Lower Peirce Reservoir
Photograph: Danny Ye/Shutterstock
Photograph: Danny Ye/Shutterstock

The ultimate guide to Yio Chu Kang

The diverse estate offers plenty of opportunities to immerse in nature, learn about our biodiversity and simply have a good time

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Situated in the north-eastern region of Singapore, Yio Chu Kang may not be as renowned as compared to its illustrious neighbours like Ang Mo Kio, Thomson and Yishun, but this area is within close proximity to numerous hidden gems including a museum that houses over 700 reptiles, a nature park that serves as a conservatory to endangered creatures like the Samba deer and the Sunda pangolin, and a plethora of unrivalled dining spots. Whether you are seeking a respite from the city or looking to embark on a learning journey, Yio Chu Kang has something for everyone. 

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Do

  • Things to do
  • Central Water Catchment

Looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a change? Consider a forest walk followed by a picnic at a quaint spot like Lower Peirce Reservoir Park. Start your walk at Lower Peirce Trail, an easy 900m wooden boardwalk through the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, home to more than 900 flowering plants, 100 ferns and 250 animal species. Visitors may encounter various kinds of wildlife from mammals to birds like the plantain squirrel, long-tailed macaque, and more.

End off your walk with a picnic on a grass patch flanked by the reservoir – if you plan your time properly, you may even be able to watch the sun go down while digging into scrumptious bites. The stunning sunsets are one of the main reasons why people enjoy visiting this park. 

  • Things to do
  • Yishun

Adventure junkies and thrill seekers will want to check out this massive indoor playground located within HomeTeam NS Khatib. Spanning 2,800 sqm, this space houses a whopping 14m-high slide, artificial caves and plenty of free-fall challenges. Notable highlights to try include the Parabolic Slide, and the Skyscraper Walk, which requires participants to make their way up 16 pillars that have been designed to look like skyscrapers – although the pillars look chunky and stable, the pillars actually get shakier the higher you climb.

You can also unleash the inner ninja warrior in you at the Ninja Course, featuring obstacle courses that you see on the television like the warped wall and netted jump hang. Prices start from $69 for an all-access pass on weekdays ($59 if you are a Safra or PAssion member). 

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  • Attractions
  • Ang Mo Kio

If you are thinking of picking up a new sport and leading a healthier lifestyle, this sports centre is a good place to start. Home to nine tennis courts, five squash courts and a gym, you can try out some new racket sports before deciding if it is up your alley, or work on some fitness goals with a personal trainer. The sports centre is also located beside Yio Chu Kang Swimming Complex and Yio Chu Kang Stadium, so you can also choose to clock in some laps at the pool or get your steps in at the track. 

See

  • Museums
  • Yishun
See over 700 reptiles at the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum
See over 700 reptiles at the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum

Go on a learning journey at The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum, which currently holds a Guinness World Record for the largest collection of turtle and tortoise items. Incepted by a father-daughter duo more than two decades ago to showcase their pets, the place is now home to over 700 live turtles and tortoises.

Here, visitors will get to witness many different species, some of which are rare and endangered. Apart from learning more about what these reptiles eat, how long they can live for, and more, visitors will get to feed them and even take photos with them. Some unique species to look out for include the alligator turtle, the radiated tortoise, the sulcata tortoise, the pig nose flying turtle and many more.

  • Things to do
  • Walks and tours
  • Yishun

Continue your learning journey at Yishun Park, home to the Dipterocarp Arboretum, a family of rainforest trees that play a crucial role in our native forests, providing habitats and a source of food for animals residing there. However, many species of these long-lived, slow-growing trees have become critically endangered in our region due to deforestation. With the support of Banyan Tree Holdings Ltd, the Yishun Arboretum, featuring over 800 trees, designed for research and education, was officially opened in 2008, allowing more people to learn more about these trees, their features, uses, and more. 

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  • Things to do
  • Walks and tours
  • Ang Mo Kio

There is plenty to see at this quaint park, home to a rich array of biodiversity and a key conservation site for the critically endangered Raffles’ Banded Langur, a black-and-white monkey native to Singapore. Visitors will also be able to explore the remains of what was once the homes of villages – the site was formerly home to a Hainanese settlement in the 1930s. The village was abandoned in the 1980s, however, many of the original structures still remain.

There are five trails to explore here – the Ruins and Figs Trail will allow visitors to experience what is left of the Hainan Village, while the Stream and Ferns Trail offers a more scenic route. Keep your eyes peeled for exotic aquatic creatures around the stream like the spotted tree frog and endangered Malayan box turtle, as well as a wide variety of bird species hidden in the foliage of the park. 

Eat and Drink

  • Ang Mo Kio

Possibly the most affordable fine dining experience you can find in Singapore, L’Rez, located at Nanyang Polytechnic is a full-service training restaurant run by final year students of the Diploma in Food & Beverage Business course. For just $18, diners will be presented with a three-course menu comprising an entrée, a main and a dessert. We like that the menu changes frequently so there is always something new to look forward to. 

During our visit, we had an exceptional ahi tuna dish comprising tuna tataki, avocado, yuzu pickled vegetables, fried taro and soy glaze, which offered a lovely combination of savoury and tangy flavours. The main course of confit duck leg was also cooked to perfection, served with a side of potato mousseline, ratatouille, and eggplant caviar drizzled with balsamic duck jus. Do note that the restaurant is only open during the academic term. Visit their Facebook page to find out more about their latest offerings. 

  • Italian
  • Serangoon

Despite being around for more than a decade, this Italian establishment, located off Yio Chu Kang Road, continues to draw diners from all around the island. One of the things we really appreciate about this restaurant is consistency – the food is always deftly executed and never disappoints. The pizzas, cooked in a wood-fired oven, are a must-try – the signature pizza Pietro ($25.90), a cream-based pie generously topped with pork sausage, porcini mushroom, cherry tomato, pink peppercorn and rocket salad, is sheer delight, offering a chock-full of flavours.

Cheese lovers will absolutely love the pizza al quattro formaggi ($24.90) and the pizza burrata ($26.90) – the former comprises four different types of cheese: gorgonzola, feta, mozzarella and buffalo, while the latter offers a creamy and stringy burrata, complemented with cherry tomatoes and rocket salad. The pastas are also great for sharing – if you love seafood, the linguine al cartoccio, boasting a variety of shellfish and bivalves such as crayfish, prawns, clams, and more, is a dish you have to order. 

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  • Thai
  • Serangoon

Fans of wanton noodles will want to try this Thai version, boasting springy egg noodles tossed with a variety of homemade ingredients like crispy wantons fried to golden brown perfection, and cured fish sausage. The noodles are served without any sauce but there are various condiments provided like fish oil, chilli flakes and chopped green chillies – feel free to add any of them for a spicy kick. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even supper, the noodles are available in three sizes: regular, large and jumbo.

  • Ang Mo Kio

Run by chef-owner Kelvin Low who has over a decade of culinary experience under his belt, this no-frills dining establishment serves restaurant-quality charcoal-grilled Western fare at pocket-friendly prices. Being an avid meat lover, Kelvin is very particular about the cuts and quality of the meat he uses and is constantly experimenting with different ways to cook them to bring out its best flavours. Some signatures to try include the beef brisket ($7), pork belly ($6) and beef cheek ($15). The pasta is also a hit and goes well with the meats, especially the aglio olio ($4.90), cooked to al dente perfection. Check out their ‘Specials’ menu which offers lots of good options depending on what’s available – some items to look forward to include the rack of Lamb ($88) and Kurobuta pork steak ($16.50). 

More to explore

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