...Places of Interest in Singapore...
...Singapore River...The Singapore River was the lifeline of Singapore where our first immigrants eked out a meagre living and saw Singapore transform from an obscure little fishing village to a great seaport. And into a modern metropolis famous for its skyscrapers, the Merlion. Highlights on the banks of the Singapore River include Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, landmarks and memorials such as Merlion Park and Parliament House, museums such as the Asian Civilisation Museum as well as temples and mosques such as the Tan Si Chong Su Temple and Omar Kampong Melaka Mosque.
...Asian Civilisation Museum...
The exhibits in the first wing of the Asian Civilisations Museum are housed in a restored neo-classical building dating back to 1910. The focus of the first wing of the museum is on Chinese civilisation and culture. On display is also the museum's highly acclaimed permanent exhibition, the Peranakan Legacy, which showcases the rich material heritage of the Peranakans from the Straits Settlements and the Indonesian Archipelago. Among the highlights will be a display of the museum's renowned batik, embroidery and beadwork collections and a chance to view exquisite silver and porcelain pieces. Spread over three levels, a series of thematic galleries will give an insight into the cultural heritage of India, China, Southeast Asia and the Islamic World. State-of-the-art display and interactive technologies with educational elements will be carefully integrated into the galleries, along with a centre specially dedicated to younger visitors. A special exhibition gallery will also be provided, to house blockbuster exhibitions. These exhibits will be enhanced by exciting fringe events that will bring ancient traditions, practices and art forms to life.___________________________________________________________________
...Rich Culture & Heritage of Singapore...
...Kampong Glam...Kampong Glam is a neighbourhood in Singapore, a city-state in Southeast Asia. It is located north of theSingapore River, in the urban planning of Kallang & Rochor.Today, Kampong Glam still retains strong ties to the ethnic-Malay and Muslim community, and has sometimes been termed the "Muslim Quarter" due to its history. The Muslim population still remains a significant presence in Kampong Glam, especially in Bussorah Street. The area remains a centre for Muslim activities and the Sultan Mosque remains a major landmark and congregation point for Singapore Muslims.Like Little India & Chinatown, Kampong Glam has been resorted restored, refurbished and new life breathed into it, bringing back the former colour and vibrancy of the area. Rows of conserved shophouses can be found in Arab Street, Baghdad Street and Bussorah Street. Many of these shophouses have new tenants such as design and IT firms, art galleries, crafts and curios shops, food caterers and restaurants. They blend in with traditional businesses like textile and carpet shops, blacksmiths and shops selling religious items used by Muslims.
...Chinatown...
Chinatown is an ethnic neighbourhood featuring distinctly chinese cultural elements and a historically concentrated ethnic Chinese population. Chinatown is located within the larger district of Outram.
As the largest ethnic group in Singapore is Chinese, composing approximately 75% of the population, Chinatown is considerably less of an enclave than it once was. However, the district does retain significant historical and cultural significance. Large sections of it have been declared national heritage site officially designated for conservation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
...Little India...Little India is an ethnic neighbourhood found in Singapore that has Indian cultural elements. Little India lies to east of the Singapore River .
Little India is distinct from the Chulia Kampong area. However, as Chulia Kampong became more crowded and competition for land escalated, many ethnic Indians moved into what is now known as Little India. (The Chulia Kampong district no longer exists as a distinct area.)
The Little India area is reported to have developed around a former settlement for Indian convicts. Its location along the Serangoon River originally made it attractive for cattle raising, and trade in livestock was once prominent in the area. Eventually, other economic activity developed, and by the turn of the 20th century, the area began to look like an Indian ethnic neighbourhood.
This neighbourhood has the patronage of people of all races who wish to eat or buy something specific to Indian culture, such as curry or Indian clothing. One of the more prominent examples of cross-cultural patronage besides those regarding food is that many Chinese parents go to shops in Little India to grind rice to make congee for infants. In such cases, the shops have machinery primarily meant to grind spices into powder for use in Indian cuisine.
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...Unique Features of Singapore...
...Sentosa...Sentosa, which means peace and tranquillity in Malay, is a popular island resort in Singapore, visited by some five million people a year. Attractions include a two-kilometre long sheltered beach, Fort Siloso, two golf courses and two five-star hotels. Siloso Beach lies on the west portion of the southern coast and it is known as the place for beach volleyball and other outdoor activities such as canoeing, skim boarding, mountain biking or rollerblading. There are also dining and shopping outlets along the beach. The Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Resort is located at the western end of Siloso Beach.
...Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon...
Underwater World is an oceanarium located on the western part of Sentosa. Opened in 1991, the living museum has more than 2,500 marine animals of 250 species from different regions of the world. The oceanarium is underground and has an 83 metre long travelator that moves visitors along a submerged glass-windowed tunnel from which they can look at an array of marine life including coral reef, stringrays, moray eels, turtles, sharks, and other fishes. The Underwater World also includes a Dolphin Lagoon which is home to some Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, also known as the pink dolphins. Several "Meet-the-Dolphins" sessions are held daily to allow visitors to enter the waist-deep pool and interact with the dolphins at close proximity.
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...Pride of Singapore...
...Singapore Flyer...
The Singapore Flyer is a giant observing wheel in Singapore. The observation wheel started rotating on February 11, 2008 and officially opened to the public on March 1, 2008. On february 10, 2008, david Beevers, general manager, announced that "It's all systems go" for the "inaugural flight," before dusk Monday evening, at 1230 GMT. Reaching 42 stories high, it comprises a 150-metre (in diameter) high wheel built over a three-story terminal building, giving it a total height of 165 metres. This exceeds The Star of Nanchang by 5 metres and the London Eye by 30 metres. It will feature 28 air-conditioned capsules capable of holding 28 passengers each. A complete rotation of the wheel will take an estimated 30 minutes.
Located on the southeast tip of the Maria Centre reclaimed land , it offers excellent views of the city centre and beyond to about 45 kilometres, including the Indonesian islands of Batam and Bintan, as well as Johor, Malaysia.
...Singapore River...
...Kampong Glam...
...Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon...