On foot!

Did you know that Ang Mo Kio was originally named Amokiah? That Jalan Besar was one of the first roads to be built in Singapore? What about the Singapore River spanning 6 kilometres?

If you are clueless about these facts, it’s time to put on your walking shoes and re-discover your country in a way you’ve never experienced before. There are 12 marked trails by the National Heritage Board that are bursting with the culture and history of our nation, and they are begging to be discovered.

These trails include the Ang Mo Kio Trail, the Civic District Trail, Singapore River Trail and Fort Canning Trail, just to name a few.

Don’t have the time to check out all 12? It’s okay. in2it.sg has compiled a list of our top three just for you!

1) Singapore River Trail

 
Covering three quays: Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay, the Singapore River Trail is an important waterway synonymous with the growth and development of Singapore.

Boat Quay, although one of the first areas to be redeveloped, houses many preserved Government buildings on the north bank and restaurants, pubs and commercial buildings on the south bank!

Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay were developed when overcrowding at Boat Quay forced establishments to be built further up. Clarke Quay is now an entertainment hub with restaurants, pubs and shopping, while Robertson Quay houses restored buildings in the form of charming restaurants and pubs. It also comprises riverside hotels, apartments and office buildings.

Some of the highlights along the Singapore River Trail are the Cavenagh Bridge, the Merlion Park, the Parliament House and Raffles’ Landing Site.

2) Yishun Sembawang Trail

 

The Yishun Sembawang Trail has much history tucked away amidst the hustle and bustle of new and old establishments.

Along this trail you will find the Chong Pang Combined Temple, which houses many temples under one roof! These temples were combined and relocated here in 1995, after urbanisation. It includes Dou Mu Gong, Chin Kong Religion Fook Poon Tong, Hua Bao Siang Theon and the Kwang Tee Temple.

Some of these temples’ history date back to the 1800s, when Yishun was still Nee Soon Village.

Additionally, from Queen’s Avenue to Gibraltar Crescent are rows of bungalows that were built during the colonial era. With classic black timber frames and white walls, these bungalows were known as ‘black and white’ and were built by the British in the 1920s.

Did you know that the term ‘bungalow’ came from the Bengali word ‘bangla’? It refers to houses built in the Bengali style. Incidentally, the British colonised Bengal in the 1700s and thought that bangalas were a fantastic idea to help adapt to the tropical climate.

Don’t forget to visit the only hot spring in Singapore down Gambas Avenue. Discovered by a Municipal ranger in 1908, it was capitalized on by Chinese merchant Seah Eng Keong. The water was sold under the brand ‘Zombun’. Eventually, the hot spring was named Seletar Hot Springs and bought over by F&N.

In 1985, the government wanted to build over Seletar Hot Springs in view of expansion of Sembawang Airbase. However, the local community protested. Today, a small concrete base with piping channelling the hot water spring still stands.

3) Fort Canning Trail

 

Once known as “Forbidden Hill”, Fort Canning was suspected to be the location of the royal palace of ancient Malay rulers. In 1984, archaeologist John Miksic and his team began an excavation that turned up artefacts such as porcelain, earthenware and glass shards. These, along with ancient Malay and Chinese records, are hints of an existence of a 14th century Malay kingdom: Temasek.

When Sir Raffles Stamford arrived, he was also impressed with Fort Canning. Thus, he built his house there. He also established the first botanical garden there in 1822. After colonization, Fort Canning became a military base for the British, then the Japanese, and finally by the SAF.

Today, it has become a popular concert location, housing art performances, gigs and other events.