{"id":29766,"date":"2019-10-10T11:13:10","date_gmt":"2019-10-10T03:13:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/blog\/singapore\/?p=29766"},"modified":"2022-06-13T17:24:12","modified_gmt":"2022-06-13T09:24:12","slug":"a-non-tourist-trap-guide-to-bishan-ang-mo-kio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/a-non-tourist-trap-guide-to-bishan-ang-mo-kio\/","title":{"rendered":"A Non-Tourist Trap Guide to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Bishan New Town began construction in 1983, and remains one of the first towns to deviate from the brutalist designs of the towns from the past. The variety of height, design and architecture of each development creates the familiar Bishan skyline that we recognize today, and is home to the northern part of the Central Region of Singapore that consists of Upper Thomson, Bishan East and Marymount.<\/p>\n

What was once undeveloped, uninhabited swamp areas prior to the 1970s is now the highly commercialised and urbanised North-East region of Singapore known as Ang Mo Kio. The vastness of residential areas and parks within Ang Mo Kio makes it one of the most populated planning areas in the region. And to bridge these two prominent portions of Singapore lies the iconic Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, reestablished in 2012 to cater to both residents living in Bishan and Ang Mo Kio.<\/p>\n

Places to Visit\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park Bridges <\/strong><\/p>\n

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It won\u2019t come as a surprise if this scene is unfamiliar to you. These three stone-built bridges lined together to form a semi-circle brings forth a peculiar element of wonder to the otherwise open nature of the park. What\u2019s more enticing lies below these bridges, where the stone work continues down to form a serene hideout enclosed by the timeless archways created by each bridge. The architecture and greenery of this strange location transports one to a fantasy-like world of organic beauty and tranquillity, serving as the perfect place for meditation and quality alone time to escape the stresses of busy Singapore.<\/p>\n

The Clock Playground <\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Subtly concealed by the glitz and glam of the highly popularized Juntion8, the famous clock playground patiently lies sandwiched in between the Bishan bus interchange and an old food court. The Clock Playground, built in the early eighties, features vibrant and colourful mosaic textiles built on an alarm clock with large hands stretching out to form the foundations of a green ladder and a blue slide. This playground is one of many in a series of old playgrounds from the eighties that provides us with a glimpse of childhood life of the generations before us. Although it has generally become less popular of an attraction to kids of the 21st Century, this playground still maintains itself as a valuable piece of representation to the Singapore identity.<\/p>\n

Ang Mo Kio Joint Temple<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Completed in 2011, the Ang Mo Kio Joint Temple was built from the foundations of three older temples named Kong Lim Kong, Kim Eang Tong and Leng San Giam. These temples were established from as early as the late 1880s and are rich in history and culture, their Teochew, Hainanese and ancestors from the Fujian province being brought together to create the now fully established Joint Temple. Be it believer or non-believer, the temple\u2019s traditional Chinese structure and design and the extravagant statues of deities should surely become an explosion of culture appreciation.<\/p>\n

What to Eat\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Grub <\/strong><\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re on an evening stroll through Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park, you are bound to catch the wafting aroma of traditional American food coming from this restaurant. Open as an all day breakfast, cafe and burgers diner, Grub is well-known among residents of Bishan and Ang Mo Kio for its Western-Japanese fusion burgers that offer up a symphony of flavour with every bite. The diner\u2019s hip and modern decor with a phenomenal view of lush greenery and nature outside also serves to captivate those in search for an adventure through original and inspired food, or even just the everyday passerby like you and me. Their menu includes very interesting concept food such as:<\/p>\n

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