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Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Singapore and Rio de Janeiro are the world’s only two cities to contain primary rainforest within their boundaries. This small patch of primary rainforest was formally connected to the larger tract of secondary rainforest that encompasses all three freshwater reservoirs in Singapore (Central Catchment Area). But the construction of the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) in the 1980s had effectively terminated the connection. As a result, the small mammals that lived here no longer had access to the secondary rainforest unless they embark on the dangerous trek across the BKE. Bukit Timah is located seven miles (12km) from Singapore’s centre. It is a 164-hectare (405-acre) reserve preserving a variety of tree and animal species including flying lemurs, long-tailed macaque monkeys and anteaters. Designated walking and cycle trails undulate through the dense jungle and its highest point is marked by Bukit Timah at 538ft (164m).
Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom
Stroll through the lush surrounds of the Butterfly Park and allow 2,500 live butterflies - from over 50 species - to flutter about you as you enjoy the cool outdoor conservatory. Watch the blossoming of new life at the Live Pupae house, where young butterflies will spread their wings for the very first time. Meanwhile, up to 3,000 species of the world’s most beautiful and rare insects can be found at the Insect Kingdom, which includes a dazzling enclosure of over 5,000 fireflies. Be sure to stop and admire the largest Dynastes Hercules beetle ever recorded - all 160mm of it! The only one of its kind in Singapore, this museum contains an impressive display of more than 50 species of butterflies. In a courtyard outside the main exhibition hall are panels of colourful sketches and photographs capturing their fascinating life cycle, and a walk-in aviary containing over 2,500 free-flying butterflies.
Chinese Garden
The Chinese Gardens, along with its neighbor the Japanese Gardens, are one of our favorite getaway places when we want to get out of Singapore’s modern city center. The gardens are easy to get to are very relaxing.
The Garden’s main features include the following:
Bridge
Main Arch Building
Stone Boat and Tea House
Pagoda
Pavilion, Plateau, Tower
Bonsai Garden
Garden of Abundance
Open: Main Garden 6am - 7pm (daily)
Bonsai Garden & Garden of Abundance: 9am - 7pm (daily)
Admission: Free. Admission charges to Bonsai Garden SGD 5 adults, SGD 3 children (3 - 12 years), SGD 3 senior citizens (55 years and above)
Approximate Touring Time: 1 hour
Location: 1 Chinese Garden Singapore 619795
Tel: (65) 6261 3632
Fax: (65) 6261 1390
Getting There: The gardens are a 5-minute walk from the Chinese Garden MRT Station (EW25).
East Coast Park
The East Coast of Singapore is largely residential and offers few sights as such; most visitors just cross it on their way from and to Changi Airport. For Singaporeans, on the other hand, the main attractions are 20 kilometres of white sandy beach and the food: this is the home of many of Singapore’s culinary icons. The true home of Singapore’s Malay community is in Geylang Serai, and the East Coast also offers Singapore’s solitary flashback to the past, the rustic little island of Pulau Ubin. East Coast Park, located off the East Coast Parkway, is a favourite play area for Singaporeans, either at the beach or on its landscaped vistas and terrains where cycling is much enjoyed. Hire a bicycle or pair of rollerblades or just laze on the sandy beach. Eat at the many fine seafood restaurants or amuse yourself at the various leisure attractions. Eat at the many fine seafood restaurants or amuse yourself at the various leisure attractions. These include a bowling alley, golf driving range, tennis and squash complexes, watersports centre, swimming lagoon and the East Coast Sailing Centre.
Open: Daily
Admission: Free
Getting There: Take a taxi from Orchard Road, or take SBS bus 16 and alight at Marine Terrace. Then use the underpass to cross the ECP expressway.
West Coast Park
West Coast Park was first developed in 1979 on a piece of reclaimed land off West Coast Highway, covering an area of 50 ha. Touted as the “Play Centre in the West", the park boasts of facilities for the challenging and adventurous. With the theme “Play Centre in the West", the western portion of West Coast Park has been transformed into a haven for park visitors who enjoys challenging and adventurous activities. Standing at the centre core of area 3 is the Adventure Play Area that caters to people of different age groups, from toddlers to young adults. This is the heart and most active zone of West Coast Park.
Fort Canning Park
Fort Canning Park is located at Cox Terrace adjacent to the Registry of Marriages and the Drama Centre. Fort Canning Park was previously known as Central Park. Sir Stamford Raffles built his residence here and established the first Botanical Gardens here in 1822. Fort Canning Park occupies around 19 hectares of land. Other historical relics include Keramat Iskandar Shah (venerated by Muslims and believed to be the ancient tomb of the last Malay King), the 19th century Fort Gate and the underground operations bunkers of the Far East Command Centre. Fort Canning is also a popular venue for the arts, including sculpture exhibitions, plays and open-air ballet.
Open: Daily
Admission: Free
Approximate Touring Time: 1 hour
Location: 51 Canning Rise Singapore 179872
Tel: (65) 6333 0510
Fax: (65) 6333 0590
Getting There: Take the MRT to Dhoby Ghaut Station (NS24) and walk towards Fort Canning Road. Click here to view MRT route map.
Labrador Park
Labrador Park is a wonderful place to spend a quiet Sunday afternoon. If you like fishing, there’s lots of Garoupas in the sea here but be warned that the place is very rocky. So, unless you know where and how to cast your lines, come equip with an ample supply of hooks and sinkers. Alternatively, you may choose to fish from the re-furbished jetty. Here, the good old Tamban rig should provide a fairly good yield of small to medium sized Selar fishes on a good day.
Facing the sea in the southern part of Singapore, the resort island of Sentosa can be viewed from here. Near the park is a small stretch of rocky beach. It is rumored that an undersea tunnel somewhere in Labrador park, leads to Fort Siloso in Sentosa. This rumour might have risen from the fact that both locations, housed some British military installations during World War II.
Nothing much to do here except to take in the fresh air and relaxed. Wildlife is pretty scarce here. During my visits, apart from the occassional kingfisher and warbler, I have not noticed any other birdlife of particular significance. The rocky beach does provide some interesting roaming. When the tide is low, look out for the sealife that might have got stranded in the rockpools.
If you plan to spend some time here, do remember to bring along some drinks. Packing some light snacks or sandwiches will be a good idea.
Getting there - Located near the World Trade Centre, any public bus that passes by this area, will take you to Labrador Park. Look out for the roadsigns indicating the location of the Park. From the main road, it’s an uphill walk of about 10-15 mins, at a relaxed pace, to the Park.
MacRitchie, Peirce, Lower Seletar and Seletar Reservoirs
MacRitchie, Peirce, Lower Seletar and Seletar Reservoirs : MacRitchie, Peirce, Lower Seletar and Seletar Reservoirs are surrounded by a broad swathe of jungle and greenery which runs through the central northern part of Singapore. The cool reservoir parks of MacRitchie and Seletar are popular strolling and picnic spots for Singaporeans and their families.
Mandai Orchid Gardens
This is Singapore’s largest commercial orchid garden. You can see a display of colourful orchids, and see how they are cultivated. Singapore’s largest commercial orchid gardens, featuring a whole hillside covered with orchids. Incentive and convention groups can have new orchid varieties named after them. There is also a landscaped Water Garden at the valley with many plants of botanical interest. Located conveniently next to the Zoo and Night Safari, visitors will also find orchid flowers and choice gift items at the Gift Shop to take home. The “Orchid Gift Box Service” will deliver orchids to any address in the world.
Open: 8.30am - 5.30pm (daily)
Admission: SGD 2 adults, SGD 0.50 children (under 12 years)
Approximate Touring Time: 1 hour
Location: Mandai Lake Road Singapore 729825
Tel: (65) 6269 1036
Fax: (65) 6366 1918
Getting There: Take the MRT to Ang Mo Kio Station (NS16), then board SBS bus 138.
Marina City Park
Stretched over 30 ha and located in the city, this park stands on reclaimed land. It was planned as a premier place of retreat for office workers and city dwellers. The park boasts a spectacular two-tiered large pond with the fountain jetting up water 18- 20m high. The acres of open space are suitable for kite flying and there are some unusual works of art amidst its rolling greenery. These works include sculptures of Confucius and seven other Chinese legendary heroes and a 13-metre high brass and stainless expression of Singapore’s aspirations called “Spirit of Youth and Sculpture Fountain". Large open spaces cater to community events such as Family Day Carnivals. To promote a culturally vibrant society, the park also boasts of contemporary and historical sculptures. The Constellation Plaza is a star gazer’s delight as he traces the constellation during the evenings.
Open: Daily
Admission: Free
Location: Near Marina Bay
Getting There: Take the MRT to Marina Bay Station (NS27). From the station, it’s a short walk, or take SBS bus 400.
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