Sentosa

Sentosa
Names:
English:	Sentosa
Chinese:	圣淘沙
(Pinyin:	shèng táo shā)
Malay:	Sentosa
Tamil:	satasa

Sentosa, which means tranquillity in Malay, is a popular island resort in Singapore, visited by some two million people a year. A major tourist attraction, it hosts a sheltered beach of more than two kilometres in length on its southern coast, a musical fountain which uses the interaction of lasers against water particles to create three-dimensional images, and historical fortifications in Fort Siloso, dating from World War II. There are also two golf courses and two 5-star hotels.

History

This island was once a fishing village known as Pulau Blakang Mati, which in Malay means the "Island (pulau) of Death (mati) From Behind (blakang)". During the Second World War, it was a British military fortress containing Fort Siloso.

The British set up defending artillery guns in Fort Siloso which were then pointed to the south, facing the sea in expectation of a seaward Japanese assault. However, the Japanese eventually invaded and captured Singapore from the north, after having done the same to Malaya (now known as West or Peninsular Malaysia).

Following the surrender of the Allied Forces on February 15, 1942, the island became a prisoner of war camp, housing Australian and British prisoners of the Japanese.

In 1967, the British, gave Sentosa to the newly independent government of Singapore. A year later, the government decided to develop the island into a holiday resort for local visitors and tourists. It was renamed “Sentosa”, which means tranquillity in Malay, from a suggestion by the public.

Geography

The island has an area of 5 square kilometres. It lies just half a kilometre (a quarter of a mile) away from the southern coast of the main island of Singapore. It is Singapore’s fourth largest island (excluding the main island). 70 % of the island is covered by secondary rainforest, the habitat of monitor lizards, monkeys, peacocks, parrots as well as other native fauna and flora. The island also has 3.2 kilometre stretch of white sand beach. Significantly large portions of land are currently being added to Sentosa due to land reclamation.

File:Sentosa map.jpg

Sentosa Island Resort (Source: Sentosa Development Corporation, Singapore)

Transport

Sentosa can be reached via a short causeway or cable car, which originates on Mount Faber and passes through HarbourFront, Singapore en route. Now, it is also accessible by a S$140 million Sentosa Express between Sentosa and the main island's train system. The Sentosa Express commenced operations on 15 January 2007. Now, visitors can easily transfer onto the Sentosa Express from VivoCity, which is in turn served by HarbourFront MRT Station on the North East Line. The journey takes four minutes. An uninterrupted chain of public transport will exist between Sentosa and some of the more remote towns in Singapore.

Within Sentosa there are four bus services, identified as Blue, Yellow, and Red lines, and a tram service called the Beach Train. A shuttle bus also connects the mainland and Sentosa from the HarbourFront Bus Interchange to the Visitor Arrival Centre at Beach Station. Tickets for the shuttle are sold at HarbourFront Bus Interchange for S$3 per ticket.

Since 1998, passenger cars have been allowed to enter the island.

Attractions

Sentosa offers a variety of attractions and museums providing different experiences to visitors.

• The Merlion & Merlion Walk

Get ready for a fascinating encounter with the biggest replica of Singapore's most enduring symbol - The Merlion. Standing at 37 metres high, this half-lion, half-fish creature brings you to the depth of the sea as you walk side-by-side with legendary sea dragons and mythical mermaids. Relive the origins of the Merlion in an enchanting animation feature and discover what fortune lies in store for you at the mouth of the Mercubs. Get a glimpse of the Merlion view where you will be rewarded with a 360° view of Sentosa and Singapore's southern shores. From the Mouth Gallery Viewing Deck on level 9, you can even spot Singapore's impressive skyline.

When you're done gazing at the splendid views, head out the back and stroll down the Merlion Walk, a 120-metre-long Gaudi-inspired mosaic walkway.

• Cable Car

S$9.90/ Adult, S$4.50/ Child for a one-way trip from HarbourFront Tower 2 S$10.90 / Adult & S$5.50 / Child for a return trip. (Child 3 - 12 yrs old)

S$15 / Adult & S$8 / Child for Glass cabin return trip. Log on to www.mountfaber.com.sg for more details.

Operating hours: 8.30am - 11pm daily

• The Dolphin Lagoon is home to some Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins where visitors can observe their skills and intelligence in the water.
• A Musical Fountain entertains visitors with dancing jets of water, laser, and song while introducing the history of Sentosa. The refractive and reflective effect of laser against water particles from several directions then create a three-dimensional image.

• Sentosa Luge & Skyride

Sentosa brings you the first ever luge in Southeast Asia. Part go-cart, part-toboggan, pure excitement – the luge is a fun-filled gravity ride that's safe for all ages. With a unique steering and braking system that allows you to make the ride as leisurely or as exciting as you want. Jump on the Sentosa Luge & Skyride and brace yourself for a brand new island resort adventure!

What's more! - Experience the Night Sentosa Luge & Skyride! If you love the day luge, you will find irresistible with the night ones! Sentosa Luge & Skyride now operates from 10am in the morning all the way till late at night. Come on, discover this new experience now!

• Sky Tower

Singapore's tallest observatory tower offers panoramic views at 131 metres above sea level across Singapore, Sentosa, Southern Islands, right up to neighboring Malaysia and the Indonesian islands. The Sky Tower has a capacity of 72 in its enclosed, air-conditioned cabin. Day or night, views from the tower promise to be both scenic and breathtaking. Located adjacent to the Sentosa cable car station, the Sky Tower is a key point of interest and forms a distinctive landmark as it soars above the surrounding natural greenery. Tower height: 110m View height: 131m from sea level Tower column diameter: 2.5m Foundation diameter: 15m Cabin capacity: 72 persons

Operating hours/Ticket Sales: 9am - 9.30pm (last ride 9.45pm)

For more information on Sky Tower, visit http://www.skytower.com.sg

• Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom

Stroll through the lush surrounds of the Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom and allow 1,500 live butterflies – from over 50 species – to flutter about you as you enjoy the cool outdoor conservatory. Watch the blossoming of new life at the Live Pupae house or admire up to 3,000 species of the world's most beautiful and rare insects, which includes the largest Dynastes Hercules beetle ever recorded – all 160mm of it!

• Sentosa 4D Magix

For a mind-blowing interactive experience, nothing beats Sentosa 4D Magix! Built at a cost of S$3.5 million, this state-of-the-art theatre offers you a whole new generation of movie magic. Through the synchronisation of a full spectrum of visual effects, surround sound, individually-controlled motion seats and special "live" environmental effects such as water spray, all your senses will be fully engaged like never before! For more information on Sentosa 4D Magix, visit http://www.sentosa4Dmagix.com.sg

• Fort Siloso

Singapore's only preserved coastal fort stands as an important window to our colonial past and a poignant reminder of the war years. It has the largest collection of World War II memorabilia with life-sized replicas, interactive exhibits and even authentic aromas are lovingly recreated. Visitors can browse through more than 245 photographs, documents and film clips on display. When 'classes' are over, head out into the sunshine and examine actual 17th century guns and cannons, or explore the old tunnels. And while you're here, be sure to check out two new docudramas about the war years, three new routes and some brand-new exhibits, guaranteed to make history leap out at you.

Future development

Future plans for Sentosa aim to establish it as one of the world's most luxurious holiday locations, with a SGD$10 billion masterplan for the future involving the construction of private housing, the aforementioned partial redevelopment of Siloso Beach, and Asia's first tourism academy. This large scale island redevelopment projects are expected to complete in 2012.

The largest impact is expected to be from a family-oriented Integrated Resort, with a casino at its core. This world-class Integrated Resort is expected to be completed in 2009. A resort operator/developer will be chosen by the end of 2005. Development of the resort will be financed privately and will not receive any government subsidies.

External links

• Sentosa official website
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