Tag: heritage

Along the Woodlands Heritage Trail
I’ve been walking the heritage trails in Singapore with friends. So far, I’ve managed to clock S$25 in rewards.
This next one brings us to the north of Singapore — Woodlands. The trail takes you very near to a favourite Singaporean hangout — Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Similar to the Kampong Glam route, this trail spans about 4.4km and is an easy and enjoyable walk. I’ve mapped out a route connecting the five checkpoints below, which should give you a good idea of what to expect.

Checkpoint 1 – Woodlands North MRT Station
The trail begins at Woodlands North MRT station, the northern terminus of the Thomson-East Coast Line. It’s just a stop away from Woodlands MRT if you are coming from the North-South Line.
Once you exit the station, you might wonder if you’ve arrived at the right place. Unlike most MRT stations in Singapore, which are surrounded by malls or residential areas, this one feels almost like it’s in the middle of nowhere — with construction sites all around.
That’s because the area is currently undergoing a major transformation as part of the Woodlands Gateway, a 35-ha development that will eventually become a bustling hub connecting Singapore and Malaysia. The first phase is expected to be ready by 2030, featuring commercial spaces, lifestyle amenities, retail and F&B offerings, as well as around 10,000 new homes.
This will also be where the much-talked-about Johor-Singapore (JB-SG) Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link connects to the Woodlands North MRT station, linking Singapore to JB and the Johor-SG Special Economic Zone. The RTS is expected to open by end-2026. Commuting between JB and Singapore will be much more convenient!
While the area is rapidly transforming, it also has a rich past.
Woodlands once served as an important military site. The British built a naval base along the coast, complete with depots for torpedoes and ammunition. During the Japanese invasion of Singapore in early 1942, Woodlands and Kranji formed part of the military frontline. An Australian Army field HQ was later converted into a POW camp by the Japanese army.
Woodlands was also home to KD Malaya, the former Royal Malaysian Navy HQ, which operated here from the 1950s to 1997. The admin block will be conserved and will form part of a new Woodlands North Coast Integrated Development, which will include sports, community, healthcare, F&B and social services.
The former Malaysian Base Jetty was also part of the naval base. Today, it’s known as the Woodlands Waterfront Jetty, which is where we’ll arrive at the next checkpoint.
Checkpoint 2 – Former Malaysian Base Jetty
This 400m jetty is today part of the Woodlands Waterfront Park and is a popular recreational spot for joggers, anglers and families.
It’s also widely considered one of the best sunset spots in Singapore, offering panoramic views of the Johor Straits and JB skyline in the distance.
As I’ve mentioned, the jetty was once part of the Royal Malaysian naval base. Back then, it served as a docking station for naval vessels and was used for ship commissioning and parades.
To reach the next checkpoint, you’ll walk about 1km along the coast. Take your time here — enjoy the sea breeze, soak in the coastal scenery and maybe even spot some wildlife!
Here’s what I’ve captured along the route.
Checkpoint 3 – Woodlands Waterfront Promenade
Now it’s a pity that at the time of my walk, the promenade area was undergoing development, which I think will probably take a while. It’s part of the Draft Master Plan 2025, which will transform this northern coastal area into a more vibrant and connected district.
From here, the route continues along the Marsiling Park Connector, bringing you past the nearby Causeway and along the Woodlands Checkpoint — one of the busiest land crossings in the world, with over 300,000 travellers daily.
Did you know?
The British blew up the Causeway during WWII to slow the Japanese advance into Singapore.
Checkpoint 4 – Masjid An-Nur
It’s hard to miss this next landmark.
The striking blue tower is a focal point in Woodlands. This 55m structure is a minaret, a tall tower typically attached to a mosque. This is the Blue Mosque, officially known as the Masjid An-Nur.
Established in April 1980, it was the first mosque built in Woodlands. Its distinctive minaret is the tallest in Singapore. The mosque was upgraded and reopened in 2013 and can accommodate up to 6,000 worshippers.
By this point, you’ll have reached the Marsiling estate — and it’s just another a 10min walk to the final checkpoint.
Checkpoint 5 – Marsiling Lane Market & Food Centre
Finally — the last stop and probably a very welcome one: a hawker centre.
Built in 1975 and upgraded in 2009, Marsiling Lane Market & Food Centre houses over 100 market stalls and 50+ cooked food stalls, offering plenty of options for a well-deserved meal after the walk.
Check out Seth Lui’s blog for 10 affordable and yummy food stalls.
My Takeaway
And that’s a wrap for this trail!
This is a very manageable and scenic route. For about a third of the journey, you’ll be walking along the coast, where the sea breeze offers some relief from the heat.
As mentioned earlier, the jetty is a fantastic spot for sunset photography, so consider heading there in the evening if you’re hoping to catch golden hour. Otherwise, the trail offers a great mix of urban and nature landscapes, perfect for photography — including beautiful reflection shots of the JB skyline across the strait.
More than anything, this walk is a reminder that even in a small city like Singapore, there are still plenty of lesser-explored corners waiting to be discovered. Come back in a few years and this area will likely look completely different once developments like Woodlands Gateway are completed.
If you are interested in diving deeper into the history of the area, the National Heritage Board has a very detailed booklet on Woodlands and its landmarks.
2 May 2026
New SG Heritage Trails
Have you walked the new heritage trails yet?
If you haven’t heard, five trails have been added to the Walking Trails @ CDC initiative, a programme by the Community Development Councils in partnership with GovTech Singapore and CrowdTaskSG.
The first five trails were launched in August 2025, taking walkers along landmarks and neighbourhoods around Singapore, including the Rail Corridor, Bukit Timah Railway Station, Victoria Concert Hall, Punggol Digital District, East Coast Beach and Little Guilin @ Bukit Gombak.
Walking Trails @ CDC (Heritage Edition)
These five new Heritage Edition trails, launched in March 2026, have already drawn many Singaporeans. This latest addition is a collaboration with the National Heritage Board, designed to bring Singaporeans closer to Singapore’s rich heritage through an engaging and rewarding walking experience. While digital participation is currently available only to Singaporeans, visitors are still welcome to follow the routes and explore the checkpoints at their own pace.
The concept remains the same as the earlier trails: complete all five checkpoints, including two tasks at each stop, and receive a S$5 RedeemSG voucher. Catch all six Ollies along the way to earn an additional S$10 voucher. That’s a possible S$15 reward for simply clocking steps and discovering Singapore, and up to S$75 if you complete all five trails. The vouchers can be used at participating supermarkets such as Fairprice, Sheng Siong, etc.
These Ollies actually guide you towards the next checkpoint. There are many of them but they are really elusive. It’s not easy to catch all six of them! It took me the fourth walk before I managed to catch all Ollies. For these new trails, 200 Ollies are up for grabs each month for six months.
The five Heritage Edition Trails are:
- Central Singapore – Walking Trails @ CDC: Kampong Glam
- North East – Walking Trails @ CDC: Tampines
- North West – Walking Trails @ CDC: Woodlands
- South East – Walking Trails @ CDC: Bedok
- South West – Walking Trails @ CDC: Jurong
It’s really not difficult. Each trail spans about 4km and takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours at a leisurely pace. That was how long it took a group of friends and me, with plenty of time to soak in the surroundings and snap photos. I’ve done four walks now — three of the new ones and one older trail. It doesn’t have to be just about walking — it can easily turn into a fun photography outing too.
The Central Singapore Heritage Trail: Kampong Glam
My first walk was the Kampong Glam trail. This starts at the Peranakan Museum on Armenian Street and ends at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Checkpoint 1 – Peranakan Museum
It’s fairly easy to get to the museum, just a 10-min walk from three MRT stations – City Hall (East-West/North-South Lines), Bras Basah (Circle Line) and Bencoolen (Downtown Line).
Peranakans — generally known as Straits Chinese — are a Southeast Asian community of mixed Chinese and Malay or Indonesian heritage. You’ve probably heard the terms Babas and Nonyas, which refer to Peranakan men and women respectively. Their rich culture has been made familiar to many Singaporeans through popular dramas such as The Little Nyonya and Emerald Hill.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Peranakan heritage — from the nyonya kebaya (traditional outfit for women) and cuisine like ayam buah keluak to oral traditions such as the pantun (traditional Malay poetic form) — this museum is a wonderful place to start.
Did you know?
The building was the former Tao Nan School from 1912 to 1982. Philanthropist Dato Lee Kong Chian was once a student there. The museum is also located where the first Botanic Garden was situated.
Checkpoint 2 – Bras Basah Complex
Walking past landmarks such as the historic Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, St. Andrew’s Cathedral and the Singapore Management University, you’ll eventually arrive at the second checkpoint — Bras Basah Complex, an iconic destination that was especially significant in the 1980s.
Back then, it was a popular venue for Singapore xinyao (新谣) singers to launch and promote albums. For the uninitiated, xinyao refers to a uniquely Singaporean genre of Mandarin songs written and performed by local youths, and it played an important role in shaping the nation’s music scene.
If you are interested in knowing more about the evolution of xinyao, catch Mediacorp’s “Tuesday Report: Encounter Under The Stars 星期二特写”. Here’s the YouTube video of episode one.

The Complex also earned the nickname “City of Books” because of its many bookstores. It was likewise a go-to destination for art students in search of materials and supplies. Even today, it retains much of its original identity, with language centres, music stores, and art galleries still occupying its corridors. A nod to its artsy and vibrant heritage, the building is now illuminated with colours and adorned with murals that reflect the creative spirit of the precinct.
Earlier, on 7 and 8 March, the Complex hosted an open house featuring live performances, movie screenings and a creative craft market to mark the Bras Basah-Bugis precinct’s continuing journey as a creative district.
Checkpoint 3 – Masjid Sultan
It’s impossible to miss the majestic golden dome of Masjid Sultan or Sultan Mosque, the next checkpoint. Built in 1824, it remains both the heart of Kampong Glam and an important landmark for Singapore’s Muslim community.
The district itself is a fascinating mix of Malay, Arab, Chinese, Indian, and European influences. In the early 19th century, it was designated by Sir Stamford Raffles for the Malay, Arab, and Muslim communities, becoming home to merchants, sailors, and families from across the Malay Archipelago. Today, it’s filled with colonial-era shophouses, boutique shops, cafés, and vibrant street art. Haji Lane, in particular, is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Singapore, attracting tourists year-round!
Checkpoint 4 – Golden Mile Food Centre
Many locals still fondly know this as the “Army Market.”
In the past, army boys would come here to buy boots, socks, towels, and military essentials. Over time, it has transformed into a place for street fashion and vintage attire.
Food-wise, this stop is also a real treat. Built in 1975 to resettle hawkers from the old Jalan Sultan street market, it is known for heritage favourites such as Hokkien mee, braised duck rice, curry chicken noodles, and Peranakan dishes. Long queues often form around its old-school stalls, where recipes and flavours have been passed down for generations. These days, the centre also features a growing mix of contemporary and fusion stalls, from pasta and grilled meats to inventive dishes that reinterpret local flavours.
Here’s a good article about its rich history and another on its food, if you’re interested.
Final Checkpoint – Jalan Besar Stadium
Walking past the HDB flats along Beach Road and North Bridge Road and across the Rochor Canal, you’ll finally reach the final checkpoint – Jalan Besar Stadium.
For football fans, this location needs little introduction. Opened in 1929, it is often regarded as the birthplace of Singapore football and has hosted many iconic matches, including the Malaya Cup and Malaysia Cup.
Today, the 8,000-seater stadium is the home ground of the Singapore Premier League club Young Lions and the headquarters of the Football Association of Singapore.
My Takeaway
It’s a fairly easy route to walk, especially in the morning. Still, be prepared for Singapore’s heat. Stay hydrated, wear a cap, and remember to apply sunscreen, as there are stretches of the journey with little to no shade. Because of that, I’d definitely recommend doing the trail either in the morning or in the evening.
Overall, I found it to be an enjoyable route through the city. Catching the Ollies was both fun and frustrating, especially since I didn’t manage to catch all six. Still, that added an extra layer of excitement to the walk.
What I really appreciated was how the trail brought me to places I had never visited before, such as Bras Basah Complex and Jalan Besar Stadium. It’s great to have a trail that guides you to these locations while helping you learn a little more about Singapore through the tasks at each checkpoint.
And for the photographer in me, it was the perfect excuse to slow down, notice the little details, and capture everyday moments and architecture that might otherwise go unnoticed.
10 April 2026