SINGAPORE - This is one of the most colorful cities in the world and it has nothing to do with its spicy ethnic neighborhoods or amazing gardens.
No, Singapore is colorful because it’s for the birds.
That’s right, this city/nation has one of the most exotic collections of birds on the planet and tourists don’t have to go too far to see them.
Just a few minutes from the glass and steel towers that make Singapore the economic giant of Asia is a tranquil park featuring thousands of tropical and rare birds.
Jurong Bird Park is a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of one of the world’s most vibrant cities and brings locals and visitors alike up close to some unique species.
The park opened in 1971 and caused a lot of opposition. However, the locals who opposed its $4 million price tag are now waiting in line with us to view one of the city’s most treasured sites.
“We thought it was too much money to give to the birds,” an elderly Singaporean who initially opposed the project tells us as we wait in line for our ticket to the park. “Now I come here every week with my wife. Our two daughters had their wedding photographs taken here. It is the most peaceful place in Singapore – it is priceless.”
The 20 acre facility is home to over 600 varieties of birds and is set amongst a tropical wonderland that is worth seeing on its own. One of the featured attractions here, besides the birds, is the world’s largest man-made waterfall.
In all, almost 10,000 birds reside at Jurong Bird Park and the facility has become one of the hottest tourist properties in Singapore, attracting over one million visitors annually.
Left: The park is geared for families. Right: Many colourful birds call the park home.
The park caters to children, who get a kick out of holding the multi-colored parrots and macaws that dominate this outstanding facility. Each day, the children are invited to have breakfast with the birds at a restaurant overlooking a pond where pink flamingos gather by the dozens.
The show runs from 9 to 10:30 each morning and acts as an educational tool where the kids get to know and appreciate the world’s bird population.
As you can imagine, the park’s colorful setting is a favorite with weddings parties and Jurong caters to that crowd by offering several different ceremonies with romantic titles like Hearts-a-Flutter, Enchanting Eden, Love is in the Air and Wings of desire.
No wonder people fall in love with Jurong Bird Park.
Information
- Admission to the Jurong Birdpark costs about $11 for adults and $5 for children 3-12.
About the Author
Marc Atchison is a veteran journalist and a seasoned traveller with more than 20 years of travel writing experience. As the former Travel Editor of the Toronto Star, Canada's largest newspaper, and now Editor-in-Chief and Senior Writer for TraveLife magazine (Canada) and travelife.ca, Marc has been to over 100 countries in the world. Japan is one of his favorite destinations and he's been there on numerous occasions.