| Chinatown |
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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.
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New Bridge Road |
Chinatown Complex (Blk 335 Food Center), a
new MRT station in undergrond. |
South Bridge Road (near Maxwell Road Food
Center & Fairfield Methodist Church) |
Smith Street Food Corner |
Garage Sale 2nd-Hand Items |
Cheap (3 for S$10/=) Cat Sales |
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| The
Singapore River |
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| Great cities
of the world can usually take their early beginnings to the mouth
of a river; Singapore is no exception. The river became a busy waterway,
the lifeline of Singapore when entrepot trade was its main enterprise.
The boats that used to ply their trade between the large ships on
the outer roads of the harbour and the warehouses along the Singapore
river. |
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| Botanic
Gardens |
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Spread
over 52 hectares, the Botanic Gardens combine primary rainforest
and manicured gardens. Together they hold thousands of plant species.
Within the Botanic Gardens is the National Orchid Garden which displays
over 60,000 orchid plants and colourful foliage. Get ready to be
enthralled by a diverse range of orchids as you walk along the winding
pathways. Be sure to visit Burkill Hall, the old colonial home of
the first Director of the Gardens, and the Mist House where rare
blooms can be found amidst interesting artefacts.
Open: 5am-12 midnight daily.
Admission: Free.
Getting there: From Orchard Road, take bus no. 7, 106 or 174. The
National Orchid Garden is open from 8.30am-6pm. Admission to NOG:
$2(A), $1(C). |
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| Chinese
& Japanese Gardens |
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Visit these
two scenic gardens situated side by side. The Chinese Garden has
curved bridges, pagodas, courtyards and fountains while the Japanese
Garden emphasises restraint and simplicity with stone lanterns,
shrubs, hillocks and a tea-house.
Open: 6am-7pm daily.
Admission: Free (except Bonsai Garden, Garden of Abundance, Live
Turtle & Tortoise Museum and special events).
Getting there: Alight at Chinese Garden MRT Station. |
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| Night
Safari |
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The world's
first and only Night Safari, this is an exciting adventure combining
the comforts of a zoo environment and the experience of a national
wildlife park. Visitors may choose to wander along two loop roads
by tram or walk along the trails to see some 1,200 nocturnal animals
under subtle artificial lighting. |
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Link
to Night Safari website |
| Jurong
Bird Park |
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| Jurong BirdPark
is a 20.2 hectare open-concept park. It is the largest in the Asia
Pacific and one of the finest bird parks in the world. Its collection
of more than 8,000 birds from 600 species is among the largest in
the world. The Park specialises in birds from Southeast Asia and the
more exotic and colourful tropical birds.
The Park boasts of the world’s largest walk-in aviary with the
tallest man-made waterfall where visitors can enjoy a close-up view
of free-flying birds from Africa and South America in a tropical
setting. Another walk-in aviary, the Southeast Asian Birds Aviary,
showcases the region’s exotic and endangered species of birds. Bird
shows, staged at the amphitheatre and the Falconry Arena, are entertaining
and educational and have thrilled our visitors from all over the
world.
The BirdPark’s exhibits and aviaries are specially
designed to closely resemble the natural habitats of the feathered
species. Lakes and paddocks are built for display of waterbirds
and other large flightless birds such as ostriches, rheas, emus
and cassowaries. Besides the bird exhibits, there are also open
spaces landscaped with exotic flowering plants such as heliconias
and anthuriums to enhance the beauty of the BirdPark.
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Link
to Jurong Bird Park |
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| Underwater
World |
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| This is the
largest tropical oceanarium in Asia. You'll move through a tunnel
in a huge glass tank, which makes you feel as if you are a part of
this underwater world. For an interesting experience, catch the feeding
times at 11.30am, 2pm & 4.30pm daily. |
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Link
to Underwater World website |
Shopping |
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| Singapore is
the showcase for duty-free goods from all over the world with prices
often lower than in the countries of origin. Orchard Road,Tanglin
Road, Raffles City and the Singapore Handicraft Centre on Tanglin
Road are the main areas. |
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Link
to Singapore Shop |
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Orchard Road |
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