Every facet of the city is lit and reflected by the surrounding ocean. Ramped-up contemporary architecture keeps pace with Singapore’s aerodynamic economy. A concrete jungle has ensued around ranges of architecture from colourful Malay facades attesting merchant class success to Gothic, Palladian and Art Deco. Thankfully, greenscapes caught-up to the modern tangle and have been built into and on top of buildings, sprawling parks, botanical gardens and spaces for wildlife.
Visitors can wind their way through traditional museums and tours showcasing the city-state’s multi-culturalism, view the hippest art on the market in private galleries or interact via smart devices at a variety of modernized venues. Food is such a priority that asking whether the other person has eaten is part of introductions. Endless religious and cultural diversity are reflected in the cuisine. Hawker centres packed with food stalls are preferred by locals but the dashing economy also fills world-class restaurants.
Straits Chinese, Malay, British and East Indies Dutch combined their technologies, mixed and flourished here, contributing to the one-of-a-kind Peranakan culture. With a long tradition of economic leadership comes the responsibility of historical preservation and an ever-innovative support for practical technologies in all forms and expressions. Singapore is and has always been a classic, iterative and contemporary melting pot.
There are many iconic spots like the 1882 Raffles – birthplace of the Singapore Sling cocktail, Helix Bridge – the world’s first double-helix bridge as an homage to DNA, the Singapore Flyer – the world’s largest Ferris wheel with commensurate, breath-taking views or the Marina Barrage at the confluence of the five rivers – an exemplary harmony between nature and technology. Shops, galleries and restaurants are open late. It is easiest to see everything the city offers with a dive into its never-ending nightlife.
It is built into an early recorded name for the area – “island at the end” in Malay – and so not surprising that reliable mentions of the region from Chinese explorers date only back to the third century. The modern Republic of Singapore was founded as a British trading post in 1819, occupied briefly in WWII and gained independence in 1963.
One main island and over 60 islets comprise one of the world’s only three city-states. Despite its slight geography, Singapore is one of the four Asian tigers, the world’s third largest financial centre and the most religiously diverse country in the world. This most tech-ready nation positively and diplomatically influences and spans a region far beyond its geography.