A “salad bowl” rather than a melting pot of cultures, Singapore is a diverse city-state known as one of the world’s top destinations
Singapore
Admiralty Park is currently the largest park in the Northern Heartlands of Singapore, and connected to the Woodlands Waterfront, which affords great views of Johor Bahru just across the Causeway. The playground in the southern part of the park is very popular for its giant slides, and can get crowded and noisy at peak times. The northern half of the park, in contrast, is usually a quiet walk among the trees, with a chance to spot several species of local birds and butterflies.
6A Admiralty Rd, Singapore 732006
An underrated Heartland green lung, Bukit Batok Nature Park is surprisingly interesting to explore. The main highlight is an old quarry now filled with water and surrounded by overgrown vegetation, which has been nicknamed ‘Little Guilin’ for its similarity to the famous Chinese scenic location. But along the way there is a lot to see, from the towering durian plants to the population of monkeys and monitor lizards that calmly approach and cross the trails as they go about their business.
Cnr Bukit Batok East Avenue 2, Bukit Batok East Ave 6, and, Singapore 659761
Hindhede Dr, Singapore 589318
Chestnut Ave, Singapore 679514
Lower Peirce Reservoir, Singapore
Lower Seletar Reservoir, Singapore
Lornie Road, Singapore 298735
Junction of Kampong Bahru Road and, Telok Blangah Rd, Singapore 099448
Connected to the mainland by a small bridge, Coney Island (also known as Serangoon Island) is a local favorite of weekend hikers and bikers. Trails are easy and mostly shaded, and there are several resting spots (take note however that there is only one toilet, which is more often than not out of order). It takes about an hour to walk the length of the island, and along the way you can enjoy a large variety of equatorial plants,including a few that are extinct on the mainland. Continuous efforts are being made to encourage the growth of mangrove clusters, where a keen eyed hiker can spot the peculiar climbing crabs. Coney Island is also a popular spot for birdwatching, especially early in the morning. Bikes can be rented near the Punggol entrance. Remember to bring water as there are no provisions on the island. Open everyday from 7 am to 7pm.
Serangoon Island, Singapore
Bedok Reservoir Park features a pleasant hour-long walk around a small man-made lake. The route is flat and largely straight, making it popular among families with small children and rollerskaters. On weekends it’s very common to see kayakers and wakeboarders practicing on the placid waters. Much of the park is wheelchair accessible. Bedok Reservoir Park is open 24/7 and track lighting is on from 7pm to 7 am.
Bedok Reservoir, Singapore