When Singaporeans tell you that shopping is the national sport, they're only half joking. Shopping ranks right up there with eating as a favourite pastime. Many visitors to Singapore come with a view to seeing the sights rather than going on a bargain-hunting binge, yet somehow they always end up leaving with an extra bag or two.

The famous Orchard Road features mall after mall of glitzy clothes, shoes, electronics goods, furniture, rugs, cosmetics, etc. There's always a big sale going on somewhere, the people all around you are laden with shopping bags - its impossible not to join in the fun.

When you're tired with going from shop to shop, there's always a cosy cafe somewhere where you can take a break and have a relaxing cuppa. Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Spinelli have all made their way here, or if you prefer a homegrown cafe there's always Delifrance, The Coffee Club or Prima Deli. There are even malls with shops that offer foot reflexology massages to soothe your poor aching feet - and prime them up for more street-pounding!

If you're a shopaholic, you may want to time your visit to Singapore to coincide with the mid-year Great Singapore Sale, when it seems that the whole island is going at a discount. All major shopping centres and boutiques mark down their prices during this period, which can last for up to a month.You may do well to fight the crowds and shop right at the beginning of the Great Sale - shoppers in the know say that's when the best buys are to be had.

Travellers shopping in Singapore can have their 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax) refunded if they spend more than SGD300 at shops displaying a Tax Free Shopping sticker. Ask for these shops to provide you with a shopping cheque. You can then show cash the cheque at the Global Refund Counters at Changi Airport on your departure, or opt for a bank cheque by mail or a refund to your credit card. For more information call (65) 225 6328.

In the street markets and small shops selling tourist wares such as Chinese seals or painted fans, we recommend that you bargain for all you're worth. In the department stores and boutiques, of course, prices are fixed. One exception is the electronics stores at shopping centres like Lucky Plaza or Far East Plaza - here a general rule of thumb is to start haggling for that digital camera or personal digital assistant at a price about 25% below that being offered. Needless to say, credit can charge cards are accepted virtually everywhere.

The undisputed hub of shopping in Singapore is Orchard Road, where if you're really keen you can spend a good two days looking for good buys. The road stretches from Plaza Singapura in the east to Tanglin Mall in the west, and between these two points are retail stalwarts such as Centrepoint, The Heeren, The Promenade, Takashimaya, Tangs, Wisma Atria and Shaw House. Don't forget Scotts Road, an off shoot from Orchard Road, where you will find the popular Scotts Shopping Centre. Everyone goes to Orchard Road to do their shopping, especially for clothes. You can get a variety of brands here, ranging from designer labels like Louis Vuitton to fairly cheap wear like U2 and Giordano.