Singapore’s Last Village: Kampong Buangkok
Apart from a few colonial buildings from the times of British colonization in Singapore, pretty much anything that represents the old days of Singapore have been bulldozed to make way for high rise buildings and high density residential buildings. One exception to this modernization, is Kampong Buangkok, the last surviving village on the Island of Singapore.
After a bit of a trek from subway, to bus, to a short walk I arrived at a handwritten sign pointing the way down a dirt path. Juxtaposed between the brown rusting roofs of the houses, and the brand new cars parked alongside, it was an interesting blend of the past and present.
While it took me quite a long time to get there, it took about five minutes to explore the couple hundred feet of road that encompassed the village. I felt it was a little anticlimactic, but I’m very glad I went. I don’t think I’ll find anything like it here in Singapore, and who knows how much longer it’ll even exist.
Housing 28 families, this small little community has managed to survive since the 1950s when it was first settled. Since then its size has almost halved and was even featured in the New York Times about it’s possible destruction by the Singapore Government. Go on out there and see it while you can, but be respectful. It’s not only a piece of Singapore’s history, but a place where people live.
Want to go?
- How to get there: Click here for the exact location of the entrance to the village on Google Maps.
- More Info: Check out this site for directions on how to get there and more info.
Apart from a few colonial buildings from the times of British colonization in Singapore, pretty much anything that represents the old days of Singapore have been bulldozed to make way for high rise buildings and high density residential buildings. One exception to this modernization, is Kampong Buangkok, the last surviving village on the Island of Singapore.
After a bit of a trek from subway, to bus, to a short walk I arrived at a handwritten sign pointing the way down a dirt path. Juxtaposed between the brown rusting roofs of the houses, and the brand new cars parked alongside, it was an interesting blend of the past and present.
While it took me quite a long time to get there, it took about five minutes to explore the couple hundred feet of road that encompassed the village. I felt it was a little anticlimactic, but I’m very glad I went. I don’t think I’ll find anything like it here in Singapore, and who knows how much longer it’ll even exist.
Housing 28 families, this small little community has managed to survive since the 1950s when it was first settled. Since then its size has almost halved and was even featured in the New York Times about it’s possible destruction by the Singapore Government. Go on out there and see it while you can, but be respectful. It’s not only a piece of Singapore’s history, but a place where people live.
Want to go?
- How to get there: Click here for the exact location of the entrance to the village on Google Maps.
- More Info: Check out this site for directions on how to get there and more info.