So, what to do when you're there? Easy - experience the city's cheek by jowl cultural quarters for a reminder of Singapore's melting pot mentality. Within easy walking distance of each you can gawp at the extraordinary Sri Veeramakaliamman temple in Little India, hit the hipster shop-houses on Haji Lane in the Muslim Quarter (one of the very few places the authorities allow street art) and chow down on delectable dim sum in Chinatown,
While we're on the subject of food, Singapore offers some of the finest in Asia, if not the world. Foodie fad du jour is Mod Sin (Modern Singaporean) cooking, where innovative local chefs have taken the traditional recipes made famous by the city's Indian, Chinese and Malaysian streetfood hawkers and given them a contemporary twist. Not to say the conventional street eats aren't delectable. Far from it - Singapore gives the likes of Vietnam and Mexico a run for their streetfood money. You'll be spoilt for choice, both in variations and venues, but make sure not to leave without trying a Singaporean staple - chicken rice - where the fowl is marinated in pork stock and served with ginger and garlic laced rice topped off with red chilli sauce. Unbelievably good.
As for a post-prandial drink, 'Singa-bore' is a place of the past thanks to a fun and thriving nightlife scene where speakeasy cocktail bars and all-night clubs pop up on a regular basis. Come sun up, and before leaving town, it's worth tapping into the city-state's upcoming contemporary art scene - check out as many as 16 galleries and exhibition spaces at former British army base Gillman Barracks - and pick up that 24hr turnaround tailor-made suit you ordered the day before.
