It is worth exploring Singapore to feel recharged!
Sometimes, you need to break away from reality and enjoy your own “me-time” to reflect, clear your mind, and take care of yourself in times of difficulty. Start self-caring and appreciating being alone because you deserve your attention and happiness. In Islam, this is important. Being alone does not necessarily mean loneliness. Be positive!
Admiring nature, architecture, and art in Singapore is one of the best antidotes to relieving stress. You can feel more connected with them as you surround yourself with greenery or scenery, take in the fresh air, go for a stroll, listen to the sounds of nature, etc. They provide you with composure, calmness, and relaxation, improving your mood, focus, mind and body, and physical, emotional, and mental health.
Here are nine places you can escape to in Singapore when you are distressed, overwhelmed, and crave peace and silence! See which ones suit you most and do what you love and want!
EAST COAST PARK
Located along Southeastern Singapore, East Coast Park has a long, clean coastline. Several activities can be done here for you to break a sweat. Grab a pair of rollerblades, a skateboard, or a bicycle, and take on the beach any way you like. You can bring your own or visit their rental kiosk to get one. Along the stretch of the beach, you can jog or walk too. If none of these activities interest you, you can just cool off on the beach and have a solo picnic. Pack a picnic mat, some food, drinks, books, a speaker, and your essentials! You can enjoy the sun in addition to the cool sea breeze. With the abundance of hawker centres and restaurants around, you do not have to worry about not having any food. All you need to do is free your mind.
UPPER SELETAR RESERVOIR PARK
With its scenic lakeside view and lush greenery, the Upper Seletar Reservoir Park is peaceful. It is located along Mandai Road in Central Singapore and is rich in history. Take a stroll, go on a trek, or do an invigorating jog along the park’s trails, basking in its serenity and iconic rocket-shaped tower! For the adventurous, climb up the spiral staircase to the top and be rewarded with a full panoramic view of the reservoir park and its surroundings that teem with flora and fauna. Besides this, an aesthetic landmark you cannot miss is the lone Casuarina tree that is set against the reservoir with an amazing view. You can sit on one of the two benches placed symmetrically on each side of the tree and watch the sunrise or sunset, highlighting the tranquility of the waters and skies. Also, do keep an eye on wildlife!
PEARL’S HILL CITY PARK
Situated behind Outram Park MRT Station, Pearl’s Hill City Park is tucked behind residential buildings. The park offers an oasis of calm and silence amidst the hustle and bustle of city life. It is open from 7 am to 7 pm. Take out your film camera and snap some photos! One of this park’s characteristics you can look forward to is its wooded ambience presented by the Tembusu trees. You can sit back and relax by the pond full of beautiful lotus plants, terrapins, and fish. As the hill is quite steep and has several stairs, you may want to grab your best hiking shoes to explore the huge park! If you are lucky, some squirrels may appear. From the hilltop, you can catch stunning views of the surroundings. For a simple walk, check out the mini stone bridge that leads to a colourful circle pathway to nowhere.
CONEY ISLAND
Coney Island, an ecologically sustainable park, is located on the Northeastern coast of Singapore in Punggol. It focuses on retaining its natural elements. Its signage, benches, and boardwalk were created from a collection of recycled uprooted Casuarina trees. It is home to a diversity of greenery and habitats including mangroves, Casuarina woodlands, coastal forests, and grasslands. Visited by over 80 species of birds, it is a perfect spot for bird watching! You can go for a run or hike, or bring your bicycle and enjoy a ride through the island along the 2.5km Coney Island Park Connector, absorbing the best views of the Serangoon Reservoir. Explore the forest and mangrove habitats on the boardwalks and look for signs that will help you navigate your way to five different beach locations. If you want to continue exploring, you can also head to the Punggol Waterway Park.
SINGAPORE BOTANICAL GARDENS
Head down to the Singapore Botanical Gardens through the Downtown Line. The Singapore Botanical Gardens is 163 years old and the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Singapore. It is one of the best places to chill, take pictures, and have a picnic. You will be able to take a brief respite from daily life. Go on a solo picnic date and take in the view of this exclusive tranquil garden. It has a beautiful array of tropical plants and flowers for you to admire. You can walk through the flourishing pathways that direct you to lily ponds with leafy arches overhead. Sometimes, you can encounter wild chickens and lovebirds flying around the garden so look out for those!
MARINA BARRAGE
Marina Barrage is situated at Marina Gardens Drive. It is a great place to rejuvenate and go on a retreat. Just like the Singapore Botanical Gardens and East Coast Park, it is one of the ideal locations for a picnic as it has a notable rooftop garden. The rooftop garden offers a huge green space where you can fly a kite, feel the sun and wind, and watch the sunset as you rest on your picnic mat. If you look further at that same level, you may also come across many solar panels that provide electricity to light the barrage.
RAFFLES MARINA LIGHTHOUSE
Placed near Tuas Link, Raffles Marina Lighthouse is a picturesque place for a sunset walk. You can look at the sky changing colours across the water and observe the stillness of the water after the sun sets. Not only that, but a multitude of skyscrapers in Malaysia is also visible across the water. Capture this moment on camera or through your eyes!
The lighthouse is 12 metres high and flashes every 10 seconds. Not every day do we get to see a lighthouse in a city like Singapore. Therefore, take the opportunity to have some alone time here at one of Singapore’s hidden gems and simply enjoy the view. Lots of things can be discovered here. This includes yachts, photoshoots, and people fishing. Take note that the Raffles Marina Lighthouse opens from 8 am to 10 pm!
NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE
Unlike the above-mentioned places, the National Gallery Singapore is an indoor area. It is in the Civic District of Singapore and opens from 10 am to 7 pm. It is a very quiet, cooling, and pleasing place to be in. You can take things indoors and clear your mind through art, culture, and heritage. From the displays and their history, you can appreciate, learn, understand, connect, and think deeper.
MARINA BAY SANDS
Marina Bay Sands is in the Central Business District of Singapore. The place to highlight here is the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade. It is a 3.5 km walkway that leads people to many attractions at Marina Centre, Collyer Quay, and Bayfront. It is an excellent spot for various activities along the bay.
This area is well-known for its skyscrapers and unique architectural buildings. You can go on a leisure stroll, take in the fresh air, reflect, and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Singapore skyline if this is up your alley. The view can be seen better as you walk through the Helix Bridge. There is no doubt that the view at night is even more astonishing with the lights. Alternatively, you can just sit at the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade and watch the sunset and the light show. Additionally, you can do some exercises or simple hands-on activities like painting or building Legos and miniature houses.