cool image: Boat rides and two Pandas for Mandai Park

PHOTO: At Mandai Orchid Garden
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WEEKEND TODAY, May 22 - 23, 2010, NEWS, PAGE 4
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100522/2205HPW006.pdf
By Hetty Musfirah

PHOTO: Boat rides will be a feature at the new site. rendering courtesy Wildlife Reserves SINGAPORE

Mandai could soon become the new buzzword for nature-themed attractions in Asia.

PHOTO: Mandai Orchid Garden
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Another step was taken towards making Mandai a unique nature cluster with the announcement by the Government on Friday that it has identified a fourth site in Mandai for potential development into a leisure attraction, offering family-friendly accommodation and activities.

PHOTO: Lake at Singapore Zoo
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The Singapore Tourism Board is studying the possibilities for this site.

PHOTO: 80 Mandai Lake Road Singapore 729826.
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This was revealed by Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry S Iswaran, at the ground-breaking ceremony for the $180-million River Safari, Asia’s first river themed park.

PHOTO: http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/08/de/13/topary.jpg

Mr Iswaran said that conceptually, this will be the “4th Gate” site in Mandai. He said with its tropical rainforest setting and rich biodiversity, Mandai provides a compelling contrast to the largely urban environment of Singapore, with the potential to attract 5 million visitors a year.

PHOTO: http://images.travelpod.com/users/linzstoker/asia.1211214000.singapore-zoo-view.jpg

As for the River Safari, which is set to open its doors in 2012, it will host the largest collection of freshwater flora and fauna (plants and animals) in Asia.

It will also be home to the giant pandas, as part of a joint collaboration with the China Wildlife conservation Association.

The attraction is the third nature-themed attraction in Mandai, after the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.

By Hetty Musfirah