See & Do
North & Central
The central and northern parts of Singapore are havens for wildlife, and they draw tourists, runners, hikers, mountain bikers and nature enthusiasts to their quiet green escapes. When you take into account the tracts of primary rainforest at Bukit Timah, scenic reservoirs such as MacRitchie, and superb natural attractions like Night Safari, you gain a greater appreciation for the planning that allows a heavily populated city state to set aside such extensive portions of land for nature and recreation. This green belt also serves an important role as the island’s lung that absorbs carbon emissions coming from the city’s maze of motorways. When exploring, be sure to bring ample water, bug spray and a mobile phone.
Kranji in the north makes a nice scenic drive. A military camp prior to the Japanese invasion, Kranji is now home to the Kranji War Cemetery and the memorial at 9 Woodlands Road. The Kranji War Memorial’s walls are inscribed with the names of 24,346 British men and women from Singapore, Malaya, Java and Sumatra who died in the war. Further along the winding road are a series of organic farms and lifestyle farms, perhaps the closest to ‘alternative lifestylers’ that Singapore has. Ivy Singh-Lim runs Bollywood Veggies, a lovely organic farm that has short guided tours and a cafe that serves home-cooked Asian cuisine (made from organic ingredients, of course). Call them first before visiting (6898 5001).
Residential
The Bukit Timah area is a particularly prominent location with a high land value. It has extensive flora and contains the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, which is part of the reason for its high land value. The area includes educational institutions such as the Hwa Chong Institution, Raffles Girls’ Primary School, Methodist Girls’ School and others, as well as many bungalows – traditionally expensive in land-scarce Singapore – and high rise condominiums. It’s a popular location for expats and well heeled Singaporeans. The Keretapi Tanah Melayu from Malaysia has a passing loop station here along its rail network from Johor Bahru to Tanjong Pagar.
Retail
In terms of retailing, the area’s proximity to the city tends to limit the need, although Novena is the best bet for neighbourhood shops.
Places of Interest
Among the numerous natural attractions such as Bishan Park, there’s the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the MacRitchie Reservoir, not to mention the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in the northwest which, in 2002, became the first wetlands reserve to have been gazetted in Singapore. A stopover point for migratory birds, it’s 1.3 square kilometres of birding pleasure. Orchid enthusiasts will enjoy the Mandai Orchid Gardens, a short walk from the Singapore Zoo.
Kranji in the north makes a nice scenic drive. A military camp prior to the Japanese invasion, Kranji is now home to the Kranji War Cemetery and the memorial at 9 Woodlands Road. The Kranji War Memorial’s walls are inscribed with the names of 24,346 British men and women from Singapore, Malaya, Java and Sumatra who died in the war. Further along the winding road are a series of organic farms and lifestyle farms, perhaps the closest to ‘alternative lifestylers’ that Singapore has. Ivy Singh-Lim runs Bollywood Veggies, a lovely organic farm that has short guided tours and a cafe that serves home-cooked Asian cuisine (made from organic ingredients, of course). Call them first before visiting (6898 5001).
