Destination Singapore

Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, and often referred to as the Lion City, the Garden City, and the Red Dot, is a global city and sovereign state in Southeast Asia and the world's only island city-state. It lies one degree (137 km) north of the equator, at the southernmost tip of continental Asia and peninsular Malaysia, with Indonesia's Riau Islands to the south. Singapore's territory consists of a diamond-shaped main island along with 62 other islets. Since independence, extensive land reclamation has increased its total size by 23% (130 km2), and its greening policy has covered the densely populated island with tropical flora, parks and gardens.

Nature sight-seeing

Singapore has a variety of parks and projects which often feature its natural tropical environment.

Singapore has 3 zoos, namely, the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Safari. The Singapore Zoo displays animals in 'open' naturalistic, spacious, landscaped enclosures separated from the visitors by hidden barriers, moats, and glass, with various shows and events occurring throughout the day to allow visitors to interact with the animals. Night Safari is the world's first nocturnal zoo, set in a humid tropical forest that is only open at night, it is divided into seven geographical zones, which can be explored either on foot via four walking trails, or by tram. River Safari features a tropical rainforest setting and features 10 different ecosystems around the world, with 5000 animals of 300 species. Among the main attractions in the River Safari is a pair of male and female giant pandas – Kai Kai (凯凯) and Jia Jia (嘉嘉) – which are housed in a specially constructed climate-controlled enclosure which change throughout the four seasons emulating their original environment.

Among the various gardens and parks located in the country, Singapore's Singapore Botanic Gardens, Jurong Bird Park and Gardens by the Bay are most popular amongst tourists. The Singapore Botanical Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a 52 hectares tropical garden, among its main attractions includes the National Orchid collection with over 3000 types of orchids growing. Jurong Bird Park, is a bird zoo with extensive specimens of exotic bird life from around the world, including a flock of one thousand flamingos. The bird park is largest in the world in terms of the number of birds. Gardens By The Bay, designed as a series of large tropical leaf-shaped gardens, each with its own specific landscaping design, character and theme. Its main attractions are the two conservatories, the Flower Dome, which replicates a mild, dry climate and features plants found in the Mediterranean and other semi-arid tropical regions, and the Cloud Forest, which replicates the cool moist conditions found in tropical mountain regions between 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) and 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) above sea level, found in South-East Asia, Middle- and South America. Other main attractions include the Supertree Grove, which features tree-like structures, known as Supertrees that dominate the Gardens' landscape. They are vertical gardens that perform a multitude of functions, which include planting, shading and working as environmental engines for the gardens.

Cultural and historical landmarks

A former British colony, Singapore has various historical and cultural landmarks with British and regional influences in its architecture. Such cultural landmarks include the Masjid Sultan, one of Singapore's most important mosques which was completed in 1826, the Thian Hock Keng, one of Singapore's oldest temples, which was completed in 1839 and the Sri Mariamman Temple, which was built in 1827, making it the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. Other historical monuments include the Kranji War Memorial, Civilian War Memorial, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall and Istana Kampong Glam.

Singapore has four major museums depicting the art and history of the country and of the region. The Asian Civilisations Museum specialises in the material history of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia, from which the diverse ethnic groups of Singapore trace their ancestry, while the Peranakan Museum, the first of its kind in the world, explores Peranakan cultures in Singapore and other former Straits Settlements in Malacca and Penang, and other Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia.

Shopping

There are various shopping belts in Singapore, Marina Bay, Bugis Street, Chinatown, Geylang Serai, Kampong Gelam & Arab Street, Little India, North Bridge Road, Orchard Road, and The Suburbs.

Singapore seeks to be the business hub of Southeast Asia and has an expansive shopping precinct located in the Orchard Road district. Many multistorey shopping centres are located at Orchard Road; the area also has many hotels, and it's the main tourism centre of Singapore, other than the Downtown Core. The local populace also use Orchard Road for shopping extensively.

Attractions

Beaches and bays

• East Coast Park
• Marina Bay
• Palawan Beach
• Siloso Beach
• Changi Beach

Entertainment districts

• Boat Quay
• Clarke Quay

Islands

• Pedra Branca
• Pulau Anak Bukom/Pulau Anak Bukum
• Pulau Bajau - within Poyan Reservoir
• Pulau Berkas
• Pulau Biola (Violin Island)
• Pulau Brani
• Pulau Buaya - off Jurong Island
• Pulau Bukom/Pulau Bukum
• Pulau Bukom Kechil
• Pulau Buloh - off the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
• Pulau Busing
• Pulau Damar Laut - off Jurong
• Pulau Damien - off Pulau Tekong
• Pulau Hantu (Ghost Island)
• Pulau Jong (Junk Island)
• Pulau Keppel
• Pulau Ketam - off Pulau Ubin
• Pulau Khatib Bongsu
• Pulau Malang Siajar - off Pulau Tekong
• Pulau Palawan - off Sentosa
• Pulau Pawai
• Pulau Pergam - off Lim Chu Kang
• Pulau Renggis - off Sentosa
• Pulau Sakijang Bendera (Saint John's Island)
• Pulau Sakijang Pelepah (Lazarus Island)
• Pulau Salu
• Pulau Samulun - off Jurong
• Pulau Sarimbun - off Lim Chu Kang
• Pulau Satumu (One Tree Island)
• Pulau Sebarok (Middle Island)
• Pulau Sekudu (Frog Island) - off Pulau Ubin
• Pulau Seletar
• Pulau Selugu (Sarong Island)
• Pulau Semakau
• Pulau Senang (Barn Island)
• Pulau Serangoon (Coney Island)
• Pulau Seringat
• Pulau Seringat Kechil
• Pulau Subar Darat (Sisters' Islands)
• Pulau Subar Laut (Sisters' Islands)
• Pulau Sudong
• Pulau Tekong
• Pulau Tekukor - off Sentosa
• Pulau Tembakul (Kusu Island/Peak Island)
• Pulau Ubin
• Pulau Ular - off Pulau Bukom
• Pulau Unum - off Pulau Tekong
• Sentosa (formerly Pulau Belakang Mati)
• Singapore (Pulau Ujong)
• Sultan Shoal

See also

• Tourism in Singapore