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Whether you need to know local public holidays or highlights through the seasons, we hope you will find the facts gathered below useful tools for your travel planning. Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you further.

General information

Singapore is a multicultural and multiracial tropical city, best known for its airport, food and shopping. A very modern city, Singapore is also one of the major financial and industrial hubs in Asia, rivalling neighbouring Hong Kong. Its attractions range from legacies of the island's colonial past to the sophisticated shopping and entertainment of the modern day.

Singapore is situated on an island, surrounded by the South China Sea, the Straits of Malacca and the Straits of Johore. Covering 644 square kilometres (248 square miles), Singapore is 137 kilometres (85 miles) north of the equator. Its nearest neighbour is Malaysia; the Indonesian Islands are to the south, Thailand to the north and the Philippines to the northeast.

Time zone

GMT +8 hours

Language(s) spoken

The official languages are Malay, Chinese, Tamil and English. Malay is the national language, while English is the language for government operations, law and major financial transactions. Most Singaporeans are at least bilingual, with many speaking English, some Malay and one or more dialects of Chinese.

Electrical system

Local voltage is 220 to 240 volts AC. Adapters available; please request through the Concierge.

Shopping hours

Daily 10:00 am to 9:30 pm

Working hours

Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Time and distance to city centre

10-minute drive/5 kilometres/3 miles

Time and distance to shopping

• Orchard Road: 3-minute walk
• Chinatown: 15-minute drive/8 kilometres/5 miles
• Little India: 15-minute drive/6 kilometres/4 miles
• Arab Street: 15-minute drive/6 kilometres/4 miles
• Marina Square/Suntec City: 10-minute drive/5 kilometres/3 miles

Time and distance to financial district

10-minute drive/6 kilometres/4 miles

View in–depth travel advice from Frommers.com

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Seasonal highlights

January

• Lunar New Year light-up in Chinatown
• Singapore River Hong Bao
• Chingay Parade

February

• Thaipusam

March

• Singapore Fashion Festival
• Mosaic Music Festival
• Chinese Cultural Festival

April

• World Gourmet Summit
• Singapore International Film Festival

May

• The Great Singapore Sale
• Singapore International Racing Festival
• Singapore Arts Festival

June

• The Great Singapore Sale
• Singapore Arts Festival

July

• The Great Singapore Sale
• Singapore Food Festival
• Singapore Garden Festival
• World Superstars Dance Singapore

August

• National Day celebrations
• Hari Raya light-up

September

• Hari Raya light-up
• Singapore Biennale
• Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix

October

• Deepavali light-up in Little India
• Singapore Biennale

November

• Singapore Biennale
• Deepavali light-up in Little India
• Christmas light-up on Orchard Road

December

• Christmas light-up on Orchard Road
• Marina Bay Singapore Countdown

Timing of seasonal highlights are subject to change.