Marina Barrage

Part dam, part park, the Marina Barrage seals off the mouth of Marina Bay, turning the basin into a freshwater reservoir and a buffer against floods and tides — a neat showcase of Singapore's water self-sufficiency. For visitors, the draw is the breezy, grassy rooftop: one of the best (and most popular) spots in the city to fly a kite, spread a picnic blanket and watch the skyline, the Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay across the water. Inside, the Sustainable Singapore Gallery explains the engineering and the country's green ambitions. It's free, open around the clock and gorgeous at sunset and during the evening Marina Bay light shows. Bring a kite, or rent one nearby.