The most haunted places in Singapore

Haunted by Rumours say the house was used as a temporary nursery and shelter for children during the Japanese Occupation from 1942-1945. A massacre may have happened where the children and teachers were burnt alive or bayoneted in the house. Or there was a murder case where a man killed his wife and children then hung himself. The spirit of the family resides at a big old tree that used to stand beside the house. Apparently, it’s called Red House because paranormal-seekers said they saw blood-stained interior walls. Other famous tales are a doll sitting on a rocking chair, and if you try to remove it, you’ll hear a scream, or a pair of Chinese guardian lion statues with glowing eyes and turning heads, white shadows in the compound and the sounds of children running around and, even, evil laughter.

The story behind it Situated in the former fishing village of Kampong Loyang, the house was built in 1938. The first owners were Sir Percy McNeice, a British civil servant, and his wife, Lok Yuen Peng, also known as Lady McNeice, in the late 1940s. Sir Percy was known for his contributions to housing, family planning and social welfare in Singapore. Lady McNeice was the daughter of Loke Yew, British Malaya’s richest man before the Second World War and sister to the founder of Cathay Organisation, Loke Wan Tho. Lady McNeice used her house as a community area where kampong residents nearby gathered and she provided free meals and education for them. In 1964, the house was sold to Tang Choon Keeng, or CK Tang, the owner of the Tangs Department Store. Shortly after, it was mysteriously abandoned, remained derelict for many decades and became a thrill-seeking spot for ghost-hunters, especially in the 90s. 

Accessibility 191 Jalan Loyang Besar. In the early 2010s, the house was bought over by Odyssey Preschool. It was renovated, spruced up and the lion statues and big old tree removed. In 2014, the preschool officially opened giving the compound a new lease of life.

Haunted by The train station was built under what used to be Bidadari Cemetery – enough said. Commuters say they saw white figures when the train whizzed past the station from Serangoon to Potong Pasir when it was closed to the public. 

The story behind it Woodleigh MRT station was built in 2003 but stayed closed and deserted until 2011. The area it’s built on is the old Bidadari Cemetery where around 147,000 graves were exhumed to make space for the development on 18ha of land. It was once Singapore’s largest grave site. In space-scarce Singapore, this isn’t unusual but gulp. Apparently, the spirits weren’t happy about the redevelopment so ghostly figures were sighted there. I mean, can we blame them?

Accessibility Woodleigh MRT (NE11) sits on the North East Line.

Haunted by There’s tons of conspiracy theories behind this haunted estate. One of them is the mistress who used to stay in the house.

The story behind it It was said she died from a fall off the unfinished balcony while she was viewing the construction's progress. Over the years, those who wandered into the property have claimed to hear sounds of a lady weeping at night. The mansion was ordered to be demolished in 2006, but a landslide hit the area in the same year. Stabilisation works were attempted on the land but another landslide hit in the same year, burying parts of Hillview Mansion. 

Accessibility Located at Bukit Batok, Hillview Mansion can be found at the end of Jalan Dermawan.

Haunted by No one actually knows! There were rumours that there was a lady with long hair in the trees in the surrounding area and that some workers actually died while working at Matilda House.

The story behind it Matilda House was built in 1902 by Irish lawyer Alexander Cashin for his wife – and was named after his mother. The house stayed in the Cashin family for a while until it was left abandoned before the government acquired it. Legend has it that the house 'refused' to be demolished with stories saying unexplained forces would always get in the way of tearing down the house or any major renovations.

Accessibility In the end, Matilda House was incorporated as the clubhouse of a private condominium in Punggol. We haven't heard any spooky stories... yet. 

Haunted by Ask the Mediacorp staff and they have plenty of horror stories to share. The place is haunted by various spirits lingering in the area.

The story behind it It is no secret that this former Mediacorp headquarters is spooky. Staff there have reportedly seen disembodied heads looking through windows and spirits messing with the costumes. The staff there have mentioned that they worry about accidentally bringing a spirit home. The stories behind how the spirits got there is unknown. 

Accessibility Located along Thomson Road, you can get there via public transportation. The area is currently waiting for future development.

Haunted by Headless ghosts and a faceless lady with long hair

The story behind it While it is a great place to chill with friends at night, this place has an eerie history behind it. The area is known as a site for mass beheadings during the Japanese Occupation, which explains the sightings of headless ghosts around. Many have also spotted a faceless lady with long hair. She usually disturbs unsuspecting anglers there.

Accessibility Most drive to Yishun Dam, but you can get there easily by public transport. Take bus 117 or 103 and alight just before Shell Aviation.

Haunted by Multiple spirits, apparently. Some people even spotted a pontianak flying in this area. 

The story behind it Lost souls of people who were forced to leave the fishing village are believed to be haunting the area. Also, local shamans are said to release dark entities that they have caught. These spirits that dwell are aggressive and known to inflict harm. So, visit at your own risk.

Accessibility Pass the residential blocks near Admiralty Road and you'll be greeted with a small lane that trails into a bend. Follow the narrow road and you’ll find yourself at Jalan Mempurong.

Haunted by No one knows. 

The story behind it In the early fifties, Brunei sent over some of its brightest students to make up for its lack of a proper education system back home. The Tanglin Brunei Hostel was built to house these students, as well as government officials on training programmes. In its heyday, the hostel hosted sports events and festivals, but was closed in 1983 after Brunei set up its own education infrastructure back home. Today, the hostel is abandoned and in disrepair – making it a favourite haunt of paranormal seekers in Singapore. 

Accessibility The abandoned hostel is located at the end of Tanglin Hill. There is a 'no trespassing' sign at its gates – which tells you all you need to know. 

Haunted by Lingering spirits here, because.. of the cemeteries nearby.

The story behind it  A brutal murder is said to have taken place here back in 2016, however, the body of the female victim was never found. Only clumps of hair, burnt fabric and a burn mark have been discovered. It is said that the burn mark can still be seen today. Also, you wouldn’t want to wait here alone at night. Lonely and eerily quiet, this road tends to be deserted on most nights. There have been multiple accounts of taxi drivers picking up spirits that appear as humans, which vanish when they step out of the vehicle. Drivers have also claimed to have seen spirits lingering at the bus stop or crossing the roads. There’s also a sinister atmosphere, adding to the uneasiness you feel in the area.

Accessibility It starts of the junction of Sungei Gedong Road and ends at the junction of Ama Keng Road.

Haunted by Disturbances, weird unexplained sounds and sightings in the flats, darting shadows, the list goes on. 

The story behind it The HDB blocks at Spooner Road are some of the oldest in Singapore. The few blocks were built in the mid-1970s and were formerly used as the quarters to house personnel of the staff and families who worked at the nearby (now defunct) Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. The flats were left empty for years when operations ceased at the railway station but are currently used as rental apartments for low-income residents. There have been many stories from residents and explorers about the eerie things they experienced at Spooner Road. 

Accessibility Spooner Road is quite easily accessible from Kampong Bahru Road in Tanjong Pagar or by the Rail Corridor. Do note that residents are living there so be respectful of their space. 

Haunted by A band of mischievous pontianaks.  

The story behind it While there's no macabre history in Pasir Ris Park, there are rumours that Sungei Api Api is infamous for being a place where murders and suicides have occurred. Other stories include the area to be where black magic was practiced in the past because it used to be heavily forested. 

Accessibility Sungei Api Api is now part of a park connector and is a popular jogging spot and one of the many entrances to Pasir Ris Park. Jog at your own risk – especially if its going to be late at night!

Haunted by Pontianaks – waiting on residents’ balconies and doorsteps, calling out to those fishing at the canal, or staring at people crossing through Sembawang Park.  

The story behind it Sembawang is where the Nee Soon Rubber Estate used to sit. Yup – that’s a whole field of rubber trees, which are known to be the favoured residence of these restless female vampire ghosts. They sure love those trees – their spirits apparently still remain even though the estate has since been cleared to make way for flats and industrial buildings.

Accessibility The rubber plantations covered a vast area around Yishun, Sembawang and Seletar, but your best bet is to take a night walk in Sembawang Park if you dare.

Haunted by Among many others, the ghost of a disembowelled recruit, a white, long-haired figure at Jacob’s Ladder and a grandma and grandson duo who wander the bunks at night to disturb sleepless recruits.

The story behind it There’s no saying if the ghost stories have roots in the early history of the island when it was inhabited by a majority Chinese population, or if they sprang up after Tekong was taken over for military use. But these spooky stories have become something of a rite of passage for fresh recruits – just ask anyone who’s gone through National Service and they’ll have a tale or ten to tell you about Tekong.

Accessibility Fall in recruits, there’s no escaping this one. The rest of us might have the chance to visit if we’re sending a family member off for Basic Military Training.

Haunted by Pontianaks (yup, more than one apparently!), the vengeful spirits of women who have died during their pregnancy or childbirth that continue to linger in the area.

The story behind it While there is no official recorded history – as with most ghost stories – many riders and cyclists have said to feel 'extra weight' when passing through the long and quiet stretch late at night. On top of that, there is always a sweet, floral scent lingering in the air during these incidents. 

Accessibility The road has been upgraded and a lot of the spooky trees have been cut down but you can cruise through at 2am if you dare.

Haunted by Spirits of girls who committed suicide in toilets, shadowy figures (especially in the Design and Technology block), Pontianaks with a penchant for education. 

The story behind it There really is no science behind it but every school in Singapore seems to have its own spooky stories. Just ask your friends about their own school horror stories and you'll notice there will be some parallels. 

Accessibility You won't walk into someone else's workplace so don't be dropping by other people's schools. 

Haunted by The wandering spirit of former museum director, British doctor and naturalist Carl Alexander Gibson-Hill whose death was regarded as suicide. 

The story behind it We don't know the exact tale but many have claimed to have seen and felt unnatural forces at the notorious Victorian-style spiral staircase which has a reputation for being the most haunted spot in the century-old museum. 

Accessibility Visit the museum all you want but the staircase are closed off to visitors. We wonder why.

Haunted by The restless souls that took their lives at this infamous reservoir.

The story behind it Considered a suicide destination, Bedok Reservoir has met six suicides between 2011 to 2012 where the sixth body was found on the morning of an inter-religious blessing ceremony. The blessing ceremony was organised to rid the evil that surrounds the area.

Accessibility Still a popular jogging spot, with a bunch of suicides to its name.

Haunted by The 'Orang Bunian' – a supernatural human-like creature from Malay folklore. It's also said that a Pontianak resides here and was the inspiration behind the Malay classic film Pontianak.

The story behind it If the name doesn't strike you as uncanny, get this: 'Siglap' literally means 'the dark one'. Aptly named after an incident that involves a solar eclipse in 1821, the quaint neighbourhood has a dark, creepy past and is home to Kubur Kassim, a 90-year old Malay cemetery. And if you look hard enough, you'll be able to spot grave plots dedicated to the 'Orang Bunian'.

Accessibility We recommend sticking to visiting hours.

Haunted by The ghostly soldiers that are seen at quieter spots on the island.

The story behind it Sentosa was formerly known as Pulau Belakang Mati which translates to 'Back Island of Death'. Many executions took places on the island's pristine beaches during World War II when Singapore was under the Japanese Occupation which explains the sightings.

Accessibility It's the State of Fun, how can we resist.

Haunted by Creepy sightings that include random shadows, spirits, poltergeists and even phantom scents.

The story behind it Previously known as Istana Woodneuk, this now-abandoned house is located in the deep woods of the Holland Road and Tyersall Road area. It was once occupied by a Sultan of Johor, but now remains empty and covered in vegetation and decay. What's creepier is the fact that the spot is not charted on the map of Singapore and is, therefore, out of bounds. Unless you've got stellar hunting skills, of course.

Accessibility Don't do it, the house is state property and you can (and will!) be caught for trespassing.

Haunted by The restless souls of those who were tortured to death or executed by the Japanese during World War II, as well as a security guard who used to work there.

The story behind it Used by the Kempeitai (Japanese military police) to hold more than 50,000 Allied prisoners-of-war and as a torture chamber during the Japanese Occupation, it was vacated in 1997, four decades after it was first built, when the new Changi General Hospital was opened. The abandoned building still stands and occasional ghost tours are held there, which has added to its reputation of being one of the spookiest places in Singapore.

Accessibility Don't get caught for trespassing! But you can still observe from afar or from Raintr33 Hotel (which used to be part of the hospital). 

Haunted by The restless spirit of a young woman who was supposedly raped and murdered there still lingers on the steps of the spiral staircase.

The story behind it A local couple was stabbed by two unknown assailants while chatting on the steps of the tower in 1992. The woman, then only 21, died before the police arrived, although there was no evidence to suggest that she was raped. The murder remains unsolved to this day. 

Accessibility The tower is still there if you want to check it out.

Haunted by Pontianaks, Singapore's favourite female spirit.

The story behind it Bukit Brown Cemetery, otherwise known as Kopi Sua, is one of the oldest Chinese cemeteries in Singapore and is home to over 100,000 tombs. So it makes sense that this place will give you the heebie-jeebies. 

Accessibility Overgrown and hidden, it's not easy to get to most parts of Bukit Brown. If you're game, download the self-guided trail from Singapore Heritage Society and get exploring. 

Haunted by A pontianak (a spirit of a banana tree – one of the scarier supernatural beings in Malay folklore) who has been trapped there since a gambler refused to remove the seven pins placed in the tree to coerce it into helping him win the lottery.

The story behind it Named after the businessman who helped develop the Lim Chu Kang area in the early 20th century, the abandoned estate – comprising a trio of three-storey blocks, a wet market and a playground – was built in 1979 and is currently used for urban warfare training by the Singapore Armed Forces after being sold en bloc in 2002.

Accessibility The area is now restricted but you can still look at it from afar. Still creepy, we admit.

Haunted by The spirits of the Japanese soldiers who committed mass ritual suicide via seppuku (literally ‘bellycutting’) to preserve the shrine’s sanctity.

The story behind it Built in 1942 by British prisoners-of-war and Japanese soldiers, the shrine was dedicated to the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu and used to commemorate fallen Japanese soldiers. It was demolished following the Japanese Imperial Army’s surrender but legends persist that a massive treasure – most popularly believed to be the fabled Yamashita’s gold plundered during the South-East Asian campaign – remains hidden there.

Accessibility This area is also closed off to the public now.

Haunted by Phantom passengers who do not cast any reflections on the windows and, according to construction workers who built the station, a funeral procession on the train tracks with a headless ghost.

The story behind it The station and the surrounding housing estates were built on the site of the former Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng, one of the largest Chinese cemeteries in Singapore before it was exhumed in 1982.

Accessibility Some of us go through the station every day.

Haunted by As if they weren't scary enough during the day, the wax statues depicting condemned souls are said to come to life at night, filling the infamous Ten Courts of Hell exhibit with tortured screams.

The story behind it The Burmese Aw brothers, who made their fortune selling the Tiger Balm heat rub, lent their first names Haw (‘tiger’) and Paw (‘leopard’) to the theme park, where children could learn about traditional Chinese myths through the vivid wax dioramas. It’s truly one of the more bizarre corners of the island – no wonder people think it’s haunted.

Accessibility It's still a popular and interesting place to visit if you like exploring offbeat Singapore.

Haunted by The spirits of drivers who were killed while trying to navigate this tricky hairpin bend.

The story behind it Part of the race route of the original Singapore Grand Prix – which was held from 1961 to 1974 until it was discontinued due to its high fatality rate – the poorly-lit stretch is still a favourite haunt for illegal street racers and thrill-seekers. The most recent accident claimed the lives of two passengers when the car they were travelling in plunged into a ditch in 2008. 

Accessibility Sure you can drive through the area but please be alert and careful.

Haunted by Numerous sightings of headless apparitions have been reported at the underpass linking it to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore building.

The story behind it Another MRT station built on the grounds of a former cemetery. In this case, its history is tied to its name, which originated with the weekly Catholic novena prayer sessions held at the nearby Church of St Alphonsus (also known as the Novena Church). It was used as a Jewish cemetery until its exhumation in 1985. 

Accessibility Ride all you want through this station. 

Haunted by The screams and cries for help of the civilians executed by Japanese soldiers during World War II.

The story behind it In one of the first massacres carried out during the infamous Sook Ching operation (literally ‘cleansing purge’ in Mandarin), 66 Chinese men were executed by firing squad at the water’s edge on February 20 1942. 

Accessibility A popular spot for families, the picnic crowds and just to chill out. There are several beach areas to hit and parking lots if you're driving.