A Scenic Destination: Your Guide to Mount Faber
Most people—both tourists and locals alike—associate Mount Faber with the Singapore cable car because it has a station there. But Mount Faber is more than just a pit stop to Sentosa; it’s a destination with many fun things to do!
You can hike to the summit and enjoy the scenic views of the harbor; you can also treat yourself to delicious food! For more information on all the exciting things you can do in Mount Faber Park, read this guide.
Things to Know
History and Background
Formerly known as Telok Blangah Hill, Mount Faber is a 94-meter-tall hill located in the southern part of mainland Singapore. Back in the 1800s, there were plans to make it into a fort, especially after the Indian Mutiny in 1857, but to no avail.
An engineer named Captain Charles Edward Faber cut through the hill’s thick undergrowth and helped build a road to the summit. For this reason, the name was changed to Mount Faber to honor his contributions.
Mount Faber officially became a public park in 1965, and in 1974, a cable car station was erected here, effectively connecting mainland Singapore with Sentosa. Since then, Mount Faber has become a popular tourist destination.
How to Get There
MRT: To get to Mount Faber through the MRT, ride the MRT at HarbourFront station, then take Exit D. From there, you must walk to Mount Faber station for 15 minutes. It’s a bit of a hike getting there, so keep that in mind.
Bus: Ride any of the following bus services—10, 30, 57, 61, 65, 80, 97, 100, 123M, 131, 143, 145, 166, 188R, 855, or 963R—and get off at Opp VivoCity. From there, hike to Mount Faber station, which should take about 15 minutes.
Car: If you prefer driving, there are two car parks available in Mount Faber Park. If they’re already full when you arrive, other parking options can be found in VivoCity and HarbourFront Center.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Mount Faber depends on what you’re planning to do during your visit.
If you’d like to hike, you should come in the morning when the sun isn’t harsh. Alternatively, you can come late in the afternoon, especially if you want to watch the sunset.
For dining, evening is a great time to visit because it provides a more chill atmosphere. Plus, the glittering view of the skyscrapers is pretty to look at during this time.
What to Do
Ride the cable car
Since Mount Faber has a cable car station, it only makes sense that riding the cable car is one of the most popular things to do here. You can ride the cable car to HarbourFront or Sentosa stations.
What I love about the Mount Faber Line is that it offers panoramic, scenic views of the secondary rain forest on the hill and the fancy condominiums and yachts along Keppel Bay. You can even spot the resorts and a water theme park on Sentosa Island!
Hike
Do you enjoy working out? Then you might want to hike in Mount Faber!
The main hiking trail in Mount Faber is Marang Trail, which starts from the bottom of the hill (near HarbourFront Exit D) and ends at the top of Mount Faber Peak. It’s 800 meters long and has an incline, making it moderately challenging for hikers.
You’re in for a treat once you reach the top. There’s an observation deck that lets you drink in the views of the forest and skyscrapers beyond; this is also a prime spot to see the glorious sunset before night falls.
Another route you can take is to start from Henderson Waves, a popular bridge known for its unique wave-like architecture, and end at Mount Faber Point. This route is perfect if you think the Marang Trail is too short and want to challenge yourself even more.
Have a mini photoshoot at Happy Steps
Happy Steps in Mount Faber Park is pretty hidden (it’s right behind an abandoned bus stop), but if you pass by it, you definitely can’t look away. After all, it’s a staircase painted in vivid rainbow colors!
Because of its colorful nature, this staircase is considered an Instagram-worthy spot. Many people come here just to take selfies and other creative photos to share on social media.
Check out past cable car models
Did you know that the Singapore cable car has undergone several design iterations? The current one is the fourth generation, and fortunately, Mount Faber has kept the other versions, so you can see what the cable car looked like in the past.
You won’t just see a sketch of the past versions; they have life-sized versions you can sit on! So, you can also imagine riding the cable car back in the day.
Ring Poland’s Bells of Happiness
Another highlight of Mount Faber Park is Poland’s Bells of Happiness. These two bells were a gift from Poland to honor our diplomatic relations.
Poland’s Bells of Happiness is a distinctive landmark because the bells are hung from an arch decorated with flowers, and in the backdrop is a green field. Because of this, many people have come to associate the bells with something romantic.
Many visitors, especially couples, come to ring these bells as a sign of their love. You can also ring these bells to wish for happiness in life.
Make a wish on a bell
Near Poland’s Bells of Happiness, you can find a railing full of bells. These bells are also known as wishing bells, and you can get them from the Singapore Cable Car Gift Shop for about S$5 each.
It’s not clear how the tradition started, but people purchase these bells and hang them at the railing as they make a wish. If there’s something you’ve always wanted, this is your chance to wish for it; you never know what might happen!
Say hi to Merlion
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—8:45 am to 9:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday—8:45 am to 2 am
Contact Number: +6563779688
As you’re probably aware, the Merlion is Singapore’s icon, but what you might not know is that there are only six locations throughout the nation where a Merlion statue is allowed to be displayed.
Mount Faber Point is one of these six locations. The Merlion statue here is three meters tall, and it’s very popular among tourists; in fact, it’s so popular that you have to line up just to get the chance to see the statue up close!
Admire the mural walls
Also at Faber Point, near the circular lookout point, you can find a set of mural walls that show Singapore’s history. So, if you’re a history nerd (or even if you’re not), you’ll be fascinated to see an artistic depiction of our nation’s history.
Aside from being informational, another interesting thing about these mural walls is that they don’t look like your typical murals. Instead, they’re almost like sculptures because the scenes are etched onto a copper board!
Step inside a scenic washroom
When we hear the word “washroom,” the first thing we think of is a simple space with just a sink and maybe a mirror. We definitely don’t think a washroom should be aesthetically pleasing, but that’s exactly what you’ll find in Mount Faber Park.
This scenic washroom is a hidden gem; it’s located right next to the ballroom, which is a level below the gift shop. It takes a bit of effort to find, but it’s all worth it in the end because this washroom is pretty unique.
This washroom has glass for walls, so you can enjoy the scenery outside while cleaning yourself up! When I came here for the first time, I spent more time than I should have, just enjoying the view and taking photos.
Where to Dine
Arbora Hilltop Garden & Bistro
Address: 109 Mount Faber Rd, Faber Peak, Singapore 099203
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—11 am to 10:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—8:30 am to 10:30 pm
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6563610088
Website
Surrounded by Mount Faber Park’s lush greenery, Arbora Hilltop Garden is the place to go if you want a casual yet fancy dining experience.
This restaurant’s menu features Western classics and Asian delights. My personal favorites are the Peking duck, chili crab and doughnuts, and pineapple-glazed pork ribs; as for dessert, I love the basque cheesecake with poached mixed berries.
The beverage selection is also worth noting because the drinks, including cocktails, are botanical-inspired. There are also craft beers available here.
Dusk Restaurant & Bar
Address: Faber Peak Singapore, Level 2, 109 Mount Faber Road, Singapore 099203
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—4 to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—4 pm to 2 am
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6563610088
Website
Only open in the afternoon until nighttime, Dusk Restaurant & Bar is the perfect destination for a romantic date with your partner. If you stop by at the right time, you can enjoy a view of the sunset, which makes everything even more romantic.
I recommend ordering the three or four-course menu. Either comes with a starter (Hokkaido scallops), soup (velouté, which is made from forest mushroom and herb crème fraiche), main entrée (filet mignon or Maine lobster), and dessert (poached pear).
If you want live music during your dinner, you should come here on Fridays, Saturdays, or the eve of public holidays.
Cable Car Sky Dining
Pricing: $$$
Website
If you can afford to splurge, you might want to treat yourself and a loved one (or loved ones if you want to bring your whole family) to Sky Dining, a fine dining experience on a cable car.
Sky Dining comes with a multi-course menu. You’ll start with cured fjord trout, followed by curried mussel chowder soup and a main entrèe of either beef short ribs or Maine lobster; for the grand finale, you’ll indulge in the beet and Greek yogurt torte.
Starting at S$138 per person, this dining experience is pretty expensive, but it’s worth it, in my opinion. So if you can, give this a try!