This is a 10/10 introduction to the sights and attractions of Singapore! I like this video for English learning because it has a lot of place names (proper nouns) which are common features in the listening portions of language tests and also common in day-to-day conversation.
TRANSCRIPT
One of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the world, Singapore is a breeze to explore
Nothing is more than an hour away from the central business district
Built at the crossroads of maritime trading routes, for well over a century Singapore was the jewel in Britain’s empire
When the city became a republic in 1965, few thought a country with so few resources and a vastly different ethnic groups could succeed but succeed it has, on an imaginable scale
Singapore today is one of the four Asian economic tigers, a futuristic bridge between East and West
Yet despite blossoming into one of the great global cities, Singapore is a nation that
still cherishes its Asian traditions
Once filled with trading houses and opium dens, Chinatown’s historic shop houses have been
transformed into restaurants, boutique hotels and gift shops
Pick up a good luck charm in the Pagoda street market or find a few moments of quiet reflection at the Buddha Tooth Relic temple
Across town, Little India crams all the colors, scents and Gods of the Indian subcontinent into just a few city blocks
While in the nearby Malay and Muslim quarter of Kampong Glam, the streets are a treasure trove of handicrafts from the Arabian world
One thing unites all Singaporeans; food. It’s the national obsession. For an authentic Singaporean Makan experience, follow the satay smoke to the nearest Hoka (?) Centre
For a more upscale dining, head to the bright lights of Boat and Clarke Quays
Despite Singapore’s high urban density, the island is incredibly fertile. They say if you stick a broom handle into the soil it will flower overnight
Escape the heat and enter a world of colour at the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the National Orchid Garden
For a slightly wilder experience, explore the jungle parts of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Singapore’s animal residents are a pretty diverse bunch, too. Famed for its forest setting, the Singapore Zoo is home to over 300 species including the world largest captive colony of orangutans
While the Jurong Bird Park has been bringing human beings and bird life closer together for over 40 years
Singapore enjoys a hot, tropical climate. When the cooling afternoon rains come, indulge in that other Singaporean obsession; shopping. Orchard Road offers miles of retail indulgence
For a change of pace, head to the Bugis Markets, to really rub shoulders with bargain-hunting locals
When it’s time to unwind, climb aboard at cable car to Sentosa; an island playground filled with resorts, theme parks, beaches and bars
At Sentosa’s western tip is Fort Soloso, a vivid reminder of Singapore’s darkest days during World War II
Closer to town is Singapore’s big back yard; East Coast Park. This ten-mile recreational park is lined with bike paths and beaches and is proof that busy Singaporeans do know how to kick back and relax
A little further east is Changi Beach. From here, catch a bumboat to the island of Pulau Ubin, for a taste of Kampong life that has all but vanished on the mainland
Pulau Ubin’s quiet beaches, mangroves and wetlands are a world away from the buzz of modern Singapore
but you don’t need to ride a bumboat to head back in time. Simply step through the doors at Raffles hotel and order a Singapore sling
Many of history’s greatest adventurers and writers have cooled off in Raffles legendary bars
In the 21st century, Singapore is attracting the world most adventurous architectural minds
Marina Bay shines like something from a science fiction blockbuster while Gardens by the Bay shows the endless possibilities of mankind’s flowering imagination
Welcome to Singapore, where the future is only ever a few steps away from the past
A destination that proves that with unity, diversity and daring, even the smallest of places can grow into a giant