Blending pan-Asian cultures, cuisines, ethnicities, Singapore has its city occupations down. You won’t find the streets of Singapore covered in grime and gum to be more specific. What you will find is a city decorated in British colonial architecture, buzzing with high technology, and skyscrapers sharing space with Hindu and Chinese temples. Singapore is efficient, clean, high tech, and an all around great Southeast Asian city.
The Raffles Hotel in Singapore remains one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Constructed in 1887, the Raffles Hotel is considered a National Monument. Oozing colonial grace and boasting its great Victorian style, the Hotel is the perfect spot for a drink while in Singapore.
Singapore’s rich Chinese population represents the city well with its Chinatown area. The section of Singapore contains four main districts, all with their own unique flair and flavor. Chinatown’s development came when the first Chinese immigrants arrived in 1821. Walking through Chinatown will hit your sense over the head with its colorful shop houses, traditional architecture, and busy street scene.
The city of Singapore hosts a number of notable museums and art galleries. The Singapore Art Museum shows off a 20th century Southeast Asian art collection. Paintings, installations, and sculptures make up this museum that specializes in regional art. The National Museum of Singapore takes on the histories of fashion, film and food in Singapore. The interactive museum is a favorite among visitors and locals. The Asian Civilizations Museum will consume visitors for hours with its 11 galleries containing around 1300 artifacts alone.
Views of the city are best seen from two vantage points. The Singapore Cable Car lends visitors a bit of ride, spanning 1,750 meters and 93 meters above sea level. It sets the bar high as Southeast Asia’s first cable care. Some cars are even glass bottomed to give off the feeling of riding on top of the city. One of the stops takes riders to Mount Faber, the second highest hill in all of Singapore. The Singapore Flyer will take visitors for a different kind of ride. The enormous and towering Ferris wheel circles the city, with views across Marina Bay and the downtown skyscrapers. At night, it illuminates, making for a striking memory while in Singapore.
While its still dark out, Singapore entertains with its Night Safari. The world’s first night wildlife park separates Singapore from other major cities. With 90% of animals nocturnal, the Safari lends the opportunity to maybe see a few of them for it holds 1,000 animals alone.
Getting away from the city’s urban areas could be necessary. The Singapore Botanic Garden provides that respite. A jungle meets elegantly and structured gardens, the gardens contain 3,000 species that call the 52 hectares home. Many come here to view the National Orchid Garden, the world’s largest Orchid display with 60,000 in total.
While some may find Singapore too clean, too perfect for their Southeast Asian liking, there in lies the city’s charm. Singapore offers travelers one of the most enjoyable and pleasurable cities in all of the area. There may not be the grit and grime, but a clutter of culture makes for a better scene.
