Miss travelling? Go to these places in SG to feel like you’re overseas

Fort Canning Park

Credit: ST Photo/Lim Yaohui

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If you’re dreaming of a holiday in Bali, doesn’t the Pancur Larangan, aka Forbidden Spring, in Fort Canning Park reminds you of the Tirta Empul Temple near Ubud, famed for its holy spring water?

The only difference is that you can’t step into the recreated 14th century Javanese-inspired bath for a cleansing ritual. However, it’s worth taking a trip there with the kids for some fresh air!

Complete the Balinese vibes at the Sang Nila Utama Garden, which resembles the Bali gates of heaven.

Little Guilin

Credit: ST Photo/Ng Han Guan

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Formerly a granite quarry, Little Guilin in Bukit Batok gives you a glimpse of the limestone karst hills in Guilin, a city in China.

What’s missing is a boat tour, but you can soak in the view at the park and throw yourself a picnic under a tree.

Punggol Beach

Credit: The New Paper/Mohd Ishak

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Sunsets are for dreaming, and if you’re looking for somewhere to clear your head, head down to Punggol beach in the evening.

The dramatic sunset over the horizon and the large rocks that dot the shore will transport you to a place far away from home.

Bukit Timah Saddle Club

Credit: ST Photo/Ashleigh Sim

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Step out into Singapore’s countryside at the quaint Bukit Timah Saddle Club.

Learn how to ride a horse and get on the off-road track trail rides to see a different sight of Singapore’s Greenland.

Seletar North Link

Credit: Nparks.gov.sg

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Upper Seletar Reservoir is home to the Casuarina tree, a famous tree that’s starred in many wedding photoshoots, appropriately placed between two wooden benches.

Seletar North Link also offers the view of a dreamy lake with the tranquility that would remind you of Canada or New Zealand.

If you’re visiting Upper Seletar, make sure to make your trip worthwhile with other hidden gems in the area that are worth exploring with the family. Take a stroll or ride bikes with the kids to drop by their aeroplane playground, life-sized aeroplane chess and many more.

Chinese and Japanese Garden

Credit: ST Photo/Mark Cheong

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Unfortunately, Chinese and Japanese Gardens are closed for redevelopment from 1 June 2019 and will be completed from 2021 onwards.

But once its doors open again, it means you don’t have to travel to Japan to have a shot under a torii when there’s one right here at the Chinese and Japan

ese Garden, situated in Lakeside Garden.

Take an idyllic stroll around the garden, cross the red bridge and shade yourself from the scorching sun in one of the pavilions.

For now, you can explore the Lakeside Gardens which just opened in 2019, and is filled with new and exciting attractions for young families, such as nature trails and a butterfly garden.

8. Raffles Lighthouse

Credit: ST Photo/Caroline Chia

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While it’s not usually open to the public, Raffles Lighthouse opened its doors for visits in April 2019, organised by the Maritime Port Authority.

Located on Pulau Satumu, the lighthouse has been in operation since 1855 and is still manned by staff on shifts.

It’s so quaint you could almost mistake it for somewhere in Australia, and it looks even better at night.

Sadly, you can’t pop by anytime for an Instagram shot, so we can only cross our fingers and hope they organise another open house soon.

This article was first published in The Singapore Women's Weekly.