Sometimes it becomes a pity that the journeytime is possible only on the pages of science fiction novels. In a person there lives an insatiable thirst to look into tomorrow. To take a peek at least with one eye. And not many people know that such a journey can become a reality. You just have to want it, buy a ticket and go to one of the most unusual city-states in Asia. Singapore is located on the islands in Southeast Asia, separated from the Malacca Peninsula by the narrow Strait of Johor, and occupies a strategic position at the crossroads of routes between Europe, Asia and Australia. Now it is the largest center of communications, trade and tourism. The name Singapore is a state, a city, an island and a river at the same time. Translated from Sanskrit, it means "abode of the lion". When choosing the time of the trip, you should keep in mind that Singapore is a country with a tropical monsoon climate, the temperature here is constantly at +30 - +32 ° C. It rains all year round, and from November to February the islands are hit by torrential downpours. You can fly to Singapore on an excursion without a visa for 4 days (visa-free entry for only 96 hours) on a direct flight from Moscow in just 10.5 hours. And these will be days filled with the most vivid impressions. Singapore - its attractions, according to the most daring forecasts, give a real opportunity to enjoy the achievements of civilization, which prim Europe is still a hundred years away from. Doubt it? Let's try to compare. Singapore is able to counter each European miracle with a dozen of its own. You certainly need facts. Well, fasten your seatbelts, we are heading to the future!
Singapore Response to Chinatowns
Every self-respecting person has a Chinatowncity of Europe and both Americas. Numerous immigrants from this country have settled all over the globe, creating diasporas. But unlike other countries, Singapore is not limited to Chinatown alone, there is an Arab Street and its own Little India district. Chinatown is considered the cultural center of Singapore. Despite the fact that in the middle of the 20th century most of the quarter was lost, among the remaining buildings there are those that are examples of the richest heritage of old Chinese architecture. Temples and terraces, old buildings of markets and shops. Just imagine for a moment an entire street lined with brightly colored shops where you can buy everything from paper napkins to special double-walled teapots for brewing tea. And all this is accompanied by loud shouts of merchants, the smell of exotic dishes from snack bars, here and there located in the frame of traditional Chinese lanterns. By the way, among them there is a Russian restaurant, with such a Russian name, in the opinion of the Chinese, "Shashlik". Numerous temples complement the already colorful streets. Sri Mariamman is the most picturesque Indian temple, decorated with figures of gods, people and cows. This is the main Hindu shrine of the island. The temples of Wak Hai Cheng Byo, Nagora Durga Sri, Kong Men San, Siong Lim are known not only and not so much as attractions of Singapore, but also as masterpieces of architecture of Asian scale. In the Indian quarter, you can't help but feel like you are in India. Remember scenes from Indian films and imagine yourself, for example, in the center of one of the scenes with songs and dances. The holiday falls on you, instantly drawing you into its round dance. It is worth raising your eyes, and you will see a statue of the sitting Buddha and the Temple of a Thousand Lights; it seems that the candle flames are breathing in the same rhythm as you. It may even seem to you that you have comprehended the wisdom available only to yogis, have come to your own enlightenment and that if you wish, you can easily rise into the sky. Saris, colorful as the wings of birds of paradise, shops, chic gold jewelry, the intoxicating smell of spices. And all this against the backdrop of sterilely clean sidewalks. This is perhaps the only moment that will not let you forget that you are in the center of Singapore, and not in real India. Arab Street will appeal to those who like to bargain. And there is much to bargain for. Products made of silk, batik, cotton. Beautiful hand-made carpets. Everything that oriental bazaars are rich in is presented to the eyes of idly strolling tourists. But if you think that the comparative youth of Arab Street does not allow it to have architectural values, you are mistaken. The Haja Fatima Mosque, miniature and graceful like an oriental woman, with its leaning tower, the main city mosque Masjid Sultan, whose golden dome can be seen from afar, and, of course, the Istana Kampong Glam palace, which now houses the Malay Museum - treasures of three ancient civilizations are collected in a relatively small area.
Island of entertainment
Sentosa Island is just 500 meters awaysouth of Singapore. Translated from Malay, its name means "tranquility." This is a favorite vacation spot for residents and tourists. There are many smaller islands around the island, connected to the main one by suspended walkways. Those who have come to Sentosa Island for the first time may have the feeling that all the sights of Singapore are collected on this three-kilometer island. If you look at the island as a whole, it most closely resembles a city of the future. Not a single building is repeated twice. And numerous attractions and amusement parks will put even Hong Kong Disney Land to shame. Vulcanoland, which, despite its name, does not tell about volcanoes. In the smallest detail, you can study the history of the origin of our planet, the origin of the continents and life itself on earth. And all this not under the boring grumbling of a tour guide, but with the help of attractions, of which there are a great many. Butterfly Park, home to over 300 species of these beautiful creatures, all kinds of insects, from giant Hercules beetles to ants, and over 7,000 exotic birds. A real leap into the future will be a visit to the Universal Studios amusement park. Its attractions seem to have stepped straight out of the famous films created by the Universal film company. Here you will find a futuristic metropolis, guests from all over the universe, the remains of ancient races and civilizations, a life-size Far Far Away Kingdom, and a Jurassic Park. The main thing is to have time to see everything. But the sights of Singapore are not only all kinds of attractions and entertainment centers, it is also the animal and plant world of the island.
Jungle in the middle of a megacity
What really amazes you about Singapore isis an abundance of orchids. It seems that every free plot of land is planted with these aristocrats of fauna. You can enjoy the bizarre compositions of orchids in parks and hotel lobbies. But these are not the only representatives of the jungle that can be seen in Singapore. The Singapore Zoo is more reminiscent of an island cut out of the wild nature than a zoo in our understanding of the word. No cages, the animals are in their natural habitat. Ostriches, penguins and - what a miracle! - real white tigers lazily look at tourists. It is difficult to describe the Singapore Botanical Park in words. You have to visit it. It can be said with full responsibility that you will not find such beauty anywhere. Swan Lake, fern valley, palm alley, ginger garden and, of course, orchid garden. The names speak for themselves. And keep in mind that these are not just names: if it is a fern valley, then all the possible types of ferns are collected here, if it is a palm alley, then there is no type of palm that could not be found here. Finding yourself at a height of 200 meters above the ground, on the roof of a hotel complex, it seems that the attractions in Singapore have reached the sky, because at this grandiose height there is a park. A unique creation of Singaporean engineers. More than 200 species of trees from different parts of the world. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon involuntarily come to mind. Here, in the open air, there is a swimming pool. It is time to say that one of the seven wonders of the world is still in Singapore. By the way, this is not the only observation deck from which you can see all of Singapore. The Ferris wheel in Singapore is also one of the attractions. Firstly, it is 30 meters larger than London, and secondly, from the highest point, 165 meters from the ground, in clear weather you can easily see not only the city of the future spreading below, but also the coast of Indonesia. And between Singapore and Indonesia there is neither more nor less than 45 kilometers. The sights of Singapore can surprise, conquer and charm anyone. There are so many unusual things that amaze the imagination that, having visited once, you want to come back and wander around the amazing island and city again. Go back to the future. We recommend reading:
