Discover Singapore travel guide 

Singapore, an island city-state off southern Malaysia, is a global financial centre with a tropical climate and multicultural population.

From street markets to high technology shopping, it offers a range of amazing experiences for travellers.

Singapore is an island nation. It is separated from Malaysia to the north by the Strait of Johore, and Indonesian islands to the south by the Singapore and Main Straits. Singapore is 8 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+8), which is actually the 'wrong' time zone. In 1981, Malaysia standardized time across all its zones and Singapore elected to follow suit for business and travel reasons.

Singapore is a cosmopolitan society where people of different races live harmoniously. However, Singapore does have some strict laws which assist in this harmony that you may not be used to. Another cultural aspect that flows across everyone in Singapore is the great respect for family.

• Elders are deeply respected, even if you don’t personally know them — they have earned the right to be treated as you would treat your own grandparents.
• Singapore is derived from Singa Pura, or Lion City, named for the animal an arriving prince saw when he first settled the island.
• Singapore is a highly governed society with some very interesting and unusual laws:
  » Kissing and overt public affection is not  illegal. However, as a conservative country, there are conditions to the degree public display of affection one can exhibit to avoid offending others.
  » You can be charged for littering, smoking in public, and not flushing the toilet.
  » Chewing gum is fine, but selling or importing it is illegal.
  

• Whatever Lor = Singlish version of 'whatever'
                                 Q: What do you want to eat?
                                 A: Ahhh, whatever lor!
• Angmoh = White, Caucasian, Westerner
• Lah = Added to the end of sentences to change tone and add extra meaning across a wide variety of contexts. Listen and learn before using!
• Chop Chop = Hurry up
• Kaki = Friend or buddy

• Singaporeans love quirky records and have a long list including the world’s:
  
  
• Largest cupcake mosaic
• Largest 3D balloon sculpture
• Largest lantern parade
• Lhe most number of people showering together.

• National icons are Lion and Merlion statues (a lion’s head with a fish body).