(Disclaimer: Off the Beaten Track Singapore: The listed places are to be entered at your own risk. Some locations are off-limits to visitors and prohibited from entering)
Whether you’re planning a weeks holiday, a quick weekend away or passing through on a flight connection, Singapore can suit all trips.
Home to the world’s best air carrier, Singapore Airlines and the stunning Changi Airport, Singapore is made for travel. Throw in beautiful views from the mesmerising Marina Bay Sands, fascinating wildlife at Singapore’s Night Safari’s and non-other than Universal Studios, Singapore is a place for the glamorous tourist attractions.
So when we think of visiting Singapore ‘off-the-beaten-track’, it comes as a rarity for most visitors.
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For those of you are seeking more adventure, something a little riskier, a little more unexplored without the long queues and selfie sticks, it’s possible to experience Singapore’s off the beaten track.
This is despite how modern Singapore is today. It stands out as the rich country within Southeast Asia, whilst it’s popular for expats to make top dollar in an incredibly safe environment. Taking all this into account, it’s more difficult than ever to see the forgotten side of the country. With the Governments best efforts, hidden and derelict heritage buildings may be forgotten in the future so it’s important to visit them as soon as possible. Exploring Singapore’s alternative sights only give you an insight into the historical past, but it also gives your add’s some spice to your travels that most won’t ever experience.
Urban explorers, adventure travellers and thrill-seekers this one’s for you.
Where To Stay Singapore
Budget Accommodation
Singapore can be an expensive place, especially when in comparison to neighbouring Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. If you’re travelling solo or as a budget backpacker, Singapore does have accommodation options for you.
The Inncrowd Backpackers Hostel 2 is a social place to stay. You’ll be guaranteed to meet fellow travellers to see the rest of Singapore. The hostel is based in Little India, a place full of character, colour and culture and you can eat and drink for affordable prices.
Mid-Range Accommodation
Singapore can be humid, sometimes busy and chaotic. If you’re going to be spending your day adventuring you may decide you want to stay somewhere private.
Wanderlust is a unique traveller-designed hotel with a variety of different room themes. They include rooms with changing colours to two-floor suites.
Off The Beaten Track
Kampong Lorong Buangkok
What To Know
If you really want to experience off the beaten track Singapore, Kampong Lorong Buangkok is a fine choice. It is often said to be the ‘last village in Singapore’. The village is nestled away from the skyscrapers of Singapore and the community there live a laid-back and simple lifestyle. Home to around thirty Malay families, you’ll see surroundings such as livestock, wooden houses and gardens. In a world of ever-growing modernisation – especially here – Kampong Lorong Buangkok is a refreshing throwback to how village life was for Singapore.
Be quiet when wandering these small streets as residents live here going about their day to day lives.
How To Get There
Either type in 7 Lor Buangkok Singapore and order a Grab or you can take the 70, 103 or 854 bus. Kampong Lorong Buangkok is just off Yiu Chu Kang Road.
Pulau Ubin
What To Do
Pulau Ubin is an island northwest of the country and a throwback to a more casual, off the beaten track Singapore. Seemingly worlds away from the glamour of the shopping malls and business districts, Pulau Ubin is one of the last pieces of old Singapore. From traditional kampong (villages), long-tailed monkeys, wild hogs, lush wetlands, frantic Kingfishers and boardwalks, Pulau Ubin is the green lung of the city.
When you arrive in Pulau Ubin, you’ll immediately see a whole load of shops – including bicycle rental stores. This is the best way to get around the island and will set you back around $6 (SGD).
How To Get There
First, you need to get to the Changi Point Ferry Terminal. From the Tanah Merah MRT Station, take Bus #2 and you can walk a few minutes to the terminal.
Then take a 15-minute bumboat ride to Pulau Ubin which costs $3 (SGD) that runs from 5:30 am to as late as 9 pm. Beware, the captain needs 12 passengers for the boat to disembark or he won’t leave with any fewer.
Haw Par Villa
What To Do
Haw Par Villa opened its doors in 1937 and is a colourful theme park if not overwhelming by its mythological stories represented in figurine form. Telling some of the most well-known stories in Chinese tradition, Haw Par Villa is now seen as a place where many visitors don’t go. Some even say its haunted – it definitely is creepy. If you’re wandering past the old theatres, which is the least kept area of the theme park, you’ll randomly see life-sized statues peeking out at you.
With the masses flocking to Universal Studios, Haw Par Villa is definitely included as off the beaten track Singapore.
How To Get There
Haw Par Villa opens from 9 am to 6 pm daily, weekends and public holidays. There is no admission charge to enter.
If you want to go via MTR you can take it to the Haw Par Villa Station CC25 (Circle Line).
The Bus Stop (16019) is a one-minute walk away from Haw Par Villa. Bus numbers include, 10, 30, 30e, 51, 143, 188 and 200. The same bus numbers go to Bus Stop (16011), opp Haw Par Villa Station.
Haji Lane
What To Do
If you’re having dinner and drinks by Marina Bay Sands then Haji Lane comparatively can be deemed as ‘off the beaten track’. But in reality, it’s a little well-known. Another place that is tucked away from the bustle of the tall buildings in Singapore, Haji Lane is illuminated by psychedelic colours, murals and alternative artwork. With the wallpaper set down these small networks of lanes, the abundance of bars, restaurants and cafes are many. Live music is common and the outdoor seating is the lanes substitute for front row seats.
What To Eat And Drink
Venturing for a night on Haji Lane is an experience you should choose yourself but if you’re looking for outdoor seating, drinks and food to go with check out Blue Jaz Cafe.
How To Get There
Situated in Kampong Glam, the nearest MRT is Bugis Station. You can either start your Haji Lane experience by entering via North Bridge Road or Beach Road.
Looking For Flights to Singapore? Book with Expedia
Abandoned Places
Tanglin Hill Brunei Hostel
The Story Behind It
Situated in a high-end and private estate, Tanglin Hill Brunei Hostel has been derelict since the early 1980s. Built back in 1953, the hostel was built for the influx of Bruneian students coming to Singapore due to the lack of an elite educational system back in Brunei. The hostel would provide basic lodging, food, laundry and a home whilst student sport events and several Bruneian festivals were held regularly.
How To Get There
The best bet is to get a Grab to the Tanglin Hill address. You’ll see the site cornered off with steel fencing. This isn’t the most inviting of places because there are signs warning of no trespassing. However, if its any consolation the area is generally quiet. If you want to take the risks to be quick about it. Go to the right of the site as you’re facing it, or left of the site if your back was turned to it. Through the bushes, you’ll see a fairly large gap, made by fellow urban explorers for you to enter.
This site is huge that is almost like a former school than a typical hostel you know about today. With plenty of rooms from old corridors, dormitories and bedrooms the hostel is so vast you should take your time here. Make it to the top floor for the best views, the rooftop is fairly blocked by bush.
Old Changi Hospital
The Story Behind It
Often marked as one of Singapore’s most haunted abandoned places, Old Changi Hospital is one of the most luring to urban explorers. Under Japanese occupation, it was used to hold tens of thousands of prisoners of war who were kept and tortured. It’s been vacant since 1997 and is often used for the occasional ghost tour – only if approved by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA)
How To Get There
Once you’ve reached Old Changi Hospital on Halton Road, you’ll find it located on a hill. The entrance is used as a car parking facility for nearby workers. Getting onto the hospital is becoming as difficult as ever due to the large interest of visiting this old site. It’s bordered by metal fencing with many stark trespassing warning signs apparent (as of 2018). The only way in is to literally crawl under a gap in the fencing, so breath in! This site is one of the most monitored with motion sensor cameras currently installed.
It’s not recommended to visit here but for those of you who are enthusiasts at this stuff, it probably won’t deter you from checking it out anyway!
Istana Woodneuk
The Back Story
Opened back in 1935 and owned by a former Sultan of Johor, Istana Woodneuk or Woodneuk House is buried away in the lush overgrown vegetation by Singapore’s Botanical Gardens. It’s had little use since 1957 despite going through different ownership. The site has been burnt down and deemed unsafe, so its imperative to enter at your own will. The staircases will creak, you’ll hear the drop of water and you might even spot the odd lizard or snake.
How To Get There
Located between Tyersall Avenue and Holland Avenue getting into Istana Woodneuk isn’t as easy as following a path. It also isn’t exactly followable on the map. The best bet is to get to the address via Grab or Taxi or a bus to the bus stop ‘Opp Peirce Road’. Walk down Tyersall and find a grass slope ok for you to clamber up. You may get muddy and definitely humid. Wander through the tangled trees and branches until you see the ruins to your left.
Istana Woodneuk is definitely abandoned but with all the clambering through the jungle-like bush, you’ll have to do, it’s definitely way off the beaten track Singapore!
Keramat Bukit Kasata
The Story Behind It
Kerama Bukit Kastata is the burial grounds for members of the Johor royalty, with even some dated back to the 1700s. The yellow cloth that covers the grave relates to those of Malay royalty whilst green cloth is to represent the colour of Islam.
How To Get There
Take the bus to Opp Keppel Distripark Blk or take a Grab to the closest point to 532 Kampong Bahru Road. Once you’ve made your way you can walk up the Bukit Purmei slope. You don’t need to go far until you come across what now is a converted zinc shack swelling on your left. You can politely ask the owner for a peek inside but the woman caretaker may refute this.
Alternatively, walk around the shack until you see a blatantly obvious hole in the bush. Walk past the sleeping cats and you’ll see a small stone wall for you to take a peek over.
