Top 10 Best Hidden Gem Attractions of Singapore
If you’re looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of Singapore, check out these 10 hidden gem attractions. From serene gardens to charming neighborhoods, these spots are sure to please. So get off the beaten path and explore some of Singapore’s best-kept secrets.
Table of Contents
#1 – MacRitchie Nature Trail
Introduction: As the National Parks Board (NParks) of Singapore, they are committed to enhancing and managing the urban ecosystems of our City in Nature. They are the lead agency for greenery, biodiversity conservation, and wildlife and animal health, welfare and management. They are also working closely with the community to enhance the quality of our living environment.
About
- With the aim of enhancing the community’s overall well-being, and the vision of creating a City in a Garden, we have in the last several decades greened up our roads and infrastructure, transformed our parks and gardens into spaces for everyone to enjoy, and gazetted areas of core biodiversity to conserve their native biodiversity.
Opening Hours:
- 7AM – 7PM
Location & Address: MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Singapore 298717
Website: Website Link Here
#2 – Battlebox
Introduction: A former underground command centre in Fort Canning Hill, the Battlebox was part of the Malaya Command Headquarters during World War II. It was here that Lt-Gen Percival made the fateful decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese on 15 February 1942. Journey back in time to 1942 and discover the true causes of the Fall of Singapore and learn how an underground command centre functioned during the war.
Opening Hours:
- 9.30AM – 5.30PM
- Mondays & Thursday: Closed
Location & Address: 2 Cox Terrace, Singapore 179622 (Fort Canning Park)
Contact: +65 6338 6133
Website: Website Link Here
#3 – The Southern Ridges
Introduction: Go on a hike in the great outdoors and enjoy the serenity on offer at the Southern Ridges. Comprising 10 km of green, open spaces that connect Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve, these ridges are an alternative for walking enthusiasts, history buffs, shutterbugs, nature lovers, bird watchers and families looking for a different kind of family outing.
Opening Hours:
- 24 Hours
Location & Address: Henderson Road, Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Singapore 099203
Contact: 1800 471 7300
Website: Website Link Here
#4 – MacRitchie Reservoir
Introduction:
MacRitchie Reservoir was constructed in 1867, through a donation of S$13,000 by philanthropist Tan Kim Seng, and is one of the four reservoirs located within the nature reserve. The others include Lower Peirce Reservoir, Upper Peirce Reservoir and Upper Seletar Reservoir.
With so many attractions and scenic spots of nature on offer, MacRitchie is an excellent destination for anyone who loves fun and the outdoors.
Opening Hours:
- 7am to 7pm
Location & Address: MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Singapore 298717
Website: Website Link Here
#5 – Chinese and Japanese Gardens
Introduction:
Enjoy a relaxing stroll through these enchanting gardens
Easy to access via the SMRT, these gardens are peaceful relaxing to stroll through. The Chinese side has a beautiful towering pagoda, an abandoned teahouse, and a huge stone boat (like the Empress’s in Beijing). All of these are set around a lovely lake, with manicured lawns, flowers, plants, and trees everywhere. We also saw a large monitor lizard strolling along the shoreline of the adjoining river. Next came a whimsical garden with statues of the animals of the Chinese zodiac and a bonsai garden with a variety of house, bridge, and temple-like structures that formed a lovely enclosed courtyard. It was a wonderful experience.
About
- Clusia Cove
- PAssion WaVe @ Jurong Lake Gardens
- Forest Ramble
- Rasau Walk
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Price of Admission: Free
Location & Address: 104 Yuan Ching Road Singapore 618665
Website: Website Link Here
#6 – Haw Par Villa
Introduction: Haw Par Villa – formerly known as the Tiger Balm Garden – is an 8.5-hectare Asian cultural park, the last of its kind in the world. Built in 1937, Singapore’s largest outdoor art gallery is the brainchild of Aw Boon Haw, millionaire philanthropist and marketing extraordinaire who gifted the world Tiger Balm. The eclectic park is a treasure trove of Asian culture, history, philosophy and religion – quirky yet enlightening at the same time. Since 2015, it is managed Journeys Pte Ltd, an award-winning heritage specialist passionate in preserving and bringing the heritage gem to greater heights.
About
- Culture Courtyard
- Exhibitions
- Educational Programmes
- Tours & Trails
Opening Hours:
- 9am – 8pm
Location & Address: 262 Pasir Panjang Rd, Singapore 118628
Contact: +65 6773 0103
Website: Website Link Here
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#7 – Marina Barrage
Introduction: Be captivated by the bright lights of the Singapore Flyer and the Central Business District skyline against the sky at sunset, reflected in the still waters of the Marina Barrage. This Reservoir in the City was created with three key benefits, to provide water supply, flood control and a lifestyle attraction.
About
- Sustainable Singapore Gallery
- Arts Trail
- Architecture at the Barrage
Opening Hours:
- 24 hours
Location & Address: 8 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018951
Contact: +65 6514 5959
Website: Website Link Here
#8 – Singapore City Gallery
Introduction: Singapore City Gallery is a great starting point to get to know the city for free. Located beside the Maxwell food centre in the historic district of Chinatown, this 3 storey visitor centre goes beneath the skin of the city to understand how the city came to be, that even though it’s a dense built-up city of tar, glass and concrete, it is still so green, has memorable buildings, historic districts and walkable streets. You can imagine and design your own version of Marina Bay or explore plans long into the future like Greater Southern Waterfront city.
The main draw is an enormous model replica of the City Centre with uncannily accurate miniatures of building and streetscapes. Look out for an illustrative map drawn by Lee Xin Li. It will sure to bring back memories of Singapore, past and present. Before you leave, catch the dramatic 3-min Island Wide Model show screened every 20 mins at level 1.
About
- How Our City Works
- Smart Nation CityScape
- Shaping Singapore
- Mapping Singapore
- A Brush With History
- Central Area Model
- Island-wide Model
Opening Hours:
- Open from Mondays to Saturdays, 9am to 5pm
- Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Location & Address: 45 Maxwell Road The URA Centre, 069118
Contact: +65 6221 6666
Website: Website Link Here
#9 – The Pinnacle @ Duxton
Introduction:
Susan C
I’d be happy living here
The information available on the internet is a little contradictory. We got there before 9am because one website said visitors were limited to 200 each day and we wanted to beat the crowds. There weren’t any crowds, there was just us and probably, about half an hour later, another couple. So we probably didn’t need to rush there.
We were confused about paying and the need for the EZ Link card. You must pay cash at the little office on the ground floor in Building 1G ($6 per person) which opens at 9am and then they authorize your E-Z Link card to go up the elevator. You are limited to the open sky deck on the 50th floor and must exit at the same elevator bank you used to arrive.
We loved it. The views are magnificent, taking in the red-tiled houses of Chinatown, the high-rise buildings in Singapore across to the sea and also of Pinnacle@Dutton itself as it curls around your view. You are never right on the edge of the building, rather about 2 metres back from it. However, we found even more interesting the Skydeck itself with its little garden nooks representing a beach and other themed areas. We also found the ground floor with its historical display of the previous building and community areas an introduction to living in high rise Singapore life.
Opening Hours:
- Daily 9am-9pm
Location & Address: SG, Cantonment Rd, #1G, 085301
Contact: 1800 225 5432
Website: Website Link Here
#10 – Kranji War Memorial
Introduction: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Kranji War Cemetery is 22 kilometres north of the city of Singapore, on the north side of Singapore Island overlooking the Straits of Johore. It is located just to the West of the Singapore-Johore road (Bukit Timah Expressway) on Woodlands Road, just to the south of the crossroads with Turf Club Avenue and Kranji Road. There is a short approach road from the main road. The Cemetery is known locally as Kranji Memorial and one must be sure of the address before boarding a taxi as most taxi drivers do not know the Cemetery. There are also bus stops on the main road facing the Cemetery.
The Kranji MRT (train) terminal is a short distance from the Cemetery, approximately 10 to 15 minutes away by foot. A previous visitor has advised us that a small map of the route can be obtained from the MRT ticket office. Visiting Information Kranji War Cemetery is open every day 07:00-18:30. The cemetery is constructed on a hill with the means of access being via three flights of steps, rising over four metres from the road level, which makes wheelchair access to this site impossible.
Opening Hours:
- Daily 8am-6.30pm
Location & Address: 9 Woodlands Road, Singapore 738656
Website: Website Link Here
Have a Place to Recommend?
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