SINGAPORE

SOUTHEAST ASIA

SSE8, Asian studies

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Singapore officially the Republic of Singapore is a sovereign island city in maritime Southeast
Asia.
Republic of Singapore
3 official names
(Malay)
(Chinese)
(Tamil)
official languages English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil
National languages Malay
Demonym (s) Singaporean
Government Unitary dominant party parliamentary constitutional republic.
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Area
Total 728.6km2
(281.3 sq mi)
(176th )
Population
2020 estimate 5,685,800(115th )
Density 7,804/km2
(20,212.3/sq mi)(2nd )
GDP(PPP) 2021 estimate
Total $600.063 billion (38th)
Per capita $102, 742 (2nd )
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GDP (nominal) 2021 estimate
Total $374. 394 billion (38th)
Per capita 464, 103 (8th)
Gini (2017) _45.9
medium
HDI (2019) 0.938
very high 11th
Currency Singapore dollar (S$)
(SGD)
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• Map /National seal /symbol and flag
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Ten unknown facts
1.  It’s a city of not just one island, but 64
You might not know it but Singapore’s land area includes as many as 64
offshore islands that surround the main island. These include Sentosa (the largest
of the offshore islands), Pulau Ubin, St John’s Island and Sisters’ Islands. What
that means for visitors: more fun in the sun!
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Ten unknown facts
2.  It’s home to the world’s first night zoo
Singapore’s Night Safari provides a nocturnal experience like no other in the
city; it’s also the world’s very first night zoo. Opened in 1994, the 35-hectare park
features over 1,000 animals in their naturalistic night-time environments.
Hop onto the 40-minute tram ride for an overview of the park’s main
attractions. Be sure to amble along the four interlinked walking trails within the
park, for a zoo trip like no other.
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Ten unknown facts
3. It’s a city of (man-made) waterfalls
According to the Wildlife Reserves Singapore, the first man-made waterfall
 was built at Jurong Bird Park in 1971. Dropping from a height of 30 metres, it is
said to be the tallest waterfall in an aviary to date.
That’s not all. You’ll also find new summits to explore at the Cloud Forest, 
Gardens by the Bay. A huge, 35-metre waterfall is the centrepiece of the misty
conservatory, designed to house plant life from the tropical highlands.
No trip to Singapore is complete without a visit to the world’s tallest indoor
waterfall. Housed in the retail and lifestyle complex of Jewel Changi Airport, the
HSBC Rain Vortex soars at 40 metres, and is surrounded by a lush indoor garden.
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Ten unknown facts
4. The locals speak Singlish, not just English
Don’t be too surprised to hear Singaporeans adding exclamations like ‘lah’ and ‘leh’ to
their sentence. Singlish— our colorful local slang— is an integral part of everyday
conversation amongst Singaporeans.
Singlish is a collection of colloquial catchphrases and lingo influenced by Singapore’s
multiculturalism. Other examples include the Singlish term “chope”, which means to reserve
a seat. Locals often chope seats at a hawker centre using packets of tissue paper.
Singaporeans also tend to refer to strangers such as cab drivers and hawker centre stall
owners as “Aunties” and “Uncles”. This is an endearing way of addressing older gentlemen
and ladies. Do use the terms wisely, though, as it can connote the addressee’s age; you
wouldn’t want to accidentally offend a new acquaintance!
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Ten unknown facts
5. Singapore pioneered the first F1 night race
Held annually since 2008, Grand Prix Season Singapore features a gamut of
concerts, racing and entertainment activities, for Formula One fans and visitors of
all ages. 
The star event—the FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX—also
made racing history as the world’s first ever FORMULA 1 night race. The twisty 
Marina Bay street circuit has largely remained unchanged in the years since; the
track’s brightly lit floodlights also add to the spectacular night views of
Singapore. According to Formula 1, the Marina Bay Street Circuit also boasts
more corners (23 in all) than any other circuits on the Formula One race calendar.
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Ten unknown facts
6. It’s one of the world’s greenest cities
This city of skyscrapers is also one that is filled with lush greenery. Nearly
half of Singapore’s land area (approximately 700 square kilometres) is under
green cover. Beyond numerous parks and gardens, there are pockets of
undiscovered plant life housed in the most unusual of places. For example, 
PARKROYAL on Pickering is known for its hotel-in-a-garden concept and its
four-storey cascading vertical garden.
That’s not all. There’s rich biodiversity in nature reserves, too—Singapore is
home to over 2,100 native vascular plant species. The Bukit Timah
Nature Reserve in particular, is said to contain more tree species in a single
hectare than the total number of tree species found in North America.
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Ten unknown facts
7. It’s home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site––and some unique ‘VIPs’
Lauded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, the Singapore Botanic Gardens has a
history of over 150 years since its founding in 1859; that’s more than a century older than modern
Singapore itself!
Its most popular attraction is the National Orchid Garden, which houses thousands of orchid
species known as Very Important Plants (VIPs). Over 200 hybrid orchids in this garden have been
affectionately named after visiting foreign dignitaries such as Nelson Mandela, the Duke and
Duchess of Cambridge as well as celebrities like actors Jackie Chan, Zhou Xun and Bae Yong
Jun.
Another fun fact: Singapore’s first botanic garden opened in 1822, on the slopes of the area
now known as Fort Canning Hill. Measuring just 19 hectares, the garden closed in 1829 due to
rising costs. Its land was then used for various public projects, including an Armenian church, a
school and a hospital.
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Ten unknown facts
8. There are tonnes of off-the-beaten track neighbourhoods to explore
Besides the history-rich hotspots of Chinatown, Kampong Gelam and 
Little India, there are more colourful enclaves for visitors to explore in Singapore.
You’ll find rows of hip eateries and stores along the Art Deco-style
buildings of Tiong Bahru, as well as colourful shophouses and traditional food
stalls in Joo Chiat/Katong.
More up-and-coming neighbourhoods include Everton Park, which is home
to coffee joints, cafés, ice cream parlours and other must-try foodie hotspots.
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Ten unknown facts
9. There’s always something to celebrate in Singapore
Fret not about finding fun new things to do. There are 
cultural festivals, major sports, lifestyle and arts events held all year round in the
city to keep you entertained.
The annual HSBC World Rugby Singapore Sevens is hosted at the S$1.3
billion Singapore Sports Hub.
In July, foodies are in for a treat with the Singapore Food Festival, where
they will get to savour uniquely Singaporean dishes as well as the best of 
Mod-Sin (Modern Singaporean) cuisine, which gives a modern twist to traditional
flavours.
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Ten unknown facts
10. The Lion City may actually have been inspired by a tiger.
You may have heard about the Merlion, Singapore’s iconic emblem. The Merlion is a mythical
creature with a lion’s head and a fish's tail.
What you might not know: the Merlion was partly inspired by the city’s Sanskrit name,
Singapura, which means ‘lion city’. This Sanskrit name is thought to have been given by a Sumatran
prince Sang Nila Utama, who ruled Temasek, a settlement on the Singapura island during the early
14th century.
While hunting for animals, the prince spotted a strange creature moving quickly, which was
identified as a lion by his advisors. However, there were no records of lions native to Singapore. It
might have been a tiger that he saw, for tigers used to be found in the wild in Singapore, up until the
1930s.
Think that’s all to know about Singapore? Think again. Check out these ten must-dos and more fun 
city itineraries to make the best of your upcoming trip to Singapore.
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• Geography
• Singapore is an island of 646 sq. km, about the size of Chicago. It is located at one of the crossroads of the world. Singapore's
strategic position has helped it grow into a major center for trade, communications, and tourism. Its geographical location is 96km
north of the equator, between longitude 103 degrees 36' East and 104 degrees 25' East. Singapore is often touted as a concrete
jungle with close to 90% of the population living in flats and an ever-changing skyline of monumental buildings. Government and
private enterprises also conduct an orchestra of automation that makes Singapore one of the world's most efficient societies. Yet
Singapore has also been known as a green city. There is a wealth of flora and fauna here that is beyond our own imagination.
• Two causeway bridges link Malaysia, which is just north of Singapore. The key islands of the Riau Archipelago of Indonesia are
also just a quick ferry trip away, whereas Thailand and the Philippines are a short plane journey away. Singapore, with an airport
served by more than 69 airlines, is very much the gateway to Southeast Asia
• Singapore's climate is warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from 23 degree Celsius to 31 degree Celsius. This makes it
ideal for those who enjoy sunbathing, swimming, sailing, and other water sports. For those who do not enjoy the tropical climate,
Singapore is sheltered from the worst effects of the sun with air-conditioning in almost all of its buildings, including restaurants.
Rain falls throughout the year with more consistent rain during the monsoon season from November to January. Showers are
usually sudden and heavy, but brief and refreshing.
• Singapore is 8 hours ahead from GMT.
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• Culture
• Singapore is a cosmopolitan society where people live harmoniously and interaction among different races are commonly seen. The
pattern of Singapore stems from the inherent cultural diversity of the island. The immigrants of the past have given the place a mixture of
Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European influences, all of which have intermingled.
• Behind the facade of a modern city, these ethnic races are still evident. The areas for the different races, which were designated to them by
Sir Stamford Raffles, still remain although the bulk of Singaporeans do think of themselves as Singaporeans, regardless of race or culture.
Each still bears its own unique character.
• The old streets of Chinatown can still be seen; the Muslim characteristics are still conspicuous in Arab Street; and Little India along
Serangoon Road still has its distinct ambience. Furthermore, there are marks of the British colonial influence in the Neo-Classical
buildings all around the city.
• Each racial group has its own distinctive religion and there are colorful festivals of special significance all year round. Although the
festivals are special to certain races, it is nonetheless enjoyed by all.
• In Singapore, food is also readily and widely available. There are lots of cuisines to offer. We have, Chinese, Indian, Malay, Indonesian
and Western, Italian, Peranakan, Spanish, French, Thai and even Fusion. It is very common to savour other culture's food and some of the
food can be very intriguing. Indian food are relatively spicier, whereas Chinese food is less spicier and the Chinese enjoy seafood. Malay
cooking uses coconut milk as their main ingredient, that makes their food very tasty.
• You can refer to our Eating in Singapore section for a list of recommended food outlets in Singapore.
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• Religion in Singapore
• Most Singaporeans celebrate the major festivals associated with their respective religions. The
variety of religions is a direct reflection of the diversity of races living there. The Chinese are
predominantly followers of Buddhism, Taoism, Shenism, Christians, Catholics and some considered
as 'free-thinkers' (Those who do not belong to any religion). Malays have the Muslims and Indians
are Hindus. There is a sizeable number of Muslims and Sikhs in the Indian population.
• Religious tolerance is essential in Singapore. In fact, religions often cross racial boundaries and
some even merge in unusual ways in this modern country. Younger Singaporeans tend to combine a
little of the mysteries of the older generation with the realistic world that they know of today.
• Religion is still an integral part of the cosmopolitan Singapore. Many of its most interesting
buildings are religious, be it old temples, modern churches, or exotic mosques. An understanding of
these buildings do play a part in contributing to the appreciation of their art.
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• Chinese Temples
• Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and ancestral worship are combined into a versatile mix
in Chinese temples.
• Followers of the Tao (The Way) adhere to the teachings of the ancient Chinese legend, Lao
Tzu. They are concerned with the balance of the Yin and Yang, which are opposite forces of
heaven and earth, male and female. Feng Shui, literally translated as wind and water, also
originated from Yin and Yang. Ancestral worship is common and the spirits of the dead, like
the gods themselves, are appeased with offerings.
• Most Buddhists are of the Mahayana school although there are some from the Theravada
school. In Singapore, the Buddhist faith is linked with Taoism and the practical doctrine of
Confucianism.
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• Islam
• The Malays in Singapore are Muslims. A few of the Indians are also Muslims, but even more
uncommon are the Chinese Muslims.
• Islam has a fundamental influence in the lives of those who follow the Prophet of Allah,
Muhammad. The religion involves praying five times a day, eating only "halal" food, fasting
during Ramadan, and going to Mecca on the Haj (pilgrimage). Halal food means food that
has been specially prepared as according to the religion's dietary requirements.
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• Hinduism
• As the Indian immigrants migrate to Singapore, they brought with them Hinduism. The early temples are still
the central points of rituals and festivals, which are held throughout the year.
• Christianity
• One will be able to find Christian churches of all denominations in Singapore. They were actually established
with the arrival of various missionaries after the coming of Sir Stamford Raffles. Together with Buddhism,
Islam, and Hinduism, Christianity is considered one of the four main religions today. There is quite a large
number of Christians on the island.
• Others
• Minority faiths are not forgotten. There are at least two synagogues for the Jews and Sikhs. The Zoroastrians
and Jains are also represented in Singapore.
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• Language in Singapore
• The four official languages of Singapore are Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and English. English is the most common language
used and is the language which unites the different ethnic groups. Children are taught in English at school but also learn their
mother tongue to make sure they don't lose contact with their traditions.
• Expatriates and foreigners may encounter language problems in the beginning of their stay in Singapore as many Singaporeans
use Singlish to communicate. Singlish is a mix of English with other languages mixed into the English, sometimes phrases can
end with funny terms like 'lah', 'leh', mah'. Chinese commonly use their own dialects to communicate, and sometimes, inter-
dialect groups don't understand one another's language, as the language is vastly different. Except for Hokkien and Teochew,
which have a closer link. The Malays use the language among their fellow races and the Indians speak Tamil. But whatever the
race or religion, the country's community unite as one nation, where most religious or racial gaps are being bridged.
• Singapore English has its origins in the schools of colonial Singapore. In the nineteenth century very few children went to
school at all, and even fewer were educated in English. The people who spoke English and sent their children to English
medium schools were mainly the Europeans, the Eurasians (people of mixed racial ancestry), some of the small minorities, such
as the Jews, some of the Indians and Ceylonese, and also a group of Chinese people usually called the Straits Chinese, who had
ancestors of long residence in the region, and who spoke a variety of Malay usually called Baba Malay which was influenced by
Hokkien Chinese and by Bazaar Malay.
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• Language of Singapore
• The fact that all these children would have known Malay probably explains why most of the loan words in Singapore Colloquial English are
from Malay. The largest group of teachers were Eurasians, and there were also many teachers from Ceylon and India. European teachers
were never more than a quarter of the total teaching staff in a school, and they usually taught the senior classes. These Europeans may have
been from Britain (which at that time included Ireland) but were also from the USA, Belgium and France. The children in these schools
would have been exposed to many varieties of English.
• In the first twenty years of the twentieth century, English medium education became popular for all groups. Girls started going to school in
larger numbers too. By the 1950s nearly all children went to school, and the majority were educated in English. By the 1980s. all education
was in the medium of English (with children learning another language alongside English).
• Singapore English grew out of the English of the playground of these children of various linguistic backgrounds who were learning English
at school. As more and more of its people experienced learning English at school, English became widely spoken, alongside Singapore's
many other languages. Since Singapore became an independent Republic in 1965, the use of English has increased still further. For many
Singaporeans, English is the main language. Many families speak English at home and it is one of the the first languages learnt by about half
of the current pre-school children.
• Nearly everyone in Singapore speaks more than one language, with many people speaking three or four. Most children grow up bilingual
from infancy and learn more languages as they grow up. Naturally the presence of other languages (especially various varieties of Malay and
of Chinese) has influenced the English of Singapore. The influence is especially apparent in the kind of English that is used informally,
which is popularly called Singlish. Singlish is a badge of identity for many Singaporeans.
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• Language of Singapore
• Singlish
• Singapore English usually come from other languages spoken in Singapore, especially Malay and Hokkien. Speakers of
Singlish are not necessarily aware of which language they are from however.
• Example:
• habis - finished
• makan - to eat
• chope - to reserve something
• cheem - difficult, complicated
• ang mo - a white person
• rojak - mixed, a mix of
• liao - finished, the end
• kiasu - afraid to lose mentality
SINGAPORE
 HISTORY
A long, long time ago
While the earliest known historical records of Singapore are shrouded in time, a third century
Chinese account describes it as "Pu-luo-chung", referring to "Pulau Ujong" which means the
"island at the end of a peninsula" in the Malay language. Later, the city was known
as Temasek ("Sea Town"), when the first settlements were established from AD 1298-1299.
During the 14th century, this small but strategically-located island earned a new name.
According to legend, Sang Nila Utama, a Prince from Palembang (the capital of Srivijaya), was
out on a hunting trip when he caught sight of an animal he had never seen before. Taking it to be
a good sign, he founded a city where the animal had been spotted, naming it “The Lion City” or
Singapura, from the Sanskrit words “simha” (lion) and “pura” (city).
The city was then ruled by the five kings of ancient Singapura. Located at the tip of the Malay
Peninsula, the natural meeting point of sea routes, the city flourished as a trading post for vessels
such as Chinese junks, Arab dhows, Portuguese battleships, and Buginese schooners.
 HISTORY
The Raffles Effect
Modern Singapore was founded in the 19th century, thanks to politics, trade and a
man known as Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles.
During this time, the British empire was eyeing a port of call in this region to base
its merchant fleet, and to forestall any advance made by the Dutch. Singapore,
already an up-and-coming trading post along the Malacca Straits, seemed ideal.
Raffles, then the Lieutenant-Governor of Bencoolen (now Bengkulu) in Sumatra,
landed in Singapore on 29 January 1819. Recognising the immense potential of
the swamp-covered island, he helped negotiate a treaty with the local rulers and
established Singapore as a trading station. The city quickly grew as an entrepot
trade hub, attracting immigrants from China, India, the Malay Archipelago and
beyond.
 HISTORY
The Raffles effect (cont…)
In 1822, Raffles implemented the Raffles Town Plan, also known as the Jackson
Plan, to address the issue of growing disorderliness in the colony. Ethnic
residential areas were segregated into four areas. The European Town had
residents made up of European traders, Eurasians and rich Asians, while the
ethnic Chinese were located in present-day Chinatown and south-east of the 
Singapore River. Ethnic Indians resided at Chulia Kampong north of Chinatown,
and Kampong Gelam consisted of Muslims, ethnic Malays and Arabs who had
migrated to Singapore. Singapore continued to develop as a trading post, with the
establishment of several key banks, commercial associations and Chambers of
Commerce. In 1924, a causeway opened linking the northern part of Singapore to
Johor Bahru.
 HISTORY
War and Peace
Singapore’s prosperity suffered a major blow during World War II, when it was
attacked by the Japanese on 8 December 1941. The invaders arrived from the north,
confounding the British military commanders who had expected an attack by sea
from the south. Despite their superior numbers, the Allied forces surrendered to the
Japanese on Chinese New Year, 15 February 1942. It was the largest surrender of
British-led forces in history. The island, once feted as an “impregnable fortress”,
was renamed Syonan-to (or “Light of the South Island” in Japanese).
When the Japanese surrendered in 1945, the island was handed over to the British
Military Administration, which remained in power until the dissolution of the
Straits Settlement comprising Penang, Melaka and Singapore. In April 1946,
Singapore became a British Crown Colony.
 HISTORY
The Road to Independence
In 1959, the growth of nationalism led to self-government, and the country’s first
general election. The People’s Action Party (PAP) won a majority of 43 seats and
Lee Kuan Yew became the first prime minister of Singapore.
In 1963, Malaysia was formed, comprising of the Federation of Malaya,
Singapore, Sarawak and North Borneo (now Sabah). The move was meant to
foster closer ties. However, Singapore’s merger proved unsuccessful, and less than
two years later on 9 August 1965, it left Malaysia to become an independent and
sovereign democratic nation.
Today, many slices of Singapore’s multi-cultural, colonial and wartime past are
preserved in and around the city. You can visit monuments, museums and
memorials, or for a real trip through time, take a walk along a heritage trail.
SINGAPORE
COPES UP WITH COVID
19
 COPES UP WITH COVID 19
• The COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted global economic activity, and led to both demand- and supply-side shocks to
the Singapore economy.
• Given the fast-evolving situation, it is important for policymakers to leverage high-frequency and realtime economic indicators
to monitor the effects of COVID-19 on the Singapore economy.
• The impact of COVID-19 on the Singapore economy has been significant. Sectors that have been the most severely affected are
those that rely on international travel, including the air transport, accommodation and other tourism-related sectors.Consumer-
facing sectors such as retail and food services have also been badly affected by the cutback in domestic consumption amidst
progressively stricter safe distancing measures. At the same time, outward-oriented sectors like manufacturing and wholesale
trade have been affected by the fall in external demand and supply chain disruptions, while domestically-oriented sectors like
construction and real estate have been affected by negative spillovers arising from the downturn in the domestic economy.
However, there are also bright spots in the economy, with the rise in demand for online sales and services.
• Taking these factors into account, MTI has further downgraded the 2020 GDP growth forecast for the Singapore economy to “-
7.0 per cent to -4.0 per cent”, from “-4.0 per cent to -1.0 per cent”.
• The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Ministry of Trade
and Industry (MTI).
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TOURIST SPOTS
 TOURIST SPOTS
1. Orchard Road
Orchard Road is the main shopping street of Singapore, regularly frequented by
the locals as well as foreign tourists. Named after the fruit orchards that the road
led to, Orchard Road is flanked by malls, numerous upmarket restaurants, coffee
chains, cafés, nightclubs and hotels. It is also the site of the official residence of
the President of Singapore, the Istana. The Christmas decorations along Orchard
are famous and entirely over the top, with reindeers cavorting through palm trees
and gingerbread houses topped with fake snow.
 TOURIST SPOTS
2. Resorts World Sentosa
Resorts World Sentosa is a Singaporean destination unto itself. Located on an
island off Singapore’s south coast, the property features hotels, restaurants, a
casino, theme parks – in short, something for everyone no matter how old they
are. With this location, attractions obviously center around the sea: Marine Life
Park, Dolphin Island, a water park and an aquarium. Other attractions include
Universal Studios Singapore and nightly entertainment. The casino offers a
variety of table games sand 2,400 slot machines; be forewarned, it does enforce a
dress code. The resort offers more than 60 dining options for hungry guests.
 TOURIST SPOTS
3. Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay is another part of Singapore’s past that is still a happening place
today. One of the key tourist attractions in Singapore, the quay, at the mouth of
the Singapore River, was the city’s hub of commerce in the late 19th century. It
still hustles and bustles today, but with a different kind of commerce: trendy
restaurants, unique boutiques, pushcart vendors and more, all of which blend
Asian and European influences. Once a market, always a market, except at night
when Clarke Quay teems with chic nightspots.
 TOURIST SPOTS
4. Raffles Hotel
Raffles Hotel, with its graceful colonial style, is the face of Singapore. Since it
opened in 1887, it quickly became THE place to stay in Singapore, with writers
Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham and Ernest Hemingway, among others,
adding to its fame. This epitome of luxury boasts 15 restaurants and bars,
including the Long Bar where the cocktail Singapore Sling was invented. The
Raffles Hotel is legendary the world over, down to the uniformed Sikh doormen
who introduce guests to this bit of Southeast Asian history. The lobby of the main
building is open to the public while the hotel museum is hidden away on the 3rd
floor.
 TOURIST SPOTS
5. Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is a recent addition to Singapore’s tourist attractions, but is
one that gardeners won’t want to miss visiting. Open less than a decade, Gardens
by the Bay is built on reclaimed land in central Singapore. It consists of three
gardens: Bay Central, a garden with a waterfront walk that will eventually
connect the other two gardens; Bay East, which is opening in phases as sections
are completed, and Bay South, the largest garden, which showcases tropical
horticulture and includes tree-like structures up to 50 meters (160 feet) high that
dominate the Gardens’ landscape.
 TOURIST SPOTS
6. Singapore Botanic Gardens
Travelers on a budget will appreciate the Singapore Botanic Gardens as most of
the gardens are free; there is only a charge for the National Orchid Garden, the
most visited section of the garden. The garden contains more than 60,000 species
of plants and animals, and is home to the world’s first children’s garden. Past
visitors rave about the tropical greenery of the gardens.
 TOURIST SPOTS
7. Night Safari
Travelers who enjoy nightlife but are tired of the club scene should head over to
Night Safari where nocturnal, not party, animals are on display. Since it opened in
1984, it is one of Singapore’s top attractions, with more than one million people
annually enjoying a tram ride through seven of the world’s geographic regions.
Visitors also can take a trail walk to learn more about animal habits while another
section features a show on the organization’s work to preserve threatened species
through captive breeding programs. Three restaurants features menus and
entertainment that reflect life in the jungle or rainforest.
 TOURIST SPOTS
8. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
The Chinese build temples to a lot of gods and other things, but the Buddha Tooth
Relic Temple is one of the more unusual. In the late 1980s when a Buddhist
temple was first proposed for Singapore’s Chinatown, it was supposed to become
a more traditional temple. Somewhere along the line it became the Tooth Relic
Temple, a home for a tooth relic from Buddha. The temple, located in central
Chinatown, also features other arts and culture of Singaporean Buddhists.
 TOURIST SPOTS
9. Singapore Flyer
The Singapore Flyer is a giant Ferris wheel, only with benefits, that only start
with the stunning views below. Cars hold up to 28 people as they circle above the
city. When it opened in 2008, it was the highest Ferris wheel in the world,
reaching 165 meters (541 feet) up into the Singaporean sky. With advance notice,
the Flyer can accommodate disabled guests in wheelchairs. Located on Marina
Bay, the Flyer’s terminal has three floors of restaurants, shops and other services.
 TOURIST SPOTS
10. Marina Bay Sands
If construction costs are a traveler’s bag, then they’ll delight in seeing the Marina
Bay Sands, a resort that cost US$5.7 billion to build, making it the world’s most
expensive building when it opened in 2010. The Marina Bay Sands is an
integrated resort that has it all: a luxury hotel, restaurants, an endless collection of
shops, a convention center that is one of the largest in Asia, theater, an ArtScience
Museum and other entertainment centers. It also has an indoor skating rink made
with synthetic ice.