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Central
The Central District is the beating heart of Singapore. In Clarke Quay it beats to the sounds pumping out of dozens of bars and clubs while at the world-famous Esplenade Theatres, the rhythms tend to be more sophisticated. Whether you walk the green fields of Fort Canning Park or step back in time at the Asian Civilisations Museum, take a cruise on the Singapore River or cruise the eateries at Boat Quay, you’re sure to find something that will be a “central” part of your Singapore experience here.
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Central Business District
The Central Business District, or CBD as it is more commonly known, is the beating heart and financial centre of commercial Singapore. More than 600 financial institutions operate in Singapore, and it is home to South East Asia’s largest stock market, and the World’s fifth largest foreign exchange centre. Head to Raffles Place to get a glimpse into the every day business side of this buzzing city, and to surround yourself with the towering, gleaming skyscrapers. You will find Singapore’s three tallest buildings here, all built to the 280m limit set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore – the OUB Centre, the UOB Plaza and the Republic Plaza. Nearby Boat Quay and One Fullerton offer plenty of alfresco eating and drinking options, and one of the city’s best loved hawker centres, Lau Pa Sat, is a popular choice for a wide variety of cheap local dishes.
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Chinatown
Chinatown is very popular with visitors to Singapore. Its beautifully preserved shophouses provide a glimpse into the area’s past, whilst the street stalls and fancy boutiques provide some of the most varied shopping in town. An abundance of temples and museums highlight the multi-ethnicity of Singapore, explore its inhabitants cultural outlook, and provide an understanding of their past. A plethora of hawker stalls, restaurants and wine bars give plenty of options for eating and entertainment.
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East
The East of Singapore is part residential, part leisure, and is often the first part of Singapore visitors see, being home to Changi Airport. An abundance of high-rise condos and traditional bungalows make this a popular part of town to live. The traditional Peranakan area of Katong and the red light district of Geylang make interesting areas to visit, to see a different side to this modern city and to eat some of the best local food in town. The 15km long East Coast Park is beautifully maintained and is popular with walkers, cyclists, sailors, windsurfers and roller-bladers, especially at weekends when there’s a real throng of action. The East Coast Seafood Centre is one of the best places for an alfresco seafood feast.
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Little India
A wander through Little India will have you wondering whether you are in Delhi rather than Singapore. This most vibrant and colourful part of Singapore houses several spectacular temples and bustling shops selling everything from gold jewellery, to Hindi music CDs, cheap clothing and souvenirs. The restaurants of Race Course Road are popular with locals and visitors alike who flock here in search of a good quality curry, and for an authentic Asian shopping experience, don’t miss the fresh food market stalls of the Tekka Centre.
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North
The North of Singapore is where much of the city’s local population lives in towering Housing Development Board (HDB) blocks. From a visitor’s point of view, it is also home to the ‘wild’ side of Singapore - 3,000 hectares of the rainforest that once covered Singapore remain here, and is home to more than 840 flowering plant and 500 animal species. The MacRitchie Reservoir and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve are popular spots for hiking and wildlife spotting. If you prefer your wildlife viewing in a more controlled environment, this is where you will also find the Singapore Zoo, and the world famous Night Safari. To escape Singapore on 4 wheels, this is also where you will find the causeway to Malaysia.
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Orchard
Paris has the Champs-Elysees,...
Paris has the Champs-Elysees, New York has Fifth Avenue, and Singapore has Orchard Road. This 2.5km stretch of road is said to have the largest concentration of shopping malls in the world, and that’s not hard to believe. It’s all about brands here, and the newer and flashier the mall, the better. The area is also home to several high-end condos and world-class hotels. Within the malls and hotels you will find a wide variety of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets, and most malls have a food court for a cheaper option. If you know where to look, it is possible to escape the air-conditioning and enjoy some alfresco refreshments - Emerald Hill and Cuppage Terrace are two hidden gems to hunt out.
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South
Much of the South of Singapore is taken up with the container terminal – the largest in the world by shipping tonnage and handling about one-fifth of the world's total container transhipments. From a visitor’s point of view the South is mostly of interest as the Gateway to Sentosa – Singapore’s playground. It is also home to Vivo-city, one of the city’s largest and most popular shopping malls housing several good bars and restaurants and a 15 screen cinema complex, while the next-door bar and nightclub complex, St James Powerstation, provides some after-dark fun. The cable car at the Harbourfront Centre is a fun way to link between Mount Faber and Sentosa.
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West
Even though all of Singapore is technically considered part of the city, the west side of the island has a decidedly suburban feel. This is due in no small part to the expat enclave of Holland Village -- a small neighborhood with a funky collection of bars, restaurants and shops -- and Rochester Park, a suite of restaurants nestled in leafy, park-like settings. Throw in the former army barracks of Tanglin Village -- now converted to unique boutiques and eateries -- as well as attractions like the Singapore Science Centre and Jurong Bird Park and a day out in the “burbs” starts to seem like a better and better idea!
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Sentosa
Often dubbed “Singapore’s Playground”, Sentosa is home to a concentrated collection of world-class visitor attractions and beach-front resorts. To the east of the island is Sentosa Cove, Singapore’s answer to Beverley Hills, boasting multi-million dollar condos, villas and yachts. The Southern beaches – Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong – see the city’s sun-worshippers and beach-sport lovers flocking here at weekends, while the beachside bars kick out thumping tunes.
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