Located in the central south of the island, the colonial district is the historical heart of this wonderful city, built around the old structures of the British Empire, such as the Padang, famous for its open air cricket matches, St. Andrews Cathedral, City Hall and the Parliament Building. The splendid Singapore History and Asian Civilisations Museums together provide and deep oversight of the country's rich history and cultural heritage.



SINGAPORE



The famous Raffles Hotel, home of the original Singapore Sling, is a must for most visitors, and the third floor is home to the hotel's history museum offering a fascinating insight into former colonial life and the hotel’s many famous patrons. A quiet retreat from the thrumming street scenes is provided by the nearby green space of Fort Canning Park.



Aside from the skyscrapers, within which the colonial heart is nestled, an inspiring contrast to the older structures is amply provided by the sculptural glass and steel of the Esplanade theatres of the waterfront, an area also renowned for its surrounding restaurants. The waterfront area is also home to the old historic quays, Boat Quay, Robertson Quay and Clarke Quay, now a nightlife hotspot.



Marina Bay has been transformed into a highly stimulating pleasure zone, dominated by the spectacular, if unusual, design of the Marina Bay Sands Building. If you think the building a little odd, you'll need to get to the SkyPark on the very top, linking its three towers, to understand the logic.



The 1.2 hectare SkyPark that tops out the building is host to classy designer restaurants, a viewing platform, shops, garden and an amazing 150 metre long infinity pool, cleverly crafted to appear to lip the edge of the 200 metre drop to the ground, providing both an awesome swimming experience and superb views. At night, lasers impressively strafe the Singapore sky from here.



Down below is the stunning hotel, a world class theatre, producing top quality broadway shows, a dozen restaurants run by some of the world's most renowned celebrity chefs, a casino, a vast shopping mall, featuring the finest international brands, and the wonderful ArtScience Centre.

GARDENS BY THE BAY



To the back of the Marina Sands building, the garden pathways, shapely domes and towered aerial walkway of the lovely 'Gardens by the Bay' provide for a beautiful stroll among a true horticultural and architectural masterpiece.



The magnificent architecture continues with a walk across the Double Helix Bridge, where the Singapore Flyer wheel awaits.



Across the water, Marina Bay Golf Course, styled after the links courses of Scotland, completes the scene of high class leisure facilities in the bay, offering a highly rewarding round with magnificent views across the bay and the city skyline.



AROUND THE CENTRE

Just to the south of the Quays lies Chinatown, which, although much renovated in recent times, still affords an authentic flavour of the culture of the Chinese immigrant traders and builders of ‘British’ Singapore. The area is home to some important temples and tourist markets, and also has a lively night life. For a deep encounter with Singapore’s early days from this perspective, a visit to the Chinatown Heritage Centre is enlightening and invaluable.

Just north of the Colonial District, the Little India and Arab Quarters reflect different cultural heritages, the former a chaotic but fascinating area, full of Hindu temples and Indian shopping and dining, and the latter home to the middle-eastern communities and businesses of Singapore.



For shoppers bent on modern fare, the Orchard Road area to the east of Little India, is Singapore’s vast contemporary temple of consumerism, glittering malls full of global fashion boutiques, specialist food stores and numerous other high-end retailers, nestled among five star hotels. If you are a keen shopper, you will probably require several days to visit this area alone.


TRANSPORT

Getting around Singapore is a breeze. The Island's almost wholly automated ultramodern Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system will get you anywhere on the island quickly and efficiently.