Singapore

1. Lying almost on the equator, Singapore is a thriving city-state where the crowded streets of Chinatown, fortunetellers, calligraphers and temple worshippers are still a part of everyday life. You are going to feel at home- that's guaranteed!

2. Want to know the legend behind the symbol of Singapore? According to Malay legend, a Sumatran prince had encountered a lion - considered a good omen - on Temasek, prompting him to found Singapura, or Lion City. However, lions had never inhabited Singapore (more likely the prince had seen a tiger)!

3. The Languages spoken are English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil.

4. Most Western nationals either do not require a visa at all or do not require a visa for a social stay of up to 90 days. A 30-day permit is issued on arrival and extensions are difficult to obtain.

5. Some basic information- Time: GMT/UTC+8. Electricity: 220-240V, 50 Hz. Weights & measures: Metric with local variations.

6. Go there anytime. Climate is not a major consideration, as Singapore gets fairly steady annual rainfall.

7. Thaipusam is one of the most spectacular festivals, celebrated around February. Don't miss this amazing festival if you happen to go that time.

8. If shopping and eating are your major concerns, July is a good month as the Singapore Food Festival and Great Singapore Sale are held then.

9. A host of airlines fly into Singapore's ultramodern Changi international airport - often voted one of the best airports in the world. You could also travel between Malaysia and Singapore by bus or taxi.

10. Singapore has a comprehensive bus network with frequent services and a convenient Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) subway system. There are facilities for luxurious tours around the harbor.

11. Rickshaws have disappeared from Singapore's main streets, but can still be found operating in Chinatown and back streets. Make sure that you agree on a fare beforehand.

12. The Currency is the Singapore dollar.

13. Singapore is much more expensive than any other Southeast Asian country. All major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are widespread, although it's probably still a good idea to take cash and travelers' cheques for emergencies. You will find moneychangers in shopping centers all over Singapore.

14. Chinese New Year, in January or February, is welcomed in with dragon dances, parades and much good cheer. The Dragon Boat Festival, held in May or June, commemorates the death of a Chinese saint who drowned himself in protest against government corruption. It is celebrated with boat races across Marina Bay.

15. The Festival of the Hungry Ghosts is usually celebrated in September. This is when the souls of the dead are released for feasting and entertainment on earth. Chinese operas are performed for them and food is offered; the 'ghosts' eat the spirit of the food but thoughtfully leave the substance for the mortal celebrants!

16. The expression 'shop till you drop' was probably first heard in Singapore, where shopping centers offer a mind-boggling choice of shops and stores. Singapore is also known as the food capital of Asia, so sampling the local cuisine is an experience in itself.

17. Singapore is a compact area with many of its star attractions within walking distance of the city district.

18. Singaporeans are very techno-savvy. More than 40 per cent of Singaporean families have Internet access and 60 per cent own home computers.

19. Word of warning- watch out for Singapore's draconian laws that entail very heavy fines for littering, jaywalking, breaking road rules and just about anything. They go a long way, however, in making Singapore the spotlessly clean and orderly place that it is.

Singapore may have traded in its rough-and-ready opium dens and pearl luggers for towers of concrete and glass, and its steamy rickshaw image for hi-tech wizardry, but you can still recapture the colonial era with a gin sling under the languorous ceiling fans at Raffles Hotel. It is this carefully stage-managed combination of Western modernity and treasured Eastern and colonial past that makes Singapore such an accessible slice of Asia.