The Ministry of Manpower has just released the official public holidays for Singapore in 2017 and here’s a great piece of news – there is an increment of one long weekend in comparison to 2016.

This simply means that there is a grand total of seven long weekends in 2017!

Thanks to the emergence of AirBnb, low-cost carriers and Singapore’s proximity to many foreign cities, travelling on a long weekend has long become a norm for Singaporeans.

Within this guide, you will find the dates of Singapore’s seven official long weekends in 2017 and our recommendations on where we think you should visit during each long weekend.

OVERVIEW OF SINGAPORE’S LONG WEEKENDS IN 2017

#1 New Year – 31 Dec 2016 to 02 Jan 2017 (Sat to Mon)
#2 Chinese New Year – 28 to 30 Jan 2017 (Sat to Mon)
#3 Good Friday – 14 to 16 Apr 2017 (Fri to Sun)
#4 Labour Day – 29 Apr to 01 May 2017 (Sat to Mon)
#5 Hari Raya Puasa – 24 to 26 Jun 2017 (Sat to Mon)
#6 Hari Raya Haji – 01 to 03 Sep 2017 (Fri to Sun)
#7 Christmas Day – 23 to 25 Dec 2017 (Sat to Mon)

#1 NEW YEAR – TAIPEI

Kickstart your new year in Taipei city with a blast! The fireworks display from the iconic Taipei 101 is spectacular. Then, spend the remaining time stuffing your faces silly with mouthwatering Taiwanese delicacies at their bustling local night markets. Check out our travel guide on what to eat, see and do in Taipei.

When: 31 Dec 2016 to 02 Jan 2017
Where: Taipei, Taiwan

#2 CHINESE NEW YEAR – HONG KONG

Chinese New Year in Hong Kong is serious business. In fact, it has been listed by Forbes as one of the world’s 10 best events. The entire city will be in good cheer; pray for good fortune at the temples, admire the spellbindingly beautiful fireworks, watch vibrant street performances and more. For more inspiration on what to do in Hong Kong, read up our travel guide here.

When: 28 to 30 Jan 2017
Where: Hong Kong

#3 GOOD FRIDAY – BANGKOK

The capital of Thailand has always been one of the most frequented destinations amongst Singaporeans for its amazing street food, pampering Thai massages, fantastic retail therapy, bedazzling rooftop bars, affordable staycations and the list goes on. Good Friday is just another excuse for us to jet to the Land of Smiles.

When: 14 to 16 Apr 2017
Where: Bangkok, Thailand

#4 LABOUR DAY – BALI

According to weather experts, the best time to visit Bali is in April and May due to its dryer climate and lower humidity. Prices of hotels are also approximately 30% to 50% cheaper than peak period! The Island of Gods is such a romantic tropical destination. For more information, check out our destination guide to Bali.

When: 29 Apr to 01 May 2017
Where: Bali, Indonesia

#5 HARI RAYA PUASA – PERTH

Desperate to escape from the unbearable heat? Well, hop onto a plane and you will soon be enjoying the chilly weathers (temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C in April) of Perth after a 4-hour flight. Here are our top 10 recommendations on what to do in Perth.

When: 24 to 26 June 2017
Where: Perth, Australia

#6 HARI RAYA HAJI – MACAU

Macau is renowned for its gaming scene, with many world-class integrated resorts and casinos. Gaming isn’t the best thing to do but we can always enjoy the architecture of the grand buildings, nightly light shows, scrumptious Portuguese egg tarts, pork chop buns, tasty almond cookies and whatnot. Here’s our guide on what to do in Macau in 72 hours.

When: 01 to 03 Sep 2017
Where: Macau, China

#7 CHRISTMAS DAY – MANILA

When daylight wanes away, the capital of the Philippines evolves into a magnificent light show. Visitors can expect over-the-top Christmas decorations across the Filipino city – but hey, we are not complaining! The Yuletide festive period in Manila is so impressive that even CNN has given a thumbs up.

When: 23 to 25 Dec 2017
Where: Manila, The Philippines

In 2016, there are a total of six long weekends thanks to the various public holidays that fall on either a Friday or Monday. To maximise your travel opportunities, one should know when the long weekends are and which flights would be the shortest and cheapest.

Singapore is the ultimate gateway to other Asian countries and her strategic location has made travelling to other nations extremely possible in just a weekend. With several popular cities reachable within a mere few hours of flight and the rise of low-cost airlines, travelling is no longer limited to just the wealthy. All you have to do is take advantage of long weekends!

Here’s a guide to Singapore’s long weekends in 2016 – when and where to go. We have shortlisted a nearby destination for each long weekend period.

GUIDE TO LONG WEEKEND GETAWAYS FROM SINGAPORE IN 2016

New Year – 01 to 03 January (Fri to Sat)
Chinese New Year – 06 to 09 February (Sat to Tue)
Good Friday – 25 to 27 March (Fri to Sat)
Labour Day – 30 April to 02 May (Sat to Mon)
Hari Raya Haji – 10 to 12 September (Sat to Mon)
Christmas Day – 24 to 26 December (Sat to Mon)

#1 KUALA LUMPUR – NEW YEAR’S DAY

It is but a 65-minute flight from Singapore to the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. The vibrant city has a plethora of dining, shopping and nightlife options that will keep visitors entertained throughout the long weekend. Join in the fun as the whole city celebrates 2016!

Click here to read our 10 street food and cafe recommendations in Kuala Lumpur.

When: 01 to 03 January 2016
Where: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

#2 BANGKOK – CHINESE NEW YEAR

Enjoy a 4-day vacation during the Chinese New Year public holidays. You could even stretch your holiday further by taking additional days off – if you have enough leaves. Immerse yourselves in Chinese traditional celebrations at Bangkok’s Chinatown precinct, treat yourself to a shopping spree and go on a feasting marathon.

It takes only 2 hours and 20 minutes for a one-way trip to Bangkok! For more inspiration on what to eat and do in the capital of Thailand, check out our Bangkok travel guides.

When: 06 to 09 February 2016
Where: Bangkok, Thailand

#3 HONG KONG – GOOD FRIDAY

Why not celebrate the Easter holidays at dim sum land aka Hong Kong? It takes approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes to fly from Singapore to Hong Kong and we are sure you will love the splendid variety of food, amazing hiking trails and abundance of nightlife destinations.

For useful tips on what to do, eat and see in Hong Kong, check out our comprehensive Hong Kong guides.

When: 25 to 27 March 2016
Where: Hong Kong

#4 LANGKAWI – LABOUR DAY

Accessible within just a 85-min flight is Langkawi, an archipelago in Malaysia. The turquoise waters and tranquil setting of the Malaysian West Coast Islands would instantly rejuvenate your tired souls. It’s Labour Day after all and you truly deserve ample of rest.

When: 30 April to 01 May 2016
Where: Langkawi, Malaysia

#5 JAKARTA – HARI RAYA HAJI

Situated just an hour and fifty minutes away by plane, Jakarta is an alternative getaway destination for the busy working adults who can only find time for a weekend holiday. The capital of Indonesia itself is an interesting city to explore with great food and parties.

Read the 10 Hotspots To Be and To Be Seen in Jakarta.

When: 10 to 12 September 2016
Where: Jakarta

#6 BALI – CHRISTMAS DAY

Reward yourself with a relaxing trip to Bali, The Island of the Gods. Contrary to popular belief, a trip to this Indonesian island is actually incredibly affordable – and it takes just about two hours to get to Bali. It’s a great place to celebrate Christmas

With so many tantalising gourmet offers, we know how frustrating it can get to decide on what to eat. For a start, read our handy Bali guides!

When: 24 to 26 December 2016
Where: Bali, Indonesia

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.

Words by Melody Yap, photographs by ladyironchef

Living in a cosmopolitan city like Singapore pretty much equates being in a rat race everyday. Work days are ever fast-paced and stressful, and so demanding on us physically, emotionally and mentally. We spend more than half the week working, and we hardly get to treat ourselves to a full day of relaxation. Weekends are hence so coveted and precious, and more often than not, we countdown to the two full days to indulge in the activities to recharge ourselves.

And staying in a city means all sorts of modernity – we shop, we read, we wine and dine, we catch a movie or stay home to watch drama serials, we go for a swim or practice yoga… but we missed out embracing the rural goodness that Singapore has to offer. Maybe you never knew, but at an unassuming corner of Singapore is a countryside so beautiful and peaceful, you’d never find fresher air – Kranji Countryside.

So it is back to basics in a rustic environment. We spent a Saturday afternoon at Bollywood Veggies, and the quietness brought much calmness to our souls.

The drive in to the farm was in its own therapeutic as we watched our scenery change from Singapore’s typical high-rise buildings to a myriad of greens. Bollywood Veggies is a sanctuary catering to nature lovers – to come close to the unspeakable lives, to learn in depth about your vegetables, and to connect with your loved ones over a hearty meal at Poison Ivy Bistro.

Poison Ivy is a bistro that offers affordable local fare with homegrown ingredients. We had lunch over a spread of stir-fried vegetables, otah, tofu and curry chicken. Lightly seasoned and easy on the oil, salt and pepper, the dishes at Poison Ivy are anything but “poisonous”. If any, they are poignantly healthy and beyond comforting. The meal reminded us of the “taste of home” in such a loving way, and it was surely a nice change from our common Saturday brunch food.

When at Bollywood Veggies, do not leave without a trip to their ten acre farm. The kind owner, Ivy Singh Lim, opens the farm for both individual and guided tours for everyone to embrace the biodiversity. Take a walk in the many lanes, and you will learn how your vegetables look like in their natural state; inhale the fresh air and be lost in nature with the splendorous greens.

This is surely a way to unwind, rejuvenate your senses, and be reminded of life’s simplicity in the purest way. And the best part? It is nowhere near costly. Entrance to the farm is S$2, and parking is free. Now, forget all your statistics, stop cracking your brain for that report, and treat yourself to a weekend with the otherwise forgotten rural goodness.

Bollywood Veggies
100 Neo Tiew Road
Tel: +65 6898 5001