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Overview

Cast aside any ideas of Singapore being a bland and disciplinarian slice of Southeast Asia. These days the city-state offers up a melange of experiences and activities every bit as spicy and exciting as its mishmash of Straits Chinese, Indian, Muslim Malay and global expat cultures. One time bastion of the British Empire, where pukka gents downed G&Ts at the quintessential colonial hotel Raffles, plucky Singapore has made its own way in the world since the mid 1960s, developing into an economic powerhouse where efficiency and cleanliness are a way of life. In middle age, rather than having a crisis Singapore has let her hair down morphing ...

Cast aside any ideas of Singapore being a bland and disciplinarian slice of Southeast Asia. These days the city-state offers up a melange of experiences and activities every bit as spicy and exciting as its mishmash of Straits Chinese, Indian, Muslim Malay and global expat cultures. One time bastion of the British Empire, where pukka gents downed G&Ts at the quintessential colonial hotel Raffles, plucky Singapore has made its own way in the world since the mid 1960s, developing into an economic powerhouse where efficiency and cleanliness are a way of life. In middle age, rather than having a crisis Singapore has let her hair down morphing into a regional center for the performing arts as well as a pumping nightlife destination. Two mega casino-resorts are on their way, joining the island's world-class dining and shopping scenes. There are plenty of outdoor activities, from cycling to water sports, and even though it's a densely populated island, pockets of rainforest and lush parks and gardens abound. Be dazzled by the Asian Civilizations Museum, get sticky fingers on spicy Singaporean crab at a hawker center, or max out your credit card on Orchard Road; however you choose to tackle the Lion City you won't be disappointed.

Simon Richmond
About the Expert

Simon Richmond has written Rough Guides to Malaysia and Japan; Lonely Planet guides to India and Russia; and adventure travel guides for Frommer's on Australia, India, South America, and Southeast Asia.

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— Simon Richmond for Triporati

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Facts at a Glance

  • Location: Singapore is an island nation located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It lies 137 kilometres north of the equator, south of the Malaysian state of Johor and north of Indonesia's Riau Islands.
  • Language: English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil
  • Currency: Singapore Dollar
  • Research: Wikipedia | Wikitravel
  • Weather: Daylight | Rainfall
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Climate

  • Best Time to Visit:

    Anytime: you're practically on the equator so it's always hot.