City respite of history, art, animals and a soothing bath

If there is one apt metaphor for Singapore it is a tapestry, one that weaves together the multiple threads of ethnicities and religions, immersed in the colorful dye of history. And history has been combined seamlessly with modernity in a country that is striving to become the world's leading financial center. Here are a few tips for those who want to put their hand on the pulse of Singapore.

Where to stay: New Majestic Hotel

In the heart of Chinatown, it offers an opportunity to explore the history-rich area. The hotel, itself a conservation building, has retained its rough ceiling in the lobby while jazzing it up with the owner's collection of designer chairs. One notable exception is a barber's chair placed at the entrance, a nod to the experiences of early Chinese immigrants, many of whom became barbers in the foreign land.