Fort Canning, Mount Faber And 8 Other Serene Parks To Visit On Your Next Trip To Singapore
As Singapore continues to evolve into a 'City in a Garden', this small little country has a lot more to offer besides Botanical Gardens and Gardens by the Bay.
By Tang Ruxyn — 23 Feb 2016, 06:22 PM
1. Have a picnic with your loved ones at East Coast Park
Perfect for families, East Coast Park offers 185 hectares of reclaimed land on 15 kilometres of man-made coastline. You can take a walk on the seafront, or rent a bike and explore more widely on the cycle path which runs the full length of the park. The sheltered waters at the beach are very shallow and safe thanks to the breakwaters which have been installed offshore.
How to get there:
Nearest bus stops:
•92289 (Regent Bowl)
•92191 (Opp CP C3)
•92199 (Tennis Ctr)
•93181 (Opp CP C4)
•93189 (Opp Victoria JC)
•93179 (Island Resort S’pore)
•93171 (Opp Island Resort S’pore)
•93169 (Bef CP D5), 93161 (Opp Pond)
•93159 (Cable Ski Pk), 93151 (Opp Cable Ski Park)
•92251 (Opp Singa Inn)
•92261 (Opp Playground @ Big Splash)
•91101 (Tg Katong Flyover)
•91111 (CP B1)
Park size: 185 hectares, stretching over 15 km
Park lighting hours: 7pm to 7am
2. Take the cable car ride at Mount Faber Park
One of the oldest and most popular tourist attractions, Mount Faber Park offers tourists a panoramic view of the southern islands. Get a birds eye view of Sentosa and the harbor through the panoramic windows of the Singapore cable car. You will be spoilt for choice with the nature walks, the trekking and bird watching opportunities.
bestofsingapore.sg
How to get there:
Nearest bus stop B14451 (Bus 409); nearest MRT Station: HarbourFront
Park size: 56 hectares
Park lighting hours: 7pm to 7am daily
3. Re-live history at Fort Canning Park
This unlikely combination of events has taken place at the hilltop Fort Canning Park, one of the country’s historical landmarks. The park was originally known as Bukit Larangan, or 'Forbidden Hill' in Malay. Today, the 18-hectare space is chock full of attractions – from ancient artefacts for history buffs to outdoor lawns for concerts, and of course, greenery for nature lovers.
How to get there:
By MRT, alight at Clarke Quay or Dhoby Ghaut, and walk about 10 minutes to get to the park
Park Size: 18 hectares
Park lighting hours: 7pm to 7am
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4. Watch the sun go down at MacRitchie Reservoir Park
Located along Singapore's largest water reservoir, MacRitchie Reservoir Park is the oldest park in the country. A popular spot for nature lovers and exercise enthusiasts, visitors can view and admire the beauty and serenity of the reservoir that is especially spectacular during early morning or evening.
How to get there:
Nearest bus stop 51071 (Bus 52, 74, 93, 157,130, 132, 156, 157, 162, 162M, 165, 166, 167, 852 and 855, 980); nearest MRT: Caldecott (CC17)
Park size: 12 hectares
Park lighting hours: 7:00pm to 7:00am
5. Observe great architectures at the Chinese Garden
Designed by an architect from Taiwan, Singapore's Chinese Garden was the first Chinese-style garden in South East Asia and one of the biggest in the world. It’s built in accordance with the garden concepts of the ‘northern style’, characteristic of the imperial gardens in China.
theworldofchinese.comHow to get there:
Take SMRT bus number 180 or SBS bus numbers 154 & 335; nearest MRT Station: Chinese Garden (EW25)
Park size: 13.5 hectares
Opening hours: 6am to 11pm
6. Find inner peace at the Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden, which is linked to the Chinese Garden by the “White Rainbow Bridge”, opened to the public in 1973. Created by Professor Kinsaku Nakane of Kyoto, the 13-ha garden was modelled on the gardening techniques of Japan, and featured ponds, arched bridges, artificial hills and stone lanterns.
How to get there:
Take SMRT bus number 180 or SBS bus numbers 154 & 335; nearest MRT Station: Chinese Garden (EW25)
Park size: 13.5 hectares
Opening hours: 6am to 11pm
7. Watch beautiful, unique birds fly at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is one of the few remaining mangrove areas in Singapore, and its lush, tranquil walking trails – which include a Migratory Bird Trail (1.9km) and a Coastal Trail (1.3km) – are dotted with bird-viewing huts and lookouts. Sungei Buloh's 202 hectares of mangroves, mudflats, ponds and secondary rainforest are a birdspotter's paradise, with migratory birds including egrets, sandpipers and plovers joining locals like herons, bitterns, coucals and kingfishers.
How to get there:
•Mondays to Saturdays - Board SMRT Bus 925 from Kranji MRT Station
•Sundays and Public Holidays - Board SMRT Bus 925 from Kranji MRT Station
Park size: 202 hectares
Opening hours: 7am to 7pm daily
8. Re-live your childhood at Sembawang Park
Sembawang Park is located at the north of Singapore, facing the straits of Johor. Away from the bustle of the city, patrons can enjoy the seaside and cool sea breeze or head on to the maritime-themed playground at Sembawang Park. Visitors are able to have a glimpse of Singapore's naval heritage in this calm and serene park.
How to get there:
SMRT bus service 882; nearest MRT station: Sembawang
Park size: 15 hectares
Park lighting hours: 7:00pm to 7:00am
9. Take a stroll at The Southern Ridges' picturesque nature trail
The Southern Ridges is a 9km-long trail that connects five other parks namely Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve. Visitors can enjoy observing plenty of flora and fauna along the way and some great views across Sentosa. There is also the Henderson Waves, a popular structure which connects Mount Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park.
How to get there:
Bus 197, 61, 97, 100, 166; nearest MRT station: HarbourFront
Park size: 10 km of green, open spaces that connect Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve
Park lighting hours and park opening hours:
Lighting hours for Alexandra Arch: changing LED lights: 7 pm to 12 am daily
Lighting hours for Forest Walk: 7pm to 12am & 5am to 7am daily
Lighting hours for Henderson Waves: 7pm to 7am daily
Safety LED lights on bridges: 7pm to 7am daily
10. Learn more about nature at HortPark
HortPark is a one-stop hub for everything related to gardening – from recreational and educational to research and retail activities. The park holds regular events throughout the year, such as the Gardener’s Day Out every quarter that aims to bring out the green thumbs in all of us. If spending time with plants is not your thing, you can simply enjoy the beauty of nature on display or engage in some fun activities for the kids.
How to get there:
•HarbourFront Station (NE1) - buses 61, 93, 97, 100, 166, 963, 408
•Labrador Park Station (CC27) - buses 51, 61, 93, 97, 100, 166, 963
•Clarke Quay Station (NE5) - 51, 61
•City Hall Station (EW13 / NS25) - 61, 166
•Commonwealth Station (EW20) / Serangoon Station (NE12) - 100
•Bugis Station (EW12) / Queensway Station (EW19) - 51
•Bukit Batok Station (EW 24 / NS1) - 61
•Jurong East Station (EW24 / NSI) - 97
•Woodlands Station (NS9) - 963
Park size: 9 hectares
Opening hours: 6am to 10pm
Park lighting hours: 7pm to 7am