Singapore - what's the story ?

It seems that Singapore seems to be the stop-off point for a lot of people on the way down-under.

Thing is - my impression (based on brochures and reviews and stuff, but I have never been there) of Singapore is that it is a manufactured city and quite sterile. It seems like it is one big air-conditioned airport lounge. Apologies to all Singaporeans out there for my vast generalistions and preconecptions. When I think Singapore I think skyscrapers, clean streets, efficiency, law and order - mostly good things in other words.

When I think of any other Asian capital - Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Bangkok, Mumbai, Bangalore - I see small back streets, temples, street traders, in other words character and diversity. Maybe I'm falling for the brochure pictures, but still . . .

So, here's the question for anyone who has been to Singapore - is it a nice place from an Asian (or Eastern) perspective, or do people like to go there because it is air conditioned, you won't catch anything, looks like any other European downtown but is a lot hotter, and BA/Qantas push it as a stop-off ?

Just wondering because it really doesn't appeal to me at any level and I am wondering if it is just the preconceptions shining through . . .

z

You're right

Zag - I would agree with you ... Singapore is a fairly sterile place that has always appeared to me to be a bit manufactured and artificial.

The Shopping is very good - this is a major plus point for Singapore ... The city is very efficient .. has a fantastic transit system / airport - they even have (and have had for years) electronic road pricing to manage the traffic... everything works very well and is very ordered (as you may expect from their governmental system)

However to my mind and in my experience it's a bit characterless compared to other Asian cities.. it's all a bit too neat and lacks the buzz of other places.

Also because Singapore is generally a very new city it really doesn't have much in the way of attractions that aren't modern theme parks ... Apart from the obligatory (and worth doing) Singapore Sling in Raffles Hotel there's not a whole lot of interest to keep you out of the shopping malls.

If you've never been to Asia before you'll probably like Singapore ... if you've been to somewhere like Hong Kong/Bangkok you'll probably not like it so much.

If you want somewhere to stopover and break the journey with a day or two's relaxation and shopping .. it's not really a bad option .. however if you want to stopover somewhere as a destination in itself then I would certainly advise picking elsewhere.

Singapore

I've been to Singapore 4 or 5 times for business and pleasure, and I like the place. [I've also hit Hong King, Tokyo and Taipei on my travels]

Singapore has one big advantage in that most everyone speaks some English, which makes it easy to get around, and to haggle...which is encouraged.

I also found there to be an amazing variety of food to eat, especially at Boat Quay and the old converted convent complex (the name escapes me) Alcohol is expensive, though if you go out early enough for the happy hours, you can get around this somebit.