The town of Yishun can be found in District 27 at Singapore’s northeastern region.
(Khatib—part of Yishun’s residential estate. Image courtesy of mailer_diablo.)
The estate is surrounded by the Lower Seletar Reservoir and a small section of the Central Expressway to its east; Yio Chu Kang Road to its south; Lentor Avenue to its west; and Sembawang Road to its west and north.The Lower Seletar Reservoir also cuts the area off at its south.
Yishun comprises sub-zones Springleaf, Nee Soon and Khatib.
The estate was originally named after Lim Nee Soon, a pioneer who led Teochew clan association Poit Ip Huay Kwan, and helped found Chinese High School. A businessman, Lim was also a pineapple and rubber magnate.
Through a government initiative that promoted the use of Mandarin over other Chinese dialects, the town was renamed to Yishun, a romanised Mandarin version of its original name. Authorities later revoked its decision, reinstating the original names of some estates. However, the name ‘Yishun’ has remained ever since.
Live
There are a handful of parks in the vicinity, the largest of which is Yishun Park, located at the heart of the suburb. The park’s lush greenery is paved with footpaths and dotted with rest stops, playgrounds and exercise facilities. Smaller parks in the estate include Yishun Avenue 2 Park, where the only remaining statue of Lim Nee Soon can be found.
The Lower Seletar Reservoir Park provides Yishun residents with scenic views, and opportunities for kayaking and dragon boating.
Other recreational amenities include community centres, public libraries (Yishun Public Library; Nee Soon East Community Children’s Library), country clubs (Safra Yishun Country Club; Orchid Golf & Country Club), a cinema (Yishun 10 Cineplex), and a sports stadium.
With an abundance of primary and secondary schools in the vicinity, Yishun is great for younger families. Yishun Junior College and ITE College Central can also be found here.
Eat
Surprisingly, the unassuming town of Yishun is home to a handful of good food haunts.
For a fragrant and cheap bowl of hearty laksa, head to Yishun Central 1, where a tiny hawker stall by the name of ‘928 Yishun Laksa’ can be found. Those with a hankering for some seafood might like to try out Orchid Live Seafood (No. 1 Bah Soon Pah Road). The restaurant serves up flavourful fried rice, and keeps customers coming back for its lobster porridge.
Drink
Despite its family-friendly environment, there are a couple of watering holes around Yishun. For instance, the rustic kampong atmosphere at Bottle Tree Park (81 Lorong Chencharu) goes well with a jug of beer and some great company.
If you like music to accompany your cocktail, head to one of the Party World KTV outlets around Yishun, or one of the lounges at Orchid Country Club.
Shop
Northpoint Shopping Centre is Yishun’s biggest neighbourhood mall. Conveniently located near Yishun MRT and Bus Interchange,the shopping centre boasts tenants like fashion outlet m)phosis, corporate-chic house G2000, and denim giant Levi’s. Besides apparel offerings, the mall also has a significant proportion of lifestyle retailers such as Baby Spa, Cold Storage Supermarket, and Japan Home.
Yishun 10 Cineplex provides a smaller-scale shopping experience.
Transport
The estate is serviced by Yishun and Khatib MRT stations, both of which are part of the North-South Line. The Yishun Bus Interchange is located near Yishun MRT Station. Seletar Expressway cuts across the estate right below the Lower Seletar Reservoir, but is a distance away from the town’s residential area.
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