• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Property
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Work & Finance
        • What’s On: Things to do, what’s new and more
        • horoscopes for julyMonthly Horoscopes – December 2023!
        • What it’s like living near Braddell Road and Woodleigh Park
        • Christmas gift ideas for women of all ages!
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Ripple ClubWhat’s on this week and beyond
        • horoscopes for julyMonthly Horoscopes – December 2023!
        • Puzzle Pages – answers for December 2023!
        • Pan Pacific Orchard in Singapore - Christmas at Mosella and Florette8 ways to celebrate Christmas & New Year’s Eve
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • Seriously cool children’s furniture & kids beds
        • Lylo car short-term car rental to Malaysia3 ways to simplify your routine transport needs
        • when to start preparing for SAT prep SingaporeHow to get good SAT scores?
        • Christmas gift ideas toys for kidsChristmas Gift Ideas for Kids – Toys, Clothes and More
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Furniture & Décor
      • Real Homes
        • Home News: New furniture, home décor & services
        • artwork where to buy paintings in Singapore artistsNeed artwork? Here’s where to buy paintings in Singapore
        • ideas for bathroom decorBathroom accessories – pretty & practical!
        • Affordable art in SingaporeBuying affordable art in Singapore – it is possible!
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australasia
      • Rest Of The World
        • The Latest Travel News & Hotel Deals
        • Golf courses in Phuket golf resort golf packages in ThailandGreat golf courses and getaways in Thailand
        • Mandala Club: Niseko - ski-in, ski-out clubhouse in Niseko Village - best restaurantsIs this the coolest new club and restaurant in Niseko yet?
        • Avana Retreat Vietnam resorts cloud poolVietnam resorts high in the mountains!
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • New Nibbles: Foodie news!
        • Christmas dinners, drinks, ready-cooked turkeys and takeaways!
        • Christmas presents for himGifts for men and Christmas presents he’ll love!
        • Pan Pacific Orchard in Singapore - Christmas at Mosella and Florette8 ways to celebrate Christmas & New Year’s Eve
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • Beauty news: New beauty products, makeup and more!
        • Fashion News and Sales in Singapore!
        • professional stylistLife as a professional stylist
        • Christmas gift ideas for women of all ages!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • medical tourism international medical clinics Medical treatment overseasIs it worth heading overseas for medical care?
        • Health News: What’s up!
        • dental clinics teeth whitening kit whitening treatmentWhere to go for teeth whitening in Singapore?
        • prostate cancer men's healthMen: It’s time for a health screening!
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • Close

Singapore History – What you didn’t know about Hougang!

23rd December 2020 by Michaela Bisset 2 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/hougang-heritage-trail-and-history-tour-singapore/

The name Hougang, commonly pronounced “Au Kang”, comes from a Teochew and Hokkien phrase for “at the back of the river”. This is a reference to Sungei Serangoon, the river at the end of Upper Serangoon Road that flows out to Coney Island.  If you don’t know a huge amount about this area in the northeast, the new Hougang Heritage Trail will help get you acquainted. Launched in October, it consists of 18 heritage sites with 10 trail markers; these cover everything from pirate tales to the military history of Singapore. Here are half a dozen interesting stories you’ll find on the way.

#1 Crocodiles in Hougang!

Hougang used to offer a unique tourist attraction in the form of the Tan Moh Hong Reptile Skin and Crocodile Farm. Often referred to simply as the Singapore Crocodile Farm, the business was established in 1945. By the 1980s, it had about 600 crocodiles. Entry to the farm remained free for the public right up to its closure in 2012. Other smaller crocodile farms also existed in Hougang.

Tan Moh Hong Reptile Skin and Crocodile Farm Hougang Heritage Trail

#2 Special HDBs

In the 1980s, some HDBs began to take on a distinctive look that set them apart from others. In Hougang, this included introducing curved buildings, in the form of rounded balconies and curved columns. Other blocks were also decorated with murals – for example, Block 316 (pictured), was painted with a sweeping rainbow motif.

Block 316 Hougang Heritage Trail history tour
Block 316

#3 War History

Hougang played an important role during the Japanese occupation in World War II. Buildings such as the Church of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (today a National Monument) became places for medical assistance and refuge. Singaporean war hero Lim Bo Seng, whose family owned land and businesses in the area, was almost captured when 200 Japanese soldiers surrounded the family home in Wolskel Road; he happened to be in another location at the time.

Church of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Hougang Heritage Trail
Church of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

#4 Making Fast Food History

The very first McDonald’s opened in Singapore in 1979 – in Liat Towers on Orchard Road. But the franchise’s first move into the heartland only came in 1984, with the opening of a restaurant in Hougang. It was the first time a fast food outlet had opened in a housing estate on the island. Still operational today, it’s located at 208 Hougang Street, and is one of more than 100 McDonald’s venues across Singapore.

#5 First of its Kind in Singapore

Hougang Plaza opened in 1993. It was considered the first all-entertainment complex in an HDB estate. Up until its demolition in 2013, the plaza provided residents with recreational facilities that included a bowling alley, billiards hall and cineplex.

#6 Oldest Temple in Singapore

The Tou Mu Kung temple began life as a shrine in Lim Loh village in Hougang; it was built in 1902 and remains the oldest temple in Singapore dedicated to the Nine Emperor Gods. These gods were worshipped in particular by Chinese labourers working in tin mines, as they were said to ward off diseases. The temple is now a National Monument, and it continues to host celebrations during the annual Nine Emperor Gods Festival (next occurrence: 4-13 October 2021). Chinese opera was performed at the temple during these celebrations until 1998.

Find out more about the Hougang Heritage Trail here.

This article first appeared in the December 2020 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!

Categories: Living in Singapore Neighbourhood Guides

Michaela Bisset

Michaela is London born but Singapore grown. Third culture kid. She’s always on the lookout for the best drinking deals and latest vegetarian bites.

You May Also Like

What it’s like living near Braddell Road and Woodleigh Park

Lylo car short-term car rental to Malaysia

3 ways to simplify your routine transport needs

readers' choice awards 2024 singapore best businesses expat living awards

Vote in Expat Living Readers’ Choice Awards 2024

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2023 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.