Singapore, an island city-state off southern Malaysia in Southeast Asia, is a global financial center with a tropical climate and multicultural population with around 5.5 million people. Founded as a British trading colony in 1819, since independence it has become one of the world’s most prosperous countries and boasts the world’s busiest port. Combining the skyscrapers and subways of a modern, affluent city with a medley of Chinese, Malay and Indian influences with tasty food, good shopping and a vibrant night-life scene, this Garden City makes a great stopover or springboard into the region. Singapore is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world for a lot of reasons.
Singapore is much more than the sum of its numerous attractions. It’s constantly evolving, reinventing, and reimagining itself, with people who are passionate about creating new possibilities.
It’s where foodies, explorers, collectors, action seekers, culture shapers, and socializers meet?and new experiences are created every day. Why don’t you check it out and see for yourself? We think you’ll be impressed.
The currency of Singapore is the Singapore dollar (SGD or S$). Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, and Tamil. Although Singapore does not observe daylight saving time (DST), it follows the GMT+8 time zone, one hour ahead of the typical zone for its geographical location.
Places of Interest
Gardens by the Bay
If you’re looking for a taste of nature without the trek, Gardens by the Bay is your urban jungle. The attraction is conveniently based in Marina Bay and features a wide variety of enticing things to do and see that seamlessly mix Mother Nature with the metropolis. The Supertree Grove, the most recognized landmark of the park, features 18 “supertrees” that support the OCBC Skyway, a 419-foot-long aerial walkway that affords views of both the surrounding gardens, as well as Marina Bay. In the nearby seashell-shaped facilities, visitors will find the highly lauded Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. The Flower Dome is the largest greenhouse in the world and showcases numerous types of plants and flowers grouped by country. Expect to find tulips next to replicas of Dutch architecture and Birds of Paradise flowers in the South African Garden. The Cloud Forest – a crowd favorite – features a 114-foot-tall mini mountain that plays host to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, which visitors can observe via the aerial Cloud Walk or Tree Top Walk.
Marina Bay
The district of Marina Bay is considered to be Singapore’s tourism epicenter. Marina Bay houses some of the city’s main points of interest as well as numerous opportunities for entertainment like the ArtScience Museum and The Float at Marina Bay (the world’s largest floating stadium). You’ll also find the Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay and Merion Park, some of the city’s best lookout spots overlooking the bay. And although many features will draw your eye, the centerpiece of Marina Bay is the Marina Bay Sands resort. You name it, this complex probably has it: a world-class casino, multiple nightclubs, performance halls, shops and spectacular overnight accommodations. Plus, don’t miss the Sands SkyPark, an elevated open-air concourse that crowns the resort.
Singapore Botanic Garden
For such a large city, you’ll be shocked at the number of parks that share space with the skyscrapers. And the Singapore Botanic Gardens is the epicenter of this natural, flowering splendor. Formerly an unused plantation, the garden hugs 60 acres of the city, not only living up to Singapore’s nickname of the City in the Garden, but earning the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage site title. The gardens attract both casual naturalists and scholarly botanists with its world-renowned botanical library, acres of varied vegetation and free admission. Numerous attractions dot a map of the gardens; however, we advise that you simply wander through this gorgeous spectacle and unwind.
Orchard Road
Every modern metropolis must have its commercial avenue. Singapore’s version is Orchard Road. This electric boulevard buzzes with the whizzing of cars, the humming of neon lights and the swiping of credit cards, a far cry from the way things once were way back when. Orchard Road got its name from the presence of fruit orchards, nutmeg plantations and pepper farms that dotted the area in the early 19th century. Today, the mile-long street houses tons of eateries and a whopping 47 shopping malls carrying high end brands, popular international retailers like Zara and H&M as well as local shops. The massive ION Orchard shopping complex is arguably the centerpiece of the street, so you’ll inevitably be lured inside by the designer names and stream of fashionable patrons.
Merlion Park
On Marina Bay, Merlion Park hosts one of Singapore’s most recognizable monuments. The Merlion statue is the head of a lion with the body and tail of a fish, and the hybrid creature spouts water from its mouth and into the bay. Measuring 28 feet tall, the statue may seem a bit odd to the naked eye, but the statue is actually a nod to Singapore’s history. The head of Merlion represents Singapura, the city’s first name, which means ‘lion city’ in Malay. The fish tail and body symbolize Singapore’s old days as a small fishing town. Even though the statue has claimed all the fame, another notable highlight is the park’s panoramic view of the bay. Particularly at night, the urban vista with the spectacular Marina Bay Sands resort impresses visitors
Sentosa
Sentosa is an entire island resort dedicated to fun for all ages. You want family-friendly amusement; head to Universal Studios Singapore, Adventure Cove Waterpark or S.E.A. Aquarium.You want some adventure; hit up iFly Singapore, Mega Adventure or The Flying Trapeze. You need some relaxation; then hit the links or stake your claim on miles of beaches, including Palawan Beach, the southernmost point of Continental Asia. And that’s really only some of the myriad of activities you can do on Sentosa. While Sentosa is a vacation destination that could take an entire week to consume, we suggest that you set aside one day from touring Singapore’s cultural sites for some island fun
Chinatown
As a nation composed of mostly immigrants, Singapore possesses a number of ethnic enclaves. Chinatown is one of the largest of them. Broken up into five districts, the neighborhood is packed with a variety of things to do and is constantly buzzing with pedestrians passing in and out of its shops, eateries and food stalls. If you’re seeking souvenirs, head over to Pagoda Street for trinkets galore, then consider grabbing a bite at Smith Street or New Bridge Road, the latter of which is known for its barbecued meats. For a night out on the town, venture on over to the Tangong Pagar district, which offers loads of bars, pubs and karaoke lounges. And when you need a break from the hustle and bustle, explore the Telok Ayer district. This area has the largest concentration of ancient mosques and temples in Chinatown. Set out to the Thian Hock Keng Temple for some quiet Zen. And though it’s not associated with Chinese culture, you should stop in front of the Sri Mariamman Temple to admire its colorful, intricate facades
Cuisine
With so many culture influences in Singapore, you can find a restaurant to take you to any corner of the world. Here are a few options.
Joël Robuchon
As Singapore’s only 3 Michelin Stars restaurant, Joël Robuchon Restaurant is the definition of perfection – where inventive French classics are prepared to the exacting standards of the world’s most decorated Michelin chef and delivered with impeccable service, turning every evening here into a dining adventure to be remembered. The repertoire of inventive French classics is crafted for the sophisticated palate, fleshing out flavors in their purest form, and presented as visual artistry on a plate. Described as “pure magic” by famed food critics, the degustation menu comes highly recommended. Pair off with your choice of wine from over 1,000 premium labels, or allow our sommelier to recommend selections that best complement your bespoke menu. Have a go at our signature bread, cheese, dessert and petit four trolleys, which promises to take your culinary experience a notch further.
Dress code: Smart elegant
Address: Sentosa Hotel Michael, Level 1, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway
Hours: Dinner: 6:00-10:30 Closed Sunday and Monday
Shoukouwa
Hailing from long edomae sushi tradition, our Japanese chefs have honed their artistry and skills for years at prestigious Ginza establishments. With no more than eight seats right in front of the chef’s preparation table, our guests will enjoy direct interaction with, and personalized attention from our chefs. The art of fine sushi is one that is contemplative and considered – like a Zen expression. The perfect sushi is a delicate balance of the quality of fish, proportion and temperature. The fish must be of the highest grade, undamaged during the catch, and very fresh. The rice for sushi is mixed delicately with a fine balance of rice vinegar – to allow for subtle taste without overpowering the slice of fresh fish. As the acidity of vinegar acts as a cooking agent, it is important for the sushi to be consumed within seconds of being served, picking with clean hand.
Dress code: Business casual
Address: Raffles Place One Fullerton, #02-02A, 1 Fullerton Road
Hours: Lunch: 12:00-3:00, Dinner: 6:00-11:00 Closed Monday
Shisen Hanten
Born in the Sichuan province of China, Chen Kenmin perfected his craft in Taiwan, Hong Kong and China before settling in Yokohama, Japan. Capitalizing on his expertise in Sichuan cuisine, he established Shisen Hanten with the vision of “making customers truly appreciate Sichuan food through all the five senses.” He passed down his legacy to his eldest son, Chen Kenichi, who himself earned wide acclaim as one of Japan’s most celebrated iron chefs. Shisen Hanten opened in Singapore in January of 2014. Step into a majestic dining hall decked in subtle black and gold hues and accentuated with plush red fabrics – evoking an elegant yet intimate feel. Classic chandeliers perched from the ceiling make for a stunning touch, setting off more vividly the sweeping views of the city from the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling glass panels. Tucked in a discreet corner of the restaurant is a contemporary bar lounge where guests may quietly enjoy an aperitif or two before proceeding to the main dining hall for their meal.
Dress code: Business casual
Address: Mandarin Orchard Hotel, Orchard Wing, Level 35, 333 Orchard Road
Hours: Lunch: 12:00pm-2:30pm Dinner: 6:00pm-9:30pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: First Seating: 11:00am – 12:45pm (last order: 12:30pm), Second Seating: 1:00pm – 2:45pm (last order: 2:30pm)
Cheek by Jowl
Diners can expect to dine in a relaxed and casual space while experiencing Rishi’s take on flavorsome Modern Australian food, expertly paired with organic and biodynamic wines from their collection. The highlights from the menu will showcase Modern Australian dishes, which in its true nature and country of origin, is defined as “a style of cooking that has variously been known as international or contemporary and denotes a culinary culture that is the result from a collision of cuisines from around the world.” It is to this philosophy that draws Rishi’s direction for his menu where one can see hints and touches of various cultures coming together to be one on a plate. The wine list will be a selection of organic and biodynamic wines; reflecting closely to the couple’s beliefs in sustainability and naturalism.
Dress code: Smart elegant
Address: Sentosa Hotel Michael, Level 1, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway
Hours: Dinner: 6:00-10:30 Closed Sunday and Monday
Weather
Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate with no distinctive seasons, uniform temperature and pressure, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. Temperatures usually range from 22 to 35 °C (72 to 95 °F). While temperature does not vary greatly throughout the year, there is a wetter monsoon season from November to January. Rain falls almost daily throughout the year, usually in sudden, heavy showers that rarely last longer than an hour. However, most rainfall occurs during the northeast monsoon (November to January), occasionally featuring lengthy spells of continuous rain. Spectacular thunderstorms can occur throughout the year, any time during the day, so it’s wise to carry an umbrella at all times, both as a shade from the sun or cover from the rain. Between May and October, forest fires in neighboring Sumatra cause dense haze that regularly reaches unhealthy levels – although it is unpredictable and may come and go rapidly.
The temperature averages around 85.1°F (29.5°C) daytime, 72.5°F (22.5°C) at night in December and January. An occasional low of 69.8°F (21°C) can also be expected. 89.6°F (32°C) daytime, 82.4°F (24°C) at night for the rest of the year. The temperature usually hovers around the 82.4°F (28°C) mark.
Etiquette
Any time you travel to a foreign country, you need to read up on the local culture, customs and laws to ensure you have a smooth trip. No place is exactly like home, and the onus is on the visitor to be sensitive to any differences. More than most places in Asia, Singapore is considered a contemporary, commercial, cosmopolitan city-state. However, there are a few rules, taboos and quirks you should be aware of so as not to offend anyone.
Tipping is generally not practiced in Singapore, and is officially frowned upon by the government.
Don’t show your feet. This is more of an etiquette quirk than a legal one. Many Asian people think of lowly feet as dirty. It is considered offensive to point with your toes or show the bottoms of your feet.
Singapore tries to stay very clean. Chewing gum is frowned upon because stepping in a chewed wad of gum is never fun. You cannot snack on the MRT(subway). If you do decide to take public transit, hope you don’t get the munchies on board.
Don’t point your finger. Visitors to Singapore should be aware that pointing an index finger at someone is perceived as rude.
Visas
Entry into Singapore is rather relaxed, only a few countries actually require a visa. However, there are certain documents or proof that you will need to show to be allowed in. You must carry a passport that has at least six months validity. Your passport must have two blank pages for your entry stamp. You must also show proof of a return ticket or an onward destination. The entry stamp is valid for 90 days, if you require more time, you will need to apply for an actual visa.
