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Singapore To See and Do

Sent by Caryn (Singapore) on 20 September 2007

Singapore is a unique and fascinating country -- a humid, tiny place that is both city and country, a blend of cultures, ethnicities, and ideas. At first glance the city is pristine and modern, sort of a low-key Las Vegas. On closer inspection, however, Singapore holds a wealth of fascinating sights and enjoyable activities, making it an excellent destination for a couple nights’ travel.

In addition to its own unique charms, Singapore makes an ideal stopover en route to other Asian countries. It is adjacent to Malaysia and offers frequent flights to popular tourist locations such as Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Everything in Singapore is clean, modern and comfortable -- just check out the airport, which includes not only the mandatory shops and restaurants but shower facilities and a massage therapist.

One of the most interesting things about Singapore is its unique cultural heritage (according to one tour guide, the principal cultures of Singapore are “Chinese, Malay, Indian, and other.”). Different areas of the city provide glimpses into these cultures: Arab Street, Chinatown, and Little India are cultural hubs for Singapore’s thriving ethnic communities. They are also excellent places to sample food and do a little shopping. Although local transportation is easy to navigate and allows you to explore these places in your own time, the quickest and easiest way to get a sampling of Singapore’s diverse cultures is a local bus tour. These tours leave from most major hotels and will give you a guided tour (in, thank heavens, an air-conditioned bus) of Singapore’s three cultural giants. In most cases, they’ll also finish up by taking you to a jewelry store and hoping you’ll buy something -- but that’s why the tours are relatively affordable.

One of Singapore’s most famous images, the merlion statue, can be seen at -- you guessed it -- Merlion Park. Most bus tours include a brief stop at this famous sight, which is the best way to see it as there isn’t too much else of interest nearby. Other famous places worth a visit include the Thian Hock Keng Temple, a Taoist temple built in 1821; the massive Sultan Mosque; and the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore.

If you’re getting bored of all this culture, there are many other attractions in Singapore. Underwater World is a mesmerizing display of sea life for all ages. There is something hypnotic about the colors and shapes unfolding around you. For an exorbitant price, you can even swim with the dolphins! Orchard Road, the city’s most famous street, houses high priced hotels, dozens of restaurants, and more shopping opportunities than you can count! It’s worth a stroll if only to absorb the unique atmosphere of Singapore.

If you’re of a more adventurous frame of mind, Ski 360 offers the chance to try cableskiing, which is essentially waterskiing except that you are pulled by an overhead cable. Even if you’re not interested in trying this activity out yourself, it can be a fascinating place to sit and watch! And if you’re after a more vicarious thrill, check out the Carlsberg Sky Tower, which offers a spectacular view of Singapore as it revolves 131 meters above sea level.

The Singapore Night Safari is a must see regardless of how long you stay in Singapore. It runs from 6:00 PM to midnight daily and it’s worth getting there early, because the zoo is huge and covers a massive amount of ground. Trams carry you past a wide array of creatures, from lions to hyenas and back again, as they wander uncaged. If you’re really adventurous, you can walk over a crocodile-infested river or down the Bat Path, where hundreds of bats flap overhead. Since most animals are nocturnal, the night safari offers a rare chance to see them interact naturally instead of sleep in cages.

Although you can eat fairly cheaply (and safely) in Singapore, alcohol is prohibitively expensive. Clubs often boast hefty cover charges and not much else, so if you’re determined to sample the local night life either head for a pub or try one of the bars in Chinatown. For some people, it’s worth the twenty bucks to sample a genuine Singapore Sling at the place of its creation, the Raffles Hotel.

This is only the beginning to Singapore. It’s a fascinating city and well worth a visit!

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