Explore Singapore

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Icons of Singapore – Merlion and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel

Singapore has been described as a microcosm of Asia. This small, city, island state is South East Asia’s success story and combines modern skyscrapers and futuristic architecture with colonial history, international cuisine, a tropical climate and a taste of different Asian cultures in air conditioned, clean and orderly comfort, meaning that Singapore offers a great introduction to the region, perfect for a first time visitor to Asia.

Unfortunately for the budget traveler, this also means Singapore is not a cheap destination like the majority of Asia but efficient public transport system and lack of hassle means the clean and compact city is easy to explore interdependently and can give you a insight into many different cultures in one day. 

The impressive Masjid Sultan in Kampong Glam

Marvel at the huge Sultan Mosque with it’s huge, golden, onioned dome and towering minarets, and, if you cover up, its possible to go inside at certain times.

Wander the quaint streets of colourful, restored shop houses around the mosque with dress shops showing off a magnitude of different fabrics to be made to measure and cafes serving middle eastern cuisines and shisha pipes. 

Red lanterns and colourful, restored shopfronts in China town

Using the MRT again, this time disembark at China Town and explore the narrow lanes of historic and restored Chinese shop fronts decorated with red lanterns.

Try your luck haggling for a bargain amongst the many souvenir stalls. For serious shoppers head to Orchard Road or one of the many shopping malls for the national past time in Singapore appears to be shopping but those who come looking for dirt cheap clothes and electronic bargains may be disappointed.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in China Town

Visit the imposing wooden Buddha Tooth Relic Temple where the tooth of the Buddha is reputedly kept and then try some Chinese delicacies,  noodles or the traditional nasi lemak dish from a street food stall or in one of the hawker centers. 

Clarke Quay has been restored and you can take a cruise down the Singapore river

From China town it’s not far to the Clark Quay and the colonial district where you can cruise or wander along the river. 

English is still the official language, which is convenient for visitors, asSingapore was founded in 1819 as an important trading colony of the British Empire and you can still take in the grand colonial architecture.

Colonial architecture from Singapore’s history as part of the British Empire

A visit to the Asian Civilizations Museum will help you understand a bit more about the mixture of different cultures represented in Singapore and the rest of Asia.

After gaining independence in 1965, Singapore is still the world’s busiest shipping port, one of the most successful countries in Asia and the world’s fourth leading financial center that is showcased in the skyscrapers of the modern CBD district of this forward thinking Asian tiger.

The modern CBD of successful Singapore

In the evening, relax sipping a Singapore Sling at the iconic Raffles Hotel before visiting the waterfront of Marina Bay. Across the bay is the Singapore Flyer – the highest observation wheel and the modern and iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel which looks like a boat breached on top of three towers. 

The distinctive Marina Bay Sands Hotel

Make sure to pay a visit to Merlion, the symbol of Singapura – Lion City. Merlion stands proud by the waterside welcoming visitors from the sea as it has done since 1972, with his lion face and mermaid tail against a backdrop of modern, international offices. 

Merlion – half fish, half lion stands proudly in front of the skyscrapers of the CBD

From here you also have a good view point to enjoy the sound and light show in the evenings that illuminates the hotel and bay. 

If the budget can stretch, enjoy the theme parks on Sentosa Island, a night safari at Singapore Zoo and enjoy dinner and cocktails over an infinity pool with a view at the top of the Marina Bay Sands.

If not, finish off the evening with a free visit to the other worldly landscapes of the illuminated Gardens by the Bay.

The futuristic Gardens By The Bay

Singapore is world apart from the rest of Asia, and can feel a little over gentrified at times, but offers a intoxicating blend of old and new, different cultures and cuisines that make a perfect introduction to Asia for a first time visitor.

EXPLORE SINGAPORE By Aayan Saleem