Singapore is a whirling mixture of cultures, colours and religions. If you want to experience as much of Asian culture as possible within a day, Singapore is the place to go. Actually, Singapore is not just influenced by Asia, but also by Arabic and European culture. There is Arab Street, Little India, Chinatown, Holland Village, Kampong Glam (the Malay quarter) and more. The vast city state with its 5.6 million inhabitants is not just culturally diverse but also scenically: Singapore is also known as the “Garden City” because of its many parks and gardens. Its official languages are Mandarin, Malay and Tamil, according to the major ethnic groups, and English, having been a British colony until 1963. A distinct dialect of English has developed in Singapore, borrowing from these other languages, which is known as Singlish.
Marina Bay
The Supertrees and the Supertree Grove, which are part of the Gardens by the Bay, were built in 2012 and have become one of Singapore’s most iconic features. The greenery growing on the structures truly looks out of this world when illuminated at night. The Marina Bay Sands Resort, one of Singapore’s most famous buildings, is located in Marina Bay also.
We spent New Year’s Eve on the other side of the Gardens by the Bay on The Float @ Marina Bay. December is the rainiest month in Singapore, but usually the rain falls in short bursts. On New Year’s Eve, however, it was pouring continuously for hours and we ended up soaked to the skin. It was still around 25°C though, so it was not too bad.
Little India
Little India lives up to its name. You immediately know, which neighbourhood you entered by the look of the business, the smells and the colours that start engulfing you. Little India’s most colourful temple is the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, which is dedicated to the ferocious goddess Kali. The Tekka Centre houses not only a wet market, but also an excellent hawker centre (food court) as well as shops with dazzling textiles, sari and other clothes on the first floor. Another good place for shopping is the Little India Arcade, albeit much more touristy. The Tan House is probably one of Singapore’s most instagrammed locations. I must plead guilty as well, but it really offers such a great photo opportunity with its splendid colours. Near Kampong Glam stands the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque, where we had a lively conversation with a local Muslim who tried to convert us to Islam.
Chinatown
Chinatown is and was, as the name suggests the, the centre of the Chinese community in Singapore. The Chinese are Singapore’s largest community (almost 75%). The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is located in the heart of Chinatown. It supposedly houses the left canine tooth of the Buddha. The temple has five stories and a rooftop terrace with a prayer wheel. One floor features a Buddhism museum with more relics. Chinatown, of course, also has its own shopping and hawker centre, the People’s Park Complex. Also located in Chinatown is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple. The Sri Mariamman Temple as it stands now was built in 1843 and features many colourful statues of Hindu deities.
Kampong Glam and Arab Street
Kampong Glam the was the centre of Malay aristocracy before British colonisation and still is the heart of Malay culture in Singapore. The neighbourhood is predominantly Muslim, so it is no surprise that Singapore’s largest mosque can be found here. The Sultan Mosque, from the outside, very much looks very much how you picture a mosque from “Arabian Nights” with its golden dome and little towers. Surprisingly, it was designed by an Irish architect, which explain why the interior resembles the inside of a catholic church. Arab street is just around the corner of the Sultan Mosque. The street and area still resemble a bazaar and you can buy fine cloth, Persian rugs and more.
The Southern Ridges
The Southern Ridges are a series of parks that run along the south-western coast. We walked all the way from Kent Ridge Park to the peak of Mt. Faber. The most famous part of this walk goes over the Henderson Waves, a pedestrian bridge that connects Telok Blangah Hill Park to the Mt. Faber Park. From Mt. Faber you can take the cable car down to Sentosa Island.
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