If you’ve been living in Singapore for some time, you must’ve found yourself in the neighbourhood of Bukit Timah. Scattered with gorgeous bungalows amidst the lush green canopy of Nature's umbrella, locals love their secret hideaway. Now it's time for you to discover this peaceful slice of heaven.
While known for the serene nature reserve and multitudes of bars and restaurants, Bukit Timah has a lot more to offer than what meets the eye. Let Expat Choice get you acquainted with this impressive and diverse district. Image Credit: Bukit Timah Saddle Club Facebook Page
Sunny Heights
Literally, a pool party with fun and games but only for your furry buddies while you’re at work or on a trip. Let your doggo have a time of his or her life mingling with other pooches as he or she learns to socialize and basically have a good time. The day-care facility has trainers who can teach your pooch skills and tricks. The dedicated staff takes them for walks, does a physical check, lets them bond and play, takes them for a swim in the pool followed by a shower and blow-dry. Ah, doggy heaven! Image Credit: Sunny Heights Facebook Page
Singapore Botanic Gardens
You wouldn’t have come across a botanical garden on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites but it all changed in 2015 as Singapore Botanic Gardens made the cut. And once you visit the tropical gardens, you’ll understand why. Featuring thousands of species of plants, lush greenery, and intriguing attractions like Ethnobotany Garden, National Orchid Garden, Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, and Ginger Garden, this place is a haven for nature lovers, bird watchers, or even those who love a simple picnic. To get to know the gardens up close, we recommend taking the tour and signing up for their interactive events. Video Credit: NParksSG
Meat the Butcher
Make it a point to stop by and ‘Meat the Butcher’ while visiting Bukit Timah to feast your eyes on some of the finest quality of meats, all available in a variety of cuts. Of course, they deliver island wide but a trip to this gourmet butchery is highly recommended. Their beef itself has many variants - Australian grass-fed, New Zealand grass-fed, organic, US corn-fed, and Wagyu. Their pork is flown all the way from Australia and Spain and their poultry consists of free-range chicken. You can also pick up a wide range of cheese and charcuterie for a weekend wine session with your friends. Image Credit: Meatthebutcher.com.sg
a. 615 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 269716
Better Bodies Boot Camp
Want to push yourself to an exercise routine but fail to do it all on your own, especially indoors in a gym? Sign up for an eight-week boot camp with Better Bodies Boot Camp who caters to everyone right from beginners to regular gym enthusiasts. What we love about them is their location - amidst the flora and fauna at Botanic Gardens and the field at the University of Singapore. Get charged with the entire group, make friends, workout, and see results with their high-intensity outdoor training including agility drills, core conditioning, walking, jogging, strength training, and obstacle courses. Video Credit: Smarter Me
s. www.facebook.com/BBgroupfitness
Bukit Timah Saddle Club
Love horses? Head to Bukit Timah Saddle Club and you can ride on beautiful horses, take riding lessons for you or your kids and even buy your own horses. It is a great place to hang out on weekends in case you’d like to become a member; the fields are verdant and the horses love to run around freely and the sunsets here are definitely worth the wait. Do take your camera along because one stroll amidst the horses and you’re sure to turn into a photographer if you’re not one already. Image Credit: Bukit Timah Saddle Club Facebook Page
a. 51 Fairways Dr, Singapore 286965
w. btsc.org.sg/
Change
Ladies, if there is one place to get the lingerie and swimwear you desire and fits you perfectly, it has got to be Change at Cluny Court. Walk into the store, take your time, and select bras, briefs, shapewear, swimwear, nightwear, and sportswear that you find best suited to your needs. They have lingerie for all kinds of shapes and sizes on display but the friendly staff will assist you with what you’re looking for. We love the endless choices they offer in terms of patterns, fabric, and colors; best be spoilt for choice rather than choosing from a handful of pieces, isn’t it? Image Credit: Change Lingerie - Singapore Facebook Page
Cluny Court
If you’re in Bukit Timah, Cluny Court would possibly be one of your first hangouts. The mall has plenty to see, do, eat and shop so we suggest spending an entire day dedicated to perusing the various boutique stores, cafes around the mall, and its gourmet grocery stores. If you’re strapped for time, we’d recommend checking out The Fishwives, SPRMRKT, Hanna Lee Accessories, Simone Irani, and Lemongrass & Aubergine. What we love about the shopping centre is its plush look and being in close proximity to the Botanic Gardens of Singapore puts it in a strategic location and gives it a historic appeal. Video Credit: John Gordon Live
ARThaus Singapore
It takes lots of inspiration to let the colors play on the canvas and create your masterpiece, doesn’t it? Awaken the artist in you at ARThaus, a fun, dedicated space for children and adults to dip into their creative minds and create fantastic pieces. The trainers here help you make your portfolio, teach art fundamentals, conduct private sessions, and thanks to the recent pandemic situation even conduct virtual classes. They also host a single session for kids to gauge their interest, plus you can even host an artsy birthday party here for any age! Image Credit: ARThaus Singapore Facebook Page
Simone Irani
Drape yourself in vibrant, chic, boho patterns by Simone Irani and revamp your wardrobe with her unique designs and outdoorsy style. Set in Cluny Court, Simone’s boutique seduces you into its dynamic style of clothing and charming cuts of dresses, kaftans, kimonos, and jumpsuits as well as tops, skirts, pants, rompers, and capes. As you peruse the many gorgeous designs, do pick out some fab jewelry and masks to go with your funky apparel. We are particularly in love with their one-of-a-kind saris turned into beautiful silhouettes which look classy and contemporary all in one neat stitch. Image Credit: Simone Irani Resort Wear Facebook Page
Champion’s Golf
Don’t let your golf game go to rust. Spend time playing your favourite sport at the 9-hole golf course at Champions Golf Complex with gorgeous greenery all around and a blissful arena to play. They have a professional golf academy for those looking for basic golf lessons or even complete training by experts including the legendary Alan Murray. They have a reliable pro shop if you need new equipment as well as two awesome restaurants, Picotin Express Bistro and Royal Thai, for you to enjoy a delicious and hearty meal after playing. Image Credit: Champions Public Golf Course, Range, Academy & Pro Shop Facebook Page
a. 60 Fairways Dr, Singapore 286966
Balanced Living
Ever wondered what kind of nutrition, health supplements, diet, or detox works specifically for you? Find the answers by talking to the experts at Balanced Living who will not only guide you in the right direction but also stock everything you need for a healthy living. You’ll find organic foods, quality supplements, herbals, homeopathy products, and even kitchen appliances, natural cleaning products, and books on health and wellbeing. The wellness centre is a holistic place and offers detox programs, body analysis, functional sports training, yoga, meditation, and conducts regular workshops and events. Image Credit: Balanced Living Singapore Facebook Page
a. 779 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 269758
e. info@balancedlivingasia.com
The Source Bulk Foods
Become the crusader of zero-waste in the truest sense by shopping at The Source Bulk Foods, a place where you would find absolutely no packaging. Bring your big bags or jars and scour their aisles for organic food products right from beans, pulses, and nuts to chocolates, spices, honey, and coffee. We love their gluten, vegan, and dairy-friendly and dairy sections making them convenient for shoppers. You can also take your cooking skills to the next level by finding exotic ingredients like activated charcoal, marshmallow root, cacao nibs, and goji berry powder. Image Credit: The Source Bulk Foods Singapore Facebook Page
a. 501 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 259760
Ikeda Spa
Spoil yourself with an authentic Japanese spa treatment right here in Singapore. Ikeda Spa isn’t just a spa but a sanctuary featuring a Japanese Zen Garden, Ganbanyoku Stone Bed, Rotenburo Outdoor Onsen, Zen Finishing Studio, and a Tatami Zen Lounge. These luxury spaces ensure you stay in a completely stress-free state of mind away from the hullabaloo of the city. If you’re coming here for the first time, do ask for a complimentary onsen bath along with your treatment. We absolutely love their signature Geisha Organic Facial, a traditional beauty treatment with camellia oil, rice bran, and UV-sanitised nightingale droppings. Image Credit: Ikeda Spa Facebook Page
The Green Corridor
Tie your shoelaces tight and come down for a hike at The Green Corridor, a beautiful, serene green patch extending to 24 kilometres. The corridor acts as a connector to parks like Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and even meets the Coast-to-Coast Trail so you can extend your nature trip as far as you want. There are colourful critters all around the corridor including Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Malayan Sunbeam, Crimson Sunbird, Laced Woodpecker, and Greater Racket-tailed Drongo. You can also explore the Bukit Timah Railway Station, bridges, and Station Master’s Quarters along the route and feast your eyes on intriguing artefacts. Image Credit: The Green Corridor Facebook Page
a. Green Corridor, Singapore
The Cheese Ark
Walk into a paradise of cheese right here in Bukit Timah by visiting The Cheese Ark, a place where you’ll find every kind of cheese, even the rare, forgotten ones. Sourcing from traditional cheesemakers with small cheese farms, the kind you visit, taste the fresh, creamy cheese from and wonder why isn’t this divine treat available to you instead of the mass-produced slices. Well, they are! At least here in Singapore, so make the most of treats like Double Cream Dome de Boulogne, Bricat with Truffle, Jersey cow Marcellina, Murgu, Robiola Langhe as well as Pecorino and Beaufort. Image Credit: The Cheese Ark Facebook Page
Kew Organics
Planning to hang out in Bukit Timah? Take some time out of your shopping spree to pamper yourself with a refreshing facial at Kew Organics. They use organic products for their treatments leaving your skin nourished and supple instead of loading it up with chemicals. In fact, these products are so safe, you can even use them during pregnancy. Come down to their outlet and rejuvenate your pores like never before with their special Sugar K Organic Peel Treatment which takes care of your acne scars, opens up your pores, and hydrates your skin leaving your face feeling smooth and radiant. Image Credit: Kew Organics Facial Bar Facebook Page
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
We’re sure you must’ve heard of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and how serene it is to be there. But did you know, you could explore a high percentage of Singapore’s native flora and fauna just walking down this lush area? Stroll amidst pretty sights of Shorea curtisii and Red Dhup as you spot critters like Sunda Pangolin, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, and Malayan Colugo. You can go on the adventurous mountain biking trail once you’re here or hike up to 163 metres of the Bukit Timah Hill. The trail is fairly easy and you can do it by yourself but it is best enjoyed with a hiking group. Image Credit: www.silverkris.com
a. Hindhede Dr, Singapore 589318
w. www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/bukit-timah-nature-reserve
The Big Blow
Rely on The Big Blow to give you lustrous, no-frills hair in a jiffy; once you’ve been to this salon, you’d want to come here all the time. But don’t worry if you don’t live close to Cluny Court as they offer home services at your preferred location too. Perfect for weddings, special occasions, or even as a much-needed pampering session for you and your girlfriends, the Pamper Parties service at this salon lets you book the place for 2 hours straight. Sip on some champagne, feel pampered as you get killer hairdos and awesome makeovers, and step out in style. Image Credit: The Big Blow Facebook Page
