Traveling in Singapore

Singapore - Its name meaning Lion City in Malay, has grown from a small village into a bustling metropolis in a short span of over a hundred years. A small city-state situated at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, it is often called the Little Red Dot by some of its neighbors. Founded by the British in 1819 and established as a sea port, it has attracted immigrants in the mid to late 1800s from all around Asia, giving it a unique ethnic mix and bringing with them each race's own cultural and religious attractions.

Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay

Esplanade - Picture 1The Esplanade (more affectionately referred to as the Durians by locals) was opened in 2002 as part of the government's plan to transform Singapore's art scene by bringing in world-class events and injecting life into the sleepy local arts scene. Situated by Marina Bay at the mouth of the Singapore River, it's within easy reach from all parts of the island and near major shopping centers such as Suntec City, Marina Square and Raffles City. Within its premises there are a varied number of eateries and pubs, offering places to eat and chill out after a concert or arts performance.

Tours are available at SGD$10 for an adult and SGD$8 for children. It is located in Esplanade Drive.

Merlion Park

Merlion - Originally designed as for the Singapore Tourism Board as its emblem, the Merlion has grown to be Singapore's most easily recognised icon around the world. It has been featured in countless magazines and on numerous souvenirs that relate it directly with the island-state. Standing 8.6 meters tall at One Fullerton, it spews water out of its mouth for most hours a day, attracting tourists from all around the world happily taking snapshots for keepsake. One cannot claim to have been to Singapore without visiting this unique Singapore icon.

Chinatown

Chinatown - Singapore's Chinatown sprung up shortly after the British landed on the island in 1819. This was where most of the ethnic Chinese lived for most of the years under British rule. Today however, you'll see religious buildings of the major ethnic groups such as Malay mosques and Indian temples build near Chinese templates, witness to the racial harmony found in today's modern Singapore.

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