Never would I have imagined that you can find ruins in the modern metropolitan city–state of Singapore. Imagining ruins, my first thoughts would always be to ancient cities like Angkor Wat in Cambodia or Ayutthaya in Thailand. But behold, hidden deep within Thomson Nature Park, maybe not ancient ruins but ruins from a bygone era.
Thomson Nature Park
Thomson Nature Park is a 50-hectare green buffer park situated in the island’s centre, east of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR). The difference between reserves and parks in Singapore is that nature parks or green buffers are located close to or on the edge of reserves. They help lessen the stress from humans away from the actual reserves (which generally are conservation areas), particularly now with more people enjoying the outdoors.
Wildlife
This park is home to a few rare and even endangered animal species, such as the critically endangered Raffles’ Banded Langur, discovered by Sir Raffles, hence the name. We unfortunately only saw a few Long-tailed macaques, the same naughty ones as at McRitchie and a wild boar. Oh and a viper, if someone didn’t point it out, I would never have noticed it. So be vigilant when walking out on nature trails.
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About Thomson Nature Park
Thomson Nature Park is located between Old Upper Thomson Road, which used to be part of the Singapore Grand Prix circuit from 1961 to 1973, which I did not know.
The park’s location sits where a former Hainan Village use to be, which included houses, smallholdings, and even rambutan plantations. Evidence of this past village is visible by the street names such as Lorong Pelita and Jalan Belang still present, and the numerous ruins of houses, wells and walls, as well asa few rambutan trees. Imagine living between all these pretty trees. The village was established during 1930s and saw its heyday during the early to mid 20th century. But by 1980s, the last residents moved out due to housing development plans.
On Jalan Belang stands one of the few remaining ruins of a house; this one, in particular, belonged to one of the founders of Han’s Cafe & Cake House or Han’s as I know them. Who else here loves a nice little pastry from Han’s? In 1978 Mr Han Choon Fook, resident of number 25 Jalan Belang, set up a small bakery with his family on upper Thomson road. Since then, they grew into what is a well-known brand across Singapore today. (Closes Han’s to Thomson Nature Park is at Springleaf Garden, only about 7min away).
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Exploring Thomson Nature Park
When you visit Thomson Nature Park, don’t expect a large nature park with numerous trails, it is fairly small. In total, it covers about 3.8km of rail. But even though it is small compared to its counterparts, it comprises of a rich biodiversity and unique history. Thomson Nature Park is the perfect morning excursion for a leisurely stroll, photographing the beauty of the forest and ruins, or learning a bit more about Singapore history while exploring the outdoors.
The routes
- As mentioned, Thomson Nature Park is a conservation site and a cultural heritage site – the Ruins and fig tree trail (1.5km) will lead you past various conserved ruins of the former Hainan Village. Amazing how quickly things grow in the tropics; over the past 30 years, fig-trees have taken over the ruins.
- The second trail, Stream and Ferns (1.4km), is a beautiful nature path; keep a lookout for some spectacular fauna and flora. The road is more rugged and uneven, with various slopes and manoeuvring over exposed roots on the path. One of the animals conserved here is the extremely rare and critically endangered, Raffles’ banded langur. They are endemic to Singapore and with only about 60 left. (We have not seen one yet, but we did see the Long-tailed macaque).
- There are three other shorter trails as well. To the right of the visitor centre is the Rambutan trail, which is only 400m long but with telltale signs of the former settlement of a farmhouse. Langur and Macaque trails are very short and branches off from the Ruins & fig tree trail towards Old Upper Thomson Road; they range from 150m-350m, easy to add to the Ruins & fig tree trail.
– Have you been? We would like to hear from you! Leave a comment at the bottom if you found this article helpful or if you spotted all the top sites. But first let’s get to the logistics of getting there and where to eat.
Top sites to look out for in Thomson Nature Park
- Jln Belang
- Ruins of a wall with details
- Garden chair next to a well
- Stinkhorn mushroom, wearing its veil
- Twin tracks
- Spiral staircase or what’s left of it
- Old loo
- Beautiful stream
- Remains of stair leading to a porch
- The kitchen sink
Logistics
Where is Thomson Nature Park & how to get there
Located between Old Upper Thomson Road and Upper Thomson Road, Thomson Nature Park is situated to the east of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR). It is not near an MRT, the best to access it would be by bus. We stayed on the bus and drove past to make sure it is the correct bus stop to alight at, the one after is a bit further to walk.
- Take bus 138, 167, 169, 860, or 980, alight either at Aft Tagore Dr, (56061) or Bef Tagore Dr, (56069).
- There is a small parking lot as well.
Opening hours
Like most other nature parks in Singapore, Thomson Nature Park is open from 7 am – 7 pm daily. Take note that you can’t enter after 7 pm, nor stay in the park after 7 pm.
What do you need
Make sure to bring water, as it is hot and humid. Remember to leave nothing behind so, I would suggest using a reusable water bottle. As always, sunscreen, hat, and mosquito repellent; note there is no shop. Comfortable walking shoes, although I did see someone in flip flops; you are out in nature, so rather cover-up, remember we saw that large viper in a tree about 3m from the trail. There is a toilet at the entrance and a small info area.
Do’s & Don’ts
Thomson Nature Park is a park for walking, so no form of wheeled transport is allowed. It is also a smoke-free park, and remember to stay on the designated trails. Not only for your safety (remember the viper we saw) but to preserve the environment and not to disturb new secondary growth.
Do not enter during bad weather– the risk of lightning and branches or trees that may fall.
Where to eat
As there are no shops or cafes inside, why not head over to the closest Han’s Cafe & Cake House at Springleaf Garden, only about 7min away on the bus.
Enjoy yourself, see if you can spot the spiral staircase, outhouse, and kitchen. And maybe if you are one of the lucky one the Raffles’ Banded Langur. Did you know that in the modern city of Singapore you can still find ruins? Well I did, and was pleasantly surprised.
*Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are my own.
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