MacRitchie Reservoir was designed and built by James MacRitchie in 1867. It is Singapore’s oldest and largest reservoir. Those interested in nature and botany will find a range of places to explore in Singapore, from the reservoir and specialized orchid display houses to historic gardens, wetlands and art collections.
MacRitchie Reservoir and Singapore’s nature
The history of MacRitchie Reservoir gives the site a clear historical context: it dates back to 1867. The Central Catchment Nature Reserve is also a distinct nature destination within the wider Singapore travel area. It is Singapore’s largest nature reserve, covering more than 2,000 hectares of forest and more than 20 kilometers of trails around MacRitchie Reservoir.
Another natural environment is Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. It is Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park and an important habitat for migratory birds. More than 200 bird species have been recorded there, including resident birds and rare visitors. Together with the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, it shows how varied nature experiences can be across the wider Singapore travel area: forest and trails on one hand, wetlands and birdlife on the other.
Orchids and botanical history
The opening hours of the National Orchid Garden provide a clear guide for visits: the garden is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; last entry and ticket sales are at 6:00 p.m. Check the hours again before your trip. Since April 3, 2021, the Tropical Montane Orchidetum has included the Lowland Habitat Trail, Secret Ravine and three specialized display houses. These recreate different elevation zones of tropical mountains. The Orchidetum therefore brings together several named areas and representations of different elevations.
Across the wider Singapore travel area, the Singapore Botanic Gardens adds history and research to this botanical perspective. Its cultural landscape includes historic landscape features, plantings and buildings that illustrate its development since its founding in 1859. Since the 19th century, the garden has been a center for plant research in Southeast Asia; in the 20th century, it played a major role in expanding plantation rubber cultivation. Today, it continues to play a leading role in the exchange of ideas, knowledge and expertise in tropical botany and horticultural science. Protected heritage features include 44 Heritage Trees and buildings and structures such as Burkill Hall and the Swan Lake Gazebo.
Singapore offers further botanical contrasts at the Flower Dome and the Supertrees in Supertree Grove. The Flower Dome in Bay South Gardens covers 1.28 hectares and is home to plants and flowers from five continents. More than 162,900 plants grow on the Supertrees, including over 200 species and varieties of bromeliads, orchids, ferns and tropical flowering climbers. These examples offer different highlights: plants from several continents in the Flower Dome and a wide variety of plant groups on the Supertrees.
Trails and landscapes across the wider Singapore travel area
The Rail Corridor connects Woodlands with Tanjong Pagar and stretches for 24 kilometers. The former railway line has been transformed into a shared space for recreation, learning and nature conservation; its ecological route allows activities such as hiking and cycling. Grassland and forest along the corridor give way to wetlands and back mangroves. As an ecological corridor, it connects important green spaces in Singapore.
Henderson Waves and Pulau Ubin each offer their own attractions. Henderson Waves is a distinctive 274-meter-long pedestrian bridge with a wave-like structure. On Pulau Ubin, the Tree Trail runs from the Ubin Volunteer Hub to the Chek Jawa Wetlands and has 14 stops, including old coconut and rubber plantations, the home of a former village head and several notable trees. Visitors can also hike up Puaka Hill: at 74 meters, it is the highest point on the island, which lies just off the northeastern corner of mainland Singapore.
Art and food culture
The National Gallery Singapore focuses on art from Singapore and Southeast Asia. Its significant collection spans the 19th century to the present and is housed in two National Monuments: the former Supreme Court and the former City Hall. The buildings’ former functions remain part of their story, while the collection focuses on modern and contemporary art.
Hawker culture offers another perspective on Singapore. Hawkers adapt their dishes to influences from different cultures as well as local tastes and circumstances. Hawker centres serve as communal dining spaces where people from different backgrounds come together over a meal. For trip planning, these topics can be considered as different areas of interest: botanical and landscape sites, art or food culture. The network of trains and buses connects almost every part of the island; trains link key areas of the island city.
For an overview of the wider trip: Singapore.
