Photos

Skyline of the Singapore business district. The larger of two Merlions (half fish-half lion creatures) may be seen spouting along the pier. Singapore is one of the world's leading financial centers.

Skyline of the Singapore business district. Singapore is one of the world's leading financial centers.

The larger of the two Merlions (half fish-half lion) on Marina Bay in Singapore stands at 8.6 meters and weighs 70 tons. The word "Sing" in Malay means lion; the city is often called "Lion City."

Smaller of the two Merlions (lion head and body of a fish) along the Singapore River. The word "Sing" comes from the Malay word for lion; thus the city is often called "Lion City." In the background looms the back of the statue of the larger Merlion, the Marina Bay Sands Hotel built to resemble a ship on towers, and the lotus flower-shaped ArtScience Museum.

Close up view of the smaller (2-meter high) Merlion beside Marina Bay in Singapore.

View of the Marina Bay Sands complex in Singapore that opened in 2010 and has since become a city landmark. The three 55-story towers contain hotel rooms. The upper level Sky Park, built to resemble a ship, has the world's longest elevated swimming pool, restaurants, gardens, and a public observation deck. The integrated resort also includes an adjacent ArtScience Museum, a casino, and a convention center.

The Crystal Pavilion on Marina Bay in Singapore. The pavilion is part of the Marina Bay Sands hotel and casino.

The ArtScience Museum on Marina Bay in Singapore resembles a lotus flower. The museum is part of the Marina Bay Sands hotel and casino.

Parliament House in Singapore. The building is in the Civic District of the Downtown Core within the central business district.

The Raffles Hotel in Singapore was founded in 1887; it was named for Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore. The Singapore Sling, widely regarded as the national drink, was first created in 1915 by Raffles bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. Primarily a gin-based cocktail, the Singapore Sling also contains pineapple juice, lime juice, Curacao, and Benedictine. At a time when it was considered improper for ladies to consume alcohol in public, the ingenious bartender made the beverage pink with grenadine and cherry liqueur to give it a feminine flair and to resemble fruit juice. The disguise worked, leading people to think it was a socially acceptable drink for women. And so, the Singapore Sling was born.

World War I Memorial in Singapore. The Cenotaph in Esplanade Park at Connaught Drive is a tribute to 124 British soldiers born or resident in Singapore who died fighting in WWI. The memorial was dedicated in March 1922. An extension was made in 1951 honoring unnamed soldiers who died in WWII.

Entrance to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Singapore in Chinatown. The four-story building displays Tang Dynasty architecture.