Singapore

Singapore, a vibrant city-state nestled in Southeast Asia, offers an enchanting fusion of rich cultural heritage and modern marvels. This small but fascinating country, whose name translates from ancient Sanskrit meaning “Lion City,” is overflowing with experiences that bridge ancient history with wonders of the modern world. From the iconic Marina Bay Sands to the bustling streets of Chinatown, this cosmopolitan destination beckons travelers with its diverse culinary scene, awe-inspiring architecture, and lush green spaces. Immerse yourself in the vibrant mix of cultures at Little India or explore the futuristic Gardens by the Bay. Indulge in a shopping spree along Orchard Road or savor delectable street food at hawker centers. With its efficient public transportation system and impeccable cleanliness, Singapore seamlessly combines tradition and innovation, making it a captivating destination for travelers.

Highlights

Cultural Melting Pot

Singapore, derived from ancient Sanskrit meaning “Lion City,” began humbly as a trading post for the East India Trading Company and was officially founded by British statesman Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819. Only 1,000 people were on the island when he arrived, but the population quickly exploded, bringing commerce and industry to the relatively untouched land. The new markets for tin and trade brought Indian, Chinese, and Malay workers to Singapore, and cultural neighborhoods sprang up across the city. From the moment it began, multiculturalism has defined this island nation.

Today, Indian, Chinese, Arab, Malay, and European elements are woven together in a rich tapestry of Singaporean life. From food, architecture, religion, and language, visitors are treated to a kaleidoscope of cultures.

Street Food

Singapore has built a reputation for being a foodie city, and it’s no wonder why. From curries and dumplings to Nyonya (a delectable combination of Chinese and Malay cuisine) and even French and Italian cuisine, foodies come from all over the world to dine here! The best value in town can be found at the hawker centers. Whether a vast open-air common dining space or a crowded food-court-style space lined with “street food” stalls, hawker centers are ubiquitous in Singapore. In 2016, Singapore became only the fourth Asian country and the first Southeast Asian country to receive a Michelin Guide. The country boasts 29 restaurants with at least one Michelin star, including six with two stars and even one highly coveted three-star Michelin restaurant. You can even eat the world’s cheapest Michelin star meal at the Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle hawker stall.

Don’t skip Smith Street, known as “Food Street.” Popular among tourists and locals, the stalls along Smith Street are packed during the prime evening hours.

Gardens by the Bay

An iconic addition to Singapore’s modern skyline, the Gardens by the Bay embodies the country’s unofficial moniker, “City in a Garden,” featuring 18 towering “supertrees.” These steel and concrete structures soar as high as 16 stories, providing shade during the day and a dazzling display of lights at night. Some massive “supertrees” also produce electricity via solar cells; many help ventilate and irrigate the adjacent conservatories!

Take a walk along the OCBC Skyway between the two tallest trees for a 72 ft-high, birds-eye view of the city below, or visit one of the many conservatories which feature more than 2,200,000 plants from ecologically endangered environments.

Thian Hock Keng Temple

One of Singapore’s oldest temples (built in 1821), the Thian Hock Keng Temple is dedicated to Ma Po Cho, “The Mother of Heavenly Sages,” and the Taoist deity that protects travelers from afar. Constructed of materials from across the world, the temple lives up to its name! Scottish ironwork, tiles from England and the Netherlands, and massive granite pillars carved with dragons in China complete this beautiful temple. Historically, sailors who completed a safe journey to Singapore would offer thanks and gifts to Ma Po Cho at this shrine.

Inside, you can visit the altar of Kuan Yin (goddess of compassion) and an extensive collection of tables and artifacts of the temple’s esteemed community members. In 2000, when the temple was restored, experts even uncovered a 1907 calligraphy panel from a Qing dynasty Empress!

Singapore Botanical Gardens

Sprawling across 128 acres in the heart of Singapore’s city center, the Singapore Botanical Gardens feature an extensive selection of trees from the region and across the globe. In addition to the central gardens, the Botanical Gardens are home to a few rare collections, including the rose garden and National Orchid Garden, as well as an extensive palm and bonsai garden.

The horticultural staff at the National Orchid Garden has been breeding stunning orchids for more than 80 years, producing a spectacular display of beautiful and rare orchids. More than 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids are on display!

Fast Facts

Already booked on one of our packages to Singapore? See everything you need to know before you go.

Overview	Capital: Singapore Population: 5.535 million Currency: Singapore dollar (SGD) Languages: Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English Drives on the: Left Time zone: SGT (UTC +8)
Entry requirements	Please see our Entry Requirements page.
Staying Healthy	Center for Disease Control World Health Organization
Weather	When traveling to Singapore, Feburary is the hottest month with an average temperature of 81° F and the coldest is January at 79° F. The peak time to travel to Singapore is from March until May.
Tipping	Upscale restaurants: 10% Hotel restaurants: 10% Porters: SGD $3 In Singapore you'll be expected to pay small amounts in order to get things done, as well as to reward for jobs already accomplished.
Money & Credit Cards	Always notify your bank prior to departure to avoid any problems using your credit or debit card while traveling.
Shopping	Shop for Asian antiques and artifacts, gold plated orchids, herbal supplements, watches and jewlery, decoration items and curios.
Electricity & Power Adapters	230 volts. Plug G. You will need a voltage converter and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit. Learn more about electrical standards around the world.
Cell Phones & Internet	Want to take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, but not sure how to get cell service or wifi? Read up on using your cell phone abroad and the top 5 ways to get Internet abroad.
Did you know?	Singapore has 5 official languages. Singapore is ranked 8th on the list of countries with the most skyscrapers, with a total of 84. Merlion, the national symbol of Singapore, is actually 1 year older than the country. Singapore is made up of 63 islands. Even though it is often called “The Lion City,” a lion has never been seen in Singapore.