Singapore Skyline

A city as small as Singapore can be toured in just three days, many would say, but to see all the highlights and get beneath the skin of this charming place definitely warrants a longer stay. A tour planned around the major districts allows one to appreciate its history, people and rich cultural diversity in an optimal period of time. Here is the best of Singapore not to be missed.

Singapore River This is the very origin of Singapore's prosperity, with the Merlion (the city's tourism icon) steadfastly standing guard at the mouth of the river. Quaint bridges span the river, ranging from the elegant Anderson Bridge to the simple Ord Bridge. Boat Quay , an excellent reincarnation of Peranakan shophouses and godowns, is a pleasant place to dine alfresco, with its long slew of chic cafes, restaurants and pubs. Further upstream is Clarke Quay , yet another series of restored shophouses, where a carnival atmosphere prevails at the fall of dusk. Come Sunday, a flea market thrives here, displaying an appealing range of old treasures, curios and collectibles. Other dining and entertainment attractions along the river include the Riverside Point, Riverside Village and Robertson Quay at the uppermost end.

Night Safari Put a zoo and a national wildlife park together and you will get this enchanting Night Safari that is home to 100 exotic species, many rare and endangered. The first of its kind in the world, this 40-hectare jungle allows you to watch 1,000 nocturnal animals come alive at night in their natural habitat. A tram ride lets you tour the park in comfort (extra charges apply). For more adventure, choose from one of the three walking trails and discover the wildlife at close quarters.

Orchard Road, Queensland Singapore's Champs-Élysees stretches 2.5 kilometres long and is said to have the largest concentration of shopping malls worldwide. Originally a nutmeg and pepper plantation, Orchard Road today is lined with ritzy malls, swanky eateries and luxury hotels from end to end. The more notable shopping centres include Ngee Ann City , Tangs Department Store , Wisma Atria , The Heeren and Centrepoint . Nevertheless, some old portions of the street have managed to escape the bulldozers, particularly the peranakan shophouses near Emerald Hill , built at the turn of the 20th century.

Botanic Gardens Founded in 1859 with a mission to cultivate plants of economic potential, the 52-hectare Singapore Botanic Gardens made a historic milestone in 1877 with the cultivation of Malaysia's and Indonesia's first rubber plantations. Today, with more than 600,000 plant specimens, it is clearly one the world's largest botanical reserves. The park provides a comprehensive introduction to plants in a variety of settings, from rolling lawns and orchid gardens to a tropical jungle. Other attractions include the National Orchid Garden , Visitors Centre, tea room, spice and herb gardens, and the eco-lake. A SGD35-million redevelopment plan is currently underway to make the park's plant collections more accessible to the public.

Taken at Universal Studio (courtesy: Ms. C. Cayetano)