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Scenic Upper Seletar Reservoir

Enjoy nature in Singapore

Personally, there are a few scenic drives in Singapore that are my favourite. They’re the lovely view of the Straits of Johor, when you traverse the 2nd Link Expressway at Tuas. The other would be the awesome cityscape of the Marina Bay areas, with the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands and the Central Business District as you travel along the Benjamin Sheares Highway. There is also the viaduct along Kranji Way, where you can take in view of the Johor town on the right as you travel toward Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserves in the Neo Tiew/Lim Chu Kang area.

But in this journal, it is the Upper Seletar Reservoir that I am writing about. This is indeed one of more relaxing drives in Singapore that you can see wide expenses of water and mature trees forming a canopy over the stretch of Mandai road. In fact, this is one of the five “Heritage Roads” in Singapore. A subject I am looking to cover at a future date. For those who are in the know, the best time to savour the view would be around 630-7pm with the setting sun providing a soothing ambience.

Do visit the reservoir sometime soon. Organise a picnic, fly your kites at the slopes of the reservoir, … it’s one of Singapore more peaceful venues.

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How can anyone hate a view like this ?

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Great for anglers, nature lovers, …or anyone looking to slow down from an overdose of city life.

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Possibly one of Singapore oldest and biggest heritage trees are located in this area. I am sure the NParks staff monitors such aged huge trees very closely. This tree is called Ordeal Tree, growing to a height of 25mm and a girth of 3.67m.

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A low-carbon activity. Ideal for those yearning for a slower pace in life. Quite a few Toman (snake head fish) inhabits the reservoir. But I understand from an angler friend mine that “stocks” are getting low. Really ?

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A great hobby among like-minded buddies…

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Out there, at one with nature. The angler uses his experience and “feel” to entice the prey to his     hook.

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Time do not change the beauty of nature. It was just as beautiful, back then, in 2005, as this photo from my archive shows.

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  Certainly a lovely sight to bid farewell to her visitors and to come back for more.

Getting to Upper Seletar Reservoir

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The location map (source : Streetdirectory.com)

Opening hours :

7am to 7pm

Nearest MRT station :

Khatib (NS14) – 3.69km

Bus :

Transit Bus No: 138.

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