Singapore has earned a reputation as a sterile urban Utopia defined by its squeaky clean streets, public transport that runs – to the last minute – according to published schedule, and an international airport that handles 51 million passengers a year without suffering an inconvenient glitch or a complete nervous breakdown. As a well-planned, efficiently regulated city that makes New York wonder if it could ever have at least clean streets, Singapore easily leaves an impression that behind its glossy façade lies a city-state that is just beautiful skin-deep.
Singapore has its own version of ‘controlled chaos’ (ever been to hawker centers?) that contributes to its brand of culture, but a quick look at it at night – when it is all dolled up in neon signs – indeed makes it beautiful inside and out.
Here is a photo collection of breathtaking Singapore awash in neon lights.
Singapore Central Business District (Photo by Bernard Oh)
Singapore CBD, like all other central areas that characterize mega-cities, contains the core financial and commercial districts that include the famed shopping enclave Orchard Road. The Central Business District defines Singapore’s skyline, but it is by no means the only skyline in the city worth gaping at. Because of its central location and future commercial value, land use in CBD is understandably tightly regulated by the government.
Clarke Quay has become a dining,wining and R&R hotspot (Photo by Erwin Soo)
Named after Singapore’s second Governor Sir Andrew Clarke who was largely responsible for positioning Singapore as a regional port for Malay traders in the late 19th century, Clarke Quay is now a five-block daytime and night destination for entertainment, dining and open air R&R space. The historic quay, once lined with warehouses, has been “gentrified,” making it an ideal go-to place for antiques, cafes, jazz clubs and pubs.
Orchard Road was once an actual orchard road (Photo by Wenjie, Zhang)
The Orchard Road is Singapore’s prime shopping enclave, and what better way to convey that idea than to put up shopping malls that sparkle and dazzle and entice high-end shoppers to indulge in retail therapy? Once an actual road that led to an orchard, Orchard Road’s 2.2 kilometer stretch is now lined with posh boutiques that sport the names Gucci and Louis Vuitton, among others.
Tanjong Pagar derived its history from swordfish attacking the village
(Photo by Erwin Soo)
Contained within the Central Business District, Tanjong Pagar is a historic neighborhood that traces its roots from early 19th century when it was a humble fishing village. Today, this district has undergone chic transformation that has made it the fashionable district for dining and nightlife entertainment. The once coastal promontory – which still retains relics of its past – has become the pulsing hub of cafes, bars and restaurants.
This is not an armadillo. This is Singapore’s Esplanade (Photo by Choo Yut Shing)
At the mouth of the Singapore River lies a scenic location dominated by what appears to be an architectural rendition of an armored armadillo, otherwise known to Singaporeans as the Esplanade. Its strategic location between the Merlion Park and the Singapore Flyer makes it a busy waterfront R&R space. It is also the venue of big ticket events, held at the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.
The Singapore skyline overlooking the river of the same name (Photo by Erwin Soo)
Looking out from Elgin Bridge, the after-hours skyline of Singapore suggests both its (small) size and its people’s ingenuity to make the most of what they have. Singapore may not be the biggest country in Southeast Asia – in fact, it is one of the smallest in the world – but it has one of the fastest growing economies in the region and in the global scene. Highly regarded for its ability to direct logistics in the region and out into the world without causing massive nervous breakdown in its support infrastructure, Singapore is a “tiger” economy ready to pounce on unsuspecting visitors and surprise them with various delights that range from mundane to heavenly.
The Merlion is an iconic symbol of Singapore (Photo by Choo Yut Shing)
If Singapore were personified, it would be this very statue with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. The “merlion” (technically, it could be translated as sea lion as “mer” means sea) symbolizes Singapore’s origins as a fishing village and its Sanskrit-derived name translated as “Lion City.” Neither lions nor sea lions are endemic to Singapore, but the symbolism has a mythical appeal and it has stuck since then. It also doesn’t hurt that the merlion looks good on postcards.
Explore the rest of the world
Article by Chris
Chris had a passion to contribute to society especially to fellow travelers like himself. He also had a passion for Southeast Asia and frequently visited. While brainstorming ideas, he decided that a travel blog dedicated to his favorite countries, Thailand and Singapore, could be more beneficial than any guidebook. Only one year later did the blog’s success bring in more writers, more countries, and more readers.
- Google+ |
- More Posts (331)
Help others get the information they need by liking or sharing our page!
Follow @followloveblab
