Welcome! To the another article of Culturious,today we are going to inform you about 10 Amazing things you didn’t know about Singapore!
Most people around the world know of Singapore as the country that bans chewing gum, has a fantastic world-class airport, or has a reputation as a clean but ‘fine’ city. Whether you have already visited or are planning to make your first trip, here’s a list of things about Singapore that might surprise you.
1. It’s a city of not just one island, but 63
You might not know it but Singapore’s land area includes as many as 62 offshore islands that surround the main island. These include Sentosa (the largest of the 62 offshore islands), Pulau Ubin, St John’s Island and Sisters’ Islands. What that means for visitors: more fun in the sun!
2. It’s home to the world’s first night zoo
Singapore’s Night Safari provides a nocturnal experience like no other in the city; it’s also the world’s very first night zoo. Opened in 1994, the 35-hectare park features over 1,000 animals in their naturalistic nighttime.
Hop onto the 40-minute tram ride for an overview of the park’s main attractions. Be sure to amble along the four interlinked walking trails within the park, for a zoo trip like no other.
3.It’s a city of (man-made) waterfalls
According to the Wildlife Reserves Singapore, the first man-made waterfall was built at Jurong Bird Park in 1971. Dropping from a height of 30 meters, it is said to be the tallest waterfall in an aviary to date.
That’s not all. You’ll also find the world's tallest indoor waterfall (35 meters) in Singapore at the Cloud Forest, Gardens by the Bay. This huge waterfall is the centrepiece of the misty conservatory, designed to house plant life from the tropical highlands.
In 2018, there will be an even taller indoor waterfall, to be built at Jewel at Changi Airport. This new retail and lifestyle complex will feature the Water Vortex, a man-made, 40-metre-tall waterfall that will be surrounded by a lush indoor garden.
4.The locals speak Singlish, not just English
Don’t be too surprised to hear Singaporeans adding to their sentences the occasional “lah” and “leh”, which have become an integral part of everyday conversation. These are just bits of what make the local Singlish vocabulary so unique.
Singlish is a collection of colloquial catchphrases and lingo influenced by Singapore’s multiculturalism. Other examples include the Singlish term “chope”, which means to reserve a seat. Locals often chope seats at a hawker center using packets of tissue paper!
Singaporeans also tend to refer to strangers such as cab drivers and hawker center stall owners as “Aunties” and “Uncles”. This is an endearing way of addressing older gentlemen and ladies. Do use the terms wisely, though, as it can connote the addressee’s elderly age; you would not want to offend a stranger by accident!
5.Singapore pioneered the first F1 night race
Held annually since 2008, Grand Prix Season Singapore features a gamut of concerts, racing and entertainment activities, for Formula One fans and visitors of all ages. 2018’s event marks the Grand Prix’s 10th edition in Singapore.
The star event—the FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX—also made racing history as the world’s first ever FORMULA 1 night race. The twisty Marina Bay street circuit has largely remained unchanged in the years since; the track’s brightly lit floodlights also add to the spectacular night views of Singapore. According to Formula 1, the Marina Bay Street Circuit also boasts more corners (23 in all) than any other circuits on the Formula One race calendar.
6.This city of skyscrapers is also one that is filled with lush greenery.
Nearly half of Singapore’s land area (approximately 700 square kilometers) is under green cover. Beyond numerous parks and gardens, there are pockets of undiscovered plant life housed in the most unusual of places. For example, PARKROYAL on Pickering is known for its hotel-in-a-garden concept and its four-storey cascading vertical garden.
That’s not all. There’s rich biodiversity in nature reserves, too––Singapore is home to over 2,100 native vascular plant species. The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in particular, is said to contain more tree species in a single hectare than the total number of tree species found in North America.
7. There are tonns of off-the-beaten track neighborhoods to explore
Besides the history-rich Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India cultural districts, there are more colourful enclaves for visitors to explore in Singapore.
You’ll find rows of hip eateries and stores along the Art Deco-style buildings of Tiong Bahru, as well as colorful shop houses and traditional food stalls in Joo Chiat/Katong.
More up-and-coming neighborhoods include Everton Park, which is home to coffee joints, cafés, ice cream parlors and other must-try foodie hotspots.
8.There are tonns of off-the-beaten track neighborhoods to explore
Besides the history-rich Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India cultural districts, there are more colourful enclaves for visitors to explore in Singapore.
You’ll find rows of hip eateries and stores along the Art Deco-style buildings of Tiong Bahru, as well as colorful shop houses and traditional food stalls in Joo Chiat/Katong.
More up-and-coming neighborhoods include Everton Park, which is home to coffee joints, cafés, ice cream parlors and other must-try foodie hotspots.
9.There is more than one Singapore in existence
Have you ever filled in ‘Singapore’ under location on one of those online drop-down menus and been surprised to see that there is more than one Singapore listed? Singapore is the name of a ghost town on the shores of Lake Michigan near the town of Saugatuck – once a lumber town, it is now buried underneath sand dunes on private property, all that’s left is a commemorative plaque at the Town Hall and the name of the local Singapore Yacht Club. Singapore is also the name of a settlement in Limpopo, South Africa, though from maps and research it seems like a rural location with not much around it.
10.Singapore, the lightning capital
Singapore has some of the highest occurrences of lightning activity in the world. Located almost along the equator, the hot and humid climate in Singapore is perfect for thunderstorms. Singapore experiences 168 thunderstorm days in a year on average – that’s almost half the year. Always prepare for wet weather in Singapore. Thunderstorms usually happen in the afternoons and tend to be short-lived heavy downpours.
That’s it for today! I sure did not know all these great facts before! What about you? Which fact surprised you the most? Let me know down in the comments.Want to see better daily posts? please up vote and follow! Thank you and remember stay CULTURIOUS!
"Culture is the arts elevated to a set of beliefs."
–Thomas Wolfe