Living in a concrete jungle island constantly surrounded by high-rise apartments, skyscrapers, and office towers can take a toll on the mind and body. The conveniences of city living are often weighed down by a lack of natural connectivity.
Fortunately, cosmopolitan Singapore offers parks and nature walks in abundance to help rebalance and recentre our lives. Here are some of the best that Singapore has to offer.
10 Nature Parks In Singapore Worth Visiting
1. Labrador Nature Reserve
The Labrador Nature Reserve, also known as Labrador Park, is a government gazetted nature reserve located in the south of Singapore. Featuring historical relics dating back to World War II and the British Colonial Era, Labrador Park offers a unique look back into Singapore’s history.
As the only park with a rocky seaside cliff in Singapore, located off a secondary forest, the park is also rich in biodiversity with over 70 different kinds of birds.
Enjoy the sea breeze as you go for a walk or jog, around the park’s jogging track or along the coastal walk. Fitness stations and playgrounds also encourage an active day out.
Address: 91 Labrador Villa Rd Singapore 119190 Labrador Villa Rd, Singapore 119190
Opening hours: 7am to 7pm daily
Website: nparks.gov.sg
2. Singapore Botanic Gardens
No article about parks would be complete without a mention of Singapore’s crown jewel, the Botanic Gardens. Centrally located almost in the heart of the city, Singapore’s 163-year old garden is beloved by many for its spectacular tropical fauna and verdant landscape.
Its 82 hectares is replete with natural attractions, from the Ethnobotany Garden with 300 different species of plants, to the National Orchid Garden, blooming with orchid splendour.
Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, the first garden in Asia dedicated to children, offers kids opportunities for fun and adventure.
Boardwalks and elevated walkways are a common feature, whether at The Learning Forest or in SPH Walk of Giants, ensuring that no matter the length of time spent at the Botanical Gardens there will always be something new to see.
Address: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
Opening hours: 5am – 12am daily
Website: nparks.gov.sg/sbg
3. Yunnan Garden
For those on the West side of Singapore, Yunnan Garden in Nanyang Technological University is at your doorstep. After its most recent facelift, expanding to a total size of 9 hectares, this park boasts a magnificent waterfall, whose vantage point allows for a sprawling view of the gardens.
Meanwhile, the water carries rainwater to the wetlands of the lower bank, while the plants used in the water filtration system help to remove pollutants from the water, maintaining a green balance to the ecosystem.
Boardwalks provide access to various locations around the waterfall, helping park goers soak in the flora and fauna or spot fish in the lake. Famed for its existing symmetry, Yunnan Garden’s Chinese heritage aesthetic has been expanding to dizzying levels of geometry.
Address: Yunnan Garden @ NTU, 12 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637721.
Opening hours: 24 hours daily
4. Gardens by the Bay
Singapore’s modern nature showpiece, Gardens by the Bay offers local and international visitors 101 hectares of horticultural exhibition.
Three waterfront gardens host a number of different attractions, such as the Cloud Forest featuring rare vegetation, the vertical Supertree Grove, or the Flower Dome.
Unlike the other parks mentioned thus far, Gardens by the Bay has an admission fee of $28 for adults and $15 for children.
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
Opening hours: 5am – 2am
Admission fee: $28 for adults and $15 for children
Website: gardensbythebay.com.sg
5. East Coast Park
For those on the east side of Singapore, East Coast Park fulfils many outdoor needs, and then some. This park spans 185 hectares along the southeastern coast of Singapore, encompassing Marine Parade, Bedok and Tampines.
A great spot for family activities, the park has many a playground and open space for fun and games. Cycling and running tracks appeal to fitness enthusiasts, while East Coast Park is also joined to the Park Connector Network, linking up all the green in the island.
Address: E Coast Park Service Rd, Singapore
Opening hours: 24 hours daily
Website: nparks.gov.sg
6. Fort Canning Park
Another historical park located in the heart of Singapore, Fort Canning Park atop the hill of its namesake has many attractions that highlight its colonial roots.
These include underground bunkers, cannons, and gothic gateways. This icon is not all history though, as the Farquhar Garden and Jubilee Park within Fort Canning grounds will testify.
A popular location for festivals and other celebrations, Fort Canning Park downtown location also makes it a hidden oasis amidst the metropolis.
Address: River Valley Rd, Singapore 179037
Opening hours: 7am – 7pm daily
Website: nparks.gov.sg
7. Hort Park
Often described as “whimsical” Hort Park focuses on showcasing the horticultural industry through its showcase garden designs, products and services.
Themed gardens and a nature playgarden, alongside guided tours and workshops make this a more interactive park than others offered in Singapore.
As an educational gardening resource hub, expect many hands-on activities for the whole family at one of the best nature parks in Singapore.
Address: 33 Hyderabad Rd, Singapore 119578
Opening hours: 6am – 11pm
Website: nparks.gov.sg
8. Bukit Batok Nature Park
Bukit Batok Nature Park is an urban park located in the north of the island. Developed over an abandoned quarry, the park features a scenic and tranquil Quarry Pool to help weary parkgoers recentre their minds.
Bird watching is a popular activity here, while a World War II memorial site keeps the park offerings fresh and diverse.
Address: Cnr Bukit Batok East Avenue 2, Bukit Batok East Ave 6, and, Singapore 659761
Opening hours: 24hours daily, lighting hours: 7am – 7pm daily
Website: nparks.gov.sg
9. MacRitchie Reservoir
At the site of Singapore’s oldest reservoir lies a nature park filled to the brim of sights and activities. MacRitchie Nature Trail and Reservoir Park is a stunning display of natural beauty atop the engineering marvel of a reservoir.
A Treetop walk allows visitors to walk a 250-metre aerial free standing suspension bridge, while the MacRitchie Trails through the tropical rainforest provide the opportunity to stumble upon wildlife such as macaque monkeys, monitor lizards, colugos and owls.
Water sports are also available on the massive reservoir, including canoeing, kayaking and fishing.
Address: MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Singapore 298717
Opening hours: 7am – 7pm daily
Website: visitsingapore.com/en_my/see-do-singapore/nature-wildlife/reserves/macritchie-nature-reserve/
10. The Southern Ridges
The Southern Ridges is not your average park. Rather, it’s a 10-kilometre stretch of open, interconnected green space linking Mouth Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Hort Park, Kent Ridge Park, and the Labrador Nature Reserve.
Perfect for seasoned walkers or adventure hikers, The Southern Ridges offers beautiful panoramic views of Singapore as you traverse from one park to another.
Parks are connected by stunning elevated or suspended walkways, such as the Henderson Waves: a 274-metre long wood panelled bridge.
Address: Southern Singapore
Lighting hours for Alexandra Arch: changing LED lights: 7pm – 12am daily
Lighting hours for Forest Walk: 7pm – 7am daily
Lighting hours for Henderson Waves: 7pm – 7am daily
Safety LED lights on bridges: 7pm – 7am daily
Website: nparks.gov.sg
As there are so many beautiful nature parks in Singapore venture, it is no wonder more and more people are looking at outdoors to de-stress, be it with family, friends, or just by themselves. Take a stroll at one of these parks, or enjoy riding a bicycle to wind down during the weekend.