Singapore – The dazzling city of the future
From its humble past as a small commercial hub, Singapore has quickly become an Asian economic powerhouse. It also occupies the second position in the ranking among the freest economies in the world. The city state, known as the Republic of Singapore, is situated in the south of Peninsular Malaysia and covers approximately 700 square kilometers punctuated by an ultra-modern skyline. Its charming mix of modern and ancient culture, history and cultural diversity makes it one of the tourist hotspots in Asia. The rich mix of cultures is made up of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and European immigrants, among others.
Singapore is a developed economy with some of the best infrastructure and quality of life in Asia. In 2010, the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank ranked Singapore first out of 183 economies in their ease of doing business report. This means that Singapore will become a bigger business destination, further strengthening its economy.
life in singapore
One of the defining characteristics of Singaporean society is the strict rules that citizens must abide by. In Singapore, a permit is required for group gatherings of five or more people. The penalty for overstaying your visa is three strokes of the cane and connecting to Wi-Fi without authorization can land you in jail.
Garden City
Rules aside, the city-state is well known for its neat and clean streets, bright lights, and impressive features. Some of these are the artificial trees found at Gardens by the Bay Park. These are imposing artificial trees that reach 50 meters in height on some 250 hectares of land. Made of concrete and steel rods, the trees are fitted with solar panels and are designed to capture rainwater and grow hanging gardens on top.
Singapore is also famous for its botanical gardens. These normally stay open from 5 am to midnight. One of the gardens is the Nacional Orquideario Nacional, which has a collection of 1,000 species of orchids and 2,000 hybrids.
rich history
The Chinatown Heritage Center is one of the places that showcases the Chinese part of Singapore’s cultural heritage. The center consists of three floors and 15 exhibition galleries that offer a fascinating insight into the life of Chinese immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The restored old business houses in this area are a stark contrast to the gleaming skyscrapers a few blocks away. There is also a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs. Singapore’s cultural diversity is also reflected in its many Hindu temples, Malay mosques, and other historical monuments.
shopper’s paradise
When it comes to shopping, Singapore is a shopper’s paradise, with malls like Funan Digitalife and Sim Lim Square offering a variety of electronics that are 10-20% cheaper. You can also go shopping at Haji Lane, a collection of narrow shops tucked away in the Muslim Quarter. Here, there is a wide collection of fashion items like designer perfumes, clothes and many more.
Food Capital
A description of Singapore is incomplete without mentioning its cuisine. Culinary delights range from fine dining offerings at high-end restaurants to a variety of foods at hawker markets where you can sample Thai, Indian, Chinese, Malaysian cuisine and more.