MAIN Travel South & Southeast Asia Singapore

The Merlion, Singapore's national symbol Singapore Travel Fast Facts Getting there: regular flights from major cities to Singapore Changi Airport. What to see: Chinatown, Little India, Arab Street, Clarke Quay, Singapore Flyer, Orchard Street, Jurong, Sentosa Currencies: Singapore dollar Official language(s): English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay, Tami

Rising from a prime location as a shipping port and fishing village to that of a modern financial center, Singapore has the best educated population and enjoys one of the best standards of living in all of Southeast Asia, despite being the smallest of any.

But, traveler beware. If you're concerned about the rumors that abound about the restrictive laws that govern this tiny nation, know that they are all true.

Drug laws in Singapore are strictly enforced, as is legislation against all forms of pornography. Meanwhile, hefty fines await anyone who engages in public littering, and even discarding chewing gum anywhere but in a proper trash receptacle will cost you.

Still, for the savvy traveler Singapore offers the sophisticated and cosmopolitan, mixed with the delights of ethnic diversity seen in its thriving Chinatown, colorful Little India, or the spectacular Sultan Mosque rising from the Arab Street quarter.

For a quick introduction to the city, cruise down the Singapore River for a quick glimpse of the hubbub of shops and restaurants, temples and cultural attractions found around Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.

Also don't miss a relatively new waterfront attraction completed in 2008 featuring the world's tallest ferris wheel, the Singapore Flyer a virtual moving observation deck affording visitors spectacular views of the city and beyond.

Macaws pose for the camera at Jurong Bird Park

Or take the highly efficient Singapore Metro to beautiful gardens and bird parks found in Jurong town. Elsewhere, don't miss "the street where the world meets" -- Orchard Road, the sophisticated scene of luxury hotels and high-end restaurants, clubs, lounges and coffee bars.

Traveling by water is the best way around the islands that surround Singapore including Sentosa, the country's backyard playground featuring an aquarium, white sandy beaches, butterfly park, and family-friendly amusement rides.

DID YOU KNOW? Singapore Travel Fun Facts

Singapore after dark: Night Safari.

• Want to experience unusual nightlife in Singapore? Visit the world’s first safari park for nocturnal animals. Night Safari is an open-air zoo that is only open after dark.

• The planet's highest man-made waterfall is enclosed within the African Waterfall Aviary in Singapore's Jurong Bird Park.

• Suntec City's massive Fountain of Wealth is the largest fountain in the world covering an area of 1600 square meters.

• The world's largest tropical orchid garden? You'll find it at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

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More about Singapore travel & tourism around the Web:

Find out more about the delights of a stay in Singapore at expert sites offering information, photos, and video explaining its rich history and culture, where to stay or shop, with insider tips on top restaurants and attractions ....

Your Singapore - Welcome to the official Singapore tourism site with an searchable hotel directory, food and restaurant recommendations, top attractions and itinerary suggestions, travel tips & useful phone numbers, maps, photo gallery, video clips and screensavers, free e-zine and newsletter.

Singapore Expats - Here's a comprehensive guide for those newly-settled in Singapore including a brief history, recommendations on top restaurants and clubs, shopping (even a Wine Review), tourist attractions, practical travel tips & fast facts, property and condo search.