Singapore isn’t known as a ‘Garden City’ for nothing. There’s nature to be found in just about every corner of this small island, from common spaces in HDB estates to little pockets of green even in more skyscraper-concentrated central areas like the business district. Yes, a lot of these are purposefully manicured and man-made, but they’re a sight for sore eyes and in any case, we’d say it’s a pretty impressive feat to pull off for a tiny country with little natural resources.
It’s no surprise then that Singapore is one of the top cities in the world for having the most green spaces, ranking fourth for its 55 parks and nature-related attractions. We also rank 10th globally for having the most-visited green attractions, with all of them boasting a collective 377,000 reviews.
With Tokyo ranking first globally (159 parks and nature attractions), Singapore scores second in Asia, while London (#2) and Paris (#3) fall nicely in between. But Tokyo isn’t the only Japanese city highlighted for its green beauty. Fukuoka (#18) and Osaka (#21) also get a mention. Other neighbouring Asian cities on the list include Seoul (#17) – third in Asia – as well as Kuala Lumpur (#46) and Mumbai (#48).
This list by online design platform Freepik highlights the “futuristic of Gardens by the Bay” as well as the “tranquility of East Coast Park” as some examples of Singapore’s tranquil nature spaces that both locals and tourists can enjoy. While the report acknowledges the fact that the urbanisation of the Marina Bay area – where Gardens by the Bay sits – has resulted in a loss of its natural population of trees that were once freely growing in the area, it emphasises that its essence still remains, thanks to a “blending [of] sleek, glass-clad skyscrapers with eco-conscious designs”.
We definitely won’t dispute that, but Gardens by the Bay isn’t the only green attraction in Singapore that's worth the hype. Check out the newly opened Rainforest Wild Asia with over nearly 7,000 native trees and shrubs and 36 species of free-roaming animals; the recently revamped Chinese and Japanese Gardens, which are part of the larger Jurong Lake Gardens together with Lakeside Garden; as well as the good ol’ Singapore Botanic Gardens, home to multiple attractions like the National Orchid Garden, playgrounds, and scenic eateries.
And if you want to delve deeper into where the locals go, hit up Coney Island for ‘secret’ beaches and gorgeous sunsets; the Rail Corridor for the best hiking trails; Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve for mangroves and possible croc sightings; and Pulau Ubin for an island escape that doesn’t require passport clearance.
Top 20 cities in the world with the most green spaces:
- Tokyo, Japan
- London, UK
- Paris, France
- Singapore
- New York City, USA
- Seattle, USA
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Rome, Italy
- Madrid, Spain
- San Francisco, USA
- Toronto, Canada
- Barcelona, Spain
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Berlin, Germany
- Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Sydney, Australia
- Seoul, South Korea
- Fukuoka, Japan
- Calgary, Canada
- Milan, Italy
10 cities in Asia with the most green spaces in the world:
- Tokyo, Japan
- Singapore
- Seoul, South Korea
- Fukuoka, Japan
- Osaka, Japan
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Mumbai, India
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- Shanghai, China
Check out the full list of cities with the most green spaces in the world.
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Eden Café: A quiet bistro in Jurong Lake Gardens with locally-inspired brunch fare