Little Red Dot: Beyond Orchard Road and Marina Bay in Singapore

Singapore is probably the most modern of Asian countries, shinier and newer than many cities in Europe or the US. Yet regardless of modern feats of architecture and technology, its diverse local heritage shines through in its cuisine and culture.

Where to stay

If you have all the money in the world, then Raffles or Marina Bay Sands are the most luxurious places to stay. However, for most of us, Little India offers the best hostels and realistically-priced hotels. You can still experience Raffles anyway: just head over to their bar and order an iconic Singapore Sling.

What to see

History: Peranakan Chinese, the descendants of Chinese immigrants who moved to British Malaya between the 15th and 17th centuries, have their history and culture on display at the Peranakan Museum, and at Baba House.
Beach: Sentosa Island’s attractions may be a little over the top at times, but the beaches there are still perfectly good. Just pick a spot on Palawan beach and head out to the most Southern point of Continental Asia. For fine dining and lounging on Sentosa Island, book a beach bed at Tanjong Beach Club or Azzura Beach Club.
Flora and fauna: The Singapore Zoo is one of the best zoos in the world, if not the best, with over 2,530 animal residents. If you’d rather up the excitement level, visit the Night Safari and take their guided tram ride. To experience a tropical rainforest, look no further than Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, where a sweaty walk to the top of the hill more often than not leads to encounters with monkeys (don’t show them your teeth). 
Day trip: To experience what Singapore was like decades ago, take a boat to Pulau Ubin from Changi Village. After only 10 minutes, you’ll arrive in a wonderland of kampongs, lizards, shrines, and trees. Rent a mountain bike to explore further, but do be careful as the terrain is hilly and not all bikes have proper brakes.

What to eat

Some of Singapore’s most famous dishes include Hainan chicken rice, satay, laksa, chili crab, and Hokkien mee. These dishes are best eaten at hawker centers, large food courts located in the basements of shopping centers or in residential areas identified by plastic orange tables and/or seating. The Chinatown Complex Food Center is one of the more centrally located ones, or alternatively, the Maxwell Road Hawker Center allegedly serves up the best chicken rice in the country.  

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Photo: Mark Chan (Flickr)