What to see in Singapore - where to go
A city-state where everything is "the most" - the most grandiose shopping, the toughest laws, the highest "ferris wheel", the largest skyscrapers, the most amazing amusement parks.
Singapore is an amazing combination of the urban West and the traditional East. Streets of skyscrapers immersed in greenery. A city in which several religious directions coexist peacefully - Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism.
Attractions
Singapore Botanic Garden. Founded in 1822 by order of Sir Stamford Raffles. Situated on a vast territory. Corners of ancient tropical forests are still preserved here. In combination with plantings of modern plants, such a contrast makes an incredible impression. Here you can walk for hours without ceasing to admire the beauties of nature - Swan Lake with turtles living in it and swimming swans, well-groomed flower beds with outlandish flowers, and centuries-old trees that have brought a piece of the past to the present. By the way, the swans were specially brought from Amsterdam.
Orchid garden. Immediately at the entrance, visitors are greeted by a fountain with birds. And then a riot of colors and air filled with a unique fragrance. More than 60 thousand of these extraordinary flowers are grown here. The garden itself is divided into zones by species, and each zone is divided into four seasonal parts. In each of them you can admire orchids, typical only for this season. There is also a pavilion in which local craftsmen make the most unusual decorations - the flower is covered with the thinnest layer of gold.
Marina Bay Sands Hotel. This 55-storey building contained not only more than 2 thousand rooms, but also casinos, theaters, restaurants, and a museum. And on the roof there is an indoor pool and an observation deck, which offers a breathtaking view of the city. The hotel is part of an "integrated" resort. This term is specific to Singapore, where gambling is prohibited, and means a resort with a casino. By the way, a tax for visiting the casino has been introduced for local residents. Every night, a laser show is shown from the observation deck, which everyone can watch and is completely free.
These quarters are the historical past of Singapore, carefully guarded. At one time, they were created to make it easier for immigrants to adapt to a foreign environment. Each of them bears a national imprint, each has its own church, its own culture.
One of the famous neighborhoods is Chinatown. Chinatown is a maze of streets lined with wooden buildings. The central part is completely given over to tourists. Lots of shops, shops and cafes. Here life boils around the clock. In Chinatown, the mix of cultures is more noticeable. An Indian temple is adjacent to a Muslim mosque and a Taoist temple. In retail shops you can buy everything - from national Chinese clothes to the outlandish durian fruit. And the "street of food" is a real paradise for a gourmet.
Little India is the center of Indian culture in Singapore. At its core, the whole quarter is one big market. Indian spices and incense, sweets and national jewelry, clothes and utensils. And in the cafe you can taste national food served on banana leaves.
Malay Quarter and Arab Street. Center for Muslim Culture. Once there was a fishing village, it was here that ships with Muslim settlers moored. Shops selling textiles attract fashionistas and fashion designers. Here you can find all the most unusual from the Middle East. Silk and brocade, lace, golden threads, feathers and stones - all that is needed to bring the most daring design fantasies to life. Many restaurants with traditional Arabic dishes.
Museums
Museum of Asian Civilizations - 11 galleries contain 13,000 exhibits that tell about the culture and traditions of Asian countries.
Art House is a national monument, a former administrative building.
National Museum - all expositions are devoted to the development of the country. Here you can trace the history of Singapore from the beginning to the present day.
And finally. Please check local laws before you travel. Otherwise, the rest will be pretty spoiled. In Singapore, fines are literally for everything - importing chewing gum into the country, foul language, smoking, eating in public places and much more.