Raffles Hotel: The Grand Old Hotel of Singapore
This grand colonial hotel, founded by in 1887 by the American Sarkies brothers, is a ‘must-see’. It is expensive to stay here but it costs nothing to visit the Museum, look into the Writer’s Bar, and see the lobby. It is worth paying the price to drink the relaxing cocktail, the Singapore Sling, which was invented here. Famous writers, such as Somerset Maugham and Joseph Conrad, visited Singapore. The Writer’s Bar, furnished in a dark and classical style, features photos of those who wrote about Singapore. The Museum features photos of Hollywood stars who stayed at the hotel, travel objects and antiques.
The Fullerton Hotel: A Singapore Hotel With A Fine History
This hotel where the Japanese surrendered in 1945 is another historic hotel. Many tourists like to walk through its huge atrium entrance, exclusive Post Bar and large courtyard.
Cavenaugh Bridge: Singapore's Victorian Hotel
After visiting the Fullerton, walk across this elegant Victorian iron and steel suspension bridge built in the middle of the last century and enjoy the excellent views over the river.
Singapore's Chinatown: The Oldest Part of Singapore
The oldest part of Singapore, this is well-worth visiting especially for those who like history. This are includes shop houses painted in pink and blue, Victorian terraces and colorful Buddhist temples often decorated in red and gold. Chinese objects, clothes and antiques are sold at the markets.
Singapore's Little India
Walking through this are is like walking through a little piece of India. Fortune-tellers and shops, full of silver and saris, line the streets. The smell of Indian cooking pervades this interesting area, filled with the bustling Indian population of Singapore.
Singapore's Little Arabia
Dominated by the Sultan Mosque with its large gold dome, this area features restaurants and cafes with delicious Middle Eastern food and shops selling beautiful scarves and vintage clothes. The Mosque is free to enter.
St. Andrew’s Cathedral: Singapore's Historic Cathedral
This white Neo-Gothic cathedral, with its tall spire, and green courtyard makes a good subject for photos. A grand colonial building, this Anglican cathedral is lined with memorials to eminent Singaporeans and has a towering ceiling and Gothic arches.
Singapore's Oldest Catholic Church: The Church of the Good Shepherd
This Renaissance-style building, the oldest Roman-Catholic church in Singapore, is also worth looking at. The ornate interior holds the relic of St. Laurent Imbert, the first priest who visited Singapore. He was martyred in Korea because of his secret missionary work, at a time of Christian persecution in 1839.
The Singapore Botanical Garden
Rubber trees, teak trees and palm trees fill this lush area. Brightly-colored, tropical flowers, such as purple bougainvilleas, look spectacular. There is also a rose garden and spice garden but the National Orchid Garden with its long-stemmed flowers provides the main attraction.
National Singapore Museum
The museum holds free exhibitions about Singapore’s interesting history, such as the History Gallery which has photos of early Singapore, and displays about the history of food and costume in the city.
These sights provide just a taste of this colorful city. There are many other attractions worth visiting in Singapore.
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