Singapore
Education
Singapore expresses the
essence of today's New Asia: a vibrant, multi-cultural, cosmopolitan,
sophisticated city-state where tradition and modernity, East and West,
meet and mingle most agreeably and harmoniously.
City of Diverse Cultures, The Garden City, The Fun
City and City for the Arts - these are some of the names given to
Singapore to show visitors what this exciting destination can offer to
visitors wanting to indulge their senses on holiday.
Whether it be
tucking into a traditional breakfast of freshly brewed coffee and kava
(egg and coconut jam) and toast, hiking at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
- home to more species of plants than the entire North American
continent, pampering yourself at a spa or partying all night long at the
trendiest nightspots along Mohamed Sultan road, visitors can find many
ways to 'live it up' in Singapore throughout the year.
Visitors to Singapore are always amazed by what they
see. The city's various luxury hotels and modem shopping malls dotting
this tropical island are well-connected by the efficient Mass Rapid
Transit (MRT) network. Singapore 's bustling port, world-renowned Changi
Airport, and thriving business, are all testimonies to Singapore 's
standing as one of the leading financial, economic and trading centres
in the region.
The various ethnic districts - Geylang Serai, Arab
Street, Chinatown and Little India, affirm the city-state's rich ethnic,
cultural and historical heritage. The religious monuments, quaint
shophouses, wonderful array of traditional food and ethnic goods ranging
from Indonesian batiks, Turkish scents to Chinese clogs, jasmine
garlands and silk saris provide an interesting insight into the cultural
fabric of Singapore .
From fascinating treasures and antiques to the latest
season's fashion trends, few countries in the world can match the range
and variety of goods sold in Singapore . Retail outlets are everywhere.
Shoppers ca find an amazing array of state-of-the-art or high fashion
products and traditional, ethnic goods in it seemingly endless variety
of stores and malls.
Great shopping is not just confined to the city - a
variety of goods can also be found in the shopping malls in the suburban
districts such as Bishan and Tampines. Good bargains can be found during
the Great Singapore Sale - an annual even which offers shoppers on
the island to enjoy fantastic discounts.
Check out Singapore 's nightlife! Discos, jazz clubs,
piano lounges, pubs and wine bars are amongst a whole host of nightlife
options that await visitors when dusk falls. Make a trip down to Orchard
Road, Tanjong Pagar, Holland Village and Bugis Street and Mohamed
Sultan Road and take your pick of the variety of night entertainment
options available there.
In the evenings, the Singapore River also comes alive
with a kaleidoscope of activities at Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. Wander
around the restored shophouses at Clarke Quay where you can find
restaurants, pubs and bargains of all sorts. At the same time, enjoy the
street entertainment provided by baskers and live bands.
The arts are part of the Singapore an lifestyle. With
its cosmopolitan character and international network, Singapore has
become a global city for the arts - in fine arts and antique dealing,
auctioneering, exhibitions as well as the staging of world: lass
musicals, theatre productions, mega concerts, and music and dance
performances. In June every year, the Singapore Arts Festival offers an
eclectic mix of dance, music and performances from 111 over the world.
Despite or because of its rapid modernisation,
Singapore places great emphasis on the preservation of nature. Thus,
nestled amongst the ;leek modernity and commercial bustle of the emerald
island state are pockets of lush greenery.
The Botanic Gardens, near the heart )f the city,
combine both primary ungle and landscaped gardens which together hold
thousands of species of plant life. The Chinese and Japanese Jardens,
Mount Faber, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Sungei Guloh Nature Park are
some of the other parks and reserves that reflect the Garden City's
natural beauty.
The other popular nature attractions in Singapore
include the Jurong Bird Park and the Singapore Zoological Gardens.
Hailed as one of the world's best zoos, the Singapore Zoological Gardens
employs an "open" concept, using streams, rock walls and
vegetation as natural barriers. Be prepared to enjoy breathtaking view
of some 2,00 animals from over 240 species can be found at the Zoo.
After the sun goes down, visit the Night Safari - the world's first and
only night zoo - to observe the natural behaviour of nocturnal animals.
The one-homed rhinoceros and striped hyenas are just some of the 1,200
animals to look out for at this award wining attraction. Described as
Southeast Asia's largest, the Jurong Brid Park has a collection of over
8,000 birds. Its Southeast Asian Hombills and South American Toucans are
the largest in the world. Captivating shows such as the All Stars
Birdshow and the Fuji World of Hawks Show are certainly not to be
missed. Be trearedto a kaleidoscope of colours when you visit the
hummingbirds at the Jungle Jewels exhibit here.
For a short and delightful island getaway, explore
Sentosa - Singapore 's resort isle. Enjoy the panoramic view of the
Singapore mainland from the cable care as you travel to the island,
which offers a wide range of attractions and activities, drawing a large
number of Singapore ans and visitors each year. Explore other
neighbouring islands such as Pulau Ubin and Kusu.
Singapore is ideally located as the gateway to
regional countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei
and Singapore . All are easily reached via ferry, train, plane or even
coach, with ravel times being no longer than three hours. Economic
progress has given Singapore a 21st century facade and outlook. Yet the
country's essence is very much steeped in age-old Asian mores, cultures
and traditions. Discover the magic of New Asia - Singapore - a place
that is so easy to enjoy.
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