Things always seem nicer at the top. That may explain why lookout towers are so popular, often attracting people with their sweeping vistas. And there are several lookout towers in Singapore where you can take in unique, breath-taking views of our country.
Lookout towers in Singapore have been around for a long time. They were especially popular in the Seventies with a number of them being built. Lookout towers are still with us today and have taken on new incarnations in more modern times.
Here are some lookout towers in Singapore you can visit to take in some fresh views.
Lookout Towers in Singapore
Marsiling Park Viewing Tower
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Formerly known as Woodlands Town Garden, Marsiling Park was revamped in 2018. Besides the Chinese-style pavilions, another park landmark is its viewing tower. This tower isn’t tall by any stretch of the imagination but it does provide a lookout point to view the park.
READ: Pavilions & Playgrounds at Marsiling Park
Jurong Hill Park Lookout Tower
While crowds flock to Jurong Bird Park each weekend, few venture up Jurong Hill to the lookout tower at the top.
Opened in June 1970, the 15-metre-tall lookout tower provided a vantage point to survey the burgeoning Jurong town. It looks a bit drab today but you can still take in views of the industrial area as you ascend the spiralling ramp. Jurong Island, to the south, is also visible from the top of the hill.
Raptor Tower, Kranji Marshes
The first of several lookout towers in parks on this list, the impressive Raptor Tower provides sweeping views of the wetlands of Kranji.
It opened in 2016 and provides a great way to gain an appreciation for the outdoors and nature. We bet this 16-metre-tall, four storey tower will be visited by a lot more people once the Sungei nature reserve network gets established.
Elsewhere in the vicinity, there is also the Aerie Hide, an 18-metre tall tower at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, which opened in 2002, that looks out towards Johor, and several lower towers along the boardwalks at the Eastern extension.
READ: Visiting the Kranji Marshes – What to See and Do
Chestnut Observation Tower
Found at the fringe of the Central Catchment Area at Chestnut Nature Park is its five-storey, 22.75 metre tall observation tower.
This lookout tower is relatively accessible; it can be reached by a short hike from Bangkit Road at Bukit Panjang. Some say it looks like Darth Vader from certain angles. What do you think?
Chestnut Observation Tower is much easier to get to than the Jelutong Tower which is deep in the heart of the Catchment Area. However, what you do get at Jelutong Tower is a magnificent view of the Central Catchment Area.
READ: Things to Know about Visiting Chestnut Nature Park
Upper Seletar Reservoir Tower
The rocket shaped lookout tower at Upper Seletar Reservoir has its charms. It was built in the 1970s together with another space-age looking tower, the Toa Payoh Town Park tower.
While the Toa Payoh Town Park tower is no longer accessible to the public. You can make the climb up the stairs to the top of the Upper Seletar Reservoir Park’s rocket tower.
Chinese Garden Pagoda (Currently inaccessible)
Another lookout tower built in the 1970s is the Pagoda at Chinese Garden. The multi-tier pagoda has a flight of stairs that wind around on the inside to the top.
There are also two smaller pagodas at Chinese Garden. We look forward to visiting the trio of towers once again when the works to transform the gardens as part of the larger Jurong Lake Gardens gets completed.
Pasir Ris Park Birdwatching Tower
Urban legend says that the tower at Pasir Ris Park, opened in 1988, is haunted but it is mostly a haunt for birdwatching enthusiasts. Climb to the top to try and spot birds nesting at the top of the trees.
Pinnacle at Duxton
This modern “tower” is really a series of housing apartments in town. However, the view from the 50th floor something to look out for. You can soak in the city views from this lookout tower.
Read more about Pinnacle at Duxton Plains.
SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands
If the view from the 50th floor is good, the view from the 57th is even better. The Sands Sky Park provides a pretty amazing view of both the city and the Eastern suburbs. The admission ticket can be a bit pricey though, unless there is a deal or promotion going on.
Palawan Beach Towers
Cross the suspension bridge at Palawan beach to reach the two timber viewing towers looking out south of Singapore.
These stand 15 metres tall. In the past, it would have also been possible to soak in views of both the city and the South China Sea.
In the past, another iconic tower was the Sentosa Merlion, where you could get views from the top.
You can also get pretty spectacular views of the sea from the Siloso Skywalk.
If you are feeling adventurous, pay a visit to Fort Siloso to get a feel of what it must have been like to be on sentry look out at Siloso Point.
