What are 8 interesting facts about Singapore? Tidbits of information to take with you on your travels

Aside from the more renowned enclaves of Kampong Glam, Chinatown and Little India where you can invest time shopping, eating and exploring a slew of nooks and crannies, the following areas deserve a visit too. If you’re crazy about cafes, coffee and ice cream, then look no further than Everton Park. However, if discovering colourful shophouses is your thing, then beeline for Joo Chiat while for a range of hip eateries and art deco buildings, then allocating time for Tiong Bahru would be prudent.

Even before the Singapore Botanic Gardens received membership on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 2015, the attraction was generating considerable enthusiasm and attention. Founded in 1859, the Gardens boasts of a history that far exceeds that of modern Singapore. Added to this, the National Orchid Garden is its prized possession and contains more than 200 hybrid orchids which have been named after popular names such as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the late Nelson Mandela.

The main island of Singapore is surrounded by 64 offshore islands each possessing its own distinct charms and value additions. Undoubtedly, the most talked about is Sentosa Island which houses Universal Studio Singapore. In fact, taking a bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal will bring you to Pulau Ubin where you can examine age-old village houses and plenty of greenery.

Covering 35 hectares and providing refuge to well over 1,000 animals, the Singapore Night Safari leaves no stone unturned in affording animal lovers a whale of a time. One may opt for the 40-minute guided tram ride or select from any of the 4 interlinked trails that will soon have you enjoying the company of Malaysian Tapirs and Asian Elephants for one fulfilling nocturnal experience.

Ever since its introduction to Formula 1 in 2008, the Singapore Grand Prix has played host to shifts in momentum, breathtaking moves, keen tussles and above all, edge-of-the-seat entertainment! With 23 corners to navigate around the Marina Bay Street Circuit which is the most for any track on the calendar, the Singapore GP is also reputed for its after-race entertainment which includes dazzling concerts featuring celebrated musicians and bands.

No sooner you land at Changi Airport, you will be led towards the tallest indoor waterfall in the world located within Jewel Changi Airport. Soaring to some 40 meters in height, the HSBC Rain Vortex is a magnificent depiction of engineering flair that is complemented by an indoor garden. Further, Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay depicts a 35-meter-tall waterfall and arguably, one of the primary talking points of a gigantic conservatory built to house plants from the tropical highlands.

Know that almost half of the Lion City is shrouded in some type of greenery. Beyond the obvious destinations such as Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, visitors can also look forward to a stay inside a ‘Garden in a Hotel’ when researching luxury suites in Singapore. Showcasing the biggest indoor skylit atrium in Southeast Asia where more than 2,400 plants can be caught sight of, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore ought to be treated as a highlight of your time here.

While communication is never a problem here given that English is widely spoken, you may need some time to adjust to when the locals add a “lah” or a “leh” to a sentence. Singlish which is the local slang is the result of the nation’s deep-rooted ties to varying cultures. For instance, if you hear the word “chope” being used in and around hawker centres, then this would indicate that the locals are seeking to allocate a seat for themselves.