If you have one day only in Singapore, you may consider doing the following "musts":
1. (2 1/2 hours) start in the morning from the Esplanade to visit the new concert hall and theatre complex, as well as the open area on the ground level by the sea, Then walk around the Padang (which loosely means a green field). This was the centre of the British administration; the way the area was built and the buildings that surround the Padang were typical of those built by the British in all major towns in Malaysia and Singapore during the colonial days, as the buildings would normally include a court house, government offices and a church. On the Padang itself, crickets were and are played (by members of the Cricket Club nearby), and parades are sometimes held as in the old days.
Along the Singapore River nearby are the Empress Building (now used for exhibitions) and the Victoria Concert Hall, as well as the former Parliament Building. Further north is the new Parliament Building which was completed only a few years ago. Then double back towards the sea along the Singapore River, from where you can see the row of 100-year old houses on the other side of the river (called Boat Quay), which have mostly been turned into restaurants. Cross the little bridge to the other side and take a look at the historic General Post Office now converted into the Fullerton Hotel. Near the Hotel is Raffles Place, which is the centre of the business district. Walk north on Raffles Place away from the sea to the United Overseas Bank Building (over 60 floors high), take the elevator to the Chinese restaurant on the top floor, from where you can have lunch and at the same time enjoy a bird's eye view of Singapore. Or you can get off the elevator transfer deck (should be the 37th floor) to view the scenery.
2. (2 hours) after lunch, if the heat does not bother you, you can walk from Raffles Place to China Town, about 10 minutes away around North Bridge Road and South Bridge Road area, to have a feel of the traditional Chinese side of Singapore. You then return to your hotel to take a rest or a nap.
3. (about 3 hours) from about 5:30 pm, you can take a taxi to the UDMC seafood complex along East Coast Road. This complex has many seafood restaurants facing the sea; some restaurants have live fish, lobsters, prawns, etc kept in fish tanks for you to pick what you like and they will cook the food for you. You can have your meal on the ground level of these restaurants, which is not air-conditioned, but will normally have the benefit of a pleasant sea breeze. Or you can choose a seat on the second level which sometimes is air-conditioned. (the taxi ride one way from the Raffles Place area to UDMC seafood complex should be below S$15).
4. after dinner, if you still feel energetic, you can take a taxi to go to Clark Quay which has a few bars and discos and have a feel of the night life in Singpapore by the Singapore River.
This should be enough for one day.
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