SINGAPORE

Singapore’s mishmash of cultures is evident in its diverse array of attractions. For such a tiny city-state, bigger and bolder real estate projects are constantly in development. Its biggest draw, however, is its unique mix of cultures, ethnicities and cuisines that shaped Singapore’s history. A place that embraces the new but preserves the old, Singapore is a truly modern city.

SENTOSA ISLAND

Sentosa is a small island whose name means peace and tranquility in Malay. There are numerous ways to get there, including taking the Sentosa Express train, which takes just four minutes from Harbour Front station in the city center, driving or riding a glass cable car. Besides attracting tourists, Sentosa is popular with Singaporeans for its wealth of outdoor activities from skim boarding to golf and hiking.

MARINA BAY

Located in the southern part of Singapore, this reclaimed area is the fastest growing section in the city. It is home to the behemoth Marina Bay Sands, a three-tower hotel, dining and entertainment complex with a boat-shaped park straddling the tops of the three skyscrapers. Surrounding it is a wealth of ultra-modern design icons, including a bridge that resembles a double-helix DNA strain and 80-foot tall “supertrees.”

• Asian Civilizations Museum – Learn about Singapore’s unusual confluence of Chinese, Indian, and Malay cultures at the Asian Civilizations Museum. The 11 exhibit halls are filled with more than 1,300 works of art, rare antiques, and cultural artifacts in a wide range of subjects, from the maritime history of Singapore to the impact of Hinduism and Buddhism.
• Bugis Street Night Market – Wander through the Bugis Street Night Market, which is situated along a walkway through Bugis Village, opposite Parco Bugis Junction. The three-story indoor market has over 100 stalls, which sell a variety of goods: casual clothes, accessories, bags, CDs and more.
• Bumboat Cruise – Cruise the Singapore River in a traditional Chinese bumboat, a low-hanging wooden vessel with a brightly painted bow, and learn the pivotal role the river played in Singapore’s economic development. Steam down the river and visit the Finger Pier, Tanjong Pagar Terminal, and Brani Terminal, for a glimpse of daily operations at the second busiest port in the world.
• Clarke Quay – Stroll along the Singapore River to Clarke Quay, home to restored warehouses dating back as far as the 1880s, which have been converted into shops and restaurants.
• Esplanade Theatre – Attend a performance at the Esplanade Theatre, a futuristic, domed structure that overlooks the Marina Bay waterfront. Since its opening in 2002, the Esplanade has provided a world-class venute to host all sorts of performances, from Chinese opera to jazz festivals, classical Indian dance to pop concerts. Additionally, the Esplanade features a variety of rotating exhibitions, from contemporary art to modern cinema.
• Hawker Centers – Visit an indoor “hawker” center, where myriad vendors serve Singapore’s justly famed street food, a local obsession. Specialties include barbecued crab and deep-fried baby squid; for dessert, try goreng pisang, which are banana and yam fritters.
• Little India – Explore Little India, a bustling neighborhood centered on Serangoon Road. Here, countless shops and stalls sell all sorts of Indian items: fresh flower garlands, glittering bangles, multicolored saris and textiles, and all the manner of Bollywood movies and soundtracks.
• Orchard Road – Explore Orchard Road, the main thoroughfare of central Singapore. Its high-end department stores, broad sidewalks, and stately trees recall New York’s Fifth Avenue or London’s Regent Street; virtually every international luxury brand is represented. For products with a more local flavor, browse the outlets of independent designers and smaller labels clustered nearby in the Club Street–Ann Siang Hill district.
• Singapore Botanic Gardens – Stroll through the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which was founded in 1859. Here you can join a tai chi session or just leisurely walk through the lovely, manicured greenery located right in the center of Singapore. The Gardens have spectacular displays of tropical flora and fauna, in addition to several wonderful sculptures and architectural touches.
• Singapore Culinary Academy – Experience the myriad tastes of Singapore at a local cooking school and spice garden. Tour the grounds with the founder, sample fresh, organic spices, and learn about Nyonya cuisine, a uniquely Singapore style which fuses Chinese ingredients and cooking techniques with Malay flavors.
• Singapore Zoo – Visit the Singapore Zoo for their famed Night Safari, which allows you the rare opportunity of seeing nocturnal animals in their element. The zoo is a 170-acre park home to 160 species, 50% of which are endangered species from Southeast Asia, including the greater one-horned rhinoceros, the barasingha, or Indian swamp deer, and the red dhole.
• Casinos & Nightlife – Hit the slots at Marina Bay Sands, a $6-billion dollar casino-resort with massive gambling halls, seven celebrity-chef restaurants and trendy nightclubs.
• Gardens by the Bay – This massive garden complex spans 250 acres on the Marina Bay waterfront. Explore the Flower Dome, a climate-controlled conservatory; the Cloud Forest, an indoor mountain with the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, and see the park’s 80-foot tall “supertrees,” which are made of a reinforced concrete core, a tree trunk, planting panels and a canopy.
• Light & Sound Show – Make your way to the SkyPark before sunset (tickets required), to witness the nightly light, music and sound show over Marina Bay. This 13-minute spectacle is set to an orchestral soundtrack and takes place just when it turns dark.
• Marina Bay Sands SkyPark – Ascend to the top of Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, whose cantilevered platform atop three 57-story towers has quickly become one of Singapore’s iconic sights. (Please note: the SkyPark can be rather crowded with tourists, so please understand this in advance if you wish to go to the top.)
• The Helix Bridge – Walk around Singapore’s famed Marina Bay and cross the new double-helix bridge on foot. Opened in 2010, the bridge is modeled after the structure of a DNA molecule and is a marvel of modern engineering and design.
• Marine Life Park – Set in Resorts World Sentosa, Marine Life Park is the world’s largest oceanarium, and it contains the world’s largest freshwater aquarium. The scope of its marine biodiversity display is unparalleled, and it offers more than just casual observation –guests can go on wet ‘n wild adventures in Marine Life’s onsite water park.
• World-Class Dining – Singapore features a vibrant dining scene every bit as varied and delectable as the rest of Singapore. The Cliff at the Sentosa Resort is one of Singapore’s most beautiful al fresco restaurants with large, open windows overlooking the ocean.