Singapore is a big city, an island and a country. While there are build up high density areas around the island, the main city actually is on the south. There are many attractions and activities in main city. You could see the preview scene of Singapore city while landing on the Changi Airport.
Before exploring Singapore, you can get various maps in the Changi Airport on arrival, its available free. Even you can find free maps in your hotel. While resting, you can learn on that map, and plan your “adventure” in Singapore city. There are many things to see and do in Singapore.
Raffles Hotel
The Raffles Hotel located on Beach Rd is far more than just an expensive place to stay, and more than the best known hotel in Singapore. It’s a Singapore institution, an architectural landmark that has been classified by the government as a part of Singapore’s culture heritage.
The lobby of the hotel is open to the public, but dress standards apply. The high tea is served in the Tiffin room, you can go to the long bar or the bar & billiard room is in the other wings, places to sip Singapore slings.
The Raffles hotel arcade is a collection of expensive shops, and hidden away on the 3rd floor in the Raffles hotel museum. It is well worth a look, especially the old postcard. Admission is free and it is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm.
Singapore River.
The river was once the thriving heart of Singapore but is now a quiet pedestrian precinct, an escape for lunchtime office workers, a weekend haunt for wedding photography season or the place to dine in one of the renovated terrace, next to the river. The bustling activity of bumboats, a small motorized boat, cranes and yelling, sweating laborers have all gone, and the new river front is a recreational stretch of photo opportunities and colonial restoration.
At the mouth of the river stands Singapore’s symbol of tourism, the merlion, a much photographed water-spouting, half-lion/half-fish statue. The small park around it is open daily from 7 am to 9 pm. There are plenty of places to eat along the river, the most popular is on the south bank, where boats quay is a picturesque area of restored shop with soaring of few buildings behind.
Chinatown.
Singapore’s cultural heart is Chinatown, providing a glimpse of the old ways, the ways of Chinese immigrants that shaped and build modern Singapore. Many building in this area have been demolished and redeveloped over the last 30 years, though the greatest changes have occurred since around 1990.
Chinatown is still a good place to wander around. Though many of traditional crafts and businesses have gone, it’s contains some of Singapore’s most notable temples and there are plenty of eating and shopping possibilities.
Little India.
Although Singapore is a predominantly Chinese city, it does have its minority groups and the Indians are probably the most visible, particularly in the colorful streets of little Indian along Serangoon Rd. This is an area, like Chinatown, in which you cab simply wander around and take in the flavors. Around Serangoon Rd it can be very much a case of following your nose because the heady aroma of Indian spice and cooking seem to be everywhere.
If you want a new sari, a pair of Indian sandals, a recent issue of Indian Today or Indian Music news, a tape of Indian music or a frame portrait of your favorite Hindu god, then little India is the place to go.
