The Garden City

Singapore, an island city-state at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, lies just 137 km north of the Equator, so you can expect hot and humid weather all year round. It is the largest port in Southeast Asia and one of the busiest ports in the world, as well as a global financial hub. Visitors get the first impression of the city straight after landing, wowed by Singapore's top-notch airport. No one is in any particular hurry to get away from it, what's more, many travellers choose to spend a night or two here. Changi Airport is truly something special – it features a giant glass dome and a whole world of adventures right underneath with a 130-metre-tall indoor waterfall and a real tropical forest for visitors to walk through.

The city-state is a shopper's paradise, emerging in its full splendour on Orchard Road, where exclusive boutiques and department stores beckon visitors with luxury brands. Singapore is not a typical Asian city; in fact, its appearance and way of life have been shaped by the period when the country was a British colony. On a walk around the city, you’ll see Buddhist temples next to British-style shopping malls, and in local centres, carts with typical Asian food stand alongside stalls offering burgers and other Western dishes. The city is also known as “instant Asia” as it affords visitors a brief glimpse into Asian cultures brought by immigrants from all over the continent. To get a sense of Asia, head to the Chinatown, Little India and Singapore's many night markets.

Singapore's green gem are the stunning Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, nicknamed the green lungs of Singapore

Singapore has one of the world's most efficient public transportation systems, which makes it easy and quick to travel around. It takes a mere few minutes to get from Little India to Chinatown by metro and you can make stops along the way to explore the island in a quick and hassle-free way. Singapore is passionate about realising its “garden city” vision and is investing heavily in sustainable and green projects. If you head outside of the city, you’ll find plenty of walking trails, canopy walkways and lots of wildlife. The city’s green gem is the stunning Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, nicknamed the green lungs of Singapore.