Bukit Batok Nature Park, Singapore Overview

The Bukit Batok Nature Park (BBNP) is a quiet, serene park near the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. The major highlight of the lush park is the quarry-turned-pond located right at the entrance. The 36-hectare park is perfect for jogging, walking or biking on the trails surrounded by the lush green beauty of the secondary forest. Many also prefer exercising at Bukit Batok Nature Park as it contains fitness areas and many bike trails of varying difficulty.

Bukit Batok means Coughing Hill in Malay and the park was given this name when it was formed in 1988, as it was made around an abandoned quarry that was once used to dig up granite. Since then, the quarry has filled up with rainwater and given way to a beautiful pond set against the foot of a high cliff and the secondary forest that the park now houses. The serene Butik Batok Park has diverse trails that range from easy to moderate level of difficulty, providing a beautiful view of the surrounding clear waters from the lookout points that are as tall as 10- storeys high and at intervals along the trails. The park also plays its part in the history and heritage of Singapore as it holds a World War 2 memorial up on the Bukit Batok Hill.

Things to Do at Bukit Batok Nature Park

Although Bukit Batok Park is a place of natural beauty and contains amazing vegetation, there is no possible chance of encountering wild animals. However, the natural beauty and quietness of the park are well suited for the following activities.

Photography- The natural beauty bedazzles the visitors who are interested to capture the beautiful location on camera. The variety of trees makes excellent photography objects while nature lovers and professional photographers have fun trying to catch the beautiful birds in flight. Many of the tourists are interested to shoot family photographs against the backdrop of the park while the young generation is intent on clicking selfies.

Walking - This site is literally a walk in the park for the visitors who are eager to follow the walking trails that take them into the thick cover of trees. Walking in the shade is pleasant indeed with the chirping birds enhancing the experience even more.

Bird Watching- There are numerous species of birds found at Bukit Batok Nature Park making it a must-visit site for avid bird watchers and serious ornithologists. The dedicated watchers try to spot them through binoculars while the locals and other visitors choose to rest under the trees and keep a lookout for interesting birds.

World War II Memorial

Bukit Batok Nature Park is a World War II memorial site and contributes to the history of Singapore. During World War II, the Japanese chose the Lorong Sesuai site as a memorial. However, as time passed, the memorials were destroyed, and all that remains is two pillars that pay tribute to the Japanese soldiers that fought during the war. There are also 120 steps leading to the pillars as well as a transmission tower. At the foot of these steps lies a memorial plaque that explains the significance of these pieces of history.

Flora and Fauna at Bukit Batok

The Bukit Batok Nature Park is a local's choice when they think about relaxing amongst nature and the tranquil atmosphere this park provides. Aside from this, the existence of the secondary forest results in this park being a hotspot for all kinds of wonders and rare flora and fauna. The park's flora is to be rivalled with as it hosts a variety of blooming Orchids, as well as the age of Tree Ferns, and Elephant Ferns. The forest also contains a large number of fruit trees, and the common Durian tree is found in abundance.

The fauna at the park consists mainly of birds, lizards and the occasional monkey or sea turtle. The quarry pond also holds a vast amount of fish species which can be seen swimming in the pond with the sea turtles. The lizards found amongst the bushes or trees of the park include the Changeable Lizard and the Green- Crested Lizard. However, due to the park attracting some rare birds, among which the Grey-Headed Fish Eagle takes precedence, the place is a bird watcher's paradise. Other birds to look out for would be thrushes, Magpie- robins, Straw-headed Bulbul, etc.

How to Reach Bukit Batok Nature Park

Bukit Batok Park can be accessed through East Avenue 2, East Avenue 6, Lorong Sesuai and the Hillview Park Connector.

Bus- 61, 66, 157, 178, 852, and 985 (Bukit Batok East Avenue 6)

Nearest MRT station- Bukit Batok

The car park is situated along Bukit Batok East Avenue 2.

Tips

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes with a good grip as there are several slopes in the park.
Fishing is not allowed in Bukit Batok Nature Park.
Do not miss the quarry pond at the entrance of the park.
The park is wheelchair accessible.
The walking time for the trails is around 1- 2 hours.