Have you ever been told that Singapore is a sanitised urban city, with nothing particularly unique to recommend it? Then you have probably been listening to the people who have just scratched the surface of the city.

What is true is that one of the first things that will strike you when you enter Singapore is the sense of orderliness and cleanliness. That has misled many into thinking that Singapore is akin to a stage set. Well-known cyberpunk author, William Gibson, infamously labelled Singapore a "Disneyland" some years ago. But that does a disservice to Singapore, for it is a city that's very much alive, with a people that's evolving and adapting to the latest developments while maintaining ties to their ethnic and cultural roots.

So what are the best and most fascinating places in Singapore? For starters, forget about Orchard Road, the most famous shopping street in Singapore. There you'll find large department stores, and international brands. Not the most interesting place to head for, unless of course your main purpose for visiting Singapore is to clean out the shops.

Instead, for an introduction to the major ethnic communities in Singapore, head for Chinatown and Little India. What is rather ironic is that these historic areas are now attracting the young and the hip. Chinatown, for example, is today home to many creative and design companies who make their home in the many two- to three-storey shophouses in the area. In Little India, apart from the obvious like temples and spice shops, there's the impressive Mustafa Centre, a 24-hour emporium offering a dizzy mix of products, from gold jewellery, to electrical and electronics, and food, all at some of the lowest fixed prices in the city. These ethnic enclaves are a study of how the old co-exists with the new. Look around, and you'll find traditional family-run businesses with furnishing and decor dating back decades beside trendy little shops run by young entrepreneurs. A tip: the best way to explore Chinatown and Little India is by walking. Pick up a walking guide from a tourist information centre, or join a walking tour.

To get a feel for the Singapore known by the average citizen, a visit to the suburbs is a must. These suburbs, known as 'New Towns', are precincts carefully planned by the government to provide residential housing with daily amenities. The success of these suburbs can be seen in the fact that, today, more than 80% of Singaporeans live in them. Particularly recommended

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