Mention Singapore and most people would immediately associate it with skyscrapers and high-rise flats, But what if we told you that you can still find a kampong (village) beyond the bustling city? Enter Kampong Lorong Buangkok, mainland Singapore's last village that has withstood the test of time. There's no better time to rediscover Singapore's hidden gems and visit Kampong Lorong Buangkok than now! In case you're wondering, the kampong is still home to 26 families.
Credit: Kampong Lorong Buangkok on Facebook
Interesting history
The kampong has been around since 1956 when the land was acquired by a traditional medicine seller, Sng Teow Koon. He then rented out plots of land to Malay and Chinese families for them to build houses and settled there. The kampong is also known as Kampong "Selak Kain" as there were plenty of flash floods in the area and the villagers had to "selak" their sarong (hitch up their sarong) to avoid getting drenched.
P.S. Find more hidden gems in Singapore in our article!
Credit: Kampong Lorong Buangkok on Facebook
How to get to Kampong Lorong Buangkok
To get to the kampong, you can enter Lorong Buangkok via Buangkok Crescent or Gerald Drive (off Yio Chu Kang Road). The entrance to the kampong is quite inconspicuous except for a small signboard which states the name of the kampong. If you're entering from Buangkok Crescent, you will pass by dozens of new HDB flats. If you're coming from Gerald Drive, you'll be able to spot the entrance to the North East Riverine Loop park connector before turning right into Lorong Buangkok. Fun fact: You can cycle here from Punggol Waterway Park and Coney Island using the park connector!
The kampong today
As you'd expect, visiting the kampong is like travelling through time. Life is slower-paced and the families living here seem to be a tight-knit community. Personally, I've been to the kampong twice and once when I was there, a Malay family actually offered me some rambutans and I managed to strike a conversation with them ? I've also seen villagers hanging out at their patios and drinking kopi. The vibe here is really warm and friendly and truly reflects the "kampong spirit" where there's a sense of camaraderie between villagers.
Turns out, the land is now owned by Sng Mui Hong, the daughter of Sng Teow Koon who bought it back in 1956. According to The Straits Times, the other families living here still pay rent to her, ranging from just $4.50 to $30 per month!
There's even a small surau (prayer hall) here called Surau Al-Firdaus. However, due to COVID-19, access to the surau may be limited. If you're planning to visit this kampong, do note that it is still a residential area so do be very mindful when taking photos.
In the past, plans were floated to redevelop the area but the government has said that the kampong will only be redeveloped "several decades later". As of now, the only other village in Singapore is in Pulau Ubin.
Sign up for a tour to hear more kampong stories
If you want to find out more about the stories of Kampong Lorong Buangkok or even meet the residents, you can sign up for a Kampong Experience tour organised by Let's Go Tour. In the 2-hour private tour, you'll get to learn the history of the kampong, interact with residents, play old-school games and more! Check out their website to find out more.
Halal food nearby
Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Cuisine: Indonesian
Opening hours: Tue-Sat; 7.30AM-8PM, Sun; 7.30AM-7.30PM (closed on Mon)
Address: 51 Hougang Ave 9, Stall #01-40, Singapore 538776
Arnold's Fried Chicken
Halal status: Halal-certified
Cuisine: Western
Opening hours: Daily; 11AM-10PM
Address: 21 Hougang Street 51, #01-49 Green Shopping Mall, Singapore 538719
Zilan Nasi Ayam
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Cuisine: Malay
Opening hours: Sun-Wed; 10.30AM-6.30PM (Closed Thursday, Friday)
Address: Blk 684 Hougang Ave 8, #01-1348 Hougang Park Food Station, Singapore 530684
Check out more halal food nearby in our Hougang, Sengkang and Punggol halal food guide!
So, if you're looking to explore another side of Singapore, take a walk down memory lane and check out Kampong Lorong Buangkok! We certainly hope that the kampong will be preserved for a long time to come so that our future generations can have a peek into how life was like in Singapore back in the day.