Singapore: Rich pickings for culture vultures
Singapore: Rich pickings for culture vultures
Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Singapore
The buildings along the main streets of Singapore were adorned
with promotional banners and eye-catching decorations during a
recent visit. Shopping centers along Orchard, Scotts and Tanglin
roads were spruced up for the festive season in the hope of brisk
business.
But, as Singaporeans will be quick to tell you these days,
there is more to do in the island state than just max out your
credit cards on a shopping spree.
During a recent trip sponsored by the Singapore Tourism Board,
the cultural and nature sights to be viewed on the island were
put at center stage. The message was that while Singapore is
rightfully famous for its technologically savvy, ultramodern
face, tradition still lies at its heart.
For instance, people can trace Malay history of the area at
Malay Village on Geylang Serai road. The small village has a
cultural museum and holds cultural demonstrations, showcasing
traditional games and handicrafts, some of which are similar to
ones in neighboring countries, such as Indonesia.
One of its sections, called "kampung days", has been
transformed into a small community. Visitors can take a trip back
in time and witness the lifestyle of a traditional kampong
community in the 1950s and 1960s, before development changed much
of the city.
The village also houses restaurants, selling traditional
Malay, Chinese, Indian, Thai and western cuisines.
Spreading from both sides of Serangoon Road is Little India.
Shops sell silk, accessories and other ethnic goods, as well as
restaurants, serving northern and southern Indian dishes.
Another ethnic quarter is the Chinatown, stretching from Eu
Tong Sen street to the Telok Ayer area. Visitors can find food
stalls serving traditional delicacies and souvenir shops selling
varius goods, from silks to Chinese medicines and beauty
products, including renowned tiger balm and pearl cream.
Another interesting stop is the riverside village at Clarke
Quay with more than 50 shops and over 30 restaurants, pubs and
cafes in the area. At night, Clarke Quay is transformed into a
huge night bazaar.
Don't miss out on a trip on a "bumboat" to experience an
interesting ride along the Singapore River.
The 30-minute ride offers a stunning view along the river
during the day, or you can see highrise modern buildings and
historical ones glittering side by side at night.
Important sights include the former fort, the onetime general
post office (now the five-star hotel Fullerton building), the
Queen Elizabeth Walk, Lim Bo Seng Memorial, the half-fish, half-
lion Merlion statue at Merlion Park, which is believed to be the
spot where Prince Sang Nila Utama first spotted a lion. Later the
body of a fish was added to represent the country's history as
Temasek, meaning a sea town.
There is also the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles and his
landing site, the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, the old
Parliament House, which is the oldest government building in
Singapore. A bronze elephant, a gift from King Chulalongkorn of
Siam from his 1871 visit, stands guard in front of the building.
A destination not to be missed is Sentosa Island, which can
also be reached by cable car and ferry trip. The island is packed
with interesting sites, like the Merlion, Fort Siloso and the
Images of Singapore, another trip down memory lane with lifelike
displays showing life in the old days. There is also the dolphin
lagoon, the underwater world, the butterfly park and insect
kingdom museum.
Animal lovers can also visit the 20.2-hectare Jurong birdpark,
home to about 8,000 birds from 600 species, and enjoy the
birdshow at the pool amphitheater. One of the attractions is a
cockatoo singing the Rrrrassa Sayang Eee.... song.
Those who want to have close encounters with nocturnal animals
can visit the 40-hectare Night Safari, where around 1,200 animals
from 110 species live. Visitors can explore the area on foot or
by taking a tram ride.
There is even something for those of you seeking a thoroughly
different experience, like playing in the snow in a tropical
country. Snow City on Jurong Town Hall Road has a 60-meter-long
and three-story-high slope where people can ski and snowboard
(lessons are available). Children too can play and have fun in
the snow. And to complete the snow experience, an educational
program on low temperature science is also available.
Not far from it on Upper Jurong Road is the Singapore
Discovery Center, a place to learn more about the country's
history and its achievements in technology. It has a visual
dynamics 3D and 2D theater, a technology gallery and various
virtual reality games.
Other attractions include the thrilling journey at the Motion
Simulator Rides, exciting games using a real M-16 at the Shooting
Gallery or a chance to learn more about jungle survival. You can
also have a chat with a friendly robot, Little George.
Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Singapore
The buildings along the main streets of Singapore were adorned
with promotional banners and eye-catching decorations during a
recent visit. Shopping centers along Orchard, Scotts and Tanglin
roads were spruced up for the festive season in the hope of brisk
business.
But, as Singaporeans will be quick to tell you these days,
there is more to do in the island state than just max out your
credit cards on a shopping spree.
During a recent trip sponsored by the Singapore Tourism Board,
the cultural and nature sights to be viewed on the island were
put at center stage. The message was that while Singapore is
rightfully famous for its technologically savvy, ultramodern
face, tradition still lies at its heart.
For instance, people can trace Malay history of the area at
Malay Village on Geylang Serai road. The small village has a
cultural museum and holds cultural demonstrations, showcasing
traditional games and handicrafts, some of which are similar to
ones in neighboring countries, such as Indonesia.
One of its sections, called "kampung days", has been
transformed into a small community. Visitors can take a trip back
in time and witness the lifestyle of a traditional kampong
community in the 1950s and 1960s, before development changed much
of the city.
The village also houses restaurants, selling traditional
Malay, Chinese, Indian, Thai and western cuisines.
Spreading from both sides of Serangoon Road is Little India.
Shops sell silk, accessories and other ethnic goods, as well as
restaurants, serving northern and southern Indian dishes.
Another ethnic quarter is the Chinatown, stretching from Eu
Tong Sen street to the Telok Ayer area. Visitors can find food
stalls serving traditional delicacies and souvenir shops selling
varius goods, from silks to Chinese medicines and beauty
products, including renowned tiger balm and pearl cream.
Another interesting stop is the riverside village at Clarke
Quay with more than 50 shops and over 30 restaurants, pubs and
cafes in the area. At night, Clarke Quay is transformed into a
huge night bazaar.
Don't miss out on a trip on a "bumboat" to experience an
interesting ride along the Singapore River.
The 30-minute ride offers a stunning view along the river
during the day, or you can see highrise modern buildings and
historical ones glittering side by side at night.
Important sights include the former fort, the onetime general
post office (now the five-star hotel Fullerton building), the
Queen Elizabeth Walk, Lim Bo Seng Memorial, the half-fish, half-
lion Merlion statue at Merlion Park, which is believed to be the
spot where Prince Sang Nila Utama first spotted a lion. Later the
body of a fish was added to represent the country's history as
Temasek, meaning a sea town.
There is also the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles and his
landing site, the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, the old
Parliament House, which is the oldest government building in
Singapore. A bronze elephant, a gift from King Chulalongkorn of
Siam from his 1871 visit, stands guard in front of the building.
A destination not to be missed is Sentosa Island, which can
also be reached by cable car and ferry trip. The island is packed
with interesting sites, like the Merlion, Fort Siloso and the
Images of Singapore, another trip down memory lane with lifelike
displays showing life in the old days. There is also the dolphin
lagoon, the underwater world, the butterfly park and insect
kingdom museum.
Animal lovers can also visit the 20.2-hectare Jurong birdpark,
home to about 8,000 birds from 600 species, and enjoy the
birdshow at the pool amphitheater. One of the attractions is a
cockatoo singing the Rrrrassa Sayang Eee.... song.
Those who want to have close encounters with nocturnal animals
can visit the 40-hectare Night Safari, where around 1,200 animals
from 110 species live. Visitors can explore the area on foot or
by taking a tram ride.
There is even something for those of you seeking a thoroughly
different experience, like playing in the snow in a tropical
country. Snow City on Jurong Town Hall Road has a 60-meter-long
and three-story-high slope where people can ski and snowboard
(lessons are available). Children too can play and have fun in
the snow. And to complete the snow experience, an educational
program on low temperature science is also available.
Not far from it on Upper Jurong Road is the Singapore
Discovery Center, a place to learn more about the country's
history and its achievements in technology. It has a visual
dynamics 3D and 2D theater, a technology gallery and various
virtual reality games.
Other attractions include the thrilling journey at the Motion
Simulator Rides, exciting games using a real M-16 at the Shooting
Gallery or a chance to learn more about jungle survival. You can
also have a chat with a friendly robot, Little George.