Balestier may be one of Singapore’s best kept secrets.
Blessed with delicious local bites, quaint temples and colourful shophouses, Balestier preserves much of its colourful past—pretty much a less commercialized sister to the famed Chinatown enclave.
The precinct has its beginning as a sugar plantation owned by the colony’s first American consul, Joseph Balestier. Chinese and Indian labourers were employed in the 19th century, forming the backbone of the community which flourished and settled into the historical shophouses and bungalows.
This heritage trail will guide you through the hidden gems of this underrated neighbourhood.
How to Get to Balestier
The nearest MRT stations to Balestier are Toa Payoh and Novena. Due to its central location, there are plenty of buses heading from the CBD to Balestier Road.
If you would like to follow the trail of this article, we recommend you to start from Toa Payoh MRT, which is just a stone throw’s away from the first stop of this article.
Toa Payoh Town Park
[Image Credit: Choo Yut Shing]
First built in the 1970s, this enchanting park is a popular spot for couples and wedding photoshoots. Stroll along the landscaped ponds and rustic gazebos framed by willow trees, watch the dragonflies that call this park home, or enjoy a peaceful meditation.
Thereafter, cross the overhead bridge decorated with colorful plants. Feel the awe of the Kallang River view, which is especially beautiful during sunrise or sunset.
Sun Yat Seng Nanyang Memorial Hall
[Image Credit: Ferylbob]
It is hard to miss this two-story colonial villa, which was gazetted as a National Monument in 1994. Today, it is a museum housing over 400 artefacts, such as bronze statues and watercolour paintings.
The memorial hall is named after Sun Yat Seng, the founding father of the Republic of China whom had visited Singapore nine times circa the 19th century and made this place home.
Maha Sasanaramsi Burmese Buddhist Temple
[Image Credit: Kirk Siang]
Housing the largest known marble Buddha statue outside of Myanmar, the 3.3-metre high statue was carved from a 10-tonne block originating from Mandalay.
While the statue is the biggest highlight, don’t forget to admire the intricate teak carvings of the tiered roofs and rub shoulders with the friendly Burmese community of Singapore.
Zhongshan Park
[Image Credit: Choo Yut Shing]
Designed by DP Architects, the park exemplifies a contemporary interpretation of Chinese garden landscaping.
Courtyards and water features are beautifully incorporated around two large Banyan trees of high conservation value, with a meandering changlang (长廊) or long corridor joining the park’s key nodes together.
Just adjacent to the park is the Zhongshan Mall, if you fancy a quick shopping or bathroom break.
Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah
[Image Credit: Kyle Lam]
Dating back to 1948, this pastry shop is the originator of Teochew-styled mung bean paste biscuit in Singapore.
Famed for its thin crust and strong buttery taste profile, it is a far cry from the flaky biscuits sold in other mass pastry shops. The shop has since innovated with different flavours, but the salty biscuit remains the all-time classic.
You may want to pay attention to the Art Deco-inspired row of single-storey terraced units that this shop is clustered in. The longest surviving of its kind in Singapore, it is an unusual contrast to the more ubiquitous double-story shophouse design.
Kwan Im Tng Temple
[Image Credit: Choo Yut Shing]
Located at the Waterloo Street, this 1979s Buddhist temple is erected to honour Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. Local Singaporeans usually come to this temple to pray for good health and happiness.
Balestier Market
[Image Credit: Chensiyuan]
Enjoy lunch at Singapore’s only surviving rural market building. Originally built as a wet market in 1922, it is now a hawker centre with 18 stalls offering local cuisine.
Singapore’s hawker culture is enlisted into UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020, and you should find out why for yourself! Our delicious recommendations include bak kut teh (pork ribs soup), prawn noodle, Chong Pang BBQ satays and chicken wings.
Along the same stretch of street just nearby to the Balestier Market, there is also an option to dine at historic eateries such as Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice and Kai Juan Bak Kut Teh.
Kwan Low Yuen Shophouses
[Image Credit: Jnzl]
Located in 412-418 Balestier Road, this shophouse row features intricate plaster stucco reliefs of floral and fauna motifs.
If you fancy a serving of local Chinese dessert, check out the Original Herbal Shop. Must try is the Gui Ling Gao jelly, made from 20 herbal ingredients believed to improve complexion, restore kidneys and induce muscle growth.
Balestier’s Healthcare Heritage
Balestier sits under the Novena planning area, which has a rich healthcare heritage. In recent years, the government has announced future plan to transform the area into Novena Health City.
For those with special interest in the history or would like to just admire the unique architectures, these two stops may just be worth the additional stops!
Former Mandalay Road Hospital
Set at 70 Martaban Road, the pre-war 1920s Mandalay Road Hospital has a distinctive Southeast Asian architecture. It was originally built to treat pauper women, before evolving into medical wards, rehabilitation centre and finally today for private leasing.
Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
First opened in 1925 as nurses’ quarters of Tan Tock Seng Hospital, it later on underwent repurposing into an academic institution and received conservation status in 2013. For its highly Instagrammable neo-classical architecture, it is definitely worth a visit.
Sim Kwong Ho Shophouses
[Image Credit: Jnzl]
Set between 292-312 Balestier Road, the 1926 building is a rare example of Chinese Baroque and Singapore Eclectic architectures, which blended Western elements with local motifs. Believed to bring good fortunes, its plaster stucco incorporates mythical creatures glazed with colourful tiles of floral wreaths.
Whampoa Makan Place
[Image Credit: Kyle Lam]
This popular wet market cum food centre was once known as the Rayman Market in 1952. Check out the fresh local seafood and produces.
Or if you still have extra space in your stomach, you will be spoilt for choices here! Check out the fish head bee hoon, rojak or oyster omelette.
Whampoa River
[Image Credit: Jnzl]
Enjoy a gentle stroll along the Whampoa River fringed with lush greeneries. The river was fed by tributaries originating around Bukit Brown, Mount Pleasant and Thomson Road, which then emptied into the Kallang Basin.
One particular landmark to note along the river is Masjid Hajjah Rahimabi Kebun Limau. This historical mosque started out as a prayer hall back in 1964, before it was eventually upgraded into a mosque in 1974.
Nestled along the quaint riverside is Wheeler’s Yard, no doubt the hippest spot in Balestier. This café cum handcrafted bicycle warehouse is an Instagram heaven. Enjoy a delicious sip of coffee or a hearty bite amidst vintage industrial décors.
Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery
[Image Credit: Jnzl]
Founded in 1898 and gazzeted as a national monument in 1980, this Buddhist monastery is famed for its seven-story gold-topped pagoda, modelled after the 800-year-old Shanfeng pagoda in the Fujian province of China. You can find Fuzhou-style square beams, Quanzhou-style round beams and Zhangzhou-style wood carvings along the temple.
From the monastery, you are a mere 9-minute bus ride away from Toa Payoh MRT where you can take your train back to your accommodation.
What are your favorite underrated neighborhoods in Singapore?
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