Shopping
Overview
The wide range of goods and the unrivaled low prices have made Singapore internationally known as a shopper’s paradise. Popular souvenirs include Chinese, Indian, Malay, Balinese and Filipino antiques, batiks, photographic equipment, Chinese, Indian and Persian rugs, imported and bespoke clothing, jewellery, silks, perfumes, silverware and wigs. Orchard Road is the city’s main business and shopping street. Numerous hotel complexes, such as Marina Square, also have their own shopping centers. Electronic gadgets of all kinds are on sale at Sungei Road, but beware of the excellent fakes. A wide range of electronic devices can also be found in the Funan Digitalife Mall and Sim Lim Square. Some of the original atmosphere was lost through the merger of many shop owners in the Chinese district to form multi-storey shopping complexes, but the huge centers offer an air-conditioned environment for this. Contrary to all prejudices, you can also find shopping opportunities outside of the large shopping centers in Singapore. The boutiques on Haji Lane offer a unique shopping experience, attracting mainly young and fashion-conscious customers. Bargains can be found at the flea market on Sungei Road, especially on the weekends. The market is popularly referred to as “Thieves’ Market”, even though stolen goods have not been sold here for a long time. Although many shops offer their goods at set prices, with thorough research and skillful negotiation, you can find a bargain or two here. Haggling is a must at the Sungei Road Flea Market. The Singapore Tourist Office leaflet has more information.
- Usprivateschoolsfinder: Offers description downloadable image of national flag for the country of Singapore. Also includes prehistory and history of this nation.
Opening hours
Mon-Fri 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., e.g. T. also longer. Especially in tourist areas, many shops also open on Sundays. The Mustafa Center in Little India is open 24 hours a day.
Annotation
Most taxable merchant products and services are subject to a 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST). If the retailer participates in the Tourist Refund Scheme (eTRS), you can reclaim this tax when you leave the country at the airport. A requirement for a refund is that the purchase is a minimum value of S$100 (up to three receipts from a retailer per day are accepted), the goods must not have been consumed in Singapore in whole or in part and passport must be presented at the time of purchase . eTRS ticket, passport, receipt, purchased goods and credit card used for payment must be presented for refund. More information is available from customs in Singapore (Internet:
Nightlife
Introduction
Singapore has a vibrant and exciting nightlife. There is a wide range of bars, clubs, discos and karaoke bars. Alcohol is relatively expensive by Southeast Asian standards, but it’s cheaper during happy hour and ladies nights, which usually take place in the middle of the week. Many hotel and cocktail bars stay open until the early hours. International artists often perform in the nightclubs, which usually also offer good food. The most popular party areas include Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, both situated on the banks of the Singapore River and home to a wide range of good restaurants and lively bars. Restored Chinese junks are anchored here, where you can find floating bars and restaurants. Other well-known entertainment districts include Kampong Glam (Haji Lane is known for its shisha bars), Holland Village (this is where expats tend to meet) and Club Street. In the Orchard Road area, the bars are housed in the restored Peranakan shophouses on Emerald Hill Road. Cultural events, street opera and theatre, theatrical performances, night markets and river cruises, as well as numerous cinemas offer inexpensive and varied evening entertainment. The Singapore Zoo offers a special experience: every day from 7.30 p.m. to midnight you can observe many nocturnal animals on a night safari, which retreat to their hiding places to sleep during the day (Internet: www.nightsafari.com.sg).
Culinary
Overview
Singapore is a gourmet’s paradise. From the simple street kiosk to the exclusive luxury restaurant, everything is on offer. Over 30 different culinary cultures are represented here, including Indian, American, French, Italian, Korean and Japanese restaurants, as well as all variations of Chinese cuisine. The most widespread is the Malaysian cuisine, in which coconut milk and numerous spices are often used. Indonesian dishes are usually quite spicy. The Indian community has its roots in southern India, which is reflected in the recipes; The menus mainly feature spicy vegetarian dishes. If you want to try many different dishes,
Regional specialities
Beef rendang (beef with coconut milk and curry) Chicken sambal (spicy seasoned chicken) Saté (bamboo sticks with marinated chicken, beef, pork or lamb, grilled over charcoal, served with peanut sauce, cucumber, onions and rice) Char kway teow (fried Rice noodles in soy sauce and chili with shrimp and mussels, often with other ingredients such as egg) Chilli crab (fresh crab with spicy tomato sauce) Gado gado (fruit and vegetable salad with peanut sauce) Hainanese chicken rice (steamed chicken with in the chicken broth cooked rice, served with ginger and chili sauce) Ikan assam (fish in sour tamarind sauce) Laksa (spicy noodle soup with coconut,often with shrimp or chicken, plus tofu and bean sprouts) masala dosa (rolled pancake with vegetarian curry; a popular breakfast)
Useful information
Al fresco dining is common in Singapore, and with over 8,000 food stalls, it’s not easy to choose. Hygienic standards at the food stalls are strictly controlled, the food is completely harmless. There are a few cafeterias, but in general table service is common. There is table and counter service in the bars and cocktail bars. Bar hours are not specified by law. During the “Happy Hour” (5.00-7.00 p.m.) drinks are offered at lower prices. The consumption of food and drinks in public transport and public buildings is prohibited and there are severe fines.
Tip
Tipping in restaurants is not customary; as a rule, a service surcharge of 10% is already added to the bill. Otherwise 10% of the invoice amount is reasonable.
Regional drinks
Bandung (milk drink with rose syrup) Bubble tea (sweet, milky tea with tapioca balls sucked through an extra thick straw) Kopi (coffee with condensed milk, also available as Kopi-O (black coffee with sugar)) Sarsi (local beer style, usually sold in a can; popular with ice) Singapore Sling (a cocktail made with gin, cherry liqueur, Cointreau, Bénédictine, pineapple and lime juice, grenadine and angostura bitters; the famous cocktail was created for Raffles in the early 20th century hotel in Singapore) Sugar cane juice Teh tarik (tea with condensed milk, poured from one cup to another several times,to cool it down and create milk froth) Tiger Beer (ubiquitous local beer style, although many small breweries have come up with more interesting beers in recent years)
Minimum age for consumption of alcoholic beverages
In Singapore, you can drink alcohol from the age of 18.
Accommodation
Hotels
All types of accommodation are available, from budget hostels to luxury hotels. Advance booking is recommended. 4% tax and 10% service charge will be added to all bills. For more information contact the Tourism Board (see addresses) or the Singapore Hotel Association, 260 Tanjong Pagar Road, 04-01/03, Singapore 088542. Tel: (065) 65 13 02 33, (Internet: http://www.sha.org.sg/). Categories: Hotels classified as International Standard Hotels offer the most modern facilities and the highest level of comfort (including swimming pools and air conditioning).
Other accommodation options
There are over 12 youth hostels and 1 official YMCA youth hostel.
Culture
Religion
Buddhism (42.5%), Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Sikh religion and Taoism.
Social Rules of Conduct
Appropriate manners: When greeting one shakes hands; the usual forms of politeness also apply here. Small gifts are gladly accepted by the host or business partner. Each of the different ethnic groups has retained its cultural and religious characteristics to this day. Anyone who dirts the streets or crosses them in violation of traffic regulations must expect high penalties. Dress code: Smart casual attire is acceptable everywhere, but smarter attire is expected in some exclusive hotels and restaurants in the evenings. Evening wear is seldom worn, but great importance is generally attached to personal appearance. Proper attire is expected when visiting temples and mosques, Arms and legs should be covered. When visiting a Hindu temple or one of the mosques, shoes must be removed. Smoking: Smoking is frowned upon and is seen on public transport, ferry terminals, museums, libraries, elevators, theatres, cinemas, restaurants, bars, discotheques, nightclubs, hairdressing salons, supermarkets, department stores, shopping malls, car parks, markets, playgrounds, swimming pools , prohibited in public restrooms, on covered walkways and in government offices. However, restaurants, bars, discos and nightclubs may have a separate smoking room. Smokers must keep a distance of at least 5 m from the entrances and exits of a building. Offenses are punished with high fines. Since 2009, every single cigarette sold in Singapore must bear a customs stamp. Smokers found with unmarked cigarettes face a fine equivalent to €250 per pack. Tipping: Most hotels already add a 10% service charge to the bill, which the restaurant receives and not the service staff. If the service is good, an additional tip of around 10% is usually given directly and discreetly to the service staff. However, it is not customary to tip taxi drivers. Alcohol consumption: Between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., drinking alcohol outdoors is prohibited in public places such as parks and on the streets. In Geylang and Little India districts, the consumption of alcohol is prohibited throughout weekends, public holidays and the eve of public holidays.
Climate
Best travel time
Humid tropical climate. Warm all year round with high humidity. Increased rain during the northeast monsoon from November to January with precipitation sometimes lasting for days. However, sudden and heavy showers can occur throughout the year. February and March are the best months to travel.
Country data
Phone prefix
+65
Area (sq km)
697
Population
5,850,342 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
8141
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
995
