102359 If you’re interested in ethnic arts and crafts or Asian antiques, Singapore’s multicultural heritage offers you plenty of opportunities to discover both.
102360 Take your pick from exotic art, antiques and hand-woven carpets of the highest quality at the array of shops and galleries at Tanglin Shopping Centre in Orchard Road.
102361 You may also browse through some of Southeast Asia’s finest antiques – some of them around 2000 years old with price tags to match – at Shang Antiques.
102364 If you haven’t seen the Merlion, you haven’t fully seen Singapore.
102365 An imaginary creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, the Merlion is the most important trademark, and symbol of the country.
102366 The original statue at the Merlion Park measures 8.6 metres high and weighs 70 tonnes, and is one of Singapore’s most well-known icons.
102367 The lion head represents the lion spotted by Prince Sang Nila Utama when he re-discovered Singapura in 11 AD, as recorded in the "Malay Annals", and the fish tail of the Merlion symbolises the ancient city of Temasek (meaning “sea” in Javanese) by which Singapore was known before the Prince named it “Singapura” (meaning “lion city” in Sanskrit).
102368 The Merlion is representative of Singapore’s humble beginnings as a fishing village, and is a national icon that you must visit on your trip here.
102369 Don’t forget to capture a view of the seafront and the Merlion set against the backdrop of skyscrapers in Singapore’s Central Business District while you’re here.
102372 With numerous parks and gardens throughout the city, you are bound to crave for some good food after visiting these verdant spaces.
102373 Head down to some of the most innovative and exclusive restaurants in places like HortPark and the Singapore Botanic Gardens for a quiet retreat of some night time adventure.