If you're going to South East Asia, don't miss out on Singapore

Nowhere else in the world is quite like Singapore. Located at the southernmost tip of the Malay Peninsula, the tiny (slightly smaller than New York City) island is a towering city-state of superlatives.

But let’s dispel the first myth; it’s a city of not just one island. You may not know, but Singapore’s land area includes 64 offshore islands that surround the main island. These include Sentosa—a popular island resort with myriad attractions—and havens for nature lovers like Pulau Ubin, St John’s Island and Sisters’ Islands. The British arrived in Singapore in January 1819 when Sir Stamford Raffles landed on the island and established it as a trading post for the British East India Company. He gave his name, of course, to the infamous "Raffles Hotel" which still stands as a 5-star luxury hotel, to this day. It didn't take long for Singapore’s reputation as a trading post to spread, particularly from 1869, when the Suez Canal opened - increasing the number of visiting ships. The result was a roaring trade in rubber and tin. Britain’s positive influence on Singapore’s growing prosperity was marked with the unveiling of the Raffles Statue and celebrations for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in June 1887, but all this changed during the Second World War. The Japanese bombed Singapore in 1941 and defeated the British. Churchill called the fall of Singapore to the Japanese the “worst disaster” and “largest capitulation” in British military history.

However, with the Japanese surrender in 1945, Singapore, once again, came under British control. This was not to last. The British gradually increased levels of self-government on the island, and on April 1, 1946, Singapore became a separate Crown Colony with a civil administration headed by a Governor. Nationalist sentiment was growing, symbolised by the widely-used slogan "Merdeka" – the Malay word for independence. The country’s first general election was in 1959 when Lee Kuan Yew was elected Singapore’s first prime minister. Eventually, Singapore declared independence from Britain in 1963 and became part of Malaysia. But even this was short-lived and in 1965, Singapore became an independent and sovereign state.

Now, of course, Singapore is a modern city, with a successful, free-market economy. It's a major financial hub in the Asia Pacific region, and Singapore has long earned a reputation as one of the world's most advanced economies. But it's a lot more than that...

It’s home to the world’s first night zoo. Singapore’s Night Safari provides a nocturnal experience like no other in the city; it’s also the world’s very first night zoo. Opened in 1994, the 35-hectare park features over 1,000 animals from 120 different species, living in their naturalistic night-time environments. Hop onto the 40-minute Guided Tram Ride for an overview of the park’s main attractions, or amble along the four interlinked walking trails within the park, for a zoo trip like no other.

It’s a city of (man-made) waterfalls…

The first man-made waterfall was built at Jurong Bird Park in 1971 dropping from a height of 30 metres, Other man-made summits to explore include Cloud Forest, and Gardens by the Bay. This huge, 35-metre waterfall is the centrepiece of the misty conservatory, designed to house plant life from the tropical highlands. No trip to Singapore is complete without a visit to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Housed in the retail and lifestyle complex of Jewel Changi Airport, the HSBC Rain Vortex soars at 40 metres, and is surrounded by a lush indoor garden.

For the more adventurous, you can Embrace your inner thrill-seeker by taking a breathtaking leap off the 154-foot-high AJ Hackett Sentosa Bungy Tower at the Sky Park. Set on Singapore’s beautiful Siloso Beach, you can choose adrenaline or relaxation - all with awe-inspiring views.

Or you can change your perspective by taking an awe-inspiring spin on the 541-foot-tall Singapore Flyer, Asia’s largest giant observation wheel.

For those more interested in the flora and fauna of Singapore, close to the city centre is the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The gardens span 74 hectares and have a heritage of more than 150 years. And to connect further with nature, why not explore the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve? First opened as a Nature Park in 1993, it has expanded to include 202 hectares of mangroves, mudflats, ponds and forests, providing an even larger sanctuary for the flora and fauna that call it home. This includes the newest extension that houses a brand new Visitor Centre and new trails for visitors to explore and enjoy.

Want to know more? Follow the link: https://www.visitsingapore.com/en/