"June 2022"
Torii Gate. What would you say if I tell you that Singapore has its own Torii Gate?
Probably, you’ll think I’m crazy.
Where got?! You think Japan is it?!
I would have thought the same thing too! Lol. But I found our local Torii Gate is in the middle of the forest and near an abandoned park – this local blogs has been talking about.
Yes, an abandoned park in Singapore.
I was in a deep rabbit hole on urban explorations. I ate urbex videos day and night that it made me so eager to explore outside by myself. Unfortunately, Singapore isn’t a place that we could easily do urbex and if we do, most of the time it could lead to trespassing.
Nah. I don’t play that way.
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FORMAT BELOW THE POST
So I did my research on where I could do some urban explorations and that’s where I stumbled upon Bukit Batok’s hidden gem – Singapore’s very own Torii Gate (use your imagination lah).
So let’s go on a little Bukit Batok Exploration!
Let’s get into it!
Place Of Interests
Bukit Batok Hillside Park (Abandoned Park)
What: Bukit Batok Hillside Park (Abandoned Park)
Location/Address: 1 Bukit Batok Avenue 2, Singapore 659203
About: This is an abandoned park in Bukit Batok where the jungle had turned rugged where urban explorers love to go for hiking paths, old wells and abandoned walkway resembling the Japanese Torii gates.
At first, I was in doubt on how easy it is to find the abandoned park entrance. I’ve been reading a lot blogs and videos on how to get to the entrance and one of the main landmark is this signboard (Easier Way). Once you saw this sign board you’re already in front of the entrance. The entrance is covered with hanging branches and leaves so you have to elbow your way in.
Once you saw the opening you’ll be greeted by this path way. Just hike upwards and soon you see the abandoned stone stairway of the park.
Abandoned Stone Stairway
Take photos or videos if you’d like. Just be careful some of the ‘stones’ or ‘rocks’ are hallowed and man-made. Some of them had shattered and has jagged edges. So better watch out for it. Head up the stone staircase and at the top on the right hand side, you’ll come across the abandoned old well.
Abandoned Old Well
Just be aware that this well is not a real well. It’s not hallowed inside. So I guess that supposed to be a design for the old park.
It really makes me wonder what the old park really looks like back then.
Walking further ahead, now this is the exciting and a little hazardous part because you have to really be aware of your surroundings.
From facing the abandoned well, on the right-hand side, you can continue walking. Be careful of low hanging branches – it’s either you have to crouch to go under or climb over it.
So you have to be in healthy state to hike in here.
So we went all the way straight until we see a dead-end and on the left, there’s a pathway that leads upwards to the hill. This can be very steep and slippery so better watch out on your footing.
Hold on tight to the branches and make sure you have sturdy footing to pull yourself up. So we went all the way up until we can see the bright light at the top of the hill.
Overlooking The Hill
Then you’ll see what’s on the other side!
Of course, HDBs. Lol.
It’s still a fascinating view to see. You can take photos or videos if you want. But moving forward, there’s another trail that goes up the hill.
There’s another gem hidden at the top.
Bamboo Forest
There’s an entrance at the very top and you’ll see the magnificent bamboo forest. The bamboo itself were bended and created as if a ceiling above.
It’s one of a kind to see such phenomena.
Once you’re done checking out the Bamboo forest, you can go out at the same place because just on the right hand of the bamboo forest entrance there’s a small entry way that leads down the hill.
From here, you have to be careful on the way down. As you know, it can be slippery. So you better watch out!
Once you saw this huge log on the ground, just continue going down the path way.
You can look around too for potentially good spots to take photo.
I found this uniquely looking flower. If you know what’s the name of this. Let me know!
As you continue going down, you’ll eventually see this ruined boardwalk.
Congratulations!
You finally found the entrance to the Torii Gate!
Singapore Torii Gate
It wasn’t as magical as the Japanese Torii Gates but this is uniquely Singapore’s own version. It’s very cool with its rustic, wooden and abandoned state. It looks amazing on pictures.
So better strike some poses while you still have it solo. Sometimes you’ll come across some hikers in this area because this is the main highlight of the hike. So don’t panic when you suddenly hear footsteps or voices echoing in the trees. It could be another hiker trying to find the Torii gate.
Remnants of Abandoned Resting Spot
But the adventure doesn’t stop there! We saw two other hikers coming down from the hill – just right after the Torii gate. We chatted a little bit and took photos together. That’s when we found out there’s another overlooking area at the top.
So we decided to hike up at the top and see it for ourselves. However, upon reach there we saw something else. We saw remnants of an abandoned – which seems to be – a resting spot by someone. There was a bed frame, animal cage, tarpaulins, containers and other rubbish.
Seems like someone used to be staying up here.
Another thing that I don’t see coming when venturing to this kind of places.
After walking around, we headed back down to the Torii Gate and back to the ruined boardwalk. From the ruined boardwalk, we trekked on the right hand side (with ruined boardwalk behind us) and at the far end of that trail leads back to the stone staircase entrance. So basically, there’s a shortcut that can easily lead you to the Torii Gate without making a huge loop.
But hey, that’s the adventure am I right?
12 Tips on Urban Exploring
Here are some tips that we can give you when doing Urban Exploration:
- Avoid rainy days because you have to hike on dirt paths – hence, it’s safer when its dry
- Wear longsleeves to avoid the mozzies! We regretted wearing shortsleeves tbh. Lol
- Wear hiking pants/long pants to avoid getting accidental cuts from trees or branches and of course, mozzie bites
- Wear proper hiking or comfortable shoes – very useful when hiking steep inclines uphill and downhill
- Bring a bottle of water – in case you get thirsty
- Bring a snack – in case you get hungry in between
- Bring mosquito repellant – very very important
- Wear a cap – To prevent anything falling onto your hair and protect you from the sun or rain
- Bring poncho in case it rains
- Hiking sticks to help you climb the steep inclines
- Leave it as it is – do not move or vandalise the area. Be respectful to the place
- Bring your camera for photos or videos – to take back for memories
Bottomline
Bukit Batok Hillside Park is like an open secret. It’s still accessible to the public despite it being dilapidated state. Is it worth it? Yes, if you’re up for urban exploration today. It’s a pretty simple hike and it’s just a one big loop. It’s not that very daunting but please do it at the daytime. In the morning, preferably.
Be careful and enter at your own risk!
There’s another entrance at Bukit Batok Avenue 5 which is the Harder way because it immediately starts with a steep hike up the hill. Also, you’re exposed to the main road and it’ll be weird to see two women trying to go up the tall grasses into the unknown. Lol. But if you would like to go for the harder way, then you can give this a shot and it’s also nearer to the Torii Gate.
Follow the existing path and look out for the strings/cloth tied on the trees that were left behind by the previous hikers. It’s definitely an exploration that you will not forget in Singapore because of the unique things that you will find inside the jungle.
So would you dare to explore this abandoned park? Enter at your own risk!
See below video for the video format!
Go out and explore!
Related Videos
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED ON...
“How to Spend ‘x’ Days in or What Are The Things To Do in” you can check out our growing list of countries where we share on our day to day activities. Check out the links below for our Blog and Youtube curation!
