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Home >
Destinations >
Singapore > Places to See |
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The
Lion City, at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, is the
cleanest, most orderly city anywhere, as well it might
be. A fine has to be given if anyone, including tourists,
caught flicking a cigarette butt, discarding a wad
of chewing gum or throwing its wrapper on a street.
Tourists are reminded that penalties are stiff for
drug possession. Tourism is the city-state's third
biggest industry, after manufacturing and banking,
attracting some seven million visitors a year. This
makes Singapore a member of an elite group of countries
that attract more visitors than its own population.
Shopping ranks as one of the major attractions. Products
from around the world are available -- from Asian
handicrafts to the latest cameras and electronic gear
from Japan. The variety is endless but few bargains
can be found for budget-conscious shoppers who find
that most products are less expensive in North America.
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Chinatown
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Among
the narrow streets of picturesque shophouses and
restaurants brimming with life, the temple idol
carvers, herbalists, calligraphers, traders and
trishaw drivers pursue a way of life that has changed
little for generations. Incense stream from the
old temples, the elderly spread their wares out
on the pavement for sale and sea cucumbers, regarded
as a delicacy, dry in the sun. Much of Chinatown
has recently been renovated, but the old traditions
endure. During Chinese New Year, the whole of Chinatown
is lit up and buzzes with activity as stalls sell
a variety of festive goods.
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Little
India
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On
Serangoon Road is located, Little India. Embodies
the vibrant and colourful culture of the Indian
community in Singapore. Indian women and men in
there traditional attire can be seen doing there
daily business in the Zhujiao Centre, where a bewildering
selection of food is on sale. Small shops abound,
selling bolts of glittering silks, temple garlands,
gold jewellery and spices that are ground in front
of you.
The Hindu religion plays an important part in the
life of Little India, and the Sri Veerama Kaliaman
and Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temples in the area are
well worth visiting.
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Arab
Street
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Arabs
were among the first to arrive in Singapore to trade,
bringing with them the Islamic religion and converting
many indigenous Malay to their belief. Today the old
section of the city around Arab Street provides an
intriguing glimpse into the Muslim way of life. The
Sultan Mosque dominates the area, a fantastic building
with its impressive gold dome and vast prayer hall.
Arab Street itself is a riot of colourful textiles
from all over Asia at very low prices. Also on sale,
overflowing from the shop houses onto the pavement,
are saris and batik, basketry, leather goods, cane
and rattan, jewellery and hand-beaten brass, perfumes
and a host of other treasures.
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Supreme
Court and City Hall
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The
Supreme Court was built in 1939. This refined building
shelters Corinthians columns painted by the Italian
artist Cavaliere Rodolfo Nolli. It is in the neighboring
City Hall that Lord Louis Mountbatten signed the
capitulation of the Japanese in 1945.
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Parliament
House and the Elephant Statue
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Once
a stately colonial mansion which was built in 1827.
Singapore’s oldest government building is today
the home of the Republic’s Parliament. A bronze
elephant stands in front of the building a gift
from King Chulalongkorn of Siam in 1871.
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Raffles Hotel
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One
of the most famous hotels in the world, this Grand
Old Lady of the East is fully restored to her former
glory after an extensive $160 million restoration.
Down the years, royalty, film stars, world leaders
and famous authors have stayed at Raffles — one
of the last great 19th century hotels.
The refurbished complex includes a Shopping Arcade
with 70 shops, a museum showing Raffles memorabilia
and a theatre featuring a multimedia show on the
hotel’s distinguished past.
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National
Museum
Originally opened in 1887, The National Museum, is
an architectural gem with each of its two levels reflecting
a different order of Greek classical architecture.
Of particular note are the Museum’s 20 dioramas, three-dimensional
reconstructions of historical scenes and events tracing
Singapore’s development from a sleepy fishing village
to the present day metropolis. Another exhibit shows
the world of a wealthy Straits Chinese family at the
turn of the century, complete with elaborate Peranakan
furnishings and finery. The Children’s Discovery Gallery
is another compelling attraction, With interactive
exhibits designed to explain Singapore’s cultural
heritage, visual and performing arts.
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Orchad Road
Orchad Road is
the commercial main street of the city. Modern Singapore
is truly a Western creation. During centuries, theisland
was populated by fishermen and pirates. In 1819, sir
Stamford Raffles (1781-1826), a person in charge of
the Brittanic Company of the Eastern Indies persuaded
the sovereign of the Malayan State of Johore to concede
to Great Britain the use of the island and of his
port to make a trading post of it. It became then
a significant center of export of wood and rubber
and its population increased considerably with the
arrival in mass of Chinese merchants and workmen.
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