Head a short distance west from the delights of Marina Bay by MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and you’ll find yourself in Jurong. Although its name once only conjured up images of its cargo port and heavy industry, today Jurong is known for a wealth of attractions. So while the area is saying goodbye to Jurong Bird Park after 50 years, there are still plenty of things to do in Jurong Singapore should you find yourself here.
The area comprises a loosely defined area encompassing Jurong East and West, alongside Pioneer and Boon Lay. Within them visitors to Singapore will find everything from perfectly laid-out gardens to excellent shopping possibilities. There’s also no shortage of family-friendly activities, including Snow City and Science Centre. Grown-ups might also enjoy the tour of the brewery which has produced Singapore’s prized beer since 1932.
Keen to know more about the top attractions in Jurong? You’ve come to the right place!
Outdoor things to do in Jurong Singapore
Singapore isn’t called the garden city for nothing. Amongst its 330 public parks and green spaces are several peaceful oases located within Jurong. So if you’ve a love of gardens and seeking out things to do in west Singapore, Jurong is the place to head.
Since 2019 it has been the home of Jurong Lake Gardens, uniting once separate parks into one 90-hectare site curving around the shoreline of Jurong Lake. Designed to incorporate something for everyone, it is made up of several sections, each given its own name.
Head to The Grasslands for a picnic, or head along Rasau Walk for a lakeside stroll. Delve into Forest Ramble for idea of what much of Jurong once looked like before development took hold, or get paddling on a kayak at Passion Wave, a home for a variety of water sports.
And if that wasn’t enough, on islands in the lake itself there’s also the Japanese and Chinese gardens. Here a terraced water feature in the Japanese Garden and a bamboo grove and a pagoda in the Chinese garden help create a real sense of calm.
Elsewhere in Jurong, check out Bukit Peropok (Jurong Hill Park). As the highest point in the neighborhood, it offers great views of Jurong Island just offshore. It also contains Singapore’s Garden of Fame, where international dignitaries come to plant trees and shrubs.
Not to be outdone, Yunnan Garden boasts a viewing platform from where it’s possible to take in not only the entirety of these gardens, but also its incredible waterfall, which reaches a height closing in on six meters.
Things to do in Jurong when it rains
Spray from the waterfall at Yunnan Garden is not the only reason to explore Singapore with an umbrella in hand. Think of Singapore and you’re probably imagining afternoons under a tropical sun. But the country does experience short – if frequent – rain showers most of the year. It’s well worth having a plan for when it does.
Close to Jurong Lake Gardens is Snow City. It’s Singapore’s first indoor snow slope making use of the white stuff. Opened for the new millennium and renovated in 2015, it covers 3,000 square meters over two floors. The main attraction is the 60 meter long and three-story high artificial hill used for snowtubing across a surface maintained at a healthy 40 cm deep.
Snow City is part of Science Centre Singapore, another highlight of Jurong’s indoor attractions. Fittingly located on Science Road, the center welcomes visitors to no less than eight individual galleries. Together, they contain a collection of around 850 objects. It also includes an observatory with stargazing sessions every Friday after dark, and an Omnimax theater.
Last but not least, there’s the Tiger Brewery Tour. Nearing its centenary, Tiger beer has been quenching the thirst of Singaporeans since long before Singapore was even an independent nation state. This is despite the fact key ingredients – hops and barley – don’t grow in the region.
Discover how Tiger beer came to be with a one hour behind the scenes tour. Then you’ve got the chance to sample the final product or a very special Blue Paradise cocktail when visiting with a Go City All-Inclusive or Explorer pass.
Snap up the hottest new items for your home and wardrobe
Don’t think Jurong is short of shopping opportunities either. Far from it. Right next to Boon Lay MRT station, Jurong Point Shopping Mall probably provides the greatest range, since it’s one of the largest malls anywhere in the country. With 450 different stores to choose between, it’s difficult to see how even the biggest shopaholics would get bored.
However, if they do, there’s always IMM outlet mall, Westgate and JCube all close by. What’s there to do at JCube? Beyond its five floors of shops, it contains the first Olympic-sized ice rink in Singapore, and an IMAX movie theater. No wonder some are now comparing Jurong to the much better-known shopping and entertainment area of Orchard Road.
The artisans amongst us seeking out bespoke pieces are likely to want to try Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle too. Owned by the same family since the mid-1960s, the pottery uses Singapore’s last dragon kiln. A type of kiln more traditionally found in southern China, it uses wood to fire the clay into hardy ceramics. Visit during your time in Jurong and you can not only purchase handmade locally-produced items, but also try your hand at making your very own at one of their workshops.
Save on admission to top Singapore attractions
Whether you’re wedded to Jurong like an oyster to its rock, or simply exploring the neighborhood as part of your time in Singapore, it’s well worth considering traveling with Go City. Our passes provide savings on admission prices for many of Singapore’s top attractions, from museums to guided bike tours of Chinatown and beyond.
Check out the Go City Facebook and Instagram pages for the latest competitions and special offers. And don’t forget to tag @GoCity or use #GoCityPass on your vacation social media posts for a chance to get featured on our page!
