For those who enjoy a bout of urban exploration in Singapore, the National Heritage Board’s (NHB) Roots.sg portal has always been a reliable source. Packed with fascinating information and experiential self-guided local heritage trails, the first ones were developed since 1999, and more routes have since sprung up.
Beyond those, there are also lesser-known trails offered by storied, iconic Singapore locales. So instead of going on aimless walks the next time you need to clear your headspace, go on these trails instead, that are all sure to satisfy your inner explorer.
Amara Heritage Trail, Sentosa
Ang Mo Kio Heritage Trails
Bedok Heritage Trail
Geylang Serai Foot Trail
Jalan Besar Heritage Trail
Jurong Heritage Trail
For when you want to wind down, the Jurong Trail is the likes of a suburban retreat. Concerted efforts and budget have seen to the conversion of Jurong into a green belt and the maintenance of the Pandan reservoir and Chinese gardens with its twin Pagodas. Also drop by Jurong Fishery port and its 400m-long wharf that opens at 4am; lastly, Singapore’s remaining dragon kiln has successfully negotiated a lease extension and will be in operation till 2023, so check it out while you can.
Little India Heritage Trail
This is one trail that will not disappoint. It houses a great number and diversity of religious spaces—there’s the magnificent Abdul Gafoor Mosque, Foochow Methodist Church, Shree Lakshminarayan Temple and the Thai Buddhist Monastery Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple. You get to play tourist if you join the guided walking tour Dhobis, Sari and a Spot of Curry, where knowledgable guides will take you to the best garland and spice stores, a sari-tying sesh, Little India’s oldest restaurant, and more.
Orchard Heritage Trail
The next time you’re in town with time to kill, forget whiling it away in a cafe and try wandering through a cemetery instead. The 18th in NHB’s list of heritage trails, this is a self-guided trail around 71 heritage sites spanning Dhoby Ghaut to Tanglin. Trail markers have also been put in place to help chart Orchard’s metamorphosis, from a community of nutmeg plantations to today’s retail and tourism hub. Jury’s still out on how a heritage trail in Orchard will make you feel—yay to our rich history and progress, but nay to the fact that so many historical places have been lost and turned into malls?
Pasir Ris Heritage Trail
Before Wild Wild Wet and Downtown East, many Singaporeans were already flocking to the east to unwind at the Golden Palace Holiday Resort, formerly located at Jalan Ang Sian Kong. Today’s Pasir Ris holds many treasures and significance, from abundant recreational areas along its lively coastline, to HDB flats paying homage to its seaside heritage through lighthouse- and porthole-shaped architecture. Highlights on the various routes for us include the Pasir Ris Hawker Centre (great craft beer stall there), the charming Elephant Playground and the iconic Mangrove Forest.
Public Art Walking Trail
Singapore is littered with works of public art all done by local artists, and letting you explore much of them found within the city centre is this trail by the National Arts Council. From works that tell a tale of Singapore’s past, to now-iconic sculptures that have become de facto meeting points, this trail has them all. Even the Merlion is included.
Queenstown Heritage Trail
Queenstown, Singapore’s first satellite town holds a history beyond its hosting of the contemporary IKEA store. Highlights of the Queenstown Heritage Trail include the Church of the Good Shepherd, the former Thye Hong Biscuit and Confectionery Factory and some of Singapore’s first HDB flats. For history buffs, underneath Gillman Barracks was the holding place for British troops during the second World War.
Singapore River Walk
Today’s Singapore River is best known for being a drinking and entertainment spot. But before all that, it was the lifeblood of Singapore’s trade and commerce, with many of the shophouses there formerly housing godowns and other mercantile facilities. Explore the whole stretch starting from Clifford Pier all the way to Robertson Quay, and witness just how much has changed and developed this last half century. There’s no harm stopping at a bar or two for a pick-me-up too.
Sepoy Lines Trail
The Sepoy Lines Trail traces the history of Singapore’s Sikh community, bringing you past former barracks, the Bhai Maharaj Singh Ji Memorial and the Silat Road Sikh Temple. It’ll also take you on a visit past the former Outram Prison, first erected in the 1800s.
Tiong Bahru Heritage Trail
Although a target of gentrification, Tiong Bahru still holds a charm beneath its almost modern façade and indie cafes. An interesting titbit—this estate was colloquially referred to as “er nai chun” as it housed the mistresses of rich men. Check out this trail for its conserved pre-war flats that homeowners are required to apply for a clearance permit should they want to renovate; the grave of Tan Tock Seng, the pioneering batch of SERS flats, Singapore’s oldest and most famous chwee kueh stall—Jian Bo Shui Kueh opened in 1950, and the famous Tiong Bahru food market, constructed in 1945, that had resulted in the removal of two shophouses.
Toa Payoh Trail
World War II Trail
Into dark tourism, anyone? For some of us, there’s a morbid appeal in visiting visitor centres and museums linked to death and tragedy. With markers almost all across Singapore, the World War II Trail calls for a road trip. You’ll wish to cover the site of the Kranji Beach Battle, the Sook Ching Inspection Centre and the massacre sites of Changi, Punggol and Sentosa as you remember Singapore’s darkest chapter.
