View of the Singapore skyline

Singapore is an island and city state and the smallest state in Southeast Asia. The name "Singapore" comes from Sanskrit and consists of Singha ("lion") and Pura ("city") together, meaning "lion city". Legend has it that a Hindu prince from Sumatra fled to the then Principality of Tamasek in the 14th century. He was advised to marry a Buddhist princess into the political turmoil between the Hindu Srivijaya kingdom of Sumatra and the equally Hindu Majapahit kingdom in Java. Legend has it that the Prince saw a lion in the dense jungle and wanted to fight him; but when they both looked into each other's eyes, the prince lowered his sword and the lion withdrew. This event was exciting enough for the prince to call the place henceforth Lion City. The landmark of Singapore is the Merlion, a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. According to Singapore's statistical office, the total population is about 5.3 million people. Almost half of the inhabitants belong to the Buddhist faith. Although the metropolis is mainly used as a transit destination, it has numerous tourist highlights to offer. Among other things, the bustling city center with the famous Orchard Road, the district Chinatown or the Raffles Hotel with its Long Bar, in which the cocktail "Singapore Sling" was invented. Also worth seeing is the Singapore Botanic Garden with its spectacular orchid collection, the futuristic Gardens by the Bay landscape park, whose most spectacular steel and concrete trees are made, and the luxury Marina Bay Sands with its Sky Park and the world's largest rooftop swimming pool.

Impressive and one of the most beautiful skylines in the world.

To get a varied view of the skyline a hike around the bay at night is highly recommended.