Yishun

Yishun, formerly known as Nee Soon, is a residential town located in the northeastern corner of the North Region of Singapore, bordering Simpang and Sembawang to the north, Mandai to the west, the Central Water Catchment to its southwest, Ang Mo Kio to its south, as well as Seletar and Sengkang to its east.

Yishun
Other transcription(s)
 • Chinese义顺
 • PinyinYì shùn
 • MalayYishun
 • Tamilயீஷூன்
From top left to right: Aerial view of Khatib, Masjid Ahmad Ibrahim, Lower Seletar Reservoir, Aerial view of flats in Yishun, Khatib MRT station
Yishun
Location of Yishun within Singapore
Coordinates: 1°25′49.32″N 103°50′7.31″E
Country Singapore
RegionNorth Region
CDC
Town councils
  • Ang Mo Kio Town Council
  • Nee Soon Town Council
  • Sembawang Town Council
Constituencies
Government
 • MayorCentral Singapore CDC

North West CDC

 • Members of ParliamentAng Mo Kio GRC

Nee Soon GRC

Sembawang GRC

Area
 • Total21.24 km2 (8.20 sq mi)
 • Residential3.98 km2 (1.54 sq mi)
Population
 (2019)[1][3][4]
 • Total220,320
 • Density10,000/km2 (27,000/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Official
  • Yishun resident

Unofficial

  • Yishunian
Postal districts
26, 27, 28
Dwelling units56,698
Projected ultimate84,000

Etymology

The name Yishun (traditional Chinese: 義順; simplified Chinese: 义顺) is a Mandarin romanisation of Lim Nee Soon (Chinese: 林義順)), a prominent industrialist who made his fortune from the rubber and pineapple plantations he had in the area.[5]

Lim Nee Soon was also a banker, contractor and general commission agent. He was the first general manager of the Bukit Sembawang Rubber Company Limited, formed in 1908. Nee Soon and Company was formed in 1911.

Nee Soon was one of the pioneers that opened up Sembawang. He served on the Rural Board from 1913 to 1921 and was also appointed a Justice of Peace. In the field of education, he was one of the founders of Chinese High School and was a member of the Raffles College Committee. Nee Soon Road was officially named in 1950 by the Rural Board to facilitate postal services. Several roads in Yishun are named after his business concerns and family members. Nee Soon was a leading member of the Teochew clan association poit ip huay kwan, and a close friend of Dr Sun Yat Sen.

The name Nee Soon was one of those changed at the height of the campaign to replace dialect names with Mandarin ones. While the government later revoked some of its decisions and reinstated names like Bukit Panjang (for Zhenghua), Yishun remained unchanged and is now the name attached to streets, roads, parks and many amenities.

Development

Yishun planning area is divided into sub-zones namely Khatib, Lower Seletar, Nee Soon, North Land, Springleaf, Yishun Central, Yishun East, Yishun South and Yishun West. Springleaf and Nee Soon subzones are private housing estate in Yishun.

The development of Yishun started in 1976 with the first HDB apartments being built at the Chong Pang area. Yishun Neighbourhood 1 was developed in 1981, followed by Neighbourhood 7 and Neighbourhood 2. Neighbourhood 6, 8 and 9 were developed in 1987, together with the Town Centre. Neighbourhood 3 and 4 followed slightly later in 1992. Construction of Neighbourhood 5 was started in 2009 and was completed in 2015. Within the Yishun vicinity, 8 of its neighbourhoods are allocated for construction of HDB apartments namely Yishun Neighbourhood 1 (Yishun North), Yishun Neighbourhood 2 (Taman Yishun), Yishun Neighbourhoods 3, 4 and 5 (Yishun East), Yishun Neighbourhood 6 and 9 (Yishun Central), Yishun Neighbourhood 7 (Yishun West), and Yishun Neighbourhood 8 (Yishun South).

Amenities

Shopping Malls
  • Northpoint City - The largest shopping mall in the North, it is located beside Yishun MRT station. Previously known as Northpoint Shopping Centre, it underwent its first expansion which was completed in 2010. It included a new building connected to the main shopping mall built on a plot of land next to it. The expansion increased the square footage of Northpoint Shopping Centre and had more shops as well. Additionally, Yishun community library moved to its new location, at the top floor of Northpoint Shopping Centre. The shopping centre was opened in 1992 making it the first modern sub-urban mall in a major housing estate (new town). Currently, sub-urban malls are almost a standard feature in all housing estates. Northpoint Shopping Centre was then renamed Northpoint Ciiy. After undergoing a massive expansion, it is the first shopping mall in Singapore which includes an Integrated Transport Hub (ITH), a condominium called North Park Residences, a Yishun Public library, connection to Yishun MRT station and Nee Soon Central community club. The latest expansion brings the number of shops and restaurants to 500.
  • Junction Nine - The first mixed development in Yishun. Situated at the junction of Yishun Ring Road and Yishun Avenue 9, Junction Nine is a seven-minute walk away from Yishun MRT station with Sheng Shiong Supermarket as one of its anchor tenants.[6]
  • Wisteria Mall - Opened on 28 July 2018, Wisteria Mall is the only heartland mall in the southern part of a mature Yishun estate. Wisteria Mall has Fairprice Finest supermarket and Kopitiam food court as its anchor tenants.[7][8]

Neighbourhood Centres/ Eateries
  • Chong Pang City - Chong Pang City is located in Neighbourhood 1. It has a collection of shophouses, a hawker centre and a market. There are small and family-run businesses, as well as major retailers such as a Giant supermarket, CK department store, McDonald's, Watson's and Guardian pharmacy, and 7-Eleven. Chong Pang City was the largest neighbourhood centre in Yishun until the opening of Northpoint Shopping Centre and Yishun 10.
  • Neighbourhood Centres - There are various neighbourhood centres such as Nee Soon East (Neighbourhood 2) and Khatib Central (Neighbourhood 8). A typical "heartland" neighbourhood centre would consist of stores such as provision stores, eateries (commonly called coffee shops), supermarket chains, mini-marts, clinics, local banks, and salons. In the last few decades, fast food outlets like McDonald's as well as pharmacies have opened in these areas.
  • Yishun Park Hawker Centre - Operated by the Timbre Group, the Yishun Park Hawker Centre at Yishun Avenue 11 opened on 20th Sep 2017. Familiar names at the 800-seater hawker centre include Chit Chaat Chai and Fishball Story, which also have outlets at Timbre+ in one-north. The hawker centre has family-friendly features such as a play area, and a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tray return system. It also has top-up kiosks for cashless payments and is due to host arcade games and pinball machines, as well as weekend activities for community bonding.[9]

Hotel
  • Orchid Golf & Resort Hotel - OCC Hotel is a 75-room hotel in Singapore with breath-taking panoramic views of the Aranda Course and Seletar Reservoir. Furnished with elegant interiors and a modern design, with comfortable amenities all within reach, the hotel caters to a much-needed getaway for guests to relax and rejuvenate.[10]

Museum
  • The Live Turtle & Tortoise Museum - The only turtle museum in Singapore is located in Yishun. This museum hold the Guinness Book of Records for the largest collection of turtles and tortoises, both live and artifacts.[11]

Leisure Areas
  • ORTO - Formerly known as the Bottle Tree Park, it is Singapore's First 24 Hour Multi Recreational Leisure Park. This 24 recreational leisure park allows you to be engaged in activities such as prawning, freshwater sports fishing, longkang fishing, jump at Katapult Trampoline Park, drift karting at Maximum Drift Karting Arena, paintball games at Red Dynasty Paintball Park and kick the ball with Uber Sports Futsal. Additionally, ORTO caters for corporate events and weddings.[12]
  • Ground-Up-Initiative (GUI) Kampung Kampus - Boast activities ranging from farming programmes, craft workshops and even camping! This is a family friendly place that is a must to visit.[13]

Learning Spaces
  • Yishun Public Library - Previously named Yishun Community Library, it was located at Yishun Street 22 and has since relocated to Northpoint City and renamed Yishun Public Library. and now features a larger floor area to cater to the different needs of the Yishun population, with books for both children and adults.
  • Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre - Houses areas for youth to flourish. Amenities include plant-based cafe and artisan bakery, Wellness Studio, Arts Studio, Makerspace, Sustainable Workshops, Bookstore cafe, Multi-purpose hall equipped with AV and lighting, Co-working space, Study Area, Classrooms, Youth Volunteer Room, Counselling Rooms and Office Space/Pantry/Conference Room.[14]

Places of Worship

Chinese Temples
  • Chee Leng Lian He Miao (慈靈聯合廟) - Chee Hoon Sun Kong (慈云山宫) & Cheow Leng Beo (昭灵庙)
  • Chong Pang Combined Temple (忠邦联合宫) - Kew Ong Yah(汫水港斗母宫), Hong San See(汫水港凤山寺), Kwang Tee Miao(关帝庙) and Hwa Poh Siang Tng(华报善堂) & Fook Poon Tong(复本堂)
  • Chu Siang Wah Sua Temple (聚善华山宫) - Chu Siang Tong (聚善堂) & Wah Sua Keng (华山宫)
  • Hwee San Temple (橫山廟) - Phua Clan Temple, founded in 1907
  • Hock Huat Keng Combined Temple (福发宫) - Hup Choon Kek Hock Huat Keng (合春格福发宫), Tian Hock Dian (天福殿) & Tiow Hoon Tien (朝云殿)
  • Nam Hong Siang Theon (南凤善堂)
  • Teong Siew Wei Ling Dong Shan Temple (长袖威灵东山联合庙) - Teong Siew Kuan (長秀馆), Wei Ling Keng (威靈宫) & Dong Shan Temple (東山廟)
  • Yishun United Temple (义顺镇联合庙) - Guan Loong Sheng Temple (元龍聖廟), Chern Nam Kong Siew Temple (镇南庙广寿堂) & Soon Say Keng Reservoir Tua Pek Kong (顺西宫水池林)

Churches
  • Evangel Family Church
  • Our Lady Star of The Sea Catholic Church
  • Sembawang Tamil Methodist Church
  • Spiritual Grace Presbyterian Church
  • Yishun Christian Church

Hindu Temples
  • Holy Tree Sri Balasubramaniyar Temple
  • Sree Maha Mariamman Temple
  • Sree Veeramuthu Muneeswarar Temple - part of Hock Huat Keng Combined Temple (福发宫)

Mosques
  • Masjid Ahmad Ibrahim
  • Masjid Darul Makmur

Sikh Temple
  • Gurdwara Sahib Yishun

Memorial Park
  • Teochew Memorial Park (潮州公墓) - Teochew Memorial Park is the final resting place for about 20,000 cremated remains of Teochew pioneers. It was set up in Yishun to house those unclaimed remains relocated from numerous Teochew cemeteries that were excavated. The 6-acre Memorial Park – also known as ‘Guang De Shan’ (广德山) – is leased by Ngee Ann Kongsi from the government for 30 years. Annually, Ngee Ann Kongsi and other Teochew organisations will conduct ancestral worship service and various rites at the Memorial Park.[15]

Medical Facilities

Initially named Northern General Hospital, the new general hospital was named Khoo Teck Puat Hospital after receiving a S$125 million donation from the late Mr Khoo's family. Spanning over 3.5 hectares in the Yishun Central Area, the 590-bed general and acute care hospital is managed by Alexandra Health System. Opened in June 2010, KTPH offers a comprehensive range of medical services and specialist care to the community in the north. It overlooks the scenic Yishun Pond.

  • Yishun Polyclinic

Yishun Polyclinic was located at 30 Yishun Central beside Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and is managed by National Healthcare Group Polyclinic (NHGP).[17] It moved to a new location opposite Nee Soon East Community Club in 2018.

  • Yishun Community Hospital

The new Yishun Community Hospital (YCH)[18] with about 425 beds provides sub-acute, rehabilitative, dementia and palliative care for patients. Opened in December 28, 2015, YCH receives post-surgical, post-stroke patients and patients who are recovering from medical illnesses/trauma from the neighbouring Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), other acute hospitals and nursing homes.

  • Khatib Polyclinic (Opening in 2023)[19]
  • Other Private Clinics and Dental Clinics

Currently, the Yishun estate is well served by the Yishun Polyclinic as well as many private medical clinics and dental clinics situated at void decks

Country Clubs
SAFRA Yishun Country Club
  • SAFRA Yishun Country Club - SAFRA Yishun Country Club is a country club owned by SAFRA, which aims to build morale and camaraderie amongst NSmen in Singapore. The club was opened in 2001.[20] It also has a wide range of amenities like a Bowling centre, Gym, Tennis court, Adventure Sports Centre (Rock Climbing), Western and Chinese restaurants, Swimming Pool and a Karaoke Centre. To create various choices among NSmen, SAFRA Yishun Country Club is destined as an Adventure Sports Hub within the group of SAFRA club houses.
  • Orchid Country Club - Opened in 1993[21] is located near the scenic Seletar Reservoir. The club aims to improve the social status of its members. Activities there include Paintball. There is also a Chinese restaurant, Bowling alley. Member facilities include a gym, swimming pool, golf driving range as well as tennis courts. They also offer accommodations as well for staycations.
  • Seletar Country Club - Seletar Country Club was opened in 1930. It is strategically located on a hill overlooking the Lower Seletar Reservoir and the Orchid Country Club. Although the country club is named after Seletar, Seletar Country Club is in Yishun planning area according to URA Masterplan.
  • HomeTeamNS Khatib - Yishun Country Club is slated to be opened in 2020 will be replacing an existing one in Sembawang. It will feature indoor sports and recreational facilities.[22]

Transport

Bus Interchange

Yishun Integrated Transport Hub
Main article: Yishun Bus Interchange

The old Yishun Bus Interchange was built in 1987 and was closed on 14 March 2015 serving 28 years of service to Singapore residents so as to make way for Northpoint City. The Yishun Temporary Bus Interchange was later opened at a land parcel adjacent to Golden Village Yishun. This interchange operated throughout the construction of the Integrated Transport Hub where it was being built at the old site of the Yishun Bus Interchange.[23] On 8 September 2019, the newly constructed air-conditioned Yishun Integrated Transport Hub (ITH) officially opened its doors facilitating the integration of Yishun Bus Interchange, Northpoint City, North Park Residences, Nee Soon Central Community Club and Yishun MRT station.

Mass Rapid Transit Stations

Yishun MRT Station
Main article: Yishun MRT station

Yishun MRT Station (NS13) is an elevated Mass Rapid Transit station on the North South Line in Yishun, Singapore. The station used to be the terminus of the line between 1988 and 1996 until the North South Line Woodlands Extension was completed and opened on 10 February 1996. But currently, certain train services would terminate at this station for the short trip between Yishun and Marina South Pier, which only operates during morning peak hours and early evening hours for weekdays, and late evening hours on all days.

Khatib MRT Station
Main article: Khatib MRT station

Located south of Yishun MRT Station on the North South Line, it was formerly named Nee Soon South MRT Station, it was renamed to Khatib on January 1987 after Sungei Khatib Bongsu, a river nearby, and a military base nearby, along with Yishun MRT Station which was initially named Nee Soon.

Springleaf MRT Station
Main article: Springleaf MRT station

Springleaf MRT station is on the Thomson-East Coast MRT Line and would be located next to the row of 2-storey shophouses along Upper Thomson Road. When completed, this station will serve the nearby housing estate of Springside and Nee Soon army camp. The tracks between this station and Woodlands South are the longest on the Line.

Parks, Gardens and other Recreational Facilities

3 major parks:

  • Yishun Park (managed by National Parks Board)– a 13 ha park in the centre of the housing estate. Used to be a rubber estate, it is thickly covered with natural vegetation. Part of the land was developed into the SAFRA Yishun Country Club.
  • Lower Seletar Reservoir Park (managed by NParks and PUB)– this small 3 ha park at the southern edge of the housing estate bordering the northern edge of the reservoir. Under the PUB's Active, Beautiful, Clean Water for all (ABC) programme, there are plans to open up the reservoir to more water sports. Currently there is a smaller water sports rental facility, and occasionally there are dragon boat competitions held there. Viewing benches, riderside deck and possibly a stage will be in the works if the project take off.
  • Khatib Bongsu Nature Park: Khatib Bongsu Nature Park was initially an old Kampong estate. It was the most recent kampong to be demolished, in 2007. It is situated near the mouth of Sungei Khatib.[24] On 4 March 2020, it was announced by the government that Khatib Bongsu Nature Park will be the new nature park covering 40ha by 2030 as part of government efforts to revitalise Singapore’s biodiversity. The area is rich with mangrove and mudflat habitat.[25]

Small Parks:

  • Yishun Neighbourhood Park- Bounded by Yishun Ave 2, Ave 7 and St 22 and featuring an open lawn for picnics and facilities such as fitness corner and playgrounds.
  • Nee Soon East Park– Located opposite Block 407 Yishun Avenue 6. Facilities include a basketball court and fitness corner.
  • Yishun Pond Park- Located along Yishun Central, in front of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. Features a spiral tower where visitors can get a bird's eye view of the area.
  • Yishun Park Neighbourhood 8- Located at Blk 810 Yishun Ring Rd. Facilities include fitness corner, playground and a running track.
  • Yishun Nature Park- Located at 329 Yishun Ring Road has a basketball court, playground and exercise corner.
  • Rower's Bay Park- Located at Seletar Club Road
  • Yishun Green Link- Located at Yishun Street 61
  • Rockridge Park- Located at Yishun Street 51
  • Springside Park- Located at Springside Place
  • Springleaf Nature Park- Located at 1230 Upper Thomson Road
  • Oasis Waterpark @ Nee Soon East[26]

Yishun Park Connector:

  • The Yishun Park Connector Network links the Khatib Bongsu Park Connector to the Canberra Park Connector, passing through the Simpang Kiri Park Connector and Canberra-Sembawang Park Connector, and running by Yishun Swimming Complex.[27]

Sports Facilities

Located at the Southern end of the town, the Yishun Stadium was opened on 2 January 1992. In 1993, it played host to the Karate event during the 1993 SEA Games in Singapore. In 1996, it was the home ground for the Sembawang Rangers FC in the S-league. Eventually the team was dropped from the league in 2003. Later on, it hosted the Young Lions in 2005 season, Sporting Afrique FC in 2006 season and currently it is the home for Korean Super Reds FC for the 2007 season. Other than the main stadia with the soccer field and 8-lanes running track, it also houses a ClubFitt gym. The sport hall seats 800 people and it can be use for badminton, basketball or other indoor sports. In 2020, Yishun Sports Hall will be undergoing upgrading works. It will have two covered tennis and multi-sport courts, new cafeteria, air-conditioned table tennis area, a bigger dance studio and bigger gym.

  • Yishun Swimming Complex

Opened in 1988, it has a competition pool (with 430 seating), a children pool and a training pool. Together with Yishun Sports Hall, it will be undergoing upgrading works in 2020.

  • Nee Soon Sports Centre[28]

The Nee Soon Sports Centre, managed by FutsalArena, is envisioned to be the hub for healthy-lifestyle activities. Built amidst lush greenery surrounding Yishun Pond, the Sports Centre is located just two-minutes away from Yishun Bus Interchange by foot. Its proximity makes it extremely accessible to Yishun residents as well as futsal enthusiasts from other parts of Singapore. The Arena has 5 futsal courts and 3 basketball courts. It operates from 9am to 1am daily.

Industrial Park

The Yishun Industrial Park is a small industrial park situated between Avenues 6 and 7 which comprises some well known companies such as Murata, Philips Lumileds, Agilent, Avago Technologies, ATS, ASM-Frontend, STATS, Inc. and many other smaller companies. Commercial buildings like A’Posh Bizhub, Northpoint Bizhub, North Spring Bizhub, YS- One and North View Bizhub can be found at the Yishun Industrial Park. It can be reached by Bus service 811 from the Yishun Bus Interchange.

Educational Institutions

There are 10 primary schools, 9 secondary schools, a junior college, Yishun Junior College, and an International School, Gems World Academy


Politics
Halimah Yacob, the 8th and current President of Singapore, lives in Yishun.

Yishun was a large, single-member constituency starting in Seletar but later hived into Sembawang and along with a dedicated namesake Nee Soon SMC on later years. When the GRC scheme was introduced in 1988, its population size was enough to form into Ang Mo Kio and Sembawang GRC, as well as two smaller SMCs. By 2011, Nee Soon had its dedicated GRC spanning most of Yishun.

The entire Yishun was helmed by the current ruling party, People's Action Party (PAP) on its lifetime except on years between 1963 and 1968 where it was helmed by Barisan Sosialis, a party formed from a fraction of former PAP members, and from 1991 to 1997 with ex-Singapore Democratic Party member (now National Solidarity Party) Cheo Chai Chen. Notable members of parliament that oversees the Yishun area also include current Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam (which oversees the subregion of Chong Pang), current Education Minister Ong Ye Kung (oversees the Eastern Yishun), and Er Lee Bee Wah (oversees the southern subregion of Khatib and Lower Seletar Reservoir).

Outside of politics, a member of parliament and is the 8th and current President of Singapore, Halimah Yacob, was a resident of Yishun. Hui Shiu-hung, a veteran Hong Kong actor, was also a resident.[29]

References
  1. "Yishun (Planning Area, Singapore) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  2. "FlipViewer Xpress". www10.hdb.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  3. "Land Area and Dwelling Units by Town". Data Singapore. 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  4. "Statistics Singapore - Geographic Distribution - 2018 Latest Data". Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  5. "Yishun New Town". Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  6. "Junction Nine (9) & Nine Residences". Junction Nine (9) & Nine Residences, Yishun. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  7. "Wisteria Mall". www.wisteriamall.com.sg. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  8. "Yishun: Investment Hotspot, The Wisteria Features - AsiaOne BrandInsider". The Wisteria. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  9. "Yishun Park Hawker Centre run by Timbre opens for business". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  10. skram@euphern. "Book Affordable Staycation Packages | Orchid Golf & Resort Hotel Singapore". Orchid Country Club. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  11. "Museum | The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum of Singapore | Singapore". The Live Turtle & To. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  12. "About ORTO - ORTO". ORTO. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  13. "Homepage - Ground-Up Initiative (GUI) Kampung Kampus". Ground-Up Initiative. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  14. "Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre". Tzu Chi Singapore. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  15. Teochew Memorial Park
  16. "Khoo Teck Puat Hospital Singapore - KTPH". www.ktph.com.sg. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  17. "National Healthcare Group Polyclinic".
  18. "Yishun Community Hospital". www.yishunhospital.com.sg. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  19. "Six new polyclinics by 2023, with up to six more by 2030".
  20. "Safra Key Milestones".
  21. "Orchid Country Club Beginnings". Archived from the original on 21 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  22. "Home Team Launches NS50 Celebrations and Unveils Plans to Build Three New HomeTeamNS Clubhouses". Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  23. Yishun Temporary Bus Interchange opens on 14 March 2015.
  24. Singapore, Remember. "Khatib Bongsu". Remember Singapore. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  25. hermesauto (4 March 2020). "Parliament: More nature parks, park connectors as Singapore transforms into city in nature in next decade". The Straits Times. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  26. hermes (9 June 2019). "Free community water park for children opens in Yishun". The Straits Times. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  27. "Yishun Park Connector".
  28. Arena, Futsal. "Futsal Arena Futsal Courts". FutsalArena @ Yishun. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  29. "Veteran Hong Kong actor Benz Hui to become a resident of Yishun".

Sources
  • Victor R Savage, Brenda S A Yeoh (2003), Toponymics – A Study of Singapore Street Names, Eastern Universities Press, ISBN 981-210-205-1
  • SAFRA Online. (2006). About SAFRA. Retrieved on 5 April 2007.
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