Singapore – whatever it is you want, you’ll probably find it here
Lion City
Singapore is one of the most modern cities in the world, with everything you can think of to be found there: parks and gardens, skyscrapers, temples, markets, financial, commercial and historical areas, museums, stadiums, iconic architecture, and much more. And for those looking for sea, sand, adventure theme parks and sporting events, there’s Sentosa Island nearby.
Melting pot
Singapore is very multicultural, with a population composed of the Chinese, Malays, Eurasians and new migrants. There is also a small community of Peranakans living here, descending from intermarriage between Chinese merchants and Malay women, and whose culture, language and cuisine are a mixture of both traditions.
Consequently, different religions are also practised in Singapore, from Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism (as well as a mix of those) to Islam and Christianity.
Singapore’s Chinatown
I was surprised to see that the Chinatown is home not only to Chinese temples, traditional shophouse architecture, antique shops, restaurants and hawker centres, but also to Hindu temples and mosques.
One of the highlights of my time in Chinatown was definitely lunch in one of the restaurants, which seemed to be frequented mostly by locals and where I had some seafood spring rolls (yummy!), rice rolls with prawns and sliced fish congee (the congee was a complete novelty to me and tasted rather bland, since at the time I didn’t know I was supposed to season it myself).
Thian Hock Keng Temple
Chinese temple
Sri Mariamman Temple
Sri Mariamman Temple
food in Chinatown
Financial District
Unsurprisingly, home to skysrapers, banks and financial institutions.
The Financial District
Singapore’s Little India
Home to the local Indian community (with mostly Tamil influences), Little India has all you would expect to find there: temples, spices, music, clothes, markets, and food of course.
Little India
Tekka Centre, Little India
Tekka Centre, Little India
food in Little India
Kampong Glam
Home to Singapore’s Malay community, the area has a Middle Eastern vibe to it and is quite charming. I regretted not having had more time to explore it, and not having taken any photos of the little streets, shops and cafes.
Sultan Mosque (top) & Little India’s Tekka Centre (bottom)
Marina Bay
Here is where you are likely to get somewhat awe-struck, especially if you are into modern architecture or if you get here at sunset and hang out till the evening.
Marina Bay
Marina Bay at sunset
Singapore by night
Clarke Quay
The lights reflecting in the water at night make the place look stunning.
Clarke Quay
Things to bear in mind
Singapore is expensive. Food at hawker centres and food courts is typically good value for money, but everything else tends to be quite pricey, especially compared to the other places in South East Asia. It is also known for being very clean, orderly and law-abiding (do not even think of littering, and do not bring your chewing gum… nor try to find it in local shops, because you won’t).
My 2 cents
Singapore’s modern infrastructure is impressive, and its multicultural aspects and eclectic style are definitely an advantage. The city is clean, safe, perfectly civilized and developed (in line with Western standards), but to me it’s also slightly… soulless? Pleasant, and a nice introduction to my 2-month South East Asia trip, but not exactly what moved me or stole my heart. Those places came later.