Singapore is a small country on a small island, but with over four million people it’s a fairly crowded city and in fact second only to Monaco as the world’s most densely populated country.
Singapore is a microcosm of Asia, populated by Chinese, Malays, Indians and a large group of workers and expatriates from all across the globe. Singapore has a partly deserved reputation for sterile predictability that has earned it snickering descriptions like William Gibson’s “Disneyland with the death penalty” or the “world’s only shopping mall with a seat in the United Nations”. Nevertheless, the Switzerland of Asia is for many a welcome respite from the poverty, chaos, and crime of much of the Asian mainland, and if you scratch below the squeaky clean surface and get away from the tourist trail you’ll soon find more than meets the eye.
Singaporean food is legendary, with bustling hawker centres and 24-hour coffee shops offering cheap food from all parts of Asia, and shoppers can bust their baggage allowances in shopping meccas like Orchard Road and Suntec City. In recent years some societal restrictions have also loosened up, and now you can bungee jump and dance on bartops all night long, although alcohol is very pricey and chewing gum can only be bought from a pharmacy. Gambling casinos will be opening up by 2010 as part of Singapore’s new Fun and Entertainment drive, the aim being to double the number of tourists visiting and increasing the length of time they stay. Watch out for more loosening up in the future.
The island country of Singapore, with its diverse cultures and religions, is a paradise for the shopaholics. It is one of the most preferred tourist destinations for travelers across the world. Every year, a large number of tourists flock to Singapore to enjoy the grandeur and charm the place offers. Singapore offers a perfect mix of the present and past, skyscrapers and serene landscape, and beautiful places of worship, apart from several other spectacular tourist spots. The nightlife at Singapore is also worth cherishing. The pubs, discotheques and lounges are always bustling with people from all walks of life. Those who have a passion for food can also enjoy some of the finest cuisines offered by the restaurants in Singapore. Singapore is regarded as the only island country where travelers get an opportunity to come across a fine blend of Occidental and Oriental cultures.
