6 Rustic Places in Singapore to Relive the Kampong Days

So you want to go back to nature for a little bit, leave all that technology and internet and mobile phones in the dust, and just be at one with the outdoors. Or maybe you just want to reminisce the old times of your childhood, when there weren’t bills to pay and expenses to upkeep. But in built-up Singapore, where can we get that little slice of rusticity?

They may be few and far between, but fret not, they do still exist. Come along and blast off with me as we throwback to Singapore of the past in search of that elusive kampung spirit!

1. Gallop Stable

Live out your Wild Wild West dreams

Welcome to Singapore’s very own Wild Wild West— at Downtown East. Haha.

Jokes aside, Gallop Stables conducts riding camps, pony rides and feeding sessions for a unique one-stop experience! With wide-open fields, rustic stables, and the calming presence of horses, it’s easy to feel like you’ve stepped into a countryside ranch. Enough to fulfil your cowboy/cowgirl dreams?

Also read: Kranji Racecourse: The Authentic Singapore Horse-Racing Experience

Ah well, then rent a bike, and follow the park connectors to get back to…

2. Coney Island

Work out in a natural gym

If you’ve ever wanted a workout but didn’t know where to get it without pounding the gravel, this is it. Coney Island is an untouched piece of haven for nature lovers.

While its unofficial mascot, the free-range Brahman cow has passed on, its free-ranging nature lives on in all of us. Visitors to the island come, armed with insect repellent, huge water bottles, and a bicycle, ready to take on one of Singapore’s most scenic biking routes. The more gung-ho of you can attempt a hike, but bear in mind it’s about the size of 50 football fields, and the land isn’t all that flat, so it should make for a gruelling experience, to say the least. Some hikers have given up halfway. But hey, if you do succeed, kudos to you!

The newest park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, some of which are considered to be critically endangered or even extinct. It is also so rustic that there is neither electricity nor piped water in the park. It turns dark once it hits 7pm, so get out before then, or you might well be spending a night out under the stars in the outback. Maybe you urbanites would like it, since it’s so very removed from civilisation.

Tip: Do a toilet trip before you enter its gates—I wasn’t kidding when I said the island has no piped water. There are NO toilet facilities in the park.

3. Kampong Buangkok

See the kampung spirit in action

If you’re reading this article, chances are high that you have never lived in a kampung, ever. And those of you who actually have ever lived in one are probably going, “Huh, Singapore still got kampung meh?!”

Yes, we still have one. No, seriously. Nestled in a quiet nook of Hougang, near Gerald Drive off Yio Chu Kang Road, is mainland Singapore’s last surviving mainland kampung—Selak Kain, or more commonly known as Kampung Lorong Buangkok. The kampung was named after its residents, who would hitch up their sarongs to wade through floods whenever the village was hit by flash floods in the late 1900s. At its largest in the 1960s, the kampung housed 40 families and kampung spirit they do exhibit—you’d be hard pressed to find a house that keeps its doors closed!

Unfortunately, the area has been earmarked by the authorities for redevelopment, though the timelines are still vague. While you can’t exactly LIVE here, it’d be great to come here with your loved ones to take a quick walk down history’s lane, before it really disappears for good. I happened to come by the area, and it was an eye-opener to see chickens, dogs, and cats running around freely in this little space, untouched by time and modernity.

A gentle reminder: Do be mindful of the residents and respect their living quarters even as you peep into their lives. Since the land there is considered private land, we recommend visiting with a local guide.

Also read: Top 10 Outdoor Outing Ideas in Singapore

4. Sembawang Hot Spring

Soak in the sun and water outdoors

Here’s your chance to bathe in the outdoors! Singapore’s only natural hot spring is ensconced in a wooded area off Gambas Avenue. Despite being on military grounds, the spring itself is open to public from 7am to 7pm daily and admission is free.

Widely believed to have healing properties, the hot spring draws residents from around the area to partake of its heated water, dispensed through a pipe in the ground. In fact, an intriguing sight awaits you on your journey into the woods—residents swing empty pails alongside you, presumably to draw water for their own use at home.

Visitors to the spring mostly dip their feet in collected buckets of spring water. Of course, if you wanted, you could join the few brave souls who decide to take a clothed shower there and then, à la kampung! Very cooling in this humid weather, I’m told!

Others decide to recreate their hot spring experience from Japan and give it a uniquely Singaporean twist. Eggs, pepper, salt, and spring water—and voila, one serving of half-boiled eggs, coming right up!

Tip: Some buckets are provided, but if you’re a stickler for hygiene, do bring your own. And remember to visit the toilet before you come, as there are no toilets here.

5. Bollywood Farms

Grow your own food (and cook it too)

Yes yes, urban farming is all the rage now, and even those who live in HDB apartments can dabble in growing some edible plants of their own. But what do you think about going to the conventional farming methods? The age-old way of working the land and harvesting the crops?

Head down to Bollywood Farms, where you can participate in these activities, and more! Touted as a countryside destination for all, the farm does way more than farming, and farm tours are just par for the course. They’ve got activities like scarecrow building, harvesting, paddy planting and even honey-appreciation classes! And for the foodie in you, channel your inner MasterChef in a culinary class, or take part in a culinary challenge and pit your skills against your friends! May the best chef win!

Also read: Singapore Outing Ideas: 24 Fun Things You Never Thought You Could Do

6. Lower Pierce Reservoir Park

Birdwatching and more!

Nestled amidst lush greenery, this park offers a serene and secluded escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Stroll along the 900m wooden boardwalk and try spotting native species of birds, squirrels and monkeys! The rich biodiversity also extends to the flora, with plants such as the nibong palm, ferns, and towering trees creating a peaceful canopy overhead.

For those seeking a tranquil spot for reflection, the reservoir’s calm waters offer breathtaking views, especially at sunrise or sunset. Photographers and nature lovers alike will appreciate the scenic vistas, while fitness enthusiasts can enjoy jogging, hiking, or peaceful strolls along the well-maintained trails.

So there you go, 6 places to live out your kampung dreams, memories, whatever you call it! If you’ve got any other secret nature hideouts in Singapore that you’ve discovered, do let me know in the comment section so I can get away from the hubbub of the city too!