Tourism for Singapore has proven to be of good economic benefit. Culture lovers thrive in this fusion of Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures - the main ethnic groups - with its assortment of mosques, temples and synagogues. Singapore presents a happy collision of opposites – grand and expensive at the famed Raffles Hotel, but low-key and cheap in the food markets of Bugis Junction and Clarke Quay.But even in the low-key and cheap areas, Singapore remains an incredibly clean city where nothing is allowed to dull the shine – even down to the banning of chewing gum. In the last few years there has been some pressure to relax the numerous laws that have given Singapore a reputation as a prosperous but rather antiseptic and pettily repressive city-state. But Singapore City's exciting riverside parade of bars and restaurants reveals that Singaporeans actually do know how to have fun – and plenty of it.
RECOMMENDED ATTRACTIONS
Singapore Zoo & Night Safari
The Singapore Zoo is world class. Set on a peninsula jutting into the Upper Seletar Reservoir, the zoo's 28 lush, landscaped hectares (69 acres) are home to more than 4000 residents. Newer attractions like the 'Australian Outback' exhibit and the 'Hamadryas Baboons - the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia' convey entire ecosystems: animal, mineral, vegetable and human.
Endangered species include Komodo dragons, malodorous white rhinos, a charismatic orang-utan colony, and blue-eyed white tigers with paws as big as your face. The zoo claims to have the world's largest primate collection - if you visit on a weekend, the sweaty human hordes doing the rounds blur the distinctions between man and ape.
Visitors can stand behind a window in 'Ethiopia' and watch 50 shameless red-bummed baboons doing things that Singaporeans still get arrested for.
Want more beast for your buck? Visit the zoo in the late afternoon then hit the Night Safari next door. Clamber aboard the tram for an atmospheric jungle ride past a parade of spotlit nocturnal species.
Hours: 8:30am-6:00pm
Web: http://www.zoo.com.sg/
Endangered species include Komodo dragons, malodorous white rhinos, a charismatic orang-utan colony, and blue-eyed white tigers with paws as big as your face. The zoo claims to have the world's largest primate collection - if you visit on a weekend, the sweaty human hordes doing the rounds blur the distinctions between man and ape.
Visitors can stand behind a window in 'Ethiopia' and watch 50 shameless red-bummed baboons doing things that Singaporeans still get arrested for.
Want more beast for your buck? Visit the zoo in the late afternoon then hit the Night Safari next door. Clamber aboard the tram for an atmospheric jungle ride past a parade of spotlit nocturnal species.
Hours: 8:30am-6:00pm
Web: http://www.zoo.com.sg/
Underwater World
Sentosa's saving grace, Gracie the dugong, is Underwater World's star performer. Leafy sea-dragons and wobbling Medusa jellyfish are mesmeric; stingrays and ten-foot sharks cruise above Ocean Colony's submerged glass tubes.
Hours: 9:00am-9:00pm
Web: http://www.underwaterworld.com.sg/
Chinatown
Chinatown is Singapore's cultural heart, providing glimpses of the old ways with its numerous temples, decorated terraces and frantic conglomeration of merchants, shops and activity. Unfortunately much of Chinatown has been torn down and redeveloped over the past 30 years, but it's still a fascinating place to explore.
Although faithful restoration has saved some parts of Chinatown, it has also posed a new threat, as the restored buildings are now desirable properties commanding high rents. Traditional businesses - such as shops selling incense to temple worshippers, letter writers and chop (stamp) makers - are moving out, and a new gentrified Chinatown of fashionable restaurants and expensive shops is taking its place.
Little India
This modest but colourful area of wall-to-wall shops, pungent aromas and Hindi film music is a relief from the prim modernity of many parts of the city. Centred around the southern end of Serangoon Rd, this is the place to come to pick up that framed print of Krishna you've always wanted, eat great food and watch streetside cooks fry chapatis.
This modest but colourful area of wall-to-wall shops, pungent aromas and Hindi film music is a relief from the prim modernity of many parts of the city. Centred around the southern end of Serangoon Rd, this is the place to come to pick up that framed print of Krishna you've always wanted, eat great food and watch streetside cooks fry chapatis.
The Zhujiao Centre is the main market, but there are also interesting spice shops nearby. The best temples are Sri Veeramakaliamman, Sri Srinivasa Perumal and the glitzy Temple of 1000 Lights.
Food and Drink
Things to know: One of the best ways to eat in Singapore is in the open at one of the ubiquitous street foodstalls. Although there are many self-service establishments, waiter service is more common in restaurants. Bars/cocktail lounges often have table and counter service. There are no licensing hours.
Nightlife
Singapore has a vibrant and exciting nightlife. Entertainment ranges from bars, clubs, discos, karaoke pubs, street opera, night markets, river cruises, multiplex cinemas to theatre productions and international stage shows. Boat Quay and Clarke Quay are popular riverside landmarks that offer exclusive restaurants, alfresco dining and lively bars. Moored Chinese junks have been refurbished into floating bars and restaurants. Bugis Street, Changi Village and Holland Village, known as Holland V, are popular areas for food, drink and entertainment. Muhammad Sultan Road is one of the latest entertainment hubs in Singapore with a wide variety of pubs, nightclubs and wine bars, as is Club Street.Shopping
The vast range of available goods and competitive prices have led to Singapore rightly being known as a shopper’s paradise. Special purchases include Balinese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian and Malay antiques; batiks; cameras; Chinese, Indian and Persian carpets; imported or tailored clothing; jewellery and shoes, briefcases, handbags and wallets. Silks, perfumes, silverware and wigs are other favourite buys. The herding of shop owners from Chinatown into multistorey complexes lost some of the exciting shopping atmosphere, although these huge centres do provide an air-conditioned environment. Orchard Road is the main shopping street, although many of the large hotel complexes, such as Marina Square, have shopping centres attached. Although most outlets operate Western-style fixed pricing, bargains can still be made in some places but generally only after good research and shrewd negotiating. Electrical equipment of all types can be bought at Sungei Road, but caution is advised as there are many imitation products around. For more information on shopping in Singapore, see the Singapore Shopping brochure published by the Singapore Tourism Board.
Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 10.00-21.00, Sat 10.00-22.00. The Mustafa Centre in Little India is open 24-hours.
Note: A 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is levied on most goods and services purchased from taxable retailers. Tourists whose purchases total S$100 or more from a single retailer participating in the Tourist Refund Scheme are eligible for a refund of the GST paid on goods not consumed in Singapore. Refunds may be received at the airport, prior to departure flights
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