Singapore

• Singapore has a land area of about 728 square kilometres, making it the smallest country in Southeast Asia in terms of area and one of the smallest countries in the world.
• Singapore’s population is over 5 million people, including ethnic groups such as Chinese, Malays, Indians and others.
• Singapore itself is the capital of the country.
• The official languages are English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil.
• Singapore has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world and its economy is based on trade, financial services, manufacturing and tourism.
• The currency is the Singapore dollar (SGD).
• Singapore is a parliamentary republic with a democratic system and is dominated by the People’s Action Party (PAP).
• Singapore has a world-class education system and is among the best in the world in terms of student performance in mathematics and science.
• The city has an excellent public transport system, including metros, buses and taxis.
• Singapore celebrates a variety of cultures and religions, which is reflected in its rich culinary scene.
• In recent years, Singapore has increasingly embraced environmental protection and sustainability to improve its green quality of life.
• Singapore is known for its cleanliness and order, which are maintained by strict laws and regulations.
• Since 1992, chewing gum has only been available for medicinal purposes.
• Prohibition of alcohol consumption in all public places from 10:30 pm to 7:30 am.
• Drug possession and use are punishable by severe penalties, up to and including death.
• Littering and spitting on the street is punishable by up to SGD 1,000 (> 600 € or 700 $).
• The Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) is required to enter Singapore. This should be completed online at least 3 days before arrival.

Local food and drinks:

• Singapore Sling: Fruity and aromatic cocktail made from gin, cherry liqueur, Bénédictine and other ingredients.

• International airport with 4 main terminals (IATA code: SIN).
• Multiple awards as “Best Airport in the World” in the Skytrax World Airport Awards.
• The airport regularly hosts temporary art exhibitions and installations that reflect the cultural diversity of Singapore and the region.
• There are numerous rest areas and lounges where passengers can rest and relax. Some lounges also offer spa and wellness services.
• Changi Airport offers a wealth of attractions and activities:
• Jewel Changi Airport (Terminal 4 outside the security area): Most famous attraction with spectacular indoor rainforest, the largest indoor waterfall in the world at 40 meters (HSBC Rain Vortex) , the Canopy Park with gardens, hiking trails and paid attractions such as the Bouncing Net and the Mastercard Canopy Bridge. The HSBC Light & Sound Show takes place several times in the evening. The exact times can be found on the website .
• Kinetic Rain (Terminal 1 outside the security area): Art installation consisting of over a thousand moving, silver raindrops that move synchronously.
• Butterfly Garden (Terminal 3): Quiet garden with a variety of colourful butterfly species.
• Sunflower Garden (Terminal 2): Flowering garden with sunflowers outside.
• Entertainment Deck (Terminal 2): Game consoles, cinema chairs and a variety of video games that passengers can enjoy free of charge.
• Cactus Garden (Terminal 1): Dry garden with an impressive collection of cacti and succulent plants.
• Enchanted Garden (Terminal 2): This “enchanted” garden combines nature, art and technology to create a fascinating experience for passengers and visitors.
• Wonderfall (Terminal 2 outside the security area): Digital waterfall over 4 floors.
• Dreamscape (Terminal 2): Garden area with a digital sky that simulates current day and weather conditions or an underwater world.
• Free Singapore Tour – Free city tour for 2.5 hours when transiting with Singapore Airlines (SQ) or Silk Air (MI) and a minimum stay of 5.5 hours.
• With the Singapore Airlines boarding pass, you get a discount at some of Singapore’s attractions (e.g. Gardens by the Bay or Singapore Flyer).

• Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple: The magnificent Hindu temple is one of the oldest and most famous in Singapore.
• Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple: This temple houses an impressive 15-metre high Buddha statue.
• Tekka Centre: This market is a popular place to buy fresh food, spices, fruits and vegetables.
• Mustafa Centre: This huge shopping centre is a 24-hour supermarket and department stores’ offering an impressive range of products from electronics and clothing to jewellery and food.
• Tan Teng Niah: Colourful and last preserved 2-storey Chinese villa built around 1900 in Little India.
• Indian Heritage Centre: This museum offers insights into the history and culture of the Indian community in Singapore. It has an impressive collection of artefacts and interactive exhibitions.
• Little India Arcade: In this area you will find shops selling traditional Indian clothing, shoes, jewellery and souvenirs.
• Kampong Kapor Methodist Church: This historic church is known for its charming architecture and is one of the oldest churches in Singapore.
• Cultural events and festivals: Little India comes alive during important Indian festivals like Diwali and Pongal. Colourful parades, cultural performances and traditional celebrations take place here.
• Street Art: You can discover many colorful murals in the streets of Little India.
• Food and drink: Little India is a culinary paradise. Try traditional Indian dishes like masala dosa, roti prata, biryani and delicious curries at the many restaurants and cookshops.

• Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan): Well-known landmark and one of the most important mosques in Singapore.
• Arab Street: Lively shopping street known for its numerous shops selling textiles, carpets, spices, perfumes and handicrafts. The street is also popular for its cultural atmosphere and diverse selection of restaurants and cafés.
• Haji Lane: The narrow alley is famous for its street art, trendy boutiques and hip shops. Here you can find unique fashion, jewellery and vintage items.
• Malay Heritage Centre: Museum dedicated to the history and culture of the Malay community in Singapore. It offers fascinating exhibitions, artefacts and insights into the lives of the Malay people.
• Bussorah Street: Charming street leading to the Sultan Mosque, lined with cafés, restaurants and shops.
• Kampong Glam Park: This small park near the Sultan Mosque is a quiet place to relax and enjoy the surroundings. It also offers a good view of the mosque.
• Art galleries and studios: Kampong Glam is home to several art galleries and studios where local artists exhibit and sell their work. This is a great opportunity to discover local art and culture.
• Events and festivals: The district organises cultural performances, parades and traditional celebrations during Ramadan and other important Malay and Arab festivals, reflecting the vibrant culture of Kampong Glam.

• Highlight during Chinese New Year when the streets are adorned with colorful decorations and parades, dragon dances and fireworks take place.
• Buddha Tooth Relic Temple: This impressive Buddhist temple is an architectural gem and is said to house a tooth of the Buddha.
• Sri Mariamman Temple: The oldest Hindu temple in Singapore and an architectural masterpiece. The temple is known for its colorful façade and the elaborately carved statues of Hindu deities.
• Chinatown Heritage Centre: The museum offers a deep insight into the history and life of Chinese immigrants in Singapore.
• Thian Hock Keng Temple: This Chinese temple is a masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture and is dedicated to the goddess of sailors, Mazu.
• Chinatown Complex: This is the largest hawker center in Singapore and a great place to try a variety of local dishes.

• Tekka Centre: Hawker Center in Little India
• Chinatown Complex Food Centre: Hawker Center in Chinatown
  • Liao Fan Hawker Chan: Hawker with Michelin star
• Maxwell Food Centre: Hawker Center in Chinatown
• Lau Pa Sat: Hawker Center in the city center
• Newton Food Centre: Hawker Center in Newton

• Opening of the hotel in 1887.
• The colonial-style hotel boasts impressive architecture with white facades, ornate balconies and a red tiled roof.
• The Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel is the birthplace of the famous Singapore Sling cocktail, which is still served there today.
• Over the decades, the Raffles Hotel has hosted numerous famous guests, including Ernest Hemingway, Charlie Chaplin, Elizabeth Taylor and Queen Elizabeth II.

• The Singapore Botanic Gardens were founded in 1859, making them one of the oldest botanic gardens in Southeast Asia.
• Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, making it the only botanical garden to have been awarded this status.
• The botanical garden covers an area of around 82 hectares and includes various gardens, lakes and greenhouses.
• The garden is home to over 10,000 species of plants, including rare orchids, palms, gingers, ferns, bamboo and many other botanical treasures.
• National Orchid Garden: A highlight of the Botanic Gardens is the National Orchid Garden, which houses an impressive collection of orchid species, including the famous “Vanda Miss Joaquim” (Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim), the national flower of Singapore. It is also known as the “Singapore orchid”.
• Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden: This part of the garden is specially designed for children and offers interactive activities and learning opportunities related to plants and nature.
• Symphony Lake Pavilion: Symphony Lake is a popular venue for outdoor concerts and performances that take place regularly.

• Clarke Quay: Lively riverside area in Singapore, known for its vibrant nightlife and entertainment options.
• Boat Quay: Historic district on the Singapore River, known for its restaurants and bars.

• Asian Civilisations Museum – This museum offers insights into the rich history and culture of Asia and is located in a beautiful building on the banks of the Singapore River.
• St. Andrew’s Cathedral – St. Andrew’s Cathedral is an Anglican church in Singapore and one of the oldest churches in the country.
• National Gallery Singapore – The museum houses an impressive collection of artworks from Singapore and the region. It is located in the restored historic building of the former Supreme Court and City Hall.
• Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall – These historic buildings are important cultural institutions in Singapore and host performances, concerts and events.

• The Merlion was designed in 1964 by city planner and curator Alec Fraser-Bruner to serve as a landmark for tourism in Singapore.
• In 2002, the Merlion was moved 120 meters from its location at the mouth of the Singapore River to Merlion Park on a ledge of the Fullerton Hotel so that the newly built Esplanade Bridge would no longer block the view of the Merlion.
• The original Merlion monument was erected on Mount Faber. It looked to the east, towards the original harbor of Singapore.
• In addition to the original Merlion, there was a larger Merlion statue with a height of 37 meters on Sentosa until 2022.
• The Merlion Monument in Marina Bay is illuminated at night and offers a spectacular light show in which the water fountain and the surrounding area glow in different colors.

• The striking architecture of the Esplanade, often called “Durian” because it is reminiscent of the prickly durian fruit, is a striking feature of the Singapore skyline.
• The Esplanade is home to several venues, including the Esplanade Theatre, the Esplanade Concert Hall and the Waterfront Outdoor Theatre.
• In addition to the stages, the Esplanade also offers art galleries that present various forms of visual art.

• Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade: A picturesque waterfront promenade around Marina Bay, ideal for walks with views of the water and architecture.
• Helix Bridge: A futuristic pedestrian bridge in the form of a DNA double helix, which serves as a popular crossing over Marina Bay.
• ArtScience Museum: A futuristic museum in the shape of an open hand with innovative exhibitions on art and science.
• Singapore Flyer: A Ferris wheel on the edge of Marina Bay, offering spectacular views of the city, the skyline and the sea.
• Marina Barrage: A water barrier that protects Marina Bay and is also a popular public park for picnics and leisure activities.

• The resort consists of three interconnected 55-storey towers, which are crowned by a striking roof garden in the shape of a ship.
• There is a breathtaking infinity pool on the roof , which is considered the highest and longest in the world. It offers a spectacular view over the city, but its use is reserved for hotel guests.
• The roof garden, also known as SkyPark , not only houses the infinity pool, but also restaurants, bars and a viewing platform with panoramic views of the surrounding area. External visitors require an admission ticket.
• The resort has a casino, a theater with world-famous shows, luxury stores, restaurants with top chefs and bars.
• The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is a luxury shopping center with an impressive selection of international designer brands and boutiques.
• The Sands Expo and Convention Centre is one of the largest convention centers in Asia and an important venue for conferences and events.
• The Marina Bay Sands is also home to the ArtScience Museum with innovative exhibitions on art and science.

• In four acts, the 15-minute show tells the story of Singapore from the past to the present and celebrates its development into a modern, multicultural city-state.
• Spectra is usually performed twice daily at 8.00 pm and 9.00 pm, with an additional performance at 10.00 pm on Friday and Saturday. The exact times may vary depending on the season and can be found on the website .
• State-of-the-art technologies in the fields of lighting design, lasers and water technology are used to create an immersive experience.
• The Event Plaza in front of the Marina Bay Sands offers the best seats for the show, but other areas along the Marina Bay Promenade also offer good views.
• Spectra uses an impressive combination of laser beams, colored lights and dynamic water fountains to create a spectacular visual show.
• The choreographed water fountains reach a height of up to 20 meters and serve as a projection surface.
• The show is accompanied by specially composed music, which ranges from orchestral sounds to modern beats and enhances the visual effects.
• 3D projections on water walls tell stories and offer impressive visual effects that immerse the viewer in the narrative.
• Spectra replaced the previous show Wonder Full in June 2017.

• The greenhouse is characterized by its impressive domed architecture, which ensures natural lighting conditions with transparent structures.
• The Flower Dome houses a diverse collection of plants from different regions of the world. Inside there are various gardens with different climatic conditions, from dry to temperate zones.
• At 1.28 hectares, the Flower Dome is the largest air-conditioned greenhouse in the world, in which a variety of plants can be cultivated under optimal conditions.
• The Dome is divided into various themed areas where seasonal flower shows, special events and exhibitions are presented.

• The greenhouse is an imposing structure with an artificial mountain and a crescent-shaped waterfall wall. The dome surrounding the mountain is overgrown with plants and creates a lively and realistic mountain world.
• The cloud forest is home to a rich collection of plants from the humid mountain rainforests, including orchids, ferns and other tropical plants.
• The central element of the greenhouse is the artificial mountain, which is surrounded by a permanent fine cloud of mist that gives visitors the feeling of being in the clouds of a real mountain rainforest.
• A skywalk leads visitors around the artificial mountain and offers breathtaking views of the plants and the waterfall wall.
• Like the Flower Dome, the Cloud Forest is also air-conditioned to simulate the specific conditions of the mountain rainforest.

• Supertrees are artificial, vertical garden towers that reach heights of 25 to 50 meters.
• In addition to their aesthetic effect, the Supertrees serve as vertical gardens that house a variety of plants and help to create a green environment.
• The Supertrees are equipped with solar panels to generate part of their energy sustainably. They also collect precipitation for irrigation and serve as cooling towers for the greenhouses.
• The Supertree Observatory offers a viewing platform with a breathtaking view of the Singapore skyline and the surrounding gardens.

• The OCBC Skyway is located at a height of approx. 22 meters above the ground and offers a unique and impressive change of perspective.
• Visitors can stroll along the bridge and enjoy the spectacular surroundings both during the day and during the evening light shows.
• OCBC stands for the largest sponsor the Oversea China Banking Corporation.

• The Garden Rhapsody combines spectacular lighting effects that bathe the illuminated Supertrees in colorful splendor.
• The 15-minute light show is synchronized with music and the choice of music varies depending on the occasion and season.
• Admission to Garden Rhapsody is free and integrated into the daily schedule of Gardens by the Bay.
• The show is performed twice a day, usually at 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm. However, the exact times and the current program may vary and can be found on the website .

• Sentosa is the fourth largest island in Singapore and can be reached via various routes:
  • Sentosa Boardwalk – Pedestrian bridge
  • Singapore Cable Car – Cable car from 105-meter-high Mount Faber via HarbourFront Station
  • Sentosa Express – Monorail over VivoCity, a large shopping center
  • Sentosa Gateway – Road by bus or car
• The island offers a variety of tourist attractions, including beaches such as Siloso Beach and Palawan Beach , amusement parks such as Universal Studios Singapore , the S.E.A. Aquarium , the Adventure Cove Waterpark and historical sites such as Fort Siloso .
• Sentosa is known for its diverse entertainment options such as shows, restaurants, bars, shopping centers and a vibrant nightlife. The island also offers adventurous activities such as ziplining, Segway tours and skydiving.