The Lion City isn’t all hustle and bustle amidst soulless skyscrapers. Go off the beaten path and explore Pulau Ubin, an island off Singapore that is home to the last remaining villages in the country. Get there via bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal (tip: grab some packets of nasi lemak from Changi Village Hawker Centre for the road) and rent a bike for the best way to fully soak in the island’s laidback charm. Cycle through a rustic, picturesque backdrop that encompasses granite hills, quarry lakes, wooden houses, luscious greenery and random wildlife across a rugged terrain. Make a pit stop at Chek Jawa, an inter-tidal flat where six major habitats form one of Singapore’s richest ecosystems and keep your eyes peeled for rare animals and plants in the mangrove swamp as you stroll across the boardwalk. It’s a welcome throwback – and a rare chance to be close to nature in modern Singapore.  

Location

Located in the north east of Singapore, the 1200-hectare island is accessible by public bumboats from Changi Point Ferry Terminal. To its south lie two more islets, Pulau Ketam (Crab Island) and Pulau Seduku (Frog Island).

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