Here's where the world gets served up on a plate.
Even more so when the annual Singapore Food Festival comes around in July.
Embark on a gastronomic odyssey and thrill your taste buds as you go on the annual Gourmet Safari trail. In April, restaurants around the city offer specially created menus by world renowned celebrity chefs.
Only at the Singapore Zoological Gardens can you enjoy Wild Breakfast--an unforgettable meal with a friendly primate or two for company.
Explore the rich and diverse aspects of Singapore's culture, history and cuisine via a novel route: on a guided walking tour.
Go back in time as you discover the humble artifacts at the Chinatown Heritage Centre at Pagoda Street. Explore first-hand, the hardship and perils our early Chinese settlers had to overcome.
Hop onto an old-fashioned trishaw and travel down a modern thoroughfare at a nostalgic rate of 20km per hour. It's probably the best way to take in the sights, sounds and exotic smells of the different ethnic quarters of Singapore.
Have a romantic dinner at one of the many elegant boutique restaurants that line Club Street, near Chinatown.
Pamper yourself and gain a sense of health and well-being with a visit to one of our acclaimed international spas. Delight in sensuously soothing Asian herbal rituals or even try a 2,000 year-old Ayurvedic healing treatment!
Bring home more than memories--learn to prepare local favourites. Join the at-sunrice cooking school, appropriately located near the Spice Garden within Fort Canning Park. After class, indulge in some café offerings amidst the lush greenery.
Just minutes away from the city centre is where you can re-connect with Mother Nature: trek through the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, home to more tree species than the whole North American continent.
Take a river taxi, affectionately called a bumboat and cruise down the historic Singapore River, in an old-fashioned bumboat that a half-century ago, transported cargo like spices, rice and charcoal.
Get adventurous--"try on" a different ethnic identity by dressing up in traditional costume--from the exquisitely flowing Indian sari at Little India to the elegant Chinese brocade cheongsam at Chinatown and the richly embroidered Malay sarong kebaya along Geyland Serai.
Agrotechnology thrives in Singapore. Visit farms that grow vegetables without the benefit of soil, and don't miss those that breed some of the world's most brilliantly coloured tropical fish for export.
It's wet, it's wild and it's wonderful! Head down to the Kallang Basin and let the elements work on your tan as you have the time of your life water skiing or wakeboarding on the river.
Gaze in awe at the endless sprays of exotic orchid blooms in an explosion of vibrant colours. Visit Orchidville and pick the choicest stalks yourself--then have them packed fresh and shipped home.
Discover the romantic getaways of Southeast Asia from
Singapore. Cruise away on one of the many luxury liners that ply the
neighbouring high seas. An unforgettable viyage awaits!
Absorb the high spirits and throbbing energy generated at the Singapore Dragon Boat Festival every June, as international dragon boat teams race frenetically to cross the finish line.
Tuck into breakfast the way Singaporeans do: with kaya (egg and coconut jam) on hot, buttered toast. Then wash it down with a steaming hot cup of local coffee. Try it at Yakun at Far East Square or Killiney Kopitiam at 67 Killiney Road.
Check out the latest offerings in computer technology today at some of the best prices to be had at Funan Centre, the IT mall. After all, it's the place that value-savvy locals go to for their regular supply of computer games, software and hardware tools!
Get a tattoo, the painless, herbal way--using the traditional medium of henna at Little India. Choose from intricate designs, some hundreds of years old, conventionally employed by brides.
Visitors say that Singapore gives seafood an unforgettable, exotic twist. Taste our Chilli Crab, Black Pepper Crayfish and Butter Prawns and you'll keep coming back for more!
Laugh till your sides hurt at the International Comedy Festival in March. Comedy artists from all over the world will keep their audience in stitches.
Visit Tanglin Shopping Centre and Tudor Court where a treasure trove of antique furniture, artifacts and eastern art originals will mesmerize you.
Just like the bi-annual Ballet Under The Starts, the pulsating magic of WOMAD (World of Music and Dance) in September has the power to draw you into its eclectic and open-air world, at Fort Canning Green. Pack a picnic basked and don't forget the wine!
Be up with the birds at dawn, to spot the ever-so-shy local water hen with its signature white breast at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Then try to put a name to some of the hundreds of migratory birds, flying in from as far way as Siberia!
Make time for the simple pleasure of losing yourself in a good book. Drop by Kinokuniya at Ngee Ann City, Southeast Asia's largest bookstore.
For a glimpse of life in Singapore during the turbulent World War II years, visit the Changi Chapel and Museum, Johore Battery, Reflections at Bukit Chandu, Fort Siloso on Sentosa Island and the Battle Box at Fort Canning.
Stroll through the crowded and colourful pasar malam (night market) in a heartland neighbourhood, to pick up some tips on haggling, local-style.
At dusk, rent some fishing tackle and head for any of the jetties off the east coast of Singapore for a bit of night fishing. With the first rays of light at dawn, head for quaint Changi Village nearby for a well-deserved breakfast!
Sip the famous Singapore Sling at its very birthplace--the Long Bar at the elegant Raffles Hotel.
Join the legion of early risers who throng the Singapore Botanic Gardens at dawn for some gracefully crafted choreographic movements of tai chi.
Set off for the Indonesian island of Bintan with its clear aquamarine waters, sun kissed beaches and rustic-style villas replete with modern amenities. A 45-minute ride by high speed ferry, brings you to this refuge for sea sport lovers.
Fancy coming to a modern metropolis to discover the
ancient art of Chinese geomancy. Sign up for the In Harmony with Feng Shui
tour and start reading into energies that rule
spaces.
Rub shoulders with towering personalities, icons and landmarks from the pages of history when they are brought to life in sand each June during the Sentosa Sandsation event held on the island of Sentosa.
Whizz along Pasir Ris Park on a pair of rented roller blades till you feel those hunger pangs. Then head for Fisherman's Village by the beach for some glorious seafood and local fare in the evening under the stars.
Unravel the timeless secrets of the oriental medicine chest. Make tracks to Yue Hwa in Chinatown for an introduction to traditional Chinese herbal medicine and its treasures of bark, blooms, seeds and fungi!
Dig into a lip-smacking meal of chicken rice with its accompanying chili-garlic and ginger sauces or try char kway teow--broad white noodles fried with sweet black sauce, bean sprouts, fish cake, cockles and Chinese sausage. All these and more on Chinatown's Food Street, along Smith Street.
Stumble upon some interesting finds, ranging from flowers to tropical fruits, vegetables and dried mushrooms, to live eels, frogs and even snakes at the wet market in Chinatown Complex.
Experience the upbeat energy and excitement of Chingay, the annual Lunar year street parade each February, with its accompanying lion and dragon dances, stilt walkers, multi-cultural dancers in ethnic costume, a fleet of exquisite floats, as well as colourful performances from various countries.
Catch the cream of the performing arts from the world over, during the annual month-long Singapore Arts Festival every May/June.
Enjoy a romantic three-course Western gourmet dinner complete with wine as you take in the panoramic view of the Singapore port and the surrounding Southern Islands by night, from up above--as you ride a cable car on a Saturday evening.
Delve into the heritage history and art of Singapore and other Asian civilisations at the Singapore Art Museum and the Asian Civilisations Museum.
Dive into an unforgettable Singaporean adventure, a tureen brimming over with spicy fish head curry. Head for The Banana Leaf Apolo Restaurant in Little India.
At the Spice Garden in Fort Canning, inhale the sweet fragrances of aromatic Asian herbs and spices at their freshest--right off the mother plants.
Hop onto the MRT and head for the heartlands--high-rise residential townships dotting the island, where you can have a cup of local coffee and see how Singaporeans live.
Step back half a century in time with a 15-minute boat ride to Pulau Ubin, an island that recalls Singapore in the '50s. Seek out the rustic charm of its kampong (village) lifestyle. Visit Check Jawa mangrove mud flats at low tide for a priceless discovery of marine species.
Explore the City for the Arts on food and chances are, you may come across many inspiring works of art from Henry Moore sculptures in the grounds of the Singapore Botanic Gardens to sculptures by Singaporean artists along the Singapore River.
Get within touching distance of a tapir in its black-and-white designer suit and the magnificent Indian rhinoceros, as you chug along on the tram through various climate and habitat zones at the Night Safari.
Be intrigued by the glitter of ornate yellow gold jewellery in traditional Chinese and Indian designs displayed in the shop windows of Chinatown and Little India respectively. Should you fancy modern designs, the jewellery shops along the Orchard Road stretch will keep you enthralled.
Grab your share of good luck and fortune when you walk clockwise around the world's largest fountain at Suntec City three times, with your hands in the water.
Learn more about the art of printmaking from the experts at the Singapore Tyler Print Institute in Robertson Quay.
Tee off under flood-lit fairways in the cooler hours of the evening at Jurong Country Club or Orchid Country Club.
Seek out some of the best performances at Esplanade--Theatres on the Bay's Ristorante Teatro (that's Theatre Restaurant in Italian), where opera, stand-up comedy, jazz or classical music take centerstage as patrons feast on fine international cuisine.
The crystals are all-telling at the Fu Lu Shou Complex and Fortune Centre. Get your aura photographed and uncover secrets to your physical and emotional well-being.
Spend the day shop-hopping in search of international
fashion labels or avant garde styles from all over Asia, along Singapore's
famous shopping belt--Orchard Road.
After a meal of Western-style grill and cuts in an ambience reminiscent of nostalgic Shanghai, put on those dancing shoes and party as China Jump Bar & Grill transforms into a disco powerhouse after 10pm.
Enjoy a game of beach volleyball at Sunset Bay, Sentosa, then take a cool dip in the water before heading over to the beach pub and party the night away.
Feel the night pulse of Singapore--let your hair down and go on pub crawl along Boat Quay, Club Street and Mohamed Sultan Road.
Exchange travel tales and useful tips with fellow travellers over a cup of special brew at one of the preserved shophouses along Prinsep Street--winner of the Architectural Heritage Award 2000.
Sink your teeth into a sweet local treat: an ice-cream sandwich from the ice-cream peddlers along Orchard Road. Choose from popular flavors like durian, red bean, corn and yam.
Learn the art of preparing exquisite ethnic dishes from Singapore's diverse cultures taught by leading chefs in the region at the Raffles Culinary Academy, the Raffles Hotel.
Get a glimpse of your destiny and find out if lady luck is smiling on you. Visit an Indian fortune-teller and his psychic parrot in Little India.
Join the early birds for breakfast in the lush tropical setting of the Lodge at Flamingo Lake at the Jurong BirdPark against the roar of the cascading waterfall, the joyous calls of bird singing become all the more memorable.
Hunt for Asian arts, crafts and antiques alongside locals and expatriates on weekends at Holland Village. Be sure to pop by the ritzy wine bars and trendy cafes juxtapose against homely coffee shops and hawker stalls.
Start the Chinese New Year celebrations with the traditional yu sheng (raw fish salad) toss. Remember, the higher the toss, the greater the prosperity!
After a long day of shopping and walking about town, pamper yourself with a soothing foot reflexology session. You'll emerge refreshed and relaxed.
Visit Waterloo Street where a Hindi temple sits adjacent to the Chinese temple. The smell of incense and fragrance of flowers fill the air as devotees of both faith worship side by side.
When day turns to dusk, boogie the night away at ZOUK, ranked one of the hottest international dance clubs by DJ and lifestyle magazines. Housed in a disused warehouse along the Singapore River, the raw pounding energy of dancers is met by the hearty downing of beer and tequila shots at the bar.
Taste the famous satay (meat kebabs) available at Clarke Quay's Satay Club and most hawker centres. Skewers of chunky pieces of mildly spiced meat are grilled to perfection served with rice cake, cucumber, raw onion slices and a tasty peanut sauce.
Go to The Imperial Herbal Restaurant to balance your yin with your yang. Open your mind and who knows? The exotic creatures and plants such as scorpions, geckos, bulbs and fungi that land on your plate may overcome some of life's anxieties.
Head for the Kampong Glam, where the Sultan Mosque offers a fascinating glimpse into the Muslim way of life. A shopper's paradise, Arab Street comes alive with its colourful display of exquisite fabrics, sparkling gemstones and beautifully woven rattan ware.
Take a journey deep into the heart of Malaysia or Thailand aboard the elegant Eastern and Oriental Express. Wind through majestic rainforests and ancient landscape while you wine, dine and unwind in sheer luxury.
Enjoy an evening listening to the stirring strains of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra at Esplanade--Theatres on the Bay.
If you need to cool off, try some delicious remedies: local ice-cold desserts. Ask for ice-kacang, chendol, cheng tng or bubor cha cha at the local food centres.
Immerse yourself in a spellbinding cinematic experience at
the Omni-Theatre at the Singapore Science Centre. The gigantic hemispheric
screen stretching five storeys will
envelope your senses and transport you to another time and space.
Meet one of Singapore's most photographed personalities, the doorman at Raffles Hotel and ask him to share a secret or two.
The whole country gets into the party mood come the festive seasons of Christmas, Lunar New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali. While you dine and dance the night away, don't forget to catch a glimpse of the dazzling display of street light-ups.
Make a lucky bid on a horse you fancy and join the hundreds of cheering spectators at the grand stand of the Singapore Turf Club. As the horses race towards the finishing line, feel the thunder beneath your feet and get ready to celebrate your win!
Clad in spiky green armour that reveals soft creamy flesh, the durian has earned a notorious reputation as the fruit that tastes like heaven and smells like hell. Pluck up your courage for a taste of the forbidding fruit, and you may just find yourself head over heals with it.
Get in the company of acrobats, jugglers and musicians and party away at the Singapore Buskers' Festival™ every November.
Catch the lights, camera and all the action at the Singapore International Film Festival in April. Inspiring and eclectic films from Europe, America and Asia Pacific will keep you coming back for more.
Dine on excellent contemporary Cantonese cuisine, Mediterranean and Asian delights or the freshest seafood in style at the Fullerton Singapore. This former General Post Office, dressed in classing Palladian architecture, has today been restored beyond its 1928 splendour.
Feast on a delectable fusion of Chinese and Malay cuisine--Peranakan fare--at Katong and Joo Chiat Road. You'll have a mouth-watering experience with dishes like laksa (rice noodles in coconut gravy topped with shrimp, egg, chicken meat and cockles) and otak otak (spicy coconut fish cakes).
Open your ears to the symphony of cicadas at the Fragile Forest in the Singapore Zoological Gardens. You'll certainly enjoy the entourage of fluttering butterflies as you journey through this tropical rainforest.
Allow your emotions to run the gamut at an unforgettable evening of theatrical performance at Singapore's premier performing arts centre, Esplanade--Theatres on the Bay.
Meet the life-size figures of Singapore's pioneers face to face, witness what our forefathers went through during World War II; then partake the festivities set in nostalgic '50s--all at Images of Singapore on Sentosa Island.
Sit tight and hitch a wild ride on the exciting motion simulator at the Singapore Discovery Centre. Then try your hand at the virtual reality games and interactive exhibits that will simply blow your mind!
Wander through the enchanting Chinese Gardens during the
Mid-Autumn Festival and be captivated by thousands of glowing paper lanterns.
Be mesmerized by Musical Fountain's rhythmic whirling to classical and pop hits amidst a vibrant display of light during the Magical Sentosa show.
Calling all golf enthusiasts--how about catching some live golfing action at the Caltex Singapore Masters and Charity Pro-Am presented by Carlsberg?
Scare yourself silly at Igor's-- the Main Event, with its horror zone of 550 square meters of riddled with terror mazes. After that, sit down to a squeamish three-course dinner and be at the mercy of wacky waiters.
Marvel at the panoramic views of Singapore and it's neighbouring countries of Malaysia and Indonesia from Equinox Restaurant, on the 69th storey of Swissotel The Stamford, Singapore. The wide-ranging menu spans from Asia to Western cuisine and promise a great meal to accompany the stunning vistas.
Hunt for rare antiques, unique collectibles and handicrafts at the Clarke Quay Flea Market, held every Sunday. Rub shoulders with the locals and other visitors as you bargain your way through the numerous stalls there.
Visit the eight-metre high statue of the legendary half-lion half-fish Merlion that stands guard at the mouth of the Singapore River: As dusk approaches, watch the city skyline turn into a twinkling blanket of lights.
Head for Singapore's exciting theme park--Downtown East. Flip your world upside down on exhilarating rides, pack the kids off to the safari-themed mega indoor playground and catch a smorgasbord of activities.
Hitch a wild ride on the strange amphibious half-boat, half-truck craft from Singapore Ducktours, and you will soon discover the rich heritage of Singapore's historic landmarks on land before splashing into Kallang Basin for a harbour tour.
Have a drink at charming boutique hotels housed in conservation shophouses. otel 1929 in Keong Saik Road and Berjaya Duxton Hotel in Duxton Road are two suggestions.
Indulge in exquisite French cuisine at Les Amis Au Jardin, located in the beautiful Singapore Botanic Gardens. Enjoy the best vintages and excellent service at this award-winning restaurant.
Join a tradition that inspired poetry and songwriting in the ancient China--the Chinese tea ceremony. Sample fragrant premium teas and tasty biscuits on a laid-back afternoon in the company of close friends.
Go shopping at 3am at Mustafa Centre in Little India, a bustling mall that is open 24 hours!
Introduce yourself to the rare pink dolphins at the Dolphin Lagoon at Underwater World on Sentosa. Children simply adore them, and soon, you will too!