Places to See Singapore

From Track2Asia

1 Overview
- 1.1 Compact Singapore
- 1.2 The city
2 Singapore Highlights
3 Fun video from Singapore

Overview

Here are some highlights and must-see places in Singapore. Judging from these, you will realize that Singapore is a unique mixture of environments, cultures and eras. There is Arab Street (with its flower essences and batiks), Little India (with its fried chapattis and pungent aroma) and Chinatown (with its temples and shops). Mix these with colonial hotspots like Raffles Hotel, Fort Canning, and Padang.

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Compact Singapore

Spanning 14 miles (23 kilometers) from north to south and 26 miles (42 kilometers) from east to west, the main island is small yet compact. The southernmost end contains Colonial Singapore – sleek and modern, with busy streets and docks. Off shore on this end, you will also find other smaller islands (around 60 of them, with Sentosa being the most popular). These smaller islands are used as bases for oil refineries or enclaves for those who want respite from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

North of Singapore is the Malaysian Peninsula. Singapore is connected to this by a causeway with Kuala Lumpur is less than four hours away by car. At the east, you can find Changi International Airport. The expressway to the airport is lined with amusement centers and similar establishments.

Half of the island’s total land area has already been developed, while the remaining half is made up of plantations, forest, swamp areas, farmland, and parkland. Singapore has a first-rate public transport system, with well-paved roads making easy travel to all parts of the island.

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The city

You can say that the heart and lifeblood of Singapore is in the city. This is where much of its wealth and history was made. The 19th-century Raffles Hotel harks back to Singapore’s majestic past while the skyscrapers and ultra-modern convention center point to an exciting and vibrant future. Buildings of note include Ft. Canning, the Singapore History Museum and the early 19th-century structures designed by George Coleman, the renowned Irish architect.

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