Roland Lefevre
As a popular vacation hub in Asia the Lion City of Singapore packs in a punch when it comes to touristic value. Lined with intriguing attractions some of the city's top highlights are as follows.
As Singapore's original riverside leisure hub Clarke Quay's charm has only grown over the years to become one of the city's top highlights for first time visitors. As a dining and retail hub revered by holidaymakers and locals the eclectic collection of restaurants, bars, retail spaces, nightclubs and fashion boutiques in the Quay makes it a power packed entertainment centre for the masses. Occupying a scenic waterfront location Clark Quay's main draw is its collection of fine dining restaurants by the water. Bar hoppers and disco fanatics will also find plenty to write home about at this breathtaking waterfront development.
As one of the world's premier open-plan zoos the Singapore Zoo is an award-wining wildlife hub that is considered among the region's top research and conservation institutions. Spread out across 28 hectares the iconic wildlife sanctuary is home to 315 varieties of animals. Housing over 59 exhibits the venue's key highlight is of course the Singapore Night Safari encounter which takes place in the world's only nocturnal wildlife enclosure. Touring the zoo's nocturnal exhibits at night is one of the most thrilling experiences one could have in the Lion City as animals that are dormant during the day come to life in the veil of night time. Visitors staying in The St. Regis Singapore or similar luxury hotels Singapore counts among its most centrally located rests will enjoy easy access to the zoo.
As the first ever Asian instalment of the North American entertainment franchise Universal Studios Singapore is a one of a kind attraction that should not be missed on a tour of the Lion City. As the country's premier theme park hub the larger than life enclosure is divided in to engaging entertainment zones with over 20 individual points of interest based on some of the world's most beloved television and film franchises. Hotspots include the Shrek inspired Far Far Away enclosure and Madagascar while Lost World fans can also live out their dinosaur fantasies at the locale. Hollywood, Ancient Egypt and New York are just some of the other pleasure zones at Universal Studios which is also home to the globe's highest "duelling" pair of roller coasters.
Reputed to be the globe's biggest observation wheel The Singapore Flyer is an iconic landmark that is 30m higher than Britain's London Eye. Constructed atop a three storey structure The Singapore Flyer is a whopping 165m in height and a 150m in width while travelling at a speed of 0.21m a second. Offering riders breathtaking views across the city visitors can ride The Singapore Flyer by and night to observe the city's transformation in the veil of night. Famed landmarks such as the Marina Bay, Singapore River, the Padang and Raffles Place are also visible from the Flyer's unique vantage point.
Tipped to be one of Singapore's premier retail heartlands Little India is a cultural epicentre well worthy of exploration. Located on the eastern shores of the Singapore River just north of the Malay community's Kampong Glam Little India is a burst of colour, cuisine and consumer goods that is a bargain haven for shopaholics on a budget. The bustling Mustafa Centre is the area's premier shopping venue while Indian delicacies as well as spices and other local curios can be purchased in this attractive neighbourhood.
