Another beautiful place that can easily be accessed from the North-South MRT line is the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. This is Singapore's only wetlands reserve and it boasts a great abundance of tropical plant species, as well as numerous birds, including migratory birds on their way from North Asia to Australia and back.
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Wooden walkways and bridges take the visitor through the 325 acres reserve and there is a nice visitor's centre too, where you can see a documentary and learn more about the place and about wetlands ecosystems.
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A small tip from 'Metropolasia-Man'
Less than a few tourists bother to visit the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, which is a shame really, cause this corner of Singapore boasts a beautiful tropical wetland, with plenty of different birds and migratory birds...
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Free guided tours are available every Saturday, at 9:30 am (15pax only - First comes, first served). The nature-reserve is open daily, 7:30am - 7pm and the entrance is free (symbolic admission fees of SG$ 1 for an adult and SG$ 0.5 for children, students and over 60s are being charged on weekends)
How to get there ? From MRT-Kranji, take the "Kranji Express" (a yellow bus that connects the MRT station with several spots around the region). It departs every one and a half hours, from 9am to 4:30pm (Kranji Express Timetable).
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Another option is to take Bus No. 925. It departs from MRT-Kranji and you can alight at Kranji Reservoir car park and walk 15 - 20 minutes to the gate. On Sundays and public holidays, it goes all the way to the reserve's gate.
For more information, visit the Nature Reserve's website: www.sbwr.org.sg, or download their free PDF brochure, which contains plenty of useful info, as well as a map.
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Little Guilin (or Bukit Batok Town Park, as it is officially known) is a true gem of nature, surrounded by modern residential estates. It got its name thanks to its rather unique rock formations that resemble the famous area in China.
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Massive, forest clad granite cliffs protrude wildly from the lake, creating an amazingly beautiful landscape that stands in deep contrast to the boring residential blocks in the horizon. There are nice (and quite easy) walking trails in the park. The Bukit Gombak Trail, for instance, has some excellent view points (currently closed due to mudslides).
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A small tip from 'Metropolasia-Man':
Little Guilin is another hidden gem, worth knowing about... Located right next to modern residential suburbs, the park boasts some fabulous rocky landscapes and easy nature trails.
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Getting here: Alight in MRT-Bukit Gombak, walk out from the station through exit B, turn left to Bukit Batok East Avenue 5 and walk along it (the road should be on your right). After a few minutes walk, you will see the small lake and the park on your lefthand side.
The park is open 24 hours a day (parts of it are lit at night) and entrance is free.
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Other tours & Places of interest along the MRT North-South(NS) line:
Monasteries and Pagodas near Toa Payoh
MacRitchie Reservoir - A jungle suspension bridge and nature trails
Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari - Animal lover's paradise
