The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands: A Visitor Guide | Singapore Purple Travel Guide
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Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel GuideThe Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is the largest luxury shopping destination in Singapore, forming a critical part of the iconic Marina Bay Sands integrated resort. Spanning nearly 800,000 square feet (74,322 square meters), this mall is a striking architectural achievement designed by the world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie. It goes far beyond traditional retail by offering a combination of high-end fashion, immersive attractions, and fine dining under one massive roof.
Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the GuruWalk and Viator tours below.
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Why You Should Visit
Even if high-end luxury shopping is not your primary goal, visiting The Shoppes is essential for witnessing the integrated design of the Marina Bay district. The mall serves as a central hub that connects the Bayfront MRT station, the ArtScience Museum, and the three massive hotel towers. The entire interior is bathed in natural sunlight through a soaring glass ceiling, creating an open, airy atmosphere that feels more like an indoor city street than a typical shopping center.
What is Special About It?
- Luxury Duplexes: The Shoppes is home to one of the largest collections of luxury duplex and triplex stores in Asia. These multi-level flagship stores offer massive, theater-like environments for brands such as Chanel, Prada, and Gucci.
- The Louis Vuitton Island Maison: This is the first of its kind in the world. It is housed in a ‘Crystal Pavilion’ that floats on the water of Marina Bay. You can access it via an underwater tunnel from the main mall or by an outdoor bridge.
- Digital Light Canvas: Located at the North Promenade, this is a massive interactive floor and a 65-foot (20-meter) tall light cylinder. Visitors can interact with the digital art on the floor, making flowers bloom or fish swim beneath their feet.
- Sampan Rides: You can take a relaxing ride on a traditional Chinese wooden boat (Sampan) along the canal that runs through the basement of the mall. The boat will circle the Rain Oculus, providing a unique water-level view of the architecture.
History and Architecture
- Las Vegas Sands Corp developed and owns the building – it was designed by renowned Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie. Construction started in 2007 and opened in stages. The current last stage was opened in 2011, however, groundbreaking of a massive US$8 billion expansion took place in July 2025. This will add a fourth hotel tower, a 15,000-seat entertainment arena, and additional luxury retail and dining spaces. This new ‘last stage’ is targeted for completion by January 2031.
- The Rain Oculus: Designed by artist Ned Kahn, this is the giant acrylic bowl located at the promenade level. It measures 70 feet (22 meters) in diameter. It functions as both a skylight and a rain collector. When it is turned on, it creates a massive whirlpool that drops water two stories down into the canal below. At its peak flow, it releases approximately 8,000 gallons (30,283 liters) of water per minute.
- Natural Lighting: The mall was designed with a ‘spinal city’ concept in mind. The long corridors are capped with a massive glass roof that features specialized sunshades to keep the interior cool while allowing maximum natural light to illuminate the shops below.
- Sustainability: The water used in the Rain Oculus and the indoor canal is actually recycled rainwater that is captured and stored within the complex, highlighting the commitment of the resort to sustainable urban design.
Self-Guided Information
Category |
Details |
|---|---|
Opening Hours |
Daily, 10:30 AM – 11:00 PM. On Fridays, Saturdays, and the eve of Public Holidays, the mall remains open until 11:30 PM. |
Admission Fee |
Entry to the mall is free. Sampan Rides cost approximately S$15 per person. Digital Light Canvas tickets are approximately S$15 per person. |
Getting There |
There is a direct link from the Bayfront MRT Station (Circle Line CC30 / Downtown Line DT16). Follow the signs for ‘The Shoppes’. |
Accessibility |
The entire mall is fully accessible with wide corridors, numerous elevators, and ramps for wheelchairs and strollers. |
Traveler Tip
If you wish to see the Rain Oculus in action, the water usually begins cascading at specific intervals throughout the day (typically at 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM). It is also a fantastic place to find ‘celebrity chef’ restaurants, such as those by Gordon Ramsay or Wolfgang Puck, which are located throughout the levels.
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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel
Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.
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