Singapore

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Why visit Singapore?

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Ditch the image of Singapore as a dull, sterile Utopia; scratch the surface and you will discover a strange brew of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western cultures, a rich social stew that is anything but boring. Singapore is a small island nation located in Southeast Asia, between Malaysia and Indonesia, made up of 63 islands, and is home to one of the world's biggest ports. As a city- state, Singapore is both the country and its capital. Singapore Island is the main island of Singapore, which is also called Pulau Ujong. This island is the largest island of Singapore as well as the most populous, with a population of over 5 million.

Want to indulge? Singapore delivers Southeast Asia’s best shopping and innovative, stylish restaurants, plus a swathe of top-notch hotels. Top of the tree is Raffles, a timeless symbol of colonial opulence. Of course, it is not all about shopping and eating. Work up a sweat with outdoor activities: walking, cycling and water sports or check out the contemporary arts scene, thriving under the government’s promotion of Singapore as an arts hub. If you want a break from the urban confines, the centre of the island has sparkling reservoirs and leafy tracts of forest where all you will hear is monkeys’ clattering through the boughs.

What does Singapore bring in mind?

Singapore Zoo

One of the world's best, Singapore Zoo is a lush wonderland of spacious, naturalistic enclosures, freely roaming animals and interactive attractions. 28 soothing hectares on a lush peninsula jutting out into the waters of the Upper Seletar Reservoir; there are more than 2530 residents here, and most of them, with the possible exceptions of elephants used in a ride, seem pretty happy. Among the many highlights is the Jungle Breakfast with wildlife, a morning buffet enjoyed in the company of orangutans. If you have kids in tow, let them go wild at Rainforest Kidzworld, a wonderland of slides, swings, pulling boats, pony rides and farmyard animals happy for a feed. There is even a dedicated wet-area, with swimwear available for purchase if you didn't bring your own.

Pulau Ubin A chugging 10-minute bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal at Changi Village lands you on the shores of Pulau Ubin. There is no timetable; boats depart when 12 people are ready to go. Singaporeans like to wax nostalgic about Ubin’s kampung atmosphere, and a small resort aside, it has thus far resisted the lure of cashed-up developers. It remains a rural, unkempt expanse of jungle full of fast lizards, weird shrines and cacophonic birdlife. Tin-roofed buildings bake in the sun, chickens squawk and panting dogs slump in the dust. The best way to get around is by mountain bike. There are several of places to eat near the ferry terminal – complete your island adventure with some chili crab and Tiger beer as the Bee Gees howl shamelessly from the stereo. For those inclined to stay on the island, you can rent a basic but pricey chalet run by the Marina Country Club. Beach camping is allowed.

Peranakan Trail Food Tasting Tour

A culture tour of the unique "Peranakan" people in Singapore; take the trail with food tasting tour and look into the history and lifestyle of the Peranakan people through an exhibition of their finest clothes, jewelry, furniture, customs and festivals. View traditional Peranakan shop- houses dating back to the early 1920's, and area that still draws people for the delicious local food. Walk through a spice garden, the original site of the first Botanic Gardens.

Baba House Baba House is one of Singapore's best-preserved Peranakan heritage homes. Built in the 1890s, it is a wonderful window into the life of a rich Peranakan family living in Singapore a century ago. Its loving restoration has seen every detail attended to, from the carved motifs on the blue facade down to the door screens. The only way in is on a guided tour, held every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, but the tour is excellent and free. Bookings, by telephone, are essential.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Established in 1860, this dreamy 74-hectare park retains an aura of Victorian gentility, with its swan lake, symphony stage and themed gardens (including the National Orchid Garden). A late-afternoon stroll along its myriad paths, followed by a drink or dinner at Halia or Blue Bali is one of the city’s most memorable experiences.

The National Orchid Garden is the legacy of an orchid breeding program that began in 1928, and its 3 hectares are home to over 1000 species and 2000 hybrids. Of these, around 600 are on display – the largest showcase of tropical orchids on earth. Located next to the National Orchid Garden, the one- hectare Ginger Garden contains over 250 members of the Zingiberaceae family.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Singapore’s muggy heart of darkness is Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, a territory of undeveloped primary rainforest clinging to Singapore’s highest peak, Bukit Timah. There are five well-established walking trails through the reserve, which take from 20 minutes to one-hour return, as well as a 6km mountain bike trail, though no place to rent bikes. The easiest walking route leads straight to the summit, though you should leave time to explore the less busy side trails. The steep paths are sweaty work, so take plenty of water, preserve yourself in mosquito repellent, and don’t feed the monkeys no matter how politely they ask.

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple Little India's most colorful, bustling temple is dedicated to the vicious goddess Kali, portrayed wearing a garland of skulls, ripping out the insides of her victims, and sharing more tranquil family moments with her sons. The bloodthirsty consort of Shiva has always been popular in Bengal, the birthplace of the laborers who built the structure in 1881. The temple is at its most reminiscent during each of the four daily puja (prayer) sessions.

Sentosa Island

Five hundred meters off the south coast of Singapore is Sentosa Island, the city’s consistently popular resort getaway. The Brits turned the island into a military fortress in the late 1800s. In 1967 it was returned to the Singaporean government, who developed it into a holiday resort.

Things you shouldn’t miss in Singapore

• Relax in the Botanic Gardens

• Get down to Chinatown Heritage Center: A tour of the unheralded Chinatown Heritage Center, where entire sets of bedrooms, kitchens and street scenes from the late 19th century and early-20th century have been faithfully recreated.

• Buy electronics for cheap

• See the Singapore Flyer: The 165-meter-high flyer is Singapore's answer to the London Eye. For the moment, it is the world's largest observation wheel. Despite much display and publicity, the locals have never really taken to the Flyer, pretending that it's too far from anywhere. The best time to hitch a ride is at sunset when the entire row of downtown skyscrapers is softly lit. Back on the ground, head for a dinner of chili crabs at Seafood Paradise.

• Eat in the White Rabbit: Back in the 50s, Dempsey Hill was home to the British Army. These days, the former barracks, set amidst lush jungle, have been transformed into a fine collection of restaurants, bars, art galleries and spas.

• Soak up Little India: Little India’s aromatic streets are filled with the smell of spices, flowers and food from across India. Paired with blaring music and multi-colored buildings, it makes for an intoxicating mix. Explore the many temples and shrines before a visit to 24-hour shopping mecca Mustafa, the gigantic department store where you will find everything from perfume to peranakan trinkets.

• Walk on the wild side at Singapore Zoo and Night Safari

• Take a trip to Sin(gapore) City at Marina Bay Sands: Singapore’s very own slice of Las Vegas, the gigantic Marina Bay Sands ‘integrated resort’ features the city’s biggest casino and a shopping mall so big it has its own canal offering gondola rides - not to mention the boat-like structure perched atop its three enormous curved skyscrapers which houses the world’s highest rooftop pool.

• Re-live Avatar at Gardens by the Bay Singapore’s cutting edge: Gardens by the Bay are home to an exotic array of flora and fauna from around the world housed in the bio- domes Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. The main attraction however is the stunning Super-trees, a group of shimmering 50m structures which dazzle to lights and music every evening. This is as close as you will get to being in Avatar.

• Enjoy a cold drink by the Riverside: Stretching from Marina Bay right up to Robertson Quay, the Singapore River has something for everyone. Clarke Quay is the number one destination for partygoers, while a stroll from the prestigious Fullerton Hotel along to Robertson Quay offers several fine dining riverside dining options.

• Chill in the Arab Quarter: If Singapore’s endless shopping malls don’t float your boat, try the hip boutiques on Haji Lane in the centre of the Arab Quarter. From city bikes to tailored designer dresses, the lane has endless delights including some Turkish ones. If you feel like a change from Asian food, try a mezze platter at one of the cafés and smoke a shisha pipe as you gaze at the sunset above the golden- domed Sultan Mosque.