Shopping and Eating in Singapore
Shopping
Rampant shopping is exactly what many tourists come to Singapore for: there are more shopping centers here than “stars” in all hotels combined, prices are on par.
The glory of the richest place in shops is firmly entrenched in Orchard Road. There are several large shopping centers and a scattering of boutiques of famous brands on it. The Marina Bay Sands shopping center (official site in English), where there is even an ice rink and a river, as well as the underground shopping city Citylink (official site in English) deserve special attention.
According to wholevehicles, Chinese and Indian colors are presented in the shops of Chinatown and Little India, antiques – in the Kwok gallery of the Far East shopping center (off. site in English). Look for low prices at Bugis Street Market.
The biggest discounts in local stores are during the Great Singapore Sale, which runs from May to August, during the Chinese and European New Year, at the turn of the seasons.
Bringing souvenirs from here is bad manners, if they are not hand-painted silk scarves or figurines made of jade, ivory and sandalwood. But diamonds and gilded orchids, branded clothes and accessories are just that. However, Chinese drugs, tea and spices are also worth taking.
One of the most popular souvenirs is mugs and T-shirts with a list of Singapore’s numerous prohibitions: indeed, a lot is forbidden here.
Cuisine and restaurants in Singapore
In Singapore, there is a real cult of food, the local population knows how and loves to cook, eat and treat others. Those wishing to try everything are welcome at the Food Festival in July. Those arriving at other times will have to be content with what restaurants, cafes, food courts and hawkers offer. But it is no less tasty, and most importantly – high quality.
Local chefs use spices in large quantities and original combinations.
The cuisine is based on Chinese, Malay, Indian and European dishes in different variations. For example, Malay katong laksa noodles are served with shellfish, Indian roti prata pancakes are not eaten with main courses, but on their own for breakfast and dinner with chocolate, cheese, eggs and sausages. Chinese noodles with dumplings “wonton mi” include slices of fried pork, scrambled eggs are served exclusively with oysters. The stalls offer “sate” – meat and seafood skewers, “bak kut tekh” pork soup, and carrot cake for dessert. From drinks, whipped tea with ginger and condensed milk, coffee, and local light beer are popular. Strong alcohol is held in high esteem only by visitors, they are also fans of the “Singapore Sling”, a cocktail with cherry brandy and pineapple juice. The best seafood delicacies can be tasted at Jumbo Seafood (1206 East Coast Parkway.
The average check in a restaurant for two with alcohol is from 60 SGD. In food courts – from 13 SGD. Eating outside designated areas, especially on the subway, is prohibited.
Entertainment and attractions
Scope and variety – these two words can describe all the sights of Singapore. The city amazes, captures, intrigues. Noteworthy objects are divided into several categories – the glory of nature, the hymn to human genius and the heritage of different cultures.
The first include the one-of-a-kind Botanical Garden, Bird Park with 5,000 inhabitants, zoowhere animals are not constrained by cages and fences, Night Safari and River Safari parks, where tourists are taken to show animals, and not vice versa.
The power of human genius is demonstrated by the 165-meter Ferris wheel, the giant Fountain of Wealth – it should be walked around three times clockwise, touching the water, Clark Key and Marina Bay embankments with a flower-like theater building and Merlion Park. It is better to look at all this beauty in the evening, when thousands of lights light up and the laser show begins. On day trips to these places, they take amphibious buses every day – yes, the very ones that first go and then swim (off. site in English).
Islands of different cultures are scattered around Singapore: Arabic – in the Kampong Glam area with the Sultan Mosque, Indian – in the town of Little India, Chinese – in Chinatown (surprisingly, it is here that the most Indian of all Singaporean temples stands – the bright Sri Mariamman).
A walk across the bridge to Sentosa Island will be memorable – the main visiting cards of the state are concentrated here: a huge oceanarium, Universal Studios amusement park, rope park, casino, Museum of Optical Illusions and a dozen more cult objects.
Weather
The climate on the islands is equatorial, so it is always equally hot and very humid (80-90%), and the South China Sea feels like a warm soup. You can distinguish the seasons only by the amount of precipitation – it is this factor that you should pay attention to when planning a vacation. In winter, from November to January, it rains heavily in Singapore, much less precipitation in May-October. April, May and October are considered the hottest months, and there are no cool and windy ones here at all.
