How did Bukit Timah get its name? Bukit Timah, also known as Tin Hill, holds a special place in Singapore. It is more than just a hill. It’s a landmark.
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a treasure. This reserve spans 1.7 square kilometers. It is near Singapore’s geographic center. The nature reserve lies on Bukit Timah Hill’s slopes. Bukit Timah Hill stands about 165 meters tall. It is Singapore’s highest natural point. The reserve extends into Bukit Panjang. It’s about 15 kilometers from Singapore’s Downtown Core.
Bukit Timah’s name comes from the Malay language. Bukit means hill. Timah means tin. So, Bukit Timah translates directly to Tin Hill.
In 1882, Nathaniel Cantley assessed the forests of the Straits Settlements. He worked as Superintendent of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Cantley’s work led to creating forest reserves. Bukit Timah was among them in 1883. Most reserves were logged for timber. Bukit Timah was set aside. By 1937, development had depleted many reserves. Bukit Timah and two other areas remained. They were protected for their plants and animals. In 1951, the Nature Reserves Ordinance formalized this protection. The Nature Reserves Board managed these areas. Today, the National Parks Board manages them. They safeguard Singapore’s plants and animals under the National Parks Act.
Bukit Timah offers many activities. People stroll, run, and hike here. Some rock climb at Dairy Farm quarry. Mountain biking is also popular. There are mountain bike trails in the reserve. The Bukit Timah Mountain Bike Trail is 6.5 km long. It loops around Bukit Timah Hill. The trail runs between Hinhinde Park and Dairy Farm Road. This trail is rocky with climbs and descents.
There are several hiking trails for those inclined. The blue trail is easy. It is 0.7 kilometers long. It overlooks Hindhede Quarry. The red trail is also easy. It is 1.2 kilometers long. The green trail is moderate to difficult. It covers 1.9 kilometers. The yellow trail is difficult. It stretches 1.8 kilometers. The red, green, and yellow trails all end at the summit hut.
Bukit Timah is home to diverse wildlife. Common plants include rattan and figs. You can also see macaranga. Near the visitor center, stand two meninjau trees. Eighteen dipterocarp species live here. These include seraya and Dipterocarpus caudatus. Fan palms and ferns are common. Staghorn ferns and bird’s nest ferns also grow here. Lichens and bracket fungi are also found.
Insects thrive in Bukit Timah. You will find millipedes and carpenter bees. There are many birds and spiders. Common insects include cicadas. Look out for giant forest ants. Common spiders include golden orb-web spiders. Also keep an eye out for St Andrew’s Cross spiders.
The Singapore freshwater crab lives here. Reptiles include the reticulated python. You might spot paradise tree snakes. Common sun skinks are also present.
Monkeys are common in Bukit Timah. The crab-eating macaque is one species. These monkeys sometimes enter surrounding areas. People worry they will alter their behaviour. Feeding the monkeys is not allowed. Do not stare or threaten them. Other mammals include the Malayan pangolin. Keep an eye out for the Malayan colugo. Plantain squirrels and slender squirrels also live here. Colugos are nocturnal. Sometimes, they cling to trees during the day. The red-cheeked flying squirrel is only found here in Singapore.
Many birds call Bukit Timah home. The greater racket-tailed drongo is common. These drongos follow monkeys. They eat insects the monkeys disturb. Other birds include the Asian fairy bluebird. You might see the red-crowned barbet. The common emerald dove is also present. Bukit Timah is one of two Singapore locations for the red-crowned barbet.
To help wildlife, the Eco-Link@BKE was built. This ecological corridor connects Bukit Timah Nature Reserve to the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. It is an hourglass-shaped bridge over the Bukit Timah Expressway. The Eco-Link allows animals to cross safely. Native trees and shrubs provide food. The reserves were separated by the expressway.