KOREA FOUNDATION

While resorts such as Marina Bay Sands and its modern scenery are renowned, it is not yet widely known that Singapore has an island with lush,unspoiledforests. Let's check out Pulau Ubin, Singapore's best-preserved natural attraction.

Pulau Ubin means "granite island" in Malay, and as its name suggests, it is an island with dense rainforests and solid granite as the bedrock. Development stopped about 40 years ago here, and the pristine environment—which is still home to monkeys, various birds, squirrels, and other animals—has since been preserved. As it is easy to observe animals, it is also garnering attention as an ecological destination to travel with children.



Included among Pulau Ubin's major attractions are the Chek Jawa Wetlands, a natural reserve area located at the eastern end of the island. When visiting at low tide, you can observe the reef zone, which is home to abundant marine life. Families frequently visit the area, where they enjoy watching a variety of birds, such as mallards, swifts, and swans. Before exploring the island, I recommend checking the low tide times at the Wetland Tourist Information Center. Relax and unwind in nature as you take a walk through the dense mangrove forests on the one kilometer boardwalk, or climb the 20-meter-high Jejawi Tower to enjoy the landscape from above.

The island is largely divided into eastern and western parts. The western half is great for mountain biking, and in addition, there are some traditional houses worth visiting. Bikes, which can easily be rented nearby the dock upon arriving, are an efficient way of exploring the entire island. If you want to see the natural ecological area, I suggest touring the eastern half, which will take about half a day. Recently, travel platforms offering a kayaking experience, as well as a guided tour of Chek Jawa, have made it even easier to plan your trip to Pulau Ubin.



Now, how can we reach Pulau Ubin? You can take the ferry from Changi Point Ferry Terminal, which is about thirty minutes by car from the city center. As you begin to approach the island, you will be able to see small old houses that form a kind of traditional Singaporean village that is not easy to see in the city. The area preserves not only the natural environment but also the traditional architecture that reflects Singapore's history and culture. While it's also nice to experience the chic, urban architecture in Singapore's city center, I highly recommend planning an ecological trip to Pulau Ubin for a day of cycling in the green rain forest and enjoying nature.