Arab Street This is the Muslim centre of Singapore. The Sultan Mosque dominates the area, a fantastic building with its impressive gold dome and vast prayer hall. Arab Street itself is a riot of colourful textiles from all over Asia at very low prices.

Asian Civilizations Museum Opened in 1997, this museum mounts cultural and anthropological exhibits covering the major civilizations of China, India and Southeast Asia, from prehistory to the present day. 39 Armenian Street (off Stamford Road near the National Library) Tel: 65+(0)8379940 

Botanic Gardens These world-famous tropical gardens are definitely worth a visit. Visitors can enjoy lush greenery and a beautiful orchid garden in the heart of the city. It’s located at the intersection of Holland Road and Napier Street.

Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom Museum Thousands of exotic, colourful butterflies flutter around you as you wander through this park. View fireflies in a special enclosure where you can see thousands of fireflies glimmering in the dark.

Chijmes Formerly the site of the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, Chijmes is a unique blend of historical architecture and modern restoration. The Gothic Chapel, erected in 1890, is a showcase of plasterwork, delicate wall frescoes and stained glass. The Caldwell House has a sunken forecourt, waterfalls and fountains. The complex is now home to art galleries, boutiques and a lavish selection of restaurants, wine bars and cafes. Located on Victoria Street Tel: 65+(0)337 7810. 

Chinese Garden Here you will discover over 35 acres of beautiful scenery and pleasant gardens. A total escape from the bustle of city life and somewhere the children can run around and leave you to wander around in a relaxed manner. You’ll find it at Yuan Ching Road, Jurong.

Chinatown A maze of streets with shops that sell almost everything. To find it go to the South Bridge and New Bridge area in Singapore City. 

Changi Prison Chapel and Museum One of the lesser-known museums in Singapore, the chapel is a replica of the original built by Allied prisoners of war during World War II. The museum houses photos, sketches and personal items dating back to the Japanese Occupation 1942-1945. Most of the items were donated by former prisoners of war. Upper Changi North Road (left of the main gate at Changi Prison) Phone 65+(0)5430893 

Chinaman Scholars Gallery This is a faithful recreation of the home of a Chinese scholar of the 1920s and 1930s, complete with kitchen, bedroom, dining and living areas. The Gallery houses furniture, porcelain, musical instruments and photographs from the period. Located at 14B Trengannu St, Chinatown Telephone 65+(0)2229554.

Civilian War Memorial This strikingly simple memorial is dedicated to the civilians who lost their lives during the Japanese occupation in the Second World War. The locals affectionately call it the "Chopsticks" memorial because of its unusual design. You’ll find it near the Raffles City Complex.

City Hall This is where Lord Louis Mountbatten accepted the Japanese surrender in 1945, and where Lee Kuan Yew declared Singapore's independence from Britain in 1959. It is situated on St. Andrew's Road near the Padang, Singapore City. 

The Singapore Crocodilarium Over 1,000 crocodiles can be viewed at close range. Additional attractions include a reptile product shop. Located at 730 East Coast Parkway Tel: 65+(0)4473722

East Coast Park Located off the East Coast Parkway, this is a favourite play area for Singaporeans, either at the beach or in the parklands where bicycle riding is much enjoyed. Hire a bike or go windsurfing, eat at one of the many fine seafood restaurants or enjoy yourself at the various leisure attractions. These include everything from a bowling alley to a golf driving range.

Fort Canning Park Six hundred years ago, the Malay kings ruled from this point. The last of the Malay kings was buried at the bottom of the hill. When the British arrived in the 19th century, Sir Stamford Raffles, built his government house here, and later the hill was defended with Fort Canning. In World War II, the operations centre for the British Malaya Command was located in a bunker in the hillside. Today on the hill, there is also an artificial lake, sculpture garden, and picnic areas. The Fort Gate is all that remains of Fort Canning. As you pass through the gate, climb the stairway up to the gate roof. Good views of the park.

Mandai Orchid Garden The garden has thousands of orchids in a lush natural setting of rocks and waterfalls. Don't miss the orchid flower clock or the Koi fish pond.

Maritime Museum Singapore has always been a maritime city and today is one of the biggest ports in the world. Check out the fantastic display of ship models. The museum also has boats of all kinds, fishing equipment and outdoor exhibits.

Ming Village and Pewter Museum Watch artisans produce elegant porcelain, from making the moulds or using a potter's wheel, to painting the vases, to glazing and firing. The pewter museum is also interesting.

Mount Faber Cable Car Station and Viewing Garden Mt. Faber has views of Singapore Harbour and islands in the distance. Relax in the restaurant at the top of the hill, run around the gardens or take a ride on the cable car to Sentosa Island. 

Singapore Botanic Gardens See a real Cannonball tree. This unusual tree is loaded with fruit that look and feel like cannonballs (in the right season). Wander through the National Orchid Garden with over 60,000 different kinds of orchids, growing all over the hillsides in lush profusion.

Singapore History Museum The Singapore History Museum has dioramas showing the life of this trading city in the 19th century, including the scenes of Chinese junks bringing cargoes of silks and immigrants from China, Bugis traders from the Indonesian archipelago, the arrival of Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819 to establish a British trading post, and Chinese neighbourhoods in the city.

Singapore Zoological Gardens Singapore's renowned open zoo is a haven for both animals and visitors and a must-see when visiting Singapore. More than 2,000 creatures are housed in landscaped enclosures, with rock walls and streams instead of cages. Special attractions include Children's World, where kids can interact with animals and enjoy excellent playgrounds, the six island Primate Kingdom, the sea lion and penguin gallery, the air-conditioned polar bear exhibit and a miniature railway. Special bookings can be made to have breakfast or high tea with an Orang-utan. For more information visit the zoo's web-site at www.zoo.com.sg/  

Sungei Buloh Nature Park Singapore's first designated wetland nature reserve is a major stop-over point for birds migrating along the East Asian Flyway. Carefully constructed hides throughout the 87 hectares provide excellent observation points for visitors. It is located on Neo Tiew Crescent Telephone: 65+(0)6690377.

Meander around the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Singapore is one of only two cities in the world to have a significant area of primary rainforest within its boundaries - the other being Rio de Janeiro. This 81-hectare reserve is only 12 km from the city centre. At the heart of the reserve lies Singapore's highest point - Bukit Timah Hill at 162.5 m above sea level. Well-marked paths lead through the jungle. Along the way, walkers can enjoy exotic birds, butterflies, inquisitive monkeys, squirrels, flying lemurs and other wildlife. Located at 177 Hindhede Drive Telephone: 1-800-4685736 for more information

Go Canoeing. You can hire a canoe from various private operators located at Changi Point, East Coast Park, and Sentosa Island. Operating hours are generally from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.

Visit Chijmes. Formerly the site of the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (hence the acronym, pronounced chimes), Chijmes is a unique blend of historical architecture and modern restoration. The Gothic Chapel, erected in 1890, is a showcase of plasterwork, delicate wall frescoes and stained glass. The Caldwell House has a sunken forecourt, waterfalls and fountains. The complex is now home to art galleries, boutiques and a lavish selection of restaurants, wine bars and cafes. Located at Victoria Street Phone 65+(0)3326274.

Wander around the Empress Palace Museum. Regarded as one of the finest neo-classical buildings in Singapore, Empress Place dates back to 1854, when it served as a court house. Today the building houses a world-class museum and exhibition centre, featuring cultural and archaeological treasures from China and other ancient civilizations. Located at 1 Empress Place, Singapore City. Telephone 65+(0)336 7633. 

Sail on a Harbour cruise. Pick up a boat at the World Trade Centre. From Clifford Pier, you can buy tickets for a cruise around the Southern Islands on an ornate Chinese junk, a replica of an imperial Ming Dynasty boat. This cruise also includes high tea, and a stop at the island of Kusu.

Shop in Little India. This area is full of stores, antique dealers specializing in Indian goods and restaurants. Women in graceful saris and turbaned Sikhs go about their daily business in the Zhujiao Centre, where an amazing selection of food is on sale. Small shops abound, selling bolts of glittering silks, temple garlands, gold jewellery and spices that are ground in front of you. Located on Serangoon Road

Go on The Night Safari. (Located at the Singapore Zoological Gardens) Here you can look a one-horned rhinoceros in the eye or hear the howls of a pack of striped hyenas. There are 1,200 animals of over 100 exotic species to look for. Strike out on your own along the walking trail or relax in a tram ride - whichever you choose, the Night Safari is a wild adventure not to be missed. Located on Mandai Lake Road.

Go to the Sungei Buloh Nature Park. It is Singapore's first designated wetland nature reserve and is a major stop-over point for birds migrating along the East Asian Flyway. Carefully constructed hides throughout the 87 hectares provide excellent observation points for visitors. Located on Neo Tiew Crescent Telephone: 65+(0)669 0377

Visit Sentosa Island. This former military base, is now devoted to entertaining its guests. Within the island are museums, gardens, a butterfly park, swimming lagoons, golf courses, a large roller skating rink and more. Ferries run from the World Trade Centre in Singapore City daily 7:30am - 10pm or go by Cable car leaving from Mount Faber and the World Trade Centre (WTC) offering a ride which offers a panoramic view of the Singapore harbour. Sentosa can also be reached overland by the Causeway-bridge.