Jurong
Jurong Town is the economic and industrial hub of Singapore, but offers visitors some unusual yet fascinating attractions.
The Singapore Science Centre, open Tues-Sun 1000-1800, is a remarkable complex which includes hundreds of interactive exhibits, the Aviation Gallery which traces the history of flight, and the Omnitheatre, a cinema with a planetarium-like screen.
Haw Par Villa (formerly The Tiger Balm Gardens) in Pasir Panjang Road is a surreal ‘Disneyesque’ statue park of Chinese mythological and historical figures, created by the Tiger Balm ointment dynasty. The Gardens are open daily 0800-1800.
The Chinese and Japanese Gardens are west of the centre by Jurong Lake. The two are linked by a 65m (200ft) ornamental bridge, and are fine examples of the skills of oriental landscape gardeners. The gardens are open daily 0900-1800. An admission fee is charged.
The Jurong Bird Park on Jurong Hill (near the Chinese and Japanese Gardens) covers more than 49.4 acres (20 hectares) and is home to South-East Asia’s largest collection of birds. There is also the world’s largest walk-in aviary, a nocturnal house and several spectacular bird shows. The park is open Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat-Sun 0800-1800. An admission fee is charged.
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