Bishan

Bishan, estate, located in the Central Region, lies between Ang Mo Kio Town, Toa Payoh Town and the Central Water Catchment area. It is a young housing estate made up of two older villages, namely Kampong San Theng and Soon Hock Village. Bishan with three sub-zones, is bounded by Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 to the north, Central Expressway (CTE) to the east, Braddell Road to the south and the Central Water Catchment Area to the west; and inclusive of Kallang River, Bishan has a total area of 743 ha. Modern landmarks are the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC) Marshalling Yard/Depot; Bishan MRT Station next to Junction 8 Complex with Bishan Bus Interchange at Bishan Town Centre; Raffles Institution; Catholic High Primary and Secondary School; Bishan Stadium, Sports Hall and Swimming Complex; and Bishan Regional Park.

Kampong San Theng dates back to more than a century ago. The village and its resulting temple were built by three pioneers of the Kwong Fu, Wai Chow Fu and Siew Hing Fu prefectures in Canton, China. They also set up the Singapore Kwong Wai Siew Free Hospital at Serangoon Road. The Singapore Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng, a charitable organisation by a federation of 16 clans of the Cantonese community in Singapore ran and managed Kampong San Theng. In 1982, the area was redeveloped. Today the Peck San Theng Temple/Columbarium, housing more than 100,000 niches, serve as a gentle reminder of the past. Part of the larger Kampong San Theng, the second village - the Soon Hock Village - is a predominantly Hokkien village, famous for the production of sesame oil and noodles. The Chinese architecture of Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Complex with its temples, funeral parlours, columbarium and niches is an imposing sight along Sin Ming Avenue.



Author
Vernon Cornelius



References
Singapore Urban redevelopment Authority. (1994). Bishan planning area: Planning report 1994 (p. 8). Singapore: The Authority.
(Call no.: RSING 711.4095957 SIN)

Subject
Architecture and Landscape>>Streets and Places
Suburbs--Singapore
Street names--Singapore
Urbanization--Singapore
Law and government>>National development>>Urban development
Arts>>Architecture>>Religious buildings



All Rights Reserved. National Library Board Singapore 2004.