Let's Go Tour Kampong Buangkok - Last Kampong Standing

Posted by mylilbookworm October 13, 2020

Let's Go Tour Kampong Buangkok - Last Kampong Standing

[Media Invite]

Amidst the skyscrapers and mega highways, Singapore mainland does have a quaint traditional kampong of yesteryear - Kampong Lorong Buangkok. Surprising to all, the kampong is easily accessible via public transport. If you are taking a train, alight at Serangoon MRT station and take bus no. 70 or 103 and alight in front of the Church of St Vincent de Paul. You can also take bus 70 from Yio Chu Kang Bus Interchange and alight opposite the Church of St Vincent de Paul. After that, you just need to take a stroll in. If you drive, park your car at the multi-story car park at Buangkok Parkvista. There is no parking space in the kampong.

The last kampong standing in Singapore mainland may not exist in years to come. It is evidenced by the surrounding private and public residences.

This plot of land was purchased by the late Sng Teow Koon in 1956 and small plots were rented to Malay and Chinese families, with rent as low as $6.50 per month. This plot of land is now manned by Ms Sng, after her father passed on. The kampong now houses about 26 families.

Ms Sng and me

Ms Sng's humble home

As this is a privately owned piece of land, public is not encouraged to trespass. However, Let's Go Tour has collaborated with Ms Sng to arrange educational tours to visit this place as well as a chance to chit-chat with residents and Ms Sng.

Let’s relive the good old days, to find simple pleasures and to revel in nostalgia. Learn about

stories behind the transition process of moving from a kampong to high-rise and the

sacrifices that were made. This tour is great for children, especially those who are in formal education. In this tour, they will get to learn about the considerations, challenges and situations of the past that lead to the development of housing system in Singapore, according to Primary 3 Social Studies textbook. They will also learn about the transition from kampong to high rises in terms of relocation process, upgrade of housing, sacrifices made and progress of the nation. For us, as adults, it allows reminiscent the Good Old Days by revisiting memories of Old Objects and Symbolism of Ideas, playing childhood games like Zero Point and Five Stones, and eating popsicles.

Book Your Tour Early!