General: Singapore > Reviews > The Lion City that Roars

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Nightlife
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Advantages:	Perfect for a unique cultural immersion and a wild food - attack .  Excellent transport system means getting to anywhere is a breeze .
Disadvantages:	Hot (at least 30C everyday) .  Also, there is no natural scenery to speak of .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Been to Singapore for a 6-month attachment, and was enthralled with its vibrance and cultural richness.

The name Singapore was derived from the Malay equivalent Singapura, which translates to Lion City. The city prides itself with its multi-ethnic and multi-racial population, which means there will be more than 20 festival celebrations held in just a year. The Mooncake Festival (Chinese) and Thaipusam (Indian) are just a few examples. A trip to the temples is a must if you want to immerse into their religious heritage. Waterloo Street would be one fine place to begin with. However, tourists are advised to respect the sanctity of these places, and photography is usually disallowed. Mosques, on the other hand, are invariably out of bounds to non-Muslims.

Tip 1: Try Waterloo Street during weekends.

Language will not be much of a problem since quite a number of Singaporeans communicate in English. In fact, it is mandatory that students learn English and their 'mother tongue' (i.e. the traditional language of their race: e.g. Mandarin for Chinese). Asking for help should therefore not be difficult.

Besides temple visits, you can try the various districts where different races concentrate. Little India is where Indians congregate, and Chinatown, well you should know.

Tip 2: Try Indian delicacies in Little India, especially if you have a predilection for curry and other spicy stuff.

Food is no problem at all. In fact there is so much variation you'll have a hard time choosing. Each race has its unique specialities, and the picture gets more complicated when you consider ethnic groups within each race. The Hainan chicken rice and Malay satay (barbecued and spiced meat pieces on sticks, much like a smaller version of kebabs) are famous examples.

Tip 3: Lau Pa Sat (near Raffles Place MRT Station, station label C2: see tip 5) is satay paradise.

Tip 4: Check out the Singapore Food Festival. Cannot recall what time of the year it is usually held. Anyway, this is when you feed yourself to all sorts of delights!

Transport is incredible in the Lion City. You must not miss the clean and efficient service of the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit). In fact, you can get to most of the places aforementioned with the trains. To get around easily and cheaply, I would advise getting a farecard (ask ticket offices at the MRT stations). You can take buses with the same card.

Tip 5: The MRT is changing the labelling system of all stations to accommodate new additions soon. If you've been there before and are planning a second trip, make sure you check station names carefully.

Singapore also prides itself with the Zoological Gardens and the Night Safari. These places (adjacent to each other actually) are accessible by bus only (cannot really remember the service no.). Proceed to Ang Mo Kio MRT Station (presently labelled N9: see tip 5), ask for the bus interchange, and check on the services there. One of them must bring you to the zoo.

Tip 6: The Night Safari should not be missed.

Tip 7: Clarke Quay is where you enjoy night life, if you are into pubbing.

Sentosa is an offshore island down south of Singapore. Its theme parks (the most popular and enjoyable being Fantasy Island: water theme park) should occupy you for the entire day. Also check out the giant Merlion statue on the island! The Merlion is a half-lion, half-fish creature that symbolises Singapore's identity as a lion city and as a fishing village before it was founded by Sir Stamford Raffles.

Tip 7: Scale the enormous Merlion statue and enjoy the panaromic view from its mouth.

If you're smart, come for shopping during the Great Singapore Sale in the month of June. Prices are often slashed at incredible rates and you'll get a good deal most of the times.

One drawback about a Singaporean trip is the lack of natural scenery. The more adventurous can take a nature trail down the several nature reserves, but do not expect awe-inspiring landscapes.

Tip 8: Visit Pulau Ubin (another offshore island at the North East of mainland Singapore) for a better trail in the wild. Rent a bicycle and ride your way through the almost untouched island. Take special care though.

Overall, my stay in Singapore was great, because you never end up with nothing to do. Food is one big draw, because of its diversity. Further, the standard of hygiene is very high and drinking from the tap should not be a problem, though it is not encouraged. The people can be somewhat colder than the West, and the climate's much hotter. Notwithstanding, the Lion City is worth a visit, if not two.

Tip 9: Always keep a look-out for warning signs such as DO NOT SMOKE or DO NOT EAT/DRINK. Chewing gum is also banned from the country.