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WINE&DINE
232
November14
The Botanic Gardens
One of our all-time favourite spots in
Singapore, the gardens are great for
sophisticated picnics. You could lay
down your blanket almost anywhere, but
our favourite patch of grass is probably
at Palm Valley and Symphony Lake,
especially when they’re staging one the
regular free classical music concerts.
sbg.org.sg
MacRitchie Reservoir Park
A popular destination for nature lovers
and exercise enthusiasts, MacRitchie
has plenty of convenient amenities
such as toilets, drinking fountains
and showers, as well as great walking
or running trails for those who want
to move, and good views across the
reservoir for those who just want to sit.
Beware of sneaky monkeys, though!
nparks.gov.sg
Marina Barrage
The Green Roof at Marina Barrage,
approximately the size of four football
fields, is open to the public for
recreational activities. Enjoy panoramic
city views while you tuck in.
pub.gov.
sg/marina
Chinese and Japanese Gardens
For an Asian twist to your French picnic,
try the iconic Chinese and Japanese
“Hot and humid with a chance of rain...” goes the daily Singapore
weather report, but don’t let that put you off! CHARLOTTEMA suggests
one of the following perfect picnic spots – and remember the umbrella,
the picnic blanket, the sunscreen and the insect repellent.
Gardens in Jurong. Among the attractions
are a rainbow bridge and a pagoda,
inspired by structures in China and
modelled on the gardening techniques of
Japan.
1 Chinese Garden Road.
Fort Canning
Work up an appetite on the steep-ish
paths and check out the spice garden
and archaeological remains at Fort
Canning Park before shaking out your
picnic blanket.
nparks.gov.sg
HortPark
If you fancy spreading yourselves out
on a huge lawn, HortPark’s one-stop
gardening hub could be the ideal picnic
spot. There’s plenty of shade, too.
33
Hyderabad Road.
Gardens by the Bay
There are lots of areas within Gardens
by the Bay to picnic in, but we suggest
Bay East Garden. This 2km waterfront
stretch has sublime views of the Marina
Bay skyline, plus open lawns, swaying
palm trees and waist-high flowering
shrubs.
gardensbythebay.com.sg
Esplanade Roof Terrace
The EsplanadeRoof Terrace is city central
and a great spot to sit back and watch the
Merlion in action, against the backdrop of
the Marina.
esplanade.com.sg
Jurong Hill Park
About a ten-minute walk from Jurong
Bird Park is Jurong Hill Park and its
Garden of Fame. Admire the 27 trees
planted by foreign dignitaries such as
Queen Elizabeth II, and enjoy the great
views.
2 Jurong Hill.
East Coast Park
With a scenic coastline that stretches
more than 15km, the beach at East
Coast Park is an excellent venue for
a weekend picnic. Grab a spot under
the shade of the casuarina trees, close
your eyes, take in the breeze and just
imagine you’re on holiday.
East Coast
Park Service Road.
Or try…
• Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
• Clementi Woods Park
• Dhoby Ghaut Green
• Jurong Central Park
• Lower Seletar Reservoir Park
• Raffles Place Park
• VivoCity Sky Park
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For even
more ideas, go to
expatliving.sg/picnics
PICNIC SPOTS