Singapore’s modern offices and eye-catching entertainment complexes have received considerable attention in recent years. Visitors willing to look behind these glittering attractions also will find that the people and environment of this location are just as interesting.

This city-state has a strong commitment to nature and to the diverse cultures of its residents that is reflected in the numerous gardens, museums and ethnic neighborhoods scattered throughout the island.

A great place to see nature is the Gardens by the Bay, a 250-acre series of gardens within walking distance of the downtown area. If you look out toward the Straits of Singapore from the observation deck of the Marina Bay Sands Resort, you can see below two huge, futuristic domes, a series of connected lakes, tree-lined walkways and some 16-story vertical structures known as Supertrees. The gardens beneath look like someone combined the movie set used for “Avatar” with the movie set from the 1970s science fiction movie “Logan’s Run.”

The domed structures are each environmental conservatories. One structure known as the Flower Dome contains flowers and plants from Mediterranean climates and is kept at a cool 72 degrees, while the other structure known as the Cloud Forest creates the mist-filled environment of a tropical rainforest and even contains an indoor waterfall. The 15 Supertrees are probably the most popular attraction in the gardens. They are connected by a walkway you can reach by elevator for a small fee, and then use to walk around and view the entire garden. The Supertrees also serve the environment since they have been designed to collect rainwater, produce solar power, and act as vents for the domes nearby.

Another outdoor attraction that is quite popular is the Night Safari, which is open from 7:30 to midnight daily. The Night Safari is located in the north part of the island and offers visitors the chance to see dozens of popular animals from jungle environments, such as tigers, elephants, anteaters and hippos, as well as many unusual nocturnal animals. Almost all of the animals are displayed in open habitats by using ditches, hidden walls and special lighting. You can observe them either by riding a tram through the different zones or walking on special trails. No photography is allowed.

It is not just the animals in Singapore that are interesting; the people are too. Despite the perception in some quarters that Singapore is a boring place, the history and diversity of the population gives a lively feel to the city’s many neighborhoods and restaurants. Many Singaporeans are descendants of the Malay merchants, Chinese workers, Arab traders and Indian laborers who immigrated to the city during several centuries of British colonial rule. The traditions of all of these groups are reflected in multimedia displays at the National Museum of Singapore. This top-notch museum tells the story of the country through the lives of historically important characters and shows the many experiences of the man on the street. Traumatic events such as the 1942 Japanese conquest of Singapore and the subsequent imprisonment or death of many Chinese and European residents are brought to life vividly.

We visited Singapore during Chinese New Year celebrations when the large Chinatown neighborhood and the Float platform on the harbor were full of food stalls, cultural displays and an occasional parade of dragons. We also visited one of the city’s oldest Hindu temples, Sri Mariamman, to see the shrines there and gaze at the rooftop statutes depicting a wide variety of deities. Many travelers also stop for a drink at the downtown Raffles Hotel, which has served as a centerpiece for diplomats, celebrities, colonial traders and expats since 1887. Tradition and modernity exist side by side today in this world destination.

Glenn Carberry of Norwich is a local attorney who practices in New London. A frequent world traveler, he has visited more than 50 countries and more than 100 World Heritage sites. This series shows some of the sites he and his wife Kimberly visited on a recent trip that included India, Singapore and Cambodia.