Singapore
Singapore’s Early Beginnings
Singapore was first mentioned in 1365 in the Javanese Nagarakretegama as Temasek or Sea
Town. A third-century Chinese account described Singapore as Pu-Luo-chung or island at the tip of a
peninsular. But it was from the 14th century, following a Sumatran prince mistaking a tiger for a lion, that
the Sanskrit term Singapura or Lion city gained currency. It was Sir Stamford Raffles, a 19th century
British civil servant, who founded Singapore in 1819. An official of the British East India Company, Raffles
combed the Straits of Malacca for a small trading station to counter the Dutch influence in the area. The
tiny fishing village of Singapore was perfect because it was at the crossroads of the East and West.
Raffles did not just discover Singapore. He literally laid the city’s foundations After establishing a
trading post, he planned to build a business quarter on one side of the Singapore River, But because it
was low-lying, he ordered a small hill to be excavated to fill up the area. Today, that land is the core of
the city and the heart of Shenton Way, Singapore’s answer to Wall Street.
Our unique heritage.
Singapore retains its special multi-racial quality acquired from its early days when Arabs,
Chinese, Europeans, Indians and Straits-born Chinese (or Peranakans) came to live side by side with the
indigenous Malays. Today the layers of the three main races (Chinese 77%, Malays 14% and Indians 8%)
complement and supplement each other. From ethnic enclaves such as Chinatown, Geylang Serai and
Little India to the Asian Civilizations Museum to any food centre with culinary delights of all races, the
mood is warm, friendly and harmonious.
Places of Interest
Chinatown
No visit to Singapore would be complete without a visit to Chinatown- the original site where
Chinese immigrants lived, worked and played. This is where you can see the oldest Hokkien temple,
Thian Hock Keng, or experience a prayer session in progress at the Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore’s
oldest Indian temple. Don’t forget to stop by Food Street for an alfresco meal and the various Chinese
pastry shops for home-made tarts and cakes. Learn about the rich cultural history of old Chinatown at the
Chinatown Heritage Centre . Best time to visit 10.00 am to 10.pm
Little India
Your senses will definitely come alive once you enter this colorful ethnic area, which used to be
just marshland and grazing fields for cattle, Notice how its history is captured in the road names. A walk
through Little India Arcade and Campbell Lane will convince you you’re in the heart of India. Watch how
intricately jasmine garlands are woven using banana tree fibre, pick up a packet of curry powder or
spices, let parakeet tell your fortune or settle down for an Indian vegetarian snack at a modern fast food
Indian restaurant, Komala Villas.
Sentosa Island
Offering a welcome contrast to the city’s bustling pace is Singapore’s favorite getaway isle- of
peace and tranquility. It truly has something for everyone from families to honeymooners, history buffs to
nature lovers. Underwater World, one of Asia’s largest oceanariums, is where you can experience close
encounters with sharks and stingrays. View nocturnal sea creatures at the Night Ocean.
Shopping
Orchard Road
our most famous shopping street, so named famous shopping street, so named for the many
nutmeg and pepper plantations that lined it in the 1840’s. The stretch of Orchard Road is still shaded by
lush tropical trees, but today you will find many shopping malls filled with practically everything under the
sun apparel, consumer electronic items, familiar fashion and lifestyle labels.
10 Local Favorites Food
1. Hainanese chicken rice
2. Laksa – Rice noodles in coconut curry gravy with shimp, egg, chicken and cockies
3. Char Kway teow – Broad white noodles fried with dark sweet sauce, bean sprouts, fish cake with
Chinese sausage.
4. Bak kut the and rice – This is a Chinese dish – pork ribs cooked with five spices, garlic and pepper
in a tasty soup that is served with a choice of rice or fried dough fritters.
5. Roti prata and the tarik – Roti prata is a crispy, crusty South Indian pancake and served with a bowl
of thick curry gravy. The tarik is tea mixed with both evaporated and sweet condensed milk.
6. Fish head curry- ahuge fish head and vegetables cooked in curry and served with rice.
7. Satay – meat kebabs served with rice cake. Cucumber and peanut gravy.
8. Rojak – a local salad comprising a mixture of fruits and vegetables.
9. Fried carrot cake – Rice flour and white carrot or radish which is quick – fried with soy sauce, eggs,
garlic and chai poh.
10. Chili crab – Hard shell crabs cooked in thick gravy with a tomato and chili base.
