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NORTHERN SINGAPORE ATTRACTIONS

The northern part of Singapore contains most of the island's nature reserves and parks. Here's where you'll find the Singapore Zoological Gardens, in addition to some sights with historical and religious significance. Despite the presence of the MRT in the area, there is not any simple way to get from attraction to attraction with ease. Bus transfers to and from MRT stops is the way to go-or you could stick to taxicabs.

Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Temple The largest and most modern religious complex on the island, this place, called Phor Kark See for short, is comprised of prayer and meditation halls, a hospice, gardens, and a vegetarian restaurant. The largest building is the Chinese-style Hall of Great Compassion. There is also the octagonal Hall of Great Virtue and a towering pagoda. For S504 (US304) you can buy flower petals to place in a dish at the Buddha's feet. Compared to other temples on the island, Phor Kark See seems shiny-having only been built in 1981. As a result, the religious images inside carry a strange, almost artificial, cartoon air about them.

If you're curious, find the crematorium in the back of the complex. Arrive on Sundays after lpm and wait for the funeral processions to arrive. Chairs line the side and back of the hall, and attendees do not mind if you sit quietly and observe, as long as you are respectful. The scene is not for the faint of heart, but makes for a touching moment of cultural difference and human similarity.

Kranji War Memorial Kranji Cemetery commemorates the men and women who fought and died in World War If. Prisoners of war in a camp nearby began a burial ground here, and after the war it was enlarged to provide space for all the casualties. The Kranji War Cemetery is the site of 4,000 graves of servicemen, while the Singapore State Cemetery memorializes the names of over 20,000 who died and have no known graves. Stones arc laid geometrically on a slope with a view of the Strait of Johor. The memorial itself is designed to represent the three arms of the services.
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