Frommer's Favorite Experiences

• Sipping a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar: Ahhhh, the Long Bar, home of the Singapore Sling. Sheltered by long jalousie shutters that close out the tropical sun, the air cooled by lazy punkahs (small fans that wave gently back and forth above), you can sit back in old rattan chairs and have your saronged waitress serve you the sticky alcoholic creations. Life can be so decadent. Okay, so the punkahs are electric, and, come to think of it, the place is air-conditioned (not to mention that it costs a small fortune), but it's fun to imagine the days when Somerset Maugham, Rudyard Kipling, or Charlie Chaplin would be sitting at the bar sipping Slings and spinning exotic tales of their world travels.

• Walking the City Streets: Comfortable shoes are a must for exploring Singapore's maze of narrow lanes and alleys. In neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam (Arab St.), some of the most memorable sights are the small vignettes of local life only found at street level. In Chinatown, hawkers stir up fiery woks and old-timers play checkers in the park. In Little India, women weave flower garlands at the roadside, and some die-hards still chew betel and spit red goo in the drains. In Kampong Glam, back-alley boutiques and art galleries provide a welcome pocket of counterculture. Don't forget your camera.

• Witnessing Ceremonial Gore: It's the start of the Thaipusam festival, an annual Hindu religious occasion to express gratitude to Lord Subramaniam for granting their wishes in the previous year. To do this, they will carry kevadis, steel racks hung with fruits and flowers, held onto their bodies with skewers that dig into their flesh. Others will have rows of hooks piercing the thick skin on their backs -- the hooks attached to long leather straps that are pulled hard. Once ready, they will parade en masse, in full torture regalia, through the streets of Little India and Singapore's downtown to the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple. Singapore's Hindus celebrate Thaipusam every January into February, and like many other cultural and religious celebrations, foreign visitors are welcome to come and (respectfully) observe. If you're not in town for this unusual festival, you can catch ceremonial gore at annual events like Thimithi, the Birthday of the Monkey God, and the Festival of the Nine Emperor God later in the year.

• Getting Cultured at the Esplanade: After the blazing sun sets, Esplanade Park becomes cool in more ways than one. Inside the prickly domes of The Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, audiences are moved by symphony orchestras, jazz ensembles, dance troupes, drama, and contemporary music. But don't miss the scene outside: Along the waterfront, a band shell hosts free performances by local and international bands for crowds of onlookers. The acts here are edgier than what goes on inside the theaters, and it's awe-inspiring to watch these performances with the towering city skyline in full view.

• Discovering the Rainforest: Singapore has primary, ancient, virgin rainforest located within its city limits, just a 15-minute cab ride from the city center. At Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, visitors will find well-marked trails with bridges and viewing platforms, playgrounds for children, and pavilions for short breaks. Under the shady canopy, there is a cornucopia of jungle flora and fauna -- exotic flowers, curious lizards, cheeky monkeys, and more.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Best Dining Bets

• Hawker Centers: Think of them as shopping malls for food -- great food. For local cuisine, who needs a menu with pictures when you can walk around and select anything you want as it's prepared before your eyes?

• Yum Cha (Singapore): In a quaint shophouse tucked away in the bustle of Chinatown, this charming eatery serves delicious little bites of sumptuous Chinese dim sum. A perfect light lunch break from sightseeing in the heat.

• Chili Crab at UDMC Seafood Centre (Singapore): A true Singaporean favorite, chili crabs will cause every local to rise up in argument over where you can find the best in town. Head out to UDMC to try the juicy crabs cooked in a sweet chili sauce. Prepare to get messy!

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

The Best Adventures

• Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (Singapore): Every year during the winter months, flocks of migrating birds from as far north as Siberia vacation in the warm waters of this unique mangrove swamp park. Easily traversed by a wooden walkway, the park will never disappoint for glimpses of stunning wildlife.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

The Best Beaches

• Sentosa Island (Singapore): The three beaches on Sentosa are just about the best you'll find in Singapore, which isn't really known for its beaches. They're lively, with watersports and beach activities plus food and drink. Every so often, you'll find an all-night dance party here. However, if you really need pristine seclusion, you'll have to head for Malaysia.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

The Best Hotel Bargains

• Perak Hotel (Singapore): This family-run budget hotel on the edge of Little India is full of charm and friendly people. It's easy to meet fellow backpackers in the cozy lobby cafe and share stories and travel tips.

• Traders Hotel Singapore (Singapore): Value-for-money is the name of the game here. All sorts of promotional packages, self-service launderettes, vending machines, and a checkout lounge are just a few of the offerings that make this the most convenient hotel in the city.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

The Best Luxury Hotels

• Raffles Hotel (Singapore): For old-world opulence, Raffles is second to none. It's pure fantasy of the days when tigers still lurked around the perimeters.

• Shangri-La Hotel (Singapore): What sets this hotel apart from other city properties is its sprawling grounds. Shang is a meticulously landscaped tropical oasis, with lush garden views from every angle. Three individual wings give you a choice of accommodations styles: urban contemporary, natural resort style, and oriental opulence.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

The Best Markets

• Arab Street (Singapore): Even though Singapore is a shopper's paradise, it could still use more places like Arab Street. Small shops selling everything from textiles to handicrafts line the street. Bargaining is welcome.










Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

The Best Museums

• National Museum of Singapore (Singapore): The Singapore story is told through multimedia exhibits that capture not just the island's colonial past, but the culture that has emerged since the nation's independence.

• Asian Civilisations Museum (Singapore): This extremely well-presented museum documents the evolutionary and cultural history of the region's major ethnic groups. A very informative afternoon.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

The Best Nightlife

• Singapore, the whole city: Nightlife is sophisticated in Singapore, where locals have more money for recreation and fun. Take the time to choose the place that suits your personality. Jazz club? Techno disco? Cocktail lounge? Wine bar? Good old pub? The city has it all.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

The Best Shopping

• Batik: While most of the batiks you find in Singapore come from Indonesia, many in Malaysia are made at factories that you can often tour. The Indonesian prints usually show traditional motif and colors, while Malaysian designs can be far more modern. Look for batik silk as well.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

The Best Small Towns and Villages

• Katong (Singapore): More a neighborhood within a city, this area has a feel all its own as the heart of the local Peranakan culture. Locals still come here for the best "Nyonya" food, fashion, and artifacts.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

The Best Temples & Shrines

• Thian Hock Keng (Singapore): One of Singapore's oldest Chinese temples, it is a fascinating testimony to Chinese Buddhism as it combines with traditional Confucian beliefs and natural Taoist principles. Equally fascinating is the modern world that carries on just outside the old temple's doors.

• Armenian Church (Singapore): Although not the biggest Christian house of worship in the city, it is one of the most charming in its architectural simplicity, tropical practicality, and spiritual tranquillity.

• Hajjah Fatimah Mosque (Singapore): I love this mosque for its eclectic mix of religious symbols and architectural influences. To me, it represents not just the Singaporean ability to absorb so many different ideas, but also a Muslim appreciation and openness toward many cultures.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Introduction

Pint-sized Singapore is a mosaic of contrasting cultures. It's easy to be dazzled by Orchard Road's wall-to-wall malls, but you can take a breather at Chinatown's immense Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Hindu shrines draped with marigold garlands. The city's mix of traditional, colonial and futuristic is best seen at the mouth of the Singapore River, where the spiky domed Esplanade theatre is steps away from the neo-Palladian Asian Civilizations Museum, home to Islamic calligraphy and Vietnamese sculptures.

Things to Do

Singaporeans start the day with tai chi in the fragrant Botanic Gardens amid towering rainforest trees. Step back to Singapore's colonial days at the Corinthian-columned Supreme Court, near cricket matches on the Padang's grassy expanse. Juxtaposed with the babble of street markets and malls, the city's spiritual side surfaces in Chinatown, where incense plumes fill the Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple with its immense, ornate gopuram (tower gateway). All-day, outdoor recreation is popular on Sentosa Island.

Shopping

Orchard Road is crammed with gleaming malls selling the latest laptops, digital cameras and designer fashion. Pick up some Gucci and Cartier at the Takashimaya department store. Browse Buddha heads and Burmese teak furniture at antique stores around lush Dempsey Hill, once a British army barracks. Style mavens love tiny Haji Lane, tucked away in the Arab Quarter, for tailored dress shirts and psychedelic cushion covers.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Strobe-lit Zouk club is the throbbing center of Singapore's nightlife, home to top techno DJs and slinky dance floor moves. On Emerald Hill near Orchard Road, colorful wooden-shuttered Peranakan shophouses have been converted into relaxed bars with bijou terraces -- ideal for a cold beer. At Chinatown Night Market, red lanterns light up Pagoda and Sago streets, their stalls crammed with Chinese calligraphy and glamorous cheongsam dresses.

Restaurants and Dining

Apartments are small so eating out is essential for Singaporeans. The dining scene boasts a staggering range of cuisines. Squeeze up at a table with office workers on their lunch break at noisy Lau Pa Sat hawker center, where myriad stalls serve up dishes like Hainanese chicken rice and fried carrot cake. On the weekends, seaside East Coast Parkway is filled with families dining on chili crab, and in Little India, vegetarian restaurants serve coconut curries on banana leaves or tin plates.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Planning a Trip

A fascinating mix of contrasts, Singapore lies at the crossroads of East and West, and as a result, it hums with a unique culture that is equal parts oriental and occidental. From the steel-and-glass skyscrapers that rise above Chinatown's historic narrow lanes to vibrant Little India's burst of sights, sounds, and smells, the old blends seamlessly with the new in Singapore. In 1 day, it is possible to trek through a rainforest, visit various places of worship from a multitude of religions that exist together in harmony, and stop in a sleek mall on Orchard Road to buy a new outfit in time for a sumptuous dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred chef. Singapore has always been, and will always be, a nation that blends the best of all worlds into one nation.

In its haste to modernize, Singapore often appears to have sold its Asian soul in exchange for a Western lifestyle. On the surface, the terrain is unremarkably globalized and consumer driven; its rows of shiny shopping malls flank wide, manicured avenues dotted with McDonald's and Starbucks. But for those who pause to take a closer look, Singapore's cultural heart is alive and well beneath the polished veneer. Singapore's Chinese are still driven by ancient values that respect the family, authority, and success merited by hard work. Its Malays share openly their warm ideals of generosity, hospitality, and joy among friends and family. And the city's Indians possess a culture steeped in thousands of years of traditional beauty and passion for life. Add to this the spirit of Arabs and Armenians, Bugis and British, various Europeans and Eurasians, and many more -- a multitude of cultures that, combined, defines what it means to be Singaporean.

Singapore strives to honor its past while keeping one eye firmly focused on the future. Amid its efforts to grow the nation's economy and its people's standard of living are huge plans for tourism development. Already it hosts stellar world-class institutions, such as the Asian Civilisations Museum, the Singapore Arts Museum, and the award-winning Singapore Zoo and Night Safari. In 2010, two enormous casino complexes -- the Marina Bay Sands, which dominates the downtown city skyline, and Resorts World Sentosa, on the city's family-fun island getaway -- opened, changing the dynamic of the city.

Singapore's tireless drive for growth is contrasted by Malaysia's laid-back atmosphere, where in some places it can seem as if time stands still. In fact, many Singaporeans look to their northern neighbor for the perfect vacation, exploring its rich national forests and marine parks, unwinding on picture-perfect beaches at sophisticated resorts, taking in the down-to-earth culture of its small towns, shopping for inexpensive handicrafts, and eating some of the most delicious food in Southeast Asia. But despite its exotic and world-class holiday offerings, Malaysia lacks the hoards of tourists that beat feet for Singapore and Thailand. Because Malaysia remains comparatively quiet, it's easy to enjoy a holiday without the tacky trappings of the tourist trade.

My favorite part of Malaysia, however, is the warmth of its people. I have yet to travel in this country without collecting remarkable tales of hospitality, openness, and generosity. I've found the Malaysian people to be genuine in their approach to foreign visitors, another fine byproduct of the underdeveloped tourism industry. For those who want to find a nice little corner of paradise, Malaysia could be your answer.

I've crept down alleys, wandered the streets of cities and towns, combed beaches, and trekked jungles to seek out the most exciting things that Singapore and Malaysia have to offer. In this guide, I've presented the sights and attractions of these countries with insight into historical, cultural, and modern significance to bring you a complete appreciation of all you are about to experience.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

In Depth

A little red dot in the center of Southeast Asia, Singapore is a cosmopolitan city built on the backs of immigrants from across Asia and the four corners of the world. The nation's cultural mix continues to expand, thanks to continuing migrations of foreign talent -- almost one in three people in Singapore today has come from elsewhere to live and/or work here. This cultural diversity is refreshing, but not nearly as refreshing as the sense of openness and harmony that exists among races and religions.

Singapore Inc. runs like clockwork. Over 40 decades of political stability have seen the seeds of development take hold and grow at an impressive rate. The government is a well-oiled machine that operates like the executive board of a massive company, carefully plotting deliberate steps for economic growth and building a safe and orderly country. Even its detractors concede: Singapore works.

I'll confess, many travelers complain to me about how Westernized Singapore is. For some, a vacation in Asia should be filled with culture shock and bizarre sights. Today's travel philosophy seems to be that the more underdeveloped and obscure a country is, the more "authentic" the travel experience will be. But with all its shopping malls, imported fashion, and steel skyscrapers, Singapore looks like any other contemporary city in any other part of the world. But to peel through the layers is to understand that life here is more complex. While the outer layers are startlingly Western, just underneath lies a curious area where East blends with West in language, cuisine, attitude, and style. At the core, you'll find a sensibility rooted in the cultural heritage of values, religion, superstition, and memory.

For me, this is where the fascination begins. Like the rows of historic shophouses that line the city's oldest streets, if you look closely, you'll see a jumble of influences, from colonial architectural mandates to Chinese superstitions and Malay finery. Even the local language is a blend: "Singlish," the unofficial local tongue, combines English language with Chinese grammar, common Malay phrases, and Hokkien slang to form a Patois unique to this part of the world. It's a cultural convergence that's been ongoing for almost 200 years. So, in a sense, Singapore is no different today than it was a century ago. And in this I find my "authentic" experience.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Side Trips

Sentosa Island

In the 1880s, Sentosa was a hub of British military activity, with hilltop forts built to protect the harbor from sea invasion from all sides. Today it has become a weekend getaway spot and Singapore's answer to Disneyland. It's also home to one of Singapore's two massive "integrated resorts," Resorts World Sentosa.

If you're spending the day, there are restaurants in abundance and a couple of affordable food courts. For a unique dining option, consider Sky Dining, aboard the Jewel Cable Car, where you can spend a couple hours eating a three- or four-course Western meal (set menus S$168 or S$248 for two; children's set menu S$24). It's especially popular on Valentine's Day or for birthdays and wedding proposals. Meals are pretty tasty, provided by the Jewel Box restaurant. For more information, call tel. 65/6377-9688, or visit www.mountfaber.com.sg.

For overnights, the Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa, the Sentosa Resort & Spa, and the Hard Rock Hotel Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa are popular options. For all general Sentosa inquiries, call tel. 1800/736-8672 or see www.sentosa.com.sg.

Getting There -- Island admission is S$2 each for adults and children, payable at the causeway upon entry or factored into the cost of transport to the island.

The most entertaining way to get there is to take the cable car. From the Cable Car Towers (tel. 65/6270-8855), they make the trip daily from 8:30am to 10pm at a cost of S$26 round-trip adults and S$15 children. The one-way ticket is only S$1 less for children and S$2 less for adults. The view is okay (but too far from the city to see the skyline) and the ride is especially fun for kids. The cable cars also extend up Mt. Faber on the Singapore side. If you choose to take a cable car up to the top, you can take it back down again. Otherwise, if you choose to alight at this stop, you can take a taxi back to civilization.

The Sentosa Express light-rail train operates between VivoCity shopping mall at the HarbourFront MRT station and Sentosa, with stops at the beach, major attractions, and Resorts World Sentosa. Pick up the train to Sentosa at VivoCity, third level, where you can purchase tickets for S$3, which includes all-day rides plus Sentosa admission. The train operates daily from 7am until midnight.

The orange Sentosa bus operates from the HarbourFront Interchange (near HarbourFront MRT) daily from 7am to 10pm, with extended hours until midnight on Friday, Saturday, and the eve of public holidays; it costs S$2 per person, payable at the Harbourfront ticketing counter. Stops include Resorts World Sentosa and Beach Station.

The Sentosa Rider bus plies routes along Orchard Road, Marina Bay, and through Chinatown daily from 9am to 10:30pm. The cost is S$8 per person, and if you go this route, you can also choose a number of packages for Sentosa attractions -- tickets and packages are available from hotel tour desks. The SIA Hop-On-Hop-Off bus also stops on Sentosa.

A city taxi also can take you there; just pay the entrance fee after you cross the causeway, and the driver can drop you anywhere you'd like to go within the island. Alternately, you can walk across the boardwalk on foot from the causeway entrance at VivoCity shopping mall.

Getting Around -- Once on Sentosa, a free bus system with three color-coded routes snakes around the island from 7am to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday and 12:30pm on Friday and Saturday. There's a free map that's available everywhere, which is necessary to navigate all that's here.

Seeing the Sights -- The most notable attractions that you get free with your Sentosa admission are the Animal and Bird Encounters, a range of displays featuring reptiles, macaques, parrots, and birds of prey that runs from noon to 5:30pm at the amphitheater at Palawan Beach; the Nature Trail that starts from the bottom of the Merlion statue and the Dragon Trail Nature Walk, a 1.5km (1-mile) stroll through secondary rainforest to see dragon sculptures and local flora and fauna; and the beaches.

Sentosa has three beaches, but be advised, the water here is murky with some floating litter due to heavy shipping traffic in surrounding waters. At Siloso Beach, deck chairs, beach umbrellas, and a variety of watersports equipment like pedal boats, aqua bikes, fun bugs, canoes, surfboards, and banana boats are available for hire at nominal charges. This is where the beautiful young things hang out and play beach volleyball, and where nighttime beach parties are often held. Bicycles are also available for hire. Shower and changing facilities, food kiosks, and snack bars are at rest stations. Palawan Beach is recommended for families, as it has a longer stretch of beach, a fountain playground, a cheap local food hawker center, and showering/locker facilities just behind. Tanjong Beach is the quietest and most remote of the three, with few facilities.

Most attractions on Sentosa charge separate entrance fees. They include the Songs of the Sea laser fountain show (S$10 per person for 3 and over; daily 7:40 and 8:40pm); Skyline Luge Sentosa (S$12 per ride; daily 10am-7:30pm, extended to 9:30pm on weekends); MegaZip Adventure Park, a ride on a 450m (1,476-ft.) zip cable (S$29 per ride, S$24 for the aerial obstacle course, and S$12 for the ParaJump ride, or S$59 for all three; Mon-Fri 2-7pm, Sat-Sun 11am-7pm); Wave House Sentosa, with artificial waves for body-boarding and surfing (S$30-S$40 per hour weekdays and S$35-S$45 weekends; Sun-Thurs 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-2am); Sentosa 4D Magix motion cinema (adults S$18, children S$11; daily 10am-9pm); and the TigerSky Tower (adults S$12, children S$8; daily 9am-9pm).

The Surrounding Islands

Sixty smaller islands surround Singapore, some of which are open for full- or half-day trips. The ferry rides are cool and breezy, and they provide interesting up-close views of some of the larger ships docked in the harbor. The islands themselves are small and, for the most part, don't have a lot going on. The locals basically see them as little escapes from the everyday grind -- peaceful respites for the family.

Kusu & St. John's Islands -- Kusu Island and St. John's Island are both located to the south of Singapore proper, about a 15- to 20-minute ferry ride to Kusu, 25 to 30 minutes to St. John's.

Its name meaning "Tortoise Island" in Chinese, many popular legends exist about how Kusu Island came to be. The most popular ones involve shipwrecked people, either fishermen or monks, who were rescued when a tortoise turned himself into an island. Kusu Island was originally two small islands and a reef, but in 1975, reclaimed land turned it into a (very) small getaway island. There are two places of worship: a Chinese temple and a Malay shrine. The Chinese temple becomes a zoo during "Kusu Season" in October, when thousands of Chinese devotees flock here to pray for health, prosperity, and luck. There are two swimming lagoons (the one to the north has a pretty view of Singapore Island), picnic tables, toilets, and public telephones.

Historically speaking, St. John's Island is an unlikely place for a day trip. As far back as 1874, this place was a quarantine for Chinese immigrants sick with cholera; in the 1950s, it became a deportation holding center for Chinese Mafia thugs; and later it was a rehab center for opium addicts. Today you'll find a mosque, holiday camps, three lagoons, bungalows, a cafeteria, a huge playing field, and basketball. It's much larger than Kusu Island, but not large enough to fill a whole day of sightseeing. Toilets and public phones are available.

Ferries leave at regular intervals from the Marina South Pier (tel. 65/1800-736-8672); take the MRT to Marina Bay, then bus no. 402 to the pier. The boat makes a circular route, landing on both islands. Adult tickets cost S$15, and tickets for children under 12 are S$12. Tip: Pack a lunch and bring drinks, sunblock, and mosquito repellent.

Pulau Ubin -- My favorite island getaway has to be Ubin. Located off the northeast tip of Singapore, Pulau Ubin remains the only place in Singapore where you can find life as it used to be before urban development. Lazy kampong villages pop up alongside trails perfect for a little more rugged bicycling. It's truly a great day trip for those who like to explore nature and rural scenery. Rumors have it that during the occupation, the Japanese brought soldiers here to be tortured, and so some believe the place is haunted.

At the eastern tip of the island is the Chek Jawa marine reserve with a visitor center and a kilometer-long (1/2-mile) boardwalk that loops over the seashore and the mangrove. Halfway around there's a 20m-high (66-ft.) viewing tower that overlooks the tree canopy, so look out for bulbul birds, owls, and bats. Come at low tide to get the best view of the crabs, starfish, anemones, and sponges that cling to survival on the beach. Chek Jawa is about 40 minutes walk from the jetty, so rent a bicycle or a van to get there.

To get to Ubin, take bus no. 2 to Changi Village (or just take a cab -- the bus ride is long). Walk past the food court down to the water and find the ferry. There's no ticket booth, so you should just approach the captain and buy your ticket from him -- it'll cost you about S$2. The boats leave regularly, but only when they've got enough passengers to justify a trip, with the last one returning from the island as late as 11pm (make sure you double-check with the ferryman so you don't get stranded!). If you want to avoid a long wait for a boat, peak hours are from 7am to 7pm.

Once you're there, bicycle-rental places along the jetty can provide you with bikes and island maps at reasonable prices. The new 45-hectare (111-acre) Ketam Mountain Bike Park has trails with three levels of difficulty -- one that meets international competition standards. A few coffee shops cook up rudimentary meals, and you'll also find public toilets and coin phones in the more populated areas.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Organized Tours

Although touring Singapore is simple enough for DIY travelers, visitors with little time or those who want to delve deeper into local sights can take advantage of convenient organized activities.

Coach Tours

Tour East (tel. 65/6738-2622) organizes typical half-day coach tours of the city every day (adults S$30/US$20/£14, children S$15/US$10/£6.75), and full-day coach excursions on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday to some of the main attractions around the island (adults S$73/US$49/£33, children S$36/US$24/£16), some with meals included. The Peranakan Trail (Tues-Sun) takes visitors out to Katong, a suburban neighborhood that is the focal point of Peranakan heritage (adults S$45/US$30/£20, children S$22/US$15/£9.90).

For something different, go for the DUCKTour (tel. 65/6338-6877; www.ducktours.com.sg), a combined coach and boat tour in an amphibious vehicle, a decommissioned military craft, that circles you around the Historic District for a tour of the harbor. The hour-long tour starts every hour, departing from the Suntec City Mall Galleria, with additional transfers from the DUCKTours office on Orchard Road (at the corner of Cairnhill Rd.). Reservations are highly recommended, and tours cost S$33 (US$22/£15) adults, S$17 (US$11/£7.65) children ages 3 to 12, and S$2 (US$1.35/90p) kids 2 and under. DUCKTours also operates the HiPPO Tour aboard an open-top double-decker bus, cruising Orchard Road, Little India, Kampong Glam, Chinatown, and the Historic District. Pick it up at the DUCKTours office on Orchard Road or at Suntec City, then get on and off at sights that interest you along the way. The day ticket costs S$33 (US$22/£15) adults, S$13 (US$8.70/£5.85) children 3 to 12, and S$2 (US$1.35/90p) for kids 2 and under. Call DUCKTours for information.

Walking Tours

Singapore Walks (tel. 65/6325-1631; www.singaporewalks.com) is a reputable outfit that organizes guided walking tours of the Historic District, Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, and other neighborhoods Monday through Saturday, except for public holidays. Call them to find out the meeting time and place for the tour you want; for most walks, adults pay S$28, children tour for S$15.

River Tours & Cruises

Singapore River Cruises (tel. 65/6339-6833; www.rivercruise.com.sg) operates boats up and down the Singapore River and into the harbor from 9am to 11pm daily. A bumboat ride with recorded info about the riverside sights costs adults S$18 (US$12/£8.10) and children S$8 (US$5.35/£3.60). You can also use the river cruise boats as a taxi, as it has pick-up points from the Merlion (Fullerton), Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Robertson Quay.

The Imperial Cheng Ho, operated by Watertours (tel. 65/6533-9811; www.watertours.com.sg), is a huge boat modeled after the sort of Chinese junk that Admiral Cheng Ho might have sailed when he explored this region in the 15th century. A 2 1/2-hour cruise takes you from Marina South Pier past the Singapore skyline, the mouth of the Singapore River, then out past Sentosa, with a stop on Kusu Island. I recommend the Morning Glory Cruise at 10:30am (adults S$27/US$18/£12, children S$14/US$9.40/£6.30). There's also a High Tea Cruise at 3pm (adults S$32/US$21/£14, children S$16/US$11/£7.20) and a dinner cruise at 6:30pm (adults S$55/US$37/£25, children S$29/US$19/£13). Watertours can arrange hotel transfer with your booking.

Trishaw Tour

These cycle rickshaws were once a staple form of public transportation. Now they're permitted on busy streets only with special permits, and only for guided tours. Singapore Explorer (tel. 65/6339-6833; www.singaporeexplorer.com.sg) coordinates regular outings through Chinatown from 10am to 7pm daily. You can either call ahead to book a ride or just show up at the corner of Sago and Terrenganu streets; you'll see the collection of trishaws under cover. The half-hour trip takes you through Chinatown's quaint streets for a charge of S$39 (US$26/£18), children S$20 (US$13/£9) per person. Singapore Explorer can arrange pickup from anywhere if you book in advance.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Active Pursuits

Beaches

Besides the beach at East Coast Park and those on Sentosa Island, you can try the smaller beach at Changi Village, called Changi Point. From the shore, you have a panoramic view of Malaysia, Indonesia, and several smaller islands that belong to Singapore. The beach is calm and frequented mostly by locals who set up camps and barbecues to hang out all day. There are kayak rentals along the beach, and in Changi Village you'll find, in addition to a huge hawker center, quite a few international restaurants and pubs to hang out in and have a fresh seafood lunch when you get hungry. To get there, take SBS bus no. 2 from either the Tanah Merah or Bedok MRT stations.

On Kusu and St. John's Islands, there are quiet swimming lagoons, a couple of which have quite nice views of the city.

Bicycle Rental

Bicycles are not for rent within the city limits, and traffic does not really allow for cycling on city streets, so sightseeing by bicycle is not recommended for city touring. If you plan a trip out to Sentosa, cycling provides a great alternative to that island's tram system and gets you closer to the parks and nature there. For a little light cycling, most people head out to East Coast Park, where rentals are inexpensive, the scenery is nice on cooler days, and there are plenty of great stops for eating along the way. One favorite place where the locals go for mountain-biking sorts of adventures (and to cycle amid the old kampong villages) is Pulau Ubin, off the northeast coast of Singapore.

At East Coast Park -- There are several rental shops for bicycles and inline skates along the East Coast Park; couples and families often hire tandems, too. Try SDK Recreation (tel. 65/6445-2969), near McDonald's at Carpark C; open 7 days from about 11am to 8 or 9pm. Rentals are S$4 to S$8 per hour, depending on the type and quality bike you're looking for. Identification may be requested, or leave a S$50 deposit.

On Sentosa Island -- There are several rental places near Siloso Beach off Siloso Road, a short walk from Underwater World. There's a kiosk at Sakae Sushi (tel. 65/6271-6385) and another at Costa Sands (tel. 65/6275-2471). Both are open 7 days from around 10am to 6:30 or 7pm. Rental for a standard bicycle is S$5 per hour. A mountain bike goes for S$8 per hour. Identification is required.

In Pulau Ubin -- When you get off the ferry, there are a number of places to rent bikes. The shops are generally open between 8am and 6pm and will charge between S$8 and S$14 per day, depending on which bike you choose. Most rental agents will have a map of the island for you -- take it. Even though it doesn't look too impressive, it'll be a great help.

Golf

Golf is big in Singapore, and although there are quite a few clubs, many are exclusively for members only. However, many places are open for limited play by nonmembers. All will require you bring an international par certificate. Most hotel concierges will be glad to make arrangements for you, and this may be the best way to go. Also, it's really popular for Singaporeans to go on day trips to Malaysia for the best courses.

Scuba Diving

The locals are crazy about scuba diving but are more likely to travel to Malaysia and other Southeast Asian destinations for good underwater adventures. The most common complaint is that the water surrounding Singapore is really silty -- sometimes to the point where you can barely see your hand before your face.

Sea Canoeing

Rubber sea canoes and one- or two-person kayaks can be rented at Siloso Beach on Sentosa, the beach at East Coast Park (near McDonald's Carpark C), and the beach at Changi Point. Prices range from S$14 to S$35 per hour, depending on the type of craft you rent. Life jackets are provided. These places don't have phones, so just go to the beach and scout out the rental places on the sand.

Tennis

Quite a few hotels in the city provide tennis courts for guests, many floodlit for night play (which allows you to avoid the daytime heat), and even a few that can arrange lessons. If your hotel doesn't have tennis facilities, ask your concierge for help to arrange a game at a facility outside the hotel. Many hotels have signing agreements with sister hotel properties or special rates with independent fitness centers within the city.

Water-Skiing & Wakeboarding

The new hot spot for waterskiing and wakeboarding is Ski 360°, at East Coast Park (tel. 65/6442-7318; www.ski360degree.com). Instead of a boat, skiers are pulled by an overhead cable like a snow ski lift around the perimeter of the lake. Ski passes range from S$32 per hour on weekdays to S$42 on weekends and public holidays. Boat-based skiing is run by various clubs on Seletar Island -- contact the Singapore Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (tel. 65/6348-9943; www.swwf.org.sg) for information on courses and contacts.

Windsurfing & Sailing

You'll find both windsurfing boards and sailboats for rent at the lagoon in East Coast Park, which is where these activities primarily take place. Many require membership, but the Mana Mana Beach Club rents out to visitors at 1212 East Coast Pkwy. (tel. 65/6339-8878). For S$55 an hour, you can rent a Laser, or for S$55 an hour, you can rent windsurf gear.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Suggested Itineraries

If you've made it all the way to Southeast Asia, you'll likely be on a limited schedule -- especially if you've arrived via a long-haul flight from Europe or North America. The good news is that Singapore is easy. It's such a small place that virtually every sight is relatively close. Still, with so many to choose from, it can be tough to whittle down the must-sees. In this guide, I've done that job for you, identifying the best and more important sights and working them into even the shortest stay.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Maps

Customize your trip planning experience by plotting selected points of interest using our interactive map of Singapore.
Plan your trip around all of Singapore, or focus in on specific Singapore neighborhood maps if you prefer.

Interactive Map

Guidebook Maps

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  The Best of Singapore Day 1
  


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  The Best of Singapore Day 2
  


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  The Best of Singapore: Day 3
  


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  Singapore & Malaysia in 1 Week
  


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  Singapore
  


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  Urban Singapore Neighborhoods
  


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  Urban Singapore Accommodations
  


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  Historic District Accommodations
  


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  Chinatown Accommodations
  


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  Orchard Road Area Accommodations
  


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  Urban Singapore Dining
  


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  Historic District Dining
  


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  Chinatown Dining
  


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  Orchard Road Area Dining
  


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  Urban Singapore Attractions
  


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  Historic District Attractions
  


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  Chinatown Attractions
  


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  Attractions Outside the Urban Area
  


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  Sentosa Island Attractions
  


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  Urban Singapore Shopping
  


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  Orchard Road Area Shopping
  


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  Urban Singapore Nightlife
  

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.