Things to see in Singapore

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Singapore's attractions reflect the diverse people who live there. In Downtown, communities of Little India and the Arab district give an exotic spice to Singapore. Chinatown stands out with its traditions and decoration in contrast to a very modern city. The edges of this modernity can be viewed at the Red Dot Design Museum and at the many shopping malls. To escape the feel of the city tourists can enjoy the Singapore Botanical Gardens, the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, the Jurong Bird Park or the Singapore Zoo.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is the best way to experience nature while still inside city limits. For others ferrying between islands can be the best escape. Sentosa Island is a fun theme park to let loose of city congestion. The more relaxing Palau Ubin island is both interesting for its Malay culture and an ideal spot to soak up beach sun especially in the rare sunny months of April and May.

Raffles Hotel

The Raffles Hotel is a grand Victorian edifice rising from the pavements of the colonial district. Its elegant charm has enticed writers and entertainers such as Somerset Maugham, Rudyard Kipling, Joseph Conrad and Charlie Chaplin. Singapore Slings have become the hallmark of the Long... see full details

Little India

The first Indian settlers arrived with Sir Stamford Raffles in the early 19th century, bringing with them colourful silks, aromatic spices, incense and other accoutrements of Indian culture. They worked on the roads and helped build the infrastructure of the city, settling within the... see full details

Kampong Gelam and Arab Street

Kampong Gelam is said to have taken its name from the Gelam tribe of sea gypsies who lived in the original Malay village southwest of the Rochor River. Sir Stamford Raffles allotted the area as an ethnic enclave to the Muslim population and... see full details

Orchard Road

Singapore certainly is a vibrant place, and in many ways, Orchard Road is the city-state's beating heart. The retail and entertainment centre of Singapore, 'Orchard' (as the surrounding area is commonly known) is as popular with locals as it is with foreign visitors, and... see full details

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Singapore and Rio de Janeiro are the world’s only two cities to contain primary rainforest within their boundaries. Bukit Timah is located seven miles (12km) from Singapore’s centre. It is a 164-hectare (405-acre) reserve preserving a variety of tree and animal species including flying... see full details

Chinese and Japanese Gardens

Chinese and Japanese landscape designs are embodied in these neighbouring gardens. The Imperial Sung Dynasty style is clipped to perfection within the13-hectare (33-acre) Chinese Garden. It boasts the world's largest Suzhou-style Bonsai garden outside of China, containing over 1,000 plants. The symmetry and simplicity... see full details

Sentosa Island

The theme-park island is a popular weekend spot and one of the most visited attractions in Singapore. A day's excursion could turn into an overnight stay in any one of the hotels or camping sites. The island is enveloped by a high-speed monorail... see full details

Changi Museum

It was here, during WW II, that Allied POW soldiers were subjected to harsh treatment at the hands of their Japanese captors. Changi Prison is still in use as a correctional facility and it is the place of execution for convicted drug offenders.... see full details

Haw Par Villa

Located along Pasir Panjang Road, Haw Par Villa was previously known as Tiger Balm Gardens and subsequently renamed after its original owners. The Aw brothers, Boon Haw and Boon Par (who made their fortune from the well-known Tiger Balm ointment) opened the park in... see full details

Thian Hock Keng Temple

The 'Temple of Heavenly Bliss, the Thian Hock Keng Temple is the oldest of the Chinese Hokkien temples in Singapore. Built in 1839 in a traditional southern Chinese architectural style, not a single nail was used in its construction. The temple itself contains... see full details

Asian Civilisations Museum

The Asian Civilisations Museum is one of Singapore's finest, certainly the most comprehensive. Its collections of furniture, jade, porcelain, fine arts, and other artefacts from the region's history, including Chinese, Islamic, and South Indian culture. Aural guides are available, with headphones provided. The museum includes... see full details

Gardens by the Bay

Singapore's Gardens by the Bay consists of three distinct waterfront gardens in the city's Marina Bay area. The initiative was started as a means to transform Singapore from a mere 'Garden City' into a 'City in a Garden' - and will provide a... see full details

Universal Studios Singapore

Drawing an astounding two million visitors in its first nine months of opening, the theme park and resort area of Universal Studios Singapore is proving to be as popular as its counterparts in the USA. Located on Sentosa Island, home to all of... see full details

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