how we know Singapore’s latest attractions are top-tier: they earn glowing accolades and global recognition despite their newness. Time Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places for 2026 have just been announced – and two recently opened attractions from Singapore have made their way onto this chosen list of a hundred. Consider it a level up from last year, where we scored a single entry in the ‘Places to Stay’ category.

House of Tan Yeok Nee
Photograph: Darren Soh for House of Tan Yeok NeeHouse of Tan Yeok Nee

The first new spot that’s now getting international attention in Time’s ‘Places to Visit’ round-up: House of Tan Yeok Nee, a heritage-steeped 140-year-old Teochew mansion that’s the last surviving one of its kind in Singapore. Previously closed to the public, this gazetted national monument with intricate roof sculptures underwent a three-year restoration period and now functions as a multi-use space, featuring an in-house cultural gallery, event spaces, and French-Japanese fine-dining restaurant Loca Niru.

Rainforest Wild Asia
Photograph: Time Out SingaporeThe Karsts

Perhaps less surprising is the selection of Rainforest Wild Asia, part of Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which most tourists tend to put on their Singapore hit list. It’s not your typical zoological park – with nearly 7,000 native plant species, the verdant attraction closely mimics the natural rainforest habitats of its free-roaming residents, including tigers, sun bears, tapirs, monkeys, and more. Don’t expect it to be a simple walkthrough; You’ll be crossing streams via log bridges and trekking up stairs through the lush forest. But to worry if you don’t consider yourself an expert explorer, as it’s all designed to be family-friendly.

Cavern Restaurant Rainforest Wild Asia
Photograph: Cavern Restaurant

The jungle adventure continues with Cavern, a thematic cave dining experience that’s inspired by Sarawak’s Mulu Caves. And if you want to make a whole mini getaway out of it? Book a night in a luxurious treehouse pod at the nearby Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree.

House of Tan Yeok Nee and Rainforest Wild Asia are two out of just 14 of the chosen ‘Places to Visit’ in Asia, while the global tally sits at 50.

Asia's Greatest Places to Visit in 2026, according to Time Magazine

  • Aabbcc (New Delhi, India)
  • Centre for Contemporary Arts Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
  • DaiDib DaiDee (Pua, Thailand)
  • Dib Bangkok (Thailand)
  • House of Tan Yeok Nee (Singapore)
  • Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge (Guizhou, China)
  • Ise-Jingu (Ise, Japan)
  • Kai Tak Sports Park (Hong Kong)
  • Kawayan EcoPark (General Trias, Philippines)
  • Khao Yai Art Forest (Pong Ta Long, Thailand)
  • Maana Living (Kyoto, Japan)
  • Rainforest Wild Asia (Singapore)
  • Ratnange Trail Centre (Phaplu, Nepal)
  • Silolona Sojourns Si Datu Bua (Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia)

See the full list of Time Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places for 2026 and find out more about the judging process here.

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