Bukit Batok
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Nestled in the western region of Singapore, Bukit Batok boasts a rich history and beautiful landscape. There are various versions regarding the origin of its name, but it is generally believed that Bukit Batok means “coughing hill” because of noisy quarry works in the 1950s.
In the past, Bukit Batok was known for its industrial activities - with prominent factories like the Hume Industries and Ford Motor Works Factory and for granite quarrying activities. Bukit Batok Hill — now part of Bukit Batok Nature Reserve — was the site of the former Poh Hin Granite Quarry. Today, there are two nondescript pillars at the foot of the hill as reminders of the Syonan Chureito shrine.
Home to squatters in the 1960s, Bukit Batok rapidly transformed in the 1970s and 80s with HDB’s public housing expansion plans, replacing kampongs with modern flats, schools, and amenities. By the 1980s, it had become a self-sufficient town with green spaces and strong transport links.
Another prominent landmark is Bukit Batok Town Park or Little Guilin. Its striking granite outcrops and tranquil lake, shaped by decades of quarrying, make it a favourite spot for nature lovers and photographers.
Today, Bukit Batok’s urban planning continues to incorporate green spaces such as the Bukit Batok Nature Corridor which is set to expand. The town is now more pedestrian-friendly, with redesigned streets improving walkability and safety for residents.
From its industrial roots to its modern-day transformation, Bukit Batok exemplifies Singapore’s journey of progress and sustainability.