Visiting Singapore: An Extended Guide

1. Introduction

Known as the Lion City, Singapore is a city-state located off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. As a multi-cultural melting pot, it offers a blend of historical attractions, modern skyscrapers, lush green spaces, and an array of culinary delights, making it a must-visit destination for travelers. Whether you’re a fan of nature, shopping, or gourmet food, Singapore has something to offer you.

2. Singapore at a Glance

Singapore is known for its cleanliness, high standard of living, and its diverse cultural heritage. It is a city-state of about 5.7 million people , boasting a high GDP per capita. It is a global hub for education, entertainment, finance, healthcare, human capital, innovation, logistics, technology, tourism, trade, and transport.

The city’s multiculturalism is reflected in its four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. English is the lingua franca and the language of instruction in schools. Despite its small size, Singapore is packed with vibrant attractions and various activities.

3. Top Attractions

Merlion Park: A Singapore icon, the Merlion, is a mythical creature with a lion’s head and a fish’s body. The Merlion Park is an ideal spot to take pictures and enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Marina Bay Sands: An architectural marvel, the Marina Bay Sands has become a landmark of the city. Apart from the luxurious hotel, the complex houses a shopping mall, a museum, and the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool.

Gardens by the Bay: Famous for its futuristic Supertree Grove and the massive climate-controlled domes, Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay is a unique blend of nature and urban architecture.

Sentosa Island: This island resort is home to attractions like Universal Studios Singapore, Adventure Cove Waterpark, and S.E.A. Aquarium.

4. Outdoor Experiences and Parks

East Coast Park: The largest park in Singapore, East Coast Park, is a haven for people who love the outdoors with its biking and jogging paths, eateries, and a sandy beach.

Singapore Botanic Gardens: A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Botanic Gardens houses an impressive collection of plants, including a vast orchid garden.

MacRitchie Reservoir: For the adventurous, MacRitchie Reservoir offers hiking trails and a treetop walk with stunning views of the forest canopy.

5. Shopping and Leisure

1. Orchard Road: This shopping street is lined with high-end boutiques and malls including ION Orchard, Ngee Ann City, and Orchard Central.

Chinatown: A great place for souvenir shopping and experiencing Singapore’s Chinese culture. Don’t miss the Chinatown Heritage Centre, which gives an insight into the history of the area.

Little India: Serangoon Road and its surrounding streets are home to colorful Hindu temples, shops selling Indian goods, and delicious Indian cuisine.

6. Culinary Delights

Singapore’s food is as diverse as its culture, offering a tantalizing blend of flavors from China, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Hawker Centres: Places like Lau Pa Sat, Newton Food Centre, and Maxwell Road Hawker Centre offer a plethora  of local dishes, such as Hainanese Chicken Rice, Laksa, Chilli Crab, Hokkien Prawn Mee, and Satay.

Chinatown Food Street: This bustling street is a perfect place to sample a range of Asian cuisines. Don’t miss out on trying the Dim Sum or Peking Duck here.

Little India: Visit the Tekka Centre to enjoy authentic Indian dishes like Biryani, Masala Dosa, and Tandoori Chicken.

Gourmet Dining: For those who prefer a fine dining experience, Singapore hosts several Michelin-starred restaurants. Les Amis, Odette, and Burnt Ends are notable examples, each providing a unique and exquisite culinary experience.

7. Festivals and Events

Singapore is a city that never stops celebrating. With a diverse population, the city commemorates a variety of cultural, traditional, and modern festivals.

Chinese New Year: The most celebrated event in Singapore, marked by beautiful decorations, dragon dances, and mouth-watering festive delicacies.

Deepavali: Known as the Festival of Lights, Little India lights up with vibrant colors and illuminations during this Hindu festival.

National Day Parade: Held on August 9th each year, this event features a spectacular military parade, multicultural performances, and a breathtaking fireworks display.

Singapore Food Festival: Usually held in July, it’s an opportunity for food lovers to explore and taste a wide variety of Singaporean cuisines.

8. Nightlife and Entertainment

Clarke Quay: Once a hub of commerce during the colonial era, Clarke Quay is now a bustling hotspot of restaurants, themed pubs, and nightclubs. River cruises also start from this area.

Marina Bay Sands Casino: For those feeling lucky, the Marina Bay Sands Casino offers a variety of games in an opulent setting.

Night Safari: The world’s first nocturnal zoo provides an interesting experience to observe nocturnal animals in their naturalistic habitat.

Singapore Flyer: Enjoy a stunning view of the city’s skyline by taking a ride on Asia’s largest observation wheel, particularly beautiful at sunset.

9. Tips for Visiting Singapore

Public Transportation: Singapore has an efficient and convenient public transportation system. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train system is the fastest way to commute. Buses are also widespread and taxis are readily available.

Weather: Singapore has a tropical climate, so it’s warm and humid throughout the year with frequent rain. Dress comfortably, stay hydrated, and carry an umbrella or raincoat.

Rules and Regulations: Singapore is known for its strict laws. Littering, jaywalking, and vandalism carry heavy fines. Chewing gum is banned in the country, except for therapeutic purposes.

Connectivity: Free Wi-Fi is available at many places across the city, including MRT stations, shopping malls, and Changi Airport.

Payment: Credit cards are widely accepted in Singapore, but it’s handy to carry some cash for hawker centres or smaller shops.

 

Singapore Statistics: Facts and Figures

Population: The estimated population of Singapore is around 5.7 million.

Area: Singapore is a compact city-state with an area of approximately 728.6 square kilometers (281.2 sq mi), including 64 offshore islands.

Weather: Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate with no distinctive seasons. The temperature usually ranges between 25 °C (77 °F) and 35 °C (95 °F) during the day. The high relative humidity often exceeds 80%. Rainfall is somewhat evenly distributed throughout the year, but November to January is traditionally the monsoon season with more frequent rain.

Economy and Income: As of my last update, Singapore had a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It is a major international transport hub in Asia, serving some of the busiest sea and air trade routes. The economy is known for its business-friendly environment, rule of law, and efficient regulatory system.

Finance and insurance are the biggest contributors to Singapore’s economy, accounting for about 17.7% of the GDP as of 2020. Other key sectors include manufacturing (especially electronics and chemicals), business services, wholesale and retail, information and communications, and construction.

People: Singapore is one of the most culturally diverse countries in Asia, with immigrants from all over the world. The majority ethnic group is Chinese, followed by Malays, Indians, and others. Four official languages are recognized: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. English is the main language of instruction and is also widely used in administration and business.

Wealth: As of 2021, Singapore was known for its high standard of living and was considered one of the wealthiest nations in the world. The GDP per capita (PPP) was estimated to be approximately $103,717 in 2020. However, the city-state also experiences a higher cost of living compared to most countries.

Interesting Facts:

1. Singapore is known as a “City in a Garden” due to its abundant greenery and initiatives towards environmental sustainability. More than 50% of its area is covered by greenery.
2. Despite its small size, Singapore has one of the highest rates of millionaires per capita in the world.
3. Singapore’s Changi Airport has been consistently rated as the best airport globally and offers amenities such as a butterfly garden, free movie theater, swimming pool, and more.
4. Singapore’s public housing program, managed by the Housing and Development Board (HDB), is highly successful, with around 80% of Singapore’s resident population living in HDB flats.
5. Singapore’s “hawker” food culture has been recognized by UNESCO on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
6. The two local universities, National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), are often ranked among the best universities globally.