Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Nature reserve in Bukit Panjang, Singapore
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve sits on the slopes of Singapore's highest natural point, rising about 164 meters above sea level. The woodland spans roughly 163 hectares and offers hiking trails of different difficulty levels marked with signs explaining local plants and wildlife.
The site became protected in 1883 after the superintendent of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Nathaniel Cantley, recommended safeguarding the forests of the Straits Settlements. This early conservation effort marked it as one of the region's oldest protected areas.
The name comes from Malay words meaning Tin Hill, recalling when the area was worked for granite extraction. Today you can still spot traces of that industrial past woven into the forest landscape.
The trails are well-marked and suited for visitors of all fitness levels, from easy paths at the base to steeper sections heading toward the summit. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water with you, and plan to walk during daytime when the paths are most active.
The site holds more than 840 flowering plant species and around 500 animal species within its relatively compact area, making it a biodiversity hotspot. A wildlife bridge connects it to the nearby Central Catchment forest, allowing animals to move between the woodland patches.
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