Hidden gems and secret corners of Singapore that will surprise you
Singapore is full of secret surprises, from unknown forests to exotic hidden street art… There is so much to discover.
Singapore is one of the largest cities in the world. Known for a myriad of ever-evolving art and culture, from museums to gastronomy, and more. But did you know that there are a variety of buried places in Singapore where time has almost stood still? These hidden gems are the perfect places to explore on a boring day. Here are 17 of the best secret places in Singapore.
Seletar rocket tower
📍Upper Seletar Reservoir Park, Mandai Rd Track 7, Singapore
Built in 1969, this 19-meter-high rocket tower is the perfect place to explore. At the top of the tower, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the reservoir, Greenland, and even Singapore Zoo in the distance.
Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery
📍88 Bright Hill Rd, Singapore 574117
Known as the Bright Hill Temple, it is a majestic Buddhist monastery and one of the largest Buddhist temples in Singapore. In fact, you can discover art and culture in this beautiful and colorful environment while learning about a century of history in this exotic temple. Furthermore, it is one of the best temples in Singapore.
Little Guilin
📍Along Bukit Batok East Ave 5, Singapore 659761
Bukit Batok City Park is a hidden gem that resembles the city of Guilin in southern China. The pretty park is a real treasure to make you feel like you are walking through an exotic Chinese forest, with granite rock formations, a beautiful lake and amazing scenery. Many people don’t do it, even if it exists. Learn more about Little Guilin.
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
📍60 Kranji Way, #01-00, Singapore 739453
Stroll through these undiscovered wetlands and award-winning mangrove forests in Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park. Known for its rare birds and exotic fauna, exotic mangroves, ponds, forests, mudflats, and much more along the Kranji Way… It is the perfect place for a secret trek. In addition, it has a great observation tower, shaped like a bird cage, and other observation towers hidden in the forest.
Starbucks At Bird Paradise
📍80 Mandai Lake Rd, River Wonders, Singapore 729826
The new Bird Paradise unveiled a stunning new Starbucks tucked away in Mandai Wildlife West to grab your next coffee while exploring the park. The eco-friendly sanctuary is made from sustainable materials and features rustic furniture, whimsical artwork, indoor and outdoor seating, and more – it’s almost like you’re deep in the jungle.
Japanese Cemetery Park
📍 22 Chuan Hoe Ave, Singapore 549854
Many people are not familiar with the attractive Japanese Cemetery Park in Singapore. Stroll through a cherry blossom wonderland with stunning Japanese architecture and floral arches. Plus, it’s one of the most Instagrammable places in Singapore.
Smith Marine Floating Kelong Restaurant
📍Between Changi and Pulau Ubin, Singapore
Located in the Johor Strait, this epic floating restaurant is built on an old wooden fishing port. Wonderfully, it offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience where guests can catch fish for their own meals and chefs cook them. Additionally, it is one of the most unique restaurants in Singapore.
German Girl Shrine
📍Ketam Mountain Bike Park, Pulau Ubin, Singapore
The German Girl Shrine is hidden on the island of Pulau Ubin. It marks the location of an unknown 18-year-old German girl who died in 1914, after falling from a cliff, while she was fleeing British forces. Her family supposedly owns a coffee plantation on the island and were sent to prisoner-of-war camps on the Singapore mainland. A group of Chinese workers gave the girl a proper burial at the top of the hill.
Jurong Hill Park Viewpoint
📍60 Jurong Hill, Singapore 628926
People forget about the surreal viewing tower at the top of Jurong Hill Park. It looks a little creepy at first, but the tower offers 360-degree views of Singapore and its surroundings. Photographers will definitely appreciate this and it is one of the best secret places to visit in Singapore.
The last Hakka cemetery
📍7B Commonwealth Ave, Singapore 142007
Between a busy MRT station and high-rise buildings, discover Holland Close Graveyard. The old cemetery dates back to the 1800s and has around 3,000 carefully arranged headstones. Time has stopped at the last Hakka cemetery!
Bollywood vegetables
📍100 Neo Tiew Rd, Singapore 719026
Escape the bustling city and unwind on this farm collective in the rural Kranji countryside. Without a doubt, one of the biggest secret places in Singapore to connect with the earth, eat real whole foods, and nourish your mind, body, and soul.
Everton Road Street Art
📍Everton Road, Singapore
With an impressive collection of murals on Everton Road… You will be truly mesmerized. Each painting represents a diverse theme and tells a different story. For example, one represents the old Peranakan shops. Definitely one of the biggest hidden secret places in Singapore, and an art tour is a great idea to do alone.
Istana Woodneuk
📍766 Tyersall Ave, Singapore 257699
Hidden in the meadow, this two-story palace dates back to the 19th century. So it’s the perfect secret exploration of the ruins, steeped in modern vandalism, with a creepy twist. Interestingly, some claim it is haunted because more than 700 people died there during World War II.
Secret bars
📍 2 Circular Rd, Singapore 049358
Discover some of the best speakeasies and secret bars in Singapore. For example, there is the popular Chinese restaurant The Dragon Chamber in Chinatown, hidden behind a refrigerator door, and the likes of Taylor Adam, hidden behind a dressing room, with old-world secret society vibes. Get the full list of secret bars in Singapore.
Clementi Forest
📍Clementi Forest, Singapore
Put on your hiking gear for a walk along the uncharted trails of the historic Clementi Forest. There, you’ll find a variety of underground tunnels, green corridors, muddy paths, secret landmarks, abandoned train tracks, and more on this 24km route. It certainly feels like another world where time has stopped.
The southernmost point of Asia
📍Palawan Beach, Sentosa Island, Singapore
Located off Palawan Beach on Sentosa Island, this secret spot features two viewing towers with iconic views of the South China Sea. Additionally, it can only be accessed via a suspension bridge. Plus, it’s one of the most Instagrammable places to discover in Singapore.
