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Singapore
Orientation
Singapore is where tradition perfectly blends with modernity. In an island only 42 kilometres (26 miles) long,
visitors can experience a great variety of Asian cultures and see the world's busiest port and soaring skyscrapers at the same time.
With its clean and safe environment, as well as its comprehensive transportation system, Singapore has successfully established itself
as one of the world's favourite destinations. More importantly, the government's policy support to tourism also ensures the warmest
welcome is extended to every visitor to Singapore.
City Facts
- Singapore Population: 3,587,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000 estimate)
- Currency: Singapore dollar (S$, SGD)
- Time Zone: GMT +8, Eastern Time +13, Pacific Standard Time +16
- Language: English (language of administration), Chinese (Mandarin), Malay and Tamil
Weather
Weather Forecast
Climate
As one of the cities near the equator, Singapore's climate is typically tropical. Hot and humid throughout the year,
the temperature in Singapore usually reaches 30°C with 75% humidity. The monthly average rainfall is 260 millimetres (10 inches)
while it is a little bit higher during the winter. In summer months, the rainfall is usually around 170 millimetres.
Travel Tips
Arts and Events
In Singapore, visitors can experience a vast number of festivals during the whole year. As most of the festivals are
calculated by the lunar calendar, their dates vary every year. Chinese New Year is one of the most stunning festivals in Singapore,
with houses and shops decorated with lights, as well as lion and dragon dances amid a riot of gongs and drums. To mark a perfect end
of the New Year Festival, Singapore also has the Chingay Procession a week or so later, during which visitors can see floats (chingay)
and dances. In June, the world-famous Dragon Boat Race is held, attracting excellent international teams of longboat oarsmen and drummers.
Meanwhile, the biennial Singapore Festival of the Arts also magnetizes international performers to the city.
Dining
As the food capital of Asia, Singapore has millions of food lovers and a great variety of premier restaurants.
Despite every country's cuisine on display, the most direct way to taste the real Singapore is from a hawker stall. Located at a number of
hawker centres, hawker stalls in Singapore offer the widest selection of traditional dishes. Typical menu items include chicken rice
(a casserole of chicken, Chinese sausage, Chinese mushrooms and rice) and laksa (spicy coconut soup with quail's eggs, shrimps, chicken,
bean curd, bean sprouts and noodles).
Tipping Advice
Tipping is not common in the city, although it is becoming more prevalent. 10% service charge is usually charged at
the more expensive restaurants and hotels. But if none is added, just leave 10%. However, some of the hotels and restaurants discourage tips.
Service providers in larger hotels can be tipped around SGD 1.00 for good services. However, tipping is not allowed at the airport.
Transportation
Changi International Airport, which is 20 kilometres away from the city centre, is the only airport in Singapore.
Limousine, car hire, taxi services and shuttle buses are all available at the airport. Shuttle buses services is available from 6
in the morning to 12 at midnight, and the buses leave the airport every 20 minutes. Air-conditioned Mass Rapid Transit (MRT),
the underground rail system, is the best way for visitors to get around the city.
Arriving by Air
Singapore is served by Singapore Changi International Airport.
Getting Around Singapore
A restrictive licensing system is implemented in Singapore. The number of cars on the road is limited while cars
entering the central business district (CBD) need a further licence. The rule is also applicable to taxis, who will add the cost to the fare.
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