Have you ever wondered what it would be like to soar above the city skyline, enjoy a panoramic view of the harbour, and explore a lush green oasis all in one day? If so, then you should definitely visit Mount Faber Park, one of the oldest and most scenic parks in Singapore.
Mount Faber Park is a hilltop park that covers an area of 56 hectares and rises to a height of 105 metres above sea level. It is named after Captain Charles Edward Faber, a British engineer who built a road to the summit in 1845. The park is part of the Southern Ridges, a 10-kilometre trail that connects several parks and nature reserves in Singapore.
In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive and practical guide to visiting and enjoying Mount Faber Park.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing getaway, a thrilling adventure, or a cultural experience, Mount Faber Park has something for everyone. Read on to find out more!
How to Get to Mount Faber Park
There are several ways to get to Mount Faber Park, depending on your budget, preference, and convenience. Here are some of the most common modes of transportation to the park:
Bus:
You can take bus number 409 from HarbourFront Bus Interchange and alight at the bus stop near the park entrance. The bus fare is $1.40 and the travel time is about 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can take bus number 124, 131, 145, 176, or 273 from various locations in the city and alight at the bus stop along Telok Blangah Road, near the foot of the hill. The bus fare ranges from $0.83 to $1.95 and the travel time varies depending on the traffic and the distance.
MRT:
You can take the North-East Line or the Circle Line and alight at HarbourFront MRT Station. From there, you can either walk for about 20 minutes to the park entrance, or take bus number 409 as mentioned above. The MRT fare ranges from $0.92 to $2.08 and the travel time varies depending on the origin and the destination.
Taxi:
You can hail a taxi from anywhere in the city and ask the driver to take you to Mount Faber Park. The taxi fare ranges from $10 to $25 and the travel time varies depending on the traffic and the distance. You can also use ride-hailing apps such as Grab or Gojek to book a taxi online.
Car:
You can drive your own car or rent a car and follow the signs to Mount Faber Park. There are two car parks available at the park: Car Park A near the park entrance and Car Park B near the cable car station. The parking fee is $0.60 per half hour from 7 am to 5 pm and $1.20 per half hour from 5 pm to 7 am.
Bike:
You can cycle your own bike or rent a bike and follow the signs to Mount Faber Park. There are bike racks available at the park entrance and the cable car station. The bike rental fee ranges from $8 to $15 per hour depending on the type and the location of the bike.
The best way to get to Mount Faber Park depends on your personal choice and situation. However, if you want to enjoy the most scenic and exciting way to the park, we recommend taking the cable car, which we will discuss in the next section.
What to Do at Mount Faber Park
One of the main attractions and activities at Mount Faber Park is the cable car, which is a gondola lift that connects the park with Sentosa Island and HarbourFront. The cable car offers a spectacular aerial view of the city skyline, the harbour, and the island, as well as a unique and fun way to travel.
The cable car operates daily from 8.45 am to 9.30 pm, with the last boarding at 9.15 pm. The ticket price is $35 for adults and $25 for children (4 to 12 years old) for a round trip. You can buy the tickets online or at the ticketing counters at the cable car stations. You can also choose from various packages that include admission to other attractions on Sentosa Island, such as the Universal Studios, the SEA Aquarium, or the Madame Tussauds.
The cable car has two lines: the Mount Faber Line and the Sentosa Line. The Mount Faber Line has three stations: Mount Faber Station, HarbourFront Station, and Sentosa Station. The Sentosa Line has four stations: Sentosa Station, Imbiah Lookout Station, Merlion Station, and Siloso Point Station. You can hop on and off at any station and explore the different attractions and activities on the island.
Some of the highlights of the cable car ride:
The Faber Peak Singapore, which is a dining and entertainment complex at the top of Mount Faber. It features a restaurant, a bar, a lounge, and a gift shop, as well as a viewing deck that offers a 360-degree view of the city and the sea. You can enjoy a romantic dinner, a casual drink, or a special event at Faber Peak Singapore, while admiring the stunning scenery and the sunset.
The Singapore Cable Car Museum, which is a small museum that showcases the history and the evolution of the cable car system in Singapore. It displays various models, photos, and memorabilia of the cable car, as well as a replica of the first cable car cabin that was used in 1974. You can learn about the engineering, the design, and the operation of the cable car, as well as the challenges and the achievements of the cable car project. The museum is located at the Imbiah Lookout Station and is open daily from 8.45 am to 9.30 pm. The admission is free for cable car ticket holders and $6 for non-ticket holders.
The Sky Dining, which is a dining experience that allows you to enjoy a four-course meal in a private cable car cabin. You can savour the delicious food and the wine, while gliding through the sky and gazing at the stars. The sky dining is available daily from 6 pm to 7.30 pm, with the last boarding at 7 pm. The price is $328 per couple for a standard cabin and $488 per couple for a floral cabin. You can book the sky dining online or at the ticketing counters at the cable car stations.
The cable car is not only a transportation mode, but also an attraction and an activity in itself. It is a must-do for anyone who visits Mount Faber Park and wants to experience a different perspective of Singapore.
What to See at Mount Faber Park
Besides the cable car, there are many other sights and landmarks to see at Mount Faber Park, which reflect the natural and the cultural heritage of the park. Some of the most notable sights and landmarks are:
The flora and fauna, which consist of various species of plants and animals that inhabit the park. The park is home to over 50 species of birds, such as the oriental magpie-robin, the yellow-vented bulbul, and the olive-backed sunbird. It is also home to over 40 species of butterflies, such as the common rose, the common birdwing, and the common tiger. The park also boasts a variety of plants, such as the tembusu, the saga, and the rambutan. You can spot and admire the flora and fauna along the trails and the viewpoints of the park, or join a guided nature walk that is conducted by the National Parks Board on selected weekends.
The sculptures, which are artistic creations that adorn the park and enhance its beauty and charm. The park features several sculptures that depict different themes and meanings, such as the Bell of Happiness, which is a large bronze bell that symbolizes peace and harmony; the Faber Point, which is a metal structure that marks the highest point of the park and displays a map of the surrounding area; and the Polish Memorial, which is a stone plaque that commemorates the Polish refugees who settled in Singapore during World War II. You can appreciate and learn about the sculptures along the trails and the viewpoints of the park, or join a guided heritage walk that is conducted by the National Heritage Board on selected weekends.
The monuments, which are historical structures that represent the past and the present of the park and the nation. The park features several monuments that honour and celebrate different events and personalities, such as the Faber Walk, which is a mosaic walkway that depicts the history and the development of the park and the cable car; the Mini Merlion, which is a replica of the iconic statue that represents the national symbol of Singapore; and the Mural Wall, which is a colourful wall that portrays the cultural diversity and the unity of Singapore. You can explore and discover the monuments along the trails and the viewpoints of the park, or join a guided heritage walk that is conducted by the National Heritage Board on selected weekends.
The panoramic views, which are breathtaking vistas that capture the beauty and the diversity of the park and the city. The park offers several viewpoints that provide different angles and perspectives of the scenery, such as the Faber Peak Viewpoint, which overlooks the harbour, the island, and the cable car; the Henderson Waves Viewpoint, which connects the park with the Telok Blangah Hill Park and features a curved bridge that resembles a wave; and the Jewel Box Viewpoint, which showcases the city skyline, the sea, and the cable car at night. You can enjoy and photograph the panoramic views along the trails and the viewpoints of the park, or join a guided nature walk that is conducted by the National Parks Board on selected weekends.
Mount Faber Park is not only a hilltop park, but also a natural and cultural treasure trove. It is a must-see for anyone who visits Mount Faber Park and wants to experience a different side of Singapore.
