Have you ever gone on a heritage trail?
Maybe it's time that you do. The Ang Mo Kio Heritage Trail in Singapore is a good place to start, says Tan Jeng Woon of the National Heritage Board
Tourist trails, hiking trails, historic trails, adventure trails – you’ve probably heard and even done some of those.
But what about heritage trails?
Well, here’s your chance to try one: the “refreshed” Ang Mo Kio Heritage Trail in Singapore is waiting for you with its three memorable routes and new sites.
It’s a nice way to spend the day and learn more about the area – an educational and relaxing kind of exercise and outdoor jaunt, if you will. And if you’re a tourist, it’s a worthy item to add to your itinerary outside of Singapore’s popular landmarks.
But don’t just take my word for it: I was able to ask Tan Jeng Woon, the Education and Community Outreach manager of the National Heritage Board (NHB), about the heritage trail, and it’s interesting to hear her thoughts on why it’s a must-visit.
What makes a trail a heritage trail?
If you’re still fuzzy about heritage trails, Jeng Woon tells us more.
“Heritage is found in our everyday spaces, whether it’s our favourite childhood playground, the long-established shops we frequent, or the iconic buildings in our neighbourhoods,” she says.
“A heritage trail is more than just a physical route around the well-known and hidden gems in a town. It tells the unique stories of each neighbourhood as experienced by past and present residents, and captures the essence and memories of the community.”
So to recap, you’ll be excited to find:
#1 Interesting people
“Trail-goers can expect to discover many different aspects of each neighbourhood through the perspectives of people from different walks of life, cultural backgrounds and faiths,” Jeng Woon notes.
#2 Distinct landmarks
“The heritage sites in each trail have been selected for their historical, social and cultural significance to the community,” she adds.
“Trail-goers can look forward to finding out more about these locations as well as the lesser-known stories of the town.”
#3 Stories
“Our trails tell stories about our neighbourhoods and communities that not many may have heard of before, and some of these may surprise even those who’ve lived in an area for a long time,” she observes.
“They are also important components of Singapore’s history, and together with well-known national events and stories, they help present a more complete picture of our nation’s journey so far.”
The best stops along the Ang Mo Kio Heritage Trail
Now that you know what a heritage trail is, here’s what makes the Ang Mo Kio one unique. And they happen to be Jeng Woon’s favourites too.
“Heritage trails have been designed to be self-guided and free-for-all, so everyone can explore them whenever they want to,” she says.
#1 Kebun Baru Birdsinging Club
“It’s Singapore’s largest bird singing and display arena,” Jeng Woon points out.
“The club has an interesting history dating back to the 1970s, when it was established by three zebra dove enthusiasts living in Ang Mo Kio. In 1987, they applied to erect poles to allow more enthusiasts to join them. Today, the venue can house more than 1,000 cages and draws bird keepers and enthusiasts from all over Singapore.
“It is great that the passion of three Ang Mo Kio residents has grown to reach enthusiasts from all over the nation, bringing them together through a shared hobby. It is also quite a sight on weekends when everyone gathers and raises their bird cages on the poles!”
#2 Block 259
“Block 259 is affectionately known to residents as the ‘Clover Block’ for its resemblance to the plant when viewed from above,” Jeng Woon explains.
“It stands as the first and only block of circular HDB flats in Singapore, built as part of a pilot programme to construct seven distinctively designed public housing blocks. This building holds a special place in Ang Mo Kio as it broke the monotony of public housing architecture then, and helped to nurture a stronger sense of identity for the town.
“Today, Block 259 has evolved to become an icon of Ang Mo Kio. I think the effort to make our public housing look unique is quite inspiring, and even more so because this started four decades ago!”
#3 Surprise yourself
Why not choose a spot along the way that’s special to you?
“Some of my most memorable experiences on heritage trails include getting to speak to members of the community at various heritage sites along the trail, especially those at religious institutions or at interest clubs. These members of the community usually have memories to share, and their stories and experiences are what bring the heritage site to life,” Jeng Woon recalls.
“One such example was when I visited Ang Mo Kio Joint Temple. One of the temples housed within the joint temple building, Kim Eang Tong, has a full heritage gallery with artefacts that have been used by generations of members of the temple. They brought us on a tour of the gallery and explained how each artefact is still used by the temple members today during rituals and festivals, and how some members have been part of the temple’s history since the kampong days. It was refreshing and heartening to see how such places are taking active steps to safeguarding their history and heritage.”
How to enjoy the Ang Mo Kio Heritage Trail
Or how to enjoy it further, since we already have the stops Jeng Woon recommended we watch out for. She breaks down her tips into three parts: before, during and after you go through the trail.
All set?
• Before: Get the guide and map
“The first thing to do is download a digital copy of our companion guide and map through NHB’s heritage portal Roots.gov.sg. The guide covers all the stories of the trail and all the new research and interesting facts we’ve uncovered, and the map will help you plan your journey to discover the different sites.
“We’ve curated three thematic routes exploring different aspects of Ang Mo Kio’s heritage – Iconic Landmarks, Hidden Heartland Gems, and Scenic Fringes – which trail-goers can embark on in their own time and according to their interests. You may also simply personalise your own route to suit your preferences.”
• During: Cover up
“During the trail, do wear comfortable attire and shoes for walking. It’s also a good idea to bring along sunscreen and an umbrella to beat the weather!”
• After: Eat
“You may want to end your exploring with a nice cold drink and a meal at one of Ang Mo Kio’s many establishments serving local favourites, like the S-11 coffee shop at Ang Mo Kio Central, or at heritage businesses such as The Pine Garden, a popular heartland bakery operating in Ang Mo Kio since 1984.”
• Bonus: Take some souvenirs
They’re something to remember the trail by, and they don’t necessarily have to be physical objects.
“There are a few ‘souvenirs’ one can take by going on the trail,” Jeng Woon says.
“The view of the Town Centre from the top of Ang Mo Kio Town Garden East gives trail-goers a good idea of the how far the town has come in terms of new town achievements. There are also a few long-standing businesses that trail-goers can visit to experience a bit of Ang Mo Kio’s kampong history, such as Ban Nee Chen Nursery, Gim Tim Restaurant and Plum Village.
“We hope that trail-goers will gain a deeper understanding of Ang Mo Kio’s history and heritage, and appreciate its transformation from a rural area to the bustling, modern town it is now. We also hope that residents will gain a greater sense of pride and belonging in their neighbourhood.”
What’s next?
After we do the Ang Mo Kio Heritage Trail, where should we go next? It might inspire you to do more trails, and we can’t blame you.
“Besides the Ang Mo Kio Heritage Trail, we also have 22 other heritage trails to explore, which include a round-island World War II Heritage Trail too,” Jeng Woon suggests.
“Some of my recommendations are the Orchard and Sentosa Heritage Trails, which will let trail-goers gain new perspectives on these well-loved locations, or the Woodlands and Sembawang Heritage Trails, to explore some less well-known parts of the island. More information can be found here.”
Better free up that weekend and get those walking shoes ready then.
Find details on the Ang Mo Kio Heritage Trail here, and the NHB on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
Photos courtesy of the National Heritage Board