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.