In recent times, Singapore has earned the reputation of being a shopper’s paradise in addition to its earlier fame as a business and financial centre. But more important from a tourist’s point of view is the amazing display of sights, tastes and sounds, none more interesting than the artistic and culinary legacies of the various communities who have made this island state their home. This has added an extra dimension to the Singaporean Society, which is best seen in the ethnic districts of Chinatown, Arab Street and Little India. Add to this rich blend a thriving European community and expatriate professionals and the true picture of Singapore’s extraordinary cultural diversity begins to emerge.

In spite of its small size Singapore has a surprisingly large number of tourist attractions including landmarks, memorials, amusement parks, national reserves, animal, bird and aquatic parks, botanical Gardens, museums, art galleries, and theme villages. Some of the major places of tourist interest are: Colonial Singapore The mark of Sir Stamford Raffles is indelibly stamped on central Singapore. Places of interest include: Empress Place Building, an imposing Victorian structure, built in 1865, that houses a museum, art and antique galleries and a chic restaurant; Padang,-a cricket ground; Raffles Hotel, a byword for oriental luxury; and a number of imposing churches, such as St Andrew’s Cathedral and the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.

The City Hall near Padang is where Lord Louis Mountbatten accepted the Japanese surrender in 1945, and where Lee Kuan Yew declared Singapore’s independence from Britain in 1959.Chinatown Chinatown is Singapore’s cultural heart and still provides glimpses of the old ways with its numerous temples, decorated terraces and its frantic bustle of merchants, shops and activity. Here amidst narrow streets of picturesque shop houses and restaurants brimming with life, little has changed for generations. Much of Chinatown has been torn down and redeveloped over the past 30 years but the elderly still spread their wares out on pavements selling anything from incense for temple worshippers to dried sea cucumber. A walk around the streets of Tanjong Pagar reveals local craftsmen at work making clogs, kites and traditional seals for stamping documents.

During the Chinese New Year, the whole of Chinatown is lit up and buzzes with activity as shops sell a variety of festive goods. It’s a fascinating place to explore especially in the early-morning hours when activity is more pronounced. The Thian Hock Keng Temple in Chinatown is arguably the most interesting in Singapore. Arab Street Arabs were among the first to arrive in Singapore to trade. Today the old section of the city around Arab Street provides an intriguing glimpse into the Muslim way of life. Arab Street is a riot of colourful textiles from all over Asia at very low prices. It is a traditional textile district, full of batiks from Indonesia, silks, sarongs and shirts. Jostling for space are rosaries, flower essences, hajj caps, songkok hats, basketware jewellery, hand beaten brass, perfumes and rattan goods, and a host of other treasures.

The grand Sultan Mosque is the biggest and liveliest mosque with its impressive gold dome and vast prayer hall but the tiny Malabar Muslim Jama-ath Mosque is the most beautiful. Little India Little India centres around Serangoon Road, embodying the vibrant and colourful culture of the Indian community in Singapore. This compact area of wall-to-wall shops, selling everything from umbrellas to electronic goods, pungent with aromas and Hindi film music, is a change from the prim modernity of many parts of the city.This is the place to eat great vegetarian food and watch streetside cooks fry chapatis. The Zhujiao Centre is the main market, but there are also interesting spice shops nearby. The temples of Veerama Kali Ammam, Sri Srinivasa Perumal and the glitzy Temple of 1000 Lights are some of the other attractions. . Orchard Rd This is the upmarket area where the high-class hotels predominate. It is also the domain of Singapore’s elite, and the tourists who are lured by the shopping centres, nightspots, restaurants, bars and lounges.

A showcase for the consumerist culture and material delights of capitalism, Orchard Road also possesses some cultural centres of interest and many of the major airline offices. There are a number of excellent restaurants to be found here, while in the nearby Peranakan Place, there is an “old” street lined with Peranakan shophouses where seafood, continental and Malay restaurants are to be found. Jurong Jurong Town, west of the city centre, is a huge industrial and housing area that is the powerhouse of Singapore’s economy.

This might seem an unlikely spot for a number of Singapore’s tourist attractions but it is home to the Haw Par Villa- a Chinese mythological theme park, the beautifully landscaped Jurong Bird Park, Chinese and Japanese Gardens and the hands-on Singapore Science Centre. The Jurong Bird Park is Asia’s largest bird park and home to over 7,000 birds of 600 species from all over the world. Located adjacent to the bird park is the Jurong Crocodile Paradise which has over 2,500 crocodiles in a landscaped setting with underwater viewing areas and a breeding enclosure. Sentosa Island Sentosa is a holiday resort island, which can be reached by air, land or sea.

Considered the best of Singapore’s entertainment showpieces, Sentosa Island is the city-state’s most visited attraction, especially on weekends. Sentosa offers a host of attractions for the whole family. It has museums, aquariums, beaches (with imported sand), sporting facilities, walks, rides and food centres and ethnic Asian villages which showcases ethnic arts, crafts and architecture as well as regional food. And if a day isn’t enough to take in all the sites and activities, the island has a camping ground, hostel and luxury hotels. Changi Village This village shows a more relaxed side of Singapore.There aren’t too many places in Singapore that could be considered virgin wilderness but Changi does offer an escape from the hubbub of the central district. Located on the East Coast, it may no longer have traditional kampong houses but it does have a village atmosphere being almost deserted during the weekdays.

On the way to Changi Village it is worth visiting the infamous Changi Prison. The complex is still used as a prison but next to the main gate is the Changi Prison Museum that holds a replica of the chapel used by interned Allied prisoners during WWII. Memorabilia and notes pinned to the walls of the chapel are poignant reminders of that particular part os Singapore’s history. Pulau Ubin This is a delightful retreat – an island with a rural lifestyle that has changed little in over 30 years. Traditional fishing huts called kelongs are built on stilts over the sea, while orchards, shrubs and flowers abound. Changi Village is a convenient base point for visiting the northern island of Pulau Ubin. On the island you can find quiet beaches, a kampong atmosphere and popular seafood restaurants. The tranquil rural flavour of Pulau Ubin is as far removed from the cosmopolitan bustle of Singapore central as it is possible to get.

The island is small enough to cycle around and this is still the best way to explore its fish farms, holy temples, coconut palms and deserted beaches. Southern Islands Although some of the southern islands are industrial bases, there are a few off-the-beaten-track islands where you can find a quiet beach. Sisters’ Islands are good for swimming and, with their nearby coral reefs, are a popular diving spot. Other islands worth checking out are Lazarus Island (Pulau Sakijang Pelepah), Pulau Buran Darat, Terumba Retan Laut and Pulau Renggit. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Although little is left of Singapore’s wilderness Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, lying to the north ofCental Singapore, is the largest area of remaining primary rainforest.

The park is filled with over 800 species of native plants including giant trees, ferns and native wild flowers. This is also where you’ll see long-tailed macaques, lemurs, reticulated pythons, the intriguingly named racquet-tailed drongo and the white-bellied sea eagle. Singapore’s Botanic Gardens has both primary jungle and cultivated areas that together contain a plethora of plant species. The gardens also house the herbarium where much work has been done on breeding the orchids for which Singapore is famous. Merlion and Merlion Park The tourism symbol of Singapore, the Merlion is a mythical beast said to be half lion, half fish. The eight-metre high statue stands guard at the mouth of the Singapore River, spraying water from its mouth like a fountain.

It is located near Fullerton Road. Fort Canning Park Located in the city centre, the Fort Canning Park is a place rich in history- a sacred site where early Malay Kings settled. This was the spot where Sir Stamford Raffles had chosen to build his own bungalow- Singapore’s first Government House. Fort Canning Centre, which dominates the park, is now a venue for the arts. Marina South City Park Marina South City Park is accessible from the Marina Bay, and is a park that blends art with nature while commanding a stunning view of the sea. A giant sundial and disc sculptures which revolve with the breeze are the artistic attractions of the park.

The park’ wide open spaces and windy environment makes it a popular haunt for kite flying enthusiasts. Kranji War Memorial The beautifully landscaped grounds of the Kranji War Memorial are dedicated to the Allied troops who died in the battle for Singapore during World War II. The memorial’s walls are inscribed with the names of those who lost their lives and a register is available for inspection from the custodian.