A Quick Travel Guide to Singapore: What to Expect, Do and See
Visitors to Singapore will be forgiven when they think that they’re visiting just a city. In truth, Singapore is one of the world’s smallest countries, but because of its fast progress and prosperity, it holds its own against bigger cities and countries across the world. Its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic population.
Before traveling to Singapore, it’s a great idea to acquaint yourself with some facts about this small but powerful country to make your stay more enjoyable.
Arriving in Singapore
Visitors to Singapore enter the country through the Changi Airport, one of the biggest and most efficient airports in the world. Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) offices make sure visitors meet the basic entry requirements. Singapore also has strict laws when it comes to drugs and armed weapons. Better to err on the side of caution and stay clean.
Singapore is near the equator so its weather is warm for most of the year. Comfortable and lightweight clothing is the ideal wear, pairing with sunglasses and caps on sunny days.
People
The people of Singapore is a mix of many races and ethnicities, each with a strong sense of identity that holds fast to their own culture and traditions. There are enclaves around Singapore where ethnic groups have settled, and each one is very distinct and worth a visit. And because of this same diversity, Singapore celebrates holidays and festivals from various beliefs and faiths.
Because of this diversity, Singapore is also home to many expatriates. Many foreign companies from the United States, Europe and all over Asia expand their businesses here. Don’t be surprised to hear English, French, Spanish, Japanese and especially Filipino when commuting. While most Westerners are scattered all over the city, many Asian groups would converge at certain places, particularly on weekends.
Cuisine
Singapore also has a very rich cuisine, thanks to the many cultures that influenced it over the years. Hawker centers offer the best of Singaporean cuisine. While some places like Chinatown and Little India offer specialities, most hawker centers have a wide array of Singaporean dishes that can be mind-boggling. The Old Airport Road Food Center is considered to be the best, and your choices include tasty hokkien mee, satay, Hainanese curry rice and dumplings like xiao long bao. Hawker centers by the beach like East Coast Lagoon Food Center offers a relaxing food experience by the beach. Smaller hawker centers can be found in most neighborhoods, particularly near budget hostels that are geared mostly for backpackers who might be hungry after a day of exploring. For affordable but delicious and filling meals, hawker centers are a traveler’s dream.
In Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands, your food choices are further multiplied as you can take you take your pick from quick eateries, casual dining restaurants or five star and celebrity restaurants. The Sands Skypark offers breathtaking views of the city as you enjoy your meal. For those who want something familiar, international fast food chains like Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonald’s are also available around Singapore.
Lost? Never Fear!
Even if you’re not good with directions, you shouldn’t worry about getting lost in Singapore. Maps and guides can be picked up at the airport. Most Singapore hotels offer guide services that provide you with tips on the best ways to travel around the city. Train stations often have maps and signs showing where you are, not to mention what places can be found nearby. While nationals speak in a variety of languages including Malay, Mandarin Chinese and Tamil, English is widely used particularly among the younger generation. Signs and directions are also written in English. But you’re really confused about where you are and where to go, don’t be afraid to ask.
Getting Around
Visitors to Singapore will most likely congregate at its central business district, where most of the shopping, entertainment and nightlife can be found. However, it is easy enough to get to the different districts. Singapore boasts of the a very organized and easy to follow public transportation system.
The easiest way to get around Singapore is by taking the train. A network of trains make most of the city-state accessible to visitors, and all train lines under the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) make use of contactless RFID tickets. These tickets can be purchased for single use/one-time ride, but regular riders purchase cards that can easily be reloaded for multiple use.
Buses and cabs are also one way to get around. The same cards for the trains can be used on the bus lines and provide a convenient way to pay for your trip. Cabs are a little more to get a hold of because of their smaller numbers and can be cheaper for those traveling in groups.
What to Do
Singapore is the Southeast Asian shopping Mecca, with multiple shopping spots to satisfy the consummate shopaholic. Shops with local brands stand side by side with international named brands, making it a mind-boggling smorgasbord of shopping choices. The variety of options alone makes for a top tourist draw, and merchandise ranges from designer clothes, electronics, art and crafts, and even furniture. Chinatown is great for buying souvenirs, while Funan Digital Life Mall is the place to go to buy reasonably priced and good quality electronics.
If shopping is not your thing, you can head over to Universal Studios in Sentosa. A popular destination for families and groups of friends, the park is divided into several zones with specific themes, most of which is based on popular Universal Studios movies like Jurassic Park, Waterworld, The Mummy, Madagascar and Shrek. My favorite ride was the Cylon vs. Human roller coaster of Battlestar Galactica. It’s definitely not for the weak of heart.
Among the other attractions you must see when in Singapore is the Night Safari, a 35-hectare park that is home to a hundred or more various species. You can also take a trip on the giant Ferris Wheel, the Singapore Flyer, for an aerial, 360-view of Singapore. Tickets to the Flyer will give you a free pass to the Journey of Dreams, a multi-media interactive showcase about the Singapore Story and the Flyer. There is also a rainforest that you can walk in in the middle of the Flyer atrium.
City in a Garden transformation
Singapore is also known as the “Garden City”, but its government is making the move to transform it to a “City in a Garden” by enhancing the city’s greenery and flora. Gardens by the Bay is a key part of this project, and it stands on 250 acres of reclaimed land near the Marina Reservoir. It has three waterfront gardens that visitors can explore, and you will appreciate the combination of sustainable technology and nature. Check out the Supertrees that can be found all over the Garden and reaches up to 160 ft. These Supertrees not only serve as decoration, but are also home to various species of ferns, orchids, vines and other plants. Supertrees also function as the conservatories’ cooling systems.
But don’t despair if you’ve decided to save up and minimize your expenses. There are plenty of things that you can do in Singapore for free.
Half the fun of traveling is discovering things that are not in any tour guide. After checking out the things we’ve mentioned here, why not go off the beaten path and find out just how amazing Singapore is? Enjoy!
