Jurong Bird Park closed: where to see birds in Singapore

Jurong Bird Park was one of the main attractions in Singapore. The park is now closed (according to the official Mandai website). The birds were not released into the wild: the entire collection was moved to a new park, Bird Paradise, in the Mandai area.

Jurong is still searched for in old guidebooks, even though the ticket offices closed long ago. If you are planning a trip, it is important to know where to see birds now and how much admission costs.

Let's look at the history of the old park, its successor in Mandai, how to get there, and tickets.

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What happened to Jurong Bird Park

💡 In short:

• Jurong Bird Park closed on January 3, 2023 after 52 years of operation (according to Mandai).
• The collection was moved to Bird Paradise, which opened on May 8, 2023 (according to the official Mandai website).
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the Bird Paradise website.

© Marcin Konsek · CC BY-SAPhoto: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Jurong was the largest bird park in Asia. Today there are no aviaries or ticket offices left on its site. Jurong tickets no longer exist, and you will not find them in any sales system.

The birds were not released into the jungle. The entire collection was relocated to Bird Paradise, a new park in the north of Singapore. It welcomed its first guests on May 8, 2023 and carried on the work of the old park.

History of the park: from 1971 to closure

The idea for the park is linked to Singapore's finance minister Goh Keng Swee. After a trip to the Rio de Janeiro zoo, he saw huge aviaries where birds lived almost as they would in nature, and he wanted to replicate that approach at home.

© Marcin Konsek · CC BY-SAPhoto: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The government allocated several million Singapore dollars for the construction. The park opened in 1971 (according to Wikipedia) and remained the city's calling card for decades.

About 5,000 birds of 380 species lived on 20 hectares (according to Wikipedia). Visitors saw parrots, flamingos, pelicans, toucans, eagles, and hawks. Many came for the shows: feathered performers played soccer, and parrots repeated words in different languages.

More than 30,000 people visited the park during its final five days, and 2,600 guests came on the last day (according to Mandai).

Birds and zones of Jurong

The park was divided into themed zones. Some pavilions housed birds of Southeast Asia, while others were home to birds of Africa and South America. A separate walkway was dedicated to heliconias: it held one of the largest collections of this tropical plant.

A small water play area with slides and streams was available for children. Nearby there were cafes, sculptures, bridges, and fountains. Another attraction: a 30-meter artificial waterfall (according to Wikipedia).

A monorail and a small tram ran through the grounds. The route covered the entire park and stopped inside each zone, so you could see it while seated.

Free bird shows ran daily on a schedule. Visitors watched eagles hunt a stuffed hare and a bald eagle catch fish.

Another spectacle: scheduled feedings. When staff brought food, hundreds of birds flocked to them, and you could see the full range of plumage up close.

Bird Paradise: the successor in Mandai

Bird Paradise occupies about 17 hectares in Mandai Wildlife Reserve, next to the zoo and Night Safari (according to the Bird Paradise page). Around 3,500 birds of 400 species live here. The aviaries are more numerous and more spacious than in Jurong.

© Justanothersgwikieditor · CC BY-SAPhoto: Justanothersgwikieditor, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The park is built as eight large walk-through aviaries. Each recreates its own landscape: the forests of the Amazon, the Australian savanna, the coast of Papua, the African forests of Rwanda.

One of the main highlights: Penguin Cove. It is one of the world's largest pavilions simulating Antarctica, with cold saltwater pools for king and rockhopper penguins. You can also watch the birds underwater through viewing galleries.

Lory Loft moved here from Jurong. In this aviary, guests feed lories and other parrots by hand. For many, this kind of interaction becomes the main highlight of Bird Paradise.

How to get to Bird Paradise

The park is located in the north of the island, at 20 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729825 (according to Wikipedia). From central Singapore, the drive takes about half an hour by car.

There are several public transport options:

• Bus 138 from Ang Mo Kio MRT station (according to Wikipedia).

• Bus 927 from Choa Chu Kang station.

• Shuttle from Khatib MRT station.

If you are traveling with suitcases or children, take a taxi: a taxi is faster and costs are predictable. Inside the park, a tram runs between zones and is included in the ticket (according to the park website). This way you can see the park without a lot of walking.

Tickets and hours

The park welcomes guests daily. Check the exact opening hours and last entry on the official website before your trip: the schedule changes on holidays.

Tickets are best bought online in advance. During school breaks and on weekends, the line at the entrance is longer, and a ticket with a fixed date saves time.

The price depends on visitor status. For Singapore residents the rate is lower, for tourists it is higher. Check the exact amount for your travel date on the tickets page (as of: 09/2026).

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Is Jurong Bird Park still open?

No. The park closed on January 3, 2023 after 52 years of operation (according to the Mandai website). There are no longer any aviaries or ticket offices on its grounds. The birds were moved to the new Bird Paradise park in the Mandai area, where they live today.

Where did the birds from Jurong move to?

The collection was relocated to Bird Paradise, which opened on May 8, 2023 at Mandai Wildlife Reserve (according to the park page).

How much does a Bird Paradise ticket cost?

The price depends on status: for Singapore residents the rate is lower, for tourists it is higher. Check the exact amount for your travel date on the official Mandai website. A ticket with a fixed date saves time at the entrance on weekends.

How to get to Bird Paradise without a car?

Buses run to the park from Ang Mo Kio and Choa Chu Kang MRT stations, plus a shuttle from Khatib station. The trip from the center takes about half an hour. A tram operates inside the park and is included in the ticket.

Can you feed the birds in the park?

Yes. In the Lory Loft aviary, guests hand-feed lories and other parrots. This feeding was also available in old Jurong, and Bird Paradise has kept the tradition. Check the exact feeding schedule on the official website.

In short: what to book

Old Jurong is closed, so when in Singapore you should plan a visit to Bird Paradise. If you are traveling with children, take a morning slot: by midday the pavilions get more crowded.

If you only have half a day, see Penguin Cove and the Asian aviaries, and plan the rest according to your energy. If you have suitcases, get to Mandai Lake Road by taxi: it is easier than changing buses.

Buy your ticket online in advance: find tickets and tours. This way you will not lose time in line.

Jurong Bird Park stood in the western part of Singapore. The map below shows this location.