Not to be confused with Singapore Slings (the fruity, gin-based adult beverage), this article is all about the exotic island nation of six million located on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula between Malaysia and Indonesia, just north of the equator.
The name derives from the Sanskrit words singa (lion) and pura (city), supposedly the result of an early Sumatran prince who, upon first landing on the island, thought he saw a lion. Ironically, it was probably a tiger – because lions are not native to Singapore – but the moniker stuck.
Once a trading post for the British East India Company, Singapore was ruled by the Brits, occupied by Japan during WWII, was part of the Malaysian empire and then finally gained independence in 1965.
It’s a modern, cosmopolitan metropolis full of skyscrapers, rooftop bars, designer shopping and a potpourri of cultures. Ethnic Chinese make up about 76% of the population, indigenous Malays 15% and ethnic Indians 7%.
The most beautiful beaches on Singapore and its many smaller islands, like those on Sentosa, feature white sand mostly imported from neighboring countries. There you will find high-end beach resorts, such as the Sofitel and the Shangri-La Rasa.
Singapore’s rich social tapestry is reflected in its many world-class attractions.The 200-year-old Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple showcases a half dozen tiers of soaring sculptures of Hindu deities. City Hall is home to four exceptional museums dedicated to Asian civilizations, Peranakan culture, 50,000 vintage toys and comics, and Singaporean history. And the old High Court next door to City Hall is adorned with Italian frescoes and Corinthian stone columns. The newer Supreme Court building is noted for being topped by a UFO-like floating dome.
Three thousand species of tropical and subtropical plants and an herbarium of 500,000 preserved specimens are exhibited in the 80-acre Singapore Botanic Gardens. One of the most captivating spots in a city famous for ultimate captivation is Gardens by the Bay in Marina Bay, a million and a half plants from six continents, indoor waterfalls and chilled conservatories. The Gardens are noted for their so-called supertree forest, man-made 160-foot vertical gardens linked by an aerial tram and punctuated by the even higher supertree observatory. In the evening, the grove’s trees light up and dance to music.
At the mouth of the Singapore River is a statue of the Merlion, the half-fish half-lion symbol of Singapore. The name of Sir Stamford Raffles, an early British statesman, has long been associated with the island. The elegant Raffles Hotel is said to be where the aforementioned cocktail, dubbed ‘The Singapore Sling,’ was first concocted.
Orchard Road in the city center is a splendid, mile-long, flower-festooned boulevard hemmed by upscale shops, luxury boutique hotels, outstanding restaurants and Marina Bay, anchored by the stunning Marina Bay Sands. A gigantic Stonehenge-like edifice, the Sands is filled with a 2,500-room hotel, an 800,000 square foot mall, an ice-skating rink, the largest atrium casino anywhere on the planet and exclusive restaurants. Up top, the Sands’ three large towers are connected by a huge slab that includes a 500-foot infinity pool.
While perusing Singapore’s hundreds of stores and stalls, keep an eye out for what the city is best known for: Batik, gold-plated orchids and orchid perfumes and hand-painted Peranakan tiles.
The food is eclectic: Hainanese chicken rice, kaya toast with coconut jam, roti prata (Indian-inspired flatbread), laksa (Malaysian coconut milk soup with noodles and shrimp) and Bakkwa (Chinese pork jerky).
Even if you don’t stay there, you must see the Pan Pacific Orchard hotel. The high-rise is made up of four themed seamlessly-connected multiple-floor stacks (forest, beach, garden and cloud) put together like a game of Jenga, each with open-air terraces accented by exquisite landscapes.
