Mandai

Mandai is the name of an urban planning area located in the North Region of Singapore. Mandai Road passes through the area, linking Woodlands Road to Upper Thomson Road. The area is generally undeveloped compared to the other parts of the island.

The Singapore Zoo and Night Safari are located in the vicinity and are accessible via Mandai Road, and hence the common reference to the parks as "Mandai Zoo". Mandai Columbarium and Crematorium, the biggest crematorium and columbarium in Singapore, is also located in Mandai area.

In 2012, a new river-themed park, River Safari, will be situated beside the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.

Military training
Mandai is commonly part of military training area, due to undeveloped land on the surroundings. It has three training areas, Kwok Min, Asrama/Ulu Sembawang, Mandai Bumbong, Gali Batu and Mandai Central. Its Gali Batu has Mandai Camp and Mandai West Camp. Its Kwok Min has Mandai Hill Camp and the live firing range.

Etymology and history
Mandai Road was cut in 1855. The name Mandai appears in the Franklin and Jackson's  Plan of Singapore (1828) as a river &mdash; "R. Mandi". The name is said to come from a tree.

The Mandai tree is of the species unid.

Trivia
Mandai means "Head" in Tamil (normally used in a casual way).

Transportation
The Mandai Depot, used for the Thomson Line, will also be located in Mandai. There is also Mandai Road as well.