Singapore

Singapore is both a city and country.

The city-state has a main island and 62 other islands located next to Malaysia.

Singapore is home to almost 5,8 million people.


It's easy to get around and there's plenty of areas to explore.  Singapore is quite diverse and a mix of Chinese, Malay, and Tamil cultures. 

This is a great place for those who like architecture.

The Marina Bay Sands opened in 2010.  The resort includes a hotel, a convention centre, a shopping mall, a museum, a skating rink and the world's largest atrium casino.  The three 55-story hotel towers were inspired by decks of cards.  The SkyPark is a 1 hectare (2,5 acre) roof terrace that connects the three towers.  SkyPark includes an infinity swimming pool and great views of the city.



Merlion Park is a popular area at Marina Bay near the Central Business District.







The Merlion, the mythical fish with a lion's head, was created in 1964 as a logo for the tourism board.

The ArtScience Museum opened in 2011 as the world's first ArtScience museum.  Exhibits show the accomplishments of both the arts and the sciences over time.  The building was designed to represent a lotus flower.


Every night there is an incredible laser and fountain show set to music that includes Louis Armstrong's It's a Wonderful World.


The Double-helix bridge is a pedestrian bridge that opened in 2010.

The Singapore Flyer opened in 2008.  Until 2014 it was the world's tallest Ferris wheel at 165 metres (541 feet).

The Float is the world's largest floating stage.  It can seat 30,000 people and was used for the YOG's opening and closing ceremonies.



Youth Olympic Park is the city's first art park.  It opened in 2010 when Singapore hosted the first Youth Olympic Games.


The Gardens by the Bay is a futuristic park with giant artificial trees.  It is home to over 200 different plant and flower species.

The National Gallery opened in 2015.  It is home to more than 8,000 works of art.  It is made up of the former Supreme Court building and City Hall, both national monuments, and it is the country's largest museum.

The Arts House at the Old Parliament opened in 2004.  The old building was restored and is now an arts and heritage centre.

The Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall opened in 1862.  It is home to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and was listed as a national monument in 1992.  It was renovated in 2014.


The War Memorial Park is dedicated to the civilians who died in Singapore during WWII.

Saint Andrew's Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral near City Hall.  It is the country's largest cathedral.

Singapore's House of Parliament was completed in 1999.


The Fountain of Wealth was listed in 1988 by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest fountain.  The water actually flows inward.  It's all very feng shui.


The Red Dot Design Museum has over 1,000 exhibits from more than 55 countries.  All of the exhibits have won the prestigious red dot design award.



The Asian Civilizations Museum specialises in history from China, Southeast Asia, and West Asia.





Singapore is predominantly Chinese but Chinatown is home to the traditional Chinese quarters. There are lots of restored shophouses and it's a great place for a wander.




The Chinatown Heritage Centre is a well put together museum chronicling Chinatown and the history of Chinese immigrants.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a four-storey temple in southern Chinatown.  It was completed in 2007.  It is supposed to be home to one of Buddha Shakyamuni's teeth.

Central Business District

The Majestic is a historic building in Chinatown.  In 1928 it was a Cantonese opera house.  During WWII the Japanese Army used it to screen propaganda films.  It screened Chinese films until it closed in 1998.  It was renovated and reopened in 2003.




The Sri Mariamman Temple is the city's oldest, and most important, Hindu temple.




Little India is the centre of the Indian community.  It's a colourful area and the main area is just a few blocks.  Lots of shops selling saris, gold jewellery and spices.

The Sultan Mosque was completed in 1928.  It can accommodate 5,000 people and became a national monument in 1975.  It is considered by many to be one of the city's most important mosques.




Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is the area's oldest and busiest temple.  It dates back to 1881.





The Angullia Mosque has been serving the Muslim community in Little India for over 120 years.

One of the best things about Singapore is all of the really delicious food.  Especially at the hawker centres which are great open-air places for inexpensive local food.  There are community tables and benches.  They sprang up in the 1950s and 1960s.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens were founded in 1859.  The 82-hectare (202,6 acre) area contains more than 10,000 species of flora.  It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015 and it is the only tropical garden listed as a site.  About 4,5 million people visit each year.