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Singapore, the island City-State, has long been recognized as one of the world’s most advanced nations and tourist-friendly destinations.

One glance at what all the Lion City has to offer and the accolades hardly come as a surprise. From vibrant and thrilling theme parks to luxury casino resorts- Singapore has it all and so much more!

Though considered one of the most expensive places in the world to visit and live in, Singapore is well worth all the dimes we spend on touring it. And here’s why:

1. There’s plenty to do!

Whether you’re on a solo trip or a family vacation, Singapore has plenty to offer. Here are some of our absolute must-experience excursions:

1. Sentosa Island- One of the 64 islands that make up Singapore, Sentosa is an island resort just off the southern coast of the mainland; one can reach here easily by cable car. This island offers a host of activities, including themed water parks and indoor skydiving. The world-famous wax museum, Madame Tussauds, can also be found here! We recommend spending a night or two on the island to do it justice…
2. Universal Studios – A part of Sentosa Island, this theme park is Singapore’s No. 1 attraction! With 28 themed rides and 340 activities, this iconic park is a fabulous place for the whole family to visit.
3. Singapore Botanical Gardens – This 164-year-old garden is the only tropical garden to be selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Its vast expanse of greenery is not just spellbinding, but also fun when you factor in the many outdoor activities on offer here.
4. Night Safari – Located in Mandai, Singapore, this is the world’s first night zoo… One of the most popular and visited tourist attractions, this zoo, which spreads over 35 hectares of land, houses over 100 different species of animals. Though you can explore the zoo via the four (extensive) walking trails, we suggest opting for the tram safari instead. The entire zoo has been spectacularly designed (complete with artificial moonlighting and man-made rivers), to create a holistic wildlife experience for tourists. Please note that the zoo is only open at night.

2. It’s a gastronomical heaven!

The city is renowned for Michelin Star-winning street hawkers, ultra-luxurious fine dining restaurants, and legendary food markets. Singapore is a foodie’s eutopia. Representing multicultural flavour profiles like Chinese, Indian and Malay, the food variety and quality available here are truly a class apart.

Restaurants here focus on serving you an umami of flavours and making sure that dining with them is an experience in every sense of the word.

Cafes and restaurants in Glutton’s Bay offer their diners majestic views of the city’s mesmerizing skyline to enjoy whilst indulging in their succulent dishes.

Fun fact- where Singapore is home to 44 Michelin Star restaurants, two of them, namely Odette and Les Amis, have three stars each, which is the greatest number of stars a restaurant can garner!

3. There’s lots to learn here!

Singapore is characterized by its multicultural communities. The nation proves to have an exemplary social construct where varying cultures and communities reside and prosper together. Its multiple cultural sites allow you to step back in time and learn about the history and the associations of these cultures with Singapore. Our top picks include:

1. The Kranji War Memorial – One of Singapore’s most poignant historical landmarks, this memorial commemorates the sacrifice and the valour of the soldiers of World War II.
2. The Indian National Army Monument – The most visited monument in Singapore; this monument was erected in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.
3. The National Museum of Singapore – Learn everything about the fascinating history of this vibrant country here! From its vast diaspora to its fashion and architectural landscapes, uncover the lesser-known facts about Singapore at this museum! You can also find unique and interactive installations here that’ll keep you engaged.

4. It’s a nocturnal city!

Unusual attribute to assign to a city, but hear us out. Singapore comes alive at night! With a massive array of themed bars and nightclubs- Singapore is every night owls’ favourite city. The music pouring out of these clubs entertains the city and its guests through the night into the early morning hours.

Perhaps a lesser-known fact about Singapore is that it is also home to some great music and cultural fests! These fests celebrate life and its various aspects- right from culture and cuisine to history and music- the themes vary, but the spirit of celebrations remains the same.

5. It’s a shopper’s paradise.

Singapore is a shopper’s dream city, from high street uber luxury brands on Orchard Road to local handmade artifacts on Bugis Street. It has districts dedicated to all kinds of shopping, and one can always be sure to find what they are looking for here!

Fun fact- Singapore has a plethora of local designers that are known for their high quality and fine craftsmanship. We highly recommend shopping from there instead of luxury stores, on two accords – one, you are likely to get something that is unique to Singapore, and two, it turns out a lot more economical, given Singapore’s taxation policy on luxury items (which makes purchasing them here, exorbitant).

Singapore has a lot to offer, but here are a few reasons we love the island country so much! Though expensive to stay in, given Singapore’s proximity to India, it actually works out more cost-effective for Indian travellers to visit it, compared to the cost of visiting a European nation. Also, Singapore is ideal for a short five to six days’ vacation!

If you’re an Indian citizen living in Singapore, BLS International is here to make your life much easier with our CSC centres! Now you can register and update your citizenship documents safely and swiftly at the BLS Indian citizenship centre in Singapore.

For more information on our value-added services, please visit www.blsinternational.com.