Over the past twenty-five years, The Traveling American has visited over one hundred cities around the world. This article focuses on one of the best cities we have visited outside of the United States and Canada. The task of naming the Top Ten World Cities was a difficult one and we considered an initial list of twenty-five places. We then selected twelve cities (there were a few ties) that we believe are the most interesting to see for our Top Ten list. 

HERE IS SINGAPORE WHICH WE NAMED AS THE WORLD'S NUMBER 1 CITY. FIND OUT WHY THIS CITY HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Financial Capital to Entertainment Center

Singapore had its origins as a small fishing village in the 13th century, but it became a center of international trade and commerce for the British early in the 19th century and continues in that role today. After World War II, the city-state evolved into a prosperous, independent, and orderly nation of 5.4 million multi-cultural citizens. Led by its charismatic and uncompromising prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, the republic used its strategic location and aggressive capitalism to develop a leadership position in the financial services, maritime shipping, and airline industries, while maintaining stable relationships with western powers, China, and its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Not satisfied with its role as a financial capital, Singapore embarked on a comprehensive plan two decades ago to transform itself again into a safe and friendly destination for visitors. The country committed billions of dollars of government funding and private capital to build about every kind of attraction you can think of along their principal waterways using distinctive, modern architecture. The six-mile stretch from the Marina Bay Reservoir to Sentosa Island now features five-star resorts, gaming facilities, museums, sports facilities, amusement parks, artistic creations, gardens, performing arts venues, luxury malls, historical monuments, water transportation, and restaurants and cafés. Many of these structures were built on land reclaimed from the sea or filled in portions of the colonial waterfront.

Diverse Population

Singapore’s modern offices and eye-catching entertainment complexes receive considerable attention. Visitors willing to look behind these glittering attractions will find that the people and environment of this location are just as interesting. This city-state has a strong commitment to nature and to the diverse cultures of its residents, which is reflected in the numerous gardens, museums and ethnic neighborhoods scattered throughout the island.

The history and diversity of the population gives a lively feel to the city’s neighborhoods and restaurants. Many Singaporeans are descendants of the Malay merchants, Chinese workers, Arab traders, and Indian laborers who immigrated to the city during British colonial rule. The traditions of all these groups are presented in multimedia displays at the National Museum of Singapore. This top-notch museum tells the story of the country through the lives of historically important characters and shows many experiences of the man on the street. Traumatic events such as the 1942 Japanese conquest of Singapore are brought to life vividly.

Major Attractions and Things to Do:

Some of the most popular and interesting things to do in Singapore include the following:

Marina Bay Sands Complex: Marina Bay Sands has become a symbol of modern Singapore since its three towers rise fifty-five stories above the harbor and are connected on top by a park in the shape of a ship. This architectural wonder includes a 2,561-room hotel, casino, convention center, and several theaters. The “Skypark” provides a panoramic view of the entire city whether you are swimming in the park’s infinity pool, dining in one of rooftop restaurants, or standing on the observation deck.

Festival and Performing Venues: The waterfront is also full of venues for performances and festivals. The indoor Esplanade Theater on the Bay offers traditional concerts and dramatic theater from two domelike structures that resemble porcupines. Right next to it is the Marina Promenade pavilion with 20,000 outdoor seats and an adjacent floating platform stage known as “The Float.” During Chinese New Year, the entire area is full of amusement rides as well as parade floats and displays celebrating the animal of the Year. 

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands:  Singapore has become an iconic location for world travelers and Asian residents looking for a unique shopping experience. That reputation is partially based on The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, an 800,000 square foot, high end retail complex with distinctive architectural features, 270 stores, restaurants, and displays designed to attract and entertain shoppers. The Shoppes may be the only mall in the world with a canal in it. The waterway allows shoppers to take a sampan ride along one wing of the mall or enjoy the unique ambiance of a “waterfront” while strolling around the mall or relaxing in a café. Another part of the mall has a special skylight called the Rain Oculus which appears like a glass waterfall.

The four stories of the mall are wide open so shoppers can see stores on other levels easily and enjoy the view. The Shoppes include approximately 170 stores with luxury and premium goods. These stores offer designer clothes for men and women, beauty and fragrance products, luxury jewelry and watches, premium children’s clothing and toys, and specialty items. Some of the stores there include Louis Vuitton, Armani, Cartier, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Bulgari, Porsche, Tom Ford, Channel, Burberry, and Tag Heuer. Dozens of other retailers focusing on family goods and casual clothing also have stores in the mall. Another important feature of the Shoppes are the fine dining and casual dining options. Celebrity chefs like Guy Savoy, Wolfgang Puck and Mario Batali have restaurants there along with establishments featuring Asian fusion cuisine, café items and coffee.

Merlion: Guarding the City’s prosperity is a statue of a creature known as the Merlion. Built in 1975, it is centrally located on Marina Bay in front of the historic Fullerton Hotel and the skyline of the central business district. The Merlion is a mythical creature with the body of a fish and the head of a lion. Legend says this apparition was spotted by a Javanese prince on the shore when he founded the “Lion City” of Singapore in the 13th century. Tourists flock to admire the dazzling white Merlion which spews water from its mouth into the harbor and pose for selfies. Standing almost thirty feet high and weighing seventy tons, it is best appreciated from the adjoining viewing platform that juts out into the harbor. Featured in many films including the recent movie “Crazy Rich Asians,” the Merlion attracts about one million visitors each year. It serves along with the Marina Bay Sands Hotel as iconic symbols of the Lion City. 

Gardens by the Bay: A great place to see nature is Gardens by the Bay, a 250-acre series of gardens within walking distance of the downtown area. If you look out toward the Straits of Singapore from the observation deck of the Marina Bay Sands Resort, you can see below two huge, futuristic domes, a series of connected lakes, tree-lined walkways and 16-story vertical structures known as Supertrees. The gardens beneath look like someone combined the movie set used for “Avatar” with the movie set from the 1970s science fiction movie “Logan’s Run.” The domed structures are environmental conservatories. One structure, known as the Flower Dome, contains flowers and plants from Mediterranean climates and is kept at a cool 72 degrees, while the other structure, the Cloud Forest, creates the mist-filled environment of a tropical rainforest and even contains an indoor waterfall. The 15 Supertrees are the most popular attraction in the gardens. They are connected by a walkway you can reach by elevator for a small fee, and then use to walk around and view the entire garden. The Supertrees also serve the environment since they have been designed to collect rainwater, produce solar power, and act as vents for the domes nearby.

Sentosa Island: Sentosa is a small island located just offshore with a history as a pirate refuge and a military base, which was recently rebuilt into recreation areas. It can be reached by a short drive or by riding a cable car from the harbor front. There is another premium resort there known as Resorts World Sentosa with hotel rooms, restaurants, a casino, and another shopping mall. Sentosa’s other attractions include an impressive Universal Studios with seven entertainment zones that is one of Asia’s largest amusement parks. The island also features the Underwater World oceanarium, a four-dimensional theater known as Adventureland, beach resorts, parks, and animal habitats.

Night Safari: Another outdoor attraction that is quite popular is the Night Safari, which is open from 7:30 to midnight daily. The Night Safari is in the north part of the island and offers visitors the chance to see dozens of popular animals from jungle environments, such as tigers, elephants, anteaters, and hippos, as well as unusual nocturnal animals. Almost all of the animals are displayed in open habitats by using ditches, hidden walls, and special lighting. You can observe them either by riding a tram through the different zones or walking on special trails. No photography is allowed.

Other Major Attractions: Other cultural and entertainment activities on Singapore’s waterfront include the Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest observation wheel where you can take a 35-minute ride on an air-conditioned capsule; a Formula One race center where the world’s best drivers race through the streets of the city every September; a lotus-shaped building that houses an arts and science museum; and a soccer and cricket stadium. The city’s oldest Hindu temples, Sri Mariamman, is popular for its shrines and the rooftop statues depicting a wide variety of deities. Many travelers also stop for a drink at the downtown Raffles Hotel, which has served as a centerpiece for diplomats, celebrities, colonial traders, and expats since 1887. Tradition and modernity exist side by side today in this world destination.