Office building of Ang Mo Kio East Town Council, 1988 (Courtesy of Ang Mo Kio Town Council)
Travel enthusiasts and history buffs, get ready to embark on a journey back in time as we explore the vibrant and storied town of Ang Mo Kio in Singapore. From its humble beginnings as “Kow Tiow Kio,” meaning “nine bridges” in Hokkien, to its transformation into a bustling heartland, Ang Mo Kio’s heritage is rich and diverse. Join us as we delve into the fascinating history and culture of this charming town.
In its early days, Ang Mo Kio was known as “Kow Tiow Kio” because travelers had to cross nine bridges spanning tributary streams of the Kallang River to reach from present-day Lorong Chuan to Upper Thomson Road. Over the years, Ang Mo Kio has evolved into a quintessential Singaporean heartland, complete with neighborhoods, lush parks, delectable hawker fare, and the iconic vintage dragon playground along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3. Despite its modernization, the town still carries the spirit of its kampong (village) past.
To preserve and celebrate Ang Mo Kio’s history, the National Heritage Board (NHB) has refreshed the Ang Mo Kio Heritage Trail. This trail offers new stories of the town’s past, shedding light on its transformation from plantations and farmland into a thriving residential and commercial hub. Through fresh research and community interviews, the trail unveils lesser-known facts about landmarks, highlighting the lives and stories of the people who shaped Ang Mo Kio.
The refreshed Ang Mo Kio Heritage Trail covers 40 heritage sites and features 10 heritage markers, including 13 new sites. Among these, you’ll find the Church of Christ the King, the only Catholic church in Ang Mo Kio, and Liuxun Sanhemiao, a joint temple formed by three temples with origins in the former Lak Xun Village. The trail also introduces three thematic routes that explore Ang Mo Kio’s heritage from different angles: Iconic Landmarks, Hidden Heartland Gems, and Scenic Fringes.
What makes this heritage trail even more special is its incorporation of contributions from former and current residents of Ang Mo Kio. Their diverse perspectives and stories provide a unique lens through which to view the town’s history. Ang Mo Kio has always been known for its strong spirit of neighborliness, and these stories reflect the close-knit community that has thrived there.
As Ang Mo Kio evolved from a rural area into an iconic heartland town, it became a place of many firsts. It was one of the first estates built by the Housing & Development Board (HDB), serving as a testing ground for architectural styles, building methods, and pilot initiatives. Block 259, known as the “Clover Block” due to its circular shape, is a testament to this experimentation and remains an iconic landmark.
Ang Mo Kio also played a pioneering role in the establishment of town councils, an institution that has become integral to Singapore. The Ang Mo Kio Town Council, established in 1986, was the first of its kind, leading to the Town Council Act in 1988.
The refreshed trail reveals hidden gems in Ang Mo Kio, including the Church of Christ the King with its significant religious objects and the Ang Mo Kio Joint Temple, which unites the heritage of three temples from former villages.
The trail also uncovers the hidden cache of artworks by Chinese artist Xu Beihong, which were temporarily stored at a local school during World War II.
To make the heritage trail more engaging, three thematic routes have been curated, allowing visitors to explore different aspects of Ang Mo Kio’s history, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems and scenic outskirts.
The Ang Mo Kio Heritage Trail is your gateway to uncovering the rich tapestry of this historic town. You can download the companion guide and map from NHB’s heritage portal or find printed copies in various locations, including community clubs and museums.
All images credit to National Heritage Board.
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