Photo tour with RIA Novosti: Singapore

The most well-known symbol of Singapore is the Merlion, a half-lion and half-fish creature from a Singaporean legend. The country, island and city of Singapore are all named in honor of the lion: "Singa" means lion and "pura" city.

The most famous Merlion, which is 8.6 meters tall, weighs 70 metric tons, and is visited by more than one million tourists every year, now stands at the mouth of the three-kilometer Singapore River. It is flanked by its smaller counterpart, which is only two meters high.

The Fullerton Hotel, which was specially built in 1928 as a symbol of Singapore, is located nearby. The hotel stands on the site of Fort Fullerton, which was first constructed in the 1820s.

Sir Stamford Raffles transformed Singapore from a humble fishing village into a bustling “free port” in the early 19th century. As the founder of modern Singapore, he is another symbol of the city-state.

Singapore’s Chinatown. Immigrants from China make up more than 75% of the population of the island state.

There is no shortage of Buddhist temples in Chinatown, such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, which is housed in a gold stupa weighing 420 kilograms.

Sri Mariamman, the oldest Hindu temple in the country, is also located in Chinatown, only 200 meters from the Buddha Temple.

One of the oldest mosques on the island is located nearby.

This Armenian church was built in 1835, making it the oldest church in Singapore.

A Russian Orthodox church opened its doors recently.

For some, the symbol of Singapore is the recently opened Singapore Flyer, the tallest Ferris wheel in the world.

Another symbol of Singapore is the Istana (which means “palace”), the workplace of the president and prime minister of the island state, and the location of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s recent interview with RIA Novosti. Taking photographs of the Istana is prohibited, and the photographers were allowed to take pictures only of the prime minister. So a shot of the entrance to the Istana on Orchard Road will have to suffice.

Singapore is also famous for its golden orchids, which are real flowers coated in an extra-fine layer of gold.