City Guide

City Guide Singapore City, Singapore
Currency Singapore dollar $ (SGD)

Singapore has a decidedly cosmopolitan feel about it, embracing many cultures that have passed by over the years, with a little of each of them staying to create this melting pot of people, cuisine, aromas and experiences. It is this multiculturalism that first strikes the visitor looking around the city with strong flavours of Britain, India and China.

Singapore is an excellent example of what happens when a city is deliberately planned at an international crossroads.

Singapore is one of the world's greatest trading centres and was voted Best Overseas City in the Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Travel Awards in 2004. Singapore offers a glamorous and impressive skyline full of Pacific Rim modernity, tempting the visitor from Changi Airport into its intriguing, culture-clashing, lush and colourful core.

Thomas Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore, has become synonymous with the hospitality business rather than as a colonial visionary. The Raffles Hotel still has the colonial atmosphere, despite the lack of the hand-wafted punkahs. The British colonial presence from the Victorian era is present throughout Singapore, particularly at Parliament House and the Singapore Cricket Club.

Some of Singapore’s most memorable experiences involve eating or shopping.

In The City
KEY AREAS

Orchard Road is a broad avenue and veritable shopping extravaganza, heading west from the city centre. Its high end department stores and malls contrast with the ground level and basement markets reminiscent of the souks and bazaars of Asia. The two sit well together and provide an interesting and multi-layered experience of haute couture and sale bin extremes.

Esplanade: Theatres on the Bay is an intriguing, modern arts complex with theatres and concert halls by DP Architects. The globular architecture is reminiscent of the durian fruit, banned on the Mass Rapid Transit system, owing to its pungent aroma. The Esplanade has helped Singapore to reinvent itself into an artistic and expressive destination, somewhat challenging its critics who branded Singapore and non-creative and clinical.

Clarke Quay is a vibrant and colourful strip along the Singapore River with floating pontoons and pods designed by Stephen Pimbley of SMC Alsop. Here one can savour a vast array of cuisine including Chinese, Malay, Italian and Indian food. The multicoloured lights along Clarke Quay glisten in the water at night.

Located on the island of Sentosa, Images of Singapore is a museum well worth visiting, dedicated to the history of the city, its people and its mixed history. The museum provides a respite for those wishing to leave behind the glitzy, superficial or commercial parts of Singapore.

GETTING AROUND

Taxis are cheap, with fares starting at 80p. Most trips around the city hub should take no longer than 10 to 15 minutes and cost around €2. There are peak traffic and surcharges—there’s a €1 booking fee if you call a cab and fares go up by 50% after midnight.

The Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) journeys start at 40p—allow two minutes per station.

Singapore has introduced an innovative new system of River Taxis that pick up and drop off passengers at 16 jetties along the Singapore River. The taxis are air conditioned, run every five minutes and a typical journey costs around 80p. Operating hours are from 8.00am to 11.30pm.

This is just a quick and simple description of some of what is on offer in Singapore. There are plenty of city guide books to choose from and Tourist Information Centres dotted around the city. Your hotel may also be able to assist you with your travel plans or tickets for a theatre showing or concert. Please check with your concierge.

Please note, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate visa, travel permissions, innoculations and travel insurance for your trip, if required and if appropriate for your chosen destination.