Singapore , it’s a city of not just one island. Singapore’s land area includes 64 offshore islands that surround the main island. These include Sentosa , a popular island resort with myriad attractions and also paradise havens for nature lovers like Pulau Ubin, St John’s Island and Sisters’ Islands. 

Interesting facts about Singapore

1.  The Merlion is Singapore’s iconic emblem. The Merlion is a mythical creature with a lion’s head and a fish’s tail. The Merlion was partly inspired by the city’s ancient name of Singapura, which means ‘lion city’. The origins of this Sanskrit name is attributed to the Sumatran prince Sang Nila Utama, who ruled Temasek, a settlement on the Singapura island during the early 14^th century. While hunting for animals, the prince spotted a strange creature moving quickly, which was identified as a lion by his advisors. However, there were no records of lions native to Singapore. It might have been a tiger that he saw, for tigers used to be found in the wild in Singapore, up until the 1930s.

   2. The Night Safari is the world’s first night zoo. 
   It was opened in 1994, the open-concept night zoo invites visitors from all over the world to observe more than 130 species of nocturnal animals in their natural habitat without any barriers. It’s the only place in Singapore where you get to watch leopards forage in the dark after dusk. There’s a 50-minute tram ride that takes you around the zoo to observe lions gnawing on their meat dinners, coy mountain deer striking poses, and if you’re lucky, a noisy rhino taking a bath. You can get off the tram at the designated point to follow four walking trails that let you get close to flying squirrels, dangling bats, and leopards. 

   

3. Changi Airport is home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.

4. Singapore is awash with different languages. The four official languages are English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. Though most Singaporeans can speak at least one, naturally, a dialect that’s a blend of all of them has popped up over the years , the Singlish.

It’s a pretty complicated English-based dialect that involves ending sentences with lah for emphasis.

5. Peranakan Cultures can be seen all over Singapore.

Peranakan are Chinese settlers who came to areas of Southeast Asia to seek their fortunes. With a distinct culture that takes in the best of everything, Peranakans are known for their splendid shophouses, ornate formal dress, fantastic food, and Victorian-influenced tiles.

6. Singapore got its independence in 1965.

In 1819, the British colony of Singapore was established, and later on, during World War II, the Japanese occupied it from 1942 to 1945. After the war, the British regained control and in 1963 Singapore merged with the Federation of Malaysia.

However, due to disputes and social unrest, it was expulsed from Malaysia and in 1965 on 9 August Singapore finally gained its independence. It’s one of the three city states in the world. The other two are the Vatican and Monaco.

7. It’s one of the world’s greenest cities. Although much of the original forest was cut down to make way for the modern city that we know it as today , that hasn’t stopped the city from becoming one of the world’s greenest cities with plenty of trees, parks, and greenery scattered around the city. 

Nearly half of the land area is covered in greenery, and Singapore is home to some of the most impressive gardens and parks in the world.

8. The only tropical garden with a UNESCO World Heritage Site tag is the 156-year-old Singapore Botanical Garden. With 4.5 million annual visitors and a National Orchid Garden, it is the mother of all botanic gardens.

9. Between 1903-1928 during the British empire, black and white bungalows were built to house expatriated families in tropical climates. While many were destroyed to make way for Singapore’s building boom, an estimated 500 remain and are available to rent still to this day.

10. The national flower of Singapore is a Vanda Miss Joaquim , an orchid named after an Armenian horticulturist.

11. The country was the first one to host a night race in F1 back in 2008. This happened on the Singapore Grand Prix Racing Circuit, and the Grand Prix has been back on track since 2022.

If you are a fan of F1, this night city racing circuit is extremely scenic. It goes around the cultural landmarks and tall skyscrapers of the city.

12. Buildings can’t be higher than 280 meters. 

Despite the number of skyscrapers in the country, the buildings are not allowed to be higher than 280 meters. This is purely for safety reasons. Singapore is relatively small geographically which means it is important to consider the proximity to the airport.

Only the tallest building in Singapore, Tanjong Pagar Center breaks the limit at 290 meters. The builders of this skyscraper had to get special permission for this construction.

13. The National Anthem can Be found on a bank note.
You will find the national anthem of the country on the back of 1,000 SDG. The text is very small in micro print, which is why you will have to pay attention to notice it.

14.  Sentosa Island

Sentosa is a sunny island in Singapore, home to exciting events, themed attractions, award-winning spas, lush rainforests, golden sandy beaches and much more…

Before it was known as Sentosa, this island just off Singapore’s southern coast , was a British military fortress. After the Japanese Occupation in World War II, Singapore returned to British rule, and the island was renamed “Sentosa” which means “peace and tranquillity” in Malay. 

Over the course of its remarkable history, Sentosa has transformed into a beloved island resort, best known for its tropical beaches, luxurious hotels and thrilling attractions. 

 There are  three beaches and each one holds its own charm. Siloso Beach is the island’s most bustling stretch and home to various restaurants and attractions. Palawan Beach’s playgrounds, parks and lagoon are perfect for families, and Tanjong Beach is ideal for a tranquil getaway.

Nature lovers fascinated with Southeast Asia’s wealth of tropical flora and fauna at Sentosa Nature Discovery. This nature trail begins at an interactive gallery—where visitors will get the chance to brush up their science skills—followed by a showcase of Sentosa’s teeming wildlife and heritage trees native to Singapore and Southeast Asia.

Drop by the  S.E.A Aquarium for a trip under the sea. One of the largest oceanariums on the planet, this attraction is home to more than 100,000 marine animals and creatures from the deep. A range of educational programmes makes this a perfect location for families looking to foster a love for learning and growth in their little ones.

To live out your dreams of rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous, pay a visit to Madame Tussauds Singapore. This world-famous wax museum is home to life-sized sculptures of some of the world’s most notable individuals, ranging from stars like Michael Jackson and Marilyn Monroe to political figures like Queen Elizabeth II and Barack Obama. 

The museum is also home to a K-Wave Zone—filled with the likeness of Korean celebrities—and Asia’s first-ever 4D Marvel movie, featuring fan favourites like Thor and Spider-man.

Spend your afternoon at Hydrodash. Located along the waters of Palawan Beach, Singapore’s first floating aquapark is an unforgettable experience.

Romp with your family and loved ones as you slide, slip and splash through the various zones of this massive inflatable obstacle course.

Universal Studios Singapore is Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park. 

Be transported by adrenaline-pumping rides, interactive shows and a wide variety of exciting attractions based on the blockbuster movies and television series you know and love so much. 

At Universal Studios Sentosa there are 6 themed zones: Hollywood , New York , Sci-Fi City , Ancient Egypt , The Lost World (Jurassic Park) and Far Far Away.