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Jurong
Bird Park
One of Singapore's major
attractions, the
beautifully landscaped 20-hectare
Jurong Bird Park is the largest bird park in
all of Southeast Asia. Home to over 8,000
birds from 6000 species including one of the
largest Hornbill collections in the world,
the Jurong Bird Park holds the distinction
of having the world's tallest man-made
waterfall. Check out its Southeast Asian
Birds Aviary where a thunderstorm is
simulated everyday at noon, the nocturnal
house where owls and kiwis can be found and
the colorful Parrot Paradise. Look out also
for bird shows. The Bird Park can be covered
by monorail (extra charges apply) or on
foot.
Getting there
Take SBS bus 194 or 251 from Boon Lay MRT
(W12).
The Night Safari
As the world's first and only night zoo,
this is an experience that cannot be
recommended enough! You can view - by tram (
extra charges apply) or by foot on one of
the three Walking Trails, or a combination
of both to experience the park set in eight
geographical zones. Catch the twice-nightly
"Creatures of the Night" show, a
highly entertaining and educational animal
show featuring a cougar, binturong, civet
and an otter. Take a stroll through the
Mangrove Walk, a free-ranging bat enclosure
along the Leopard Trail. Winner of the 11th
and 12th Tourism Awards 1996 and
1997 - Leisure Attraction of the Year.
Getting there
Take SBS bus 138 from Ang Mo Kio MRT (N).
Atlernatively, take TIBS bus 927 fromChoa
Chu Kang MRT (N21).
Bukit Timah Nature
Reserve
One of only two rainforests in
the world within city
boundaries(the other is in Rio de Janeiro),
the 164-hectare reserve contains more
species of plants than the entire North
American continent. At the heart of the
reserve lies Singapore's highest point-
Bukit Timah Hill at 164 meters above sea
level - with wildlife like long-tailed
macaques, flying lemurs and the seldom-seen
pangolin and mouse deer waiting to be
discovered. Visitors can obtain trail maps
from the Visitor Center and take a leisurely
walk while listening in on birds such as the
racket-tailed drongo, the striped
tit-babbler or the banded woodpecker that
can keep you fixated for a long time.
Getting there
Take TIBS bus 171 or 182 from Newton MRT
(N4).
Chinese and
Japanese Gardens
Situated side by side,
the Chinese and Japanese
Gardens reflect very contrasting landscapes.
The 13-hectare Chinese Garden
re-creates a classical Chinese
imperial garden with twin pagodas, a Suzhou-style
Penjing garden, a tea gallery and other
Chinese architecture. The Japanese Garden,
on the other hand, emphasizes simplicity,
with stone lanterns, shrubs, Zen rock
gardens, traditional summer houses and
classical Japanese motifs creating a
soothing atmosphere.
Getting there
A short walk from Chinese
Garden MRT (W10).
East Coast Park
A favorite playground of Singaporeans, the
East Coast park, off the East Coast Parkway
(ECP) between Bedok and Marine Parade, holds
many avenues for fun. You can bowl, cycle,
windsurf, canoe, and have a picnic,
roller-blade or just chill out here. Or you
can enjoy yourself at the various leisure
attractions like East Coast Tennis Center or
the Laguna Golf Course. Gourmands will love
the UDMC seafood center.
Getting there
Take SBS bus 16 and alight at Marine
Terrace. Then use the Underpass to cross the ECP.
Fort Canning Park
Fort Canning Park,
behind the
Singapore Drama Center and
Singapore History Museum was built by the
British between 1859 and 1861 as an arms
store, barracks and hospital. The hill is
sacred to the Malays because this is where
early Malay rulers were laid to rest. This
is also where Sir Stamford Raffles built his
own bungalow, Singapore's first Government
House. Fort Canning is now a popular venue
for the arts, including sculpture
exhibitions, plays and ballet under the
stars.
Getting there
A short walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT (NI).
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