Ifah SakinahWhile travelling has taken a backseat, you can still open your eyes to novel experiences all without leaving the Little Red Dot. How, you may ask? By immersing in the rich history of Singapore’s northern coastal town through the newly-demarcated Sembawang Heritage Trail. Freshly curated by the National Heritage Board, trail-goers can traverse a total of 31 sites and nine heritage markers for a real blast from the past.
Image credit: National Heritage Board
Fun fact: Sembawang once brimmed with rubber plantations in the early 20th century before it transformed into an important naval facility for Britain’s Far East Fleet. It was also home to a slew of heterogeneous communities — from seafaring villagers to Asian dockyard workers and British naval officers.
Keen to dig up other fascinating nuggets of information? Step into your walking shoes and set off on one of Sembawang Heritage Trail’s three thematic routes according to your interests.
Also read: 23 Nature & Hiking Trails in Singapore To Discover on Your Weekends
Explore Sembawang Heritage Trail thematic routes
1. Historical Landmarks of Sembawang
Image credit: National Heritage Board
Acquaint yourself with all the major milestones in Sembawang’s past when you embark on this route. You can admire multifarious sights including shophouses which were formerly drinking holes frequented by British sailors, the former dockyard of the naval base, and a natural hot spring discovered in the ’90s. They certainly paint a vivid picture of what life was between the early 1800s right to the years after World War II.
Total distance: Seven kilometres
Estimated duration: Two hours on foot with public transport
Famous sites: Holy Tree Sri Balasubramaniar Temple, former homes in the naval base, and Sembawang Hot Spring Park
2. Communities of Sembawang
Image credit: National Heritage Board
A community plays such an important role in our lives as it makes us feel as though we are part of something bigger. Similarly, it was also crucial for those in the good old days.
Through accounts of a plethora of former and current residents of Sembawang and a gamut of well-preserved buildings such as the black-and-white bungalows erected in 1929, walk in the steps of those who made Sembawang their home in the bygone era.
Total distance: Eight kilometres
Estimated duration: Three hours on foot with public transport
Famous sites: Former Admiralty House, Masjid Petempatan Melayu Sembawang, and Sembawang Strip
3. From Dockyard to Shipyard
Image credit: National Heritage Board
Curious to discover what made up the former naval base? Then this Sembawang Heritage Trail route is just for you!
The trail’s stopping points include the following: the Former Admiralty House, which was the dwelling place of the highest ranking naval officer in colonial Singapore; the lush Sembawang Park, where a handful of Sembawang trees (which gave the area its name) have been planted; and the neoclassical Beaulieu House.
Total distance: Five kilometres
Estimated duration: Two and a half hours on foot with public transport
Famous sites: Former Sembawang Shipyard, Sembawang Park and Beach, Beaulieu House and Beaulieu Jetty
Also read: 7 Hidden Beaches in Singapore You Need to Visit
Ready to take on Sembawang Heritage Trail? Download the companion guide and map here. Alternatively, you can get your hands on printed copies of the guide at Sembawang Community Club, Sembawang Town Council, and Canberra Community Club for a limited time.
Don’t forget to share your photos with us on Instagram at @tripzillamag and use the hashtag #TripZillaShare! Happy exploring!
Information extracted from a press release issued by National Heritage Board.
