Set in the Straits of Johor, Singapore is a shining island city state. Its growth has been swift and dramatic, built on trade on the sea routes to South-East Asia. The British arrived in the early 19th century and Sir Stamford Thomas Raffles is still celebrated as the founder of modern Singapore.
Here are five suggestions as you begin to explore Singapore. It’s been a cultural melting pot for centuries and now is one of the richest republics in the economic powerhouse of its region.
1 - Universal Studios Singapore
The power of the Asian economy and the thirst of eastern fans for Western culture has brought one of the biggest names in world tourism to Singapore’s shores. This is just part of the massive Sentosa resort, a shiny, new tourist paradise. The Universal Studios is divided into seven zones celebrating the studio’s biggest family hits as well as world history and Hollywood and New York.
image source:-Wikipedia
2 - Singapore Zoo
The growth of the city has denuded the island of Singapore of much of its natural beauty, and Singapore Zoo is one of the last places you can celebrate the local flora and fauna. It’s packed with rare animals and great for kids, with a Rainforest Kidzworld and a water park. A Night Safari is a bit more sophisticated and calming.
image source:-wikimedia
3 – Singapore Botanical Gardens
A rainforest in the shadow of all those gleaming skyscrapers. It’s one of the city’s great sites, beloved of locals – who you’ll see jogging and practising tai chi – as well as visitors. With 64 acres of greenery, including one of the great orchid collections in the world, it’s a green lung in a silver city.
4 – Boat Quay and Clarke Quay
Singapore can be a great party town and you should head to these twin quays for the best mixture of restaurants, bars and clubs in town. You’ll find all sorts of music from the laid back to the banging and Singapore’s wonderful mix of Chinese, Indian, Malay and Thai cuisines.
image source:-gateholiday
5 - Singapore Flight Experience
You’ll have arrived by plane, but if you’ve always wanted to get out of the cabin and into the cockpit then head for the Singapore Flight Experience and take the controls of a Boeing 737-800NG. The simulators are set up with details of 20,000 airports from around the world.
6 – The Singapore Flyer
Singapore’s answer to the London Eye reflects changing economic times by dwarfing the original at 165 metres high. With great shops in its Marina Bay locale you can easily spend a whole day around the Flyer. Some of the area’s tropical forest survives in the wheel’s atrium and there are outdoor theatre shows too.
7 – Singapore Science Center
One of the world’s best science museums, the Singapore Science Centre has more than 850 interactive exhibits to get you thinking.
image source:-wikimedia
8 - National Museum of Singapore
The National Museum is Singapore’s oldest museum but is well known for its spirit of innovation. The city has a great story to tell and several cultures to celebrate – check the website for details of its many events and festivals.
9 – Little India
India is just one of the great cultures that has helped shape Singapore, and Little India is a slice of the subcontinent with a vibrant market selling ultra-cheap clothes and shoes.
image source:-urbantravelblog
10 - Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay is another new resort, which only opened in 2010. It’s designed to provide everything you could possibly want, from a casino to shopping in the biggest luxury shopping mall in the city. It’s part of Singapore’s effort to compete with the likes of Dubai as an international luxury destination.
image source:-dailymail
Nowadays, you don’t need a junk to get to this exciting destination, perhaps you’ll get there with a Singapore Airlines Krisflyer Ascend card, but its attractions are still as exotic.
Lara May has been to Singapore a number of times and loves its food and the cleanliness. She would advise anyone with the chance to see this wonderful place.
