The Must Sees of Singapore

The Esplanade - on the BayTheatres

The Esplanade is a waterfront building on the Marina Bay shaped the a durian (a tropical fruit found in Singapore). The building includes a theatre, concert hall, recital studio, theatre studio, dinning, and shopping. Admission is free except for ticketed events. The theatre is home to big name acts such as Avenue Q and We Will Rock You.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Singapore Botanical Gardens feature the National Orchid Garden. This is the worlds largest orchard display featuring over 60,000 plants and orchids. Children are able to learn about plant life at the Jacob Ballas Children's garden. This is the only botanical garden open from 5 am to 12 am every day of the year.

China Town

Get emerged in the chines culture. Featuring family-run goldsmiths and medicine halls, textile stores, and dim sum restaurants, china town is not to be missed. Visit Hotel 1929 for a mix of of old world architecture. China town also houses both the Sri Mariamman Temple and Jamae Mosque which are among the oldest places of worship in singapore. The best local dishes can be found on Chinatown Food Street, where you can enjoy alfresco dinning in this Hawker Centre.

Night Life and Entertainment

Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is Singapore's night time hot spot full of hip restaurants and clubs. The area is made up of 5 blocks of restored warehouse. There are also floating pubs and restaurants that are refurbished moord Chinese junks. You can also access river cruises and river taxis on the Singapore River from here.

Marina Bay Sands

The Marina Bay Sands Hotel features a shopping mall, casino, and the Sands Skypark. The Skypark sits atop the three pillars of the hotel. The park includes an infinity pool (the highest infinity pool in the world), along with bike and jogging paths. The resorts two state-of-the art offers an impressive variety of acts like the Lion King. The hotel also houses an art museum.

Food For Thought

Singapore is known for its cuisine, formed by a clash of many cultures such as Malay, Chines, and Vietnamese.

Signature Eats:

Chicken Rice

Chicken Rice is a dish of Chinese origin that has become one of the most popular dishes of singapore. The dish consists of dark or white meat and rice that has been cooked in the chicken fat/broth. It is usually served with chili and cucumber.

Char Kway Teow

Char Kway Teow is a flat thick noodle that is cooked in a wok. It usually is made with Beef or Shrimp. It can be found at hawker stalls throughout singapore.

Xiao Long Bao

Xiao Long Bao is a pork dumpling filled with broth. This dish or Chinese origin is served with a soy-ginger sauce.

Wanton Mee

Wanton Mee consists of Wonton Noodles served dry or in soup.

Family Fun!

A trip to Singapore can be fun for the whole family!

Here are some fun family-friendly attractions that shouldn't be missed:

Singapore Zoo

The Singapore Zoo is unlike any other zoo in the world. It features a plethora of animals in their quasi-natural habitats. Visit at night and go on the Night Safari. The Night Safari is a night time tour of the zoo where you can see all the nocturnal creatures you wouldn't usually have the chance to observe.

Universal Studios Singapore

Visit the recently opened Universal Studios theme park located in Sentosa. The park in Universal Studios first park in Southeast Asia and is

separated into 7 sections: Far Far Away, The Lost World, New York, SciFi City, Hollywood, Madagascar, and Ancient Egypt. Some of the feature attractions include the Jurassic Park River Ride and Galactica RX rollar coaster. In the park you can dine on both classic american theme park food as well as traditionally Singaporean dishes like Chicken Rice.

Wild Wild Wet

Cool off from the intense singapore heat at the Wild Wild Wet water park. The park includes 9 water rides. Its 3 story high raft water slide is the first of its kinda in Southeast Asia.

Restaurants

Crystal Jade Kitchen

Crystal Jade Kitchen is a Hong Kong Style restaurant that is recommended for Wonton Mee and Dim Sum. It costs less than $50 a person. There are ten outlets around Singapore.

Hua Ting

Hua Ting is a Cantonese Restaurant that can cost anyway from $60 -$300. The restaurants signature dishes include crispy roasted duck, steam filet of sea perch with sweet preserved cabbage, and grilled fish scallop. They serve weekend dim sum. It is good for families and big groups

The White Rabbit

The White Rabbit serves classic European comfort food. It is housed in a restored chapel in the Dempsey Hill area. One recommendation is to start with a warm spinach salad followed by either fried foie grass or mac and cheese.

Villa Bali

Villa Bali serves Indonesian, Indian, and Thai Cuisine. It is located just off the Southern Ridges trail in Giman Village. Signature dishes include a starting platter of carious curries and delicacies from Indonesia , Kadahi (indian snack), Bebk Bengil (traditional Balinese fired duck), and Pisang Epe (durian flavored grilled bannanas). It costs $50 or more per person.

Hajah Miamunah Restaurant

Hajah Maimunah Restaurant serves Malay food for $3 -$15 a person. Recommended dishes include rendang (braised beef), ikan bakar (grilled fish), Tahu Telur (deep-fried beancurd), and sambal belachan (chili and shrimp pasta).

A Brief Bulleted History

- Founded as a British trading colony in 1819

- Joined the Malaysia Federation in 1963

- Separated two years later and became independent