 |
Singapore Tourism
Singapore Tourism is unique which is proved from the fact that in November 2006, 800,000 guests had visited the country. It highlights a growth of 1.7 percent since last year.
Singapore tourism offers ome of the most interesting destinations such as the Second World War Sites like the Battle Box built on the Fort Canning Hill, the Civilian War Memorial where a memorial service is organized every year on 15 February, Johare Battery which is a gun emplacement site built by the British.
Apart from the sightseeing, some of the must-do things in Singapore include visiting the nightclubs and pubs of Singapore, enjoying shopping a variety of products from Orchard Road, Little India, and Suntec City, visiting the museums, the botanical garden and the many places of worship.
Singapore Tourism offers a wide selection of different kinds of tourist places and other interesting locations.Eco Tourism in Singapore
Singapore is blessed with an extraordinary landscape, breathtaking view from the skyscrapers, interesting ethnic quarters, museums and many other landmarks and memorials.
Eco Tourism in Singapore is a major attraction for many tourists across the globe. This form of tourism focuses on the natural aspects of a location like the flora, fauna, culture and the environment. In Singapore eco tourism is promoted with great zeal by the government and the verdant landscape helps tourists to visit the country and hence popularize the idea of Eco Tourism in India.
Eco Tourism in Singapore
Some of the attractions in Singapore that are included in eco tourism in Singapore are the agricultural farms, which are more than 200 in number and located in the Agro technology Parks in Singapore.
Chinese Garden is another significant part of Eco Tourism in Singapore that was built in 1975 and designed by Professor Yuen-chen Yu. The imperial architecture is unique to the Chinese Garden.
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is an interesting tourist location in Singapore. The rainforest attracts different kinds of birds and animals.
Chek Jawa is located in the eastern end of Pulau Ubin and houses different species of wildlife. The six different types of marine wildlife habitat are coastal forest, mangroves, sand bars, sea grass lagoon, rocky shore and coral rubble.
The East Coast Park is another site for Eco Tourism in Singapore where the beach and the surrounding landscape makes it an ideal getaway.History of Singapore
History of Singapore reminds one of the antecedents of this great city-state. Javanese inscriptions dating back to the 14th century refer to Singapore as Tumasik (meaning sea).
The present name has roots from South India when Rajendra the ruler of South Indian Chola Kingdom called it Singapura (Lion City).
During the 16- 19th century Europeans ruled Singapore due to its strategic position in South Asia. The History of Singapore has seen the Portuguese who made Malacca their port and later the Dutch and the Eat India Company.
One of the important date that proved to be a landmark in Singapore history was the year of 1818 when Sir Thomas Stamford the made the island of Singapore his new port. Later he was able to negotiate with the local rulers - Sultan of Johor and thereby concluding a treaty on 6th February 1819 to make Singapore a British Trading post.
By 19th century Singapore due to migrations from different parts of Asia had become a multi- cultural society comprising of Chinese, Malayans and Indians. The ensuing cultural unification is reflected on the architecture, language, and cuisine thus becoming the heritage of Singapore. One also finds various reforms taking place during the 19th century. History of Singapore also reveals the affect of World War II when the Japanese army invaded in 1941 and later withdrew. By 1950's one finds the changes and in 1955 the internal self-Govt. was established. In 1963 due to changing circumstances one finds the endeavor to the unification of Singapore with Malaysia but due to racial tensions it ended in a fiasco. It was on 9th August the expulsion of Singapore from the unification led to the birth of Republic of Singapore.
Singapore history showcases that due to unique geographical position and coupled with reforms the city- state of Singapore has been able to carve a niche for itself in the Asia.Culture of Singapore
Singapore, the most popular and vibrant destination in South Asia is bound to enthrall every traveler with its unique culture which represents a fine blend of both the east and the west. The culture of Singapore is one exclusive kaleidoscope of all aspects of it that blend perfectly with the city and its people. The diverse population of Singapore, comprising of the Chinese, Malay, Indian and European immigrants, celebrate their own unique cultures that integrate with each other to present such a unique cultural diffusion. Singaporean arts and crafts, its fine architecture, the music and dances as well as the trends in fashion and its delicious and varied cuisine unite with her finest traditions, etiquettes, religion and the customs to present this enriching extravaganza that is called the ‘Culture of Singapore’.
AsiaRooms.com provides the details about the different aspects of the Culture in Singapore that gives you a clear insight to the vibrant civilization of Singapore.
Arts and Crafts in Singapore
Architecture of Singapore
Music and Dance in Singapore
Fashion in Singapore
Singapore Cuisine
Religion in Singapore
Local Customs and Traditions in Singapore
Etiquette in Singapore
Make sure to visit this dynamic destination in South East Asia to enjoy the diverse and rich culture of Singapore and be a part of this enriching experience.
Singapore Popular Destinations
The Republic of Singapore is one of the main tourist attractions in Asia. Singapore is an island country and is considered as the smallest country in south East Asia. Enriched with various tourist attractions Singapore invited thousands of tourists from different corners of the world to come and explore her beauty. Unique culture with wonderful scenic beauty makes the land stand out from the other popular tourist destinations in Asia. The parks, the gardens, the serene beaches and the palm fringes are the attractive features of this island. The mixture of culture can be witnessed in every sphere commencing from the delicacies to clothing to religion to heritage.
Singapores Popular Destinations attract thousands of tourists every year. Various islands, small countryside towns with innocent nature give the tourists the chance to enjoy the natural beauty and its splendid elements. The most attractive part of Singapore is the blend of cultures where east meets west to form a new civilization. Singapore bears diversities in respect of its topography, ethnicity and traditions. If you are planning for a trip in solitude, in the midst of nature, then Singapore will be the ideal place where modernity and nature unveils her beauty to the tourist and make their trip momentous one.
Sightseeing in Singapore
Sightseeing in Singapore is unique blend of the historical, modern and natural beauty. The city is often called the garden city and known for its efficacy. It was Sir Stamford Raffles who made this a trading post and thereby enhancing its importance. To start with the visitor would be enthralled at the Changi International Airport that is one of the best airports and also a recipient of several awards.
The sightseeing in Singapore is influenced by different cultures that it accommodated during the 19th and the 20th century. The city-state has become a unique blend of cultures from different parts of the world and it is reflected in the architecture, cuisine, festivals and others.
Some of the sightseeing in Singapore has been listed below.
Chinatown
The Chinatown in Singapore contains Chinese cultural elements, as the place is concentrated with Chinese population. The Chinatown Heritage Center, Chinatown Food Street and Chinatown Night Market are popular for heritage and tourism purposes.
Little India
The main places of attraction in the Little India of Singapore includes the Serangoon Road one may find the Tekka Center, the Tekka Mall, the Little India Arcade, Serangoon Plaza and the Mustaffa Center. The other attractions include the temples, mosques, sikh temples and churches. The Sri Srinivasa Peruaml, built in 1855 Temple has a Gopuram (tower). The Abdul Gafoor Mosque built in 1859 features Arabian and Renaissance style architecture.
City Tour of Singapore
This would enable the visitor to see and experience number of attractions in the city. It would include the Civic District, Parliament House, Supreme Court, Marina Bay, the Thian Hock Keng Temple, National Orchid Garden and many more.
Asian Civilization Museum
This museum now in two parts and explains Asian culture and includes other displays like Peranaken culture, Chinese ceramics and Buddhist artifacts.
Singapore Zoological Gardens
This zoo is a repository of 410 species and also includes the endangered ones like White Rhinos, Bengal White Tigers and Polar Beers.
Night Safari
This would enable one to experience the Tropical forests and that in the night. This would be a time to visit the lions, leopards and tigers and other different species.
The isles of Singapore have been popular with the tourists and have become a much-needed respite from the city life. Singapore Isles consists of 50 Isles. These islands are exotic spots that are a unique blend of culture, cuisine and scenic beauties.
Singapore Museums
If you are coming for a holiday to Singapore, then you can pay a visit to the numerous museums found in the city. The Singapore museums are filled with a large number of art and artifacts, equipments and other articles that give one a complete idea about the history and the culture of the country.
The Singapore museums can be categorized into national museums, heritage institutions and other museums. Whether you are traveling with your family, with your friends or alone, visiting these museums is a great way to know more about the country.
One of the most popular museums is the Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore. This is a national museum, which gives complete information about the Asian culture and civilization. This museum and its displays offer an insight into the history of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia. You can also pay a visit to the Singapore Philatelic Museum. This is one of the most famous museums of Singapore and the only one of its kind in the whole of Asia. If you are interested to learn about the history of Singapore, this museum is definitely one of the bets places to do so. There is a stamp shop over here from where you can get to buy different types of stamps.
The Singapore Science Center, Singapore is another popular museum of the country. The museum seeks to promote scientific thought and education among the people of the country. The biggest attraction of the museums is the IMAX Dome Theatre and the Snow City. The Fuk Taki Chi Museum, Singapore is another museums is worth visiting. The artifacts displayed here provide information on the Chinese culture and the religious philosophies of Confucianism and Taoism. Apart form these, you can also check out the sculptures, paintings and other works of art in the Sculpture Square, Singapore or learn more about sports in the SSC Sports Museum, Singapore.
The Singapore museums are some of the most popular tourist attractions of the country. A visit to these museums is truly educational and entertaining.Singapore Parks & Gardens
Singapore is filled with a large number of parks and gardens that are known for their beauty. The Singapore parks and gardens are filled with different varieties of flora and fauna are some of the most popular sightseeing destinations of the country.
Tourists love to pay a visit to the Singapore parks and gardens to take a look at the different varieties of flowers and spend time sitting under the cool shade of the trees. The Jurong Bird Park, Singapore is one of the most famous parks of the country. Situated on Jurong Hill, this park is home to a large number of Southeast Asian birds. The park has a nocturnal house and the largest walk-in aviary of the world.
Another park that is worth paying a visit is the Fort Canning Park, Singapore. Covering an area of seven acres, this park belonged to the Malaya kings and hence is one of the oldest parks of the country. You can also pay a visit to the Haw Par Villa, Singapore. Known as The Tiger Balm Gardens, in English, this garden is filled with a large number of statues that belong to the Chinese mythology.
One of the most important of all Singapore parks and gardens is the Singapore Zoo. You can come over here and take a look at the different kinds of animals and birds. There are around 170 animals over here, like the komodo dragons and clouded leopards. Apart from this, you can also check out the marine creatures in Chek Jawa, Singapore. A favorite amongst the environmentalists, one can get to see corals, starfishes and other sea creatures over here.
The Singapore parks and gardens are the perfect place to go for family outings. A day in these parks is filled with fun and enjoyment.Singapore Festivals & Events
The changing circumstances in the 19th and the 20th century and the ensuing migrations to Singapore from different parts of Asia has brought about a multi- cultural society. The multi-cultural society makes the Singapore festivals and events a unique time altogether. The society comprises of Chinese, Malayans, Indians and people from other parts of Asia.
The Chinese comprise of 80 percent of the population and the rest comprise of Malays, Indians, Eurasians, Philipino, Indonesian, Thai and Japanese. As a result one can find all throughout the year the festive spirits in the city- state.
A brief description on Festivals and Events in Singapore is provided below
January- February
The Chinese community celebrates the lunar New Year and is a widely celebrated festival. Chingay is an event with flag bearers, balancing long bamboo flag bearers and other cultural performances. Many artists from different countries take part in this event.
March
The devotees celebrate Good Friday and Easter with great fervor.
April
During the Quing Ming festival Chinese visit the tombs of their ancestors. This would be a time to clean and repair them. During the Singapore Food Festival hawkers and the restaurants come up with their best.
May - June
The great Singapore sale is a time when the merchants bring down the prices as they encouraged by the government. The Dragon Boat Races Festival in the honor of late Chu Yuan and this festival in Singapore in celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month.
July- August
Singapore National Day on 9th August military and the civilian processions take place and in the evening fireworks is the chief attraction.
September- October
Festival of the Hungary Ghosts the souls of the dead are released for one day to feast and also a time for the living to celebrate. Deepavali, the festival of lights makes the Little India full of colors and no better time to visit Little India. Navaratri is a Hindu festival and is celebrated for nine days.
Orchard Road is loaded with lots of gifts for the visitors as the city gets busy celebrate Christmas.
Getting There
Singapore is one of the leading business and tourism destinations in Southeast Asia attracting millions of tourists, shoppers and corporate travelers every year from all around the world. The beautiful island nation is well-connected by the air, road, rail as well as sea to the outside world, so getting to Singapore is not at all a problem.
Getting to Singapore by Air: The Changi International Airport in Singapore is one of the most modernized airports in the world. As Singapore is one of the most important gateways to Southeast Asia, almost all major international airlines fly there. In addition to local and regional airlines such as Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, Tiger Airways, and Jetstar Asia, almost all major international airlines operate direct or connecting flights to Singapore. There are regular flights from Singapore to several destinations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and North America.
Getting to Singapore by Ferry: Regular ferry service connect Singapore to Tanjung Belungkor in Malaysia and Riau Islands in Indonesia. Though there are no direct ferries between Singapore and Indonesia (except Riau Islands), one can get high-speed ferry services from Batam and Bintan in Riau Islands to major port cities of Indonesia. The HarbourFront is the main terminal in Singapore where several cruise lines, including the world-famous Star Cruise, docks too.
Getting to Singapore by Road: There is an excellent road network between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Visitors can cross borders from the Causeway over the Straits of Johor. Several transport companies offer air-conditioned bus services between Singapore and almost all major Malaysian cities. Car and taxi services are also available between Singapore and Malaysia
Getting to Singapore by Train: As many as three daily trains run between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Trains arrive at and depart from the Tanjong Pagar MRT station Singapore.Entertainment in Singapore
Entertainment in Singapore includes a whole lot of list that would offer the visitor unlimited fun. Entertainment is not all about party but on the other hand the colorful festivals and performances and events throughout the year. The arts scene is diverse and one would find the influence of Malay culture, the heritage of Chinese and Indian migrants and now the cosmopolitan influence.
In Singapore one would find several concert halls and theaters that are spread across the city. One may visit the Victoria Concert and Memorial Hall organizes colorful cultural programs throughout the year. This would a good place to witness the dance performances Singapore Symphony Orchestra at the Esplande during the weekend's gives performances of both classical and contemporary.
The National Art Council organizes concerts performed by local artists at parks and gardens. Chilmes is yet another place that was a French convent previously but now a place to enjoy jazz, blues, Latin series and food. Other forms of entertainment in Singapore include the Street operas that are quite popular.
Nightclubs, bars and pubs are other places of entertainment in Singapore. Nightlife in Singapore is vibrant and popular. The nightclubs feature bands with live performances and discos. Orchard Road in Singapore is popular for its nightlife in Singapore. Other means of entertainment in Singapore are the cinemas that are spread throughout the city- state and also offer Hollywood blockbusters. Nightlife in Singapore can be made interesting with the visit to the cinema places and one may refer the newspaper for the shows. For those interested to dine with no limits Singapore is the place. Singapore's nightlife offers 24-hour eating-places also.Hotels in Singapore
