Singapore

The Merlion was designed as an emblem for the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in 1964. The designer was Mr Fraser Brunner, a member of the souvenir committee and a curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium.

The Merlion has a lion head and a fish body resting on a crest of waves. The lion head symbolises the legend of the rediscovery of Singapura, as recorded in the "Malay Annals". In ancient times, Singapore was known as Temasek, a Javanese word for sea.

World Singapore is one of Asia's most exciting tropical oceanarium (Large aquarium). Tourists will have the opportunity to admire the amazing sea lives from this part of the world together with endangered underwater animals. This place offers visitors the chance to look at different ocean creatures which are sure to captivate you and you do not need to dive into the water and get yourself wet. These creatures, native to Australia, have the natural camouflage of leafy and frilly appendages. This large aquarium features a long walk-through tank where you can experience sharks and rays swimming right over your head; especially liked the little sea dragons, relatives of the sea horse.

The main attraction is DUGONG, sea cow that entertains visitors with its acrobatic movements. You may observe them through a series of interactive, feeding and training sessions specially designed to demonstrate their natural abilities of tail-walking synchronization.

The Night Ocean Discovery programme begins at 7pm daily and is your chance to view a totally different world where nocturnal sea creatures come to life as night falls. See brightly colored fish amidst the coral life or watch seahorses anchored to plants. The rare and exotic marine mammal, the Dugong will intrigue visitors with its graceful movements. Catch a glimpse of deadly sea creatures like the Moray Eel, the Stone Fish, Lion Fish, Porcupine Fish or the Leopard Shark.  Many marine species, such as the black tip and white tip sharks, eagle rays and big-belly seahorses, breed and thrive in the Underwater World.

Night Safari

world's premier night zoo. The twilight holds many surprises and more so at Night Safari, where you can look a rhinocerous in the eye or hear the howls of a pack of striped hyenas. There are over 1,200 animals of over 110 exotic species to watch out for. The animals are in 8 zones that recreate various geographic regions like the Southeast Asian rainforest, African savanna, Nepalese river valley, South American pampas and Burmese jungle.

Strike out on your own along the walking trail or relax in a tram ride - whichever you choose, Night Safari is a wild adventure not to be missed. Winner of the Tourism Awards 2000,1999, 1997 and 1996 - Leisure Attraction of the Year.

Open: 7.30pm to midnight (daily)

Last ticket sale: 11pm

Admission: SGD 22 adults, SGD 11 children (3 - 12 years) (Note: All prices include 7% GST)

Parking charges: Car SGD 3.90, Bus/Lorry SGD 4.90

Tram Rides: SGD 10 adults, SGD 5 Children (3 - 12 years)

Admission ticket packages:
For admission to Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and Jurong BirdPark. Tickets are valid for one month from date of issue:

• SGD 30 adults, SGD 15 children for Singapore Zoo and Night Safari
• SGD 45 adults, SGD 22.50 children for Jurong BirdPark, Singapore Zoo and Night Safari

Animal Show : 7.30pm, 8.30pm, and 9.30pm daily (weather permitting)

Approximate Touring Time: 3 hours

Statue of Singapore's

statue of Singapore's founder, Sir Stamford Raffles, cast in dark bronze by Thomas Woolner stands in front of Victoria Theatre. Its replica, made of pure white polymarble stands at North Boat Quay, at an area colloquially known as Raffles Landing Site, as this is the spot where Raffles is believed to have first stepped ashore.

North Boat Quay

Getting There: Take the MRT to Raffles Place MRT Station (EW14/NS26) and walk across Cavenagh Bridge.

Changi Museum

Changi Museum was relocated to its new home on 15 February 2001. It replaces the former Changi Prison Chapel and Museum (built in 1988) that had to make way for the expansion of the Changi Prison.

In honouring the spirit and commitment of those who rose from the depths of adversity, the Museum inspires future generations to come and deepen their appreciation of the heroic and inspirational stories that took place in Changi. The Changi Museum is dedicated to all those who lived and died in Singapore, in particular the Changi area, during the dark years of World War II.

Through documentation of significant events of the Japanese Occupation, the Museum functions as an important educational institution and resource centre. As for the Prisoners-of-War (POWs) and their families, it is a site that allows closure of the many emotional scars of the war years.

The Changi Chapel, housed within the open-air courtyard of the new museum, is a representative replica of the many chapels that were built during World War II. Today, it stands as a monument for those who would not buckle under Japanese rule, and who kept their faith and dignity in the face of seemingly hopeless odds.

Letters, photographs, drawings and personal effects in the museum tell a horrific story of over three years of war and imprisonment for more than 50,000 civilians and soldiers in Changi. From the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942 till the Japanese surrender in September 1945, life was a daily struggle against humiliation, loss of freedom, hunger and disease. Yet it was here, where conditions were at their worst, that we hear of stories that were heroic, touching, and most of all, inspirational. The highlight within is a series of magnificent wall paintings called The Changi Murals, painstakingly recreated from the originals painted by Bombardier Stanley Warren. Visitors are also able to view screenings of videos such as 'Changi Through The Eyes of Haxworth' and 'Elizabeth Choy'. Tucked in a quiet corner of the museum is 'The Changi University', a research area that houses a collection of rare books and literature depicting life during the war years.

Santosa

Once you step afoot the island, you can find your own slice of paradise among the many exciting attractions - history and culture come alive, entertainment by day and night, lush green surroundings to explore, manicured gardens, dancing fountains and two challenging international 18-hole golf courses with scenic undulating views.

Today, Sentosa is a 390-hectare recreational haven boasting a kaleidoscopic range of attractions and activities which cater to a wide audience.

Best Beaches in Singapore right on Sentosa

Beach lovers can enjoy exciting games and sea sports along the 3.2-km long sandy beaches stretching across Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong. You can indulge in a host of leisure activities such as cycling, in-line skating, canoeing, horse riding or simply unwind at the beach pubs. On weekends, the beach pubs will spring into action as beach volleyball fans flock to Siloso Beach for their favourite game. In recent years, Sentosa had also gained international fame for holding some of Singapore's most exciting themed events like the Sentosa Sandsation (an international sandsculpting event), Black Moon Foam Parties, Zouk Out Dance Festival and Sentosa's yearly Countdown Parties right here!

Nature

Nature beckons everywhere on Sentosa, do look out for our friendly peacocks, monkeys and squirrels along the way. Take a walk at the Nature Walk/Dragon Trail which meanders through a secondary rainforest and discover the many species of trees, plants, birds and insects found along this dragon-themed trail for that added dosage of legend and myth. Stop by the vantage point on the summit of Mount Imbiah for a scenic view of the neighbouring islands.

For an up close encounter with Mother Nature's other creations, head down Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon to see unique pink dolphins and other exciting ocean life such as the mermaid-lookalike dugong, sea dragons and many more. Or, admire over 2,500 butterflies from over 50 species and unusual insects like the man-face bugs, stick insects, giant millipedes, scorpions and rhino-beatles at the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom.