The City of Lions and Gardens: Singapore
Looking for an exotic new place to spend your holiday? Somewhere to reconnect with nature, but also bustling with merry people and an exciting atmosphere? Well, look no further, because, with its affordable hotels, sunny beaches and an endless supply of chilli crab, Singapore is ready to welcome you with open arms.
Modern day Singapore is no longer just an ordinary island. With more than half of its area covered with lush greenery and four blooming nature reserves it is the role model for development among Asian countries. Put together with the delicious street food, a vibrant nightlife and a rich, unique history Singapore is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It is the role model of successful development for both developing and higher countries; no respected traveller’s bucket list will ever be complete without a trip to the sprawling The Garden City.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Singapore as we know it today officially began in the year 1819 when Sir Stamford Raffles chose to establish it as a trading port along the spice route. It became one of the strongest parts of the British Empire the most important commercial and military centre. After Penang and Malacca, Singapore was the British’s third acquisition. Singapore soon became the busiest trading centre in Asia, drawing customers from far and wide. In 1867, the area was finally broken off from the British India Empire and made into an independent crown colony.
Places to Go and Things to Do
From the Gardens by the Bay to the spectacular Sentosa beaches, Singapore has a wealth of destinations for its visitors.
The most iconic attraction in Singapore must be the Gardens by the Bay. Located in Central Singapore, and spanning a spectacular area of 101 hectares, the park attracts almost 6.4 million visitors a year. It is made up of three main gardens, the largest of which is the Bay South Garden, the Bay East Garden and finally the Bay Central Garden. If you are strolling along the bay, the first thing you’ll immediately see is probably the gardens’ supertrees. These gigantic structures have environmentally sustainable features and some of them can even use solar energy to light up. But that’s not all there is: the gardens’ lake system consists of the spectacular Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes. Their water is used to irrigate the garden and also harbour a colourful variety of aquatic life.
A trip to Singapore is incomplete without visiting the bustling island of Sentosa. With a luxurious stretch of beach, two golf courses, 14 hotels and the spectacular theme park Universal Studios Singapore and much more, Sentosa has lots to offer to its 20 million or so annual visitors. The sheltered beach of Sentosa stretches a distance of 2km and is divided into three portions, Palawan Beach, Siloso Beach and Tanjong Beach. The pristine beaches have everything from bars offering a variety of beach food and beverage options, too many outdoor activities such as canoeing, ski boarding, mountain biking and rollerblading. There are also plenty of dining and shopping outlets in Siloso Beach and a place for events and parties on Tanjong Beach.
Aside from its beaches, Singapore has many more attractions to offer its visitors, including the Butterfly Park and the Insect Kingdom, and Madame Tussauds Singapore. Are you a wildlife lover? If yes, then the Butterfly Park and the Insect Kingdom is the perfect place for you. In the cool outdoor conservatory, you shall get to see over 15000 butterflies and 3000 species of rare insects from all over the world.
In Singapore, there is a little bit of something for everyone. If colourful insects are not your thing, feel free to take a tour of Madame Tussauds Singapore. The new wax attraction is located on Imbiah Lookout and has a dazzling display of the culture and history of Singapore. It is an award-winning historical museum and frequently displays popular wax icons, including One Direction and Marvels Avengers.
After all that sight-seeing, do remember to end your day with a relaxing foot massage in the Underwater World. Leave your skin feeling smooth and your mind refreshed.
The Finest Accommodations
Looking for a place to stay? Stress no more because Singapore’s hotels are waiting to greet you with luxury and finesse. First on our list of recommendations is the 5 star Swissotel hotel. Situated in the heart of the Colonial District, the Swissotel is the perfect accommodation for people with a more flexible budget. It has many luxuries for its visitors including a restaurant, 2 outdoor swimming pools and a full-service spa. The best part? Swissotel is just a 10-minute walk from Raffles City and Esplanade Theatres.
The Colonial District offers many homes to visitors and among them, one is the Carlton Hotel Singapore. More affordable compared to Swissotel, Carlton also provides great facilities to its clients including pools, restaurants, free wi-fi and 24-hour room service. Another pleasant feature of the Carlton is the relaxing in-room massage service.
Apart from them, Singapore has a bunch of pleasant hotels to accommodate tourists including Village Hotel Changi, near the Changi point Ferry terminal, The Vagabond Club, The Four Seasons Hotel and much more.
A Dazzling Array of Food and Culture
Like its culture, Singaporean cuisine is incredibly diverse with items derived from all over the world. Malay, Indian, Indonesian, Peranakan, Chinese, English, Sri Lanka and Thailand are among the most common influences. In Singapore food is regarded as crucial to a nation’s identity; the phrase ‘have you eaten’ is considered a form of greeting among inhabitants. The diverse community eats together and religious constraints also exist harmoniously in the community.
The food scene in Singapore is greatly characterized by hawker centres, coffee shops and food courts. Hawker centres are places where dozens of stalls gather together and prepare food from all cultures and religions. The food is popular for its affordability and amazing taste. In the words of a tourist,
“Until Singapore, I never knew simple egg noodles cooked in shrimp broth could ever taste so great.”
Popular hawker centres in Singapore include Lau Pa Sat and Newton Food Centre. After spending your day eating at hawker centers, do remember to try some of Singapore’s signature dishes. Chili crab, black pepper crab and sambal stingray are some of the best dishes that dominate the Singaporean culinary scene and are recommended to tourists.
Take a tour of the heavenly Gardens by the Bay, get a tan in Palawan Beach, and in the evening eat till you can eat no more at a busy Hawker Center. Welcome to Singapore.
I hope this small guide has been useful, be sure to check out my posts on things to do and reasons to visit Singapore.
I have no words to describe Singapore.Singapore is a place where you will be confused about what to do first.I remember my trip to Singapore, it was fascinating, I enjoyed it a lot, it was one of my best trips ever.