Just keep walking: A guide to exploring Singapore on foot

When you’re on holiday, every moment is an opportunity to make memories — even time spent travelling on foot! It is more than just a method to get from point-to-point, it’s one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the history and culture of a new place. In fact, there are plenty of different walking tours that can be found throughout Singapore, some free and self-guided, and some paid and guided. Depending on what you’re looking for, here are some of the best local trails for you to set foot on the next time you’re in Singapore.

All walks of life: For the culturally inclined

The Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple is one of the five places of worship along this street.

Singapore’s identity comes from being multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-racial, and it is the extent of the diversity that truly sets the nation apart. Ingrained into daily life, it can perhaps be best seen along Waterloo Street. Stretching merely 550m long, this street holds places of worship from a whopping five different major religions — Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism! Though different in ideology, they exist harmoniously.

A+B Edu Tours & Travel organises a “Unity in Diversity” Tour that covers this culturally significant road. As the name implies, the tour focuses on the different ways racial harmony plays out in the context of Singapore as well as examples of how the peace is kept. In addition to this, the tour will also give you an immersive cultural experience. For example, a free aura reading by a local fortune teller is included in the package. A finalist for the Singapore Tourism Award Best Tour Experience 2017, you can be sure you’re getting your money’s worth!

Price

Adults: S$70

Children (under 12 years old): S$45

Availability:

Saturday to Thursday, tour starts at 4:00PM

Location:

Bras Basah MRT Station (along the Circle Line), outside Exit E [Waterloo Street] (Tip: Be at this meeting-point 15 minutes earlier for registration to ensure you don’t miss the tour!)

Duration:

3 hours

For more information, click here.

A walk down memory lane: For the history buffs

Fort Siloso is Singapore’s last remaining coastal gun battery, out of the original 12.

Though still considered a young nation, Singapore has seen its fair share of wars and historic moments. During the events of World War II, a key battle was fought along the slopes of the Pasir Panjang Ridge. It occurred near the end of the Japanese invasion, where Lieutenant Adnan bin Saidi led a platoon of soldiers in one of the most epic final stands in the Battle of Singapore. The nearby oil refinery was in flames, creating a literal river of fire as the backdrop of the skirmish. Lieutenant Adnan and his platoon were heavily outnumbered by the Japanese, yet driven by their brave spirit, did not give up and fought with everything they had.

Bukit Chandu was a strategic point as it was the link to one of the British military’s main ammo bases and supply depots, as well as one the main military hospitals (now known as Alexandra Hospital).

Pasir Panjang Ridge forms part of a heritage trail, which consists of three key locations — Fort Siloso in Sentosa, Reflections at Bukit Chandu and Kent Ridge Park. Starting off at Fort Siloso, discover what a fort built in the 19^th century looks like. The wide range of memorabilia includes now defunct coastline artillery guns meant to protect the main entrance of Singapore’s harbour. After which, walk down to Reflections at Bukit Chandu, a museum dedicated to the heroic Malay Regiment soldiers as they took their last stand against the 13,000-strong Japanese Imperial Army.

Continue onto the Southern Ridges trail and enter Kent Ridge Park, the soil on which the fierce Battle of Pasir Panjang took place. There are several information boards that explain key milestones of the battle throughout the walk to guide your experience.

Price:

Free (Self-guided with help from onsite signbords and map)

Availability:

10:00AM to 6:00PM (Tip: Start at Fort Siloso no later than 4pm in order to make it to all three locations before they close)

Location:

Fort Siloso along Siloso Road, Sentosa Island; detailed directions here

Duration:

Around 2 hours

For more information, click here.

The longest walk: For the fitness fanatics

The recent launched coast-to-coast trail connect existing park connectors to form a long trail. Plans are currently in the works to expand it.

Can’t decide on what you want to see on your walks? Don’t choose — now, you can see everything! Go on an exciting adventure and walk Singapore, coast-to-coast. Yes, you heard that right. The entire trail is a whopping 36km long, which takes approximately 8 hours to complete, linking Jurong Lake in the west with Coney Island in the east. Furthermore, it will bring you right into the heartlands of Singapore so that you’ll be able learn more about the daily life of the locals. Be sure to prepare enough water and sunblock before you start your journey.

If you start your journey off at Jurong Lake, the final stop will be at Coney Island—a perfect place to take a picture to show off on social media.

If you require a guide, download the NParks Coast-to-Coast mobile application (available on iOS and Android). Not only will it point you in the right direction as you traverse the trail, it also provides fun facts about the different areas and biodiversity around you. It even gamifies the experience by giving you points for finding certain hidden objects.

Price:

Free (Self-guided with help from app)

Availability:

Any time (Tip: Start bright and early in the morning, around 7:00AM so you finish the walk before it gets dark)

Location:

Across Singapore (Choose to start either from the west, Checkpoint 1: Jurong Lake Gardens or east, Checkpoint 9: Coney Island Park)

Duration:

10 – 12 hours; varies based on pace and breaks taken along the way

For more information, click here.

If you’re looking for a slightly off-the-beaten track method of exploring Singapore, consider putting on your activewear and going on a walk along the many trails the country has to offer. Whether you’re looking for some nature to immerse yourself in, or a heritage trail to learn about the culture of the land, you’re bound to find something that strikes your fancy.