Singapore: A Fascinating City
Best Districts, Shopping, Going Out and Hanging Out with Orangutans
Many travelers stop in transit at Singapore's Changi airport but few decide to stop and visit this often overlooked yet fascinating island nation.
Singapore, a city-state with a population of over four million, deserves more than a one-night stopover and given the opportunity, travelers would benefit from a short stay in the city.
With its Malaysian, Indian, Chinese and Indonesian influences reflected in the excellent cuisine and interesting neighborhoods, Singapore is definitely worth a look.
Getting Around Singapore
An excellent public transport system of trains and buses makes it easy to explore and English is widely spoken throughout Singapore. Accommodation ranges from budget to luxurious, and depending on their needs, visitors can easily find the perfect place for their stay.
Within central Singapore, areas of interest are the CBD (Central Business District) and Colonial District, Orchard Road, Little India and Chinatown. A little further out, Geylang Serai and the Singapore Zoo are worth the trips.
Districts of Singapore
The CBD and the Colonial Districts offer a historical perspective on a now modernized Singapore. Travelers can visit Raffles Hotel, an architectural landmark and home to the Singapore Sling cocktail. Across the river, the Asian Civilisations Museum displays thousands of beautiful Southeast Asia artifacts and Fort Canning Park is a wonderful green space with a lovely herb garden, pathways and sacred shrine.
Orchard Road is the best spot for keen shoppers and stretches more than one kilometer long with malls and shopping centers showcasing both local and international brands, including a new Stella McCartney store. One of Southeast Asia’s biggest bookstores, Kinokuniya, is also located on Orchard Road and has a fantastic selection of books for the avid reader, especially in regional literature. The best thing about Orchard Road is that even if it is pouring down rain visitors can still go shopping because of all the undercover walkways!
Little India is a world away from Orchard Road with the Tekka Centre Market and Little India Arcade great places for delicious, inexpensive meals and many shops where shoppers can find gorgeous saris and bracelets.
Chinatown is probably the most bustling and vibrant of all neighborhoods, and visitors cannot miss the numerous Hawker food stalls situated on almost every street, the fantastic Heritage Shop for souvenirs and Eu Hwa Chinese Products, a five-story building with lots to offer. Also in this area are the well-known Thian Hock Keng Temple, a Chinese-built temple, and the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore.
Singapore at Night
For a big night out, head to the Velvet Underground club at 17 Jiak Kim Street. Lou Reed probably won’t be there but visitors are guaranteed to have lots of fun and are sure to enjoy the glow-in-the-dark drinks and cool interior. Alternatively, visitors can head to Clarke Quay for a great choice of restaurants and bars along the river.
Get Out of Singapore City
Out of the city, Geylang Serai is a Malay residential area and the Geylang Serai Market and Malay Village are located here. The market is huge and there is plenty on offer from clothing and shoes to fresh fruit and vegetables. Malay Village is an excellent way to understand the Malaysian influences in Singapore.
The Singapore Zoo is a fantastic ‘open’ zoo set on 28 hectares and is home to over 4000 animals. The Orangutan, Primate Kingdom and Elephants of Asia exhibits are incredible. The adjacent Night Safari is a great way to see Malayan Tigers, Leopards and Rhinos.
Websites of Interest
Uniquely Singapore – the official website for tourist information on Singapore.
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