Singapore
Singapore, city-state located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, about 85 miles (137 kilometers) north of the Equator. It consists of the diamond-shaped Singapore Island and some 60 small islets; the main island occupies all but about 18 square miles of this combined area. The main island is separated from Peninsular Malaysia to the north by Johor Strait, a narrow channel crossed by a road and rail causeway that is more than half a mile long. Capitalising on its melting pot of cultures, Singapore is
finally getting some spark, and is fast becoming one of Asia's
hit-list destinations.
Here, There, Everywhere
Whizzing around Singapore can take a matter of minutes, thanks
to one of the world's most efficient and widespread public
transport systems. Hankering for breakfast in Little India, but
want to visit the temples in Chinatown before lunch? No problem,
you'll be there in a jiffy using the sparkling MRT system – and
why not stop at Marina Bay for a spot of shopping on your way?
Plus, with new metro lines opening practically every two years,
this tiny island just keeps on becoming easier to explore.
The Island of Feasting
Food in Singapore is taken very seriously. From cheap hawker
fare to Michelin-starred fine dining, food-enamoured
Singaporeans will line up for it, Instagram the hell out of it
and passionately debate whether it is "die, die, must try" –
Singlish slang for "to die for". Don't fret about finding a
place to chow down, as each neighbourhood is home to local
hawker centers and coffeeshops dishing up some of the island's
best meals for just a couple of bucks. Simply follow your nose
or join the longest queue – whatever morsels lie at the end,
they are almost guaranteed to be scrumptious.
A Green City
The concrete jungles that once dominated Singapore's skyline are
slowly giving way to green skyscrapers, which look more like
living ecosystems than business hubs. Fervently working towards
its "City in a Garden" dream, the nation is ploughing money into
becoming more sustainable and, well, green. Head out of town a
little and you'll find plenty of walking trails, treetop jungle
bridges, wildlife galore and the city's green jewel, the Unesco
World Heritage–listed Singapore Botanic Gardens: these are the
lungs of Singapore.
Shopping Frenzy
When the sweltering outdoor heat gets too much, Singaporeans
love ducking inside for a spot of retail therapy and a good dose
of air-conditioning. Orchard Rd is the queen of shopping malls:
with all the high-street brands, plenty of high-fashion houses,
and a few discount outlets thrown into the mix, everyone's needs
(and more often wants) are catered for here. If you prefer your
shopping a little less mass-market, head out to local
neighbourhoods for independent designers, quirky art galleries,
bustling markets, Chinese medicines, Persian carpets and a sari
or two.
(Cited from Lonely Planet:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/singapore)