Histroy of Bukit Timah hill
Bukit Timah, which literally means "tin hill" in Malay, was already identified on the 1828 map by Frankin and Jackson as Bukit Timah. The hill was depicted on the map towards the northwest as two hills at the eastern source of the Kranji River.
Since the interior of the island was not fully explored at that time, the location and name of the hill for the map probably came from the Malay community. According to one source, Bukit Timah has nothing to do with tin. The original Malay name for the hill was Bukit Temak, meaning "hill of the temak trees", referring to pokok temak, a tree that grew abundantly on the slopes of the hill. However, to the western ear, Temak in Malay enunciation sounded like Timah, hence Bukit Timah. Some say that timah is an abbreviation of Fatimah, a popular Malay girl's name.
The 25-km long Bukit Timah Road, the longest road in Singapore, running north and south of the island, takes its name from this hill. The road to Kranji was completed in 1845. Apparently, the area was so infested with tigers that it constituted a serious threat to human life. In 1860, nearly 200 people were reported to have been killed by tigers in and about the gambier and pepper plantations. The first ride on horseback across the island was along Bukit Timah Road in 1840; it took four days and was made by Mr Thomson and Dr Little.
After the Japanese Occupation, the farms and plantations in Bukit Timah gave way to industrial buildings and high-rise flats. In the 1960s and 1970s, Bukit Timah was a major industrial centre. Today, these have been replaced with luxury bungalows, terraces and condominiums, making Bukit Timah Singapore's premier residential district.

Characteristics of Bukit Timah hill
Bukit Timah is a hill in Singapore which stands at an altitude of 163.63 metres (537 ft.) and is the highest point in the city-state of Singapore.[1] Bukit Timah is located near the centre of the Singapore main island.The surrounding area is an urban planning area known as Bukit Timah Planning Area under the Urban Redevelopment Authority and is part of the Central Region, and lies 10 kilometres (6 miles) from the city's central business district, the Central Area.
Amazing diversity
All the major plant groups one would expect in a tropical rainforest occur here - fig trees, rattans, palms, lianas, vines, epiphytes and, last but not least, the majestic Dipterocarps which so dominate the canopy.
Delicate Ferns
Singapore still has over 100 fern species and over 80 of these are to be found on Bukit Timah, though some are extremely rare. Ferns can be of various sizes, from tiny specimens a few millimetres
Spiky Rattans
A fearsome spines on their stems and leaves. Numerous species are to be found in the reserve, particularly where a gap has appeared in the canopy and sunlight is streaming through. The spines also help the Rattan cling to the trunks of trees.
Flowering Plants
Wihout four season variation in temperature, trees and shrubs flower intermittently in tropical rainforests. But the keen-eyed will always find some colourful blooms.
Fruits of the Forest
Green "fruits" growing in abundance on the trunk and branches of certain trees are in fact figs, familiar as they are with the packets of large, processed, sugary figs of Middle Eastern origin which appear on supermarket shelves. Fruit trees such as rambutan, Banana, Durian and Jackfruit.
Secretive Wildlife
The forest is alive with birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. So why can't they be seen ? Many forest species are extremely shy and are able to hide easily in the dense foliage or remain out of sight in the canopy.Such as lizards, frogs and toads are well camouflaged and rather than move away from the sound of approaching people will simply freeze. Many frogs and toads hide under leaf litter, but you may hear them croaking after a downpour or as night time approaches. Walk slowly and quietly, and wear dull coloured clothes and you will get closer to the wildlife.

The map of Bukit Timah nature reserve .

credits to:http://www.singaporevr.com/vrs/BukitTimahNatureReserve/Map.jpg