Singapore’s living, breathing city side is such a unique experience for many people who visit. There’s nowhere else like it on earth. The way the Lion City is able to mesh the bustling metropolis with the beauty of nature, it’s absolutely mesmerizing.
As martial artists, although our favorite places in the world are such places as the boxing gym, BJJ gym, and Muay Thai gym, sometimes it’s good to get outdoors and away from the city and adopt a slower pace. Fortunately for us, Singapore offers many incredible nature spots that you can run away to. There are a handful of well-maintained nature reserves that you can visit.
Singapore is what’s known as a “Garden City,” and the government has made concerted efforts to preserve the country’s wildlife. The majority of these sites are free and available to the public and are open daily. Getting your fix of nature at any given moment is certainly a plus for the country’s residents.
If you’re new to Singapore and want a few recommendations on where to head off to this weekend, then you’ve come to the right place. Here we’ve come up with a short list of nature spots you can hit up to have a change of pace and scenery.
Today, Evolve Daily shares five incredible nature spots in Singapore that you can escape to.
1) MacRitchie Reservoir
ONE Superstar Amir Khan from the EVOLVE Fight Team at MacRitchie Reservoir in Singapore.
The first reservoir in the country, conveniently located in the heart of Singapore, is MacRitchie Reservoir. The popular nature reserve is known for its challenging cross country trails and Treetop Walk, a location that has established itself over the last few years as Instagram-worthy. This park has definitely made its way to the hearts of fitness junkies and nature lovers alike.
A 12-hectare land swathed in verdant and luscious greenery, trekking the MacRitchie Reservoir isn’t exactly a walk in the park, per se, but one can’t help but marvel at the park’s thriving biodiversity.
MacRitchie Reservoir Park is known for its lush greenery (Image via Qingwu Zhou).
Outdoors people have a dime a dozen things to do and enjoy at MacRitchie Reservoir. From numerous trails and many water sports activity options for you to select, it’s safe to say that the MacRitchie Reservoir can win over any nature lover.
2) Hindhede Nature Park
ONE Superstar Amir Khan from the EVOLVE Fight Team at Hindhede Nature Park in Singapore.
Despite being the least commonly known park on this list, Hindhede Nature Park does not fall short on natural beauty and scenic views.
Looking for a quieter stroll while appreciating and taking in nature? Then Hindhede Nature Park might be the most suitable place for you. Located next to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, this humble park offers various trails and hikes with gentle inclines, making it perfect for the whole family.
At the end of the park is the picturesque view of the Hindhede Quarry, where you can absorb the element of water in its most serene form.
Hindhede Nature Park and the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve are the perfect places to relax and unwind. (Image via Zairon)
Watch out for fish and birds of different colors and kinds as this 9.5-hectare park is home to various flying, crawling, and swimming species. It also hosts a playground and is relatively baby-pram friendly.
3) Sungei Buloh
The Sungei Buloh park bridge.
Inaugurated in 1993, Sungei Buloh has expanded from a Nature Park to Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park.
The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve would inspire awe from its visitors whether or not they are the outdoorsy type. The park boasts of its rich biodiversity and is famous for its hundreds of migratory birds and mangroves.
The reserve is nestled at the northwest of the island and is situated across Johor Bahru. Sungei Buloh is flocked by hundreds of park-goers weekly.
The natural reserve offers a plethora of activities for visitors of all ages. From guided nature walks to bird watching to nature photography, there’s definitely something for everyone at Sungei Buloh.
The nature reserve also hosts different events regularly, and lucky for us, most of these events are free for all. So whether you are a budding outdoorsman or a seasoned camper, there is surely something for you at Sungei Buloh.
4) Botanic Gardens
BJJ World Champion Jucimar Eller from the EVOLVE Fight Team at the Botanic Gardens in Singapore.
Singapore’s crown jewel of parks and gardens, the Singapore Botanic Gardens at 1 Cluny Road has pretty much earned its place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Founded by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1822, the garden features an abundance of botanical and horticultural wonders. The park covers 82 hectares of land and has various featured attractions, such as the Ethnobotany Garden, which houses over 300 different species of plants and are connected to Singapore’s many different traditional cultures.
There is also the world-renowned National Orchid Garden that showcases thousands of different species and hybrids of the famous flower.
Looking for a fun family weekend getaway? Visit the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden and enjoy learning and playing with your young ones. The Children’s Garden is packed with many points of interest, such as an orchard, a farm, and even a forest.
Whether you’re an aspiring plant person or an anthophile who needs his or her regular dose of beautiful blooms, the Singapore Botanic Gardens could be your haven for all things green and blossoming.
5) Mount Faber
Mount Faber has beautiful views.
Often shortchanged as just a start-off point for the renowned but touristy Sentosa cable car rides, Mount Faber has much more to offer, if you’re willing to dig deep enough. It is considered one of the oldest parks in Singapore and has experienced upgrades and changes over time, but it still manages to keep its charm.
Mount Faber is situated on the south side of Singapore. The park is covered by a lush and thriving secondary rainforest that is home to many different birds. It’s no wonder many local and visiting birdwatchers flock over to the park regularly to observe and marvel at various species of birds.
The park also has numerous routes for running and good spots for exercising, so if you’re one of the many who enjoys a scenic run surrounded by nature, Mount Faber should be on your list of options.
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