Singapore Top 10 Hidden Gems: Uncover the City’s Best-Kept Secrets

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.

Steeped in history and one of the best spots in Singapore to enjoy panoramic views of the city, harbour and the Southern Islands, the Southern Ridges is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Henderson Waves, a structure not to be missed, connects Mount Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park. Standing 36 metres above Henderson Road, it is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore, and is frequently visited for its artistic, distinctive wave-like structure consisting of a series of undulating curved ‘ribs’. Other highlights of the Southern Ridges include the Forest Walk and Canopy Walk – bridges cutting through the Adinandra Belukar, a distinct type of secondary forest. Here, you can see a rich variety of flora and fauna and observe birds in their natural habitat. Walk on the Ridges and capture the beauty of wild flowers and birds. Explore Berlayer Creek at the newly launched Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk, which is home to myriad flora and fauna, another great getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The Southern Ridges comprise 10 kilometres of trails connecting three parks along the southern ridge of Singapore. Some of the attractions along these trails include its greenery and the connecting bridges. This project linked up the parks between the Kent Ridge Park and HarbourFront. 

Opening Hours:

• Open 24 Hours

Location & Address: Southern Singapore

Contact: 1800 471 7300

Website: Website Link Here

Introduction:

Discover the beauty and wonders of nature at Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park. Uncover a world filled with rich biodiversity as you wander through the wetlands with an extensive mangrove forest of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

Sungei Buloh was first opened as a Nature Park in 1993. In 2002, 130 hectares were officially gazetted as a Nature Reserve and renamed Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to better reflect its status. In the same year, it was recognised as a site of international importance for migratory birds and awarded a certificate by Wetlands International, marking the reserve’s formal entry into the East Asian Australasian Shorebird Site Network, which includes Australia’s Kakadu National Park, China’s Mai Po – Inner Deep Bay and Japan’s Yatsu Tidal Flats. And in 2003, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve became Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park.

Since then Sungei Buloh has expanded to include 202ha of mangroves, mudflats, ponds and forests, providing an even larger sanctuary for the flora and fauna that call it home. This includes the newest extension that houses a brand new Visitor Centre and new trails for visitors to explore and enjoy. This new extension is situated along Kranji Way, and is easily accessible by public transport, bringing Sungei Buloh even closer to the public.

Throughout the year: Trek through this ecological jewel’s many trails and discover its native inhabitants such as mudskippers, crabs, shellfish, water snakes, birds, spiders, monitor lizards and otters. Admire the beauty of resident birds such as herons, kingfishers and sunbirds.

Seasonal from September to March: During the migratory season, catch sight of the diverse flocks of shorebirds or waders including plovers and sandpipers. 

Opening Hours:

• Weekdays：7am – 7 pm
• Weekends：7am – 7 pm

Location & Address: 

Visitor Centre:
60 Kranji Way, #01-00
Singapore 739453

Wetland Centre:
301 Neo Tiew Crescent
Singapore 718925

Contact: 6794 1401

Website: Website Link Here

Introduction:

Tiong Bahru Road today stretches for more than three kilometres from Redhill MRT at its western end to Outram Road on its eastern end. For most Singaporeans, Tiong Bahru is a small, charming and chic housing estate awash with good eateries and eclectic little shops. But there is much more to Tiong Bahru than meets the eye, as this heritage trail shows.

The first appearance of Tiong Bahru Road on a map was in 1913. Before that, the road had been named Burial Ground Road as it led from Outram Road into an area surrounded by numerous Chinese burial grounds. People were probably using the name Tiong Bahru long before it appeared in published sources, going by the etymological roots of the term. ‘Tiong Bahru’ combines two words: ‘Tiong’ (冢), meaning ‘grave’ in the Hokkien dialect, and the Malay word ‘bahru’ (also spelt ‘baru’), which means ‘new’. Tiong Bahru was hence used by locals to refer to a ‘new’ cemetery as opposed to the old cemetery at the site of the present Singapore General Hospital.

Before the early 20th century, the area around the present Tiong Bahru was largely undeveloped. Most of the land along the length of Tiong Bahru Road was used as farmland or cemeteries. After the turn of the century, some enterprising businessmen began to build houses and shophouses along the road, with one cluster at the junction of Tiong Bahru and Henderson Roads, and a second cluster at what is now Tiong Bahru estate.

Opening Hours:

• Open 24 Hours

Location & Address: 65 Tiong Poh Rd, Singapore 160065

Contact: 1800 2255 642

Website: Website Link Here

Introduction:

The Intan is a collection of all things Peranakan, and more. It is an ambitious attempt to reconcile the beauty of the past into a modern home setting.

Within the Intan, you can find various items and objects that are rich with Peranakan history. From carefully curated pots to intricate jewelry, have a holistic Peranakan experience – right at the Intan.

Opening Hours:

• Weekdays: 7am – 10pm
• Weekends：7am – 10pm

Price of Admission: By appointment only, booking via website

Location & Address: 69 Joo Chiat Terrace, Singapore 427231

Contact: 6440 1148

Website: Website Link Here