Guide to Singapore travel: enjoy Asia to the fullest
by | October 31, 2023
Singapore is a city-state located in Asia. The eight-richest nation in the world, Singapore is often associated with development and modernity. But where did it all start? How is it to live in Singapore? What are its people like? How is Singapore travel?
You will discover all of this and so much more important information in this thorough Singapore travel guide.
Singapore Flag
The national flag of Singapore was adopted in 1959 after the country became self-governing. It has two horizontal stripes: one red above a white one. There’s a white crescent moon on the upper-left section of the red stripe, with five stars next to it in the shape of a circle.
Each element of the Singapore flag has its own meaning, from the colors to the symbols:
- The color red symbolizes brotherhood and equality
- The color white symbolizes purity and virtue
- The crescent moon symbolizes the ascendance of the young nation
- The five stars represent the country’s core values: peace, progress, democracy, justice and equality.
Geography of Singapore
Singapore is a country in the Malay Peninsula, South Asia. It neighbors Malaysia to the north and Indonesia to the south, west and east. It sits one degree north of the Equator.
Singapore’s area is 728,6 km². Most of this area is made up of the main Singapore island. The rest comprises 60 islets. Singapore’s population is approximately 5.92 million.
There’s no such thing as a high peak in Singapore, the closest would be Timah Hill with an altitude of 162 m above sea level. This low altitude makes Singapore particularly vulnerable to flooding.
Singapore uses plug sockets belonging to type G. The time zone is Singapore Time (SGT) or Singapore Standard Time (SST), UTC+8. There’s no Daylight Saving Time (DST).
History and Heritage in Singapore
Singapore was originally an outpost for the Sumatran empire Srīvijaya, and it was known first as Tumasik or Temasek and, after the 14th century, as Malacca (Melaka).
Sir Stamborf Raffles, a British citizen working for the East India Company, arrived in Singapore in 1819 looking for a strategically located trading port to put a stop to the advance of the Dutch.
A 1824 treaty between the British and the Dutch left Singapore in the hands of Britain, and the island was officially made a crown colony in 1867. Singapore experienced enormous growth after becoming a British protectorate, receiving a lot of trade through its port, especially after the invention of steamships.
Singapore fell in the hands of the Japanese in the midst of World War II, specifically in February 1942. It would remain controlled by Japan until September 1945.
After the war ended, Singapore was not included in the Federation of Malaya because its population was mostly Chinese, so the island was a separate crown colony until 1959 when it became self-governing (although British control still remained in certain areas of government, like defense and foreign policy).
Singapore became independent from the Federation after a vote in 1965, and the British abandoned control of Singapore in October 1971.
Culture and traditions in Singapore
Singapore’s culture was heavily influenced by immigration from neighboring countries: it’s a heavily multicultural country. The Chinese are the predominant ethnic group (¾ of the total), followed by the Malays and Indians.
There’s no unified Singapore language, there are four officially recognized: English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese and Tamil (the primary Indian ethnic group). English is the one most widely used, even at schools, with Mandarin in second place.
Singapore’s religion is also a reflection of the ethnic makeup of the country (everything is in Singapore!). The Chinese-descendant section of the population practices mostly Buddhism, Confucianism or Daoism. The Malays and part of the Indian population believe in Islam. The rest of the population practice Hinduism or no religion at all.
One important concept in Singapore’s culture is “Kiasu”, which derives from the Chinese words for having fear and losing. Kiasu translates to “fear of missing out”. This value leads to some competitive behavior in a nation that recognizes itself as “the most ambitious in the world”.
Even the holidays are a reflection of the multicultural nature of the country, which are taken from Hinduism, Chinese culture, Islam and Christianity. Some of the most important festivities in Singaporean culture include:
- Chinese New Year
- Deepavali
- National Day
- Hari Raya Haji
- Dragon Boat Festival
Singapore’s Gastronomy
The food in Singapore is a reflection of the cultural diversity of its population. There are clear influences of the Chinese, India, Malay/Indonesian and western gastronomies.
The typical dishes to try during Singapore travel that represent the national cuisine are:
- Hainanese Chicken rice
- Chili crab
- Laksa/katong laksa
- Roti prata
- Hokkien prawn mee
- Fish head curry
- Satay
- Kaya toast
- Nasi Lemak
Hawker culture
No trip to Singapore is complete without eating at a hawker center. Hawker culture is a staple of Singaporean gastronomy, and it was even inscribed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
What are hawker centers? They resemble food courts, but they’re public, open-aired and have different street food stalls. In a country that sometimes lacks affordable options, hawker centers are the perfect opportunity to try the local delicacies without having to go over budget. Hawker centers also provide the opportunity to taste a wider range of Singaporean food at a good price.
To exemplify the importance and quality of hawker centers, there are two street food stalls that have earned Michelin stars: Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle (earned in 2016, lost in 2021) and Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle.
Some famous hawker centers in Singapore include:
Weather in Singapore
The weather in Singapore is mostly hot and humid, with temperatures surrounding 30ºC all year long. This climate can be explained by Singapore’s geographical position, extremely close to the Equator.
The monsoon season in Singapore goes from December to March, with the most amount of rainfall taking place between December and mid-January. The dry season goes from May to September.
Singapore currency
The official currency of Singapore is the Singapore Dollar (SGD). Just like other dollars, it’s represented by the symbol $ but with the letter S before it (S$). It’s also divided into 100 cents.
Bank cards are widely accepted for payment throughout Singapore. If you need to exchange currencies during a Singapore trip, it can be done easily at banks or exchange offices. Bring your passport or plane tickets as they may be required as identification at these establishments.
Main tourist attractions in Singapore
There are countless things to do in Singapore. Here you will discover a selection of the most important ones, or the ones most well-known amongst Singapore travel guides.
Gardens by the Bay
It’s impossible to travel to Singapore and miss this huge park complex.
The Supertree Grove in Gardens by the Bay is probably the most iconic image of Singapore. They are 18 “trees” that can reach up to 50 m in height, built to resemble the physical shape of a tree, but also to perform some of its biological functions.
Marina Bay Area
The Marina Bay Area is a meeting place for all Singaporeans.
The Marina Bay Sands hotel is also a representative image of the country, with its unique shape and enormous height it’s easy to distinguish.
This is also where you can find the iconic Merlion Statue, depicting a mythological creature with the body of a fish and the head of a lion. It’s a symbol of Singapore: the fish represents its fishing past, and the head references its original name of “Singapura” (The city of the lion).
Singapore Botanical Garden
The 150-year old Singapore Botanical Garden was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2015.
The garden follows a “four-core concept”, with each core highlighting different types of trees. If you enjoy walking in nature, with flowers and waterfalls, visiting this attraction will be perfect for your trip to Singapore.
Chinatown and Little India
Since the population is largely Chinese, it’s no surprise that you can find a true Chinatown if you travel in Singapore. On top of being able to taste some delicious and affordable street food, you’ll also be able to purchase textiles and artisanal objects.
Little India, much like Chinatown, also brings the best of India to Singapore. Explore these two areas for a closer view at immigrant life in the country.
Singapore Night Safari
This unique attraction takes place at the Singapore Zoo. You can get tickets for the Singapore Night Safari, guided tours to see the inhabitants of the zoo at nighttime.
Security in Singapore
Safety isn’t an issue for Singapore travel: it came in the 9th spot in 2023’s Global Peace Index and it always lands amongst the top 10.
Obviously, when traveling internationally you should be alert to the risk of pickpockets, especially in crowded areas. The best way to ensure you avoid issues is to keep your belongings close, avoid displaying valuable objects and, most of all, to pay attention at all times.
Do I need a visa for Singapore?
Yes, you need a visa to travel in Singapore: it is part of the Singapore travel requirements. However, those with eligible nationalities can apply online for the SG Arrival Card. This document is not a visa per se, but it is a valid and official government authorization for Singapore travel.
To apply for the SG Arrival Card you need to have a valid passport with 6 months validity from the day you enter the country, proof of a flight to leave Singapore and a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (if you come from an endemic country).
