When in Singapore
Located between Malaysia and Indonesia, the city state of Singapore is a popular destination for travellers in the Far East. An unashamed nanny state, its blend of post-colonial charm and rampant modernism is an idiosyncratic pull for many visitors.
Singapore used to be the very model of a British colony, but with its independence it has embraced modernism. However, an atmosphere of opium dens, pearl luggers and rickshaws remains for those prepared to hunt for it and it's still possible to enjoy a gin sling in one of the city's grand hotels. While many visitors find Singapore "shockingly modern and anonymous", it is also "undeniably an Asian city", writes Lonely Planet, with the appeal of the city being found in its contrasts. Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions jostle for space comfortably with gleaming skyscrapers.
Also known as the Lion City, Singapore derives its name from the Malay words 'singa', meaning lion, and 'pura', meaning pure. Legend has it that the first living creature seen by a prince on the island was a lion and he named it in the animal's honour. First mentioned in Chinese texts in the third century, the region went on to establish itself as a trading post for the Sumatran Srivijaya empire and then in the 13th century as a trading post for the Javanese Majapahit empire.
However, the modern city of Singapore was not truly founded until the arrival of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1819. The official from the British East India Company established Singapore as an important trading post, turning the city state into a flourishing region, leading to it being established as a British Crown Colony in 1867. The Japanese invaded Singapore during the Second World War and even though it was returned to the British after their surrender, the moves towards independence were already in place. The city became a self-governing state in 1959 and in 1965 went on to achieve official sovereignty.
Likened to a giant sauna all year, Singapore's climate makes recommended traveling times largely irrelevant. It rains steadily all through the year, although is noticeably wetter from November to January, with an average temperature of 31 degrees during the day and 24 at night.
Rather than planning by the weather, travellers are instead advised to let one of the city's many festivals and events guide their trip. The massive festival Thaipusam takes place in February, followed by the Singapore Food Festival in April, with the Great Singapore Sale rounding things off in June.
Given its history, visitors will be unsurprised to learn that English is an official language on the island, alongside Malay, Chinese and Tamil. English is now taught in schools, but many older Singaporeans do not speak it. A dialect known as Singlish is spoken widely, but travellers will likely struggle to understand the mix of clipped English with Malay and Hokkien.
Singapore is a very safe city with a low crime rate, largely driven down by its notoriously harsh penalties. The city is something of a nanny state, with fines liberally meted out for so-called antisocial behaviours. Chewing gum is famously banned in the city and while tourists won't face the death penalty if caught with the odd piece, they will be fined if trying to bring it into the city in bulk. Smoking in public, littering, jaywalking and eating or drinking on public transport are also all punishable by fines. Singapore is extremely hard on drugs and its policy towards drug traffickers has given the tiny nation the highest execution rate in the world. Travellers are advised to avoid drugs at all costs.
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Introduction
