Singapore, also referred to as the Lion City, is an island country and city state in Southeast Asia known for merging tradition and modernity. Regarded as a highly developed country, Singapore has one of the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the world. It is a major aviation and maritime shipping hub ranking highly in key social indicators and quality of life.
Republika Singapura. Singapore, an anglicization of the Malay name for the country ‘Singapura’, was derived from the Sanskrit word for ‘Lion City’. There has been many historical accounts leading to the name ‘Lion City’. In Hindu-Buddhist culture, lions were associated with power and protection. Pulau Ujong was another reference, sourced from the Chinese word ‘Pu Luo Zhong’, translating to ‘island at the end of a peninsula’.
Singapore, in 1819, became an entrepot (transshipment port) trading post for the British Empire. In 1867, it was under direct control of Britain as part of the Straits Settlement. It became an independent sovereign country in 1965 and rose to become one of the ‘Four Asian Tigers’ (composed of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan).
Singapore Changi Airport
Forbes Travel Guide lauds the Singapore Changi Airport as the world’s most luxurious for 2024. It is spread across four terminals – 01, 02, 03 (connected by the Changi Skytrain), and 04 (accessed via Bus).
“It first began with the need to expand the capacity of Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 as well as its open-air carpark. This led to a strategic vision with the conception of Jewel as a gem of a destination, to augment Changi Airport’s position as a leading air hub globally and boost its appeal as a stopover destination for travelers,” excerpts from the Jewel Changi Airport website.
Jewel Changi Airport, connected to terminals 01, 02, and 03, houses the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, along with world class hotel facilities, and over 250 retail and dining options. The airport is a partnership between the Changi Airport Group and CapitaLand.
“The stunning result is a mixed-use development with gardens, attractions, retail, dining, a hotel and facilities to support airport operations. This integration of nature with engineering marvels housed under a striking glass and steel dome is poised to make headlines,” another excerpt from the Jewel Changi Airport website.
Direct Flights from Iloilo to Singapore. Cebu Pacific Air, the Philippines’ leading carrier, recently resumed direct flights from Iloilo to Singapore. Starting with its maiden flight 5J283, the airline will fly every Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Cebu Pacific, dedicated to #FlyEveryJuan, operates in 35 domestic and 26 international destinations spread across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
SG Arrival Card. The SG Arrival Card (SGAC), required for all travelers entering Singapore, is an electronic version of the paper disembarkation/embarkation (DE) card required for all foreign visitors for immigration clearance – submitted within three (3) days before arrival. Moreover, also included in the SGAC is an electronic health declaration for purposes of disease control.
Transportation System
SG’s public transport system, often said as fast and efficient, includes the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), bus system, taxi, and ride hailing apps. More than 140 stations across six MRT lines span the island – a 200km system with 3M daily ridership. Moreover, there are also 40 stations across two LRT lines – a 28km system with 200k daily ridership. The train system is run by two public transport operators – SMRT Corporation Ltd (SMRT) and the SBS Transit (SBST). SMRT operates the North-South Line, East-West Line, Circle Line, Thomson-East Coast Line, and the Bukit Panjang LRT. Meanwhile, the SBS operates the North East Line, the Downtown Line, and the Sengkang Punggol LRT.
One of Southeast Asia’s most successful ride hailing apps, Grab, was initiated by a Singapore multinational technology company, Grab Holdings Inc,. It is considered as a super app providing ride hailing, food delivery, and digital payment services, among others. To date, its headquarters is in One North, Singapore.
Tourist Attractions
Singapore is home to a number of tourist attractions such as Universal Studios, Garden by the Bay, Sentosa Island, among others.
“Whether you’re hunting for mouthwatering food, stories or architecture, explore the vibrant cultures and rich heritage of Singapore and create your own adventures,” excerpts from the Visit Singapore website.
Gardens by the Bay
“Beauty abounds in the Gardens. Beyond the flora and fauna that you’ll find here, admire the Gardens’ iconic structures – architectural marvels that reimagine nature with artistic finesse,” excerpts from the Gardens by the Bay website.
Voted as #8 top attraction in the world by TripAdvisor for 2024, Gardens by the Bay is a national garden and horticultural attraction. It is lauded as a ‘showpiece of horticulture and garden artistry that presents the plant kingdom in a whole new way’.
The Gardens is led by ma mutidisciplinary team of professionals – an in house team of skilled landscape designers, horticulturists, arborists, engineers, and plant research experts. It has also gathered a number of accolades to its name – World Building of the Year in 2012, President’s Design Award Singapore in 2013, Themed Entertainment Association Outstanding Achievement Award in 2014, Guinness World Record Largest Glass Greenhouse for Flower Dome in 2015, and the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2016.
Gardens by the Bay is composed of three distinctive waterfront gardens – Bay South, Bay East, and Bay Central. It also houses the following attractions: Kingfisher Wetlands, Cloud Forest, Floral Fantasy, Flower Dome, Supertree Observatory, among many.
Mount Faber Leisure
“With Mount Faber Leisure, you will experience countless delightful escapades and beautiful memories — perfect to escape the hustle and bustle of the everyday or enjoy a one-of-a-kind day or night out with family and friends,” excerpts from the Mount Faber Leisure website.
Said to marry nostalgia and modernity, Mount Faber Leisure centers on Mount Faber, formerly known as Telok Blangah Hill. Mount Faber is a hill at about 94m (308ft) high and located in Bukit Merah in the Central Region of SG.
Mount Faber Leisure, operated by Mount Faber Leisure Group (MFLG), offers a diverse range of attractions. This includes the following: Singapore Cable Car, Skyhelix Sentosa, Wings of Time, to mention a few.
Singapore Cable Car. The Singapore Cable Car is the sole cableway that links Mount Faber, HarbourFront, and Sentosa Island. The distance from Mount Faber to HarbourFront is 700m, from HarbourFront to Sentosa is 950m, Mount Faber to Sentosa is 1,650m. Costs starts at around SGD 20 and up.
SkyHelix Sentosa. SkyHelix Sentosa is the highest open air panoramic ride that ascends up to 79m above sea level (35m above ground), offering one of the highest vantage points on Sentosa. All ride tickets include a choice of one standard non alcoholic beverage of an exclusive souvenir. Price starts at SGD 14.
Wings of Time. Wings of Time is a award winning multi sensory night show. It is set against a backdrop of an open sea and includes water and laser effects, including pyrotechnics. The show narrates the story of Shahbaz, Rachel, and Felix as they travel through time – industrial revolution, silk road era, Mayan pyramids, underwater world, and African savanna.
Universal Studios
“Be transported by adrenaline-pumping rides, interactive shows and a wide variety of exciting attractions based on the blockbuster movies and television series you know and love so well,” excerpts from the Resorts World Sentosa website.
Universal Studios Singapore, nestled within Resorts World Sentosa, is Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park. The park takes pride in its exciting rides, interactive shows, and fun attractions. It features the following immersive zones – Hollywood, New York, SciFi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away, and more.
Singapore, truly a remarkable experience!
