Tiong Bahru is the oldest housing estate in Singapore, and when you visit this quaint community, you’ll immediately notice an intriguing mix of old and new.

While many older residents have lived in the shophouses and flats here for decades, the younger generation flocks here for the food, shops, and culture.

Steeped in history

The neighbourhood is one of the hippest places in Singapore today, but it’s also a neighbourhood steeped in fascinating history. The name Tiong Bahru actually means ‘new cemetery’ – Tiong means ‘end’ in the Chinese Hokkien dialect, and bahru means ‘new’ in Malay – because it used to be a burial ground. The lowlands were used to cultivate crops in the 19^th century, while Pearl’s Hill housed a fortification for military personnel.

The neighbourhood’s transformation from swamp to swank began in the 1930s, and some of the landmarks from that era, including the residential blocks, still stand today. Take for instance the Qi Tian Gong Temple. Over nine-decades-old, this place of worship is nicknamed the Monkey God Temple as it’s dedicated to the main character from Chinese literary classic Journey to the West.

A new lease of life

In recent years, Tiong Bahru has experienced further gentrification, with a whole host of trendy tenants moving in. Fancy a coffee and a quick bite? There are lots of cafés to choose from – Tiong Bahru Bakery, Flock and cupcakes specialists Plain Vanilla are just a few of them.

It’s a great place to go for a spot of retail therapy, too. Fashion boutique DGA Threads is a haven for apparel and accessories alike. For all the music lovers out there, Curated Records offers a selection of vinyls, from rare vintage LPs to mainstream hits. 

And if you’re looking to slow things down with a little tranquility, head to homegrown yoga studio, Yoga Movement.

Note: BooksActually is now operating online.