From afar, the temple boosts a 13-metre wide dome akin to those you see of mosques. Walking towards the entrance of the temple, the Canteen is located straight ahead of you. The Canteen serves free vegetarian Indian meals to 600 needy devotees daily. To the left is a large shoe rack where visitors should remove their footwear and place them neatly in one of the shelves as a form of respect to the religion.

Proceeding to the second level, this is where the main prayer hall is located. The space is column free, fully carpeted and air-conditioned to accommodate the devout devotees. It can house 500 sitting and 1500 standing people at any one time. Heading out to the open area, you would be greeted by a huge decorative pool. A number of car park lots are also available at the basement and the building is made of Sardinian pink granite.

Abbot Chuan Wu purchased a plot of land on the current location of the temple and nursed the sick. From a makeshift lodge, it eventually turned into a temple and was erected in 1917. The Abbot’s act of kindness and care gained the admiration of a local tycoon, Tan Boon Liat, who then donated funds to the temple. With the new influx of funds, a new temple was remodelled in 1926 and had a statue of Confucius and an altar for the Goddess of Mercy.

The temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy (Guan Yin) and has very intricate designs lining the walls and pillars of the landmark. Renovations have been done periodically in 1930, 1962 and 1970.

Located beside the temple is a school. One of their previous abbots, Venerable Zhuan Feng founded the Leong San School which started within the temple grounds. Due to overcrowding, the members of the temple decided to utilise the adjacent plot of land for expansion. It was then named Mee Toh School and was fully managed by Leong San See Temple until 1957.

It has since been merged into the government education stream. However, you may be able to visit it through a side gate which links the school and temple together. The temple was gazetted in 10 November 1978 as a national monument.

Known widely as the mid-autumn festival or sometimes, endearingly called the lantern or mooncake festival, it all points to the same day – the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. How did it all start? We hear you! Besides bringing you the best of things to do and food (of course), we would tell you the story of how mid-autumn started and why people around the world are eating yummy mooncakes. So keep your eyes glued to the screen while we tempt you with our recommendations. Also, we would tell you how to get there safely despite the massive road blocks at the scene of the F1 circuit.

Mid-Autumn festival origins
It all started with a guy named Hou-yi and he was a great archer. One day, he fell in love with Chang-e but they weren’t allowed to be together. Then the earth became so scorching hot because it has 10 suns. So Hou-yi shot down nine of them and left one to be shining down on earth. As a reward, and for being a hero, he was given the elixir for eternal life. If he and Chang-e drank it together, both of them would have eternal life. But if any one party decides to drink it all, then he or she would become an immortal. However, one greedy villain wanted the elixir all for himself and so Chang-e had to drink it all in order to stop the villain from getting what he wants. In the end, Chang-e fled to the moon after being an immortal which is the closest to earth and has the company of the jade rabbit. From then on, the moon shines really brightly on this day and everyone is said to be able to see Chang-e in the moon and be reunited with family and friends.

That is it for the origin. You want more? Alright, now we will talk about the origins of mooncakes.

Back in the days of the Yuan Dynasty in China where Mongols rule, people do not like the rule and wanted to plan a rebel. However, group gatherings were not allowed and so Liu Bowen, who is the advisor to the rebel group, came up with a brilliant idea. Taking into consideration that Mongols do not eat mooncakes, he left strips of messages in the mooncakes and distributed them to the people. Upon eating the mooncakes and noticing the message, the rebel plan was successful and the Mongol government was being overthrown.

What to do and eat in Chinatown
Buy lanterns / Mooncakes
When you are at the heart of the bustling Chinese precinct, you must buy some lanterns and mooncakes so that you are able to sit down and absorb the vibrant atmosphere while appreciating the full moon!

Costumes
The traditional Chinese costume is the cheong-sam, worn by women. The delicate yet sexy designs are admired and talked about all around the world. So while you’re here, why not get a piece for yourself or your loved ones.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Looking for natural remedies to your ailments? Then pay a visit to the Eu Yan Sang Medical Hall at Chinatown. You’ll be greeted by lots of different herbs and medications thought out of this world to you.

Dim Sum / Yum Cha
Delectable dim sum could be found all over Chinatown. However, if you want us to recommend, we would say Red Star Restaurant. Open for morning tea at an early time of 7.30am; be sure to wake up early in order not to wait to get a table. Crowds are expected daily.

Chinatown Food Street
Located in the heart of Chinatown along Smith Street, the food street is always packed with people. Looking for local fare in Chinatown? Then this is definitely the place to go and be prepared to squeeze with the locals in search for an empty table!

You can hop on the bus which is circling around the three destinations for SGD$5 per person. So quick grab your tickets from any DUCK&HiPPO counters. F1 pass holders travel for free but still do grab your tickets! The various pick up locations are: – Chinatown (Chinatown Heritage Centre), Little India (The Verge (ex-Tekka Mall)), and Kampong Glam (Outside Sultan Gate). If not, do try to hop on the shuttle service ferrying between Orchard Emerald bus stop and the Chinatown Heritage Centre daily from 5 – 7.30pm. It’s free too!

Strolling into the 3 storey shophouse museum, visitors would first have a glimpse of the souvenir shop located on the ground level. Vintage is the only term to describe all the displays here. Toys ranging from tin cars to robots are up for sale and before you head up to the second level, be sure to grab a passport from the cashier counter. This allows you to collect unique stamp prints from the designated checkpoints within the museum.

Before heading up the stairs, you will find that there are many posters in frames lining the wall of the stairway. Visitors, who would like to bring a piece of the museum home, would have the opportunity to pick one up from the gift shop.

The actual museum only has its toys on display on the second level. In this tiny space, the owner was able to maximize the space constraints and furnished the area with wooden shelves, glass cabinets, cupboards and old electronics. Reading materials are also available; just do not expect to keep up to date on news as this is ultimately a vintage place, where time is forgotten. Some toys are placed in close proximity to the visitors so if you see something you want to touch or look closely at, you may do so, just handle them with care.

The exhibits in the museum are arranged by different themes. Do look out for the unlicensed Walt Disney toys from the early years of 1930s. The third floor of the museum is reserved for educational classes.

A statue of the museum’s mascot can be found at the entrance of the museum for visitors with cameras to capture their memories.

For more information, visit http://www.most.com.sg/

Walk Facts
Start: Little India MRT
End: Farrer Park MRT
Distance: Approximately 3.5km
Time: 5 hours
Ease: Moderate
Fuel stops: Little India Arcade, Tekka Centre

1. Tekka Centre Upon reaching Little India MRT station, walk towards the junction of Buffalo Road and Serangoon Road, where the famous Tekka Centre stands. The building which was built in 1981 has since undergone a major renovation and reopened on 1 August 2009. Many individuals patronize this building because of its wet market and cooked-food stalls. Though in an Indian-dominated district, most of the vendors are of the Chinese ethnic group. Keep your eyes peeled for the occasional Indian fortune teller who set up stall along the walkway between the bus stop along Serangoon Road and the entrance to the building.

2. The Verge After walking a couple of rounds within Tekka Centre, cross the oldest road in Singapore, Serangoon Road and head right. This will bring you to the renovated building, The Verge, formerly known as Tekka Mall. Within this mall, there are a number of good cafes and eateries, not forgetting the biggest tenant, Sheng Siong supermarket where you are able to buy goods ranging from groceries to electronics.

3. Little India Arcade Following down the trail of Serangoon Road, you will be attracted by a cluster of colourful shophouses located beside The Verge. This quaint little building housing the shophouses was conserved back in 1982, and slowly it evolved into a shopping haven for both locals and tourists looking for gifts and souvenirs. Look out for a sari shop named Handlooms, which is supported by the Government of India and also traditional Indian medicine if you are in search of some exotic remedies. If you are looking for a restaurant to fill your growling stomach then Banana Leaf Apolo is the answer and could be found on the ground floor of this building.

4. Flower Garlands Walk around the arcade and exit at Clive Street. When you are out of the building, turn left and walk towards Campbell Lane. Named after a British Administrator, Sir Colin Campbell, this lane is one of the most colourful in Little India. You can find flower garlands on sale as it is a symbol of prosperity and Hindu devotees buy them to offer their gods as a sign of respect. You will also be able to learn about furniture being made with inlay marquetry at the Celebration of Arts and also traditional Indian musical instruments at the Indian Classical Music Centre.

5. Abdul Gaffoor Mosque Walk to the end of Campbell Lane in the direction towards Serangoon Road and turn right. Walk a little further along Serangoon Road and you will reach Dunlop Street. Dunlop Street is always abuzz with activity, from backpackers checking in at the various hostels to buying textiles and sightseeing. Keep walking down Dunlop Street for 15 minutes and the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque would be to your right. The mosque houses a unique sundial and is also one of Singapore’s gazetted monuments.

6. The Church of True Light Located at the junction of Dunlop Street and Perak Road, you would be able to locate this church after you step out of the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque. Erected in 1951, The Church of True Light was an Anglican church which was built to serve the Hock Chew and Heng Hwa communities who resides or do trade in Little India. Proceeding up the stairs, you would see an interesting Chinese ideogram depiction of the word love. Opened only on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 1pm.

7. Lagnaa Bare Foot Dining Continue down Perak Road and turn left at Upper Dickson Road. Here you will find shrines under a sacred tree, and many Indian eateries. One of the most interesting would be Lagnaa Bare Foot Dining. Housed in a shophouse, this restaurant can seat up to 35 individuals, ideal for a cosy gathering. Serving Western Masala food, this restaurant holds an event on every full moon day, to test your spicy endurance level on a chart of 1 to 10.

8. Khan Mohamed Bhoy & Sons (Spice Grinders) When you find that you have reached Serangoon Road again, walk along the five-foot paths and turn down at Cuff Road. Upon reaching, let your sense of smell take over as you would be overwhelmed by the whiff of spices in the air. Following the origins of the smell, you will find one of the last spice grinders and flour millers in Singapore. One of these shops not to be missed is Khan Mohamed Bhoy & Sons where you can find all kinds of Indian spices for that special recipe of yours.

9. Kampong Kapor Methodist Church Walk along Cuff Road and you will see Kampong Kapor Methodist Church to your left. The church is situated at the junction of Kampong Kapor Road and Cuff Road. Built in 1929, this church served the Peranakan community and has a very distinct Spanish influence.

10. Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple Stroll through Veerasamy Road in the direction of Serangoon Road and cross over to the other side. You will come face to face with the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple which is dedicated to Kali, the Hindu Goddess of power. Built in 1881 by Bengali labourers, the name of the temple translates as Kali the courageous.

11. Little India Arts Belt Going towards the direction of Race Course Road from Belilios Road just outside the temple, you will see the Indian Ansa store and various places to watch performances along the way. The Arts Belt formed in 2001 is the third in Singapore. While in the area, do stop by the Shree Lakshminarayan Temple, a modern Hindu temple in the vicinity. If you have time to spare for a good Indian meal, then Gayatri and Muthu’s Curry along Race Course Road is worth visiting.

12. Museum of Shanghai Toys Amble through back to Serangoon Road, cross the busy street and into Rowell Road. This road is home to Singapore’s first toy museum, the Museum of Shanghai Toys. It showcases toys from China which have planted a very deep impression during the childhood days of most Singaporeans. You are able to take a piece of the museum back with you by purchasing a passport and stamping your way through while taking a self guided tour of the place.

13. Mustafa Centre Follow the trails of Serangoon Road and you will not miss Mustafa Centre, the only 24 hour shopping mall in Singapore. This is an interesting place and packed with people at all times especially in the wee hours of the mornings. The bargains are good as some of the lowest fixed prices in Singapore are found here. A must-visit for the budget conscious traveller!

14. Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple At the junction of Serangoon Road and Perumal Road, the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple stands. The temple was built back in 1855 and is one of two Hindu temples in Singapore gazetted as national monuments. The temple is opened to public from 6.30am to 12pm and 6pm to 9pm daily. Women who are experiencing their menstrual periods are not allowed to enter the temple.

15. Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple After exiting from the back of the temple, make a right turn and walk straight along Race Course Road. You will be greeted by two lions at the front gates of the Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple. Also known as the temple of 1000 lights, this temple’s unique feature is the Buddha sculpture measuring 50 feet high and weighing 300 tonnes. The bulbs surrounding the sculpture would be switched on every time a donor makes a donation. You can also have your fortune told for 50 cents. However, the temple is only opened from 8am to 4.45pm daily so you have to be early to take in the grandeur.

16. Leong San See Temple Upon exiting the temple, cross the road and head to your right. Leong San See Temple is the last temple along this road. This Buddhist temple was erected in the early 1900s and has one of the most detailed carvings beautifying the surroundings. It is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy and free vegetarian food is served to everyone during religious days. You will end your walking tour at Farrer Park MRT station.

Highlights
Singapore’s answer to a multi-racial country with its own ethnic enclaves can be found distinctly in Little India. To experience these unique treats to your senses, alight at Little India MRT station and you are not far away from the rest of the action.

Little India was a former settlement for Indian convicts and when Indians moved to this area in search of work as a number of buffalo yards and brick kilns were opened and cattle were reared due to the location of the Serangoon River, the population grew in numbers. This might also be the reason for the naming of the roads, Buffalo Road and Kerbau Road (Kerbau means Buffalo in Malay).

Take a deep breath and let your senses go in Little India, you would be able to smell the jasmine garlands and heady spices used for cooking and religious purposes, hear the upbeat and chirpy Hindi music blasting from the tiny music stores, literally taste the curries in the air, and see women walking around leisurely in bright-coloured saris. Walking along the five-foot ways of the refurbished shophouses, you might drop by a handicraft store where you can physically feel and witness intricate Indian designs.

Serangoon Road, being the oldest road in Singapore, and is marked on Ancient Maps as “the road through the island”, is the support of this unique ethnic enclave. At the south end of Serangoon Road, you can have your hands painted in henna or have your fortune told by a fortune-teller’s parakeet, just outside Tekka Centre. Turning down towards the parallel running Race Course Road, you will see the many classy and chic restaurants offering authentic Indian food and a few temples, including Leong San See temple and Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya temple. So let down your defences and try experiencing the Indian culture by eating with your fingers off a plate lined with a banana leaf for starters.

The Imperial Palace exudes one of the grandest airs about its surroundings. It is also the permanent residence of the royal family. The palace is being watched over by the Imperial Household Agency and their mission is to keep any scandals covered up. The whole architecture of the palace was completed in 1968, modeled and reconstructed after the Meiji Imperial Palace which was targeted by bombers in WWII.

On the same grounds, is where the Edo Castle, once the largest castle in the world had stood. The feudal lord who owned the castle was assassinated in 1486.

In a whole year, the palace is only opened to public twice – once on 2 January which is New Year’s Holiday and 23 December, the Emperor’s birthday. However, tourists may still wander around the outskirts of the palace’s premises as it is opened to the public daily. You will glimpse people exercising, the peaceful greenery and also, the famous double-barrelled bridge, Niju-bashi – the landmark of the Imperial Palace.

The Tokyo Tower is 333 metres tall and weighs about 4000 tonnes. The Eiffel Tower on the other hand, weighs a whopping 10100 tonnes!

Another point is that, the Tokyo Tower is painted in brilliant white and orange which is done so according to aviation safety regulations. If you were one of the lucky people who were in Japan to witness the premiere of The Matrix, you would have seen the Tokyo Tower in neon green.

The first level of the tower is home to an aquarium of 50,000 fishes, the third level is a wax museum and the fourth, a trick art gallery. Within the tower are also two observatory floors, the main one is at 150 metres high and the special one at 250 metres. Both are capable of a 360 degree view of Tokyo and even, Mount Fuji.

The Tokyo Tower may be seen from Tokyo Bay, so why not plan a short visit to the Rainbow Bridge as well, if time permits?

However, if you are staying at Shinjuku Washington Hotel, then you might want to visit the Shinjuku Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory instead for a higher view… Free!

Trivia: The Tokyo Tower was destroyed once. Who destroyed it?

Answer: Godzilla

The Tsukiji Fish Market consists of a large area divided into the inner market and the outer market. The auction of course, begins in the inner market. As of 10 May 2010, the auction area is opened to the public once again. It was closed for a period of time as human traffic was said to disrupt the daily processes of the retailers. Now, the public is only allowed to view the auction from a designated viewing area.

“The number of visitors to the tuna auction is limited to 140 per day, the maximum number which the market’s infrastructure can accommodate. Tourists, who wish to see the auction, have to apply at the Osakana Fukyu Center (Fish Information Center) at the Kachidoki Gate, starting from 4:30am on a first-come, first-serve basis. A first group of 70 visitors will be admitted to the auction between 5:00 and 5:40, while a second group of 70 visitors will be admitted between 5:40 and 6:15.

Expect that the maximum number of visitors is likely to be exceeded on busy days, and that some later arriving visitors may not be able to see the auction. Successful applicants will be able to view the auction from a designated visitor area. It is not allowed to view the auction from anywhere else or to use flash photography or to interfere with the business action in any other way.”

The outer market only opens its doors to the public from 9am. This consists of the other products on sale and restaurants where you are able to taste one of the freshest sashimi in Japan.

One thing to note: Drag/haul/force yourself out of bed as early as 3am! If you are going to catch the train, the earliest is 4.40am. So you might want to consider a taxi if you do not wish to be disappointed. The tickets go out very fast!

The experience as they say: is unimaginable and beautiful.

Pixar Animation Studios are currently holding an exhibition named Pixar: 20 Years of Animation, where it looks into the art and technology behind 20 years of pushing the limits of animators. The works of creators of masterpieces such as Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life, Wall-E, Cars, The Incredibles, Up and Ratatouille are displayed. If you have opted for the admission fee which includes a 3D movie, it would be a choice of either Toy Story 1, 2 or Up. For various card holders, there may be discounts, such as the Passion card, NTUC card and Safra card. My friend and I went with the Passion card which is much cheaper than just the exhibition itself and admits us into the main building of the Science Centre, which puts us back $18 each, plus we were able to catch the interesting Tesla Coil presentation!

The efforts put into designing the animation are more than commendable. They are of great quality and obviously, revealed the painstaking work behind the scenes of a simple movie. A standard movie takes about 4 years and 60000 storyboards before they appear on our big screens. The unique exhibition will end in Singapore as their last stop and return back to California. Such an opportunity is not to be missed as we are sure, it would not return to Southeast Asia anytime soon.

Also, be one of the few people to witness static 3D. What do I mean? How about watching 3D movies without the glasses?

The Meiji Shrine edifice was built in 1920 which was in honour of the Emperor Meiji and his Empress Shoken, who brought Japan out into the open, away from isolation which plagued them for the longest time. The original shrine was destroyed during the bombings of World War II and was reconstructed in 1958. It has 100000 trees surrounding the location and was donated by visitors from all over Japan. In order to reach the main Shrine, one has to walk quite a distance inwards, but the surroundings are peaceful and the air is fresh. Idyllic.

The reconstruction is very authentic to say the least, as they used hinoki cypress from Kiso, Nagano prefecture for the main structure and the cypress for the torii was imported from Alishan, Taiwan.

There is also a garden for leisure walks and strolls within the area of the shrine. But to visit it, visitors have to pay extra and queue in line.