Singapore may have traded in its rough-and-ready opium dens and pearl luggers for towers of concrete and glass, and its steamy rickshaw image for hi-tech wizardry, but you can still recapture the colonial era with a gin sling under the languorous ceiling fans at Raffles Hotel. It is this carefully stage-managed combination of Western modernity and treasured Eastern and colonial past that makes Singapore such an accessible slice of Asia.
In Little India, you can buy the best sari material, freshly ground spices or a picture of your favourite Hindu god. In the small shops of Arab St, the cry of the imam can be heard from the nearby Sultan Mosque.
The Arts Scene Singapore has a vibrant arts scene where the traditional meets the contemporary and the east meets the west.
City Tour the fascinating city without getting off your armchair.
Parks & Gardens Singapore's ubiquitous parks give the island its "Garden City" epithet.
Lifestyles Witness a typical day in the life of a Singaporean.
Sentosa This island to the south of Singapore is a favourite playground with both locals and tourists.
Zoo and Birdpark Find exotic wildlife and birds at the Mandai Zoo and Jurong Bird Park.