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Singapore is the greatest melting pot of the east, a cultural pot pourri that leaves the unsuspecting visitor dazzled. Sir Stamford Raffles, a British civil servant, brought the 'Lion City' to world prominence after searching for a trading station to counter the Dutch influence in the Straits of Malacca, and trade has remained the island's mainstay.
Long back when Sir Stamford Raffles acquired it from the Sultan of Johor in 1819, Singapore had been virtually abandoned. However, within decades Singapore had become the main commercial and strategic centre for the region. In 1867, it became a British Crown Colony and housed one of the UK's most important naval bases. This status remained unchanged until 1942 when the Japanese army swept down through Malaya and occupied the colony. Three-and-a-half years later the Japanese surrendered in Singapore and the colony assumed its previous status. And with the dissolution of the British Empire came internal self-government in the year 1959.
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The tourism for Singapore has also proven to be of good economic benefit. Culture lovers thrive in this fusion of Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures which are the main ethnic groups with its assortment of mosques, temples and synagogues. Singapore presents a happy collision of opposites that is the grand and expensive at the famed Raffles Hotel, but low-key and cheap in the food markets of Bugis Junction and Clarke Quay. It is one of the popular tourist destinations in the world.
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But even in the low-key and cheap areas, Singapore remains an incredibly clean city where nothing is allowed to dull the shine even down to the banning of chewing gum. In the last few years there has been some pressure to relax the numerous laws that have given Singapore a reputation as a prosperous but rather antiseptic and pettily repressive city-state. But Singapore City's exciting riverside parade of bars and restaurants reveals that Singaporeans actually do know how to have fun and live life to the fullest.
The city of Singapore is so small that it can be toured in three days. But to view the best out here and to see all the highlights and get beneath the skin of this charming place you definitely have to go for a longer stay. A tour planned around the major districts allows one to appreciate its history, people and rich cultural diversity in an optimal period of time.
Singapore is an island with "1,000 shopping malls". Despite the hot climate, it is a tropical paradise for most tourists. It has great diversity of lifestyles, cultures, and religions which thrives within the framework of a regulated society. It is one of the popular tourists destinations in Asia.
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