The coolest heritage trails you've never heard of in Singapore

Explore the rich heritage of Ang Mo Kio by visiting 40 heritage sites, including 10 prominent heritage markers. Additionally, the revamped trail provides you with the option to embark on three distinct themed routes tailored to your preferences: Iconic Landmarks highlights the town's iconic buildings and sites, Hidden Heartland Gems uncovers overlooked treasures, and Scenic Fringes offers insights into the district's lesser-known outskirts.

TOUR Discover hidden landmarks in Ang Mo Kio, including the Church of Christ the King, the area's inaugural and only Catholic church. Explore three temples with historical roots in the region's former villages: Gao Lin Gong, Kim Eang Tong, and Leng San Giam. The trail also unveils lesser-known narratives, such as a concealed assortment of artworks by the Chinese artist Xu Beihong, once housed at Chong Boon Chinese School in Lelong Pah. Noteworthy sites also include the Kebun Baru Birdsinging Club, Singapore's largest bird singing and display arena boasting 1,000 cages.

TOUR You’ll start from the iconic Singapore River at One Raffles Place, then move on to spots like Chulia Street to learn more about its architecture. You’ll also be able to learn about the history of Raffles Place at Battery Road, and immerse yourself in the dazzling streets of Collyer Quay.

Embark on this trail that covers 29 heritage sites and 10 heritage trail markers illustrating the unique story of Toa Payoh. The landmarks are organised via three curated routes which give an intimate glimpse of the town's public housing development, its rich religious and cultural history, as well as the communities and spaces that continue to shape it today. Highlights of the trail include the 25-metre lookout tower at Toa Payoh Town Park, the VIP block that Queen Elizabeth once visited, and the nostalgic and iconic dragon playground.

TOUR Walk down the well-beaten path of worship and admire old buildings such as the Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery and Sri Kaliamman Temple. Look through the religious institutions, burial grounds and health centres, and learn the history of these places that are tied to the social memories of the residents who lived there. Learn more about the gems on the refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage trail. 

Explore a working lighthouse on a remote island with the Raffles Lighthouse tour. Catch a sneak peak into the one of the oldest lighthouses in Singapore which is still currently in use. Located along the Strait of Singapore, the lighthouse stands tall at 29m with over 150 years of heritage.

It marks the turning point for vessels travelling along the busy navigational channel in the Strait of Singapore. Painted in white, the Raffles Lighthouse is well-preserved with glass-panelled dome and century-old brass fittings. Visitors to lighthouse can view the maritime artefacts such as lanterns and wind gauges used in 1970s. 

TOUR The Raffles Lighthouse Tour starts from Marina South Pier where participants will board a ferry, passing by southern islands before disembarking at Pulau Satumu to visit the Raffles Lighthouse. Climb the steps up to the 29 metre-tall lighthouse for a panoramic view of the vast open sea and visit the museum to learn more about the history of lighthouse’s operations.

An opportunity for guests to unearth Sentosa’s storied past, some of the sites covered include military buildings, fortifications, remnants of old features and lesser seen gems. Kampong and Barracks Trails feature the Orang Laut, who were the earliest known inhabitants of Sentosa. Also, look out for rare archival photos extracted from Sentosa’s archives. Photos include records of Pulau Blakang Mati’s early communities, a sundry shop on the island and kampongs next to the jetty.

The Sentosa Heritage Trail allows you to relive some of the personal memories you had with the place. Apart from getting some exercise, you will also learn something new about the well-loved island destination.

TOUR The trail begins at People of the Straits marker at the start of the Harbourfront to Sentosa boardwalk and continues inland to the former recreation ground and barracks that housed the British Military.

For a trail that combines nature and heritage, hit up the coastal nature trail. The eastern corner of Singapore has a beautiful coastline with even breathtaking sunsets. Walk at the 3.5km trail – which boasts one of two protected mangrove forests in Singapore with vast wildlife. The trail also gives us a peek into Singapore’s colourful resort lifestyle in the 1950s. Over the weekends, water skiing competitions, music and dance battles are rampant here.

TOUR Covering Sungei Api Api and Sungei Tampines, the route brings you to sites of heritage significance along Pasir Ris’ coast and beachfront. 

This sleepy, northern coastal town has more than you'd expect in terms of history. The Sembawang Heritage Trail by the National Heritage Board will regale you with the area's rich naval history and the stories of the diverse communities that used to live and work here. Visit up to 31 sites on the trail, including the former Sembawang shipyard, the Sembawang strip, and the stately Beaulieu House and jetty. Learn also about what used to be: rubber plantations that covered the land and coastal kampongs by the sea.

TOUR The Sembawang Heritage Trail e-guide and trail map are available on Roots.sg. With these in hand, embark on one of three distinct routes and read up on a wealth of information about the area's history and sites of interest. 

A visit to Bukit Brown Cemetery is an illuminating journey through time. Besides grand tombs of local pioneers, here you will also gain insight into the shared heritage of Chinese and Sikhs in Singapore. Approximately 30 pairs of Sikh guard statues have been discovered standing guard at the Chinese tombs in Bukit Brown. They speak to the Sikhs' roles as brave men of the army and police force, as well as watchmen and bodyguards to the wealthy Chinese in colonial Singapore. 

TOUR Simply visit Bukit Brown Cemetery and keep your eyes peeled for the eye-catching statue of tall and upright men in turbans, some holding a kirpan (small sword). You may also refer to the trail on government website Roots.sg. 

To discover more about the Sikh community in Singapore and their contributions to the nation, embark on the Sepoy Lines Trail around Outram and Pearl's Hill Terrace. Consisting of 10 points of interest, this trail traces the first arrival of Sikh men in Singapore to join the Sikh Contingent of the Straits Settlement Police Force, to the stations and barracks where they worked and lived. Also visit the memorial to Bhai Maharaj Singh, a respected priest who was imprisoned in Singapore for leading rebellion against the British in India, as well as places of worship for the community here.

TOUR Follow the trail put together by Mr. Ishvinder Singh. It starts at the Former Outram Prison and ends at the Silat Road Sikh Temple. 

Singapore prides itself on being one of the safest places in the world, and some credit is surely due to our police force. Hard to believe that the Singapore Police Force started with just 12 men in 1820. Trace the police's evolution since then as you follow this trail from the Singapore River to the Civic District. Many key buildings have been demolished, such as the First Police Office, Police Courts and Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters, but you will still get a good sense of the workings of the police through the years and the communities that sprang up in the key buildings it inhabited. 

TOUR Take a self-guided tour using the map available on Roots.sg that will take you around Kreta Ayer, Pearl's Hill, Maxwell and more. 

Clans and associations in Singapore were integral to the Chinese way of life in early Singapore. They helped immigrants to seek support, gain opportunities, and build communities as they worked and lived far away from home in a fledgling Singapore. Chinatown was the earliest settlement for the Chinese in Singapore, and thus a hotbed for clan activity. On this trail, you will see the clan buildings, religious sites and institutional buildings that form a part of the community's rich heritage in Singapore. 

TOUR Take a self-guided tour through Chinatown, visiting significant sites like the first Chinese temple Fuk Tak Chi, Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, Singapore Gan Clan Association and Former Thong Chai Medical Institution. Besides their history, marvel at the unique architecture of many of these old buildings. 

Launched in 2013, the World War 2 Heritage Trail takes you on an islandwide journey into Singapore's darkest chapter. Visit battle sites such as Sarimbun Beach, Kranji Beach and the site of British surrender at Former Ford Factory. Learn about significant events like the Sook Ching Massacre during the Japanese Occupation or remember the brave fallen at poignant memorials like Kranji War Cemetery and Civilian War Memorial. 

TOUR Take a self-guided tour of 50 sites dotted across Singapore with a World War 2 trail booklet that can be found on Roots.sg. The sites are organised into six regions that each have a specific theme, so you can easily split your tour into multiple days.