Administratively divided into 5 districts: Central Region, East Region, North Region, North-East Region, West Region.
But I would like to talk about the most popular areas of the country and destroyers of the country, which relate to these five large regions.
Center (Central Region)
The central region is most popular among foreign tourists. The region itself also consists of mini regions, such as the central zone CENTRAL AREA) And Marin Pared (Marine Parade).
Most hotels, restaurants and entertainment facilities are located in Central Area. In fact, it is probably the only time you find yourself outside the center - when you go to the airport, Malaysia, at night safari or Bird Park.
Bugis and Kampong Glam (Bugis and Kampong Glam)
A little to the east of the city center we will find Bugis. In this area, the new and old are adjacent to every corner: business hotels near street markets, and tourists go to the old sword and metro, or to the shopping center. Bugis is named after the Bugis tribe, navigators from Indonesia, who sinned with piracy, and who came to Singapore at the beginning of the 19th century for trading and created Kampong (settlements) in this area.
After the arrival of the British in one of these settlements, Kampong Glam became the place of settlement of the rich Muslims, including members of the Royal Family of Malaysia and the Arab merchants who built Palace of Istana Kampong Glam (at 85 Sultan Gate) and Mosque Sultan (3 Muscat Street) - Two magnificent buildings, which to this day are glad. After the Second World War Budis became the center of a completely different type of trade - prostitution. Sailors, descended ashore after swimming, spent time on Bugis Street in cheap bars and brothels. Although it lasted for a short time: the old Bugis Street street was demolished in the mid-80s to make room for metro stations, but about his unclean past everyone still remembers. And it is possible to read about it in the novel of the American Writer's Writer, the "Saint Jack" guide (and then also removed the film).
It goes without saying, this is a story about an American pimp, who is trying to make a business on the dirty streets of Singapore in the 1970s, despite the prohibitions of the state. It has already been long for a long time. Budis offers an assortment of attractions. Ploy on Street market for cheap souvenirs, read the newspaper in modern National Library , Or try Murtabak (stuffed with pellet) and Teh Tarik (tea with milk) in one of the charms of Malay restaurants.
Arab Street (Arab Street) It remains the center of modern Muslim culture with its shops of Persian carpets, hookah and calls to prayer from the Sultan Mosque.
Hip Haji Lane - Favorite place of Singapore youth, as Street is soaked with boutiques of unusual clothes, tattoo salons and art cafe, which become bars after darkness. This is one of the most intriguing and undervalued areas of Singapore.
On the Waterloo Street (Waterloo Street) You can see historical Hindu and Buddhist temples. This pedestrian walkway with benches at which residents who are passionate about the reading are sitting on the sides of the sides of aromatic sticks, and the surroundings are budget hotels and Vegetarian restaurants.
Little India (Little India)
With crowds of people, chaotic trade and sharp odors, visiting the small India quickly dispels the myth about sterile pure Singapore. Historically, Little India is a continuation of Chuli Kampong, the Indian Quarter, which appeared during the British colonial rule. Since Chulia was overcrowded, the population moved to this coastal territory, where they grown tropical fruits and livestock.
The only trace of agricultural activities remained in the names of the streets, such as Buffalo Road ("Buvol Street"). Today in the area you can see Hindu temples, Sari Shops, Ayurvedic Medicine Departments, Music and Dance Centers and Vegetarian Restaurants. Little India continues to serve as a place of collecting the Indian community of Singapore, as well as new arrivals from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. And still a culinary paradise! Try ready-made Indian dishes in street cafes and restaurants.
Bollywood music plays in the background. Little India pulsates sounds and colors of 365 days a year, but becomes an even more exciting spectacle during festivals.
In January or February, it is held here Taiipusam Festival : The moment of the goddess of the goddess of Parvati Tamil God War Murugan Spears, whom he killed Demon Surapadman. Mass holiday, very exciting spectacle! Pilgrims show their devotion to God: some carry pots of milk or fruit baskets, with painted faces and piercing on the chest and stomach.
And still go along the hot coals, barefoot, in Harm Sri Srinivas Perumal.
The largest event in the calendar - Dipavali , "Festival of Lights", which celebrates the victory of good over evil. This festival is held in mid-October or November (the exact date is determined by the cycles of the Moon) - these days Little India cracks on the seams from festive decorations, dances and festive bazaars.
Chinatown (Chinatown)
It may seem strange to have Chinatown in a predominantly Chinese city, but you change your opinion when you see this area. Chinatown is on the outskirts of the central business district, but the spirit of centuries is felt. Glass skyscrapers decreased to three-story trading houses, people drink herbal teas instead of Starbucks, and life flows slower. Although everyone speaks English, sometimes you can hear Cantonese and Mandarin.
The Chinese quarter was slums until 1960, when the government began reconstructing the entire city. Today's Chinatown, though cleaner and neat, no less chaotic and shrieking. The market in the quarter works from morning to night - there are shops of phytotherapy, massage salons, antiques shops and souvenir shops with fake silk scarves. Many come to Chinatown to important religious places as Temple and Museum of Shrine Tooth Buddha (Buddha Tooth Relic Temple) or Sri Mariamman Temple Temple (Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple).
And also have dinner. Paradise for gourmet - Maxwell Food Center where you can try out delicacies from all regions of China.
After 18:00 Smith Street. It becomes a street of street food, with a whole mountain of grocery shops, decorated with lanterns, in the open sky.