NEW GUIDED TOUR!
This tour will takes us to the North of the island and focus on two very distinct ways of living in Singapore: HDB Flats and Black and White Houses.
As an introduction we will start with a visit to the HDB Gallery in Toa Payoh to get an understanding of how locals can afford their homes and how the HDB flats are being distributed.
A bus will then take us to Yishun, once a pineapple plantation that now houses one of the most desired HDB residences. It is also the only HDB estate with a Columbarium nestled between two temples. Local Buddhists gather here for many occasions related to their beliefs throughout the year and call this a HDB for the deceased.
After this we shall visit the oldest wet market area in the North, Chong Pang City. Once an area known for Ah Longs (loan sharks) and their thriving activities, Chong Pang is now a safe haven in the north where even locals on a low budget can live a comfortable life. Here you can still get gift wrapping paper for 30 cents and a freshly squeezed juice for $2.50.
Finally we will make our way to Sembawang, the largest residential estate with Heritage Black and White homes in Singapore, built for the British Navy and now a coveted area for living and dining with prices to match. Amidst all those homes is also a part of the last 1% of Rainforest left in Singapore.
Our tour will end here and the option is available to have lunch. The bus will leave again for Toa Payoh after lunch.
Meeting point – HDB Hub, 480 Toa Payoh Lorong 6 @ Level 1 (beside The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf)
Tour duration – 3 hours + time for lunch
photo credit: SLA Virtual Backgrounds