Singapore – Green city & cultural melting pot

Singapore is an island, a city and a state all in one.

It is one of the smallest independent countries in the world, but despite its small size, you will find an array of exciting experiences here.

We give you an introduction to Singapore here. Find out what makes this particular destination so special.

A melting pot of cultures

Singapore is home to many different cultures and is in many ways several countries in one.

The history of modern Singapore began in 1819, when British colonist Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles founded the port and later divided parts of the city into four ethnic areas, housing different ethnicities.

Today, as a result, you can visit districts such as China Town, Little India and the Malay quarter, Kampong Glam, each with its own specialities and characteristics.

This cultural diversity is also found in the country’s language. Singapore has no fewer than four official languages: Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English. In addition to this, a local version of English is spoken, known as Singlish. Singapore has introduced a multilingual education policy, so it’s not unusual to meet locals who are fluent in two or more languages.

So, you can expect a mix of cultural impressions when visiting Singapore.

A City in a Garden

More than 50 years ago, the Prime Minister of Singapore presented his vision for the future of the city state.

The vision at that time was to transform Singapore from a big city with a garden to a big city in a garden. Work began to transform the city’s concrete jungle into a city full of trees and plants.

And they certainly did what they set out to do in Singapore!

Today, the city state is brimming with beautiful parks and nature trails. Even among the tall skyscrapers, you will find trees and other vegetation along the roadsides. The walls and roofs of the city buildings are planted – so-called greenery high-rises.

What’s more, the city’s beautiful parks have been made into some of the most captivating attractions. This is seen at Gardens by the Bay, for example, where 18 works of art, the so-called SuperTrees, reach for the sky in the form of vertical gardens. Some of these SuperTrees are linked by a walkway, allowing you to experience the green park from above.

Great shopping

If you dream of the ultimate shopping experience, Singapore is the destination for you!

The city is packed with shopping centres that not only sell the well-known brands, but also act as cool oases away from the heat outside.

The centres on Orchard Road and Marina Bay are two of the most popular.

If you visit Singapore between the end of June and the end of July, you can experience (and take advantage of) the Great Singapore Sale – five weeks of fantastic sales in many of the city’s shops. There are great savings to be made here.

One of the things that makes Singapore a popular shopping destination is the opportunity to buy goods tax-free. When you shop in the centres, look for the shops that advertise tax-free shopping. You pay the 7% VAT in the store, as everywhere else, but if you save your receipts, on all purchases over 100 Singapore Dollars, you can have the VAT refunded at the airport before leaving the country. That’s what we call smart shopping! For more information, please visit Singapore’s website.

A true foodie city

Whether you’re into cheap street food or expensive Michelin restaurants, Singapore has something for you.

And it goes without saying that, due to the many cultures of the city state, you’ll also find a wealth of culinary experiences.

Dotted around the city are the iconic hawker centres, which are food markets where you sit and enjoy the local food al fresco. You can buy specialities here such as fried noodles, Indian biryani or fish head curry, all depending on the neighbourhood you are in.

One of the really special food streets is located in China Town. Keong Saik Road was once part of Singapore’s Red Light District, but today it has been transformed into a mecca for food-lovers. The beautiful and well-preserved buildings on the street house some of the best restaurants in Singapore and are well worth a visit.

Naturally, in traditional South-east Asian style, you will also find the unique fruit, durian. The remarkable thing about durian fruit is its unusual and, for some, absolutely awful smell that lingers in the air. For this reason, the fruit is also not allowed in hotel rooms or in taxis.

Want to experience the unique charm of Singapore?

Explore Singapore’s narrow streets and lush parks, shop to your heart’s content, or taste the city’s exquisite food.

Whatever you wish to experience in Singapore, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller