Singapore—A Shopper's Paradise

Clean, affluent (recent reports say it has the world's highest percentage of millionaires), and uber-modern-not to mention, English-speaking—the city-state of Singapore is perhaps the easiest place in Asia for a well-heeled (and well behaved!) expat or vacationer to assimilate. The public transit is excellent, whether you're taking the MRT subway system, the busses, or you're on foot. And, most importantly for some people, it's retail paradise. The area around Orchard Road (the main thoroughfare) and Scotts Road affords a breezy walk through a spectrum of world-class shopping.

Far East Plaza on Scotts Road is the first place to go as a tourist, according to insiders. Clothing retailers here range from fun fashion to traditional Singaporean silk shops to bespoke tailors to Chinese boutiques selling traditional Cheongsams. There are dozens of jewelers, specialty leather stores, and even a snakeskin purveyor. Great deals can be found on electronics and appliances as well.

Origins: Singapore's "Lion City"

In the 13th century, an exiled Sumatran prince seeking a new kingdom spotted a "Singa," the Sanskrit word for lion, on a nearby island. Viewing this as a positive omen, he chose the site for his city and called it Singapura, or Lion City. However, scholars contend that Singapore’s name is really a misnomer—the prince likely saw a tiger, given that lions have never lived in the region.

Photo Credit: Singapore (PhotoDisc)