The Top Ten Reasons To Visit Singapore!
Singapore is a small city-state in Southeast Asia located on an island and sandwiched in between Malaysia and Indonesia. Singapore is more often known for its authoritarian stance on drug control and cleanliness than for its tourist attractions. People have heard that gum is illegal and that it's not a wise place to practice graffiti art, but Singapore is so much more than that. Singapore is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, an island where ancient and diverse cultures meet and have merged into a uniquely Singaporean culture. While it has a wealth of attractions for any would-be visitor, below is a list of the country's top tourist attractions. Remember, they're just a scratch on the surface of this fascinating metropolis.
1. The Food!
Singapore is one of the world's best cities for dining out and for foodies. In fact, the food alone would be reason enough to visit. First there are the hawker centers, which are located in almost every neighborhood. These centers are filled with local vendors selling delicious food out of small stalls. They are packed day and night and the food is sold at rock-bottom prices. It's entirely possible to eat a meal at a hawker center for $2-3 SGD.
In an update on the hawker center style, food courts in Singapore have been taken to a different level by the brand 'Food Republic'. Food Republic has outlets in luxury shopping malls across the city and they have created amazing food courts by selectively inviting only the best street food vendors to set up shop.
Singapore also has many different types of ethnic food. The country is an interesting mishmash of different cultures and each group has its own food culture. Exotic eats can be found in places like Chinatown, Little India and in Kampong Glam around Arab Street. Be sure to try the local favorites "popiah" and "roti prata" for some truly delicious eats. For those of you who enjoy western food or more fine dining establishments, there are plenty of upscale dining establishments in and around the CBD or along the river.
2. The Quays To The City
Singapore River cuts a path right through Singapore's CBD and while the water itself isn't much to look at, the entertainment value of the surrounding areas make the river a great stopping place for tourists. This includes the bicycle paths and jogging trails along the river and the three quays on the river that are worth mentioning: Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay.
Boat Quay is a row of shop houses that have been converted into bars and restaurants. It's a relaxed, but expensive, area that attracts clientele with its upscale drinking and dining establishments. Even if you're not looking for entertainment, the picturesque beauty of the shop houses along the river with the backdrop of the CBD's skyscrapers is an iconic image of Singapore.
Just upstream from Boat Quay lies Singapore's nightlife and entertainment capital, Clarke Quay. Clarke Quay is home to dozens upon dozens of bars and restaurants and to some of Singapore's largest nightclubs. The drinks are expensive and the decor is kitsch but that doesn't stop party revelers from enjoying the area almost every night of the week. Don't think that the party stops during the rain either, the entire quay is covered by a pavilion (that is supported by some very repressed columns) which ensures that bar hoppers can enjoy the area rain or shine.
Also on the river is Robertson Quay. Much quieter than either Clarke Quay or Boat Quay, Robertson Quay is a great place to find coffee shops and casual riverside dining establishments. It's also one of the nicer areas in Singapore for accommodation and two of the city's trendiest hotels can be found in Robertson Quay; the Studio M and the Gallery Hotel.
If you can't sleep and you've already done Clarke Quay, skip it this time and head to Zouk. Located just across the river from Robertson Quay, Zouk is Singapore's most famous nightclub. A must-see attraction for anyone who enjoys nightlife, it is often proclaimed as the best nightclub in Asia by international entertainment magazines.
3. Orchard Road Shopping and Emerald Hill Drinking
Shopping might not seem like the most cultural thing to do on your holiday, but that's just because you don't understand that shopping IS the Singaporean culture.
The center of Singapore shopping is Orchard Road, a two kilometer long stretch of shopping malls, food courts, cinemas, cafes and luxury hotels. In total there is over 8 million square feet of retail space on Orchard Road, that's almost four times the size of the Mall of America! The only thing more numerous than the shopping malls (there are over thirty) are the shoppers who stroll along its broad and shaded sidewalks. The shopping malls range from ultra-luxurious malls like Paragon to malls filled with small and makeshift shops like the Far East Plaza.
After a long day shopping unwind on Emerald Hill Road, across from Somerset MRT station and adjacent to Orchard Road. This street has some cool bars and restaurants in old converted shop houses. Don't come in search of drink specials though, as in Singapore alcohol can be very expensive.
4. Little India and Arab Street
A little more sensible than Chinatown, Little India is the center of Singapore's thriving Indian community. The Indian culture can be seen here throughout the myriad of streets filled with small markets, shops and wonderful eateries. Try Gokul on Upper Dickson Road for the best Indian vegetarian food! Little India is also home to some cool temples like the vibrant Veeramakaliamman Temple. The entire neighborhood becomes even more special during Deepavali when the area is brightly lit in celebration of the Hindu holiday.
Just south of Little India is the neighborhood of Kampong Glam and Arab Street. Kampong Glam is a Malaysian neighborhood and is sometimes referred to as the city's "Muslim quarter". Centered around the golden-domed Sultan Mosque, the area has a distinct feel from Little India but has a similar makeup of small shops, restaurants and shop houses. There is some Middle Eastern influence in the area and this can be seen in things like the Turkish coffee shops and Moroccan sheesha houses. One place of particular interest in Kampong Glam is Haji Lane, located parallel to Arab Street. This small street is filled with cutting edge fashion boutiques, small cafes, sheesha houses, many different restaurants and a slew of hip bars.
5. Nature That Can't Be Found In Foyers
Don't think Singapore has completely forgotten about nature, the island may have 5 million people but it's not entirely developed. In fact, befitting its nickname of 'Garden City', over 50% of Singapore is comprised of greenery.
One interesting spot for visitors to experience this wild side of Singapore is the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. This reserve occupies a prime piece of real estate right in the middle of Singapore and houses the country's four main reservoirs. There are hiking trails, over 500 species of fauna and the last remnants of Singapore's old growth forests. However the main attraction for visitors is the HSBC TreeTop Walk. Accessible from the MacRitchie Reservoir Park via a 4.5 km long trail, or via a 3 km long trail from the Singapore Island Country Club. The treetop walk is a 250m long wooden suspension bridge that travels over the tops of the forest trees at a height of 25m. Be on the lookout for monkeys in the forest!
Another popular place for nature enthusiasts is the East Coast Park. This 15 km long park stretches out along most of Singapore's southeast coast and is Singapore's largest park. It is packed with bicycle lanes, campsites, water sports centers, beaches and everything else someone could ever want in a park.
See the next 5 reasons to visit Singapore.
Article written by Dakota Smith
Travelers Digest
Photo Credits: Food Republic, Orchard Road Business Association, Gallery Hotel, Tegan Woo