Districts at a Glance

Singapore is compact and perfectly connected — the MRT (metro) takes you from one district to the next in minutes:

Marina Bay / CBD

For whom: First-time visitors, architecture fans, night owls
The futuristic centerpiece with Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, the Merlion, the Esplanade, and the glittering skyscrapers of the Financial District. This is where modern Singapore takes place — business by day, light show by night.

Chinatown & Little India

For whom: Foodies, culture fans, bargain hunters
Chinatown: narrow streets with temples, tea houses, the Maxwell Food Centre, and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. Little India: a color explosion of sari shops, flower garlands, spice stalls, and the Tekka Centre — the most authentic hawker center in town. In between: Kampong Glam with the Sultan Mosque and Haji Lane.

Sentosa

For whom: Families, beach lovers, adrenaline junkies
The amusement island off Singapore's coast: Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium, beaches (Siloso, Palawan, Tanjong Beach), zip-lines, cable cars, and the Resorts World Casino. Kitsch? Sometimes. Fun? Definitely.

Botanical Garden & Holland Village

For whom: Nature lovers, expats, peace seekers
The UNESCO-protected Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful tropical gardens in the world — with the National Orchid Garden (60,000 orchids). Holland Village next door is the relaxed expat district with cafes, boutiques, and the atmosphere of a tropical village in the middle of the metropolis.