Insight Guides Explore Singapore (Travel Guide eBook)
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About this ebook
Pocket-sized books to inspire your on-foot exploration of top international destinations.
Experience the best of Singapore with this indispensably practical Insight Guides Explore book. From making sure you don't miss out on must-see attractions like Gardens by the Bay to discovering hidden gems, including the Chinatown Food Street, the easy-to-follow, ready-made walking routes will help you plan your trip, save you time, and enhance your exploration of this fascinating country.
- Practical, pocket-sized and packed with inspirational insider information, this will make the ideal on-the-move companion for your trip to Singapore
- Enjoy over 18 irresistible Best Routes to walk, from Marina Bay to Changi
- Features concise insider information about landscape, history, food and drink, and entertainment options
- Invaluable maps: each Best Route is accompanied by a detailed full-colour map, while the large pull-out map provides an essential overview of the area
- Discover your destination's must-see sights and hand-picked hidden gems
- Directory section provides invaluable insight into top accommodation, restaurant and nightlife options by area, along with an overview of language, books and films
- Includes an innovative extra that's unique in the market - all Explore Guides come with a free eBook
- Inspirational colour photography throughout
About Insight Guides: Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books, with almost 50 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides with user-friendly, modern design. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps as well as phrase books, picture-packed eBooks and apps to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.
Insight Guides
Pictorial travel guide to Arizona & the Grand Canyon with a free eBook provides all you need for every step of your journey. With in-depth features on culture and history, stunning colour photography and handy maps, it’s perfect for inspiration and finding out when to go to Arizona & the Grand Canyon and what to see in Arizona & the Grand Canyon.
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Reviews for Insight Guides Explore Singapore (Travel Guide eBook)
7 ratings1 review
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I bought this, not knowing when I’d be going to Tokyo, but found out I would be going there sooner than I thought. Less that a year after buying this book I found myself in Tokyo for a 4 hour layover. I hadn’t bookmarked anything in this book, and had barely read it, but I had broughtit along with me so when I landed in Japan, I’d know what to do. Thanks to this book I was able to go through the very difficult task of taking all the trains into the city from Narita Airport and rushing to Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku. It was stressful and confusing, but I managed it, and am so happy I did. It totally worth the effort (not to mention money). If this book can guide me in a rush through Japan, then I’m sure it can do its job wonderfully if you actually read the whole book! And the maps Insight Guide includes with numbers, matching with sites being described is so helpful. It also includes a small fold out map (not entirely helpful) with a bunch of restaurants pinpointed on it. Defiantly a necessity for all planning on going to Tokyo.
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Insight Guides Explore Singapore (Travel Guide eBook) - Insight Guides
How To Use This E-Book
This Explore Guide has been produced by the editors of Insight Guides, whose books have set the standard for visual travel guides since 1970. With top-quality photography and authoritative recommendations, these guidebooks bring you the very best routes and itineraries in the world’s most exciting destinations.
Best Routes
The routes in this book provide something to suit all budgets, tastes and trip lengths. As well as covering the destination’s many classic attractions, the itineraries track lesser-known sights, and there are also excursions for those who want to extend their visit outside the city. The routes embrace a range of interests, so whether you are an art fan, a gourmet, a history buff or have kids to entertain, you will find an option to suit.
We recommend reading the whole of a route before setting out. This should help you to familiarise yourself with it and enable you to plan where to stop for refreshments – options are shown in the ‘Food and Drink’ box at the end of each tour.
Introduction
The routes are set in context by this introductory section, giving an overview of the destination to set the scene, plus background information on food and drink, shopping and more, while a succinct history timeline highlights the key events over the centuries.
Directory
Also supporting the routes is a Directory chapter, with a clearly organised A–Z of practical information, our pick of where to stay while you are there and select restaurant listings; these eateries complement the more low-key cafés and restaurants that feature within the routes and are intended to offer a wider choice for evening dining. Also included here are some nightlife listings, and our recommendations for books and films about the destination.
Getting around the e-book
In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.
Maps
All key attractions and sights mentioned in the text are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map] just tap this to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.
Images
You’ll find hundreds of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of the destination. Simply double-tap on an image to see it full-screen.
© 2018 Apa Digital (CH) AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd
Table of Contents
Recommended Routes For...
Architecture
The arts
Foodies
Local culture
Nightlife
Parks and gardens
Shopaholics
Wildlife
Explore Singapore
Development
Modern-day Singapore
Orientation
Conservation
Garden city
Getting around
Melting pot
Preoccupations
Pastimes
A changing city
Food and Drink
Chinese cuisine
Indian cuisine
Malay cuisine
Peranakan cuisine
Singapore’s signature dishes
Hainanese chicken rice
Fish-head curry
Chilli crab
Laksa
Breakfast
Drinks and desserts
Hawker centres
Shopping
Shopping districts
Orchard Road
Marina Bay
Civic District
Kampong Glam
Little India
Chinatown
What to buy
Entertainment
Where to go
Hotel bars
Clubs
Gay venues
Live entertainment
Rock and pop music
Jazz
Classical music
Theatre and dance
Festivals and Events
January to March
April to June
July to September
October to December
Heritage Architecture
Shophouses
Colonial buildings
Modern icons
History: Key Dates
British colonial rule
Post-World War II
Independence
21st century
Civic District
St Andrew’s Cathedral
The Padang
City Hall
Court buildings
Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall
Asian Civilisations Museum
Raffles’ Landing Site
The Arts House
MICA Building
Central Fire Station
Armenian Church
Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
Chijmes
Raffles Hotel
Museum District
Fort Canning Park
Peranakan Museum
The Substation
National Museum
Galleries
National Treasures
Singapore Art Museum
Historical building
Collection
Marina Bay
The Esplanade
Esplanade Park
Merlion Park
Fullerton buildings
Collyer Quay
Red Dot Design museum
Marina Bay Sands
Gardens by the Bay
Singapore River
Historical bridges
Boat Quay
More bridges
Riverside Point
Clarke Quay
Robertson Quay
Alkaff Bridge
Central Business District
Skyscrapers
Wak Hai Cheng Temple
Far East Square
Telok Ayer Street
Nagore Durgha Building
Thian Hock Keng Temple
Al Abrar Mosque
Telok Ayer Methodist Church
Chinatown
Jamae Mosque
Sri Mariamman Temple
Chinatown Heritage Centre
Trengganu and Smith streets
Chinatown Food Street
Sago Street
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Singapore City Gallery
Orchard Road
Tanglin Road
Forum, Hilton and Four Seasons
Palais Renaissance and around
Scotts Road
Far East Plaza
Goodwood Park Hotel
The main stretch
Tourist information
Emerald Hill
Centrepoint
Orchard Central
Dhoby Ghaut
Botanic Gardens and Tanglin Village
Botanic Gardens
Evolution Garden
National Orchid Garden
Ginger Garden
Lower Ring Road
Swan Lake
Tanglin Village
Dempsey Cluster
Minden Cluster
Kampong Glam
Arab Street
Bussorah Street
Sultan Mosque
Malay Heritage Centre
Kandahar Street
Haji Lane
Bali Lane
Little India
Backstreets
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
Angullia Mosque
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
Thaipusam
Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple
Leong San See Temple
Sentosa
Imbiah Lookout
Thrill rides
Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom
Images of Singapore
Nature Walk
Fort Siloso
Beaches
Siloso Beach
Palawan Beach
Tanjong Beach
Sentosa Cove and Quayside Isle
Evening entertainment
Southern Islands
St John’s Island
Kusu Island
Chinese Temple
Muslim shrines
Pulau Hantu and Sisters’ Islands
Western Singapore
Jurong Bird Park
Jurong Lake Gardens
Science Centre
Southern Singapore
Mount Faber
VivoCity
Katong and The East Coast
Joo Chiat
Koon Seng Road
St Hilda’s Church
Senpaga Temple
East Coast Road
Peranakan culture
Church of the Holy Family
Katong Antique House
East Coast Park
Changi
Changi Chapel and Museum
Changi Murals
Changi Chapel
Changi Village
Changi Beach Park
Changi Massacre Site
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Background
Trails
Mandai
Singapore Zoo
Orangutans
Other highlights
Dinner and entertainment
Night Safari
Habitats
Walking trails
Accommodation
Civic District
Marina Bay
Singapore River
Chinatown
Orchard Road
Little India
Sentosa
Restaurants
Civic District
Marina Bay
Singapore River
Chinatown
Orchard Road
Botanic Gardens and Tanglin Village
Little India
Bukit Timah
East Coast
Sentosa
Nightlife
Civic District
Marina Bay
Singapore River
Orchard Road
Sentosa
A-Z
A
Addresses
B
Budgeting
Business hours
C
Children
Climate
Clothing
Crime and safety
Customs
D
Disabled travellers
E
Electricity
Embassies
Emergencies
Etiquette
F
Festivals
January/February
March/April
May/June/July
August/September
October/November/December
H
Health
Hospitals
Pharmacies
I
Internet
L
Left luggage
LGBTQ travellers
Lost property
M
Media
Money
P
Postal services
Public holidays
R
Religion
S
Sports
T
Telephones
Tourist information
Time zone
Transport
Getting there
Getting around
Toilets
V
Visas and passports
w
Websites
Books and Film
Books
Films
Recommended Routes For...
Architecture
Don’t miss grand colonial-era buildings in the Civic District (route 1), skyscrapers designed by superstar architects in Marina Bay (route 3), or flamboyant Peranakan terrace houses in Emerald Hill (route 7).
Timothy Hursley/Marina Bay Sands
The arts
Take in a music or theatre performance at The Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay (route 3), spot public sculptures in the CBD (route 5), and sample Southeast Asian art in the Singapore Art Museum (route 2).
Getty Images
Foodies
Food-lovers won’t be disappointed with the Singapore-style seafood in the East Coast (route 15) and the hawker offerings at Maxwell Food Centre and Chinatown Food Street (route 6).
Singapore Tourism Board
Local culture
Explore the city’s eclectic cultures in its ethnic neighbourhoods (routes 6 and 9). For a glimpse into the Straits Chinese way of life, wander around Katong (route 15) or visit the Peranakan Museum (route 2).
Vincent Ng/Apa Publications
Nightlife
Flashy clubs at Clarke Quay (route 4) and Marina Bay Sands (route 3) are great for all-night partying. Sentosa (route 11) has laid-back beach bars and jazz fans should head to Bali Lane at Kampong Glam (route 9).
Singapore Tourism Board
Parks and gardens
Opt for a leisurely walk in Gardens by the Bay (route 3), or wander in the landscaped Botanic Gardens before checking out the wonders of the National Orchid Garden (route 8).
iStock
Shopaholics
Mall-hop on Orchard Road (route 7), browse idiosyncratic shops in Kampong Glam (route 9), comb Chinatown (route 6) and Little India (route 10) for cultural finds, and splurge at VivoCity (route 14).
Vincent Ng/Apa Publications
Wildlife
The city’s zoos and safaris boast naturalistic habitats with a focus on conservation. You should absolutely set aside a day for Singapore Zoo, River Safari and Night Safari (route 18).
Singapore Tourism Board
Explore Singapore
The small city-island state of Singapore has achieved much and has even grander ambitions, but its most distinct joys are to be found in its warm, eclectic people, ethnic neighbourhoods, and the pleasure afforded by its food culture, shopping and nightlife.
For some, Singapore is merely a welcome stopover, with its top-rated airport making it the perfect gateway to Southeast Asia. For others, this tiny island, with its legendary cleanliness, widespread use of English and celebrated sights, shops, eateries and colourful ethnic neighbourhoods, is an appealing destination in its own right. Indeed, Singapore is an ideal introduction, in fact, to all of Asia in one fell swoop.
Chinatown’s night market from above
Singapore Tourism Board
Development
In 1819, Englishman Thomas Stamford Raffles from the British East India Company recognised the potential of this tiny island. At the time, it was shrouded in jungle and swamp, occupied only by Orang Laut (Sea People), a few Malay families and some Chinese traders. Raffles ordered the land to be cleared, oversaw an ambitious construction campaign and brought labourers and merchants from China, India and all over Southeast Asia to set up a trading post. His free-trade policies soon created a thriving port town of around 10,000 residents. In short, Raffles can confidently be described as the founding father of modern-day Singapore: both his energy and foresight are embedded in the cultural DNA of this city-state.
The Raffles statue
Dreamstime
Modern-day Singapore
Singapore owes much of its success to the visionary leadership of visionary Lee Kuan Yew (1923–2015), the country’s first prime minister (from 1958 to 1990). Under the direction of Yew and his successors, Goh Chok Tong and Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore has continued to flourish as one of Southeast Asia’s brightest stars. The government’s paternal approach has defused racial and labour disputes, whereas its public housing schemes have provided most citizens with their own homes. In turn, savvy economic policies have attracted foreign trade and investment.
Invasive socialengineering policies – from banning smoking in public places, the outlawing of the sale of chewing gum, the monitoring of flushing in public toilets to the imposition of punitive taxes on car ownership – may have drawn sneers from the Western media, but Singapore is undeniably the cleanest and most orderly of all Asian cities. What some Westerners perceive as draconian laws and the authoritarian curtailing of personal freedoms, are regarded by many pragmatic Singaporeans as merely a common-sense approach to running a country.
At a Grand Prix concert
Singapore Tourism Board
Orientation
On a map of any scale, Singapore is just a dot at the southern tip of peninsular Malaysia. Singapore consists of the main island, which is 699 sq km (270 sq miles) in area, and 63 other smaller islands. Most of the main island is less than 15m (50ft) above sea level, whereas the highest point is Bukit Timah Hill, at 163.63m (537ft).
Downtown Singapore remains largely arranged according to the original town plan that Raffles envisioned in 1819. The colonial hub of the city, today’s Civic District, is still the heart of the administration, just as it was in Raffles’ time. The clamour of Chinatown and the hum of business in the Central Business District around Raffles Place have not diminished. The Muslim area of Kampong Glam and the predominantly Hindu Little India retain their ethnic feel. Chic Orchard Road, a plantation area in colonial times, has been transformed into one of Asia’s premier shopping districts.
Conservation
When Singapore achieved independence in 1965, the economy was in shambolic state. Like many other developing nations, it prioritised urban renewal and economic progress over the protection of historic neighbourhoods and colonial architectural gems, many of which were simply razed. As a result, by the 1970s Singapore had achieved prosperity, but was criticised for its lack of character and culture.
In the 1980s the authorities began to restore buildings in four conservation areas: Boat Quay, Little India, Kampong Glam and Chinatown/Tanjong Pagar. Since then, more temples, buildings, shophouses and warehouses have been spared the wrecking ball. The gentrification, apart from giving the city added charm, has also helped Singaporeans develop a sense of their own history.
Public housing
In land-scarce Singapore, providing housing for the masses means building skywards. More than 80 percent of Singaporeans own and live in high-rise flats built by the Housing and Development Board. In many other parts of the world, public housing is associated with poverty and social unrest, but not in Singapore. Its public housing programme is in fact one of its finest achievements, with other fast-growing countries seeking to emulate its success.
Garden city
Singapore packs in quite a bit despite its minuscule size. Once you have covered the city centre, venture out to the suburbs, where the housing heartlands are interspersed with quirky theme attractions as well as forest reserves and other pockets of greenery.
The city’s vast green zones surprise many first-time visitors, at least those expecting to find a sterile and air-conditioned metropolis of glass and steel. There is a legion of green belts, such as parks nestled between skyscrapers, offering respite in the concrete jungle. Four gazetted nature reserves – Central Catchment, Bukit