A city/state/country all in one - thus a jammed destination page - the pictures are way, way below. Singapore's visionary leader, Lee Kuan Yew, turned a former British trading post into a free-market model that others, such as Dubai, have tried to emulate. A quick scan of any educational, economic, and health care rankings will find Singapore sitting somewhere near the top - the offset to these high rankings is limited personal freedoms relative to other first world countries with stiff penalties and fines for non-compliance with government regulations - for the tourist it’s worth noting that overstaying your visa is a cainable offense.
The country is incredibly compact - 5.4m people live on a 276 sq. mile island - that's roughly the greater Philadelphia metro area jammed into a space 1/3 the size of Bucks County. Despite this density the diverse cities appear to live comfortably with one another. The top three ethnicities are: 74% Chinese, 13% Malay, 9% Indian. Out of the 5.4m people on the island, 1.5m are non-permanent residents.
The country is incredibly compact - 5.4m people live on a 276 sq. mile island - that's roughly the greater Philadelphia metro area jammed into a space 1/3 the size of Bucks County. Despite this density the diverse cities appear to live comfortably with one another. The top three ethnicities are: 74% Chinese, 13% Malay, 9% Indian. Out of the 5.4m people on the island, 1.5m are non-permanent residents.
COUNTRY BACKGROUND
HISTORY
1819: Arrival of Stamford Raffles - determined the tip of the Malay peninsula to be a strategic British East India trading site
1959: Independence from UK - federation with Malaysia
August 9, 1965: Singapore Independence - Lee Kuan Yew “Father of the Country”, serves as PM until 1990 creating the business friendly, safe, and clean image of Singapore today
GOVERNMENT
Westminster System - unicameral legislature (popular vote)
President (ceremonial - elected by popular vote) selects PM - current: Lee Hsein Loong (son of Lee Kuan Yew)
Court of Appeals High Court
Notable Judicial Items: No trial by jury, corporal punishment (caning), and mandatory death penalty for certain crimes (murder, drugs)
ECONOMY
Pinnacle of Free Market Economy - consistently tops rankings in Ease of Business and Least Corrupt countries
Diversified Economy -> Rankings: 4th Finance; 2nd Casino; 3rd Oil Refinery; 5th Busiest Port
No minimum wage; highest percentage of millionaires
EDUCATION
Mostly government support through primary (compulsory first six years), secondary, and university
Students annually rank in Top 5 Internationally in math and science
Corporal punishment in schools too
HEALTHCARE
3.5% of GDP yet annually ranked as Top 10 system worldwide
The 3Ms: Medifund (safety net - last resort), Medisave (compulsory HC savings program can be used for health services and insurance), and Medishield (government-funded health insurance ~70% citizens)
1819: Arrival of Stamford Raffles - determined the tip of the Malay peninsula to be a strategic British East India trading site
1959: Independence from UK - federation with Malaysia
August 9, 1965: Singapore Independence - Lee Kuan Yew “Father of the Country”, serves as PM until 1990 creating the business friendly, safe, and clean image of Singapore today
GOVERNMENT
Westminster System - unicameral legislature (popular vote)
President (ceremonial - elected by popular vote) selects PM - current: Lee Hsein Loong (son of Lee Kuan Yew)
Court of Appeals High Court
Notable Judicial Items: No trial by jury, corporal punishment (caning), and mandatory death penalty for certain crimes (murder, drugs)
ECONOMY
Pinnacle of Free Market Economy - consistently tops rankings in Ease of Business and Least Corrupt countries
Diversified Economy -> Rankings: 4th Finance; 2nd Casino; 3rd Oil Refinery; 5th Busiest Port
No minimum wage; highest percentage of millionaires
EDUCATION
Mostly government support through primary (compulsory first six years), secondary, and university
Students annually rank in Top 5 Internationally in math and science
Corporal punishment in schools too
HEALTHCARE
3.5% of GDP yet annually ranked as Top 10 system worldwide
The 3Ms: Medifund (safety net - last resort), Medisave (compulsory HC savings program can be used for health services and insurance), and Medishield (government-funded health insurance ~70% citizens)
TRAVEL INFORMATION
INTRODUCTION
Singapore for tourists...you must enjoy modern cities, good food, and a blend of culture. The city is incredibly clean, has efficient transportation, and most people speak English. For a small city it packs quite a things to see but many attractions are new (the Merlion was built in 1972) or feel fabricated (Clarke Quay) reflecting the city's organized free market approach.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
The Marina Bay Sands may be the most impressive hotel built in the past five years - given Singapore’s limited tourist attractions paying $400 for a night and spending a full day here can actually be considered a travel adventure and decent value in an expensive city. Unlike other major world cities, Singapore still has low priced and good quality hostels - I’ve stayed at the G4 Hostel in Little India at $25/night which was close to the city center area; most recently I stayed at the WoW Hostel next to the Aljunied MRT stop for $10/night - it was further outside the city but on the Green Line so still very convenient to reaching popular areas. Wherever you stay the key is to be near a metro stop.
FOOD
A gastronomical paradise - the eating options are Singapore’s best tourist experience. There are several “layers” to Singapore’s food scene:
1) Hawker Centers which are street vendors moved inside to a food court style environment - a hawker center may contain over 100 individual stalls, most stalls only offer less than five meal options, some only one - at less than $5 a meal the hawker centers set a high bar for fast food dining. Mall’s also have very good food courts which resemble hawker stands in food offerings but not the experience.
2) Local restaurants which in some cases may be intermingled with a smaller hawker center. More portion, slightly better quality, slightly higher price.
3) Western (tourist) style restaurants along Clarke Quay, Orchard Road, etc. - not sure why you’d eat here.
Everybody has their favorite stand and hawker center. I’ve had no complaints just picking stalls at random. The only one I went out of my way to try was TIan Tian Chicken Rice at the Maxwell Hawker Center - supposedly the best Chicken Rice place in the city. It's a unique dish not like any chicken you've tasted before.
The Sri Lankan crabs are worth a splurge - typically they run about $50 per kilo (two pounds) which is enough for one meal. I had Chili Crab (the national dish) at Roland’s and White Pepper Crab at No Signboard Seafood. Jumbo Seafood is a local chain with two convenient locations along Clarke Quay and Boat Quay.
Beer is expensive at ~$15/pint in the touristy areas and a little cheap elsewhere. You’ve probably heard rumors that no gum is sold in Singapore…yes it’s true.
SITES, ATTRACTIONS, ADVENTURES
Wherever you choose to go, first figure out what hawker center is nearby and hit it up before or after you’ve seen the desired site. Singapore is a diverse city - Chinatown has a Buddhist Temple, Little India has a Hindu Temple, and Bugis/Kampong Glam has a Mosque - each of which is worth checking out but not comparable to counterparts in other countries.
Most of Singapore’s tourist destinations are relatively new - the Merlion was completed in 1972.
The Raffles Hotel underwent a renovation and the Long Bar isn’t even in the original location. A Singapore Sling costs about $25 which is reasonable considering the aforementioned beer prices in the touristy areas.
I haven’t done most of the tourist recommendations - Night Safari, Sentosa Island, etc. - for me the Singapore experience is doing what the locals do - eat and hangout at malls.
Singapore’s airport is a tourist destination in itself. I’ve arrived early several times to walk around and admire everything that the airport has to offer: foot massages, movie theaters, pool, gardens, and quality business centers. The offerings are much more limited on the departure/arrival halls so make sure you can get through security to enjoy all the airport has to offer. Changi Airport has received the title of Best International Airport…for the past 26 years.
IN COUNTRY TRAVEL
The air-conditioned MRT covers the main areas of the city quite well with a ride typically costing less than $2.00. Bus routes cover the more remote areas. Taxis can be near impossible to hail on the street which during a heavy rain can be quite frustrating. Guests are given priority if you try to queue at a hotel.
Singapore for tourists...you must enjoy modern cities, good food, and a blend of culture. The city is incredibly clean, has efficient transportation, and most people speak English. For a small city it packs quite a things to see but many attractions are new (the Merlion was built in 1972) or feel fabricated (Clarke Quay) reflecting the city's organized free market approach.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
The Marina Bay Sands may be the most impressive hotel built in the past five years - given Singapore’s limited tourist attractions paying $400 for a night and spending a full day here can actually be considered a travel adventure and decent value in an expensive city. Unlike other major world cities, Singapore still has low priced and good quality hostels - I’ve stayed at the G4 Hostel in Little India at $25/night which was close to the city center area; most recently I stayed at the WoW Hostel next to the Aljunied MRT stop for $10/night - it was further outside the city but on the Green Line so still very convenient to reaching popular areas. Wherever you stay the key is to be near a metro stop.
FOOD
A gastronomical paradise - the eating options are Singapore’s best tourist experience. There are several “layers” to Singapore’s food scene:
1) Hawker Centers which are street vendors moved inside to a food court style environment - a hawker center may contain over 100 individual stalls, most stalls only offer less than five meal options, some only one - at less than $5 a meal the hawker centers set a high bar for fast food dining. Mall’s also have very good food courts which resemble hawker stands in food offerings but not the experience.
2) Local restaurants which in some cases may be intermingled with a smaller hawker center. More portion, slightly better quality, slightly higher price.
3) Western (tourist) style restaurants along Clarke Quay, Orchard Road, etc. - not sure why you’d eat here.
Everybody has their favorite stand and hawker center. I’ve had no complaints just picking stalls at random. The only one I went out of my way to try was TIan Tian Chicken Rice at the Maxwell Hawker Center - supposedly the best Chicken Rice place in the city. It's a unique dish not like any chicken you've tasted before.
The Sri Lankan crabs are worth a splurge - typically they run about $50 per kilo (two pounds) which is enough for one meal. I had Chili Crab (the national dish) at Roland’s and White Pepper Crab at No Signboard Seafood. Jumbo Seafood is a local chain with two convenient locations along Clarke Quay and Boat Quay.
Beer is expensive at ~$15/pint in the touristy areas and a little cheap elsewhere. You’ve probably heard rumors that no gum is sold in Singapore…yes it’s true.
SITES, ATTRACTIONS, ADVENTURES
Wherever you choose to go, first figure out what hawker center is nearby and hit it up before or after you’ve seen the desired site. Singapore is a diverse city - Chinatown has a Buddhist Temple, Little India has a Hindu Temple, and Bugis/Kampong Glam has a Mosque - each of which is worth checking out but not comparable to counterparts in other countries.
Most of Singapore’s tourist destinations are relatively new - the Merlion was completed in 1972.
The Raffles Hotel underwent a renovation and the Long Bar isn’t even in the original location. A Singapore Sling costs about $25 which is reasonable considering the aforementioned beer prices in the touristy areas.
I haven’t done most of the tourist recommendations - Night Safari, Sentosa Island, etc. - for me the Singapore experience is doing what the locals do - eat and hangout at malls.
Singapore’s airport is a tourist destination in itself. I’ve arrived early several times to walk around and admire everything that the airport has to offer: foot massages, movie theaters, pool, gardens, and quality business centers. The offerings are much more limited on the departure/arrival halls so make sure you can get through security to enjoy all the airport has to offer. Changi Airport has received the title of Best International Airport…for the past 26 years.
IN COUNTRY TRAVEL
The air-conditioned MRT covers the main areas of the city quite well with a ride typically costing less than $2.00. Bus routes cover the more remote areas. Taxis can be near impossible to hail on the street which during a heavy rain can be quite frustrating. Guests are given priority if you try to queue at a hotel.
PHOTOS
For additional Singapore pictures see FLIKR ALBUM.
