Singapore cultural traditions.

1. Singapore is a city, capital and state at the same time.

2. The name Singapore comes from the Malay " singa "- lion and Sanskrit " pur " - city".

3. The national flower of Singapore is orchid Vanda Miss Joaquim, which, due to its vitality and thanks to its year-round flowering, has become a symbol of the country, as a sign of Singaporeans' desire for progress.

4. Singapore is located mainly on one big island, but it also includes 63 other small islands - most of them are uninhabited.

5. Singapore is in the top 20 smallest countries in the world- its area is 715 sq. km (for comparison, the area of ​​St. Petersburg is 1440 sq. km).

6. About 4.5 million people. The main population is Chinese (78%), Malays (14%), Indians (7%) and Europeans. According to rumors, about 400 Russians also officially live :)

7. The symbol of the city is lion-headed fish - Merlion, and every September there is a holiday dedicated to this mythical animal

8. Climate in Singapore- equatorial, it is always hot and humid here, the air temperature fluctuates around + 25-30˚С all year round, and the humidity is 82-86%.

9. Singapore is located almost on the equator and the sun is very insidious here- Sunburn can be obtained even when the sky is covered with clouds.

10. Torrential tropical rain are possible throughout the year, which is why locals often carry umbrellas with them, which some also use as protection from the sun.

11. In general, the dark skin color is not held in high esteem here - cosmetic stores skin whitening products occupy more than one shelf and are located, as a rule, in the most prominent places.

12. Singapore ranks second place in the world in terms of population density, located in the ranking between two dwarf states - Monaco and the Vatican.

13. national language considered Malay, it is on it that the national anthem is performed ( Majulah Singapura), but there are four official languages ​​- English, Chinese, Tamil, Malay. In addition, there are language mixtures - "Singlish" ( singlish) and "Manglish" ( manglish).

14. Citizens of Russia You can stay in Singapore in transit for up to 96 hours. Despite the fact that Malaysia can be reached in 10 minutes by public bus, and Indonesia can be reached by high-speed ferries, the visa-free regime is valid only if you have an air ticket confirming that you are going to leave the country by plane.

15. international Airport Changi in Singapore is the largest aviation hub in the whole South-East Asia, its passenger traffic is more than 36 million people a year.

16. In 2012 Changi Airport ranked second in the list of the best best airports in the world according to the Airports Council International (ACI). The airport has several orchid gardens and goldfish ponds, and one of the terminals even has a swimming pool. In the departure area there are computers with free internet access and special game rooms for kids.

17. Sea port The country is also one of the largest in the world (at the same time, 1000 ships can be in the port), in addition, it has been repeatedly recognized as the best and most environmentally friendly in Asia.

18. For high fines and strict laws, Singapore is jokingly called " fine city"(play on words in English, fine- "beautiful" and "fine")

19. There are really a lot of fines in the city. The fine for spitting on the ground is $500. The fine for smoking in public places is $500. Throwing garbage, such as a piece of paper - $500 fine.

20. One of the most comical fines is the fine applied if, after watering the flowers, under the pot there is water left in the saucer. The fact is that water attracts mosquitoes, and the city authorities have almost completely eradicated these insects, thanks to which they got rid of epidemics of fever and malaria in the country.

21. In addition to fines, there are violations for which Physical punishment(in addition to imprisonment, of course) in the form of blows with cane sticks - attempted murder, robbery, theft, rape, vandalism, and so on.

22. Also popular in Singapore home punishment of children- Special, lightweight cane sticks are even sold in stores for these purposes. American justice, in which children sue their parents for a slap on the pope, just rests =)

23. Also in the country there is the death penalty (via hanging), it is used for the most serious crimes - particularly brutal murder, drug trafficking, corruption, treason and an attempt on the life of the president.

24. Singapore is one of the world leaders in number of death sentences- from 1991 to 2004 they were carried out more than four hundred times (mostly drug dealers were in the loop).

25. In Singapore legalized prostitution.

26. Due to its judicial system and legislation, Singapore is considered one of the most safe and law-abiding countries, and the crime rate here is one of the lowest in the world - you can safely walk around any quarters of the city both day and night.

27. There are almost no police officers on the streets, but they hang everywhere cameras, both overt and covert- with their help, control over the order is carried out.

28. In many apartments, they hang on the door combination locks with a thin chain, which are hung more for pro forma than for security purposes.

29. Singapore does not have natural resources and imports not only sand, but even fresh water from Malaysia.

30. Singapore is in the group " East Asian tigers“, along with South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, these are countries that have made a giant economic breakthrough, literally in 30 years turning from third world states into advanced countries.

31. Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, who led the government from 1959 to 1990, became famous for his toughness and intransigence in anti-corruption issues, which he was able to successfully eradicate, making possible a quick the economic growth. To the question " How did you manage to fight corruption?", he replied " Start by planting three of your friends. You know exactly why, and they know why.«

32. Another indicator in which Singapore is a leader is it's health. According to the US financial and economic information agency Bloomberg ( The World's Healthiest Countries 2012), the health status of Singaporeans is the best in the whole world. At the same time, according to the overall quality of life index, the country is in 11th place.

33. One of the reasons for the excellent level of health is considered to be tasty and healthy national cuisine Singapore. According to Forbes magazine, the country ranks second (after Japan) in terms of the quality of local food, which has a positive effect on health, fitness and longevity.

34. Many gourmets love Singapore for variety of dishes- due to the mixture of national (Chinese, Malaysian, Indian) cuisines, as well as significant Western influence, it is easy to find culinary creations to your taste here. One of the important features is that regardless of the level of the restaurant and prices, the food is always fresh and of high quality.

35. Not only cuisines are mixed here, but also ways of eating - locals, depending on the type of food, deftly use both with a stick and a spoon, and right hand (left hand considered unclean and not used for eating).

36. Very popular here self-cooking food. Restaurant patrons are given ingredients to dip into a pot to make a fresh soup or stew, or a frying pan filled with sizzling meat to turn over and fry until desired condition. Especially for these purposes, in many restaurants on the tables are small gas stoves

37. Medium life expectancy Singapore residents are 80 years old - this is 14 years longer than the same indicator in Russia.

38. In terms of economy, Singapore is also ahead here, it is the 4th leading financial center world after London, New York and Hong Kong, more than 130 world banks are concentrated here. The inflation rate is kept at the level of 2-3%, and according to the rating of the Economist Intelligence Unit, Singapore is the most competitive city in Asia in terms of doing business.

39. Average income Singaporean - $ 34 thousand per year.

40. About 100 thousand people live in the country. dollar millionaires(almost 3% of the country's population). The city even has a separate "millionaires' quarter" - Keppel Bay

41. Computer registration of a legal entity in Singapore takes only 10 minutes. They say that in 2009, Medvedev, a well-known lover of electronic technology, while visiting Singapore, registered a legal entity for the sake of testing. face, and a year later, local authorities turned to the Russians with a question about taxes - it seems like they opened a company not in jest, but seriously, but no one thought to close it.

42. Such a popular phenomenon in Asia as slum unknown to Singapore. Once in any part of the city, you will see the relative cleanliness and order.

43. Our Indian friends rent a three-room apartment 15 minutes walk from the center. Although the rooms are rather small, the renovations are simple and the kitchen has been converted from a balcony, they pay 1900 SGD for it(almost 50,000 rubles). Moreover, according to them, if you rent an apartment further from the center, then significant savings will not work, prices are approximately the same everywhere.

44. One of business cards Singapore is a unique five-star hotel complex, consisting of three two hundred-meter 55-storey towers. On the roofs of the towers there is a platform sky park in the form of a ship, which, among other things, has a 150-meter pool. Entrance to the observation deck costs 20 SGD, but you can swim in the pool only if you are a hotel guest, and tourists are allowed to go to the pool once a day, at 14:00 and only for 15 minutes

45. There are two ethnic areas in Singapore - Little India (« Little India") and Chinatown (« Chinatown"). Initially, these areas were created for the adaptation of immigrants, but now they have lost their original significance and remain cultural centers where you can taste traditional cuisine and buy national goods.

46. ​​Dishes in one of Indian restaurants, which we visited turned out to be really Indian, but the sizes and prices differ significantly, and the sizes are 3 times smaller, and the prices are 3 times higher, while the service is authentic - slow and sloppy. Masala tea was brought in traditionally small thimble cups, casually spilling it over the saucer as usual :), although this did not affect the taste in any way, as excellent as in India.

47. Quite a lot throughout the city free public toilets - they are quite clean and they even have toilet paper (which is quite atypical for Asia).

48. Quantity Chinese lanterns, with which the streets of Chinatown are decorated cannot be counted - they hang literally everywhere

49. The Mid-Autumn Festival(Mid-Autumn Festival) - ancient holiday family unity and thanksgiving is celebrated in Chinatown in September during the period of the fullest and brightest moon - a symbol of abundance, harmony and prosperity.

50. Traffic jams carried out by the authorities from two sides at once. Firstly, public transport is well developed here, and secondly, owning a car is a rather expensive pleasure: in order to acquire personal transport, you need to buy at a special auction driving license- its cost is about 60,000 SGD and it is issued for 10 years.

The cars themselves, due to duties, are expensive, and besides, you need to pay a rather big fee. for registration and registration. Well, in addition - in Singapore there are many toll road sections, bridges, tunnels and interchanges. Each car is equipped with a payment terminal, with the help of which the required amount is automatically deducted from the bank card. Thus, cars here can only afford wealthy people, which, however, are not so few.

51. Singapore is one of the 9 countries in the world where sales begin new Apple technology. Here, as well as in the USA, a system is widespread, according to which iPhones are sold relatively inexpensively when a contract with a mobile operator is signed for several years.

52. Very popular in Singapore brand clothes and accessories - wherever you look, Louis Vuitton, Mont Blanc, Gucci and Prada are everywhere.

53. Especially popular Louis Vuitton bags- despite the fact that their prices start at $ 800, every third young lady in the city walks with them. At the same time, many tourists visit the LV store (which is located near Marina Bay) as a museum - it stands on the water and looks very unusual from the outside.

54. Despite the fact that Singapore is called " stone jungle“Almost in every district of the city there are sports grounds and a park with an abundance of greenery, where you can relax and breathe fresh air. Almost half of Singapore covered with greenery gardens and national parks.

55. They say that Singapore is built on everything the canons of Feng Shui- its landscape and architecture are consistent with this doctrine of the influence of energy flows on a person.

56. Every evening, next to the Marina Bay promenade, laser show- water from the fountain is sprayed with small splashes, creating a screen on which, under the musical accompaniment from the speakers, an image is projected. Laser show free of charge and accessible to everyone, and therefore, it is better to come in advance - as a rule, there is no shortage of those who wish

57. The only night race in the world Formula 1- "Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix", held in Singapore.

58. fountain of wealth- the world's largest fountain (28 m), which is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records. It is especially beautiful in the evening, with multi-colored illumination.

59. singapore zoo is considered one of the best zoos in the world, in which animals are not in cages, but roam freely around the territory. The ticket price is 20 SGD, but most visitors agree that this is one of the most justified expenses in Singapore.

60. Singapore Flyer- this is the highest Ferris wheel in the world, its height is 165 meters (the height of the London Eye, the London counterpart is 135 meters). In good weather, a stunning view of the city opens up from the very top and even some of the islands of Indonesia and Malaysia are visible.

61. In the 19th century, only a few families lived on the island.

62. The population density is over 6,500 people per square kilometer.

63. All Singaporean cars are equipped with a siren that works if the driver tries to exceed the speed of 80 km/h. After a working day, it is forbidden to be in a vehicle alone - you need to deliver colleagues at work who do not have their own car. There are not as many cars in Singapore as in other countries. The reason for this is the artificial limitation of their number. Buying a permit to own a vehicle, all kinds of taxes, the inflated cost of the car itself - all this reduces the number of people who want to buy a car.

64. Singaporean men always wear trousers and women always wear stockings. Even in 40-degree heat, this rule must be strictly observed.

65. The authorities of the country carry out birth control: it is not accepted to have more than 2 children in a family. Therefore, families who already have two children receive calls in the evening from special employees reminding them of contraception. With those who do not have a child in the family, forced conversations are held, after which contraceptive pills and other contraceptives are confiscated.

66. Singapore became an independent State against its will. For most of its history, Singapore was a British colony, after some time after the Second World War, it received autonomy, and in 1963 became part of the newly formed state of Malaysia. However, for various political and economic reasons, as well as because of interethnic conflicts between the Malays and the Chinese, the remaining states of Malaysia in 1965 decided to exclude Singapore from the state. The saddened Singaporean leader Lee Kuan Yew was forced to recognize the independence of the island.

67. Singapore consists of three zones - tourist, economic and bedroom. Each zone is separated from the other by a five-kilometer-wide immaculate lawn.

68. The number of cars in Singapore is artificially limited. To start a car, you must first buy a car permit at a special auction (permission is given for a period of 10 years). This permit will cost several tens of thousands of dollars. Then you need to buy the car itself, which is subject to an import duty of 41% of the cost. And finally, you need to pay a registration fee - 140% of the value of the car. Thus, buying, for example, a modest Toyota Corolla will result in no less than $ 100,000.

69. Singapore is a democratic state. But, so that citizens do not vote at random, the passport data of the voters are indicated on the ballots.

70. When entering a house, people are required to give their last name to the guard who is constantly on duty at the door. In addition, the entire city is flooded with video cameras.

71. The largest area of ​​untouched forest is the Bukit Timan Nature Reserve, with over 800 varieties of native plants, including giant trees, ferns and flowering plants. There is also a large population of long-tailed macaques, lemurs, reticulated pythons, drongos and white-bellied sea eagles. The Sungei-Buloh Nature Park, lying on wetlands, is a wintering ground for migratory birds from all over the eastern part of the Asian continent.

72. The press is censored. It is forbidden to write about sex and about politics.

73. In order for Singaporeans to become smarter, Lee Kuan Yew took measures to encourage right choice partners Men who marry women with higher education are rewarded. Women without higher education who have a second child pay a fine. The illiterate are strongly encouraged to be sterilized, in exchange for a significant amount of money.

74. You can get from Singapore to Malaysia via two dam bridges, and high-speed ferries will take you to the large islands of Indonesia. Holidays in Singapore can be combined with a trip to Indonesia. For example, on the ferry to popular resort about. Bintan only 45 minutes. A public bus will take you to Malaysia in 10 minutes.

75. From February 15, 1942, Singapore belonged to Japan until the defeat of Japan in September 1945. Singapore gained its independence in 1965, being in such a deplorable state that even fresh water and building sand had to be imported.

76. 40% of the population profess Buddhism, 14% Christianity and Islam, there are also adherents of Confucianism, Hinduism and other religions.

77. Gay Land already seems to surpass the famous red-light district in Amsterdam. According to official figures, the number of girls working there is more than 10,000.

78. Singapore is the world's largest exporter of ornamental fish. There is also a cool zoo where animals live in natural conditions. That is why the world's only night safari at the zoo is held here.

79. Singapore's Bukit Tima Nature Reserve contains more tree species than the entire North American continent.

80. In every residential area there is a park for recreation and sports grounds.

81. There are no mosquitoes even near water bodies.

82. Singapore's natural vegetation is tropical rain forests, but most of them have been reduced and given under Agriculture, water tanks and urban development. The northern and northwestern regions remain the last untouched islands of equatorial vegetation, but most of them are cultivated and used as a garden and park area.

83. Back in 1959, Singapore was a criminal port city, and now it is the safest and most modern city on the planet.

84. Singapore is a city of creative people. It is loved by designers and artists.

85. Singapore, thanks to tough legislation and a well-built police service, is the safest city in the world. Any weapons are prohibited here and there are no cases of armed attacks and robberies at all. Even kitchen knives sold in stores big size rounded so that it is impossible to deliver a stabbing blow.

87. Flag of Singapore - officially approved on December 3, 1959. Red and white are the most popular colors in the Sunda Archipelago region. Their interpretation is as follows: red - universal equality and brotherhood, white - eternity, virtue and purity. The crescent means the youth of the state, five stars - peace, progress, justice, equality and democracy.

89. The first mention of a Malay settlement that existed on the island dates back to the 7th century. The inhabitants were engaged fishing and trade. At the end of the 13th century, the Maharaja of the Sumatran state settled on the island. Under him, the city of Singapore was built - the "city of the lion". At the beginning of the 14th century, Singapore became the busiest maritime and commercial center of the Straits of Malacca. But already in the middle of the century, the prosperous city was completely destroyed, and its population was slaughtered by the Javanese army.

90. All scenes of violence and sex from films are cut out.

91. There are many hotels, but they are very expensive.

92. In inexpensive cafes and food courts in Singapore, there are no napkins on the tables. The tradition is to carry a pack of tissues with you.

93. Singapore has one of the most large bills world at a cost of 10,000 Singapore dollars.

94. The flying fox is the largest bat in the world. The wingspan reaches 1.5 meters. Lives on one of the small islands of Singapore.

95. The highest point of Singapore is only 164 meters.

96. In Singapore, there is a ban on the construction of structures higher than 280 meters.

97. In May 2002, a record was set for the number of participants in group dances people-11967 dancers.

98. Vanessa May was born in Singapore but moved to England at the age of 4.

100. Chinese noodles 55.18 m long and 7 mm in diameter. was prepared for the day family vacation in Pasir Panyang (Singapore) on May 30, 1999

101. Almost all public institutions are equipped with free internet.

102. In Singapore, the most important holiday is the “festival of lights”. It is celebrated for several days and at this time the streets are decorated with garlands and flowers. Lamps are an indispensable attribute of this holiday - they are lit wherever possible. And fireworks are a must in the evening.

A foreign culture dictates its own rules of conduct, and if you do not know them, then, at a minimum, you will have minor misunderstandings with the locals, and at the most, serious problems with the law will appear. Singapore is considered one of the safest countries in Asia, but even in this state you can get into some unpleasant situation due to ignorance of local regulations.

1. Tip.

If you have used the services of a taxi driver, waiter, maid, or any other service worker, you should know that you should not tip them. This is explained by the fact that in Singapore payment for the services of this employee is already included in your account, so the promotion of additional money is considered humiliating. Of course, some of service personnel there may be other opinions about it.

2. Shopping on weekends.

A lot of tourists, going to rest on the island of Bali, transfer at the airport to numerous Singapore-Bali flights, and, as always, they are in a hurry to go shopping and buy something new. For your information, you should do such shopping tours on weekdays. Since for local residents who get enough money is considered one of the favorite pastimes is shopping and it is on weekends that this is part of the new traditions, a kind of rest. But what should scare you away from this venture is not something that will be much more people but the fact that this Singaporean people are very slow in shopping, trying on clothes, etc. This can be explained by the fact that they basically have no more plans on weekends. So if you decide to go shopping, then try to coordinate your Singapore-Bali flight and not get on the weekend, more details on all flights to Bali from Changi airport can be found on one of the best tourist sites "Tourister". By the way, there you can also read reviews about Singapore, its attractions, find out the weather for the coming days, see a huge number of photos of our tourists and get invaluable advice from experienced travelers who have repeatedly visited the city-state of Singapore.

3. Violate prohibitions.

Singapore also called the "City of Prohibitions" and I would like to add that they call it so not in vain. After all, in this city, indeed, signs with prohibitions are hanging almost at every step. As an example, we can take the fact that to import into Singapore chewing gum is prohibited, as here it is considered as a medicine. If you still brought it, then you may well be fined or even imprisoned for several days. Biking on the bridges, running along some of the historic streets, as well as smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages are also prohibited here. I think it’s not worth talking about garbage, because here the locals don’t even fit in their heads that you can throw something past the trash can.

4. Giving inappropriate gifts.

If you want to give a gift to someone from the locals, whether they are your friends, business partners or someone else, you should consider their nationality. For example, if you are invited to visit by people of Chinese nationality, you should not take cake or ice cream with you, as they may think that you do not like the way they cook. Also, do not give the Chinese watches or flowers, because in their homeland they are associated with death. If you decide to make a present to the Malays, then you should not buy leather belts, wallets or alcoholic drinks because these people preach Islam. In addition, it is customary for them to give gifts immediately before departure. Therefore, before choosing gifts, find out more about what exactly can be given to representatives of a certain nationality.

5. Sign up for a massage.

Usually massage is associated with something relaxing, pleasant, but not here. In Singapore, this procedure is very painful. Therefore, before signing up for a masseur, think about whether you can endure a whole session. Do not be afraid, massage is done, as elsewhere, with bare hands, that's just with a very tangible strong pressure.

Remember, this is not only about Singapore, it is necessary to follow the rules everywhere and respect the traditions of those with whom we, tourists, are now visiting!!!

Approximately 42% of the country's population professes Buddhism, 15% - Islam, 14% - Christianity. Among the educated stratum of the country, many consider themselves atheists. Surrounded by two Muslim countries, Malaysia and Indonesia, Singapore has absorbed the customs and traditions of many countries around the world.

Tourist behavior rules

When vacationing in Singapore, it is important to know the basic rules of behavior for a tourist in the country and try to adhere to them in everything.

For example, gambling are prohibited here, chewing gum brought with you, you will face a significant fine. Threw a piece of paper on the pavement? Get ready to part with 500 SGD. If this measure does not work for you, then such a repeated violation may result in imprisonment.

smoke here it is possible only in places specially designated for this purpose. You can easily find them by the characteristic trash can with an ashtray at the top. Just do not throw a cigarette butt past the urn, it is not welcome here. If you smoke in a restaurant, bus or cinema, then get ready to pay a fine of 1000 SGD.

You also run the risk of replenishing the country's financial budget if you cross in the wrong place (500 SGD), drive in a car without a seatbelt, spit on the pavement, or do not flush after you in the toilet.

Outwardly friendly Singaporeans often behave rather cavalierly in transport or shops. You don't need to be afraid of this.

Foreigners on the streets here are treated loyally, with questions you can always contact to local police officers, who can be recognized by their dark blue uniforms.

In Singapore, it is almost always hot. Therefore, for walking around the city it is better to wear light clothing made from organic cotton. It is also worth taking a jumper with you, which can be worn in air-conditioned rooms so as not to catch a cold. The dress code can be loose, but still you should not walk around the city in short shorts and a T-shirt. Some restaurants won't let you in without a business suit.

Interesting local rite of acquaintance. Depending on belonging to a certain ethnic group, it can vary from a light handshake to a multi-stage procedure that includes the observance of many formalities.

If you were invited to a private house or temple, then always take off your shoes before the threshold. Take a small souvenir with you during your private visit.

Most meals in Singapore eat with chopsticks. But you can use more familiar European cutlery.

Holidays

Main holidays and non-working days:

• 1st of January- New Year is celebrated
• January February. At this time, the celebration of Chunjie - the Spring Festival and the Chinese New Year
• When visiting Singapore December to March you can get to a celebration arranged in honor of the Muslim holidays of Hari Raya Haji (day of sacrifice), Hari Raya Puas, Ramadan (from May to April) or Good Friday and Easter (they are celebrated in April-May).
• The 1 of May- Labor Day. Also on this day, the Third Prince of the Lotus, the child god, was born. During this period mediums and spiritualists of Singapore gather in the temples a. They enter the trass, and in the course of it they pierce themselves with swords or daggers. Their blood, which has fallen on sheets of paper with which the floor of the temple is covered, often serves as a talisman for people in power.
• the 6th of May- Vestak is celebrated, on this day the Buddha was born.
• August 9- Republic Day
• October to November Deepavali (festival of lights) is celebrated.
• December 25- Christmas

A futuristic city where different cultures, religions, buildings, tastes coexist. Here traditions are combined with modern trends, unique natural corners - with masterpieces modern architecture, Michelin-starred restaurants side by side with delicious outdoor eateries, and family amusement parks side by side with the most extreme rides. What you need to know about Singapore? This is another world that you can believe in only by seeing it with your own eyes. We offer you a selection of the most interesting places Singapore that will help you discover this place and fall in love with it forever. And further. Mikhail Kozhukhov just in November decided to return there for a while. Moreover, the travel program was developed jointly with Singapore. company?

1. Walk around the Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens is a must-see place when you arrive in Singapore. To date, this park is recognized as the best botanical garden in Southeast Asia. Curly footpaths you can wander for hours! View sculptures, admire the Swan Lake, look into the Orchid Garden, which will enchant exotic lovers rare species colors. On weekdays, the Singapore Botanic Garden becomes a study area for many curious tourists and a resting place for couples who can retire to any quiet corner of the park.

2. Check out Chinatown

The Chinatown Heritage Center is an exposition dedicated to history Chinese who settled on the island about 100 years ago. The exposition is dedicated to their traditions, customs and way of life. The museum is located in three restored, so-called "shop houses", where migrants from China lived. The rooms of the “shop houses” recreate the atmosphere in which the inhabitants of Chinatown once lived. When visiting the Chinese Heritage Museum, you will have a chance to visualize the way of life of the largest national community a hundred years ago.

3. Dine at the only Michelin-starred street food cafe in the world

Various culinary traditions are mixed in, thanks to which a unique own has been formed, including a separate layer called street-food. The popularity of street food has reached such a level that a fast food restaurant with a Michelin star has appeared in Singapore. What is this place? Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle is located in shopping complex China Town Complex of Singapore's Chinatown quarter. A simple sign with the names of dishes, plastic utensils, ordinary chopsticks and a place on a common food court - the eatery is no different from dozens of competitors located in the neighborhood and from 15,000 other Singaporean stalls. But it is to this showcase that meter-long queues are now lining up.

4. Go for a walk around the islands

It is impossible to come to and not go to the entertainment island of Sentosa - directly from the city by funicular. Sentosa is an island that is located in the southern part of Singapore and is part of the Southern Islands group. This place is considered the main entertainment venue of the country, since the island has numerous attractions, amusement parks, picturesque sandy beaches, luxury hotels, spa areas, sports fields, marinas, and a comprehensive integrated resort with a casino.

5. Catch fish with Singaporean fishermen and dine on it right at the fish farm

The Smith Marine Kelong Floating Platform is another must-see place upon arrival in Singapore. Previously, such fishing villages supplied the city with seafood. Now there are few active kelongs left. But one of them did not just stay, but turned into a restaurant where you can catch fish yourself, which they will cook for you right there.

6. Discover Peranakan culture

You can get acquainted with unusual culture Chinese immigrants by visiting historical sites such as the Katong Antique House or the Peranakan Museum. But you can dig deeper and come... for a visit! To a Peranakan family who will feed you a delicious lunch. “Peranakan” or “baba-nenya” is the name in Southeast Asia for the descendants of mixed marriages between Chinese and local women. About 400-600 years ago, such marriages led to the emergence of a unique culture and language called “Baba-Malay”. And the "baba-nenya" invented their own cuisine, in particular, the dish "laxu". Let's hope we try it!

7. Go on a night safari in Singapore with wild animals right in the center of the metropolis

Do you know what a night safari is? This is a world class attraction! During a night safari at the zoo, thousands of animals from Asia, Africa, Europe and America can be observed in natural conditions. A small train will pass through recreated natural landscapes of different climatic zones, and you will be able to watch animals in their natural habitat, and even at dinner. You will see hyenas, tarsiers, anteaters, lemurs and many other animals that you probably didn't even know existed. The zoo has more than 59 exhibits and at least 1,000 animals.

8. Drink a Singapore Sling with a breathtaking view of the city from a height of 282 meters

Bar "1 Altitude" is located on the roof of the high building in . You find yourself at an altitude of 282 meters above sea level with a stunning view of the night lights of Singapore and neighboring Malaysia. How about a glass (or two?) of the famous Singapore Sling?

9. Visit the photographer Sajeev




Sadjiv is a special person. Not only is he a professional photographer, but he is also the organizer of a marriage agency for Indian immigrants. I wanted to help fellow countrymen find wives in

One of the main national traits local residents are considered to be striving for order, and this applies to absolutely all spheres of life. Citizens are very serious about the problem of smoking, in all closed public institutions it is prohibited by law. The violator will have to pay a fairly large fine - about a thousand dollars. However, there are quite a few specially designated smoking areas in the city. The road should also be crossed only in the right place. If there is no pedestrian or underground crossing nearby, then you can simply stand next to the nearest traffic light - attentive drivers will definitely stop and let the pedestrian pass.

Surprisingly cleanliness reigns on the streets of the city, local residents are very concerned about order and urge visitors to keep cleanliness as well. Rubbish should only be thrown into special bins; the violator can also suffer a fairly large fine. Another feature of the city is the ban on eating in places not designated for this. This rule sounds rather peculiar, but you can eat in the city only in specially designated places for this - such is the local culture. You can't bring chewing gum into Singapore, let alone consume it. For this offense, one of the largest fines is provided - $ 300.

One of the most important national celebrations is Independence Day, which is celebrated on August 9th. The holiday is accompanied by various cultural events, shows and fairs, exhibitions and military parades. Most of holiday events takes place on the territory of Marina Bay. Small townspeople are also directly involved in organizing the holiday. On Independence Day, a children's choir always performs, in which pupils from 200 schools sing. The locals have good tradition, which tourists are also happy to support - it is customary to wear the brightest and most beautiful clothes for the holiday. Many sew outfits for the holiday on their own, so that they are different from the rest. Red is considered the national color, it must certainly be present in a festive attire. Tourists who did not have time to stock up on special clothes for the celebration can buy a red T-shirt at one of the local stores. Copyright www.site

bright and beautiful clothes accompanies any holiday - after all, if any city can be called the most colorful city in Asia, then Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh will fight for the palm, except for Singapore. The most striking confirmation of this is the celebration of the Chinese New Year. It is accompanied by the Chingay parade, the scope of which is truly large-scale - the celebration lasts 15 days, and during this time the streets are full of bright colors. Orchad road is accompanied by the traditional Chinese "Lion dance", loud sounds are heard everywhere - this is how the people of Singapore scare away the forces of evil.