DK Eyewitness - DK Eyewitness Top 10 Singapore (Pocket Travel Guide)

Clockwise from top: Thian Hock Keng Temple, ION Orchard mall, Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Bay skyline, Chinese New Year celebrations, Raffles Hotel, Fort Canning Park

Lion city. Major Asian powerhouse. Cultural melting pot. Shopping mecca. Fusion-food heaven. An island city-state of gleaming skyscrapers and primary rainforest, the Republic of Singapore contrasts striking modernity with its traditional heritage like nowhere else. With DK Eyewitness Top 10 Singapore, its yours to explore.

Small and densely populated, this tropical city-state is constantly reinventing itself. The space-age Gardens by the Bay, part natural wonder, part epic fantasy land, face the downtown urban jungle. While looking to the future, Singapore embraces its past. Its colonial legacy is preserved in Palladian buildings housing the National Gallery and the Asian Civilisation Museum. Poignant memories of World War II are scattered across the island, while pre-war shophouses have been reborn as hip boutiques and cafs.

Singapore is full of surprises: Taoist and Hindu temples, Muslim mosques, and Christian churches share streets with sublime spas and chic rooftop bars. Whether you are eyeing designer goods in the luxury malls of Orchard Road, weaving through stalls in Chinatown, sipping a Singapore Sling in Raffles Hotel, or slurping a fiery laksa in an open-air hawker center, there is never enough time for everything on offer. With eye-catching festivals and events, from Chinese New Year to the Singapore Grand Prix, its all here.

Whether youre visiting for a weekend or a week, our Top 10 guide brings together the best of everything Singapore has to offer, from the bright lights of Marina Bay to the boisterous laneways of Little India. The guide has useful tips throughout, from seeking out whats free to avoiding the crowds, plus seven easy-to-follow itineraries, designed to tie together a clutch of sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring photography and detailed maps, and youve got the essential pocket-sized travel companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Singapore.

EXPLORING SINGAPORE

For sights to see and cultures to experience, visitors to Singapore are spoiled for choice. Whether you have a couple of days stopover between flights or have come to get a fuller flavor of this city-state, here are some ideas for two and four days of sightseeing in Singapore.

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Two Days in Singapore

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Day 1

Morning

Start with a grand breakfast at .

Orchard Road is lined with a number of luxury malls, such as Paragon

Afternoon

Immerse yourself in Chinatown, visit and circle the lit-up bay at night.

Day 2

Morning

Begin by exploring the colorful lanes of .

Afternoon

Depending on your interests, head to the beaches and attractions on , winding up with dinner at the open-air food court, Satay by the Bay.

Sentosa Island provides a tranquil getaway from the bustle of the city

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Four Days in Singapore

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Day 1

Morning

Visit .

Afternoon

Head across the road to .

Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapores oldest Hindu place of worship

Day 2

Morning

Check out the Civic Districts architecture, potter around .

Afternoon

Dip into .

Day 3

Morning

Begin early to enjoy either fun-filled to experience old rural Singapore.

Afternoon

Take a stroll along the stunning for dinner and cocktails.

Day 4

Morning

Start off with a morning turn in Kampong Glam for boutiques and brunch, then explore .

Afternoon

Head down to .

Clarke Quay is a great spot for a riverside evening drink

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Top 10 Singapore Highlights

The otherworldly Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Ba

Top 10 Singapore Highlights

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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

Dedicated to Singapores fascinating history and culture, the National Museum of Singapore was established in the late 1800s and is the oldest museum in the country. It is housed in a large classical building designed in Neo-Palladian and Renaissance style. Behind the building is a glass and steel modern wing, which offers a striking contrast to the original structure. The museum features multimedia exhibits that bring the story of Singapore to life.

NEED TO KNOW

93 Stamford Rd 6332-3659 www.nhb.gov.sg Open 10am7pm daily; last admission to the Glass Rotunda at 6:15pm; other galleries at 6:30pm Adm S$15 adults, S$10 children, students, and senior citizens; free for under-6s

Google Map

• The museum has a caf and a modern European restaurant on the first floor, Flutes.
• The National Museum offers access facilities to those with specific needs.