Discovering the Forgotten: 9 Abandoned Places in Singapore and Their Tales
1. Coney Island
The solitary cow that once roamed Coney Island may be gone, but this rustic North-Eastern isle still holds hidden treasures such as secluded beaches and native macaques. Deep within the forest, an abandoned relic known as the Haw Par Beach Villa, built in 1937 by the Aw brothers, founders of Tiger Balm and Haw Par Villa, stands in silent decay. Though its ownership history is murky, graffiti dating back to '66 adorns its walls, hinting at a long-forgotten past. Approach this eerie villa at your own risk, for "no entry" signs mark the path.
Haw Par Beach Villa
Serangoon Island
2. Istana Woodneuk
Deemed the most expensive haunted house in Singapore, Istana Woodneuk beckons the brave to venture into its supernatural mysteries, despite the risk of trespassing. Hidden deep within the Holland Road and Tyersall Road woods, this once grand mansion, once occupied by a Sultan of Johor, now stands abandoned, swallowed by vegetation and decay. What adds to its mystique is that it is uncharted on Singapore's maps, rendering it truly off-limits.
Istana Woodneuk
766 Tyersall Ave, Singapore 257699
3. Tanglin Hill Brunei Hostel
Recently propelled to fame on TikTok, this abandoned hostel at the end of Tanglin Road has a history dating back to the mid-1950s when it was constructed by the Brunei government to house Brunei students studying in Singapore. As Brunei developed its own education system, the hostel shut its doors in 1983, leaving behind a dilapidated building adorned with graffiti and haunted tales.
Tanglin Hill Brunei Hostel
7A Tanglin Hill, Singapore 248042
4. Old Changi Hospital
Once a thriving general hospital since 1935, the Old Changi Hospital played a dark role during World War II as a site where over 50,000 Allied prisoners-of-war suffered and as a torture chamber under Japanese occupation. Its history continued post-war, serving the British and Singapore Armed Forces until 1997 when the new Changi General Hospital took over. The abandoned building, a prime location for ghost tours, still stands as one of Singapore's spookiest spots.
Former Changi Hospital
24 Halton Rd, Singapore 506997
5. Cashin House
Also known as The Pier, Cashin House on Lim Chu Kang pier was built in 1906 by Irish merchant Henry Cashin. During World War II, it fell into Japanese hands and was allegedly used as a makeshift brothel. Afterward, it became a weekend resort until its abandonment in 2009. Closed off to the public since 2013, plans are underway to restore it as part of Lim Chu Kang Nature Park, set to open in 2022.
Cashin House
Lim Chu Kang
6. Chee Guan Chiang House
Built in 1938 by renowned local architect Ho Kwong Yew, Chee Guan Chiang House was commissioned by Chee Guan Chiang, the son of Malacca-based banking tycoon Chee Swee Cheng. After World War II, it was renamed Leonie House, catering to foreign boarders and tourists. Legal disputes left the accommodation empty since the 1970s. Its facade still exudes an art deco charm, but inside, it's a post-apocalyptic scene, overtaken by trees and graffiti. Surprisingly, this dilapidated structure is estimated to be worth over $400 million due to its prime land location.
Chee Guan Chiang House
25 Grange Rd, Singapore 239699
7. Neo Tiew Estate
A veritable ghost town, Neo Tiew Estate in Lim Chu Kang was built in 1979 but remained vacant since its en-bloc sale in 2002. Occasionally utilized for military exercises by the Singapore Armed Forces, it remains inaccessible to the public.
Neo Tiew Estate (SAF Training Area)
2 Lim Chu Kang Rd, Singapore 710002
8. Keppel Hill Reservoir
Hidden in Mount Faber Forest, Keppel Hill Reservoir traces its origins to 1905 when it served as a private reservoir before becoming a swimming hole in the 1940s. Erased from official maps in 1954, it remained hidden until its rediscovery in 2014. Concrete steps and an old diving board offer glimpses of its past, though accessing it involves trudging through tall ferns and wild grass.
Keppel Hill Reservoir
Keppel Hill
9. Marsiling WWII Tunnel & Naval Base
Deep within the Marsiling jungle, the British-built underground tunnel once stored oil for the Royal Air Force. After Singapore's independence in 1965, it was abandoned. Exploring the tunnel requires determination, as you must navigate dense jungle and enter through a tiny entrance with the aid of a headlight. This underground bunker, a relic of wartime history, awaits those daring enough to uncover its secrets."
Marsiling Tunnels
Admiralty Rd W
Source: https://www.timeout.com/singapore/things-to-do/abandoned-places-in-singapore-and-the-stories-behind-them
