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Thursday, 31 December 2020
8 of the most beautiful bookstores and libraries in Asia
Books have a way of transporting us to different worlds, allowing us to wander through various time periods or even completely foreign universes. This is perhaps why printed matter continues to hold many people in thrall, with a good number of travellers making it a point to seek out particular bookstores or libraries when they visit a new destination.
While we wait with cautious optimism for international borders to open up again, we’ve scoped out eight spectacular spaces across the world for book lovers to find their kin.
1. Zhongshuge Bookstore – Hangzhou, China
Featured in numerous design and architecture magazines, this sprawling bookstore is famed for its wraparound bookshelves and ingenious use of mirrors. The ceilings are covered with hundreds of mirrored panels, creating the illusion that the shelves are double their actual height, while the far end of the store is covered with even more mirrors so that the outside environment is reflected inwards. Designed to be a futuristic forest of sorts, the display columns are arranged in a way to evoke the sense of towering trees, while zigzagging benches are positioned along the length of the store – much like a creek meandering through the woods.
2. Wuguan Books – Kaohsiung, Taiwan
First, there was dining in the dark. And now, there’s reading in the dark. With its almost pitch-dark environment and dimly-lit book displays, this bookstore in one of Taiwan’s largest metropolises is a nod to those late nights spent covertly reading under your blanket with a flashlight. With its clever use of mixed lighting elements, the books look as if they are “floating” in the dark. There are 400 bookshelves in the store, each housing just one “floating” book. This is so that shoppers are able to focus on every book as an individual entity, instead of the usual browsing experience of scanning rows and rows of different titles at one go.
3. Candide Books & Café – Bangkok, Thailand
Come for the coffee, stay for the tomes and good vibes. While the bookstore only carries Thai-language titles, you can also peruse the many art and photography books available. Set in a quiet, leafy complex along the Chao Phraya River, this indie bookstore features vaulted ceilings, exposed cement floors and rows of books lined on wooden shelves. With its relaxed ambience and great selection of coffee and desserts, this is the perfect hideout for bookworms to while away an entire afternoon.
4. T-Site Tsutaya – Tokyo, Japan
Tsutaya is Japan’s biggest name in book, music, and movie retail, and their Daikanyama branch is the jewel in their crown. Awarded “World’s Best Shopping Centre” at the World Architecture Festival Awards 2013, this expansive bookstore is sprawled across three interlinked buildings, each adorned with lattices of interlocking Ts (for Tsutaya, of course). Be prepared to spend hours here, poring over a wide range of English- and Japanese-language titles alongside antique editions and magazine back issues. There is even an on-site cocktail bar, serving creative concoctions with a side of vintage periodicals.
5. Tianjin Binhai Library – Tianjin, China
With its pure-white, floor-to-ceiling terraced bookshelves and its cathedral-like ceilings, this stunning library looks more like the set of a futuristic sci-fi film than a space for introverted bookworms. However, this cultural hub continues to draw plenty of visitors (it was founded in 2017), presently attracting more than 2.5 million people each year. In the middle of the five-level library is a large luminous sphere, nicknamed “The Eye” because it resembles an iris and can be seen from the park outside through an eye-shaped opening.
6. Starfield Library – Seoul, South Korea
This library brings books to the masses – literally. Spread across two floors in the middle of the bustling COEX Mall, this public reading space features muted lighting, plush sofas and plenty of cosy nooks for people to take a break in between their shopping. With more than 50,000 Korean and international titles as well as over 400 types of magazines available, you’ll be spoiled for choice here. Fun fact: This photogenic library was featured in the popular 2020 K-drama Record of Youth, starring Park Bo-gum and Park So-dam.
7. The Library – Koh Samui, Thailand
Set against the dreamy backdrop of Chaweng Beach, this conceptual resort was designed to look and feel like a minimalist-chic bibliotheca. Its 26 rooms and suites are intentionally understated, giving guests plenty of space to think and write. If you need inspiration, you only need to pop into the on-site library, which carries over 1,400 books in a variety of languages as well as an array of movies and music. Before you get too preoccupied with your tome, do take a dip in the resort’s iconic Red Pool, so named because of its orange, yellow and red mosaic tiles that lend the water a dazzling hue.
8. Rampur Raza Library – Rampur, India
Widely considered to be one of the most important literary spaces in South Asia, this library was founded in 1774 and houses some of the most treasured works from writers, poets, painters, calligraphers and musicians across different generations. The colossal complex is built in the Indo-Saracenic style, with design elements that draw from Hindu, Victorian Gothic and Islamic traditions. Within its walls are over 17,000 manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, Pashto, Sanskrit, Urdu, Hindi and Turkish languages, as well as a collection of around 60,000 books in various Indian and foreign languages.
Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours as well as booking and seating requirements before visiting, and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about.
To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights, visit singaporeair.com. For updates and travel advisories, please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
SEE ALSO: 13 travel writers share their top travel books
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Wednesday, 30 December 2020
Singapore and the post-COVID world - Observer Research Foundation
Singapore and the post-COVID world Observer Research Foundation
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Singapore and the post-COVID world - Observer Research Foundation
Singapore and the post-COVID world Observer Research Foundation
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Singapore and the post-COVID world - Observer Research Foundation
Singapore and the post-COVID world Observer Research Foundation
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Tuesday, 29 December 2020
Singapore and the post-COVID world - Observer Research Foundation
Singapore and the post-COVID world Observer Research Foundation
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Singapore and the post-COVID world - Observer Research Foundation
Singapore and the post-COVID world Observer Research Foundation
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Monday, 28 December 2020
How personal heritage shapes lives - National Geographic Traveler Magazine
How personal heritage shapes lives National Geographic Traveler Magazine
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7 heritage restaurants to dine in Singapore for a taste of nostalgia
1. Shashlik Restaurant
The well-loved Russo-Hainanese restaurant was opened in 1985 by a group of colleagues from Troika, a restaurant serving similar cuisine. Shashlik closed in December 2015 but was revived and reopened in March 2016 after a facelift. Though the restaurant received a fresh coat of paint, and new carpeting and furniture, it looks largely the same at its Far East Shopping Centre location. Even better, diners can still taste the old school dishes that made Shashlik the place to be in the 80s and 90s: items like Cherry Jubilee (prepared table-side), shashlik of beef and of course, the signature borscht soup. Don’t miss the original doors to Shashlik’s kitchen at the far end of the restaurant.
2. Roland Restaurant
Roland Restaurant is the de facto home of the chilli crab. It’s said that Madam Cher Yam Tian, the mother of Roland Lim, the current owner-operator of the restaurant, created the dish after her husband asked her to cook up something creative with the crabs he had caught. The couple then, in 1956, started selling it at their modest eatery by the beach in East Coast. Little did Madam Cher know that many decades later, her creation would eventually become one of the iconic – and some say, national – dishes of Singapore. When at Roland, try other dishes created and popularised by her as well: deep-fried baby squid and you char kway (dough fritters) stuffed with squid paste.
3. Red Star Restaurant
One of the few places in Singapore where one can partake in dim sum the traditional way – selecting the bite-size treats from push carts – Red Star was opened in 1974 by four local chefs who were collectively known as the culinary Heavenly Kings. The decor and layout remains largely unchanged, so dining there can give you a major case of nostalgia. Besides a large variety of dim sum, this restaurant also serves up affordable, authentic Cantonese fare and a good dose of nostalgia with its charmingly aged decor and elderly servers.
4. Islamic Restaurant
Biryani (spiced rice) is the calling card of this grand old dame (said to have been established in 1914), who boasts royalty as part of its long list of loyal customers. The Indian-Muslim restaurant was started by chef M. Abdul Rahman and is now run by his grandson, who still serves up favourites such as chicken Mysore and roti Mariam. The must-try at this North Bridge Road mainstay, of course, is the biryani, which comes in chicken, mutton and fish versions.
5. Lai Wah
Famous for being the birthplace of yu sheng (raw fish salad), a must-have at Chinese New Year celebratory meals in Singapore, Lai Wah was opened in 1963 by Wong Kok Lum together with two of the four culinary Heavenly Kings. Today, the no-frills spot is operated by the descendants of Wong, and besides yu sheng, other must-tries invented at the restaurant include the yam pot with shredded meat and Mandarin stewed chicken.
6. Spring Court
Opened in 1929 by Ho Loke Yee, Spring Court prides itself as being Singapore’s oldest family-run restaurant. Serving what it calls Singapore Chinese Cuisine, it is known for popularising dishes such as roast suckling pig and popiah (fresh spring rolls). Situated in an elegant four-storey heritage shophouse, it is now run by third-generation members of the Ho family.
7. Warong Nasi Pariaman
Possibly the longest-surviving nasi padang (rice with mixed dishes) establishment in Singapore, Warong Nasi Pariaman is well known for its authentic dishes, such as beef rendang (dried beef curry) and ayam bakar (grilled chicken). Set up by Jumrin Isrin in 1948, the restaurant began life as a warong (coffeeshop) before it grew into a full-fledged eating house. He has since retired and passed on the business to his wife and children, who still operate it at Kandahar Street.
– TEXT BY ESTHER AU YONG
SEE ALSO: 5 heritage trails to check out in Singapore
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings on 19 June 2017.
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Sunday, 27 December 2020
Saturday, 26 December 2020
Rediscover Singapore with our weekend itinerary
While lazing on the couch and starting on our umpteenth Netflix series seems like a great way to spend the weekend, with phase three about to begin in Singapore on 28 December, there’s no better time to spend a weekend outside soaking in the holiday festivities.
It’ll be some time before international borders reopen and we’re able to kick back on a white-sand beach in the Maldives, embark on a languorous wine tour through the south of France or revel in the bright neon lights of Tokyo. So why not play tourist in your own country for a weekend? Who knows, you could discover aspects of the Little Red Dot that you may have previously overlooked.
Just be sure to mask up, practise safe distancing at all times and keep your group to a maximum of eight people. When dining in, only remove your mask when consuming food or beverages, and try to head to attractions during off-peak times. Be sure to check the venues’ websites or social media accounts before heading down to confirm opening times and admission details, as you’d most likely be required to make a booking beforehand.
SATURDAY
8AM
Start your weekend bright and early at the Singapore Botanic Gardens – the first and only tropical botanical garden to be named a Unesco World Heritage Site. Highlights include the Ginger Garden, which showcases a few hundred species of the eponymous plant and its relatives; and the famed National Orchid Garden, which is dedicated to our national flower. You can also check out the CDL Green Gallery for botanical- or greening-related exhibits that will be changed every six to nine months.
10AM
Exit through the Gardens’ Tanglin Gate and take a short stroll across the road to Dempsey Hill for breakfast. The hilly, jungle-festooned enclave offers plenty of alfresco dining options, so you can enjoy your croissant and coffee with a side of fresh air. Consider dropping by Tiong Bahru Bakery Safari to sample their freshly baked pastries or head over to PS.Cafe if you’re in the mood for a classic big breakfast or serving of fluffy pancakes.
12PM
Now that you’re sufficiently fuelled up, make your way over to Gardens by the Bay to meander through the open-air areas, gaze up at the striking Supertrees and visit the Flower Dome. The latter has launched Pocket Gardens Surprise, a rotating series of mini garden displays that will change every fortnight. Currently on display is the Poinsettia Wishes that brings a slice of European-holiday cheer to the tropics with a reimagined Gouda City Hall and Christmas nutcrackers. There’s also the fascinating Orient Express pop-up exhibition at the West Lawn where you’d get to see two original train carriages and precious antiquated items, as well as the Walk of Lights by Christmaas Wonderland, a scenic 370m self-guided tour to view eight light installations, including a spectacular 17m tall Spalliera.
1.30PM
Make your way to Marina Bay Sands, for its highly lauded signature restaurants. You can get your fill of burgers and fries at Black Tap, tuck into modern British grub at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen, treat yourselves to a hearty steak at CUT by Wolfgang Puck, sample the fried chicken at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar or indulge in modern Chinese cuisine at Mott 32.
3PM
The ArtScience Museum is a great place to while away the afternoon. Get intrigued by key exhibitions such as Future World: Where Art Meets Science, an interactive digital odyssey into the future created with interdisciplinary art collective teamLab; and Planet or Plastic? which takes a look at the global plastic pollution crisis through powerful photographs. Don’t miss Margins: drawing pictures of home, which showcases the works of 15 Singapore photographers and offers deeper insights into our surroundings.
5PM
Head back outside and meander your way along the coastal walking path towards East Coast Park. Along the way, you’ll pass picturesque sights such as the Bay East Garden and Marina Barrage – perfect for taking a short break and snapping a couple of photos as the sun sets. Once you’ve reached the edge of the park, make a beeline for the beach and enjoy a few moments of calm as you gaze out into the ocean.
8PM
For dinner under the stars, you can head to riverside restaurant Summerlong, which brings to mind tropical beachside vibes, or opt to head further east to Little Island Brewing Co at Changi Village. The former is a breezy, fully outdoor restaurant specialising in Mediterranean nosh (we recommend the selection of skewers that are charcoal roasted to perfection). Meanwhile, the latter is a casual brewery and smokehouse with craft beers on tap and a menu filled with hearty options such as wood-fired pizzas, burgers and meat platters.
SUNDAY
8.30AM
Begin your day with breakfast at Wildseed Café & Bar, a spacious and picturesque restaurant at Seletar Aerospace Park. Sample the smashed avocado toast with either mushroom or bacon (both come on toasted ciabatta bread and are dressed with marinated tomatoes and pea shoots) or the Atas Kaya Toast (which comes with sourdough, kaya, butter, gula melaka, fresh coconut and a sous vide egg) if you prefer something sweet. Wash it all down with a long black or iced latte.
10AM
Take a 20-minute drive or cab ride over to Mandai, where you can visit either the Singapore Zoo or the River Safari. Although some offerings at both venues remain suspended, it’s a great time to get a closer look at the animals without having to jostle with the crowds. Both attractions have a time-based entry system, so be sure to purchase your tickets online and select a specific time of entry before your visit.
1PM
From Mandai, travel down all the way down to Sentosa for lunch at Panamericana, which has outdoor seating that overlooks the Sentosa Golf Club greens and the Singapore Strait beyond. There’s something for everyone here: meat lovers can feast on Mexican beef brisket tacos, a whole Colombian chicken to share or seven-hour wood-fired lamb; while vegetarians can choose between the Panamerican Sofrito Rice (saffron, scamorza cheese, grilled asparagus, string beans and baby corn) and the British Columbia salad (red cabbage, fennel, apple, beetroot, dates and seeds).
3PM
Stave off the food coma by visiting either Universal Studios Singapore or S.E.A Aquarium. While the former won’t be relaunching all activities at this time – for instance, parades, shows and street entertainment are still on hold – you’ll be able to take advantage of shorter waiting times for the rides. S.E.A Aquarium, on the other hand, is where you can get a closer look at over 100,000 marine animals across 50 different habitats. Be sure to book advanced tickets for both venues online.
6PM
After a non-stop day, take a moment to rest, recharge and take in the sunset at Tanjong Beach Club. Have a leisurely swim in the pool or grab a seat on one of the beachside daybeds and order up a sundowner. For something refreshing, go for the Tanjong Spritz (Aperol, vanilla, orange, fresh lemon and bubbles) or the Porto Summer Spritz (white port infused with rosemary, apple, pear, tonic and homemade orange bitters). Both can be ordered as either a glass or a pitcher and are best paired with nibbles such as truffle fries, yellowfin tuna crackers and crispy calamari. Reservations are highly encouraged.
8PM
Perhaps one of the most-anticipated new restaurant openings of 2020, Lucali BYGB – a partnership between Mark Ioacono of famed New York pizza joint Lucali and BYGB Hospitality’s Gibran Baydoun – has taken over the Kampong Bugis space formerly occupied by Kilo Kitchen. Diners can expect everything from lasagna loaded with beef, béchamel, mozzarella and Parmesan to a hearty salad made with radicchio, asparagus, salami, provolone, olive and tomato to, of course, their signature pies. Don’t leave without trying the famed Lucali pizza, which features a special “four-hour tomato sauce” recipe passed down from Iacono’s grandmother.
10PM
Cap off your weekend by putting up your feet and enjoying cocktails from your favourite local bars in the comfort of your home. Since many establishments without a food license have yet to reopen their doors – and those that have aren’t able to serve alcohol past 10.30pm – cocktail delivery services are still in full swing. You can choose to order directly from your bar of choice, or through consolidated delivery platform Wheels on the Bars that offers cocktails from the likes of Operation Dagger, Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall and Komyuniti.
Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours as well as booking and seating requirements before visiting, and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about.
SEE ALSO: Hidden speakeasy-style restaurants and bars in Singapore to uncover
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Singapore to bar UK travellers over new COVID-19 virus strain; tighter measures for those with travel history to New South Wales - CNA
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