It is amazing how Singapore, a relatively small island, has turned into a huge global financial center and, at the same time, one of the majestic places on earth.
Even though this nation is famous for its modernised city structure, the tall buildings and huge domes were made to show, and not hide, the lush greenery surrounding it. In fact, you don’t have to go too far from the city centre because a few miles away from it, you can see Singapore’s natural beauty with its numerous parks and nature reserves.
If you think you got the most of Singapore by visiting the most crowded ones like Sentosa, Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome, you are still missing a lot. It is such a small nation compared to where I came from – the Philippines. But I admit, I too have not gotten the best of Singapore yet.
Since I just moved here, I realised I should be exploring my second home as much as I can.
Last weekend, I rode a bike along the so-called Park Connector Network (or simply PCN) – first time to hear about PCN? Don’t worry. I was clueless too when I heard about it. Let me share with you my knowledge about it.
What is Park Connector Network (PCN)?
There are plenty of gardens, parks, nature reserves, and heritage roads within the city-state island of Singapore.
To make all these places easier to access while walking, jogging, or riding a bike, they created an interlinking network of park connectors called Park Connector Network or simply PCN.
The PCN is an island-wide trail which consists of various loops. You will find it even more incredible once you are walking along the routes. Everything you will see along the way is pure natural beauty.
Good thing the National Parks Board of Singapore has a one-stop website on everything you need to know about PCN, including maps and activities.
Geylang Park Connector
I currently live along Guillemard Road, and so I began my journey on wheels at the Geylang Park Connector (PC).
It starts near Grandlink Square, crosses Mountbatten Road, and ends below Tanjong Rhu Bridge flyover.
If you want a quiet bike ride with a calming view of the Geylang River, this could be one of the best courses for you.
The first part of the Geylang PC is mostly residential buildings. So there’s not much shade to protect your skin from the sun.
Speaking of which, do not forget to put on some sunscreen before you begin the trail!
I came across this towering condominium – Waterbank at Dakota – after I crossed the bridge at Dunman Road.
If you are looking for a place in Dakota with a fantastic view of the Geylang River and quick access to the PCN, you could check this out.
The Chinese Ixora caught my attention while I was taking a water break. The glossy leaves and the flowers’ bright orange color stand out from the green surroundings, so I quickly snapped a photo of it.
It turns out that we also have a version of it in the Philippines. We call it santan (Ixora coccinea) – and I know for a fact that its nectar is incredibly sweet and edible. I used to drink a few drops of it back in the days.
When you reach Mountbatten Road, you should get to the other side of the river. To do this, you have to cross the footpath and bridge. It’s the one just behind Decathlon Singapore Lab at Stadium Boulevard.
Don’t worry though. The footpath has a long stretch of bicycle overpass – just don’t ride your bike when you’re on it because it is prohibited! Push it instead – that way you get to rest for a few minutes.
After passing the bridge at Mountbatten Road, you will go through approximately a kilometer of quite heavy foliage.
There are a few seats along this path. If you want to peacefully sit for a while or stretch some muscles under the shade, go ahead!
Now that you have reached the Tanjong Rhu Bridge flyover, you are now off to another PCN course – Congratulations!
▶ Explore: Geylang Park Connector Map
Tanjong Rhu Promenade Park Connector
After a few meters from the flyover, you will reach the Tanjong Rhu footbridge, which leads to the Singapore Sports Hub. You can pass through it – again, riding your bike on this footbridge is not allowed – if you want to go check the area.
Here you can find the gigantic National Stadium, Singapore Indoor Stadium, Water Sports Centre, Singapore Sports Museum, Sports Hub Library, OCBC Aquatic Centre, and many more.
If you are hungry, you can also grab a quick meal at Kallang Wave Mall.
In the coming days, I will show you the many things you can do in the Singapore Sports Hub. Right now, let us focus on our little PCN adventure!
The best part about the Tanjong Rhu Promenade PCN is the picturesque view of the most famous attractions in Singapore. Here, you can view the Marina Bay Sands, Cloud Forest, Flower Dome, and Singapore Flyer from a distance.
You also get to see the stunning concrete jungle in the Downtown Core with its towering skyscrapers. And the tallest of them all? The iconic Tanjong Pagar Centre.
The pathway ends at the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. If the course feels a little short for you, you can go the extra mile by taking the Eastern Coastal Loop going to Marina Barrage.
▶ Explore: Tanjong Rhu Promenade Park Connector Map
Eastern Coastal Loop
The Eastern Coastal Loop is generally a combination of different park connector trails created to seamlessly link various locations in the southern part of Singapore.
This includes the Tanjong Rhu Promenade, East Coast Park, Gardens by the Bay, Marina Barrage, Supertrees and Conservatory, Singapore Flyer, and Singapore Sports Hub among others.
Along this trail, you will pass by a series of scenic parks where you can freely sit in the bench and enjoy the beautiful sights of the Central Business District area.
Watching the sunset here is highly recommended, too.
When you see the Gardens by the Bay – Bay East sign, it means you are close to the Marina Bridge. You’re almost there!
If you feel tired from that long pathway stretch to the bridge, there are seats available for you to sit on and watch the surroundings.
The best spot for taking photos of the scenery is the foremost seats. But don’t get flustered if the front seats are taken. The whole 360–degreesight is truly astounding. Just find the right angle wherever you are standing and you will get the photo worth sharing on your Instagram stories.
On the other side of the bridge is a glimpse of the Singapore Strait. In there, you will see a lot of cargo ships parked over the slightly calm waters.
Staring at the view for too long, while taking in the cold breeze, will make you feel like you are gazing at a really huge painting. It was indeed a sight to see in Singapore.
The next stop, or could be the last stop of your bike journey, is the Marina Barrage.
Marina Barrage is an important milestone in Singapore as its 15th reservoir and the first in the heart of the city. Not only it gives people a place to fly their kites or ride their bikes, it significantly serves as a flood control and a source of water supply for generations to come.
It was my first time going there and I did not expect it to be that marvelous. I did not do any research before I went so my mind was blown when I saw it. How a catchment can be a proper and fun venue for lifestyle attraction, too, is unbelievable.
If you think of staying at Marina Barrage for a few hours, you have a lot of fun activities to do there. The public areas in the barrage are open 24 hours. The Sustainable Singapore Gallery, however, is open from 9am to 6pm daily (except Tuesdays).
End of Bike Tour
I actually attempted to go to Marina Bay Sands since I am already there. I went down the Satay by the Bay, Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome.
It was too crowded perhaps because it’s weekend. So, I decided to return to Marina Barrage and take the same course on the way home.
▶ Download: Eastern Coastal Loop Guide
Trail Review: So, how was my bike ride?
- Trail difficulty – Easy. Not much exhausting uphill climbs. The routes I took are created as easy trails for everyone to enjoy whether they are jogging, biking, or casually walking.
- Accessibility – Effortless. From where I live, I only have to travel roughly 500 meters to reach the PCN (Geylang Park Connector). I think here in Singapore, the park connectors are strategically located so people from anywhere can comfortably access any part of the PCN.
- Crowd – Very light to slightly dense. Certain routes or loops are less crowded than those where Singapore’s main attractions are. In my experience, the Geylang Park Connector is not crowded with only a handful of neighborhood joggers, casual walkers and kids on scooters. The Tanjong Rhu Promenade is moderately congested with more runners, dog walkers, and cyclists. Going towards the Marina Bridge up to Marina Bay Sands, the path becomes more and more packed with a lot of tourists coming in and out of the popular attractions there. You will get to use your cycling bell more often in this area.
- View – 10/10! What I loved most is catching a glimpse of the sunset near the Marina Bridge. It was the most magical part of my tour. The abundance of flora along the path is way too alluring to ignore it. I had to stop plenty of times to stare at the landscape for a moment and appreciate the beauty of nature. You should see it to believe it!
Tips before going on a walking/biking trip:
- Put on sunscreen if you are going out on a sunny day.
- Hydration is important! Bring along a bottle of water especially if it is hot outside.
- If you are hopping on a bike, make sure to bring a bike lock in case you need to leave it somewhere. There are designated parking spaces for bikes – take note of that too.
- Dri-fit clothing would be more suitable for any prolonged outdoor activity in Singapore. It is always hot and humid here. I advise your wear something comfortable and breathable throughout the day.
- Check the weather forecast first! You might hardly enjoy the trip on wet pavement – unless you fancy soaking in the rain.
Conclusion
What I shared with you is just a small fragment of the entire park connector network in Singapore. There are still over 140 kilometers (87 miles) left to explore. And you are going to need a lot of time and energy to try and enjoy all the wonderful trails around the island.
If you are not into long walks or you just need a quick relaxation, you can always opt for short distances by not going all the way. These paths have easy access to bus stops and MRT stations, so there’s no need to worry if you suddenly have to go somewhere else.
If you prefer some peace and quiet, I suggest you try the Geylang Park Connector. The pathway between Mountbatten Road and Tanjong Rhu Bridge Flyover has the heaviest foliage in the Geylang PC route if you want some shade and fresh air.
The lovely gardens along the extent of Gardens by the Bay East are also good locations for friendly photography sessions for your social media accounts. You can sit by the many benches there, facing Marina Bay, so you could watch the spectacular sunset and even record a time-lapse video with your phone.
Planning to take other loops and trails?
You may check the Park Network Connector (PCN) loops and recommended trails here if you plan to park hop in Singapore soon.
If you are up for a real adventure, try the Round Island Route (150-km trail around Singapore) or the Coast-to-Coast Trail (36-km trail from Jurong Lake Gardens to Coney Island Park).
You can also download the Coast-to-Coast (C2C) Mobile App for an interactive walking experience as you navigate across the route.
Discover Singapore at Your Own Pace!
There is still so much to see in Singapore. Don’t be pressured though because there is no time limit. All you have to do is keep traveling and never stop exploring!
Remember that life is much better when you step out of your room and start appreciating the charm of this city-state island like no other.
