History of Singapore: The first records of Singapore's existence are in Chinese texts from the 3rd century AD. The island was an outpost of the Sumatran Srivijaya empire and originally bore the Javanese name Temasek (which means sea town). Between the 16th and early 19th centuries, Singapore was a part of the Sultanate of Johore. During the Malay-Portugal wars in 1613, Singapore was set ablaze by Portuguese troops.

In 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, an official with the British East India Company, signed a treaty with the Sultan of Johore. He also established Singapore as a trading post and settlement, which saw instant growth and immigration from various ethnic groups. Singapore was later made a crown colony by Britain in 1867. After a series of colonial territorial expansions, the British Empire soon raised Singapore's status to that of an entrepot town, due to its strategic location along the busy shipping routes connecting Europe to China.

"Statue of Thomas Stamford Raffles by Thomas Woolner, erected at the spot where he first landed at Singapore. He is recognised as the founder of modern Singapore."

When to Go

Singapore is round-the-year destination-there is always a good time to visit. Located a mere 1.5 degrees north of the Equator, the weather is usually sunny with no distinct seasons. Rain falls almost daily throughout the year, usually in sudden, heavy showers that rarely last longer than an hour. However, most rainfall occurs during the northeast monsoon (November to January), occasionally featuring lengthy spells of continuous rain. Spectacular thunderstorms can occur throughout the year, normally in the afternoons, so it's wise to carry a umbrella at all times.

Between May and October, forest fires in neighboring Sumatra can also cause dense haze, although this is unpredictable and comes and goes rapidly.

The temperature averages around:

- 26°C (79°F) daytime, 24°C (76°F) at night in December and January
- 31°C (89°F) daytime, 26°C (80°F) at night for the rest of the year.

The high temperature and humidity, combined with the lack of wind and the fact that temperatures stay high during the night, can take its toll on visitors from colder parts of the world.

What to Pack

We have compiled a “what to pack” list specifically made for the needs of a traveler in Singapore. Staying on resorts or in hotels in Singapore minimizes the list as they provide most everything. There are also shops located in hotels and in Singapore where you should find your basic needs.

• Sunscreen with high SPF (Sun Protection Factor)

• Sunglasses

• Hat or Cap for shade from the sun

• Light cotton clothing

• Insect Repellent

• Bathing Suits

• Credit Card (Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club, and Eurocard are accepted)

Where to Stay in Singapore

Singapore is a rather small country on a small island, but with over four million people. It is a fairly a crowded city. The center of the city consisting roughly of Orchard, the Riverside and a chunk of Chinatown is known in acronym, loving Singapore as the CBD (Central Business District).

• Balestier, Newton, Novena and Toa Payoh — Budget accommodations and Burmese temples within striking distance of the center.

• Bugis and Kampong Glam — Bugis and Kampong Glam are Singapore's old Malay district, now largely taken over by mall-shopping, although Arab Street in the Kampong Glam area is well worth a visit for its eclectic mix of unique shops and restaurants.

• Chinatown — The area originally designated for Chinese settlement by Stamford Raffles.

• East Coast — The largely residential eastern part of the island contains Changi Airport and many famous eateries. Katong is located in the East Coast and is famous for its Peranakan food, such as laksa. Joo Chiat has some well-restored Peranakan houses with characteristic intricate architecture.

• Little India — A piece of India to the north of the city core.

• North and West — The northern and western parts of the island, also known as Woodlands and Jurong respectively, form Singapore's residential and industrial hinterlands.

• Orchard Road — Miles and miles of shopping malls

• Riverside — Museums, statues and theaters, not to mention restaurants, bars and clubs

• Sentosa — A separate island developed into a resort, Sentosa is the closest that Singapore gets to Disneyland.

Health Care

Tap water is safe for drinking and sanitation standards are very high. As a tropical country, Singapore is hot and humid so drink a lot of water. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Singapore was way back in 1934, when it hit a low of 19.4 degrees Celsius.

"WARNING: Singapore treats drug offences EXTREMELY severely: simple possession of a single dose may get you a year in prison. The mandatory sentence for trafficking is death by hanging. "

Festivals & Culture of Singapore:

Singapore is a cosmopolitan society where people live harmoniously and interaction among different races are commonly seen. The pattern of Singapore stems from the inherent cultural diversity of the island. The immigrants of the past have given the place a mixture of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European influences, all of which have intermingled.

Each racial group has its own distinctive religion and there are colorful festivals of special significance all year round. Although the festivals are special to certain races, it is nonetheless enjoyed by all. During these times it is the ethnic quarters and temples of Geylang, Little India and Chinatown that come alive, but often a happy carnival atmosphere invades the suburbs, town centers, and even shopping malls, too.

Date varies each year as each festival is based on their own calendar systems.

Chinese New Year (18-19 February), Good Friday Easter (6 April), Wesak Day (31 May), National Day (9 August),  Moon Cake - Lantern Festival (September), Festival of the Hungry Ghosts (October),  Hari Raya Puasa (October 13), Birthday of the Monkey God Navarathiri (September/October), Festival of Nine Emperor Gods (October/November), Deepavali (9 November),  Hari Raya Haji (20 December),  Christmas (December 25).

Singapore Shopping - a Shopper's Paradise

Shopping is second only to eating as a national pastime, which means that Singapore has an abundance of shopping malls, and low taxes and tariffs on imports coupled with huge volume mean that prices are usually very competitive. Most stores are open 7 days a week from 10 AM until 9 PM, although smaller operations (particularly those outside shopping malls) close earlier — 7 PM is common — and perhaps on Sundays as well. Keep an eye out for the Great Singapore Sale, usually held in June-July, when shopping centres pull out all stops to attract punters.

• Antiques: The second floor of the Tanglin Shopping Centre on Orchard and the shops on South Bridge Rd in Chinatown are good options.

• Cameras: Peninsula Plaza near City Hall has Singapore's best selection of camera shops.

• Computers: Sim Lim Square (near Little India), for the hardcore geek (and slightly cheaper prices), and Funan IT (Riverside), for lesser mortals.

• Electronics: Very competitively priced in Singapore. Funan IT (Orchard) and Mustafa (Little India) are good choices.

• Ethnic knick-knacks: Chinatown has Singapore's heaviest concentration of glow-in-the-dark Merlion soap dispensers and ethnic gewgaws, mostly but not entirely Chinese and nearly all imported from somewhere else.

• Fabrics: Arab Street and Little India have a good selection of local fabrics like batik.

• Food: Jason's Marketplace in the basement of Raffles City (Orchard) is perhaps Singapore's best-stocked gourmet supermarket with a vast array of imported products, but Takashimaya's basement (Orchard) has lots of small quirky shops and makes for a more interesting browse. For a more Singaporean (and much cheaper) shopping experience, seek out any neighborhood wet market, like Little India's Tekka Market.

Entry Formalities and Singapore Visa:

All travellers are required to go through immigration clearance on arrival into Singapore. Visitors must satisfy the following basic entry requirements before they are allowed to enter Singapore:

• A passport with at least 6 months validity;

• Valid Singapore Visa;

• Confirmed onward/return tickets;

The documents required when applying for a visa are:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months.

• Confirmed onward/return tickets.

• Covering letter to the Visa officer mentioning the purpose of travel.

• 3 passport size photographs

  • 35 mm wide by 45 mm high without border and taken within the last 3 months; taken full face without headgear, unless the applicant habitually wears a headgear in accordance with his/her religious or racial custom but the headgear must not hide the applicant's features. The facial image must be between 25 mm and 35 mm from chin to crown; taken against a plain white background with matte or semi-matte finish. SCANNED PHOTOS ARE NOT AT ALL ACCEPTABLE. IF PHOTOGRAPH FOUND TO BE SCANNED, VISA WILL BE REJECTED.

Time required to issue Singapore Visa: From 4 working days to 4 weeks. It is advisable to allow plenty of time.