Attractions

Colonial Singapore
The mark of Sir Stamford Raffles is indelibly stamped on central Singapore. By moving the business district south of the river and making the northern area the administrative center, Raffles created the framework that remained the blueprint for central Singapore through generations of colonial rule and the republican years of independence. Places of interest include: Empress Place Building, an imposing Victorian structure, built in 1865, that houses a museum, art and antique galleries and a chic restaurant; the incongruous Padang, where flannelled cricketers once caught, bowled and batted in the searing heat; Raffles Hotel, a Singaporean institution which has become a byword for oriental luxury; and any number of imposing churches, such as St. Andrew's Cathedral and the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.

Chinatown
Chinatown is Singapore's cultural heart and still provides glimpses of the old ways with its numerous temples, decorated terraces and its frantic conglomeration of merchants, shops and activity. Unfortunately much of Chinatown has been torn down and redeveloped over the past 30 years. Faithful restoration by the Urban Redevelopment Authority has saved some parts but it has also posed a new threat, since the restored buildings are now desirable properties commanding high rents, and traditional businesses--such as shops selling incense to temple worshippers, letter writers and chop (stamp) makers--are moving out and a new gentrified Chinatown of fashionable restaurants and expensive shops is taking its place. It's still a fascinating place to explore though, especially in the early morning hours when activity is more pronounced. The Thian Hock Keng Temple in Chinatown is arguably the most interesting in Singapore.

Orchard Rd.
This is the area where the high-class hotels predominate. It is also the domain of Singapore's elite, who are lured by the shopping centers, nightspots, restaurants, bars and lounges. A showcase for the material delights of capitalism, Orchard Rd. also possesses some sights of cultural interest where a credit card is not required.

Jurong
Jurong Town, west of the city center, is a huge industrial and housing area that is the powerhouse of Singapore's economy. This might seem an unlikely spot for a number of Singapore's tourist attractions but it is home to the Haw Par Villa (an incredibly tacky Chinese mythological theme park), the beautifully landscaped Jurong Bird Park, Chinese & Japanese Gardens and the hands-on Singapore Science Centre.

Sentosa Island
Considered the granddaddy of Singapore's parks, Sentosa Island is the city-state's most visited attraction, especially on weekends. It has museums, aquariums, beaches (with imported sand), sporting facilities, walks, rides and food centers. And if a day isn't enough to take in all the sites and activities, the island has a camping ground, hostel and luxury hotels.

Arab St.
The Muslim center of Singapore is a traditional textile district, full of batiks from Indonesia, silks, sarongs and shirts. Add to this, rosaries, flower essences, hajj caps, songkok hats, basketware and rattan goods, and you have a fair idea of the products haggled over in this part of the city. The grand Sultan Mosque is the biggest and liveliest mosque in Singapore, but the tiny Malabar Muslim Jama-ath Mosque is the most beautiful. There's fine Indian Muslim food along nearby North Bridge Rd. and the foodstalls on Bussorah St. are especially atmospheric at dusk during Ramadan.

Little India
This modest but colorful area of wall-to-wall shops, pungent aromas, and Hindi film music is a relief from the prim modernity of many parts of the city. Centered around the southern end of Serangoon Rd., this is the place to come to eat great vegetarian food, watch streetside cooks fry chapatis and pick up that framed print you've always wanted of a Hindu god. The Zhujiao Centre is the main market, but there are also interesting spice shops nearby. The best temples are Veerama Kali Ammam, Sri Srinivasa Perumal and the glitzy Temple of 1000 Lights.