Traveling in Singapore City: What to Do and Where to Go on Your Singapore City Vacation

Overview
Singapore City is a tiny island in Southeast Asia that serves as a comfortable gateway to Asia because of its modernization and tourist-friendliness. It is the home to a diverse cultural population with a blend of Chinese, Malay, and Indian peoples, and the location of the largest port in the world. Because of this, Singapore City is a place that is well-prepared to deal with foreign visitors, resulting in a city full of attractions and amenities that is often considered far less unique than some of its neighboring Asian regions. Singapore City is so small that it could be traversed in its entirety in less than a week. In the city's center is the Colonial District, considered the city's downtown, and it is surrounded by several ethnic districts, including Chinatown, Little India, and the Arab Quarter. Most of the valuable sightseeing experiences are located outside of the Colonial District.

Sightseeing Attractions
Singapore is the home to many gorgeous beaches. Three are located in Sentosa, many are strung along the city's east coast, and more outline the Southern Islands, which are accessible by boat. The area north of the Singapore River is the most historical area of Singapore City. Here you'll find the bulk of the city's historical architecture and several museums. In the north and west sections of the city, you'll find the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the Singapore Zoological Gardens that offer night safaris, the Jurong Bird Park, and the Botanic Gardens.

Nightlife
Each ethnic district in Singapore City has its own signature cuisine, and, often, the best places to dine are at hawker centers. These open-air markets are located within each district, offer a choice of vendors, and are required to display a health code grade. They're relatively inexpensive and generally offer worthwhile dining experiences. Shopping opportunities are hard to miss as Singapore City is flooded with malls and department stores; however, for a more traditional Asian shopping experience, head to the streets in the Arab Quarters and Little India where vendors sell fine silks. For a night on the town, head down to the Quays -- Boat, Clarke, and Robertson -- to experience the best of Singapore City's nightclubs and bars. Many places in Singapore City have 24-hour liquor licenses, so plan to make it a long night.

Relaxation Attractions
Singapore is the home to many spas, from the luxury spas that can be found in five-star hotels to the health centers that are frequently questionable. However, expect to pay more at a spa in Singapore City than you will at comparable ones in Indonesia and Thailand.