How to Explore Singapore's Rail Corridor Like a Local Expert

The Rail Corridor in Singapore used to be a railway line that was used for the transportation of goods between Singapore and parts of the Malay Peninsula when it was first built at the start of the 20th century. In recent years the government of Singapore opted to make the open area into community spaces that are open for the public and after which it was renamed as the Rail Corridor. Let us have a look at how you can explore the Rail Corridor during your stay in Singapore.

History of the Rail Corridor

During the colonial rule of Singapore by the British they constructed the railway line to connect Singapore with the Malay Peninsula at the start of the 20th century. The land in Singapore was leased to the Malaysian Government for 999 years and run by Malaysia’s rail operator Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) till 1990 after which discussions on land ownership were started. Discussions continued for many years until the Malaysian Government agreed to the terms and thereafter the railway line was dismantled and returned to Malaysia. The Railway land was renamed as the Rail Corridor and opened up to the community in 2012, with footpaths and bushwalks for recreational activities. 

How to Get to the Railway Corridor

There are many access points to get to the Railway Corridor and which one you choose will depend on where you are staying in Singapore and which parts of the Railway Corridor you want to see. If you are staying at a place like Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore then travelling to the southern part of the island to start your journey at the southern point of the railway corridor will be the easiest. Start your journey early with a hearty breakfast at one of the top restaurants in Singapore and then head over to the Bukit Merah area and start your journey early so that you can hike along and see all the attractions that are close by to the railway corridor.

Nature Parks to Visit

There are many nature parks to visit along your hike across the railway corridor. The Dairy Farm Nature Park is a large park with a lovely environment that has multiple trails for biking and hiking. The main trail is a paved trail that is clearly demarcated and will lead you along your way to the different exhibits of the Dairy Farm Nature Park. If you head to the Wallace Education Centre ,you can learn more about the history of the Dairy Farm, and along your way there you will see many flora and animals such as monkeys, butterflies and even pangolins. The Bukit Timah  Nature Reserve is a great place to see many different animals and insect species. There are four main walking trails that are used by hikers. One of which goes along a winding path, past a cave that was used by some Japanese soldiers in World War II. 

Bridges to See along the Railway Corridor

The Hindhede Bridge and Underpass is an old rail bridge that is parallel to Hindhede Drive and has an underpass that allows pedestrians to travel to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve where you can also see the Bukit Timah Truss Bridge. The Bukit Timah Truss Bridge is a large 45-meter steel bridge that was first opened in 1932. It is the only Baltimore-styled truss bridge to be found in Singapore. Together with the Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge, both of these bridges were gazetted for conservation in 2015 and have been restored and refurbished with new safety features that make them popular spots for people to come to take photos while viewing the sunrise or sunset.