The art of porcelain-making reached its pinnacle during the Ming and Qing dynasties of ancient China. The Ming Village allows visitors to own a little bit of this colourful history. It makes excellent reproductions of the finest pieces of that era using age-old techniques. Here, the complete traditional process from mould-making and handthrowing to glazing, hand-painting and firing is all housed under one roof. Visitors can watch the craftsmen at work and choose from an extensive selection of porcelain on sale.

On Kusu Island, there is a Malay shrine and a Chinese temple with an interesting legend woven around them. A giant sea turtle is believed to have saved two shipwrecked sailors - a Malay and a Chinese from drowning. As an act of thanks, the two men built a Chinese temple, Malay shrine and a huge turtle sculpture on the island. Taoists make annual pilgrimages to the Tua Pekong Temple during the ninth lunar month, while Muslims visit Kramat Kusu, a Malay shrine. Stunning views of the mainland can be seen from Kusu's beaches and its hilltop. The warm waters of the lagoon are ideal for swimming.

Arabs were among the first to arrive in Singapore to trade, bringing with them the Islamic religion and converting many indigenous Malays to their belief. Today the old section of the city around Arab Street provides an intriguing glimpse into the Muslim way of life.

The Sultan Mosque dominates the area, a fantastic building with its impressive gold dome and vast prayer hall. Arab Street itself is a riot of colourful textiles from all over Asia at very low prices. Also on sale, overflowing from the shop houses onto the pavement, are saris and batik, basketry, leather goods, cane and rattan, jewellery and hand-beaten brass, perfumes and a host of other treasures

Little India, centred around Serangoon Road, embodies the vibrant and colourful culture of the Indian community in Singapore. Women in graceful saris and turbaned Sikhs go about their daily business in the Zhujiao Centre, where a bewildering selection of food is on sale. Small shops abound, selling bolts of glittering silks, temple garlands, gold jewellery and spices that are ground in front of you. The Hindu religion plays an important part in the life of Little India, and the Sri Veerama Kaliaman and Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temples in the area are well worth visiting

Here amidst narrow streets of picturesque shophouses and restaurants brimming with life, the temple idol carvers, herbalists, calligraphers, traders and trishaw drivers pursue a way of life that has changed little for generations. Incense stream from the old temples, the elderly spread their wares out on the pavement for sale and sea cucumbers, regarded as a delicacy, dry in the sun. Much of Chinatown has recently been renovated, but the old traditions endure. A walk around the streets of Tanjong Pagar reveals local craftsmen at work making clogs, kites and traditional seals for stamping documents.