Once just a humble fishing village, today Singapore is the world’s fourth biggest financial centre. It’s a dynamic, cosmopolitan city of high-rise buildings and landscaped gardens, with endless shopping malls, museums, restaurants and entertainment venues ensuring there’s never a dull moment.
With such a diverse population, it's easy to relax and find your favourite cuisine
One in four of Singapore’s five million inhabitants was born abroad, so it’s bursting with different cultures, languages and religions, despite being one of the smallest countries in the world. There is a variety of different cuisines, including Chinese, Malay and Indian, and dining is said to be the national pastime.
Top 5 Singapore attractions
- Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay - Singapore’s performing arts centre, one of the busiest in the world, stands on the waterfront near the mouth of the river. It houses a concert hall, a theatre and a library dedicated to the performing arts, and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra plays here
- Marine Life Park - Admire the sea creatures in the world’s largest aquarium, then enjoy wet and wild fun in the Adventure Cove Waterpark
- Chinatown Heritage Centre - Three beautifully-restored buildings on Pagoda Street bring the history of Chinatown to life
- Singapore Botanic Gardens - Wander through rainforest before taking in the National Orchid Garden's multicolored collection of 1,000 orchid species and 2,000 hybrids
- Singapore Flyer - The 165-metre-high wheel is the city’s London Eye. The best time to take the 30-minute ride is at dusk, when the entire row of downtown skyscrapers is softly lit
Top 5 Singapore shopping malls
- ION Orchard - A futuristic-looking eight-floor megalith with more than 330 stores and a large food hall full of international cuisine. Home to the flagship Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dior, Armani and Dolce and Gabbana stores
- Bugis Junction - Part mall, part open-air shopping district. Pavement cafes and a glass-covered shopping street give it its own atmosphere
- City Square Mall - The first mall in Singapore to be combined with an urban park – the 49,000 square foot City Green in front of it
- Far East Shopping Centre - Best known for its jewellery and precious stones: rare porcelain, gold, diamonds, old carvings and sculptures are all on sale here
- Haji Lane - This isn’t a mall but a tiny lane in the heart of the Muslim quarter – and it’s a fashionista's paradise. Try Know It Nothing, Pluck, and Salad