Singapore overview

Unforgettable, Enjoyable Singapore Singapore captures the essence of modern Asia - a vibrant, multi-cultural, cosmopolitan city-state where tradition and modernity, East and West, meet and mingle harmoniously.
There's something for everyone in Singapore. Whether it is tucking into a hearty breakfast of local coffee and kaya (egg and coconut jam) on toast, hiking up Bukit Timah hill, indulging in a spa treatment or pub-hopping along Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore is never short of activities throughout the year!

Definitely one favourite activity is shopping. The various ethnic districts - Geylang Serai, Arab Street, Chinatown and Little India - offer an amazing array of merchandise and souvenirs. From Indonesian batiks, Turkish scents to Chinese clogs, jasmine garlands and silk saris, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Keen on the latest season’s fashion trends, electronic or IT goods, or affordable street wear? Few countries in the world can match the range and variety of products here. Great shopping is not just confined to the world-renowned Orchard Road but also in the suburban malls in Bishan and Tampines. And in July, fantastic bargains can be found during the Great Singapore Sale - a great reason to max out that credit card!

Be sure to check out Singapore’s nightlife! Discos, jazz clubs, piano lounges, pubs and wine bars are some of nightlife options that await visitors when dusk falls. Head down to Orchard Road, Tanjong Pagar, Holland Village, Bugis Street and Mohamed Sultan Road and decide if you want to chill out with jazz or dance the night away to the latest techno mix. If popular musicals and symphonic orchestras are more your scene, you’re in luck because Singapore is abuzz with the arts, ranging from fine arts auctions to cutting edge theatre. Popular artistes too have made Singapore part of their concert circuit. Recent months have seen top stars like José Carreras, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Kiri Te Kanawa and Diana Krall leave audiences here spellbound.

In 2002, the opening of the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, now an iconic landmark in the Singapore skyline, marked a major milestone in the arts history of Singapore. Also not to be missed - the Singapore Arts Museum and the two Asian Civilizations Museums. Housed in elegant colonial buildings in the Civic District, they’ll give you an insight into the arts, culture and history of Singapore and the region.

Despite urbanisation, Singapore is not called the Garden City for nothing. Apart from the landscaped cityscape, there are beautiful parks aplenty. One gem - the Botanic Gardens with its verdant lawns, lily-covered ponds and bright orchids. For a touch of the more rustic, visit the Chek Jawa beachfront on Pulau Ubin. If you’re a fan of wildlife, you must visit the Jurong Bird Park, the Night Safari and the Singapore Zoological Gardens. Recent exhibits at the zoo showcase the splendour of Asian elephants and the dry savannah habitat of the Ethiopian baboons.

For a quick island getaway, explore Sentosa - Singapore’s resort isle. Enjoy panoramic views from the cable car as you head to the island which offers a wide range of attractions and activities. You can discover an old colonial fort or a wax museum, watch pink dolphins at play, pet a sea anemone, catch a laser show at musical fountain, or pamper yourself at a luxurious garden spa.
Climate
Tropical climate being hot and humid throughout the year. Rainfall occurs in all months with heaviest period between Nov-Jan.