Shangri-La Hotel

APNIC 35 will be held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore.

Address:	22 Orange Grove Road, 258350, Singapore
Email:	surhana.sayudi@shangri-la.com
Tel:	+65 6737 3644
Fax:	+65 6737 3257
Website:	http://www.shangri-la.com/singapore/shangrila

Shangri-La Room Rates
Superior/Deluxe Fully booked	SGD 320* (single)	SGD 365* (Twin)
Horizon Club Fully booked	SGD 385* (single)	SGD 425* (Twin)
Garden Wing Rooms Fully booked	SGD 370* (single)	SGD 410* (Twin)

* Room rates include room and internet access only. Rates are subjected to Singapore prevailing taxes.

Shangri-La Fact Sheet

Located in Southeast Asia, Singapore has a land area of about 710 square kilometres, making her one of the smallest countries in the world. A bustling cosmopolitan city, Singapore offers a world-class living environment, with her landscape populated by high-rise buildings and gardens.

One distinct Singaporean feature is the ubiquitous collage of cultures. Coming together as a society and living in harmony, there are four major cultures - Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian. Each community offers a different perspective of life in Singapore in terms of culture, religion, food and language.

At present, Singapore’s population stands at about five million people, with English as the main language of instruction, and a mother tongue for each major ethnicity.

Learn more about Singapore

Orchard Parade Hotel

Address:	1 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247905
Email:	sufiyantingasor@orchardparade.com.sg
Tel:	+65 6737 1133
Fax:	+65 6733 0242
Website:	www.orchardparade.com.sg
Booking Form:	Orchard Parade Hotel Booking Form
Online reservation:	Click here

Orchard Parade Room Rates
Superior Rooms Fully booked	SGD 200* (single)	SGD 200* (Twin)
Club Room Limited rooms available	SGD 285* (single)	SGD 315* (Twin)

* Room rates per night include room and internet access ONLY. Room rates are applicable for APRICOT 2013 delegates only. For Club Rooms, full club benefits will apply. Rates are subjected to Singapore prevailing taxes.

SEAMEO Regional Language Centre

Address:	30 Orange Grove Road, 258352 Singapore
Email:	reservations@relcih.com.sg isabelita.paas@relc.org.sg
Tel:	+65 6885 7888
Fax:	+65 6733 9976
Website:	www.relcih.com
Booking Form:	RELC Booking Form

SEAMEO Room Rates
Executive Twin Rooms Fully booked	SGD 160* (single)	SGD 160* (Twin)
Deluxe Queen / King Fully booked	SGD 205* (single)	SGD 205* (Twin)

* Room rates include room and internet access only. Rates are subjected to Singapore prevailing taxes.

Traders Hotel

Address:	1A Cuscaden Road, 249716 Singapore
Email:	ths@tradershotels.com
Tel:	+65 6738 2222
Fax:	+65 6831 4314
Website:	www.tradershotels.com
Special Group Code:	APR180213
Booking form:	Traders Hotel Booking Form
Online Reservation:	Click here

Traders Hotel Room Rates
Superior/Deluxe Rooms Fully booked	SGD 220* (single)	SGD 240* (Twin)
Traders Club	SGD 330* (single)	SGD 370* (Twin)

* Room rates include room and internet access only. Rates are subjected to Singapore prevailing taxes. Rates are subjected to Singapore prevailing taxes.

Entry to Singapore

Apart from visitors from some Assessment Level I and II countries, most foreigners coming into Singapore do not require visas for entry and may be given up to 30-day social visit passes upon their arrival in Singapore.

However, participants are strongly advised to make sure they fulfill all legal requirements to enter Singapore. Besides a valid passport, an entry visa may also be required.

Countries requiring visas

Foreigners holding travel documents issued by the following countries will require a visa to enter Singapore:

Assessment Level I Countries
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Myanmar, Nigeria, Russia, People's Republic of China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Holders of Hong Kong Document of Identity, Holders of Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Travel Permit, Commonwealth of Independent States.

Assessment Level II Countries
Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, Holders of Palestinian Authority Passport, Temporary Passport issued by the United Arab Emirates, and Refugee Travel Document issued by Middle-East countries.

For more information on your entry visa to enter Singapore, please visit the official website of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore.

For more information on duty-free concession and GST relief, click here.

For more information on controlled and prohibited goods, click here.

For further enquiries , please email apricot2013@sgnic.sg

Getting around Singapore

Taxis

Taxis are easily available at the designated taxi zones located outside of arrival halls on all airport terminals. The estimated cost to go to the city center (Orchard Road Vicinity) is approximately SGD 30 and the journey will take approximately 30 minutes.

For more information, click here.

MRT train

From the Singapore Changi International Airport, you will need to take the MRT to Tanah Merah Station and transfer to a west bound train (green line) which will take you straight into the city centre.

In Singapore, to travel on MRT you will need to purchase an ez-link card from any Transitlink Ticket Office within the MRT stations. Stored value ez-link cards come with a minimum stored value of SGD 10. The remaining amount in your stored value card is refundable at any Transitlink Ticket Office within the MRT station.

For more information and to download the MRT route map go to www.smrt.com.sg or www.streetdirectory.com, which will also highlight some of the major buildings and amenities around respective SMRT stations, bus stops and places of interest.

Public bus

From the Singapore Changi International Airport, public bus service 36 goes to the city. The first bus arrives at around 6:00 am and the last leaves at midnight.  A single fare costs below SGD 3 and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to go to the city centre (Orchard Road Vicinity). Bus stops are located at the basement bus bays of Terminals 1, 2 and 3.

To travel on the Public Buses, you may pay cash or use the ez-link card. For cash, please have the exact change as no change will be given. For more information on the different bus services offered, please visit www.sbstransit.com.sg

Fast facts about Singapore

Calling code: +65
Currency: SGD
Time zone: UTC +8
Voltage: 230, 50Hz Type G adapter plug

Did you know chewing gum is banned in Singapore?

Your Singapore

Contact numbers

Emergency Hotlines
Police - 999
Ambulance - 995
Fire Brigade - 995
Flight Information - 1800 542 4422

Medical Services
Raffles Hospital (585 North Bridge Road) - (65) 6311 1111
Singapore General Hospital (Outram Road) - (65) 6222 3322
Gleneagles Hospital (6A Napier Road) - (65) 6473 7222

Credit Cards
American Express - 1800 396 6000
JCB - (65) 6734 0096
Diners Card - (65) 6416 0800
Visa - 800 448 1250
MasterCard - 800 110 0113

Foreign Embassies
Germany (50 Raffles Place) - (65) 6533 6002
Australia (25 Napier Road) - (65) 6836 4100
USA (27 Napier Road) - (65) 6476 9100
UK (100 Tanglin Road) - 6424 4200
Canada (1 George Street) - (65) 6854 5900
France (101 Cluny Park Road) - (65) 6880 7800

For more embassies, click here.

More useful information

Mobile phones

Singapore’s international dialing code is +65. There are three major telecommunications providers:

• MobileOne Pte Ltd (M1)
• Singapore telecommunications Ltd (SINGTEL)
• Starhub Pte Ltd (STARHUB)

If you have international roaming on your mobile while in Singapore, you do not have to press +65 - you will be automatically connected to the local numbers here. All Singapore telephone numbers have up to eight digits.

Public Telephones are abundant around Singapore. To avoid high roaming charges, you may consider purchasing international phone cards, which are available at convenient stores, supermarket customer counters, telco stores, and at hotel concierge services.

(No) Smoking

Cigarettes can be purchased at supermarkets and convenience stores by individuals aged 18 or over. Be aware that smoking is banned within many vicinities in Singapore and a maximum fine of SGD 1,000 may be imposed on offenders.

Smoking is an offense in all air-conditioned areas such as shopping centres, restaurants, entertainment outlets and cinemas, as well as on the SMRT (Singapore Mass Rapid Transit system), public buses, taxis, and in lifts.

A smoking ban has also been imposed on public eateries and within a five-metre radius from most building entrances, bus stops, taxi stands, and medical centres except for allocated smoking areas that are clearly marked with bright yellow paint.

Tax refunds

While you are in Singapore, you can get a refund on the 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on your purchases. Look out for retailers displaying the “Tax Refund” logo and spend SGD 100 or more to qualify. GST is refunded directly to you at selected retailers, Changi International Airport, or Seletar Airport on goods that are brought out of Singapore. A handling fee for the refund service may be deducted from the GST amount. Please note that tax refund is available for departure by air only.

Weather

Singapore's proximity to the equator means its climate is hot and humid, with little variation throughout the year. The average daytime temperature is 31ºC (88ºF), dropping to around 24ºC (75ºF) in the evening.

With no distinct seasons, Singapore will get occasional rain throughout the year, with heavy rainfall during monsoon season from October to December.

Linen and lightweight cotton clothing is recommended.

Currency

Singapore's currency is the Singaporean Dollar (SGD). Singapore's currency denominations are:

Coins	Notes
5 cents	SGD 2
10 cents	SGD 5
20 cents	SGD 10
50 cents	SGD 50
SGD 1	SGD 100
	SGD 500
	SGD 1,000

Money changing services can be found at the airport and most shopping centres and hotels.

You can also access the automated teller machines (ATMs) located everywhere in Singapore which accept most major credit cards and American Express.

Banks are usually open from 9:30 to 15:00, Monday through Friday and 9:30 to 11:30 on Saturday. Banks are usually closed on Sunday.

Major credit cards are also accepted at major retail outlets, cafés, and restaurants in Singapore.

Supply Voltage

Supply voltage is 230, 50Hz. Singapore utilizes the Type G British 3-pin Electrical Adapter Plug and Electrical Outlet. The Type G electrical plug is a British three-pin rectangular blade plug that has a protective fuse inside to protect cords from high-current circuits. Type G outlets generally include safety switches.

Language

English is widely spoken, and major languages include Mandarin, Tamil, and Bahasa. Most Singaporeans speak three or four languages!

"Singlish" slang

Singaporeans have adapted English usage, affectionately termed "Singlish", which borrows elements of all major languages spoken in Singapore. Here are a few phrases to help you settle in:

"Lah" A famous expression used at the end of a sentence for emphasis.
Example: Very funny, lah!

"Chope" To reserve a seat.
Example: We need to get there early to chope seats for our group.

"Kiasu" (pronounced 'kee-a-soo') From Hokkien dialect, meaning afraid to lose out to others or not to lose face.
Example: He sent his family to line up in different queues for the same item, so kiasu.

"Shiok" (pronounced 'shee-oak') From Malay, meaning fantastic or marvelous.
Example: That plate of steak was shiok!

"Auntie/Uncle" A generic address for middle aged or elderly persons to denote respect.
Example: Uncle, I would like to order a plate of noodles?