Singapore
Description
Singapore - the very name summons visions of the mysterious East. The commercial center of Southeast Asia, this island city-state of five million people is a metropolis of modern high-rise buildings, Chinese shop-houses with red-tiled roofs, sturdy Victorian buildings, Buddhist temples and Arab bazaars. Founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles of the fabled East India Company, the city is a melting pot of people and cultures. Malay, Chinese, English and Tamil are official languages. Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity are the major faiths. Singapore is an ever-fascinating island boasting colorful traditions, luxurious hotels and some of the finest duty-free shopping in the world.
Lying just 85 miles north of the Equator at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, the island was a haven for Malay pirates and Chinese and Arab traders.
Points of Interest
- Thian Hock Keng Temple/Chinatown/Sri Mariamman Temple
- Botanic Gardens
- Raffles Hotel
- Orchard Road
- Jurong Bird Park
- Singapore River Cruise
- Little India & Sultan Mosque
- Singapore Zoo
More about Singapore Points of Interest
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Thian Hock Keng Temple/Chinatown/Sri Mariamman Temple -
Shop and dine on authentic dishes in lively Chinatown after immersing yourself in Hindu culture at the 19th-century Sri Mariamman and Thian Hock Keng Temples, the oldest and most popular in Singapore.
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Botanic Gardens -
The Gardens epitomize the tropical island's luxuriant parks. Spread over 52 hectares, they offer a combination of untouched primary forest and specialty gardens, including the National Orchid Garden.
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Raffles Hotel -
See the hotel that's been immortalized in novels and history books. Visit the Long Bar, home of the famed "Singapore Sling" and the Bar & Billiard Room, with its "Tiger under the Billiard Table."
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Orchard Road -
Welcome to the shopping and entertainment hub of the city. Named after the orchards that covered the area until the 19th century, today you could spend hours shopping, eating and people-watching.
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Jurong Bird Park -
With over 8,000 residents representing 600 species, this bird sanctuary is the largest in the world. Don't miss the huge walk in aviaries (one with giant waterfall) in a lush jungle setting.
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Singapore River Cruise -
Climb aboard a bumboat and sail along the river that was once the city's main commercial lifeline. Today, the modern world combines with the idyllic charm of the quays, a union that is Singapore.
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Little India & Sultan Mosque -
Inhale the spicy aromas of Little India, strolling past awe-inspiring structures like Veeramakaliamman Temple, and admire the prayer hall and gilded domes of Masjid Sultan, the great Sultan Mosque.
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Singapore Zoo -
Considered among the best in the world, the zoo sits in a rainforest environment. Its "open concept" offers the opportunity to fully experience the animals and be inspired by the wonders of nature.