Creative and Hilarious Ways to Stay Cool in Singapore’s Scorching Heat
The relentless heat in Singapore is a force to be reckoned with. With temperatures soaring to a sweltering 35°C, finding ways to beat the heat has become an essential part of daily life. While many rely on air conditioning to get through the day, there are plenty of creative and humorous ways to stay cool in this tropical city. The RICE Guide to Beating the 35°C Heat offers some unconventional yet hilarious tips that will help you survive the unbearable heat while having a little fun.
One of the first ways to deal with the sweltering heat is to air those “heaty, swampy pits” in the middle of a Changi construction landspout, though not the most comfortable option, this can offer some breeze relief. For a more traditional cool-down, the library@esplanade is an air-conditioned haven where you can cool off while reminiscing about days gone by before it closes in June.
If you’re looking for a more adventurous option, why not book a Grab ride from Tuas to Changi and back, ensuring the air conditioning is blasting on full? Or, you can change your usual mala orders from zhong la to xiao la to reduce the heat and spice levels in your life. Another creative solution would be to convince the noodle master at Hai Di Lao to whirl your noodles fast enough to generate a breeze your way.
For those important meetings, why not embrace athleisure and make it the official attire? Not only will you stay comfortable, but you’ll also be ready to cool off whenever necessary. On the more extreme end, infiltrating the new Mandai penguin enclosure could give you some cool company as you bask in their icy environment. If that fails, you could “borrow” their ice-packed transport crates and cool off that way.
There are also plenty of quirky ways to cool off through modern technology. You could order an iced coffee from a robot barista, hoping that it malfunctions and throws ice at your face instead. For a more permanent solution, asking your barber for a Botak 1 haircut could provide the ultimate relief from the heat. Alternatively, you might consider moving to Ang Mo Kio, Khatib, or Admiralty—areas that are allegedly the coolest spots in Singapore.
Sometimes, embracing a more nostalgic approach to cooling down can work, such as dabaoing shaved ice while ice-skating at JCube before it closes in August. If you’re not into the cold indoors, why not wait for the property cooling measures to kick in? And for a refreshing treat, you could grab a $1 Mixue ice cream while watching the mascot dance.
If you’re up for more unique options, why not apply for a summer internship at Tuck Lee Ice Pte Ltd., where ice and coolness are at the core of your job? Or, start wearing wide-brimmed hats—finally, you can wear them without the need for explanations. And for a fun twist, you could create AI-generated images of snow in Singapore, hoping to manifest a cooler reality.
To stay even cooler, visit any 7-Eleven and buy one of those iconic flower umbrellas that are often spotted around Singapore. Or, if you’re feeling particularly daring, you could move into the underground MRT tunnels where the coolness of the subterranean world can offer some respite. Alternatively, you can transform Snow City into Snow Country or take a mud bath at Tampines Quarry for a unique way to stay cool.
For a more inventive approach, cosplay as a car and enter a car wash, letting the cool water spray help you beat the heat. If that’s not enough, channel your inner auntie and start carrying around a rechargeable portable fan everywhere you go. You could even stitch Kool Fever sheets together to create a massive cooling blanket to wrap yourself in.
Finally, head to the Nanyang Polytechnic or Republic Polytechnic pools to take a refreshing dip or learn the art of staying cool from Singaporeans who grew up without the luxury of air conditioning. They’ve mastered creative ways to cool down, and you can too.
While these ideas may seem humorous, they reflect a shared sentiment: the desire to stay cool in a city that regularly experiences heatwaves. Whether you choose the practical approach or the more creative solutions, staying cool in Singapore’s 35°C heat is a challenge that requires both resilience and innovation.
