Singapore

A short history

The modern founding dates to 1819, when Stamford Raffles established a British trading post at the tip of the Malay Peninsula to control the strait between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. That position still makes it one of the busiest ports on earth. Independence came in 1965, and the transformation since is usually summarised as third world to first — a phrase from the country's own account of itself, and one that explains a lot about how the place is run.

Why travellers love it

It is exceptionally halal-friendly, exceptionally easy to navigate, and it removes most of the friction that makes a first trip to Asia tiring. It also works unusually well as a stopover: two days here is a real destination rather than a layover, and onward flights to the rest of Southeast Asia or Australia are plentiful.

Before you go

Many nationalities enter visa-free for short stays; an electronic arrival card is required from everyone before landing, and it is free — anything charging you for it is not the official service. It is tropical and humid year-round, with February to April the driest stretch. Rules on litter, chewing gum and eating on the metro are enforced rather than decorative.

Highlights

• Gardens by the Bay
• The Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
• Arab Street and Kampong Glam
• Sentosa Island