Singapore
Best time to visit:
There is nothing to stop you from coming to Singapore whenever you want.
Reasons why:
The temperature is a consistent 26.6°C throughout the year. And the tourist department
keeps organizing festivals and gala events all the time.
Climate:
Being 129 km from the equator, Singapore
is usually hot. November to January are the coolest months and February is usually the
sunniest. The average daily temperature is 26.6°C. It rains throughout the year, but it
rains the most from November to January.
|
Population: 3.1 million
Area: 620 sq. km |
| City Brief It doesn't matter what you are looking for. You will
find it all in Singapore. Head out for the hip disco and salsa the night away. Or stroll
in the quiet suburban by lanes. Stick to your regular three-meal a day fare. Or start your
day with sumptuous sushi. Purchase orchids and tulips from the flower markets or go
virtual shopping. In Singapore, you will never have to do anything you don't want to. But
you will have to obey traffic rules and learn to do without bubblegum (it's banned in
Singapore).
Singapore's history dates from 1819 when
an East India Company officer stepped in "Singa Pura" (Sanskrit for 'city of
lions'). The company was allowed to establish a trade port there. Within three years, the
land of 200 Malays had 10,000 more immigrants and 74 East India Company employees. The
Japanese captured Singapore in 1942, but it returned to the British after the Allied
victory in 1945. The British soon realised that they could not rule forever and elections
were held in 1953. Singapore won the right to self-government.
Tourism is Singapore's major industry. With its Eastern hospitality and spirituality, its
shopping festivals and multicuisine fairs, this is one of the premier vacation
destinations of Southeast Asia. Want to unwind in an exotic place, in a luxurious way?
Singapore welcomes you with open arms.
How
to get there
By air:
The Changi International Airport is 23
km east of the city centre. The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 and the newer,
state-of-the-art Terminal 2. Changi Skytrain is a monorail that connects both the
terminals. Air India (Thursdays and Sundays) and Singapore Airlines (daily) fly in from Delhi
and Mumbai.
From London, Qantas and Singapore Airlines have flights everyday. Air
France and Singapore Airlines have daily flights from Paris. From New
York, United Airlines and Singapore Airlines have daily flights to Singapore.
By train:
Singapore is the southern termination
point for the Malaysian railway system that has two main rail lines. The primary line goes
from Singapore to northwest Kuala Lumpur, Alor Star in Malaysia and then
to Thailand. A second line branches off at Gemas in Malaysia and going right up through
the centre of the country to Tumpat, near Kota Bharu on the east coast of Malaysia.
By road:
The Pan Malaysia Express has buses to
and from Kuala Lumpur and Mersing, Kuantan, Kota Bharu in Malaysia. The Malacca-Singapore
Express has buses to Melaka in Malaysia; the trip takes six hours. Morning Star Travel
buses go to Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia and back.
Getting
Around
From the
airport:
City buses at the airport (in the
basement) will take you downtown and to the Orchard Road. You can also board one of the
airbus coaches that run every 20 minutes from 6.20 am to 12.30 midnight and will drop you
off at most downtown hotels. You can also hire a taxi.
From the
railway station:
Take one of the double-decker buses for
a splendid view. Or take a taxi to your hotel.
In and around:
Apart from double-decker buses and
taxis, you can also travel by the MRT subway system that covers much of the island. Just
remember not to chew gum.
Must
Avoid
Singapore is a country that likes rules and regulations. So
follow all the rules, from not spitting gum to obeying traffic regulations to not
dealing in drugs.
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