🌀 Did You Know?
Tiong Bahru is one of Singapore’s oldest housing estates… but also one of its trendiest. How does a place built before World War II become the hipster haven of modern Singapore? I went there, wandered its quiet lanes, chatted with long-time residents, and popped into some wildly aesthetic cafés. Let’s just say—it’s got layers.
🏘️ Where Is Tiong Bahru?
Address:
Tiong Bahru Estate, around Seng Poh Road, Kim Pong Road, and Tiong Poh Road, Singapore 160000
Easily accessible by Tiong Bahru MRT (EW17), or just a few stops from Chinatown or Outram Park.
💡 Why Visit Tiong Bahru?
Whether you’re a local looking for nostalgia or a visitor wanting more than the Marina Bay skyline, Tiong Bahru offers something special.
✨ What Makes Tiong Bahru Unmissable?
✔️ Art Deco Architecture
- Built in the 1930s by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT)
- Rounded balconies, spiral staircases, and horizontal lines—perfect for your Instagram grid
- Walking here feels like stepping into a Wes Anderson film, but with kopi and bird songs
✔️ Wall Murals by Yip Yew Chong
- Find beautiful hand-painted scenes capturing kampong life and childhood memories
- Hint: One’s near Tiong Bahru Market!
✔️ Tiong Bahru Market & Hawker Centre
- Chicken rice, chwee kueh, lor mee, roasted delights… locals swear by the eats here
- Pro tip: Come before 11am for shorter queues
✔️ Indie Bookstores & Cafés
- BooksActually, Woods in the Books – for nostalgic reads and local authors
- Tiong Bahru Bakery, Plain Vanilla – fresh bakes and strong coffee (like, real strong)
- You may leave with a book, a bun, and some deep thoughts
✔️ Old-School Meets Modern Cool
- Tailors, provision shops, and incense-scented temples sit beside yoga studios and minimalist art spaces
- It’s where grandma and Gen Z cross paths—and somehow vibe
👣 Trail-Worthy Moments
If you’re walking a neighbourhood trail, Tiong Bahru makes the perfect stop:
- Spot the “aeroplane blocks” – rare flats with rooftop air raid shelters
- Look out for the Seng Poh Garden Dancing Girl sculpture
- Notice the birdsong? You’re not imagining it—Tiong Bahru is still home to songbird enthusiasts who gather in the mornings
❤️ My Honest Take?
It’s hard not to fall for Tiong Bahru. I came for kopi and photos. I left with stories, a tin of old-school biscuits, and a better appreciation for how Singapore preserves its soul.
Tiong Bahru reminds us that history isn’t dusty—it’s delicious, warm, and still alive in the walls of a housing block.
📍Want to Leave Your Mark?
Been here before? Want to explore it like a local again?
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Have a favorite Tiong Bahru memory or makan recommendation?
👇 Drop it in the comments—let’s build a trail of stories, one neighbourhood at a time.
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