When it comes to Singapore, the first impression for me was always of a small, beautiful garden city with busy modern skylines. As a nature lover, it might not have been my first travel destination, until I got the chance to learn that there are actually many hidden nature places to explore. On my recent trip to Singapore, it gave me a kick when I went to a place that people haven’t heard of, and that’s where Pulau Ubin comes into the picture.

About Pulau Ubin

Considered to be Singapore’s last real kampong (‘village’ in Malay), Pulau Ubin is a tiny island located off the north-east corner of Singapore, with an area of 10.2 square kilometers. It is also a home to abundant wildlife, verdant nature, and a window to the old days back in the 1960s and a simpler life.

How to Get There

I took a bumboat at Changi Point Ferry Terminal, which is near the Changi Village Hawker Centre. It was about 15 minutes ride. There is no need to buy tickets in advance, but you’ll need to prepare SGD 3 per person to pay onboard.  If you bring your own bike, you will need to pay SGD 2 extra. The boat departs whenever there are 12 passengers onboard.

What to Do There

It’s a great place for walking and cycling! There are a lot of bike rental shops on the island, which charge from SGD 6 to SGD 10 per person for a bike for a whole day, including children’s bikes, child seats, and tandems.

Once I had my bicycle, I followed the basic route as it leads to three quarters of the island. If you are willing to challenge yourself, you can take another route, which covers a quarter of the island, and is actually meant for seasoned cyclists. And yes, keep an eye out for wild animals along the way! I surprisingly bumped into a wild boar, a boar family, and some monkeys on my way.

After a couple hours into exploring the island at my own pace, I finally made to the star attraction, Chek Jawa wetlands. Climbing on the Jejawi Tower, I got a bird’s eye view of the area’s amazing natural sights. Not far from this, I found a spot to sit and rest along the boardwalk, gazing at the view of the rocky shore and ocean in front of me, all of which made me feel at peace.

My trip to Pulau Ubin has changed my thoughts about Singapore; there are definitely many hidden gems of nature waiting for you.

Photo: Wendy Xu

Yan Chang parked by yet another cluster of abandoned shared bikes, then set to work piling them one by one on the back of his scooter. His employer, ofo, had tasked him with arranging any of their cycles that had been strewn about in the Hujialou area into a neat row near the subway station. Necessary as the job has become, to ensure pedestrians and cars aren’t completely impeded in this era of rampant shared bike usage, Yan couldn’t deny that the work was arduous. When asked, he gestured at one bike that had been left smack in the middle of a sidewalk, and said careless riders like that were giving him too much “mafan.”

Yet employees like Yan, and especially baoan security guards saddled with even stricter rules about keeping their buildings’ parking lots clean, may very well rejoice at recent news from Singapore’s Today newspaperabout new technology and laws designed to keep riders from parking in such a haphazard fashion through penalties and other means. In lieu of these government-imposed measures, ofo users in Singapore “who park indiscriminately will get an app notification and the operator said it would provide details on penalties closer to the end of the year. It replaced its mandatory bike deposit and introduced a credit system that rewards good behavior and penalizes bad behavior, and is likely to develop the programme further,” according to Today. The article went on to say that some other companies already use technology called geo-fencing to “manage indiscriminate parking, and users are alerted through beeping noises and app notifications if they do not park in designated spaces” that consist of painted squares on the sidewalk, often near subway stations, popular attractions, and other major hubs.

While news about such measures, and photos of freshly painted designated parking spaces in a few scant parts of Beijing, surfaced this past spring, and before Beijing authorities drafted regulations for consultation on April 21, such efforts have since amounted to very little, especially compared to what is taking place in Singapore. Indeed, shared bikes are still littered in randomly obtrusive clusters across the capital. Seeing firmer measures put forth and backed by the municipal government in Singapore may seem promising to detractors of the shared bike craze. But some of the staunchest regular users of ofo, Mobike, and other such cycles question how companies might even remain popular if riders aren’t free to park where they please.

Sadly, the only shared cyclist using the designated spaces was me, and only for the purposes of writing blog, when the spaces were freshly painted this past spring

Vincent Tang Yue, global PR manager at ofo, says the company is well aware of such gripes on both sides of Beijing’s Great Shared Bike Debate. He says, “Currently, we prefer a credit system that rewards good behavior and penalizes bad behavior in overseas markets and will develop the program further. The details are yet to be finalized and might vary from country to country.”

Despite such hurdles, Yue is optimistic about ofo’s prospects in Beijing, even though the Chinese capital has yet to show Singapore’s gumption in addressing the parking issue. He says: “The bike-sharing practice and industry is growing very fast and has greatly benefited urban transportation and the environment. ofo has always wanted to contribute to every city we enter, and the best solution might be different from city to city.”

One of SIngapore’s designated shared bike spaces, which will be enforced via GPS, app penalties, and other measures enacted by local officials

If such stricter measures were to be enacted in Beijing, ofo’s chief competitor, Mobike, would be quick to follow suit. At least that’s what the company’s head of global partnerships, Florian Bohnert, says of the features like geo-fencing, credit systems, notifications, and designated parking areas that Mobike has developed and used to a greater degree in other locales. He adds: “Mobike invented geo-fencing for dockless shared bikes when it launched in April 2016 in China. Therefore, we’re very happy to work hand-in-hand with local governments to further develop the service within a framework of safety and reliability.”

Such eager compliance with any forthcoming parking crackdowns may very well be appreciated by detractors, avid Mobike rider Billy Chan says he has concerns about how rocky that transition might be. He says: “I don’t know how well users will accept any form of forced docking system (virtual or not), now that they’ve been trained on being able to pick up and drop off their bikes from anywhere and anytime.”

Designated parking spots were made for Mobike users in Shijingshan this past spring, but little incentive was given for riders to use them

But even if Beijing officials turn out not to be as assertive as their Singaporean counterparts in this regard, it might not matter. That’s because the proverbial “Wild West” of free-range shared bike parking is already being somewhat tamed in the Chinese capital, according to John Artman, editor-in-chief at business and IT news outlet TechNode. He says: “‘Being able to drop them off anywhere’ is quickly fading already as property management companies and city management become more strict about where they allow bike traffic and bike parking,”

However, if more rigid, Singaporean-style regulations are enacted, Artman said: “I can definitely see a popular backlash occurring online as people take to Weibo and WeChat to complain about initial bugs and problems, but I think these complaints will fade as the systems get better and people learn to park responsibly.”

Can Beijing shared bike users become more contentious?

Joffe agrees, and believes that shared bike riders shouldn’t be dismissed as ill-equipped to follow stricter parking rules. On the contrary, he believes “many users were initially shocked by the fact they could just drop their bike anywhere. It just didn’t feel normal. Now it will make more sense.” What’s more, he sees benefits in this early, lax stage of shared bike usage, because it offered enough convenience to get users hooked. “Going through that initial ‘free for all’ phase had the benefit of educating users with the first step: payment and operation. The next step of parking is easy to learn, in comparison.”

Joffe not only welcomes such stricter parking regulations in Beijing, he thinks they will likely come to pass. He says: “It is not surprising that regulations would come into effect in Singapore to make shared bikes a sustainable transportation option. If the first phase of deployment was a “land grab” in terms of users, now real land will be necessary to ensure proper usage.”

Photos: Arvi Lefevre, Kyle Mullin, Today, the Beijinger

Winter in Beijing is one of a kind. This year Beijing is expected to experience one of the coldest winters since 2012. Two to three month-long hibernation like the polar bears isn’t an option. However, packing up and heading to a warmer climate might be what you need to get through the other weeks as we countdown to spring. In our November/December issue we featured four places for families looking to brave the freezing temperatures or those looking to shake off the winter temperature.

Planning a family vacation can be difficult but finding a quick guide of places to visit shouldn’t be. Here are six places we’ve picked:

Hong Kong
Flight: 3.5hours
Ages: All
Hong Kong is the best short flight option to enjoy warm temperatures at low cost. There are a lot of attractions for the family to enjoy such as Hong Kong Disneyland, the Ocean Park, The Peak (panoramic view of Hong Kong), the interactive Hong Kong Science Museum, Space Museum to name a few. The one highlight that shouldn’t be missed is the Symphony of lights. Whether this is your first time to Hong Kong or you are a returning visitor, this feature is one that neither you nor the kids will stop loving. Public transportation, the MTR, makes it very easy to navigate around the city apart from far away places but bus and taxi can get you where you need to go or Uber!

Singapore
Flight: 6hours
Ages: All ages
Singapore is one of the most beautiful cities in Asia if not the world. The kids will be occupied the entire time with all the cool things to do. The biggest attraction is Sentosa Island that has the Universal Studios, S.E.A Aquarium, Dolphin Island, Adventure Cove Waterpark, and more. There’s a free water play area at the Gardens by the Bay. There’s a lot of water activities and aquatic animals to see but there’s also the Singapore Zoo to see other species in the animal kingdom and the Jirong Bird Park. Unlike Hong Kong, a holiday in Singapore comes at a higher price tag from flights, hotels, airbnb, and food. The trip is worth it though.

Malaysia
Flight: 6hours
Ages: All ages
From Singapore one can drive into Malaysia if you have a valid drivers license. A flight from Singapore is 45minutes away but 6 hours from Beijing. Depending on the type of family you are there’s a little of everything in Malaysia to do: visit  the Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre near Sandakan, Sabah to get all up close and personal with an Orang-Utan, head to the beautiful beaches of Langkawi, enjoy the tranquility at the oldest rainforest in the world at the Mt Kinabalu National Park, see one of the tallest buildings in the world, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, tour the historic Georgetown in Penang, or explore the tea plantations in Cameron Highlands. Malaysia is home to the Legoland in Asia that accommodates over 70 attraction divided into seven themed parks, a massive water park, and unique themes. There are several theme parks such as the Sunway Lagoon, Des WaterPark, and Mines Wonderland in Kuala Lumpur, A’samosa Water World in Alor Gajah, Burkit Merah Laketown Water Park in Semanggol, Perak. A trip to Malaysia is cheaper than to Singapore but a little more than Hong Kong.

Thailand
Flight: 5-6 hours
Ages: All
From the big cities of Bangkok and Phuket to the smaller areas such as Koi Samui, Railay Beach, Chang Mai, and much more, there’s always a hidden gem for everyone from backpackers to families. Families will enjoy the smaller places as these areas are less crowded and families can enjoy to unplug. In Koh Chang, families can ride on an elephant in the jungle, head to the waterfalls for mangrove kayaking, snorkeling, and sand castles building or beach-combing during low tide for younger kids. In Koh Samui, this is where martial arts lovers can go to the various specialized gyms for a day of hard training then beach bum. It’s advisable to look for a resort or hotel that has a kids club amenities to keep the younger ones occupied. In Chiang Mai, families can enjoy cultural immersion activities, nature hikes, climbing, a visit to the tallest mountain in the country, and enjoy island life. In Krabi, the nearby Railay Beach is perfect for doing nothing but enjoy the serene beaches. For older kids and the more adventurous families, Railay Beach is perfect for rock climbing. Depending on where you want to stay, Thailand can be budget friendly for every family pocket.

Vietnam
Flight: 5-6 hours
Ages: Ages 8+
The place to visit is Ha Long Bay, that’s a few hours away from Hanoi. The truly captivating activity is a visit to the cave and have to rent out a boat to get to the caves. The whole journey there and back to the hotel is definitely a thrill seekers dream come true. The city of Hue is a cultural and historically heavy place to visit and unless your kids are history or cultural buffs it’s best to keep the trip short. This areas is best traveled using a bicycle or motorbike. Ho Chi Minh City’s attraction are the Cu Chi tunnels and the Cao Dai Temple. The historical tours are packed with visits to the war museum, and this is not recommended for children due to the highly graphic nature of the photography and the replicates of prison conditions. The fun side are the three main theme parks, Dem Sen Water Park, Suoi Tien, and Lac Canh Dai Nam.

Philippines
Flight: 6 hours
Ages: Ages 8+
If your family loves water based sports like scuba diving or surfing then this is your primary destinations for the holidays. Beach bumming is a welcomed vacation when taking a break from all the sports. In Boracay, water sports are the major attractions but not the only ones as families can go explore the Bat Cave or hike Mount Luho to see the local wildlife. If you head to tourist favorite, Cebu, then be sure to check out the Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary and the Cebu Happy World Museum, where you can take some hilarious family mementos. Palawan might just be the most beautiful region of the Philippines, and families can snorkel, scuba dive, hiking, caving, zip lining, island hopping, sunbathing, or swimming. The one activity to try is kayaking through the World’s longest underground river that winds though a cave. The travel time to these places and costs make this an investment of how truly do you want to escape Beijing.

Photos: softwerkz.net, augustana.edu, travelfeeder.com, inspire-emagazine.com, wendyperrin.com, tourtovietnam.net

Some general news from the Talking Travel desk this edition, much of it relating to airlines.

This deal from Hawaiian Airlines won’t benefit Beijingers directly, but for people with family or friends in Hawaii who would like to come visit will like it. Book between now and August 29, and travel on Hawaiian Airlines to Beijing until December 31, 2014, and receive 50 percent off a companion ticket. Other discounts and incentives apply, including 30 percent off on visa processing fees. Full details are here.

AirAsia X, the Kuala Lumpur-based budget airline, will increase its service to Beijing from seven flights per week to nine, starting October 1. Seems that not all airlines from Malaysia are having a bad year.

On Monday the Beijinger Blog reported that a passenger on a July 31 Air Canada flight from Beijing to Vancouver had contracted measles, and that other passengers were advised to check their immunization status. Think it can’t happen to you? Yours truly contracted the measles in Beijing in 1997, after having been inoculated as a child. It wasn’t too bad, but it wasn’t fun, and, well, you certainly look different for ten days to two weeks.

American Airlines will be reducing its daily service from Chicago to Beijing from January 10 to February 7, 2015 to five times per week. That just happens to be after the Christmas travel period and just before Spring Festival/Chinese New Year.

Please note that disruptions to passenger air service along China’s east coast are expected to continue until August 15. Take. The. Train.

Arrivals from the PRC in Singapore were down 27 percent for the first five months of the year. Singapore has lost its luster as a shopping destination. Interesting story about the whole phenomenon here.

That’s it for this edition. See you Saturday. One road flat safe.

This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on August 5, 2014.

Photo: The Beijinger