Singapore Vacations, Singapore Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide
- Popular Cities in Singapore
- 2,450 Singapore TravBuddies
- 595 Singapore Travel Blogs
- 14,261 Singapore Photos & Videos
- 228 Singapore Hotels
- 32 Singapore Hostels
- 41 Singapore Things To Do
- 55 Singapore Restaurants
- 17 Singapore Travel Tips
Singapore Accommodations and Lodging
Sponsored Links
Singapore Vacation Guide
Listen to the stereotypes on this tiny corner of Asia – the severe punishments for littering, the ban on chewing gum, and an abundance of the boringly corporate – and you’d probably dismiss Singapore off hand. You’d be wrong. Sure, the city has an notably sterile side to it, but to focus on only the dull is to miss the essence of what Singapore is all about.
With hefty influences from India, China and Malaysia, Singapore’s more exotic cultures incorporate fiery shadow puppet shows, a double dose of feng shui, cabaret drag shows and, of course, the must-drink Singapore Slings at the Raffles bar. Not so dreary, after all.
Food is an essential part of the Singapore experience: any trip should include the Sunday night Little India experience, where Hindi films are the be all and end all, and you can sample nearly anything you’d find on the subcontinent from a substantial selection of market stalls. China Town offers the same combo with a Chinese flavor and a side order of Chinese opera, while traditional Singaporean fare includes traditional Hainanese Chicken or coconut topped Kaya Toast. You can wash it all down with a few swigs of Singapore’s most famous export, Tiger Beer, or a delicate cup of healing herbal tea.
Away from the city’s flourishing attempts at destroying all but the most heartfelt of diets, you can explore Asian culture through the ages – alongside a host of impressive art - at the elaborate Asian Civilizations Museum, or take in a playful night safari at the Singapore Zoo, where rhinos, tigers and polar bears wallow amongst the substantial greenery. Views from the Sentosa Island cable car provide the essential nighttime cityscapes, while in the day you can cruise the temples, indulge in artistic calligraphy souvenirs, and have a street-side fortuneteller bring your future to life.
So yes, Singapore does have its overly controlled side, but if that’s all you see, your missing the highlights of what can be a lively, culturally varied city, where it's important to focus on the traditional as much as the modern.
With hefty influences from India, China and Malaysia, Singapore’s more exotic cultures incorporate fiery shadow puppet shows, a double dose of feng shui, cabaret drag shows and, of course, the must-drink Singapore Slings at the Raffles bar. Not so dreary, after all.
Food is an essential part of the Singapore experience: any trip should include the Sunday night Little India experience, where Hindi films are the be all and end all, and you can sample nearly anything you’d find on the subcontinent from a substantial selection of market stalls. China Town offers the same combo with a Chinese flavor and a side order of Chinese opera, while traditional Singaporean fare includes traditional Hainanese Chicken or coconut topped Kaya Toast. You can wash it all down with a few swigs of Singapore’s most famous export, Tiger Beer, or a delicate cup of healing herbal tea.
Away from the city’s flourishing attempts at destroying all but the most heartfelt of diets, you can explore Asian culture through the ages – alongside a host of impressive art - at the elaborate Asian Civilizations Museum, or take in a playful night safari at the Singapore Zoo, where rhinos, tigers and polar bears wallow amongst the substantial greenery. Views from the Sentosa Island cable car provide the essential nighttime cityscapes, while in the day you can cruise the temples, indulge in artistic calligraphy souvenirs, and have a street-side fortuneteller bring your future to life.
So yes, Singapore does have its overly controlled side, but if that’s all you see, your missing the highlights of what can be a lively, culturally varied city, where it's important to focus on the traditional as much as the modern.