Is Traveling To Singapore Worth It?

The Lion City Or Just A Stop Over?

Singapore is either a city that you are absolutely in love with or dread spending more than 24 hours in. There are some romantic stories connected to the naming of this city-state. One of these tells of a Malay prince spotting a half-lion half-fish creature in the sea. The prince was so inspired by this event that he renamed the city: Singa-Pura meaning Lion City.

As imaginative as this story is, those who are less fond of this metropolis might belive a more realistic origin story of the name “Singapore”. According to some historians, the name of this country simply derives from the words Singha and Pura, translating to stop-over city.

Regardless of what the origins of the name are, it is now a well-known fact that the glistening buildings, shopping malls, and amusement parks all make up what is today known as the Lion City.

Bali is also an extremely touristy destination. Read about how touristy is Bali here!

We Hope You Like Buildings…

Singapore is corporate. While Hong Kong still has a thriving local culture that can be found down every street corner and alleyway, the wide lanes of Singapore have more men in suits than street stalls. From banning chewing gum to hefty fines for feeding pigeons the invasive laws of this country are known to make headlines around the world. The uniform cookie-cutter culture that Singapore has created makes the whole atmosphere seem suffocating.

While the mix of colonial architecture and contemporary aesthetics make the skyline of Singapore seem unique from a distance. The entire city is nothing but a hollow shell. Much like Dubai, Singapore is a city built by bankers. The colossal glass skyscrapers and modern designs are enjoyable to walk around. But in the end, the city is nothing more than a massive sandbox for people with so much money that they don’t know what to spend it on.

Can Tho is an off the beaten track destination in Vietnam. Read more on this Mekong city here!

Building Attractions

The Gardens by the Bay are gorgeous. Even the biggest critics of Singapore can not deny the enjoyment one feels walking through this lush park under the shade of the enormous “supertrees”. But as beautiful as this park is, it doesn’t change the fact that many of the attractions in Singapore were built for the sole purpose of making money.

Although most of Gardens by the Bay is free to visit, Singapore is also home to Universal Studios, a Wild West Town, and countless malls that bring in tourists from all over the world. Obviously these destinations are immensely popular. But there is no sense of authenticity to offset the obvious commercial “Disney” factor which seems to have overtaken the city.

Hong Kong is also home to several amusement parks, but the sleepy seaside villages and hidden temples in the mountains provide a more intimate look at the real soul of the city. There seem to be few windows in Singapore where one can view a genuine and candid side of the city. And if there is, it must be far off the beaten track.

Heading from China to Laos? Read on how to cross the border here!

A Livable City

When it comes down to it, some cities are far better to live in than to travel to. Singapore is one of these cities. Being at the crossroads of Southeast Asia, Singapore brings the world closer together. In doing so, the rest of the world has also left their mark on this small island nation.

With an impressive metro network, high quality of living, an education system that is the envy of the world, and practically any kind of cuisine you can imagine, having the opportunity to live and raise a family in Singapore is on par with winning the lottery.

Singapore’s parks and gardens are perfect for a morning jog or an evening stroll with your date. But for those who are on vacation, these rather mundane luxuries which many take for granted do not make Singapore a country to write home about.

Vigan is another tourist trap in The Philippines. Read more on if it is worth traveling to here!

A Melting Pot Of Cultures and Religions

One of the amazing things about Singapore is that you can walk down the streets and see a Buddhist pagoda, Hindu temple, and a mosque all on the very same street corner. One of the saving graces of these unappealing city is that you have so many different groups of people all living together under the same flag.

Despite having so much of a diverse community, you seldom see festivals and holidays celebrated on the streets. As mentioned, Singapore is a very controlled society, so religious events are usually contained or done in private. One of the great thrills of exploring a new city is not knowing what will be behind the next corner. But in a place like Singapore, you will have to actively seek out any festivals or parades you want to experience.

Prambanan Temple is one of the most famous Hindu Temples in Java. Read more on this Indonesian temple here!

A Muslim Country

Much like Dubai, it is easy to forget that Singapore is a Muslim country. Due to its strategic position at the tip of the Malay peninsula, the island has attracted people from all across the globe, such as Indians, Chinese, and the British. But ever since Islam spread throughout Southeast Asia in the 1500s, the local Malay Muslim population has been the backbone of the region.

Although the official stance of the country is secular, and Buddhists outnumber the number of Muslims in Singapore. Islam still has a direct effect on many laws and the way the country is run. Therefore, to get in touch with the roots of Singapore, you will have to start with the local Malay community.

Masjid Sultan and the surrounding Malay neighborhood is one of the few places where you can get a look at typical street life in Singapore. Although often overrun by tourists, Muscat Street and the surrounding neighborhoods don’t seem to have lost any of their local flavor.

Wanting to take the ferry in The Philippines? Read on traveling from Manila to Palawan here!

Singapore’s China Town

Although a traditionally Malay country, Singapore has attracted cultures from around the world into its folds. Gradually, the Chinese community grew to such an extent in Singapore that they outnumbered the local Malays.  Today, Chinatown is regarded as the main center for tourism in the city. With tons of souvenir shops and restaurants, travelers from around the world can be seen snapping pictures of the pastel colonial buildings and traditional Chinese architecture.

While you can find many Chinese restaurants and the occasional Chinese festival around New Years, this part of Singapore has turned more into a tourist trap than a neighborhood that reflects traditional Chinese culture. The entirety of this district is bursting to the seams with stalls selling cheap knick-knacks and crowds wandering aimlessly through the streets with no purpose other than the fact that they know that Chinatown is somehow “popular”.

Wanting to get more off the beaten path in Indonesia? Be sure to read about Kupang here!

Singapore: A Stop-Over City

With its massive malls, name-brand goods, and chain restaurants, Singapore is a place to pick up some comforts from home after spending a holiday in Vietnam or Indonesia. The city is expensive, corporate, and lacks a culture as deep as the ones found elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

For those looking for a weekend shopping spree or a holiday filled with frequenting high-class bars and clubs, you may fall in love with this materialistic side of Singapore. But for those searching for something more authentic and a country that embodies their traditional culture, Singapore is nothing more than a place where you can pick up McDonald’s on a long layover.

Singapore is a country where you will have to truly do some digging to get to the soul of the city. But for now, it is just an airport and a mall.