Related Singapore Favorites Tips

Favorite thing: In Singapore, you will find Chinese, Indian, Malay and Eurasian Communities living harmoniously together, their long established cultures forming a unique backdrop to a clean and modern garden city.

Singapore's multicultural society of just over four million is reflected in its major ethnic groups: the Chinese (76.8%), Malays (13.9%), Indians (7.9%), and Eurasians and smaller minority groups (1.4%). Despite rapid industrialisation, the majority of Singaporeans celebrate the major festivals associated with their respective religions.

The variety of religions is a direct reflection of the diversity of races living here. Singapore's principal religions are Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity. The majority of Chinese Singaporeans follow Buddhism, although Daoism (Taoism), and more recently Christianity, are also popular. Malay Singaporeans are predominantly Muslim, while more than half the Indian Singaporeans profess Hinduism.

There are four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. English is spoken everywhere and it is the common business language of all.

Favorite thing: Prohibited Items
The following items may not be brought in:

Chewing gum
Liquors and cigarettes marked with the words "SINGAPORE DUTY NOT PAID" on the labels, cartons or packets
Cigarettes with the prefix "E" printed on the packets
Chewing tobacco and imitation tobacco products
Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances
Firecrackers
Cigarette lighters of pistol/revolver shape
Toy coins / currency notes
Reproductions of copyright publications
Reproductions of video tapes or disks
Reproductions of records or cassettes
Endangered species of wildlife and their by-products
Obscene articles and publications
Seditious and treasonable materials

Favorite thing: Payphone services

Public payphones are operated by credit card or stored-value phonecards. They can be used to make both local and international calls. Public payphones can be found in most shopping complexes and subway stations. Local calls are charged at 10 cents per 3 minutes.

Stored-value phonecards are available in denominations of Singapore dollars 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 at post offices and convenience stores.

To make an international call, you have to dial the access code followed by the country code, area code & telephone number. Different telephone companies use different access codes. Dial 001 or 013 for SingTel, 002 or 021 for M1 and 008 or 018 for Starhub.

International Calling Cards from Singtel and M1 in denominations of Singapore dollars 10, 20, 50 and 100 are available at post offices, ATM's, the airport, 7-Eleven convenience stores and other retail outlets.

Favorite thing: 2005

NEW YEAR January 1 (Sat)
HARI RAYA HAJI January 21 (Fri)
CHINESE NEW YEAR February 9 & 10 (wed & Thu)
GOOD FRIDAY April 25 (Fri)
LABOUR DAY May 1(Sun*)
VESAK DAY May 22 (Sun*)
NATIONAL DAY August 9 (Tue)
DEEPAVALI November 1(Tue)
HARI RAYA PUASA November 3 (Thu)
CHRISTMAS December 25 (Sun*)

(sun*) - the following Monday will be a public holiday

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Favorite thing: This Is A Picture Of The Causeway Linking Between Singapore & Malaysia. There's Also A Picture Of Singapore Immigrations Checkpoint Building For Your Information.
Traffic Jams Usually Occur Across Both Countries On Friday Nights,Weekends Or During Holiday And Festive Seasons.
If You Drive To Malaysia Via Woodlands Causeway You Have To Pay SGD1.20 At The Checkpoint.

Favorite thing: CREDIT/CHARGE CARD
Major cards are widely accepted by establishments in Singapore. Should any shop insist on adding a surcharge, contact the respective card company to report the errant shop-owner.

VISA 800-4481250
Mastercard 800-1100113
American Express 1800-67378188
Diners Club 1800-2927055
JCB 1800-7340096

OUB Credit Card
Tel: 1 800 221 7888 (toll-free in Singapore only)

Standard Chartered Visa
Tel: 1 800 789 7662 (toll-free in Singapore only)

UOB Card Centre
Tel: (65) 355 6933 / 6940 / 6937 / 6942

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Favorite thing: Although there are many tall and well taken care of matured trees all over Singapore to bring some green nature into urban downtown Singapore, you can get away from it all by going fo r the Elephant Show at the Singapore Zoo.

The show time is at 11:30am daily and an extra 4pm show on weekends and public holidays.

Do not sit in the first few rows, if you do not want to get slightly wet by a deliberate blow of water from one of the trained elephants at the command of the mahout (elephant trainer).

The elephants are the Asian elephants and you will see how the elephants actually lift and carry timber logs as they used to do in the timber industry in Southeast Asia.

Shows may be cancelled if heavy rain as it will become dangerous for the elephants and trainers to perform.

There are also souvenirs of elephant paintings and paper made from elephant dung.

Highly recommended to relieve urban stress. You will be happy back at the office rather than work like an elephant at the Singapore zoo.

Fondest memory: Singapore Zoological Gardens, 80 Mandai Lake Road.

Favorite thing: Majulah Singapura (sung in Malay)

Mari kita rakyat Singapura
Sama-sama menuju bahagia
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Berjaya Singapura
Marilah kita bersatu
Dengan semangat yang baru
Semua kita berseru
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura

Onward Singapore (English translation)

We, the people of Singapore
Together march towards happiness
Our noble aspiration
To make Singapore a success
Let us all unite
In a new spirit
Together we proclaim
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore