Strategically placed on the Straits of Malacca, Singapore is one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan centres in Asia and remains a firm favourite with British travellers. A sophisticated, modern, city-state which is ultra clean and safe, Singapore is the perfect location for an exciting break combining luxury hotels, fantastic shopping malls, great cuisine, plenty of nightlife and a mix of cultures which unite in a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and scents.
What To See
Singapore offers an overwhelming variety of sightseeing opportunities. Before 1965 the island was a British colony and traces of its colonial heritage can still be seen today. The heart of colonial Singapore straddles the mouth of the Singapore River depicted by Sir Stamford Raffles Statue. A cluster of architectural legacies such as the Parliament House, Victoria Theatre, Singapore Cricket Club, Supreme Court and City Hall surrounds an open expanse of green, named the Padang. Not too far away, Raffles Hotel epitomises this grand old era where you can sip a Singapore Sling in Raffles Long Bar. Chinatown, Arab Street, Little India and Geylang Serai are testimony to the nation's rich ethnic, cultural and historical heritage, each district home to religious monuments as well as quaint shop houses selling ethnic goods and cuisine. Venturing outside the city there are further attractions to see including the Singapore Zoological Gardens, an open-concept zoo which is home to more than 2,000 creatures. Next to the Zoo is the unique Night Safari, another world-class attraction. The animals are in 8 zones that recreate various geographic regions like the Southeast Asian rainforest, African savanna, Nepalese river valley, South American pampas and Burmese jungle. The Jurong BirdPark is one of the world's largest and most impressive aviaries whereas the Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom promises to be an experience you won't forget, thousands of tiny wings fluttering around you as you stroll through the natural environment amidst waterfalls and flowers in bloom. Singapore's main island is surrounded by over 50 islets, each offering a quiet respite from the big city with their laid-back ambience, idyllic beaches and inviting waters. Sentosa Island is the most popular - a purpose-built island theme park, offering beaches, history, golf and a host of themed attractions, including Volcano Land, the Asian Village, the water rides of Fantasy Island, and Underwater World, one of Asia's largest oceanariums. The Singapore Botanic Gardens epitomises the tropical island's luxuriant parks - a combination of primary jungle and elegantly laid out flowerbeds and shrubs. Singapore is one of only two cities in the world to have a significant area of primary rainforest within its boundaries. The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve just 8 miles from the city centre contains more species of flora than the entire North American continent.
Food & Drink
Singapore is a gourmet's paradise, ranging from street stalls to five-star restaurants. The most varied food in Asia awaits you in Singapore, reflecting its multi-ethnic society. Choose from authentic Chinese, Indian, Malay, Thai, Japanese, Korean, American and European to name a few. Boat Quay and Clarke Quay are popular riverside landmarks which offer restaurants, alfresco dining and lively bars. Muhammad Sultan Road also offers a wide variety of pubs, nightclubs and wine bars. Newton Circus and La Pau Sat are food centres where all types of Asian food can be sampled cheaply.
Shopping
Little short of sensational, there are more than 120 malls and arcades on the island where you can buy many products duty free. Orchard Road is the central retail district and is lined with one shopping mall after another. While the major department stores and chains operate fixed prices, bargaining is expected in other places. But it is in those ethnic quarters that the best and more interesting buys are. Many visit the Bugis Junction street market selling cheaper items, food and souvenirs. Chinatown (Outram) is a colourful web of streets and alleys with a wealth of artefacts, jewellery, clothes, food and medicines for sale behind traditional Chinese shop-house fronts. Arab Street is lined with shops selling high-quality cottons, silks, velvets and batiks. Little India is another treasure trove of sumptuous textiles, as well as spices, jewellery and handicrafts. The Mustafa Centre is a three-storey emporium mainly selling electrical goods at fixed prices. It offers some of the cheapest deals in town, although visitors should check that there is a full warranty. Singaporeans go to Sim Lim Square for discount electronic goods; four levels stacked with cameras, computer equipment, hi-fi and video equipment. Again, check for a valid warranty. Funan The IT Mall is a shopping centre with dozens of computer shops on each floor at competitive prices, while nearby Peninsula Plaza is a favourite stop for camera gear. The flea markets around town offer a totally different shopping experience and bargains and novelty items can be found by browsing through a lot of junk. One of the best is at Clarke Quay every Sunday.
The Great Singapore Sale from May to early July, with bargains of up to 70% off, is almost a national obsession and attracts shoppers from throughout the region.
GENERAL INFORMATION (A-Z)
Airport
Singapore's Changi International Airport (SIN) is the main international gateway located 12 miles east of the city. Departure tax is S$15, however is usually incorporated into the price of the air ticket.
Climate
Singapore's climate is tropical with uniformly high temperatures and high humidity all year. There is no dry season so monthly rainfall is high throughout the year with sudden, but brief, heavy downpours being the norm between hours of sunshine. The wettest time is during the Northeast Monsoon from November to January with most rain falling in December, while February is usually the sunniest month.
Currency
Singapore Dollar (S$) (approx. S$2.98 to £1*). *11/01/05
Driving
Traffic drives on the left.
Electricity
The current is 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Flying Time
Approximately 13 hours from London.
Getting Around
Public transport in Singapore is efficient, ultra-modern, clean, cheap and mostly air conditioned consisting of taxis, buses and the Mass Rapid Transit subway system (MRT) making it one of the easiest cities in the world to get around. The MRT system extends north-south and east-west with trains every three to six minutes 0530-2430 daily. MRT also operate the Light Rapid Transit System. There are currently 14 LRT stations running from Bukit Panjang New Town to Choa Chu Kang in the suburbs. There is also an extensive bus system operated by the Singapore Bus Service. Another available option is the Singapore Trolley, a double decker sightseeing bus. Electronic passes, known as Farecards, are available from MRT stations (covering both the MRT and buses) for a deposit of S$2 with an initial value of S$10. For S$10, a Tourist Day Ticket entitles passengers to up to 12 rides a day on the MRT and all bus services. There are thousands of cheap, metered, safe and air-conditioned taxis in Singapore, which can be hailed 24 hours a day on the street, as well as at well-marked stands outside most shopping centres and hotels. Alternatively, hop onto a glass-top boat and enjoy a leisure cruise on the river. You can choose from a range of riverboat services available - loop hop-on and hop-off, river express, river taxi and leisure sightseeing tours.
Health
For the latest immunisation requirements please contact your GP.
Holidays
Jan 1 2005 New Year's Day. Jan 23 Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 9-10 Chinese New Year. Mar 25 Good Friday. May 2 Labour Day. May 23 Vesak (Birth of Buddha). Aug 9 National Day. Nov 1 Diwali. Nov 3-5 Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas Day.
Language
The four official languages are Malay (the national language), English, Chinese (Mandarin) and Tamil.
Opening Hours
Banking Hours are 09.30-15.00 Mon-Fri and 09.30-13.00 Sat. Certain banks on Orchard Road open on Sundays from 09.30-15.00.
Time
GMT + 8 hours.
Tipping
Officially discouraged in Hotels, Airport and Restaurants. A 10% service charge is added to restaurant bills.
Tourist Board
Singapore Tourism Board (UK): 020 7437 0033
Visa Requirements
None for UK passport holders, but passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the return date.
