Singapore

The Garden City: Marina Bay Sands, Universal Studios and hawker center food, a safe and clean choice in Southeast Asia for families and stopovers.

Singapore is a city-state at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, made up of a main island and more than 60 smaller islands. It covers about 735 sq km and has a population of about 6 million, of whom roughly 70% are ethnic Chinese; English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil are all official languages. It is the safest, cleanest destination in Southeast Asia and the best suited to families and first-time travelers abroad. The main sightseeing areas are compact: Marina Bay (Marina Bay Sands and its infinity pool, the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, Merlion Park, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, and the evening light shows); the Orchard Road shopping belt and the Colonial District (the National Museum, Raffles Place and Fort Canning); the three ethnic quarters, Chinatown (the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Maxwell Food Centre), Little India (Tekka Centre and Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple) and Kampong Glam (Sultan Mosque and Haji Lane); Sentosa Island in the south (Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium, beaches and Resorts World); and the Mandai Wildlife Reserve in the north (Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders and Bird Paradise). The climate is hot and rainy all year (26–33°C) without distinct seasons: February–April is relatively dry, and November to January sees the most rain from the northeast monsoon, with quick-passing afternoon thunderstorms. Lively periods include the F1 night race in mid-to-late September, the Great Singapore Sale in June–July, Lunar New Year and the Chingay Parade. Getting there: from Changi Airport (an attraction in itself, where Jewel Changi's indoor waterfall is worth a stop) it takes about 30–40 minutes by MRT or about 25 minutes by taxi into the city. Six MRT lines plus buses cover all the attractions, and you can tap in directly with a Mastercard, Visa or Alipay; Grab is convenient. Chinese citizens have enjoyed 30 days of visa-free entry since February 2024. Recommended stay: 3–4 days, with 1 day for Marina Bay and the Colonial District, 1 day for Sentosa, and 1 day for the zoo and the ethnic quarters. Tips: chewing gum is banned from import, fines for smoking in public places are strict, and eating and drinking are prohibited on the MRT; indoor air-conditioning is very cold, so bring a jacket; remember to bargain at hawker centers; prices are the highest in Southeast Asia, but a meal at a hawker center can cost just S$5–8.

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Itineraries