Introduction to the Singapore City Beat!

This blog is specially created for a school project. Our group was assigned to show the leisure and recreation that one can enjoy during his or her stay in Singapore. We know how everyone perceives leisure and recreation to shopping and dining soley in a city but we beg to differ and hope to showcase the different aspects of leisure and recreation that one can enjoy in cohesion to our 4 different races way of live that we have here in Singapore.

Singapore is one of the most exciting countries in South East Asia and Singapore consists of the 4 main races ; Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian. We want to expose to everyone to the leisure and recreation of each distinct race and culture at the 3 preserved cultural streets/hub. They are Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street.

Of course we would not leave out the city and definitely feature Singapore's city area as a must-go place for leisure and recreation.
In our blog, we would encompass the different things one can do, see and eat. There will be lots of shopping & eating in whichever destination we bring to you.

With our blog, we hope you would have a glimpse of what Singapore can offer not just in the city, but in the antiquated streets of Singapore.

Selamat Datang Arab Street!

Arab street/ Kampong Glam is an exciting place to explore. This area has beautiful shophouses that lines the streets. Although Arab street epitomizes the Arabian way of life, and is named after an Arabian Merchant, many malays still gather in Arab street as situated there is the Sultan Mosque where muslims go for weekly prayers and meditation. Shophouses along the path

Things to see: The Masjid Sultan is one of the most imporant mosque in Singapore. The prayer hall and domes highlight the mosque's star features. One can also observe conservatively dressed Muslims making their way to the Sultan Mosque. You can enter the mosque if appropriately dressed due to religious reasons and that its a place of worship.


Things to do: Shopping in Arab street is magical. Arab street merchandises many items that will leave you awed. Things you can buy/find are oriental carpets, textiles and fabrics, Rattan Products, Bangles, Muslim Clothing ( Baju Kurong, Kebaya, tudung,etc..) and perfumes.
Fancy hats for sale Rattan Baskets

Arab street also houses some of Singapore's Local designers fashion store at Haji Lane. Some stores that you can find are Victoria Jomo, Ohsofickle etc.. These fashion stores merchandises their self manufacutered clothing that are all in trend. Definitely a trendy place to go if you're into fashion. You can also view the graffiti walls along the streets of Haji Lane.


Around the corner of Arab Street is Parco Bugis Junction. A large shopping mall and Singapore's Teenager's Haven where one can find brands such as Topshop, Guess, Diva and local brands, such as Newurbanmale.
Parco Bugis Junction.

Also, one can find Iluma, also a teenager's paradise and a recently built shopping center thats amazingly constructed with light panels surrounding it. Definitely worth a look at night, when the panels outside pulse and shift in an impressive light show.


Just opposite of Bugis junction is Bugis Street, another exciting place to shop. Bugis Street is a street market where one can find great bargains on fashion apparel and tourist knick knacks! This is a place where you can buy plenty of souvenirs for families back home!
Some fridget magnets for sale

Something new one can try is to puff away on sheeshas ( Tobacco Pipe). The sheeshas offers many flavours from apple, to grape and even bubblegum! They are usually offered in the Middle Eastern Cafes.


Things to eat: One can enjoy both malay and middle eastern cuisines, here in Arab Street. You would be able to find malay food from Mee siam, to tahu goreng, to Mee rebus, and Arabian delicacies such as meat kebabs, mint tea and Arabian coffee.

Mee SiamTahu Goreng

The quickest way to get to Arab Street to alight at Bugis Mrt Station (EW12), East west line.

Up up and away!

Another exciting thing to do when you're in Singapore is spend just 37 mins of your time to take the Singapore Flyer and catch a bird's eye view of Singapore's city. The sight will intrigued you and leave you lost for words.

The Singapore Flyer, officially opened on 15 April 2008 and has a total height of 165 meters! 30 meters taller than the London Eye, and boosts 28 air conditioned capsules, each able to accommodate 28 passengers.

One rotation around the flyer will take approximately 37 minutes and at the peak, you can not only view the landmarks of Singapore, but also the Islands of Batam and Bintan as well as Johor. Some Singaporean landmarks you should look out for are Collyer Quay, Raffles Place, The Fullerton Singapore, Esplanade, Merlion Park as well as the the Floating Stadium which is the world's largest floating platform. You will also be able to see the Marina Barrage, which we will cover on later. Another iconic structure you will be able to see will be the Marina Bay Sands, one of the two Integrated Resorts in Singapore, currently under construction and is slated to open in 2010.

The view of the flyer from the base and the 'tallest christmas tree' in Singapore!

One event you can witness on the Singapore Flyer will be the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, where you will be able to have a perfect view of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, giving you a chance to see the Formula 1 cars race along the floodlights lid track. Riding the flyer during the day and at night is a different experience and you may want to ride the flyer once in the day and once at night.

The night view which will give you a chance to see the perfectly lit up city area.

The night view and day view respectively showing the skyline of Singapore, Floating Stadium and the construction of the Marina Bay Sands.

The Singapore flyer not just offers you a spectacular view of Singapore but a chance to have a ferris wheel dinner amidst the skies! Why settle for a meal somewhere so usual when you can enjoy an amazing dinner of incredible views and delectable food? The dining package includes 2 rotations around the wheel, complimentary VIP lounge access, an in flight host to your assistance, a splendid 3 course meal! If you have the time and the money, why not indulge yourself to a memorable dinner on the Singapore Flyer?

Things to see: After the ride onboard the flyer, you can buy some memorabilia to commemorate your visit to the Singapore Flyer at "Singapore Flyer Gifts". Also check out the Yakult Rainforest Discovery, which is a built in rainforest occupying the entire central atrium of the main building. Here you can take a walk along the 5 paths and escape from the city tall buildings and immerse yourself in nature. The Yakult Rainforest Discovery.

Things to do: If you are tired from all the walking, why not head down to the fish foot spa located within the building terminal to give your tired feet a well deserved treat?
Another not to be missed activity is the Flight Experience flight simulator featuring a fully enclosed cockpit equipped with full-functioning avionics and computers. This simulator is also used by airlines to train commercial pilots.
The Fish Foot Spa.

Things to eat: If you are feeling hungry, there is a wide variety of restaurants ranging from Popeyes Chicken & Biscuit to Hibiki Japanese Restaurant. If you have yet to try our own local fares, do head to Mdm Lin's Restaurant Asian Street Food or Seafood Paradise, offering Singapore's famous Chilli Crab.

It is easy to get to the Singapore Flyer as there is a free shuttle bus bringing you to the flyer from City Hall MRT Station every 30 minutes. Just exit City Hall MRT Station from Exit B and head to the bus stop along Coleman Street and board the free shuttle bus.
Or click the link below for more information: http://www.singaporeflyer.com/images/stories/downloads/info/visitorguide/direction-map.pdf

After catching a breathtaking view of Singapore's city, why not head down to marina barrage?

The Marina Barrage creates the only reservoir in the city centre of Singapore, with a catchment area of almost 1/6 the size of Singapore. If you are looking to shoot the Singapore skyline from afar, this is the place for you. From the green roof of the Barrage, you will be able to see an unobstructed view of the picturesque Singapore skyline. The green roof of the Marina Barrage is also well liked by Singaporeans to spend their weekend afternoon picnicking with their families or friends. Do visit the Solar Park and the NEwater visiter centre to learn more on the process of creating clean drinkable water.

View from the green Roof.

The Solar Park

The Marina Barrage is opened to public 24/7 and free shuttle buses are provided to get there from the Marina Bay MRT Station. Shuttle bus timings can be found at the PUB website here : http://www.pub.gov.sg/marina/location/Pages/default.aspx

The Wonders Of Chinatown

The next destination that we are going to introduce is Chinatown, 牛车水 (niu che shui) We know how we can find a Chinatown in the States, in Canada, In Thailand, etc.. But Singapore's Chinatown promises you a place thats uniquely different from all the chinatowns that one has gone to. Singapore's Chinatown is a place where it depicts the rich culture of the Chinese in Singapore and it is easily accessible via the public bus transport and MRT train. When we think of chinatown, we will think its merely a place where we can see chinese people everywhere and its going to be boring. But we beg to differ and prove you wrong.

The Chinatown station alone showcases various Chinese calligraphy paintings painted by renowned Singapore's artist, Tan Swie Hian. This enhances the strong Chinese culture that Chinatown originally portrays.

Things to see: When you exit from the Chinatown station, you will be awed to catch a glimpse of the brightly painted shop houses that are preserved to give Chinatown the "authentic Chinese feel". Back in the olden days, the chinese used to live in shophouses like these.

Strolling down the aisle of the streets, you will be able to spot shops that are selling unique souvenirs of Singapore. Not just souvenirs, but traditional clothing like the "cheong-sam" and the "qipao" and plentiful beautiful chinese handicrafts and decorations.


What's more is that you will be able to find interesting objects to the Chinese culture that will leave you beguiled. One very interesting thing that you can find is the Chinese traditional lion dance head that is displayed in one of the shops there. Other than the lion dance head that was being displayed, you can find many other traditional objects that you probably have never seen before, thats displayed all over the streets in Chinatown.


Traditional Chinese Fans that you might chance upon.

The lion head thats used in a traditional "lion dance"

Things to do: There are also museums that are of Chinese culture themed. These museums are unique because they showcase the history of Singapore and of course, the history of the Chinese.

Chinese Lanterns Displayed

A coffee house decorated like how it was back in the olden days

Chinatown also houses the famous Ba kwa ( Barbeque Pork) store, Fragrance, Lim Chee Guan. Ba kwa is a traditional chinese snack somewhat like beef jerkey. During chinese new year, the response for ba kwa is overwhelming. So overwhelming that people pay others to queue for them to get a bag for ba kwa!

Tourists can also do some shopping at People's Park Complex, a mall with numerous shops selling electronics, clothing, clocks, Chinese medicine and jewelery. Or at OG People's Park which is a large departmental store where you can find Adidas, Billabong and Giordano just to name a few.

Things to eat: After exhausting your energy from exploring the wonders of Chinatown, you are in for sweet treats! We visited one of the famous dessert stall in Chinatown, Mei Hong Yuan and we recommend you to try! It will definitely boost your energy level and wanting more!

Just looking at menu will make you go hungry!

The desert store offers delicious deserts from Mango Pomelo Sago, to Ah balling Peanut Soup, to dumplings and even glutinous rice.

You can also try some cheap and good chinese food at the hawker center at Chinatown Complex or at Maxwell Food Center. It is simply a chinese food haven where you can find local chinese food from oyster omelette, Wanton noodles, Chicken rice, Char Kway teow, Hokkien mee, and many more! Chicken Rice

You will defintely be able to spend an interesting day at Chinatown with the numerous things that you can see and do there. Chinatown dont just offer a place of culture and residence but a place of shopping, a place to discover chinese food & desert, a place to appreciate the chinese way of life! So come down and exeperience Chinatown yourself!

The easiest way to get there is by train. The North east line train, NE4.

穿美美去Orchard road GAI GAI!

We shall now present you the most intriguing part of Singapore! In this particular part of Singapore, not only will you find the luxurious shopping malls, departmental stores, the fashion/jewellery/watches and accessories outlet, you can also experience the excellent quality of fine dining, have a pleasurable stay in a 5-star hotel residence and experience the night life and view movies at midnight in the movie theatres there. This exciting place is none other than Singapore's Orchard Road! Orchard Road is definitely a “MUST-GO” place when you come to Singapore!

Orchard road is one of the most fashionable places to be in. With the recent completion of plans to spruce up The Orchard road by constructing more mega malls such as the newly opened 313@Somerset, The Orchard Central, and the highly anticipated mall, the ION Orchard, The Orchard road is set to go to attract more tourists than before in the previous years.

Things to do: One will find that in each mega mall, each has their own unique architechtural design and have a wide collection of many mid ranging shopping brands and labels such as Topshop, Zara, Guess, Steve Madden, to the more high end labels such as Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Prada and Richard Mille. The Louis Vuitton store in the Ion Singapore, houses the largest Louis Vuitton store in South East asia that carries the entire range of Louis Vuitton products. Singapore has even recently brought in the fashionable Bread & Butter, Marc Jacobs and many more!
Besides the newly opened shopping malls, there are also other malls that have been constructed years ago that are still as popular among the locals, such as the Orchard Cineleisure, Ngee Ann City or the Heeren, where one can find HMV, the largest music superstore in Southeast Asia.

Orchard Road is definitely a paradise for shopaholics! Lined along the streets of Orchard are more than 10 shopping centers which would make one shop till they drop!

Orchard Road has 2 movie theatres where one can enjoy a movie during his or her stay in Singapore. Singapore's movie tickets are affordable and screens the latest blockbuster flicks! If you're having a jetlag, why not catch a midnight movie in one of Orchard Road's movie theatres!

Things to see: One can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the busy crowd while strolling down Orchard road and if one is lucky, there might be buskers performing along the streets that may just be singing your favourite song or dancing to your favourite tune!

If you are lucky to travel to Singapore during the christmas season, It is a must to come down to Orchard to appreciate the christmas decorations and lightings along the streets especially in the night. The decorations alone promises you a very whimsical christmas. As cliche as it this sounds, You cant help but feel that you are in a "winter" wonderland.

The breathtaking view that will knock you off your feet.

A crab's eye view of Ion's Christmas tree

Things to eat: Shopping is not the only activity one would do when at Orchard road. The Orchard road is also a food haven for diners! It has a widespread of cuisines ranging from Chinese to Western to Japanese, in fact you can find almost any kind of cuisine in Orchard Road! Some restaurants to look out for are the Imperial Treasure Restaurant, Sushi Tei and Dan Ryans. Orchard road promises that you will never get hungry. Every 30 steps you take, there will be a store along the streets selling finger food. One store to look out for is " Old Chang Kee". " Old Chang Kee" is a renowned local food joint thats famous for their local curry puffs!

If you dont mind the distance, we would highly recommend you to take a bus or train down to Lau Pa Sat to savour the many different kinds of food you can enjoy.

Telok Ayer Market, or heartwarmingly referred as Lau Pa Sat(direct translation being Old Market) by both tourists and locals was constructed in 1894 and is the largest remaining Victorian filigree cast-iron structure in Southeast Asia. Located in the heart of Singapore's business district, the former wet market has since been restored and renovated, transforming into the favourite "food paradise" in Singapore. Lau Pa Sat offers a wide variety of local food from different races at affordable prices, allowing tourists to experiment and feast on our local delights.

Interesting Victorian Cast-iron Structure

Wide Variety of food ranging from seafood to local delights such as Hokkien mee

To get to Lau Pa Sat, the easiest way is to take the MRT to Raffles Place(NW14/NS26) and walk towards Robinson Road, it is easily recognizable.

If you're a night owl, The nightclubs, bars, pubs, lounges and restaurants along Orchard Road will keep you comany. One can find Harry's to The Hard Rock Cafe.

Whether on a business trip, a romantic getaway or holidaying with the family, anyone looking for accommodation will be pleased to find that hotels in Orchard Road are suitable for most purposes and the different range of rooms available will cater to most budgets. Hassled shoppers tired after a hard day of retail therapy will definitely appreciate the uber prime location of Orchard Road’s hotels.

Orchard Road has so much to offer, from shopping, to good food, to spas, to accomdation that it is a definite go to when you're in Singapore!

The fastest way to get to Orchard is by train, green line (NS22) or by bus.