Savory Singapore
Although Singapore is a modern, cosmopolitan metropolis, there
are numerous ancient and cultural attractions to fascinate visitors.
This young, vibrant city-state packs a great deal into a relatively
small area. Located one degree north of the equator, Singapore is
a tropical paradise teeming with lush gardens, parks and reserves,
yet it is a city of skyscrapers and luxury accommodations.
In this city of neighborhoods, groups of attractions
may be explored on foot. The Chinese, Indian and Arab areas each
contain unique sights, but it is in Colonial Singapore where
you'll find most of the major landmarks including three popular
museums, Marina Square and the Singapore River quays, and
Raffles City.
The Singapore Art Museum (71 Bras Basah Road;
65.6332.3222; www.singart.com),
housed in an 1867 building, hosts a 4,000-piece permanent collection
of modern and traditional art from Southeast Asia. The Asian
Civilizations Museum (39 Armenian Street; 65.6332.2982; www.acm.org.sg)
has been a huge success as a window on regional cultures. The impressive
nearby Singapore Philatelic Museum (23B Coleman Street; 65.6337.3888;
www.spm.org.sg),
located in historic Fort Canning Park, was the first in Southeast
Asia.
Marina Square is home to the Suntec City mall
and giant convention center, two other shopping malls, a soon-to-open
performing arts center, and five fabulous hotels. The most dramatic
of these hotels is the Ritz-Carlton, Millennia Singapore
(7 Raffles Avenue; 800-241-3333; www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/singapore)
with every amenity money can buy. The best-known hotel in town is
the venerable Raffles Hotel (One Beach Road; 65.6337.1886;
http://singapore-raffles.raffles.com),
declared a national monument in 1987 and a name synonymous with
the city itself.
Food is king in this city-state, with its wide representation
of Asian cuisines, either individually or in delicious combinations.
Here is an opportunity to indulge in local Peranakan dishes, well
executed at both locations of Blue Ginger (www.theblueginger.com).
Singapore is justifiably called the Garden Isle,
so save some time for the flora and fauna. The Botanic Gardens
(corner of Cluny and Napier roads; www.sbg.org.sg)
were begun in 1859 and spread over 128 acres, including the 7.4-acre
National Orchid Garden which displays more than 60,000 plants. More
species of plants are in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (177
Hindhede Drive; 65.6468.5736).
Don't overlook the outstanding Singapore Zoological
Gardens (www.zoo.com.sg),
set in a natural rain forest and home to 3,000 animals from about
160 species. The adjacent Night Safari (www.nightsafari.com.sg)
is a wildlife park designed for after-dark viewing of nocturnal
tropical animals.
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February 68-94°F Sunny
March 69-95°F Tropical
April 70-96°F Tropical
May 72-99°F Tropical
June 75-100°F Very hot
July 75-100+°F Very hot
August 76-98°F Tropical
September 75-98°F Humid
October 73-95°F Rain
November 70-93°F Rain
December 65-90°F Heavy rains
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Contact Information
Singapore Tourism Board
8484 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 510
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Tel: (323) 852-1901
Fax: (323) 852-0129
www.tourismsingapore.com
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