In the Malay language, Bukit Panjang directly translates to “long hill”. The area got its name from the long stretches of hills that lined the precinct in the past. While urban development has since transformed the landscape of the area, Bukit Panjang presents a unique blend of the modernity with traces of its rural past.
Follow along and embark on an adventure to meander through the rich heritage encapsulated within Bukit Panjang. Here, you’ll immerse into the lush greenery of its surroundings, deep dive into treasure troves of invaluable history, and indulge in food that warms the soul.
8am
Kick start the day at Bangkit Market – a unique indoor marketplace that many consider the heart of Bukit Panjang. Here, you’ll be greeted by a hodgepodge of stalls from fresh produce to household goods and fresh bakes. A part of Bangkit Market’s charm is not knowing just what you might find here. Explore the stretch and bask in the nostalgic hustle and bustle of the morning market that brings the neighbourhood together. Grab pre-breakfast snacks at Eng Huat Seng Snack Bar or MalayKueh.com – there’s plenty to pick from a wide range of traditional Chinese and Malay kuehs (bite-sized snacks or desserts).
Bangkit Market
257 Bangkit Rd, Singapore 670257
Eng Huat Seng Snack Bar
Bangkit Rd, #01-59 Block 257, Singapore 670257
Tuesday-Sunday: 5am-10pm
MalayKueh.com
257 Bangkit Rd, Singapore 670257
10am
The hawker breakfast experience is a quintessential Singaporean affair. The Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre offers no lack of local fare to sink your teeth into. Despite being a young hawker centre and the first in the area, since opening its doors in 2015, the Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre has fast gained popularity amongst local foodies. With the extensive lineup of 28 stalls housed under its roof, be prepared to be spoilt for choice.
Here, we have narrowed down three stalls that have won the vote of popularity amongst the people:
- Zai Lai Prawn Mee: The Lor Mee (a Hokkien noodle dish from Zhangzhou served in a thick starchy gravy) from this stall is dished out packed with ingredients from ngoh hiang, fish, pork belly and egg.
- You Xiang Teochew Noodles: Previously located in Potong Pasir, this Teochew noodle store has a history spanning three decades. Their handmade meatballs filled with meat and broth are a key draw.
- Old Times: Serving traditional malay dishes like mee rebus and lontong, the food from this stall packs a spicy kick.
Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre
2 Bukit Panjang Ring Rd, Singapore 679947
Monday-Sunday: 6am-10pm
11am
Next stop – Singapore’s largest nature park, Chestnut Nature Park. Here, will find three demarcated trails for hikers, each lined by various sights to take in. Embark on the Northern Loop to arrive at the Observation Tower, a spiral structure hidden amidst the lush greenery. Ascend to the top of the tower for a panoramic 360-degree view of the landscape.
While you’re there, explore further and you’ll arrive at a natural stream that has come to be fondly known as a mini waterfall, also home to the park. The park, with designated biking routes, is also a popular spot for biking enthusiasts.
Chestnut Nature Park
Chestnut Ave, Singapore 679514
Monday-Sunday: 7am-7pm
2pm
Hai Xian Zhu Zhou, or affectionately known as Uncle Ke Kou Mian, is synonymous with Bukit Panjang. Uncle Ke Kou Mian is a revered figure in the neighbourhood. His fuss-free bowls of noodles have earned a reputation that reach far and beyond Bukit Panjang. When in the area, indulging in Uncle Ke Kou Mian’s warm bowl of highly sought after soup noodles is an absolute must-do on the list.
Hai Xian Zhu Zhou
163A Gangsa Rd, Singapore 671163
Monday-Wednesday: 4am-2pm; Friday-Sunday: 4am-2pm
4pm
After lunch, step back into the outdoors at the Bukit Panjang Community Garden. Stroll along a network of community gardens in Bukit Panjang – the constituency with the most community gardens in Singapore. Embark on an agricultural tour of leafy vegetables and herbs through over 11 community gardens. These community gardens are reflective of the residents’ efforts to retain the community spirit and shared responsibility that was rife in the 1950s when the Bukit Panjang area was home to rural settlements.
While you’re on the trail, stop and chat with the local gardeners. Ask questions and learn more about the plants, the community garden efforts and even delve deeper into the history of the Bukit Panjang area.
5pm
Continuing the outdoor expedition about Bukit Panjang, the next stop takes you to Pang Sua Pond, a 48-meter scenic boardwalk. Once a stormwater collection pond, the water body has since been made over into a winding promenade. Today, it’s the second largest floating wetland in Singapore. While you’re there, keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife in the area. If you’re lucky, you might just run into otters and terrapins.
Pang Sua Pond
101 Bukit Panjang Ring Road, 679910
7pm
Wind down for the evening over a scrumptious spread of local fare at Ga-Hock Seafood. This old school coffee shop will bring you back in time. Grab a seat by the roadside, reminisce and exchange stories about the good old days with your friends and family as you can tuck into the stall’s popular dishes. The extensive zi char (dishes influenced by home-cooked Chinese food meant for sharing) menu offers a range of stereotypical zi char fare amongst which includes highlights like their piping bowl of fish head curry and fresh salt-baked crab.
Ga-Hock Seafood
794 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678133
Monday-Sunday: 4pm-11pm
🎥 For other unique experiences in the heartlands around Singapore, catch the entire Under My Block series here:
📍 Wondering what else to do in Singapore? Here’s a handy map of all the locations featured in the articles and videos under this series: https://bit.ly/3srQf2m