Mount Faber guide
“The cable car place? Go before lah!” might be your reaction to the idea of visiting Mount Faber.
Not just a pit stop to get to Sentosa, Mount Faber offers one of the highest vantage points we have on our little island. Many of us would have mistaken it as an actual mountain as kids – standing at 106m-tall, it’s nevertheless a scenic hill that offers sweeping vistas of the CBD and Harbourfront.
Below is a quick guide to the nature park that might inspire a revisit:
Everything to know about Mount Faber’s past
Originally called Telok Blangah Hill, it was renamed after Captain Charles Edward Faber, who built a road for signalling purposes in the early days of Singapore’s colonisation. Shortly after in 1855, Mount Faber was used as an armoury of weapons to protect Singapore from enemy fire due to its strategic height advantage.
It was decommissioned as a fort in 1885 since there was little threat of attacks on Singapore. Mount Faber then became the home of an observatory in 1905. The observatory had a time-ball, which was what determined the accuracy of clocks across Singapore.
Mount Faber was home to a number of historical figures, including the Johor Sultanate and the royal family. Their former residence is now the Masjid Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim mosque.
Tan Boo Liat, the great-grandson of philanthropist Tan Tock Seng also had a house here called the Golden Bell Mansion. Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat Sen even stayed at the stupa-inspired building when he lived in Singapore in the early 1900s. The house is still standing and is being used by the Danish Seamen’s Church.
Can I hike to the peak of Mount Faber?
Image credit: @quynhquynh0803 via Instagram
Spending time cooped up at home is sure to get us itching to head outside – it’s no wonder that many of us have gone nuts over hiking and cycling trails. If you’re looking for one with breathtaking scenery to boot, add Mount Faber to your list of weekend to-dos.
Faber Point Lookout.
You can hike to the top of Mount Faber from the bottom of the hill via Marang Trail, which lies near Harbourfront Exit D. From there, it’s about a short 800m walk to the highest peak of Faber Point.
Alternatively, start from the nearby Henderson Waves and cut through Faber Point. Both of these routes offer well-paved paths taking you through a thicket of trees, with panoramic lookout points along the way.
Image credit: @bazonbike via Instagram
If walking isn’t your thing, there’s also the option of cycling to the top or driving up. At the peak, plenty of attractions await:
Rainbow staircases & wishing bells
Image credit: @jiawentanx via Instagram
The iconic cable cars we all confirm know about aside, there are also IG-worthy photo ops including a flight of colourful rainbow staircases and Poland’s Bells of Happiness – a pair of wishing bells that were gifted from, well, Poland.
One of the bells dates all the way back to 1909, and legend says if you ring these your wishes will come true!
Image credit: @sana_subba via Instagram
While you’re exploring the area, also look out for a mini Merlion Statue and a mural wall that encapsulates Singapore’s history way back from the 14th Century.
What facilities are at Mount Faber?
No better home for a porcelain throne than a toilet with a million-dollar view.
The bathrooms at nature parks don’t often have the best reputation, but you’ll be in for a surprise with Mount Faber Peak’s washroom. Having recently gone viral on TikTok, this is arguably one of the best public toilets in Singapore, with a view of Sentosa and cable cars gliding off into the distance.
There’s even an official name for this toilet: Peek-A-Loo – though if you ask me, it should be called Peak-A-Loo. Nevertheless, you can wash up here after your hike up – there’s even a giant mirror for a picture-perfect #OOTD with lots of natural light.
What to eat at Mount Faber?
View from Dusk Restaurant & Bar.
Image credit: @bellasakurah via Instagram
Date ideas don’t come easy but if you’re looking to impress your boo for a special occasion, a restaurant with a view is sure to be the kicker of the night. Enjoy a romantic dinner at either of Mount Faber Peak’s 2 restaurants, Dusk Restaurant & Bar or Arbora Hilltop Garden & Bistro, both of which are perched over the top of the hill.
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Arbora.
Image credit: Knotties Frame
Do note that Dusk Restaurant & Bar is temporarily closed and under renovation. But should you fall in love with the place, Arbora Hilltop Garden & Bistro is also a quintessential spot for a non-hotel wedding. Sweeping views aside, it also has an alfresco garden perfect for wedding solemnisation.
What you need to know before taking the Singapore Cable Car
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Once you’re done exploring the area, it’s time to hop on the cable car for a scenic route down. You can enjoy unblocked views of the cityscape and attempt to spot the iconic beaches at Sentosa. It’s also a great way to chase the sunset, so plan your ride around 7pm to catch that orange sky.
Or, you can also upgrade your ride by experiencing SkyOrb’s futuristic spherical cabins that have customised light shows depending on the occasion.
They are also equipped with transparent glass floors so you can marvel at Sentosa and the Singapore Straits at nearly any angle. Ticket holders of the Mount Faber Line or Cable Car Line can upgrade to SkyOrb’s cabins from $15 to $20.
The ride from Mount Faber to HarbourFront and Sentosa will take around 6 and 13 minutes respectively. We recommend heading in the evening around 6.30pm for a roundtrip ride. That’ll give you plenty of time to enjoy golden hour before catching the sunset.
Image for illustrative purposes only.
If you’ve got a date to impress, Cable Car Sky Dining ($138/pax)is an option to make the ride an unforgettable experience. You’ll get a 3-course meal inclusive of an appetiser, soup, and drink at Arbora Bistro before enjoying your mains and dessert onboard the cable car.
Also, fans of Pokémon will be glad to know that all cable cars are Pokémon-themed from now till 30th April 2024. You’ll see adorable Fuecoco, Eevee, and Pokéball motifs peppered throughout the cabins, and Pokémon collectibles at the cable car’s gift shop too.
Visit Mount Faber Singapore
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Singapore may not have sky-high mountains or a vast expanse of national parks, but give Mount Faber a shot if you’re looking for something refreshing to do – it has plenty to offer to satiate the adventurers and aesthetes among us. As usual, sunrises and sunsets are the best time to visit, especially if you’re planning to hike through the nature park.
Mount Faber also lies close to the Southern Ridges, Hort Park, and Labrador Nature Reserve, so you can continue through these other parks if you’re up for a long-distance hike.
For more nature guides:
- Pulau Ubin guide
- MacRitchie Nature Reserve guide
- Best nature parks and reserves in Singapore
- Less predictable nature walks
Cover image adapted from: @lifeofpoo, @jiawentanx & @bellasakurah via Instagram
Originally published on 8th June 2021 by Kezia Tan. Last updated by Syahiran Sean on 9th April 2024.