The word Singapore (Singapura in Malay) came partly from the Malay word "singa", which means lion. So, Singapore really means Lion City, and this is how Singaporeans sometimes call their own country. This is also why one can see a giant merlion statue at the mouth of the Singapore River and merlion figurines in most tourist shops.
While many people may not know the origin of the name Singapore, most of them know that the country is one of the four Asian Tigers and is famous as an international commercial hub. This city-state is also an absolute mecca for food enthusiasts. Everything you want from cheap eats and street stalls with their alluring aromas of roti prata to cafes, restaurants and high-style high-end cuisine is awaiting discovery. A must try is the Singapore Chili-Crab! Among the many worthwhile places to go are the Singapore Boat Quay and Clark Quay by the Singapore River, where Chinese, Spanish, Thai, Indian, Persian, Malaysian, Mediterranean and many other cuisines are there to entertain your taste bud.
And what better way to walk off all that food but to shop? Orchard Road is a famous shopping destination, with mall after mall of just about anything you want to buy. Alternatively, street markets are a good place to practice your bargaining skills. Those interested in electronics should be sure to visit Lucky Plaza, Far East Plaza and Sim Lim Square.
After you’ve done all that, learn about Singapore’s arts and cultural heritage at the Asian Civilizations Museum, or get in touch with nature at the unique Singapore Night Safari – a 40 hectare forested park where you will have a rare opportunity to see nocturnal animals – at night!
Be a night-owl yourself, and check out the numerous clubs, cabarets, theatres and more. Stop by Little India and Chinatown, or take a ferry or cable car over to Sentosa Island, which has a war museum (Fort Siloso), an underwater world, a beach and walking trails and a bird aviary, for some R&R.
For outdoor enthusiasts, rent a bicycle at the East Coast Park which allows you to ride along the 10-kilometer (return) bicycle track to enjoy the scenery and at the same time breathe in fresh air.
Singapore is called Garden City, for good reasons. This is because the country has devoted great efforts to keep itself green. Visitors will find beautifully planted palm and other trees and plants lining the expressway from the Changi International Airport all the way to the city centre. They will also see most roads lined with tall and leafy trees even in densely populated areas. So, travel Singapore by taking a stroll in the city under the shade to see how people live their lives could be a nice experience.
Singapore is an active, bustling metropolis with plenty to experience.
Log In