Today Singapore is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, only in 2016 12 million people visited here. Surprisingly, the main reason for visiting this extraordinary city-state is not at all tourism or business, as one might think, but transit. For many travelers, Singapore is a transshipment point on the way to more exotic countries of Southeast Asia. This is one of the most Europeanized and wealthy cities of the region, so it is great for smooth immersion in the culture of Asia and prepares Western travelers for the perception of another life structure.
As a starting point, Singapore wins for most cities of the region for several reasons.
Firstly, the local government does everything possible to increase the tourist flow (tourism is one of the main articles of the state’s income),
So for arriving from abroad, the most favorable conditions have been created. Transit passengers in Singapore receive a 96-hour visa on arrival, they provide special discounts in stores and restaurants of the city and airport, and even a free sightseeing tour of Singapura from Changi Airport (the proposal applies to passengers with a joint of more than 5.5, but less than 24 hours). Well, for passengers of Singapore Airlines, profitable proposals for hotels and transfer to the center are valid.
Secondly, in order to get an idea of the city and see the main attractions, you are just enough for one or two days that you are not a pity to tear off the standard two-week beach holidays in Asia. The program at least includes the Park “Garden of the Gulf” with giant futuristic super-veins and indoor rain forests, Singapore China-Town, where the largest Buddhist temple in the world is located, the Colorite District of Little India, the Museum of Science and Art, and the obligatory night safari in the local zoo.
But even if city tours in attractions are not your sport or until the next flight you have only a few hours, it still makes sense to go to the city, if only for the famous Singaporean restaurants, bars and shops. In Singapore, an amazing assortment of establishments for every taste: from stiff colonial bars with classic cocktails and popular clubs on the Clarki embankment to hipster pubs and coffee houses in Tiong Baru and democratic backups for backpaps in Tyodan-town.
The restaurant scene of Singapore is also very diverse, in addition to Singapore cuisine itself, you can find Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Japanese and numerous European restaurants. But the main highlight of Singapore is a street food that is as tasty as in Thailand or India, and as safe and hygienic as in Europe. It was Singapore who became the only city where two ordinary traders from street food from the trolley received the Michelin star at once, this is impossible anywhere else in the world.
Well, if you still prefer to spend the time between flights at the airport, then Singapore Changi is the best choice. This is the largest transport hub in Juva, every day from here dozens of flights are sent to the farthest corners of Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, to Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines. Changi is not just an airport, but a real city in the city. On the territory of 13 square kilometers there are 350 stores, 160 restaurants, 3 hotels, a 12-meter slide for children, a free cinema and even a roof pool with a luxurious view of flying aircraft.
There are three terminals in the port (next year they plan to build the fourth),
Between which the train runs, but there are convenient pedestrian routes, so it is quite possible in a couple of hours, for example, to swim in the first terminal in the pool, run into spa in the second and manage to a flight from the third. In 2016, Changi Airport was recognized as the best airport of the world for the fourth time, and it does not seem that he plans to give this title in the coming years.
When it comes to traveling with a transplant, the largest fears of travelers are related to get on their flight on time. But, alas, this is not the only problem of transit passengers: often during the docking, baggage is lost and does not fly to the destination with a tourist. Unfortunately, there is little to depend on the travelers, you can only influence the situation with the luggage at the level of choice of airport and airline. And in this sense, Changi Airport and Singapore Airlines again won greatly with their Thai and Hong Kong colleagues. In a state that defeated corruption and committed an economic miracle, all systems work extremely clearly, and troubles like losing luggage are abnormally rare.
It was Singapore organization and strict adherence to the laws that made from this city one of the most comfortable places in the world in the world. From the point of view of the Singapore urban urban wrap today, there are no traffic jams here, each area has its own full -fledged infrastructure, and the public transport system is incredibly understandable and convenient. Thanks to this, you can visit all the main attractions and interesting areas of the city in a very short time.
