WK5: ASIA

GEOGRAPHY

- Asia lies almost entirely in the northern hemisphere. It is broadly divided into six regions; Northern Asia, Central Asia, Eastern
Asia, Western Asia, Southern Asia, Southeast Asia.
- Land area: 43,810,582 km2
- Bordering Bodies: Ural Mountains to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Indian Ocean to
the south,
- MAJOR GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

● MOUNT EVEREST - It is the highest point in the world (8,848 m), situated in the Tibetan region of the Himalayas
● YANGTZE RIVER - It is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world (6,211 km), which flows through China.
● GOBI DESERT - It is the largest desert in Asia measuring 281,800 km2.

DEMOGRAPHY

- Current population of Asia is 4,723,268,867 as of July 31, 2022 based on United Nations estimates.
- Equivalent to 59.76% of the total world population.

CLIMATES AND BIOMES

● RAINFOREST - High temperatures and high rainfall throughout the year. Rainforest areas are jungles of dense, wet forests.
● DESERT - Warm to high temperatures with very little rainfall. This region is home to those plants that can survive the arid
conditions like cacti, and home to lizards and camels.
● TUNDRA - This area is characterized by a layer of permafrost ( a soil that has remained below freezing for at least two years.
Winters are very cold; summers are warm and there is little rainfall). It is home to reindeer, foxes, and wolves.
● GRASSLAND - Hot summers and cold winters with above average rainfall. Grassland and savanna regions are characterized by large
open areas of tall or short grass.
● SAVANNA - Very high temperatures all year and rain during the summer season only.
● DECIDUOUS FOREST - Four distinct reasons with warm summers and cold, wet winters. This region has a wealth of plant life and
includes tall and short trees, shrubs, small plants, and mosses.
● CONIFEROUS FOREST - Also known as TAIGA, cold and dry with snowy winters and warmer summers. This region contains trees
such as pine, fir, and spruce, and is home to bears.
● ALPINE/MOUNTAIN - Cold, windy, and snowy. Only short grasses and shrubs can survive in this region. It is home to giant pandas.
 CHINA

❖ Capital: BEIJING
❖ Currency: CHINESE YUAN RENMINBI (CNY)
❖ Religion: BUDDHISM, TAOISM, CATHOLICISM, PROTESTANTISM, AND ISLAM
❖ Language: MANDARIN CHINESE
❖ Government: Communist Party-Led State
❖ Population: 1.4 BILLION

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

1. THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

- It was built, rebuilt, and maintained between the 5th century BC and the 16th century to stand as protection for the
northern borders of the Chinese Empire from the nomadic tribes of the north.
- It is one (1) of man's greatest engineering feats and longest outdoor museum, stretching from Gansu Province in the
west to Shanhaiguan on the Bohai Sea in the east.
2. TERRACOTTA ARMY

- The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of
China.
- It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210-209 BCE with the purpose of protecting the emperor in his
afterlife.
3. FORBIDDEN CITY

- The Forbidden City was the palatial heart of China. It is an imperial palace complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties
(1368-1912) in Beijing, China.
- As one of the five most important palaces in the world, the grand halls and walls proudly display the essence and
culmination of traditional Chinese architecture, fitting for the capital city of the world's largest nation.
4. POTALA PALACE

- Being the winter palace of the Dalai Lama (spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism) from the 7th century, it symbolizes
Tibetan Buddhism. With over 1,000 rooms, it contained the living quarters of the Dalai Lamas while they lived and their
golden tombs when they died. It remained the residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India, after the
Chinese invasion in 1959.
GASTRONOMY

1. DUMPLING - famous traditional Chinese food, which was invented by medical sage Zhang Zhongjing more than 1,800 years ago. At
that time, Chinese herbal medicine was using mutton to prevent cold
2. NOODLES (CHOW MEIN) - one of the oldest traditional Chinese foods. Chinese people started eating noodles about 4,000 years ago.
It was also at that time that long noodles were associated with longevity, thus people began to eat the longevity noodles on their
birthdays.
3. STEAMED STUFFED BUN - Steamed stuffed bun is a flour dough wrapper with stuffing, which is a kind of Chinese traditional food. It
is said that it was created for sacrifices to dead soldiers in battles by Zhuge Liang, who was an outstanding politician and military
strategist during the Three Kingdoms Period.
4. PEKING ROAST DUCK - a must-eat food in Beijing. China. The process of eating the roast duck is somehow a ceremonial ritual. The
chef will present the whole roast duck in front of you and then slice it. A Peking Roast Duck can be cut into 120 thin slices, each
with both tender duck meat and crispy skin.
FESTIVALS

1. CHINESE NEW YEAR

- Also called Spring Festival. It is the most important festival to Chinese people. Activities to celebrate the festivals are
dragon dances, setting off firecrackers, making dumplings, etc.
2. LANTERN FESTIVAL

- Also called the Yuan Xiao Festival, a holiday celebrated in China and other Asian countries that honors deceased ancestors
on the 15th day of the first month (Yuan) of the lunar calendar. It aims to promote reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness.
The holiday marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and the end of the Chinese New Year.
3. QINGMING FESTIVAL

- Around April 4. Chinese people’s day for visiting graves and burial grounds to pray their respects to their ancestors. It’s
known as the Tombs Sweeping Festival in English.
4. DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

- The most popular and representative activity of Dragon Boat Festival is dragon boat racing. Dragon Boat Festival falls on
month 5 day 5 of the Chinese lunar calendar (around mid-June). During this traditional festival in China, people
customarily eat rice dumplings.

CULTURAL ATTRIBUTE

● Handshakes are the standard, casual greeting. The grip tends to be lighter than the Western handshake and is also sustained for
longer.
● In formal situations, people bow slightly or nod politely to greet one another formally. The bow is from the shoulders and should be
greater if the person you are greeting has a higher status than you.
● If seated, the Chinese will stand up out of respect when they are introduced to someone.
● Always greet those that are older than you first.
● Use a person's family name and appropriate title to address them unless they have indicated that you can move on to addressing
them on a first-name basis.
● Usually, only friends address one another by their given names.
● Nicknames are used only between very close friends or lovers.
● To show a high level of respect, friends might use the terms 'lao' (old) and 'xiao' (young) with or instead of titles.
● When first meeting a Chinese person in a rural area, it is common to be invited to join them for a meal. This is an old greeting that
offers politeness yet does not usually transpire into an actual meal. It is considered impolite to greet a friend with a comment that
could be perceived to have negative connotations, such as "You look tired".

JAPAN

❖ Capital: TOKYO
❖ Currency: JAPAN YEN (JPY)
❖ Religion: SHINTOISM AND BUDDHISM
❖ Language: NIHONGO
❖ Government: CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY
❖ Population: 125.8 MILLION
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

1. MT. FUJI

- It is the highest mountain in Japan at 12,388 ft. (3,776 m). It has become a well-known symbol of Japan because of the
volcano's symmetrical cone. Roughly 200,000 people climb Mount Fuji every year, 30% of whom are foreigners.
2. TOKYO TOWER

- It stands as Japan's statement to the advancement of modern life and technology. It is the second tallest man-made
structure in Japan, which was inspired by the design of the Eiffel Tower. Tourists climb the tower to take a good view of
Tokyo and the surrounding areas.
3. GOLDEN PAVILION

- It is also known as Kinkaku-ji and was originally built in the late 14th century to be a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga
Yoshimitsu. Unfortunately, it was burnt down in 1950 by a young monk who became obsessed with it. After five (5) years, it
was rebuilt, and the builders emphasized the harmony between the building and the surrounding gardens.
4. TOKYO IMPERIAL PALACE

- This is the home of the emperor of Japan. It also acts as an administration center and a museum showcasing Japanese art
and history. The palace is set on the ruins of older castles that were destroyed by fire or war, and architects have honored
the past by incorporating design elements of the different eras into the modern palace. It is now surrounded with
traditional Japanese gardens and tons of reception and guest rooms to receive guests and to welcome the public.

GASTRONOMY

1. SUSHI - the most famous Japanese dish outside of Japan, and one of the most popular dishes among the Japanese. In Japan, sushi is
usually enjoyed on special occasions, such as a celebration. In past centuries, "sushi" referred to pickled fish preserved in vinegar.
Nowadays sushi can be defined as a dish containing rice that has been prepared with sushi vinegar.
2. TEMPURA - are pieces of lightly battered deep fried seafood and vegetables.
3. RAMEN - a noodle soup dish that was originally imported from China and has become one of the most popular dishes in Japan in
recent decades.
4. UDON - thick Japanese noodles made of wheat flour.
5. TEA - the most popular beverage in Japan and an important part of Japanese food culture. Tea or Ocha.

FESTIVALS

1. AWA ODORI

- It is the largest traditional dance festival in Japan. Men, women, and children dance on almost all of the streets in
Tokushima City, from the 12th to the 15th of August. People wear summer cotton kimono and straw hats.
2. YUKI MATSURI

- It takes place during February. The origin of this festival was the six (6) snow statues built by local high school students
in 1950. Today, it has become an international contest of gigantic snow sculptures.

3. LANTERN FESTIVAL

- Beginning as a humble Chinese New Year celebration, the Nagasaki Lantern Festival is now a dreamlike display of over
15,000 lanterns transforming the city into a tapestry of fiery reds and vivid yellows.
4. GION MATSURI

- It takes place during the entire month of July. It highlights a grand procession of floats called "Yamaboko Junko", which
takes place on the Kawaramachi and Oike Streets.
CULTURAL ATTRIBUTE

● In Japan, the most common gesture when greeting is a bow. The depth, length and style of bow depends on the social context.
● Many Japanese are understanding and are likely to shake hands when meeting non-Japanese people.
● When meeting friends and family in casual situations, people usually slightly bow their heads (similar to a nod).
● The type of honorific title used when greeting someone depends on their age and gender.
● The most common title used when greeting someone is ‘- san'.

● The honorific-’sama' is a more polite and formal version of "-san". It is often used when greeting someone of higher social status
or in a business setting.

● When meeting someone for the first time in a casual setting. It is common for people to say "Hajimemashite" ("Nice to meet you").
● The most common phrases when greeting someone familiar is "Ohayō gozaimasu" (Good morning), "Konnichiwa" ("Hello' or 'Good
day"), and "Konbanwa" ("Good evening').

SOUTH KOREA

❖ Capital: SEOUL
❖ Currency: SOUTH KOREAN WON (KRW)
❖ Religion: NON-AFFILIATED, CHRISTIANS, BUDDHISM, CONFUCIANISM
❖ Language: KOREAN
❖ Government: REPUBLIC
❖ Population: 51.78 MILLION

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

1. N SEOUL TOWER

- The tower is near the top of Mount Namsan, and the entire area is Namsan Park, which is run by the city. There are miles
of hiking trails to explore, all within a few minutes of downtown Seoul.
2. HANOK VILLAGES

- Hanok villages, which can be found in a few places in Seoul and around Korea, are living museums. They're restored and
preserved ancient neighborhoods, some in their original location (like Bukchon) and some re-created with hanoks
(traditional Korean homes) moved from elsewhere. They give visitors an opportunity to not only experience what it was
like to live in a hanok, but also what it was like to live in Korea 600 years ago.
3. SEORAKSAN NATIONAL PARK

- It is a designated Biosphere Protection Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO). It is a 400,000 km2 park with unique rock formations, hot springs, wildlife, temples from the Silla Era, and a
dense woodland.
4. JEJU ISLAND

- It houses sandy beaches, botanical gardens, lava caves, folk villages, and the popular O'Sulloc Tea Museum, wherein
tourists usually come to learn about traditional South Korean tea culture.
5. GWANGJANG MARKET

- Gwangjang Market showcases food stalls with some of South Korea's beloved old favorites, from soy-marinated crabs to
knife-cut noodles. It is the oldest and largest traditional market in South Korea, and it's well known as a haven for real
traditional Korean food.
GASTRONOMY

1. KIMCHI - One of the oldest and probably the most essential dishes in Korean cuisine, kimchi is a spicy and sour dish made up of
fermented vegetables. It is prepared with various kinds of ingredients, but the most common main ingredient is cabbage.
2. BIBIMBAP - a bowl of mixed ingredients including, but not limited to, rice, namul (seasoned and sautéed vegetables). mushrooms,
beef, soy sauce, gochujang (chili pepper paste), and a fried egg.
3. JAPCHAE - Often served as a side dish during lunch or dinner, japchae is a traditional Korean noodle dish made up of stir-fried
sweet potato, thinly shredded vegetables, beef, and a hint of soy sauce and sugar.
4. TTEOKBOKKI - Ddukbokki, also spelled tteokbokki, is a common spicy Korean food made of cylindrical rice cakes, triangular fish
cake, vegetables, and sweet red chili sauce. It is often sold by pojangmacha (street vendors).

FESTIVALS

1. SEOLLAL

- Seollal is New Year's Day in the lunar calendar. Koreans celebrate Seollal with various activities and rituals which some
sources say goes back to the sixth century. One of the must- do activities during Seollal is to show respect to parents and
elders in the family. including the ancestors.
2. CHUSEOK

- It translates to "Harvest Moon". South Koreans usually go back to their hometowns and have dinner with their parents and
the children usually receive monetary gifts from their grandparents. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of
the lunar calendar.

3. SEOUL INTERNATIONAL FIREWORKS FESTIVAL

- Every year, the people of Seoul get together in front of the 63 City Building in the city's Hangang Park to enjoy an
incredible firework display. Every year, professional firework teams from around the world head to Seoul to be part of one
of the largest firework festivals in the world.

CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES

● Use a person's formal title (i.e. Mr. Ms, Doctor) when addressing them for the first time, and continue to do so until they signal
otherwise.
● The most common way to greet in South Korea is with a bow
● Handshakes are also used to greet people in South Korea. To show great respect during this greeting, one may support the wrist of
their right hand with their left as they shake.
● Use two hands, or support your right arm with your left, when passing on business cards, gifts, or when receiving an item
● It is insulting for Koreans to be touched by someone with whom they are unfamiliar, so don't pat them on the back or hug them.
● Elders are served first and begin the dining process
● Food and dining are important parts of Korean culture and are used to build relationships. Be sociable and work at shaping good
associations for pleasure and business as they are interlinked.
● Don't pour your own drink, although it is considered good manners to pour another's.
● Always remove your shoes before entering a Korean home.
● Do not eat or drink in public places while walking
 MALAYSIA

❖ Capital: KUALA LUMPUR

❖ Currency: MALAYSIAN RINGGIT (MYR)
❖ Religion: ISLAM, TAOISM, CHRISTIANITY, BUDDHISM, HINDUISM, SHAMANISM
❖ Language: BAHASA MALAYSIA
❖ Government: CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY
❖ Population: 32.37 MILLION

TOURIST ATTRACTION

1. PETRONAS TWIN TOWER

- The world's tallest twin towers, the Petronas Twin Towers can be found in Kuala Lumpur. It has 88 floors that are
constructed of reinforced concrete, with a glass and steel façade designed to look like the motifs in Islamic Art, a
reflection of Malaysia's Muslim religion. The towers feature a sky bridge between them on the 41st and 42nd floors.
2. MULU CAVE

- This is situated in the Gunung Mulu National Park in Malaysian Borneo. It has magnificent caves and karst formations that
has a mountainous equatorial rainforest scenery. The Sarawak chamber found in one (1) of the underground caves is the
largest cave chamber in the world.
3. BATU CAVES

- The main cave, known as Cathedral Cave, is at the top of a massive colorful staircase make it all the way up the 272 steps,
and you'll find a space decorated with statues, altars, and lights. At the bottom of the stairs, a 43-meter-tall gold statue of
Lord Murugan welcomes visitors.
4. PERHENTIAN ISLANDS

- It is situated off the coast of the northeastern region of Malaysia. This is the must-go place for budget travelers.
- The islands have some of the world's most beautiful beaches and great diving spots with a wide variety of affordable
accommodation. The two (2) main islands are Perhentian Besar (Big Perhentian) and the Perhentian Kecil (Small
Perhentian). Both islands are filled with palm trees, long white sand beaches with turquoise blue sea.

GASTRONOMY

1. SATAY - similar to shish kebabs, but without the vegetables in between the meat. This dish is one of the most popular street foods
in Malaysia, and it is also served in many high- end restaurants of late, due to its high demand.
2. NASI LEMAK - Nasi Lemak is Malaysia's national dish. And based on its popularity amongst both locals and tourists, it is not difficult
to see why. This Malaysian food is a flavorsome dish of fragrant white rice, cooked with coconut, sambal (a type of chili gravy),
fried egg, fried chicken, fried anchovies, sliced cucumber, and groundnuts/peanuts.
3. MURTABAK - Murtabak is a fiery, spiced stuffed pancake, very similar to an omelet. While its origin is deep-rooted in Arabia, this
firecracker of a food today is a wildly popular Malaysian street food. The pancake is made of a dough of flour, ghee, water, and oil.
Once shaped, the dough is pan- fried, and the pancake finally stuffed with a range of delicious ingredients.
4. LAKSA - Laksa is a spicy and flavourful noodle meal that combines thick white rice noodles and a curry-like soup base, topped with
prawn, fish cake, beancurd, and cockles. This is considered comfort food for many and it is easily found in many eateries in
Malaysia.
FESTIVALS

1. HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI

- It marks the end of the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, also known as the month of Ramadan. It is celebrated as a
two-day nationwide holiday in Malaysia. It is customary for some Muslim families to host 'rumah buka' or 'open house',
where they welcome neighbors and members of the community into their house to join in the celebrations where one can
enjoy festive food. The streets of major cities are often draped in spectacular decorations that are brightly lit at night.
2. CHINESE NEW YEAR

- Aside from Hari Raya, this is the only other festival in Malaysia that is given a two-day nationwide holiday. This is a time
when the country gets painted red as Chinese families and businesses would decorate their houses and streets with
traditional red decorations in the age- old Chinese tradition of warding off evil spirits
3. DEEPAVALI

- This is celebrated by Indians living in Malaysia. Known as the Festival of Lights, it signifies the victory of light and hope
over darkness. The day starts off by taking a bath with oil and praying. Later in the day, processions, street-fairs,
fireworks, and get-togethers take place. The aromas of a variety of dishes lingering across the streets is one (1) trait
that truly symbolizes the festivities of this festival in the areas where there is an Indian community.
4. WESAK

- This is a Buddhist festival celebrated to pay tribute to the birthday. enlightenment, and the attainment of Nirvana in the
life of Lord Buddha. The festivities begin with Buddhists gathering at temples to pray, meditate, and offer food and charity
to the poor. This celebration is usually topped off with a grand float procession featuring a giant statue of Buddha.

CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES

● When greeting a group of people, the oldest person should be greeted first.
● Always address individuals according to their appropriate titles (i.e. Mr, Mrs, Doctor) unless they specifically ask you to speak more
casually. If you indicate that you prefer to be addressed on a first name basis, you may find they feel more comfortable to continue
to use your title and last name.
● The common Malay verbal greeting is "Salaam".
● Elders may be addressed as "pakcik" (uncle) or "makcik" (aunty) out of respect.

● The common greeting across all ethnicities is a handshake. However, physical contact between men and women is not permitted in
all circumstances. If greeting a Malaysian woman, wait to see if she extends her hand first before offering to shake.
● People may put one hand over their chest and give a slight nod to greet those they perceive are unaccustomed to being touched.
● Muslim Malays may greet people of the same gender by using both hands to grasp the other person's.

THAILAND

❖ Capital: BANGKOK
❖ Currency: THAI BAHT (THB)
❖ Religion: ISLAM, CHRISTIANITY, BUDDHISM,
❖ Language: THAI
❖ Government: CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY
❖ Population: 69.8 MILLION
TOURIST ATTRACTION

1. KO PHI PHI

- It is located in Krabi Province, not too far from Phuket. Ko Phi Phi Don is the only island in the group with permanent
inhabitant while the smaller Ko Phi Phi Leh is famous as the filming location for the 2000 movie "The Beach". Aside from
the beaches, a variety of water recreation activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking are also available in
the area.
2. GRAND PALACE

- It is the official residence of the kings of Siam and Thailand. Situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the walled-in
complex contains a compelling series of pavilions, halls, and buildings scattered with vast lawns, lavish gardens, and
stately courtyards.
3. KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK

- Elephants are revered in Thailand, and statues and paintings of them can be seen everywhere you go, including the royal
palaces and many temples. For the ultimate experience, however, nothing beats the chance to see elephants in their
natural environment-and Khao Yai National Park provides a great opportunity to do just that.
4. AYUTTHAYA

- Ayutthaya offers a magnificent peek into the glory of ancient Thailand, where visitors can wander the haunting but
romantic ruins of the former capital. Ayutthaya was once the most important city in Thailand, and the old palaces and
temples stand as a testament to this.
5. FLOATING MARKETS

- Thailand's floating markets offer a unique way to do some shopping and eating while supporting local vendors and getting a
closer look into a traditional way of life. While some of the markets do seem to cater more to the tourist crowds, others
make for a nice authentic travel experience that involves getting in a boat and letting your guide take you through canals,
where you'll see traditional houses on stilts and run into sellers offering wares from their own boats.

GASTRONOMY

1. TOM YUM GOONG - is created with quintessential Thai ingredients like lemongrass, chilli, galangal, kaffier lime leaves, shallots,
fresh lime juice and plenty of fish sauce. Fresh prawns and mushrooms are added and coconut cream if you want the creamy
version.
2. PAD THAI - Pad thai is a fried noodle dish which is usually made with shrimp or chicken, however, the vegetarian option is popular
too. Pad thai is available on almost every street corner and is a cheap and tasty meal.
3. KHAO PAD - Khao pad simply translates to "fried rice" and is just that with some egg, onion and that's about it. The dish usually
comes with slices of cucumber to garnish and plenty of condiments are usually dumped on top to suit the consumer's taste.
4. SOM TAM - Som tam comes in a variety of styles, however, the classic som tam consists of shredded green papaya, tomatoes,
carrots, peanuts, dried shrimp, runner beans, palm sugar, tamarind pulp, fish sauce, lime juice, garlic and plenty of chillies.

FESTIVALS

1. SONGKRAN

- This is the biggest, longest, and most fun festival in Thailand. It is a three-day water fight throughout the whole country.
Wild scenes of excitement can be seen throughout the kingdom, with music, dancing, drinking, and people are wet from
head to toe.
2. PHI TA KHON

- It is a three-day festival that is renowned for the colorful masks worn by thousands of locals. The masks are horrific,
stretched faces decorated in bright, flashy colors. The origin of the festival is a mixture of animist and Buddhist beliefs.
 3. YI PENG

- In the banks of the Peng River, thousands of paper lanterns are released into the sky to float away on the evening breeze.
Releasing lanterns is the most photogenic part of the festival. There are also parades, religious ceremonies, and
fireworks.
4. BOONG BANG FAI

- It is celebrated in the farming communities of Issan (northeastern Thailand) before the planting season begins. The
rockets are meant to encourage the gods to send plentiful rains to help rice crops grow. The rockets are paraded first
before being launched high into the air.

CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES

● In both a formal and informal situation, Thai people greet each other with the word 'sawadee' followed by 'kah' for females and
'kraap' (soft r) for males.

● In an international context, a handshake is an acceptable greeting. However, a male may only shake a female's hand if she extends
it to him first.
● Greetings are accompanied by the gesture known as a "wai" , which is the placing of two palms together, with fingertips touching the
nose.
● A wai indicates the level of respect for another person and is an acknowledgement of seniority. A person should bow their head with
their palms pressed together to indicate respect.

SINGAPORE

❖ Capital: SINGAPORE CITY

❖ Currency: SINGAPORE DOLLAR (SGD)
❖ Religion: ISLAM, TAOISM, BUDDHISM, HINDUISM, CATHOLICISM
❖ Language: ENGLISH, MANDARIN, MALAY
❖ Government: PARLIAMENTARY REPUBLIC
❖ Population: 5.686 MILLION

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

1. RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA

- It is located on an island off Singapore's south coast. It features hotels, restaurants, a casino, and theme parks.
Attractions in the area center on the sea such as Marine Life Park, Dolphin Island, and a water park and aquarium. Other
attractions include the Universal Studios Singapore and nightly entertainment.
2. GARDENS BY THE BAY

- It is built on reclaimed land in central Singapore. It consists of three (3) gardens: Bay Central, a garden with a
waterfront walk that will eventually connect the other two gardens; Bay East, a water-themed garden; and Bay South,
which is the largest garden showcasing tropical horticulture.
3. MARINA BAY SANDS

- It is a resort that costs US$5.7 billion to build, making it the world's most expensive building when it opened in 2010. It is
an integrated resort that has it all including a luxury hotel, restaurants, endless collection of shops, a convention center,
theater, museum, and other entertainment centers.
 4. ORCHARD ROAD

- It is the main shopping street of Singapore. Named after the fruit orchards that the road led to, this attraction is flanked
by malls, numerous upmarket restaurants, coffee chains, cafés, nightclubs, and hotels. It is also the site of the official
residence of the President of Singapore, the Istana.

GASTRONOMY

1. CHILI CRAB - One of the icons of the cuisine of Singapore is a whole cooked crab served with a spicy chilli sauce. It is very typical to
end up dipping bread in your sauce once after the crab is finished.
2. BAK CHOR MEE - This dish that can be found in many of Singapore's restaurants has its origin in China. It is composed of mee pok,
a flat yellow noodle whose thickness and width can vary. It can be served with sauce, meat and vegetables, or in soup.
3. CHAR KWAY TEOW - One of the most popular dishes in Singapore is char kway teow, fried flat noodles that are served with prawns,
cockles, eggs, chilli, Chinese garlic and soy sauce.

FESTIVALS

1. CHINESE NEW YEAR

- This festival begins on the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar. Families celebrate by partaking in
reunion feasts, making new year visits to the homes of family and friends, exchanging hongbao (red envelopes with
monetary gifts), gifting tiny Mandarin trees (symbolizes prosperity) and visiting the temple.
2. HARI RAYA PUASA

- Commonly known as Eid Ul Fitr, this festival is a major festival for the Malay community in Singapore. It marks the end
of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Geylang Serai, the cultural heart of the Malay/Muslim community, is well
lit and decorated and a festive mood prevails.
3. VESAK DAY

- Vesak Day, the full moon day of the fourth lunar month, is the most important annual event for the Buddhist community
in Singapore. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and final nirvana of Buddha. Buddhist temples are colorfully
decorated with Buddhist flags and lights and shrines are adorned with flowers, fruits, and other offerings.