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.
Etymology
The name Yishun is a Mandarin romanisation of Lim Nee Soon, a prominent industrialist who made his fortune from the rubber and pineapple plantations he had in the area.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 s 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, 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 Neighbourhood 2, Yishun Neighbourhoods 3, 4 and 5, Yishun Neighbourhood 6 and 9, Yishun Neighbourhood 7, and Yishun Neighbourhood 8.
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. Currently, sub-urban malls are almost a standard feature in all housing estates. Northpoint Shopping Centre was then renamed Northpoint City. After undergoing a massive expansion, it is the first shopping mall in Singapore which includes an Integrated Transport Hub, 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.
- 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.
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 and Khatib Central. A typical "heartland" neighbourhood centre would consist of stores such as provision stores, eateries, 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
- Ground-Up-Initiative 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.
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.
Places of Worship
Chinese Temples
- Chee Leng Lian He Miao - Chee Hoon Sun Kong & Cheow Leng Beo
- Chong Pang Combined Temple - Kew Ong Yah, Hong San See, Kwang Tee Miao and Hwa Poh Siang Tng & Fook Poon Tong
- Chu Siang Wah Sua Temple - Chu Siang Tong & Wah Sua Keng
- Hwee San Temple - Phua Clan Temple, founded in 1907
- Hock Huat Keng Combined Temple - Hup Choon Kek Hock Huat Keng, Tian Hock Dian & Tiow Hoon Tien
- Nam Hong Siang Theon
- Teong Siew Wei Ling Dong Shan Temple - Teong Siew Kuan, Wei Ling Keng & Dong Shan Temple
- Yishun United Temple - Guan Loong Sheng Temple, Chern Nam Kong Siew Temple & Soon Say Keng Reservoir Tua Pek Kong
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
Mosques
- Masjid Ahmad Ibrahim
- Masjid Darul Makmur
Sikh Temple
- Gurdwara Sahib Yishun
Memorial Park
- Teochew Memorial Park - 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’ – 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.
Medical Facilities
- Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
- Yishun Polyclinic
- Yishun Community Hospital
- Khatib Polyclinic
- Other Private Clinics and Dental Clinics
Country Clubs
- 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. It also has a wide range of amenities like a Bowling centre, Gym, Tennis court, Adventure Sports Centre, 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. It will be undergoing upgrading works and renovations in 2020.
- Orchid Country Club - Opened in 1993 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.
Transport
Bus Interchange
Yishun Integrated Transport Hub
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. On 8 September 2019, the newly constructed air-conditioned Yishun Integrated Transport Hub 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
Yishun MRT station 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
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, a river nearby, and a military base nearby, along with Yishun MRT station which was initially named Nee Soon.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 – 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 – 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 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. 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.
- 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
- 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.
Sports Facilities
- Yishun Stadium and Sports Hall:
- Yishun Swimming Complex
- Nee Soon Sports Centre
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 AcademyPolitics
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 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 Cheo Chai Chen. Notable members of parliament that oversees the Yishun area also include current Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, current Education Minister Ong Ye Kung and Derrick Goh, and Carrie Tan.
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.