Finding Serenity: A City Escape to Upper Seletar Reservoir

City life has its perks, no doubt, but man, it can be a grind too. The constant noise, the never-ending hustle, and the crazy fast pace can really wear you down. At some point, you just crave a break; a little peace and quiet, a chance to unplug and chill out, even if it’s just for a short while. Sometimes, all you want is to hit the pause button and escape the madness of city life to recharge your batteries.

Luckily, here in Singapore, there are spots that offer exactly what I needed at that moment. Last weekend, I decided to check out the Upper Seletar Reservoir to soak in some of that much-needed serenity.

This place is tucked away in the Central Water Catchment area, one of the country’s main reservoirs.

If you’re trying to place it on the map, think of it this way: it’s almost a two-hour trip from Changi Airport by public transport, and about 50 minutes away from Orchard Road, the heart of the city. So yeah, it’s far enough that you really feel like you’ve left the city behind.

I headed out there in the afternoon after the clouds cleared up. I caught the MRT to Springleaf Station, then hopped on a quick 5-minute bus ride that dropped me right at the reservoir’s entrance.

As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by the gentle ripples of the water. Breathing in the fresh air felt like a treat after being surrounded by the city’s hustle. I made a beeline for the reservoir, eager to get a closer look at the water and all the action going on around it.

The water was crystal clear, with not a speck of pollution in sight. It was just so fresh and clean.

Looking around, I saw a few folks chilling out; some having picnics, others fishing. Man, I wished I had brought a fishing pole too. I bet it would be fun, even if I didn’t catch anything. Just casting out the line seems like it’d be a good way to unwind.

Strolling along the rocky banks was a whole vibe. It’s such a different feel from the smooth pavement of the city, and honestly, I was loving it. I couldn’t resist snapping a few photos to capture the moment.

After soaking in the views along the banks, I decided to take a walk down this straight road leading to the Seletar Rocket Tower.

That was my main goal for the trip; I wanted to see the area’s vastness, and the only way to do that was to climb the 18-meter-high tower for a panoramic view.

The walk down the road and the climb up the spiral staircase was totally worth it. The view from the top? Absolutely breathtaking.

It wasn’t too windy, just a gentle breeze, and it was perfect for taking in the scenery.

After I’d soaked up enough of the view, I headed back down to explore the banks near the tower. One standout spot here is this huge, “lone” tree that’s super popular for wedding photos.

The tree makes for a killer backdrop; get the right angle, and you’ve got a dramatic shot on your hands.

Sitting on a bench under that tree, just taking it all in, with the late afternoon sun warming things up just right, was pure bliss.

All in all, it was an awesome trip. The place is simple, but that’s what makes it such a great escape from the city’s noise. I left feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world again.