Refreshed heritage trail in Yishun offers two routes for exploration

Yishun's heritage trail has been revitalised with the introduction of two distinct routes designed to showcase the area's rich historical tapestry. The updated trail, unveiled recently, provides visitors with an opportunity to explore the region's past through two unique paths: the Rockets and Reservoirs route and the Yishun Ring route. These routes highlight key aspects of Yishun's history, including its namesake, pioneer Lim Nee Soon, and the legacy of the former Chye Kay Village. The self-guided trail encompasses 17 landmarks, with eight information markers strategically placed throughout the area. Five of these markers are situated at new locations that were previously unmarked on the older Sembawang-Yishun heritage trail, which operated from 2010 until its retirement in 2021. The new standalone Yishun trail illustrates the transformation of the area, from the home of the Orang Seletar, through its days as a hub for rubber and pineapple cultivation, to its current status as Yishun New Town. One notable addition to the trail is the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, located on Yishun Street 22. This Roman Catholic church, originally established in 1926, served the Catholic Tamil and Malayalee dock workers stationed at the Sembawang Naval Base. A permanent church was dedicated in 1953, and the congregation later moved to Yishun in 1992. The architectural design of the church reflects its maritime heritage, capable of accommodating more than 1,500 individuals during services. Another significant new stop on the trail is the Sree Maha Mariamman Temple, a Hindu shrine founded by rubber estate workers in the 1930s within Nee Soon Village. The temple relocated to Yishun in 1997, and its rajagopuram, a grand, ornate golden entrance, was recently restored. The temple continues to play a vital role in uniting Yishun's diverse communities through its annual Aadipoora silver chariot procession. The trail also includes the Masjid Ahmad Ibrahim, the first mosque in Nee Soon Village constructed by Muslim residents in the 1950s, alongside the Spiritual Grace Presbyterian Church, which moved to its current location in 1967, provided by pioneer Lim Nee Soon. Additional marked sites include Gurwara Sahib Yishun, a Sikh place of worship, and several community-serving institutions such as the Nam Hong Siang Theon Mutual Aid Organisation, Ho Pek San Temple, and Seng Pang Tua Pek Kong Temple. Oh Ghim Ho, chairman of the Ho Peck San Temple, shared insights into the temple's growth from a modest hut established in the 1990s to a larger place of worship. Despite this expansion, he noted that the public's devotion to the temple has remained consistent over the years. His father played a crucial role in maintaining the temple and regularly gathered with friends at a local coffee shop to discuss temple-related matters, passing this responsibility down through generations. Reflecting on his childhood experiences around the temple, Oh, who is now 70, expressed nostalgia for the kampong spirit and communal atmosphere that once characterized the area. He reminisced about the simple pleasures of walking around, greeting neighbors, and inquiring about their well-being. A landmark retained from the previous Sembawang-Yishun trail is the former Nee Soon Post Office, situated at the intersection of Upper Thomson, Sembawang, and Mandai roads. Constructed in 1939, this structure stands as the sole surviving pre-war edifice from Nee Soon Village. Currently repurposed as a pet sanctuary, the building preserves its colonial-era architecture, featuring a wall-embedded letterbox adorned with the emblem of the former Telecommunication Authority of Singapore. Before its closure in the 1990s, the post office was a central hub for the village, serving both residents and local businesses. Former Nee Soon resident Asokan Raghavan, 74, recalled using the facility to send letters to friends prior to relocating in 1975. Reflecting on the changes in the area, he remarked on how much things have evolved since his departure.