Introduction
From the opium dens of the past to the hi-tech wizardry of today. Singapore has traded in its rough-and-ready opium dens and pearl luggers for towers of concrete and glass,
and its steamy rickshaw image for cool efficiency and spotless streets, but you can still recapture the colonial era with a Singapore Sling under the languorous ceiling fans at Raffles Hotel.
At first glance, Singapore appears shockingly modern and anonymous, but this is an undeniably Asian city where Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions from feng shui to ancestor worship create part of the everyday landscape - colourful contrasts that bring the city to life.
Singapore is a city, an island and a country. Sir Stamford Raffles founded Singapore on the Singapore River, which is still the heart of the city, encompassing the central business district and the popular entertainment and dining precinct along the quays.
Destination Facts
President: Sellapan Rama Nathan
Prime Minister: Lee Hsien Loong
Time zone: GMT +8 (Standard Time).
Area: 683
Coordinates: 1.26 latitude and 103.83 longitude
Population: 4430000
Mobile: GSM 900/1800
Getting there and away
Go anytime. Climate is not a major consideration, as Singapore gets fairly steady annual rainfall. Instead, coordinate your visit with one of the various festivals and events: Thaipusam is a spectacular Hindu festival, occurring around February. If shopping and eating are major concerns, April brings the Singapore Food Festival and the Great Singapore Sale is held in June.
Most airlines fly into Singapore's heavily trafficked Changi International Airport. The best way to get from the airport into the city (20km/12mi away) is by train, but there is also a wide choice of bus and taxi services. Singapore is the southern terminus of Malaysia's rail system, and three trains go to Kuala Lumpur each day. If you're going to or coming from Malaysia, you have options aplenty, from comfy buses to ferries and even taxis.
Getting around
Singapore's public transport is plentiful and varied. You have the option of using metered taxis (although rickshaws are really only in Chinatown and the back streets), the MRT subway system or the convenient bus services. On the water, you can get around by ferry or bumboat.
Weather
Singapore is one giant sauna at any time of the year. November to January are the wettest months, but the other months are not exactly dry either. From March to September there is a distinct lack of refreshing winds. Generally, expect temperatures to average around 31° C (88° F) during the day and linger around 24° C (75° F) at night.
Places of Interest
From the colonial to the commercial to the cultural. Singapore is a surprising and eye-catching melange of cultures, eras and environments. A centre filled with one-time colonial hot-spots like the Padang, Fort Canning and Raffles Hotel separates the spicy Little India enclave and aromatic Arab St from the commerce-frenzied atmosphere of Chinatown.
Singapore has traded in its rough-and-ready opium dens and pearl luggers for towers of concrete and glass, and its steamy rickshaw image for cool efficiency and spotless streets, but you can still recapture the colonial era with a Singapore Sling under the languorous ceiling fans at Raffles Hotel.
At first glance, Singapore appears shockingly modern and anonymous, but this is an undeniably Asian city where Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions from feng shui to ancestor worship create part of the everyday landscape - colourful contrasts that bring the city to life
From the opium dens of the past to the hi-tech wizardry of today. Singapore has traded in its rough-and-ready opium dens and pearl luggers for towers of concrete and glass,
and its steamy rickshaw image for cool efficiency and spotless streets, but you can still recapture the colonial era with a Singapore Sling under the languorous ceiling fans at Raffles Hotel.
President: Sellapan Rama Nathan
Prime Minister: Lee Hsien Loong
Time zone: GMT +8 (Standard Time).
Area: 683
Coordinates: 1.26 latitude and 103.83 longitude
Population: 4430000
Mobile: GSM 900/1800
Go anytime. Climate is not a major consideration, as Singapore gets fairly steady annual rainfall. Instead, coordinate your visit with one of the various festivals and events: Thaipusam is a spectacular Hindu festival, occurring around February. If shopping and eating are major concerns, April brings the Singapore Food Festival and the Great Singapore Sale is held in June.
Singapore's public transport is plentiful and varied. You have the option of using metered taxis (although rickshaws are really only in Chinatown and the back streets), the MRT subway system or the convenient bus services. On the water, you can get around by ferry or bumboat.
Singapore is one giant sauna at any time of the year. November to January are the wettest months, but the other months are not exactly dry either. From March to September there is a distinct lack of refreshing winds. Generally, expect temperatures to average around 31° C (88° F) during the day and linger around 24° C (75° F) at night.
From the colonial to the commercial to the cultural. Singapore is a surprising and eye-catching melange of cultures, eras and environments. A centre filled with one-time colonial hot-spots like the Padang, Fort Canning and Raffles Hotel separates the spicy Little India enclave and aromatic Arab St from the commerce-frenzied atmosphere of Chinatown.
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