Bugis Street

The busy Bugis precinct is a lively mix of uptown chic and downtown hip. You’ll find high street brands like Topshop and Miss Selfridge at the Bugis Junction mall, but pop outside and onto Bugis Street and you’ll find cheap eats, clothes and accessories in an offbeat outdoor market setting.

Chinatown

With its rich history and iconic status, Chinatown draws in a great mix of folks, from the expats to the locals, and has a colorful array of sights, shops and stuff to check out. The Little Dröm Store is perfect for souvenir shopping with its range of vintage trinkets and cool stationery, multi-label store Willow & Huxley carries hard-to-find labels in limited numbers, and Red Dot Design Museum hosts a monthly flea market called MAAD Pyjamas, dedicated to all things art and design.

Funan DigitaLife Mall

Conveniently located in the heart of town and a stone’s throw away from popular nightlife spot CHIJMES is this techie haven. Find anything and everything tech-related you need here and more; each store offers different add-ons to your initial buy so look around and put your haggling skills to the test to make sure you walk out with the best deal.  

ION Orchard

ION Orchard’s spectacular frontage makes it perhaps the most eye-catching mall on the Orchard Road strip. This colossal mall houses duplex flagship stores of designer and high street brands like Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Christian Dior, Fred Perry, Prada, Uniqlo, Topman and Zara.

Little India

Apparel, drystores, electronics, toiletries and party gear—you’ll find this and lots more at Mustafa Centre, an iconic shopping destination in the heart of Little India that’s almost always packed to the brim with shoppers. Buy brand-name watches and other accessories at a steal here, and get access to an excellent range of Hindi movies and music albums you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. This district’s also been getting hotter over the years with hip additions like Jewel Café and Bar, Suprette and Wanderlust Hotel now thrown into the mix—you could spend an entire day here.

Millenia Walk

Just across the street from the F1 Pit Building is where PARCO next NEXT is located. Here you’ll find Singapore’s new generation of fashion designers and their labels such as MASH-UP, Evenodd and 20:TWOTHREE. Aside from the wide range of fashion and lifestyle brands available, Millenia Walk also houses Australian electronics giant Harvey Norman and several joints to grab a light bite at, like Twelve Cupcakes and 3 Inch Sin—best known for their lip-smacking molten lava cakes.

Orchard Central

Singapore’s home to some of the best indie boutiques in the world, stocking fashion that represents the best of contemporary design. There’s The Reckless Shop, which showcases edgy Singapore-based label Reckless Ericka as well as quirky accessories by fashion icon Daniel Boey. Another place to check out here is Pact, a retail store slash bar and hair salon that stocks brands like Sifr, Deck Towel and Moscot Eyewear. 

TANGS

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands®

If unadulterated luxury is what you’re looking for, you won’t have to look much further than The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands®. You’ll be able to shop the latest seasons by Chanel, Dior, Escada and Louis Vuitton, which has one of its Island Maison concept boutiques here, as well as sample the creations of celebrity chefs at restaurants Guy Savoy, db Bistro Moderne, CUT, Waku Ghin and more. 

Tiong Bahru

Tiong Bahru is home to one of Singapore’s favorite indie bookstores, BooksActually. Pick up hot fiction and non-fiction titles from authors in Singapore and around the world, diaries and other knick-knacks, then pop next door for more quirky finds at Strangelets. Venture into multi-label clothing boutiques nana & bird and two.o.ri, or Flea & Trees for women’s fashion and unique home décor pieces.

28 HongKong Street

One of Singapore’s best-kept secrets, 28 HongKong Street looks completely nondescript to passers-by. But walk through its doors and you’ll discover a buzzing cocktail bar serving up concoctions with cheeky names and innovative flavors.

Brewerkz

From reliable standards like golden ale and oatmeal stout to experimental seasonal and limited edition beers, they’ve got it all. Brewerkz also has great food and attractive happy hours.

Izy

Redefining the traditional Japanese-style izakaya is chef Kazumasa Yazawa, formerly of award-winning establishment Waku Ghin. Order sake, craft beer, or bespoke cocktails to go with the amazing small plates.

Kyō

Slick underground club Kyō plays host to fine DJ acts and boasts a 24 meter-long bar. Be spoilt for choice with an endless list of liquors, wines and Champagne, as well as fine Japanese whiskeys and sakes to choose from.

LeVeL33

The world’s highest urban craft brewery with stunning views of Marina Bay, LeVel33 has beers that stay true to European brewing traditions, top-class food and settings to suit any occasion.

Oxwell & Co.

This lively British gastrobar helmed by UK celebrity chef Mark Sargeant and Aussie barkeep Luke Whearty serves up beers, wines and even cocktails on tap. Expect drinks (and dishes) that contain handpicked herbs from their rooftop garden, and house-made gin crafted from cloves and nutmeg foraged locally in the vicinity.

Praelum Wine Bistro

Host to a feisty crowd of Duxton Hill regulars, Praelum (meaning “wine press” in Latin) carries a mix of Old World and New World labels. If you like the element of surprise, you’ll be glad to know the variety of wines available by the glass changes regularly.

RedDot BrewHouse

Take in scenic views of the iconic Singapore River while you sip on one-of-a-kind craft beers like Monster Green Lager and RedDot Lime Wheat at RedDot BrewHouse.  

Verre Wine Bar

Located in a refurbished warehouse on the quieter side of Robertson Quay, Verre has over 750 labels made up mostly of bottles from small, family-owned artisanal vineyards in its walk-in cellar.

Wine Connection Cheese Bar

It’s the perfect marriage of wine and cheese at this 190-seater contemporary bar. Choose from a selection of more than 40 matured farm cheeses flown in from Europe and over 250 exquisite vino labels, with plenty available by the glass.

Gardens by the Bay

A modern horticultural attraction, Gardens by the Bay features “Supertrees” that stretch up to 50 meters into the sky (great for stunning panoramic views), two giant domed conservatories with 226,000 plants, and plenty of gardens and beautiful green spaces for the whole family, and especially the young ones, to get in touch with nature and learn more about all sorts of flora and fauna. Also, look out for the Children’s Garden, set to open its doors to budding botanists soon.

Jurong Bird Park

The largest bird park in the world, Jurong Bird Park is a hillside haven for 5,000 birds across 400 stunning species. Highlights include the Waterfall Aviary, the world’s largest walk-in aviary with more than 600 free flying birds, penguin feeding and lory feeding experiences, where you’ll be able to feed countless colorful, friendly birds.

Marine Life Park™

Launched in 2012, this leisure center is home to the stunning S.E.A. Aquarium™, the biggest oceanarium in the world. It features more than 800 species of marine animals such as manta rays and sharks. You’ll also find the Adventure Cove Waterpark™, which houses the Riptide Rocket thrill ride and lets you snorkel and get up close with 20,000 fish at the Rainbow Reef.

Night Safari

Singapore’s Night Safari was the first in the world to showcase wildlife in a nocturnal environment and has over 2,500 animals (more than 30 percent of which are threatened) roaming the compounds. Of note is their new Wallaby Trail, a multi-sensory experience highlighting the unique and exotic wildlife of the Australasian region such as the Bennett’s wallaby from Australia and the white-lipped python from Papua New Guinea.

Port of Lost Wonder

One of Sentosa’s latest attractions, Port of Lost Wonder is Singapore’s first beachside kids’ club that celebrates the spirit of exploration. Divided into five main zones, Connection (home to the biggest water-play area in the country), Independence, Curiosity (a gardening area), Wonder and Simplicity, there’s an endless range of unforgettable family activities to look forward to.

River Safari

Nestled between the Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari is the new River Safari, Asia's first and only river-themed wildlife park. Get up close and personal with over 5,000 aquatic and terrestrial creatures as you explore eight regions that are home to river-dwelling animals like the giant salamander and the giant river otter. Also, don’t miss the must-visit Giant Panda Forest, where the adorable Kai Kai and Jia Jia live.

Singapore Science Centre

Covering a wide range of topics related to science, technology and mathematics, Singapore Science Centre features over 850 interactive exhibits housed in 14 galleries which explain scientific principles and many of the world’s great mysteries. Another noteworthy draw is its IMAX theater, with a five-story domed screen.

Singapore Zoo

Located next to the Night Safari, Singapore's “open concept” zoo set in a rainforest environment hosts over 2,800 specimens from over 300 species. Highlights include white tigers, elephants, orang utans and more recently, giant pandas. There are also features like a massive playground at Rainforest Kidzworld and the ever-popular horse carriage ride. 

Snow City

If the heat’s getting too much for you, then head to Snow City for some nice cool weather. At the first indoor snow facility in Singapore, you can go skiing, snow tubing and snowboarding on an exhilarating 60-meter, three-story high slope in the five degree Celsius Snow Chamber.

Universal Studios™Singapore

Enjoy a slice of Tinseltown-laced Americana at Singapore's largest theme park, with seven different entertainment zones and 24 movie-related rides and attractions. The rides, shows, stores and photo-ops with huggable characters like Shrek and Kungfu Panda all make for an incredible day out. Regardless of age, this unique theme park in Asia is a must-visit.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

At 164 meters, you’ll find the most challenging trails in Singapore on the republic’s tallest hill. There are also wonderful views of Upper Peirce Reservoir, and plenty of wildlife to look out for, including long-tailed macaque monkeys (just don’t feed them or get too close).

Chinese Garden

Comprising both Chinese and Japanese Gardens on two man-made islands in Jurong Lake, Chinese Garden offers some stunning examples of Asian design elements. The former stands out for its Suzhou-style arrangement of 1,000 bonsai trees imported from China, while the latter is outfitted with charming details like wooden bridges, carp ponds, pebble footpaths and stone lanterns.

East Coast Park

Fort Canning Park

One of Singapore’s most historic and beautiful landmarks, this is where the British decided to surrender Singapore to the Japanese, with highlights such as the Spice Garden and Gothic-style gates. Today, its lush lawns draw picnic-goers, as well as large-scale events like theater productions and concerts.

Gardens by the Bay

A visually-arresting site that features towering steel Supertrees that stretch up to 50 meters into the sky, giving you a panoramic view of the gardens and the city’s bustling urban hub, while two domed conservatories house over 200,000 plants.

MacRitchie Reservoir Park

The oldest park in Singapore, MacRitchie’s running trails and boardwalks skirting the perimeter of the forested area are scenic, sheltered and span distances from three to 11 kilometers. It’s a popular spot for nature lovers and exercise enthusiasts alike, great for leisurely strolls along the water's edge or a heart-racing run. Try looking for the ruins of a Shinto shrine, which the Japanese built during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore.

Mount Faber Park

Located on Mount Faber, this scenic hilltop park offers some of the best views of Singapore. Take a 20-minute walk towards Henderson Waves (lit up with LED displays), a 274 meter-long pedestrian bridge that’s also Singapore’s highest and connects Mount Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park.

Pasir Ris Park

One of the largest parks in Singapore, highlights here include a renowned children’s playground (which features giant “space nets” and slides) and a three-story bird-watching tower. If you’re up for a little adventure, hire a bicycle and explore the six-hectare mangrove forest and its inhabitants like mud crabs and mudskippers.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Founded in 1859, the 74-hectare Singapore Botanic Gardens is a key recreational park and national tourist destination as well as a leading tropical and horticultural institution. The Gardens' extensive collection of over 60,000 plants includes the National Orchid Garden, the most comprehensive collection of tropical orchids in the world. Besides displaying some of the country’s most beautiful flora and fauna, this tropical garden provides a restful respite from the bustling city.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Singapore’s only protected wetland nature park is home to over 500 species of animals and plants. The best time to visit is early morning when the wildlife is at its most active, such as a resident family of otters, crabs and even water snakes, so keep a camera handy. 

Arab Street

The nightlife at Arab Street is one that’s cultural, yet hip. With entertainment venues like Blu Jaz (which often hosts performances by local acts), rows of shisha cafés, as well as late night grub—like murtabak (stuffed pan-fried Indian pancake) and mutton biryani (yellow rice with spicy lamb)—this enclave boasts a good mix of activities to treat your senses.

Avalon

Avalon’s garnered a lot of hype, and with its Hollywood pedigree of party visionary Steve Adelman behind it, it’s no wonder. Designed by revered New York duo Roman and Williams, this 17,000 sq. ft. club on the water in front of Marina Bay Sands with a state-of-the-art sound system has already played host to the likes of Massive Attack, The Chemical Brothers and Boy George.

Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is named after Sir Andrew Clarke, who was Singapore’s second governor from 1873 to 1875. Today, the waterfront godowns (warehouses) are home to a colorful array of restaurants—from European eateries to Asian dining concepts—and bars and entertainment hot spots like Aquanova, which hosts local comedy acts and musical performances.

Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay

Known affectionately as “The Durian” (for its distinctive spiky design), Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay is a state-of-the-art venue for performing arts and multi-media performances. It boasts a concert hall, theater, recital and theater studios, a wide gallery space and an auditorium, as well as cafés, spas, restaurants and watering holes like The Cookie Museum, Kenko Wellness Spa, My Humble House, Banyan Tree Gallery and Ninethirty by Awfully Chocolate.

Resorts World™ Sentosa

There’s something for everyone at Singapore’s very first integrated resort. In one massive 49-hectare destination, you can find a casino, the biggest oceanarium in the world, a first-class spa, restaurants by celebrity chefs, a Hard Rock Hotel® (housing concert venue The Coliseum™, where bands like Suede and OneRepublic have performed), and so much more.

Sands SkyPark®

Soak up the inimitable views from one of the largest outdoor observation decks in the world at Sands SkyPark®. Aside from the famous Infinity Pool (which is only accessible to hotel guests of Marina Bay Sands®), there are also several establishments that you can head to including restaurant-bar-club KU DÉ TA, the Chocolate Bar, built for those with a sweet tooth, and local celebrity chef Justin Quek’s eatery Sky on 57.

Faber Peak Singapore

The view from Faber Peak (atop Mount Faber) is truly spectacular, offering a slightly different perspective of the city framed through lush green trees falling away toward the sea. It’s especially magical at night, when the ships dotted across the harbor twinkle like Christmas lights. Grab a bite while you take in the view at eateries like casual restaurant Faber Bistro and yakitori/sake bar Moonstone. You can also take in the scenery in a cable car which travels across the water to Sentosa.

Timbre @ The Arts House

Situated at the restored Old Parliament House, this lively bar is the perfect go-to place for live music performances, delectable pizzas, unpretentious drinks and a fantastic view of Singapore River. Don’t forget to stop by their jazz bar Barber Shop as well. 

Universal Studios Singapore®

Enjoy a slice of Tinseltown-laced Americana at Singapore's largest theme park, with seven different entertainment zones and 24 movie-related rides and attractions. The rides, shows, stores and photo-ops all make for an incredible day out. Regardless of age, this one-of-a-kind theme park in Asia is a must-visit.

Zouk

Still the place to see and be seen in after two decades, the perennially hip Zouk with its diverse music offerings caters to clubbers of all stripes. Consisting of three clubs and one wine bar, the main space, Zouk, is where international dance DJs take to the floor, while Phuture is a hot spot for hip hop enthusiasts and luxe Velvet Underground sees a more sophisticated, laid-back crowd.

Chinatown

Known by local Chinese as “niu che shui” (water bullock cart), after the animal-powered barrows common on these streets in the 19th century, this is a culturally diverse enclave. Today, you’ll find fascinating Chinese heritage sites like the sacred Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Hokkien landmark Thian Hock Keng Temple, old-school street markets as well as an assortment of restaurants and bars. There are also historical gems dedicated to Indian, Malay and even Arab communities.

Civic District 

Among the first areas to be developed by Singapore’s colonial powers, this neighborhood by the Singapore River was also the seat of British government chosen by Singapore founder Sir Stamford Raffles in 1822. The area features museums, memorials and highlights such as City Hall, where documents for the Japanese surrender after WWII were signed. It provides superb photo opportunities with restored landmarks like The Fullerton Hotel (the old General Post Office) against towering skyscrapers.

Dempsey Hill

You wouldn’t know it from the art galleries, antique furniture stores, nail salons and weekend farmers’ markets that now call the area home, but the forested mini-precinct of Dempsey used to be a military stronghold that was the site of British army barracks in colonial times. Plus, conserved black-and-white buildings currently house a range of restaurants, bars and even specialty food purveyors in a historic space with an appealing laid-back vibe.

East Coast

Featuring a scenic sea view, this beachfront area was built on reclaimed land in the 1960s in an effort to accommodate the rapidly developing city. It is most famous for its park, which spans a 15 km stretch of coastline, and offers an array of sporting, dining and recreational activities such as cycling. You’ll also find the East Coast Seafood Centre, with local institutions like Jumbo Seafood, No Signboard Seafood and Long Beach Seafood Restaurant.

Geylang/Katong

Originally a settlement of Orang Laut (sea gypsies) and Malays, the community was dispersed by the British in the 1840s to make way for port traffic. This eastern precinct also became an early 20th-century playground for wealthy Eurasian and Peranakan (Straits Chinese) families who built waterfront leisure homes here. Though the area lost its seaside frontage when land was reclaimed to build East Coast Park in the late 1960s, many architecturally important buildings and shophouses from the era still stand. Geylang is known as a popular supper spot and red-light district. Food traditions, too, are alive and well, with Peranakan cuisine being a real highlight in Katong.

Jalan Besar

Jalan Besar, which means “big road” in Malay, was once a swampland of betel nut, nipah palm and fruit trees in the 1830s. The landscape was later taken over by shophouses, factories, and religious sites including Holy Trinity Church, together with abattoirs (the street was also known as “the slaughter pig depot in Kampong Kapor”). The now-conserved area is ideal for checking out Art Deco and “Chinese baroque” architecture, and still plays host to soccer matches at Jalan Besar Stadium. A new crop of hip establishments have also opened of late, such as quirky café Windowsill Pies and coffee specialist Chye Seng Huat Hardware.

Kampong Glam

Home to the Malay aristocracy in 1819, before British settlement in 1822 divided the area into ethnic groups, this area remains a stronghold among the Malay-Muslim community. The majestic Sultan Mosque provides a center for life and business around here, with shops hawking Malay-Arab wares like rugs, bohemian crafts and shisha tobacco as well as trendy cafés, boutiques and drinking establishments. The combination of modern and historic truly makes this place one of a kind.

Little India

Developed to absorb overflow from the now defunct Chulia Kampong, this enclave was established in colonial times. Don’t miss the stunning temples, boasting ornate facades with intricate cravings of Hindu deities, and 24-hour shopping mall Mustafa Centre, which has just about everything under the sun. The area’s also a haven for herbivores, with myriad hole-in-the-wall Indian vegetarian eats. Plus, you’ll also find quirky art galleries and boutique hotels alongside historic sites. 

Tanjong Pagar

To the south of Chinatown, between the bay and the city, is this former center for dock workers and the flesh trade pre-WWII. The area was marked for conservation in the 1980s, kick-starting a rapid gentrification process. Now, it’s one of the city’s top dining destinations with everything from Russian fare to modern European molecular gastronomy. Other recent arrivals include a host of vintage stores showcasing toys, fashion, furniture and books from previous decades which make great souvenirs.

Tiong Bahru

One of the oldest housing estates in Singapore, Tiong Bahru has an eclectic mix of public housing flats, Art Deco architecture and shophouses spanning the ’30s and ’40s with names that honor Chinese pioneers of the early 19th and 20th centuries. It’s a charming off-the-beaten-track neighborhood that’s long drawn local food connoisseurs from across the island thanks to delicious Chinese street food in Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre. Many quaint specialty shops and eateries have also taken up residence and breathed new life into the area including Tiong Bahru Bakery, Japanese restaurant IKYU, spa Nimble/Knead, boutique Nana & Bird and coffee spot 40 Hands.  

G Max Reverse Bungy

For a full-on adrenaline rush, strap yourself into this reverse bungee at the edge of Clarke Quay. You’re catapulted 60 meters high up in the air at a speed of about 200 km/hour. Our advice: just don’t attempt this after a heavy meal.

Gogreen Segway® Eco Adventure 

Hop on two-wheeled stand-and-balance eco-friendly vehicles at Gogreen Segway® Eco Adventure to explore Sentosa’s Palawan and Siloso beaches. You’ll also get a short introductory lesson by their instructors before you start.

GX-5 Extreme Swing

Experience a freefall with your friends as five people are launched up to 50 meters high in a flyer and taken 100 meters across the Singapore River, reaching a speed of over 120km/hour. Be warned though, it’s not for the faint of heart.

iFly Singapore

Adventure sports venue iFly Singapore boasts the world’s largest vertical wind tunnel for indoor skydiving, allowing you to experience freefall from 12,000 to 3,000 feet.

Marina Bay Golf Course

Don’t miss Singapore’s only public golf course, a centrally-located facility with lovely city views. At night, the course is floodlit allowing for evening rounds. There’s also a four-story driving range if you prefer.

MegaZip

Zip down one of the longest and steepest zipwire descents in Asia on this 450-meter long flying fox. Take in stunning views of Sentosa and beyond before landing on a scenic islet.

Skyline Luge Sentosa

Part go-cart, part toboggan, you’ll get to race down a 650-meter outdoor downhill track past trees and round sharp bends to the beach within one to five minutes on the Luge.

Snow City

Go skiing, snow tubing and snowboarding on an exhilarating 60-meter, three-story high slope in the first indoor snow facility in Singapore.  

Wave House

This thrill-seeking, prime water sports destination is a barrel of surfing fun with enormous pools generating artificial waves. It boasts two wave-creating machines for surfing: the FlowBarrel® and FlowRider®.

Wild Wild Wet

Singapore’s largest waterpark offers different water-based rides for all ages. Brave the rapids in Southeast Asia’s first raft slide Ular-Lah or “skateboard” on a raft up and down a four-story water ramp at Slide Up. Plus, there are also twisting water slides and the Tsunami, a simulated surfing area.

The Mosaic Music Festival 2013 is slated for March 8-17 at The Esplanade. Tickets are available via Sistic for $40-120.

Acid House Kings
The pioneering Swedish indie pop group, which comprises brothers Niklas and Johan Angergård and Joakim Ödlund, performs sunny karaoke-friendly melodies as well as darker compositions.

Esperanza Spalding
Hear jazz, soul, funk, big band tunes from the decorated music star's many albums including Junjo, Esperanza, Chamber Music Society and Radio Music Society.

Gilbert O’Sullivan
The UK’s Gilbert O’Sullivan plays hits from the 1970s including “Alone Again (Naturally)”.

Gretchen Parlato
The award-winning singer-songwriter dazzles with her charming renditions of jazz classics.

Grimes
The edgy Canadian pop singer draws inspiration from Enya, TLC and Aphex Twin for her psychedelic tunes.

Grizzly Bear
The progressive rock band, comprising vocalists Ed Droste and Daniel Rossen, drummer Christopher Bear and bass guitarist Christ Taylor, plays tunes from their fourth album Shields including “Sun in Your Eyes”.

Joss Stone
With two Brit Awards and a Grammy under her belt, this soul songstress presents old school covers from the 1970s and 1980s as well as original compositions.

Julia Stone
The Australian folk songstress performs minimalist tunes from albums such as The Memory Machine and By the Horns.

Kaki King
American guitarist Kaki King plays offbeat tunes from albums like Day Sleeper, Legs Make Us Longer and Junior.

Miles Smiles
This group pays tribute to American jazz trumpeter Miles Davies, a veteran performer whose career spanned more than 20 years.

mouse on the keys
The Japanese post rock jazz band plays tunes from their popular album An Anxious Object.

MUTEMATH
The New Orleans-based electro rock group plays songs from their hit albums including Armistice and Odd Soul.

My Brightest Diamond
Shara Worden performs tunes from albums like The Orange Album, Quiet B-Sides and A Thousand Shark’s Teeth.

Pablo Ziegler Meets Tokyo Jazz Tango Ensemble
The Latin Grammy-winning pianist and Japanese jazz group play upbeat tango rhythms.

Salif Keita
The Mali-born singer-songwriter heads a six-piece band, playing soulful melodies that incorporate Latin and West African beats.

Tennis
Married couple Patrick Riley and Aliana Moore's play indie pop tunes from their debut album Cape Dory and second release Young and Old.

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
The veteran Japanese ska group, which was formed about 25 years ago, plays original tunes and their take on well-known classics like Duke Ellington's “In a Sentimental Mood” and “Love Theme” from iconic film The Godfather.

world's end girlfriend
Katsuhiko Maeda's contemporary classical solo project, world's end girlfriend, is behind the signature tunes from movies such as Late Bloomer, Air Doll and Starry Starry Night.

Wouter Hamel
The Dutch pop star behind hit albums like Nobody’s Tune is here for his first concert in Singapore, supported by Thierry Castel, Rory Ronde, Sven Happel, Gijs Anders van Straalen and Mark van Kersbergen.

Was the decision not to publish yours, your publisher's - or were you told not to?
Before I published my first Inspector Tay novel, The Ambassador's Wife, I had accumulated some pretty good contacts in Singapore because another series of books I had written – the Jack Shepherd legal thrillers – had been popular there. The Straits Times had done two very big feature stories about the Shepherd books, and most of the other major publications in Singapore had written about them at one time or another as well. As a result, I had built up a decent list of acquaintances in Singapore throughout the press, government, and law enforcement and I worked with many of them to make sure The Ambassador's Wife felt authentic.

When my publisher first announced The Ambassador's Wife, the book got a lot of attention in Singapore. A series of contemporary crime novels written by a reasonably popular international crime novelist and featuring a Singapore CID cop? Sounds pretty cool, right?

Then The Ambassador's Wife was published. All my contacts abruptly stopped returning my calls, and not another word about the book ever appeared in any publication in Singapore.

It wasn't particularly incendiary. It revolved around Inspector Tay's superiors pressuring him to allow the FBI to take over the investigation of an American woman whose dead body was found at the Singapore Marriott before the outcome of the investigation became an embarrassment to Singapore. Tay, of course, in the tradition of every good literary investigator, refuses to stand down until he uncovers the truth.

From my publisher's point of view, the worst problem was that orders from local booksellers in Singapore quickly dried up and not many copies were sold locally. Outside of Singapore, happily, it was quite a different story. It became one of my all time best selling books. It even made it all the way to #1 on Amazon UK's Kindle bestseller list last spring.

Now please don't misunderstand me here. I'm not suggesting for a moment that orders went out from somewhere on high to give Needham the cold shoulder after The Ambassador's Wife was published and not to buy his book. In my experience, in Asia the process of marginalizing writers whom the powerful don't like is far subtler than that. Booksellers and people in the media know when a certain book isn't popular with the local powers that be, so they simply ignore it.

Exactly the same thing happens, for example, in Thailand. Although, funnily enough, the Thais seem to like the books that I write about you just fine. They just don't much like the ones I write about them.

Anyway, flash forward a couple of years….

I finished my second Inspector Tay novel, The Umbrella Man, in which Tay comes into serious conflict with the Internal Security Department, a government agency concerning which Tay harbors deep and abiding suspicions. Now I'm very much aware of how ISD operates in Singapore and of its sensitivity to any form of publicity, although perhaps I should also add that I know absolutely nothing about ISD except what I was able to learn from public sources. That's the advantage of writing fiction. I make most of this stuff up, folks.

Given the reaction to The Ambassador's Wife in some quarters there in Singapore, and given the possibility that those same people would see The Umbrella Man as even more objectionable, I had a bit of a talk with my publishers before sending them the manuscript. Marshall Cavendish Ltd, which is owned by a Singaporean media group, has most recently published my print editions and distributed them throughout Asia, Europe, and the UK. Another company publishes my e-book editions worldwide, one that has no connection with Singapore.

We subsequently agreed that Marshall Cavendish would not publish a print edition of The Umbrella Man this time. The e-book edition went ahead as usual and became available worldwide in early January. I have retained the print rights myself and it is always possible that another publisher somewhere will still eventually release a print edition after all.

Why do you think the Singapore government is so concerned about negative depictions of the country?
I certainly don't consider either The Ambassador's Wife or The Umbrella Man to be negative depictions of Singapore. Quite on the contrary, I think they are authentic and honest depictions. That's always what I strive for, regardless of where I set my novels.

The greatest compliment I think a writer can receive is when people tell you how real your novels felt to them. I love it when people write me to say things like, "I haven't been in Singapore in ten years, but then I read The Ambassador's Wife and it was like being back there all over again. I could hear it, I could feel it, I could smell it."

That's what I always try to do, invoke a setting in such a way that it feels like a character in the novel. I want it to be real, both for people who already know something about the place where the book is set, and for people who don't.

What made you want to set this - or any of your - stories in Singapore?
All of my novels so far have been set in Asia. The Jack Shepherd novels – Laundry Man, Killing Plato, and A World of Trouble – are set in Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Phuket. The Big Mango is set about half in San Francisco and half in Bangkok.

I wanted to do some novels set in Singapore, too, and that was why I came up with a Singaporean to help me tell those stories, Inspector Samuel Tay. Singapore is a major world city that remarkably few people outside of Asia seem to know much about. There's almost no popular fiction published that draws on Singapore for its backgrounds. I just think Singapore is a great place for a series of contemporary crime novels.

What do you think Singaporean readers will enjoy about this book?
Most everyone enjoys reading fiction set in a place they know. That makes a book feel particularly real to them.

Then too, there are a lot of Singaporeans who think a bit now and then about their place in the world and what it means to be a citizen of Singapore, and I think they would enjoy walking along with Sam Tay while he goes through the same process. Tay's mother was Singaporean and his father was American, but now that he's reached middle age he's not all that certain that he has gotten much of a sense of identity from either of them. And quite often he wonders where that leaves him…

Would you be sorry if you weren't allowed back?
Look, I'm a novelist. I write fiction. I can't imagine that any government, let alone one that considers itself as forward thinking as Singapore's does, would actually see a foreign novelist as a threat to them. Or, even if they did, that they would do anything to risk the humiliation of admitting it.

Certainly I'm aware of the jailing of Alan Shadrake, and I have to tell you that I think jailing an elderly British writer for nothing more than expressing his opinion about Singapore's judiciary did real violence to Singapore's international reputation. I can't think of any other place on earth that considers itself democratic that would have done something like that. Perhaps that's one of the reasons why the most recent press freedom index from Reporters Without Borders ranked Singapore at 149 out of 179 countries for freedom of expression, lower than Russia, Cambodia, or Afghanistan. I think, and I hope, your government is thoroughly embarrassed about that, but I doubt it.

Still, Mr. Shadrake and journalists who are struggling to find a way to tell the truth about the stories they cover are in far different positions than I am. These are serious people with important agendas.

I'm just a novelist. I write fiction. I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything. Except maybe to buy a few more of my books.

UPDATE - 7 March

With the Singapore police force currently in the news in connection with an American's death in the city-state, we asked Jake about the somewhat spooky parallels with his first Inspector Tay novel.

Have you been following the Shane Todd case?