The ASEAN Guide 2017

{ Asean Guide 2017 } GOASIAPLUS
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CLOCKWISE FROM
TOP The illuminated
supertrees at Gardens by
the Bay; The streets of
Chinatown; Local food
joints in Singapore:
Beautiful flowers at the
Cloud Forest and Flower
Dome.
Facts
Once a British colonial trading
post, Singapore today is the global
financial hub in Southeast Asia.
The country is densely-populated,
with high rise buildings and
condominiums, but a large number
of locals live in public-housing
tower blocks.
The country is also a media hub for
Southeast Asia, a strategic centre
for the region’s English-speaking
audience. However, the media
environment is tightly-controlled,
including online content.
When comes to the name ‘Chinatown’, a few countries
boast their fair share of their own traditional Chinese
quarter. Chinatown in Singapore, a bustling mix of
modern and traditional, is unique to its own right,
with low rise buildings and culture bursting out onto
the streets. There are lots of Chinese restaurants,
temples, old museums and plenty of food stalls. Plus
get your bargaining skills out as Chinatown has
hundreds of stalls selling everything from silk robes,
swaying lanterns to ‘Made in China’ goods.
HOW TO GET THERE
Take the MRT to Chinatown,
an interchange station
between the North East Line
and Downtown Line. Taking a
taxi is also an option.
WHAT TO DO
Take a walk down the tight
aisles and see hundreds
of shop selling almost
everything. Visitors can find
lots of unique gift items,
traditional and modern
clothing, plenty of authentic
food and sights. Must visit
list include Baba House,
Coin and Notes Museum,
Singapore City Gallery, Red
Dot Design Museum and the
Pinnacle@Duxton Skybridge.
WHERE TO STAY
There are a number of hotels
in Chinatown to choose from.
There is the Chinatown Hotel
built in heritage buildings;
Hotel 81, a 2-star hotel that
offers casual lodging with
free wifi. A more stylish place
is the Santa Grand, a former
Chinese opera house with
19th-century touches.
WHAT TO EAT
Visitors can check out
authentic Chinese dishes
flavoured with spices and
sauces. There are restaurants
serving dim sums, noodles
and even full mix dish meals.
Smaller stalls offer simple
yet interesting oriental
refreshments and snacks for
tourists to enjoy.
As at 2016, Singapore’s population
is 5,696,506 people. Chinese
account for more than 75% of
Singapore’s multi-racial population,
with Malays and Indians making
up much of the remainder. Major
languages are English, Malay,
Mandarin, Tamil.
Singapore’s strong growth sectors
are industrial base in electronics,
infocommunications and
mechanical engineering that drive
the country’s economic growth.
Singapore politics are based on
a parliamentary representative
democratic republic whereby
the President of Singapore is the
head of state, the Prime Minister
of Singapore is the head of
government and of a multi-party
system.
MediaCorp is one of the largest
broadcasting companies in
Singapore, with a variety of TV and
radio channels. Interestingly, you
can get TV stations from Malaysia
and Indonesia in Singapore.
Motorsports, football, basketball,
cricket, rugby union, swimming,
badminton and cycling are some of
the sports Singaporeans participate
in major Games.
The Vanda Miss Joaquim is
Singapore’s national flower. It was
chosen particularly for its vibrant
colours, hardiness and resilience
– qualities which reflect the
Singapore spirit.
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