Singapore

Singapore is a Southeast Asian city-state. Established as a British trading colony in 1819, it has grown to become one of the world's most prosperous countries since gaining independence. This Garden City is an excellent place to stop or use as a springboard to explore the region because it has the skyscrapers and subways of a contemporary, affluent city mixed in with diverse ethnic influences. A piece of primary rainforest exists in Singapore, making it one of just two cities in the world to have preserved such a habitat. Dive with sharks at Sentosa's Underwater World for some real adventure. There are deals to be found on everything from clothing to gadgets and art and antique shops that are comparable to those seen in a few other Asian towns.

This ageing attraction continues to be popular with school children, families, and wildlife photographers. 8 000 birds representing 600 different species, including 30 endangered species, live in the Jurong Bird Park in Singapore. A total of 1.7 kilometres of trails take visitors through themed enclosures, with pelicans peering down at them from a boardwalk, pink flamingos strutting proudly by a lake, and penguins diving headfirst into the water in air-conditioned luxury.

Orchard Rd, as the street is known, was previously surrounded by nutmeg and pepper gardens. The retail malls, nightclubs, restaurants, bars, and lounges here have made it a popular destination for Singapore's elite and affluent tourists. However, Orchard Rd, a showcase for capitalism's material pleasures, also has certain cultural attractions that do not require a credit card.

To escape the sterile modernism of the city, head to this modest but colourful district filled with wall-to-wall businesses, spicy odours, and a Hindi film soundtrack. Serangoon Rd's southern end has many attractions, including shops selling framed prints of Krishna, restaurants serving delicious fare, and street vendors preparing chapatis. Although the Zhujiao Center is the primary market, there are some intriguing spice shops nearby. But, of course, Sri Veeramakaliamman, Sri Srinivasa Perumal, and the glitzy Temple of 1000 Lights are the most incredible temples.

The Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom is home to more than 50 different species of butterflies. In addition, countless mounted butterflies, rhino beetles, Hercules beetles (the world's most significant), scorpions, and other animals and varmints are on display at the Insect Kingdom museum – children look wide-eyed, while adults pretend disinterest.

The Singapore Zoo, located on a peninsula that juts into the Upper Seletar Reservoir, is a world-class attraction. The zoo's 28 acres of landscaped grounds and open design (no cages) set it apart from other zoos, still housed in sad concrete structures. As a result, the Singapore Zoo is considered to be one of the world's best.

The Singapore Flyer is a pricey 30-minute trip that offers views of the Colonial District, the Central Business District, Marina Bay, the east coast's high-rise housing panorama, and out to the South China Sea. You're better off travelling during the day than at night if only to avoid the obnoxious flashing neon lights outside the cabin.

Urban designers in Singapore could design a paradise that looked very similar to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The front door leads to a tranquil koi pond. On weekends, kids feed the colourful fish. A waterfall gurgles in the distance while birds fly around the water's edge, seems at ease with the local wildlife.

The 40-hectare forested park has three pathways, but the best way to see it is by tram (adult/child S$10/5), even if we believe charging for the thrilling 45-minute jungle journey past 120 distinct spot-lit nocturnal species is a touch sneaky (and greedy).

End your day at Sentosa with the world's most awarded outdoor night show (Wings of Time). While on a beautiful journey through space and time, be amazed by a multi-sensory spectacle that includes water displays, laser shows, fire effects, and beautiful music.

Resorts World Sentosa on Sentosa Island, Singapore, is home to Universal Studios Singapore, a theme park. It played a critical role in Genting's bid to create Singapore's second integrated resort. Universal Studios' second theme park in Asia (the first being in Japan) and Southeast Asia. Universal Parks & Resorts has promoted the park as "Asia's only one-of-its-kind theme park" for the next 30 years.