The New Year started off with a bang in the Lion City and the action is set to continue right throughout the  year. Whether you are planning to stay for seven hours or seven days, use the following A-Z guide to help you discover the very best Singapore has to offer.

Ann Siang Road – A shopper's paradise housing a variety of niche and cutting edge stores in historic shophouses including Asylum (22 Ann Siang Rd), an art space and store  rolled into one and Front Row (5 Ann Siang Rd), where you can mix shopping with a deli and a cup of tea.

Bars – Whether you are after a classic beer, or the latest cocktail doing the rounds, Singapore has a venue for you. Archipelago CraftBeer (Clarke Quay) houses Asian flavoured beer with ingredients like tamarind and palm sugar; enjoy a tipple at Tasting Notes (Robertson Quay) for the latest in wine with 200 plus choices; or to end the night, visit the Butter Factory (Robertson Quay) which offers arty types the latest in art exhibitions and hip cocktails while enjoying the groovy beats.

Coffee and Tea Singapore style – Singaporeans refer to tea as "teh" and coffee as "kopi". Served in no frills cups, the local method of brewing tea and coffee features the use of a muslin bag through which tea leaves and coffee powder are strained. Drop by a local hawker centre for a sample.

Deepavali _ Singapore's Hindu celebration takes place during November. The streets of Little India are lit up with thousands of fairy lights and market stalls line the streets as Singapore's Indian community celebrate the Festival of Lights and good over evil.

Eng Seng Restaurant – don't let the queue faze you – their succulent signature Black Chilli Crabs are definitely worth the wait. (241 Joo Chiat Place).

 Fish Reflexology - for something a little different enjoy a fish reflexology treatment. Relax as you enjoy a unique pedicure session undertaken by live spa fish followed by a relaxing foot massage by a qualified reflexoloigst.

Geylang Clapot Rice – Locals swear this is the best place to enjoy this simple Cantonese dish, a definite "must try" meal in Singapore. (639 Lorong, 33 Geylang)

Hawker Centres –Singapore's popular hawker centres are dotted around the island and offer a diverse range of food – including Malaysian, IndonesianChinese,  Indian,  Indonesian and Korean – all  at incredibly low prices. Make sure you visit favourite centres such as Lau Pa Sat (Boon Tat St) and Newton Circus (Bukit Timah Rd) and don't forget to grab your napkins from a local street store or MRT station – they will come in handy not only to clean up after your meal but to reserve your seat by placing them on your table before ordering.

Island Getaway – Sentosa is often referred to as Singapore's island escape and can be reached by either cable car or bridge. A great place for young and old alike, popular attractions include Underwater World, The Luge, Butterfly and Insect Kingdom and a flying trapeze for learners to name a few.

Jungle Breakfast at the Zoo – Singapore's famous Jungle Breakfast lets you get in touch with your wild side. Dine with the orang utans and the reticulated python before munching into a delicious breakfast. Make sure you also visit the newly opened Rainforest@KidsWorld where the kids can enjoy the rides and water fun!

Katong – home to Singapore's Peranakan culture with its picturesque old homes and quaint stores. Ruma Bebe's beautiful shophouse is where you can learn the art of beading and at Kim Choo Kueh's dumpling house, you can discover the secret ingredients of this delicious traditional treat.

Laska Wars - there is already a contentious battle between Chilli Crab and Laska to be named Singapore's official dish - but Laska has its own war going. The territorial tussle which is known as the Katong Laska Wars is between four stalls (47, 49, 57 and 328) along the same stretch of East Coast Road and has been brewing for more than two decades. Make sure you select your favourite when next in the Lion City.

Merlion - as Singapore's national tourism icon, this half-fish, half-lion statue symbolises Singapore's humble beginnings as a fishing village and its name Singapura (Lion City), given by Prince Sang Nila Utama. Now located at the head of the river at Merlion Park, it is visited by over 1 million people each year as the obligatory tourist photo shot.

National Museum - Reopening after extensive renovations in 2006, the Museum houses four living galleries representing Singapore's history in terms of food, fashion, film and photography. (93 Stamford Rd)

One Rochester - A beautifully restored black and white bungalow, this is the perfect place to relax and let the day turn into night as you sip back with your favourite drink (1 Rochester Park).

Pink Parlour - a trip to Singapore would not be complete without a visit to a spectacular spa. Pink Parlour is a swanky 4 storey boutique spa where you can enjoy an oxygen facial before your Ginseng PediSpa, or your yoga session on the rooftop sky lounge (63 Kim Yam Road).

Quarters - Singapore's ethnic quarters offer visitors insights into a variety of cultures. Be mesmerised by the gold stores and sari shops as you wander through Little India, take a step back in time in Chinatown when exploring the Chinatown Heritage Centre (48 Pagoda St), or discover the delights of Kampong Glam, Singapore's Malay quarter.

Robertson Quay - this bustling waterfront area rounds off Singapore's trio of quays, also including Clarke and Boat Quays. Previously the site of merchants – offices, warehouses and jetties, Robertson Quay offers a more laid-back atmosphere for dining and entertainment by the Singapore River. 

Singapore Sling – no trip to Singapore would be complete without a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel (1 Beach Rd). Alternatively you can also sit back in the hotel's courtyard and enjoy a decadent evening under the stars.

Tanglin Village – now home to many new "inæ restaurants and bars including hidden oasis Oosh (Blk 22), the intimate Hacienda (Blk 13A), and PS Café (Blk 28B), a chic Australian inspired bistro serving mouth-watering cuisine.

Upper Thomson Road – Food is always on the mind in Singapore and this location is no different. With plenty of choices along this 400 metre strip, the area is fast gaining a reputation as a food stretch for all. With cafes, hawker centres, restaurants and delis to suit any budget or taste, just don't wait too late to go - you won't be able to get in!

Velvet Dragon – Following a revamp this club is gearing up for a bright new year. Adorned in red plush velvet sofas and chandeliers, you can party the night away in luxury (6 Eu Tong Sen Street).

Wala Wala – the perfect place when you want to just relax. The mood is laid back and chilled out with music and live bands every night (31 Lorong Mambong, Holland Village)

Xi Yan – (38A Craig Road) putting the X in eXclusive, this unassuming restaurant with no street sign has a two month waiting list. Heralded for its delicious food and stunning presentation, the house speciality is a fixed price 13 course Yin Yang degustation menu.

Yeo Swee Huat – 15 Upper Circular Rd., Chinatown. This simple workshop specialises in handcrafted paper effigies. Visitors will be fascinated by the colourful models, cars and houses  meant to be burnt as offerings to one's ancestors for their enjoyment in the afterlife. The shop also crafts traditional Chinese lanterns for auspicious purposes.

Zouk – constantly voted one of the world's best dance venues, it continues to attract clubbers from across the globe as well as top international DJs. Party until the wee hours of the morning at Phuture, Velvet Underground, or unwind at the Wine Bar (17 Jiak Kim St)

For more information about Singapore, log onto www.visitsingapore.com or in Sydney contact the Singapore Tourism Board on (02) 9290 2888.

(courtesy of Anne Wild & Associates Pty Ltd and Singapore Tourism Board)

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13 Singaporean sweets  see slideshow.