Places to Go |
The Singapore Zoo (Former Singapore Zoological Gardens) is acclaimed as one of the world's most spectacular zoos. The use of natural barriers like streams, rock walls and vegetation to separate animals from visitors enhances the "open" zoo concept. Spreading over 28 hectares, it is home to over 3,600 mammals, birds and reptiles, including rare and endangered species. The Zoo's orang utan breeding programme has created a large community of these gentle, endangered species.
Beach lovers can enjoy exciting games and sea sports along the 3.2-km long sandy beaches stretching across Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong. On weekends, the beach pubs will spring into action as beach volleyball fans flock to Siloso Beach for their favourite game. In recent years, Sentosa had also gained international fame for holding some of Singapore's most exciting themed events like the Sentosa Sandsation (an international sand sculpting event), Black Moon Foam Parties, Zouk Out Dance Festival and Sentosa's yearly Countdown Parties right here!
As a national heritage site, CHIJMES (pronounced "chimes") is an attraction offering an exciting dining, shopping, leisure and entertainment experience. CHIJMES Hall, the restored chapel, provides a spectacular backdrop for musicals, recitals and other theatrical performances.
The Singapore Art Museum at Bras Basah Road is housed in a beautifully restored school building (the former St. Joseph's Institution). The museum has 13 galleries and is home to the national art collection of Singapore. Since its opening in 1996 the museum's permanent collection has grown from under 2000 art works to over 4000, making it the largest collection of 20th -century Southeast Asian art in the region.
The Gardens epitomises the tropical island's luxuriant parks. Spread over 52 hectares and close to the centre of the city, the Gardens is a combination of untouched primary forest and specialty gardens displaying frangipanis, roses, ferns and desert plants, to name a few. There are numerous plant species here, including many rare specimens, reflect the Gardens' richness and diversity of plant life.
Named after Sir Andrew Clarke, Singapore's second governor, Clarke Quay had been the commercial centre, where an unending stream of lighters would transport their goods upriver to the very warehouses that now contain shops of every extravagant nature.
Singapore's Catholic community commemorates the crucifixion of Christ every Good Friday with a procession through the grounds of this church. In 1825, Father Francisco da Silva e Maia founded the Portuguese Mission on the site where St. Joseph's Church now stands. This was the first place of Catholic worship in Singapore.
Fort Siloso is the Singapore's only preserved coastal fort stands as an important window to our colonial past and a poignant reminder of the war years. When the British colonized Singapore in the 1870s, the new harbor (Keppel Harbor) saw the expansion of activities that risked being rampaged by invaders and pirates. It was decided that a fort would be sited at the western end of a small island called Pulau Blakang Mati (now known as Sentosa), so Fort Siloso, the first of such fortification, was born.
Today, Little India is the focal point of Singapore's Indian community. Hundreds of Indians assemble on Serangoon Road on Saturdays to share the news received from 'home'. The crush has become so dense that the police create temporary passages through the crowds to let pedestrians and shoppers through. During Deepavali, the Indian Festival of Lights, Little India is transformed into a fairyland of gaily decorated, brightly lit streets bustling with shoppers.
Located in three newly restored shop houses at the ethnic quarters of Chinatown, the Chinatown Heritage Centre houses a wealth of memories and untold stories of how Singapore's early forefathers had settled in this area after their perilous journey from afar.
Changi Village shows a more relaxed side of Singapore. The local beach has clean sand that attracts fishermen and bathers alike, especially on weekends. In the village itself, there are plenty of bargains to be found - T-shirts, electronic equipment, carpets, Indian cotton clothing, shoes, batik dresses, kimonos and all types of table linen.
If you thirst for excitement, get ready for some crazy adventures at Cinemania, Singapore's first experiential theatre of the 21st century. Here you can enjoy hair-raising stimulating rides that bring you right into the action of a movie! |
|
Syndicate
