Introduction
Singapore, once a simple fishing village has, over a period of time, engineered a success story that defies all description. A curious blend of ancient and modern, Singapore is home to an ethnic mix of Chinese, Malays and Indians, as well as expats from all over the world. Walk around Chinatown, Little India and Geylang Serai in the heart of the city to experience the local culture and gain an insight into how Singapore scripted its success story based upon ancient traditions, rituals and beliefs.

For those looking for a healthy dose of consumerism, Singapore does not disappoint. Stroll along Orchard Road and you will understand why people consider Singapore the shopping Mecca of the world.

There are many areas of natural beauty that have earned it the 'Garden City' label, albeit with a little artificial help. Wander through the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore Zoological Gardens, the Night Safari and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and you will discover that Singapore is more than just an urban landscape.

Singapore boasts an impressive collection of museums, exhibitions and architectural heritage to satisfy the history lovers and the culture vultures. Whether it is the Asian Civilizations Museum, the Singapore Art Museum or the recent MINT Museum of Toys.

Enjoy a trip on the Singapore River in the bumboats and float past colorful go-downs, shophouses and and you will not fail to notice Singapore’s modern skyline, a testament to the island's commerce and enterprise.

Things to see
Singapore may lack in square mileage but it has more than adequately made up for this by channeling its energy, enterprise and skills to create some of the world's most awe-inspiring attractions. Tourists get the first glimpse of things to come right at the airport itself. The visually pleasing Changi Airport has been repeatedly voted the world's best airport and not without reason.

Chinatown: Chinatown, whose history dates back to 1821, is one of Singapore's most fascinating areas. Here you can admire the traditional architecture and be a part of the lively street scene with stores selling exotic goods and an enticing aroma adding to the Oriental magic. The area is divided into four districts each promising its unique flavor: Kreta Ayer is the place to head to for eating and shopping while Telok Ayer is worth checking out for its temples and Speakers' Corner. Tanjong Pagar is famous for its nightlife and the scaled-down model of the city at URA Gallery while Bukit Pasoh is home to Chinese cultural and clan associations. A must visit is Smith Street, also known as the Food Street.

Little India: Little India's history can be traced to 1819 when Sir Stamford Raffles brought over Singapore's first Indian inhabitants. Since then it has been a thriving commercial area dotted with shops, restaurants and temples, especially along the main hub of Serangoon Road. Spicy aromas emerge from shop-houses as you stroll through the street and entice you to try the wonderful Indian food in many of the informal restaurants. Wander through The Little India Arcade and Zhujiao Centre to shop for handicrafts, saris and spices. The area is especially worth visiting during the times of Hindu festivals.

Singapore River: The Singapore River attracts a fair share of tourists mostly in the Boat Quay and Clarke Quay areas that have lively waterfront bars and restaurants. If you are adventurous enough you can try out the stomach-churning G-Max Reverse Bungy at the Clarke Quay. You can see the Parliament House at the Robertson Quay and The Arts House, a popular venue for contemporary arts since 2004. You can also see the Tan Si Chong Su Temple, an ancestral Hokkien temple built in 1876, and Omar Kampong Melaka Mosque. There are several riverboat services for leisurely cruises.

Raffles Hotel: Named after the city's founder, Sir Stamford Raffles, Singapore's most famous landmark, the Raffles Hotel was built in 1887 and a century later, was declared a National Monument. Considered to be one of the world's greatest Victorian hotels, its distinguished guest list includes names such as Somerset Maugham, Rudyard Kipling, Noel Coward and Charlie Chaplin. The hotel is home to chic shops, restaurants, a Victorian-style playhouse, and a museum housing fascinating Raffles memorabilia.

Night Safari: Touted as the world's first night wildlife park, the award-winning Night Safari houses more than 1,000 animals including 100 exotic species, 90% of which are nocturnal. The park is spread over 40 hectares of lush forest, and clever lighting makes the safari all the more dramatic. The animals live in eight recreated geographic zones, including the African savannah and South American pampas. There are three walking trails, cocktail safari express, a 45-minute tram ride, and limo buggy trail. The 'Creatures of the Night' show is worth checking out. You can see employees grappling with some of the less dangerous species.

Jurong Bird Park: This is the largest bird park in the Asia Pacific region. Spread over 50 acres, it is home to more than 9,000 birds. Some of the attractions here showcase man's creativity at its best. See the Waterfall Aviary, at 30m (98ft) the world's highest man-made waterfall, and the Penguin Parade with a panoramic viewing gallery from where you can watch the 200 penguins feeding. Then there is the South East Asian Bird Aviary, where a thunderstorm is simulated every day at noon. Other highlights include African Wetlands, and Jungle Jewels, featuring dazzling hummingbirds. Dine in a three-storey glass restaurant surrounded by 1001 flamingos at the Lodge on Flamingo Lake. An air-conditioned monorail covers the entire park.

Singapore Art Museum: The museum specializes in regional art. Browse through an impressive display of 20th-century South East Asian art, paintings, sculptures and installations.

Singapore Science Centre: The museum houses more than 850 exhibits most of which are interactive. You can go through exhibition halls such as the Discovery Zone for young children, the Human Body, Space Science, the Hall of Aviation, and the Web of Life. Outside, you will find the Ecogarden and the Kinetic Garden, which is the first of its kind in Asia, with interactive sculptures and science displays. You can also watch IMAX movies at the Omni-Theatre. Another major attraction is the Snow City, the first permanent indoor snow centre in Singapore, with facilities for snowboarding and skiing.

Singapore Cable Car: Asia's first ever cable car, the Singapore Cable Car spans over 1,750m (5,740ft) and rises up to 93m (305ft) above sea level. There are three stations en route, with each offering beautiful but different views. The first is Mount Faber, the second highest hill in Singapore and an equatorial rainforest. Then there is the Cable Car Towers near the Harbour Front Centre and above the busy harbor. The third station is on the island of Sentosa. Some cars are glass-bottomed and they make the journey even more spectacular.

Asian Civilizations Museum: Visit the museum for an in-depth perspective of pan-Asian culture and civilizations. The museum houses 11 galleries containing over 1,300 artifacts from civilizations of China, South East Asia, South Asia and the Islamic societies of West Asia.

Singapore Botanical Gardens: The garden provides the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of the city. The garden combines a primary jungle with elegantly laid-out flowerbeds and shrubs, serving both to educate and conserve. There are over 3,000 species spread over 52 hectares. Another highlight is the National Orchid Garden home to the world's largest orchid display, with over 60,000 plants in total.

Singapore Flyer: Enjoy spectacular views of the Marina Bay, city skyscrapers and tropical forest from the enormous Ferris wheel, towering above Singapore.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve: One of the few natural attractions in Singapore, this natural reserve has more species of trees than the entire continent of North America! The reserve is great for hiking or cycling along its well-marked paths. You can see wonderful variety of plants, animals and insects, including flying lemurs and anteaters.

Sentosa Island: A 'tropical isle of peace and tranquility', Sentosa Island is a purpose-built island/theme park, with some really amazing attractions. See the Underwater World, a huge tropical oceanarium with 2,500 marine creatures in an 83m submerged tunnel and enjoy a water show at the Dolphin Lagoon. Other major attractions are the waxwork figures depicting Singapore's history, and Fort Siloso, which recreates bunkers and underground passages used for defense purposes. Go up to the viewing platform at the top of Carlsberg Sky Tower to take in the spectacular views of Singapore. Sentosa 4D Magix, Singapore's first and South East Asia's largest cinema of its kind boasts state-of-the-art projection technology and sound system. The island also has the Sijori WonderGolf, an 18-hole miniature golf course, certified by the Minigolf Sport Federation.

Accommodation
Visitors to Singapore can choose from a wide range of accommodations. Hotels are mainly concentrated in two main areas—the Colonial District and the Orchard Road shopping belt.

The more budget conscious can also find good alternatives in the city's fringe. Singapore is well connected with an efficient bus and train system and so transport should not be a problem.

Backpackers can choose to stay in the YHA-affiliated hostels such as Why Not Homestay and Waffles Homestay just off the city centre, and YMCA International House, centrally located between Orchard Road and the Colonial District.

Colonial District: The area is a good place to stay in given its proximity to historic sights and attractions and also the pubs and restaurants along Boat Quay and Clarke Quay. The district provides convenient access to the convention centers. The Orchard Road shopping belt and the Central Business District (CBD) are also just a short ride away.

Top-end hotels include the six-star Ritz-Carlton in the Marina area, Conrad International, and the legendary Raffles Hotel. Other hotels worth a mention include Pan Pacific, Marina Mandarin, Hotel InterContinental, and Swissôtel The Stamford, one of the world's tallest hotels.

Those in the mid-range bracket can consider Allson or the Peninsula Excelsior and the Swissotel Merchant Court overlooking the Singapore River.

Orchard Road: This is the best place to stay if shopping is on your agenda. You will find a large collection of luxury and budget hotels dotting the 2.5 kilometres of shopping extravaganza. The luxury hotels in this area include the Grand Hyatt, Four Seasons, Goodwood Park, Shangri-La, Meritus Mandarin Singapore, and Sheraton Towers.

If you are looking for less expensive options, you can check out Traders, Royal Plaza, and Singapore Marriott with the distinctive pagoda-style roof. At the lower end, there are no-frills hotels like Lloyd's Inn and RELC International Hotel.