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Parks and Nature Reserves |
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In
keeping with its reputation as the "Garden City", Singapore is awash
with lush gardens and parklands as tropical greenery carpets the
landscape. Innumerable trees and flowering shrubs line the expressways
and colourful plants hang from balconies and overhead bridges.
The
Singapore Botanic Gardens
epitomises the tropical island's luxuriant parks - a combination of
primary jungle and elegantly laid out flowerbeds and shrubs. Spread
over 52 hectares, the gardens hold about 4,000 species of plant life,
many rare specimens amongst them.
Singapore is one of only two cities in the world to have a significant
area of primary rainforest within its boundaries. The 164-hectare
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
- just 12 kilometres from the city centre - contains more species of
flora than the entire North American continent. There are dozens of
other gardens and reserves in Singapore, among them the
Chinese Garden
and
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve,
Singapore's first designated wetland nature reserve and a major
stopping-off point for migrating birds during the months from
September to March. |
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Mandai Orchid Gardens |
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This is Singapore's largest commercial orchid garden. It's worth a
visit for the colourful displays and the method and manner of
cultivation. The 4-hectare Gardens features a whole hillside covered
with flowering orchids in the open sunshine, including Singapore's
national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim. 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. Alternatively, take TIBS bus 927 from Choa Chu Kang
(NS4) MRT Station.
Click here to
view MRT route map.
Web sites :
Mandai Orchid Gardens
(http://www.singaporeorchids.com.sg) |
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Marina City Park |
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Marina City
Park offers breathtaking views of the city skyline and the sea. 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". Drop by
at the park for a picnic or savour a sumptuons steamboat buffet dinner
at one of the many food outlets.
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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Mount Faber |
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Mount Faber
offers landscaped gardens and vantage points at its peak provide
panoramic views of the harbour, Sentosa island and the other Southern
islands. Chill out at the Altivo bar as you enjoy the spectacular
views of the city at night. You can also board a cable car to Sentosa
from here.
Open: Daily
Admission: Free
Approximate Touring Time: 1.5 hours
Location: off Telok Blangah Road
Getting There: Take a taxi or the cable car from the World Trade
Centre. |
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Pasir Ris Park |
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This coastal
park of some 17 hectares includes a 6-hectare mangrove swamp traversed
by boardwalks for visitors to appreciate the rich mangrove flora and
fauna. This is also a popular spot for birdwatching, cycling, kite
flying and swimming. Many families come here for barbeques and picnics
by the beach. For a range of seafood and local delicacies, make your
way to the Fisherman's Village located by the beachfront.
Open: Daily
Admission: Free
Location: Bounded by Pasir Ris Drive, Pasir Ris Drive 3 and Sungei
Tampines
Getting There: Take the MRT to Pasir Ris Station (EW1), then board
SBS bus 403. |
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Singapore Botanic Gardens |
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The
Gardens epitomises the tropical island's luxuriant parks. Spread over
52 hectares and close to the centre of the city, the Gardens is a
combination of untouched primary forest and specialty gardens
displaying frangipanis, roses, ferns and desert plants, to name a few.
There are numerous plant species here, including many rare specimens,
reflect the Gardens' richness and diversity of plant life. The present
orchid enclosure has 20,000 orchid plants on display. The National
Orchid Garden promises sprawling orchid displays, water features, and
an exotic bromeliad collection from Central and South America. Other
attractions for visitors' enjoyment include Palm Valley, Eco-Lake and
outdoor concerts on Symphony Lake.
Shop for exquisitely beautiful gift items at the RISIS Store located
at the entrance of National Orchid Garden. Its merchandise ranges from
ornate sets of orchid brooches to unique name cardholders with designs
inspired by the Peranakan culture, which is a fusion of Chinese,
Malay, and European influences. Definitely a great place for those who
are looking for special mementos. If you are looking for a fine dining
experience by the greens, head on down to Au Jardin, an exclusive
little French restaurant serving one of the best French cuisine in
town. For more information, call Tel: 6466 8812. If fine dining is not
your cup of tea, drop by any of the cafes ideally located in the
Gardens.
Open:
5am - 12 midnight (daily)
National Orchid Garden: 8.30am - 7pm (daily)
RISIS Store: 8.45am - 5.45pm (daily)
Admission:
Botanic Gardens: Free
National Orchid Garden: SGD 2 adults, SGD 1 children and seniors
Approximate Touring Time:
2 hours
Location: Cluny
Road Singapore 259569
Tel: (65) 6471 7361
Fax: (65) 6475 4295
Getting There:
From the Orchard MRT Station (NS22) along Orchard Boulevard, take SBS
bus 7, 105, 106, 123 or 174.
Click here to
view MRT route map.
Accessibility
for the physically disabled: The following
information is obtained from Access Singapore.
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Entrance - Accessible to wheelchair
and ambulant-disabled.
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Reserved disabled car park lot - At
Cluny Road. Accessible to wheelchair and ambulant-disabled.
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Accessibility within the premises -
Big compound and hilly terrain at some points. Access to wheelchair
is limited and assistance may be required. Accessible to
ambulant-disabled.
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Lifts - Nil
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Public toilets for the disabled -
Bukhill Hall (door closes inward). National Orchid Garden (steep
kerb ramp at door). Access to wheelchair is limited and assistance
may be required. Accessible to ambulant-disabled.
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Eating outlets - Nil
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Public telephone - Accessible to
wheelchair and ambulant-disabled.
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Taxi stand - Nil
Web sites :
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Sungei Buloh Wetland
Reserve |
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The Sungei Buloh Wetland
Reserve is Singapore's first and only protected wetland nature park.
It is home to over 500 species of tropical flora and fauna. The 87
hectares of conserved wetland habitat is a "refuelling point" for
birds on the East Asian Flyway. Carefully constructed hides and
boardwalks provide a close-up view of the flora and fauna in the Park.
Open: 7.30am - 7pm (Mon - Fri), 7am - 7pm
(Sat, Sun and public holidays)
Admission: SGD 1
adults, SGD 0.50 children
Approximate Touring Time: 2 - 5 hours
Location: 301 Neo Tiew Crescent Singapore
718925
Tel: (65) 6794 1401
Fax: (65) 6793 7271
Getting There:
Take TIBS bus 925 from either Woodlands MRT Station (NS9) or Kranji
MRT Station (NS7). This bus stops at the Park entrance on Sundays and
Public Holidays. On weekdays and Saturdays, alight at the Kranji
Reservoir Carpark for a 20-minute walk to the Park.
Click here to
view MRT route map.
Accessibility
for the physically disabled: The following
information is obtained from Access Singapore.
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Entrance - Accessible to wheelchair
and ambulant-disabled.
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Reserved disabled car park lot - Near
entrance. Accessible to wheelchair and ambulant-disabled.
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Accessibility within the premises -
Big compound and sandy stone path. Wheelchair user should preferably
be accompanied. Access to wheelchair is limited and assistance may
be required. Accessible to ambulant-disabled.
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Lifts - Nil
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Public toilets for the disabled -
Access to wheelchair is limited and assistance may be required.
Accessible to ambulant-disabled.
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Eating outlets - Near entrance.
Accessible to wheelchair and ambulant-disabled.
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Public telephone - Accessible to
wheelchair and ambulant-disabled.
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Taxi stand - Nil
Web sites :
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
(http://www.sbnp.org) |
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 Information
provided by
Singapore Tourism Board. |
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