We get it – we’re all itching to hop on a flight, travel, and explore somewhere new.
While we wait for our borders to slowly open up to more destinations after Brunei and NZ, there are still many places that lurk beneath Singapore’s glitzy surface. Think abandoned areas, landmarks and the places that many people won’t venture to, from WWII bunkers to hidden places left out on our official maps.
So get ready to put on those hiking shoes, and get out there to do some exploring.
Seah Im Bunker
Located at the foot of Mount Faber and behind the Seah Im carpark is a hidden WWII bunker. Its entrance is built into a slope and similar to that of an air raid bunker in Cartagena, Spain, used during the Spanish Civil War. It is believed that the Seah Im Bunker was an air-raid shelter or used as a lock-up to hold prisoners of war.
The entrance leads to a tunnel connected to the elongated bunker. It’s pitch back in there, so bring torchlights along to guide you in your exploration (no, a single iPhone torchlight will not cut it). Those who have a fear of reptiles, be wary as the long disuse has turned the bunker into a nesting ground for geckos, lizards and frogs. Tree roots have also grown through the ventilation holes on the walls.
Directions:
- From HarbourFront MRT station, exit towards HarbourFront Bus Interchange.
- Walk along Telok Blangah Road, past Seah Im Food Centre and into Seah Im Carpark.
- Walk past the motorcycle area and follow the fence along the back of the carpark until you reach a large heritage tree.
- By this tree, you’ll see an installation by National Parks that shares more about the tree.
- Behind this installation sign, slide your way between the tree and the fence (be careful of thorny plants!)
- Follow the man-made path in towards the bunker.
Keppel Hill Reservoir
If you made it to Seah Im Bunker and want even more of a challenge, look no further than Keppel Hill Reservoir. You’ll have to navigate your way through some narrow steps, super tall ferns, wild grass, duck-walk under decrepit structures and even get slightly scratched by thorny plants. But we assure you that you’ll be greatly rewarded. There's nothing like a challenging hike and enjoying the end results: a view that eludes most other Singaporeans.
According to WWII illustrations, Keppel Hill Reservoir used to be an Olympic-sized swimming pool. It has also served a few other purposes – as a reservoir serving residents of surrounding settlements and, a few years later, a water source for the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company. Presently, it lies dormant and hidden amongst vast foliage. From 1954, the body of water was removed completely and left out on official maps of Singapore.
Directions:
- From HarbourFront MRT station, exit towards HarbourFront Bus Interchange.
- Walk along Telok Blangah Road, past Seah Im Food Centre and Seah Im Carpark, towards the bus stop “Bef Seah Im Road”.
- Continue forward and turn right into Wishart Road, until you reach a sign that says “Joaqim Garden & Landscape (Keppel Hill Road)”.
- Follow this path upwards and on your left you’ll pass by the entry to Joaqim Garden & Landscape.
- Continue forward past a white barrier. You’ll see two paths before you – make your way towards the road on your left which slopes downwards.
- Walk past the blue dumpster on your left and into the forested area on the right marked by banana trees.
- Follow the man-made path that winds about 200m inwards to the reservoir.
Fort Serapong
Most people would have heard of Fort Siloso, but what about its less mainstream counterpart – Fort Serapong? Fort Serapong is one of the many fortifications that used to protect Singapore under the British rule, once deterring pirates and foreign invaders.
Today, the area looks post-apocalyptic, with structures marked 1936. Time has stood still at the once proud fortification of the British Empire, and Mother Nature has wrestled it back and claimed it for her own. Large sections of the fort remain unexplored, so who knows what you’ll find during your visit. Ironically, as opposed to its original purpose of deterring invaders, it now attracts off-the-beaten-track explorers.
Directions:
- Head to the third level of Vivocity and take the monorail, alighting at Beach Station.
- Take Sentosa Bus 3 at the bus depot and alight at the Sentosa Cove Village.
- Walk upwards along Cove Ave and into Woolwich Road.
- Walk towards the sign that says “Serapong Hill Road” and make your way up the narrow road until you reach a more open area – the first accessible section of Fort Serapong.
- Once you’re done exploring this area, continue on the road upwards.
- Avoid the fenced up utilities area and walk onto the grass on the left where you’ll find a man-made path that curves inwards.
Seng Chew Quarry
Local legend has it that the water here harbours magical properties. Allegedly, owners who wash their cars with its water will win 4D numbers! (Anyone wanna try it out and let us know if it’s true)
Once a bustling granite quarry and a product of the mining heydays in Singapore, today the quarry is not quite prominent or as accessible as before (despite it being located behind residential flats in Bukit Gombak). Make sure to wear proper non-slip footwear because you’ll have to climb steep hills and the path leading into the quarry is full of protruding rocks and damp grass. One wrong step and you may find yourself in the longkang that we’re sure is not very magical.
Directions:
- From Bukit Gombak MRT station, exit towards Bukit Gombak Sports Hall.
- Follow the concrete path beneath the MRT tracks until you reach Block 383.
- Walk to the back of the Block 383, towards a mini garden and climb onto the slope of grass.
- Walk upwards along the drain and into the forested area for about 200m until you reach the partially-fenced up quarry.
- Just before the fence, there’s an obscure man-made path on the right that leads upwards. It’s obstructed by fallen tree branches so we don’t encourage venturing beyond this point.
Tanjong Rimau
Fort Siloso sits atop a hill at the northwestern end of Sentosa, and the beach at the base of the hill is Tanjong Rimau. It can be accessed via the edge of the compound occupied by Rasa Sentosa and by descending the rocky slope.
Make sure to check the tide before exploring the area, as Tanjong Rimau is only accessible during low tide. It’s a rocky coast, so you’ll be able to spot many marine creatures such as corals, starfish and crabs. Be careful of the stonefishes though – their spines are venomous!
Directions:
- From the third level of Vivocity, take the monorail to Imbiah Station.
- Following signs that lead you to the nature trail, cross Imbiah Road to the start of the Imbiah Trail.
- Within minutes you’ll reach a fork – take the left branch of the trail.
- This would take you to Siloso Beach and Rasa Sentosa Resort. The start of Tanjong Rimau is right next to the hotel.
- Descend the rocky slope to the beach.