Singapore Travel Guide
Singapore is an island nation country. A young and multi-racial nation,
which is only 39 years old of age. Though a small and young, it has come a
long way since it gained independent as a nation. 90% of its people are off
spring of immigrants from China, India and Malaysia. It is amazing how its
people can live in racial harmony. This is in fact one of the charms of
Singapore.
Visiting Singapore is like visiting
a mini Asia. There is Chinatown, where you get to know the tales of dragon
descendents. Pass by Serangoon where Little India is and the smell of spices
will program your brain to think that you are in Calcutta. Step into
ancient Singapore when it was known as Temasek when you enter the Malay Village
at Geylang Serai.
Get a taste of Tom Yam at the
unofficial Little Thailand at Golden Mile Complex, where the Thai workers
congregate daily. On Sunday, shop at Far East Plaza at Orchard Road and
you will be like in Philippines. This precinct also holds an unofficial
title of Little Philippines. It is definitely value for money to visit
Singapore and experience different culture and heritage all in one place.
This is the beautiful of it and it is charm of Singapore.
It a country that is blessed summer all year round. Full blast of sunshine
all year round. It is difficult not to get a tan by the time you leave
unless you stay indoor all the times. Blessed with tropical climate, it is
the ideal place for sports that associate itself with the sun, sand and sea.
This is evidence by the two beaches it has; East Coast Park and West Coast Park.
East Coast Park can be compare to Gold Coast in Australia, though not in term of
size. Singapore is also a place for adventure sports and local dive
companies offer excursions across the border in to Malaysia to scuba dive in the
islands there. Cycling is a great way to see the island of Singapore
allowing larger distances to be covered than walking (but remember to carry
water with you as the heat could be dangerous).
Modern Singapore History dates to the arrival of Sir Stamford
Raffles in 1826 Later the British bought Singapore and turned it into a major
port. Singapore, Penang and Malacca came together to form the Straits
Settlement. Singapore prospered with the increase of trade with Asia, the
opening of the Suez Canal and the coming of steamships. In 1867, the
Straits Settlement became a British Crown Colony and formed close links with
Britain and prospered from increased trade.
After the First World War, in 1921, the British Navy constructed a major base
in Singapore and later on an important
air base giving Singapore strategic importance. The Japanese invaded
Singapore in 1942 in order to control the allied port and airbase.
During the rest of World War II, the population of Singapore suffered greatly
and it wasn’t until 1945 that the British regained control of the island.
Following on the end of WWI, the Straits Settlement was ended and
Singapore alone became a British Crown
Colony. In 1959, Singapore
became self governing and in 1965 it became an independent nation in its own
right.
The Airport
 Singapore
Changi International Airport is about 20 km away from the city and it takes
about 30 minutes to get to the centre of the city. It can be easily
accessed by car, taxi, bus and train. The airport consists of 2 terminals.
Currently a third terminal is under construction. This is estimated to be
ready by 2006. There is a free Sky Train service that plies between the 2
terminals.
Open all day, the airport services all major airlines, from destinations
around the world. For instance, Singapore Airport is a major stop over
from Europe to Australia. Facilities include money exchange, duty free
shopping facilities, conference and meeting room facilities and car hire.
There are plenty of shops, restaurants and café to dine in while waiting for
flights. This airport has been voted Number 1 airport in the world a
number of times. Be sure to take time to shop around before leaving.
For those in transit for long period, there is a hotel in both terminals
allowing you to catch up on your sleep and helping with the jet lag.
Transport
 Singapore has an excellent public transport system and so movement around the
island is very convenient. As well as buses, trains, MRT (Mass Rapid
Transit), taxi services operate 24 hours daily on metered fares. Luxury
chauffeured limousines are also available for hire. Tipping is not
expected.
The whole island is well served by 2 public bus networks. Purchase an
EZ-Link card you can access to most attractions in Singapore. Most buses
are air conditioned. If you don’t have EZ-Link card be prepare to have the
exact fare as no change will be given back.
The train network, SMRT, has an extensive suburb rail system and it does
provide link from the airport to the city. It is one of the safest and
cleanest train systems in the world. City Hall Station and Raffles Place
Station are the two main stations in the city. All stations have a station
control office where it also double up as customer services counter to provide
information on directions and trains schedule. Do note that it is an
offence to smoke and eat on the train. Also no chewing gum is allowed and
heavy fines are imposed for breaking these rules.
 The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is a convenient way of getting around Singapore.
Again the EZ-Link card can be used on the metro. You may buy a single trip
ticket using the machines located at the stations. When travelling on the
metro, do take note of the interchange where you hope on to another line. You
may find this map useful. There is sometimes special rates for tourists,
check the tourist boards website for
latest information.
FOR DISCOUNTED TRAVEL AND ENTRY TO
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS SEE HERE.
What to See
Well you can really have an enjoyable vacation in Singapore
with many things to do and sights to see. We set down a list of ten top
Attractions and things to do but this list is not exhaustive and there are many
other besides. We tell you a little about five of them.
1) East Coast Park
2) Sentosa Island
3) Chinatown
4) Little India
5) Night Safari
6) Telok Blangah Hill
7) Singapore River
8) The Esplanade
9) Downtown East
10) Malay Village
East Coast Park:
 For those who want the sun, the sand
and the sea sports and excitements, head for East Coast Park and you won’t go
wrong. From jogging to cycling, swimming to wind surfing, it has all the
land and sea sports a sun lover will want. It is also a place where family
can have picnic or barbeque.
You’ll be spoilt for choice with the various leisure attractions such as
bowling alley, golf driving range, tennis and squash courts. You can hire
a bicycle or a pair of roller blade and brisk through the entire ‘Gold Coast’ of
Singapore. You can blade though a McDonald’s restaurant, a world’s first
skate thru outlet, to purchase drinks or ice cream to quench your thirst.
And when the hunger pang begins to groan after a day of activities, there are
beach side restaurants, bars and pub to go for. The best part is this,
there is a seafood centre located at this park. Trying out the famous Singapore
chilli crab is a MUST!
Sentosa Island:
 Sentosa offers an alternative
to the hustle and bustle of Singapore city. Also known as the Isle of Peace and
Tranquillity, it is the perfect gateway for weekend trip, family outing or for a
honeymoon. The island is located at the southern part of Singapore, it is
accessible by car, bus and cable car. By cable car gives you an
opportunity to have a bird’s eye view of one of the world’s busiest and best sea
ports. You’ll be fascinated and mystified by the Merlion (the symbol of
tourism in Singapore). The experience will energise you up. You
ascend up Asia tallest observatory tower which gives a spectacular view of
Singapore and its southern islands. What goes up must come down, and you
can descend down into the Underwater world, one of Asia’s largest oceanariums.
This will give you a close encounter with sharks and stingray before you get in
touch with the pink dolphins at the Dolphin Lagoon (this place is very well set
out but I have to wonder if the animals inside could have benefited from more
space and sometimes less numbers). After which go and look at how natural
disasters strike at Volcano Land. Running away from the flowing lava, this
will keep your heart beat in good condition for Cinemania. A safe heart
racing ride at breakneck speed.
After all the day’s excitement, unwind at Sunset Bay, one of the many beach
bars which also organise foam parties, at dusk. After dining, take a
romantic stroll along Siloso Beach and walk across the suspend bridge to a small
isle which is the southern most point of continental Asia. Watch marine
world goes by while enjoying the sea breeze. Such a perfect day must end
on a musical note. Catch the Musical Fountain show. It is a multi sensory
show of fire jets, water geysers and computer animation (my personal opinion is
this is a very tacky show aimed at selling Sentosa merchandise to children.)
For those who does not have enough of Sentosa for one day, there a number of
hotels and resorts to stay over night.
Chinatown:
 Chinatown consists of four main districts.
Kreta Ayer, Telok Ayer, Tanjong Pagar and Bukit Pasoh, each have there own
distinctive flavour. Its history dates back to 1821 when the first batch
of Chinese immigrants arrived from Fujian province, China. The result was
Singapore’s oldest Hokkien Temple, Thian Hock Keng, which is located here.
Also Singapore oldest Indian temple, Sri Mariamman Temple is here too, as the
Indian immigrants settle down here first before moving off to Serangoon.
Experience the atmosphere of the “wet markets” in the early morning and catch
a Chinese Opera before heading for lunch. In the afternoon, shop for
Chinese antiques and herb and have a break in between with Chinese tea
appreciation session. End your day learning about cultural history of old
Chinatown at the Chinatown Heritage Centre.
Little India:
 This is your chance to experience India
in Singapore. This exciting, noisy and crowded precinct offers another
aspect of this multi racial nation. History has it that together with
founder Sir Stamford Raffles came 120 Indian assistants. They settled down
at Chinatown but the enticement of cattle rearing drew them to reside at Rochor
River. Thus, beginning the formation of Little India as we know today.
The Little India Arcade and Zhu Jiao Centre are the newly renovated shopping
centres. Do not be mistaken that you are in Calcutta as the aroma of
spices emerges from restaurants offer some of the best food from there.
Also there are shop-houses selling handicrafts, saris and spices. Mustafa
Shopping Centre is a popular shopping centre in this area among the local
Indians. Be aware that this is not a hassle free shopping experience as
shop owners will approach you and start chatting and trying to get you to come
in rather than purely browsing and walking past. Learn to say "No", or you
will end up chatting to them all day.
Night Safari:
 This is the world’s first night zoo. The 40
hectares award winning attraction is located right next to the Singapore
Zoological Gardens, one of the world’s most beautiful zoos. There are
about 1200 animals, from over 100 exotic species from countries like Africa,
South America and Nepal and India. There is a 45 minutes tram that takes
you round the Safari. If you prefer you can walk along one of the three
walking trails. After the walk, you can cool down and enjoy the twice
nightly ‘Creatures of the Night’ show. There is also a selection of food
from BBQ's to restaurants.
Weather
 Singapore is a country that has only one season and that is
summer. On this page you can check out today’s weather and temperature.
You can also access a ten day forecast for Singapore. Located in the
tropical region, it does not have the four seasons that countries in Northern
and Southern Hemisphere have. Its climate is most hot and humid with more
rainfall during the monsoon season, which from November to January. Even
though with more rainfall during the monsoon season, there is still a fair share
of sunshine during this period. All you need is to carry a small folder
umbrella along in case of the passing shower.
Average January temperature
is 26ºC.
Average July temperature 29ºC.
Average humidity is 84.3%.
Current Weather Report
10 Day Forecast
Nightlife
 Boat Quay and Clark Quay is Singapore’s entertainment and night life precinct.
Geyland is a red light district in Singapore. Something to take note so as
not to spoil the evening is the strict dress code for some of the clubs and
discotheques. Dress code for such places depends on the crowd it is
targeting. Some insist on formal dressing only. Some have a minimum
age entry, though it may vary at different clubs. The minimum age for
drinking in Singapore is 18 years old.
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