From the sci fi architecture of Marina Bay to the quaint, colourful shophouses of Haji Lane, Singapore is a contemporary city that's retained its unique multiculturalism. A trading port for centuries, which changed from colonial to local rule in the 1950s, the city has since blossomed into one of the world's most flourishing economies. Wander from Little India, where the scent of incense and ornate Hindu temples morphs into shophouses with red lantern-lined cobbled streets in Chinatown, and then walk around Kampong Glam, where the spires of a spectacular mosque rise above you and cafes sell delicious Malay food. It's the way so many cultures exist side by side in near perfect harmony that make Singapore a perfect place for a cultural weekend break.
Eat & drink
Singapore is widely considered the food capital of Asia, and even humble street food sellers here have earned the widely regarded Michelin star award. For high end dining, try two Michelin star winner Waku Ghin, where contemporary Japanese and European fusion food is served with aplomb - try their Sea Urchin and Salmon Roe on rice. The Song of India in Newton, where expertly created modern Indian food is served in a charming black and white colonial bungalow is also worth a visit. For sampling a traditional hawker center, visit Maxwell Road in Chinatown, and make sure you try Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice for their fragrant boiled chicken and steamed rice and Marina South Delicious Food, for a rendition of char kway teow, a Malay noodle dish with rich flavour.
Sleep
There are a myriad of different hotel options in Singapore, from retreats near to forested areas to grand, colonial era hotels and boutique shophouses on some of the more traditional streets. For the ultimate experience, stay at Raffles Hotel, a historic Singaporean institution that's been in operation since 1887. Make sure you sip a Singapore Sling in their legendary Long Bar, the birthplace of gin, grenadine and pineapple juice laced cocktail. For a similarly luxurious experience, but in a highly contemporary building, stay at Marina Bay Sands. This futuristic building, designed by Moshe Safdie architects, was built to a resemble a ship suspended above the port, and is one of the most recognisable features of the Singaporean skyline. A stay here will give you access to the world's longest suspended swimming pool, which hovers at the top of the two towers beneath it.
Explore
There's so much to explore here, and a great place to start is by walking around the different cultural enclaves in Singapore. Visit the Sultan Mosque in Kampong Glam, a Malay area which is now also home to hip Haji Lane, a narrow street lined with historic shophouses and independent shops. In Chinatown, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is worth a visit, followed by trying some dim sum. Little India has delicious vegetarian food at restaurant Komala Villas, and after dinner you can see the ornate Sri Veeramakaliamman temple lit up at night. To explore the blossoming arts scene here, visit the National Gallery Singapore, housed in a colonial building or the ArtScience Museum, which displays exhibitions fusing art and science together. When you're ready for some breathing space, head to one of Singapore's many green areas. The colonial-era Botanic Gardens, located in the chic Tanglin district are filled with fragrant frangipani trees, an orchid garden and a preserved section of secondary rainforest, while sleepy Pulau Ubin, accessible by bumboat from the north of the island, is the perfect place to rent a bike and get back to nature. You can see wild boar, monkeys and beautiful tropical birds here.
Shop
Shopping is a national pastime in Singapore, and the array of different shopping options, from high end and vintage fashion, to electronics, antiques and food, all reflect this passion. The main shopping strip is Orchard Road, where glitzy malls line a large stretch of the road. Head to different malls depending on your shopping needs; for high end fashion by both international brands and local designers visit ION Orchard or Paragon, for affordable street fashion go to 313@Somerset or Far East Plaza and for electronics, Sim Lim Square. Another luxury shopping destination is the Shoppes by Marina Bay Sands, a VIP mall at the base of the Marina Bay Sands hotel complex, where you can find designers like Dior, Balenciaga and Fendi in stock.