After visiting Kampong Lorong Buangkok with TLC Adventure Tours, we headed down to Thomson Nature Park to see the ruins from The Lost Hainan Village.
The Lost Hainan Village contains the ruins of a once-vibrant Hainan community in 1930s to 1980s. They were some of the last migrants to settle in Singapore.
The Hainan Village was located between Lorong Pelita and Jalan Belang, off Old Upper Thomson Road.
In the sixties and seventies, Old Upper Thomson Road was well-known as a racing circuit for the popular Singapore Grand Prix. The stretch of road is especially difficult to navigate with many turns, causing many road accidents. This is why Old Upper Thomson Road is one of the most haunted places in Singapore.
Belang means “stripes” in Malay, which refers to the wild tigers that once roamed this island. Pelita means “light” in Malay.
Hainan Village residents enjoyed the beautiful natural landscape and the meandering stream that flowed between twin hillocks. The residents visited each other regularly and the children played with toys made with natural materials found in the village such as catapults and kites.
The residents wanted a better life so they worked tirelessly and tenaciously. Many second-generation villagers achieved success in studies, professional careers, academia, business and sports.
There were around 500 residents from 80 families living in the Hainan Village. Today, all that is left of the Hainan Village are ruins of concrete walls and structures. These ruins have been hidden and consumed by nature for several decades.
Now you can view these ruins at Thomson Nature Park and try to imagine this forgotten bit of Singapore’s history.
Thomson Nature Park
How to get there: Bus 138, 138A, 167,169, 860, 980: alight at Upper Thomson Road (Before/After Tagor Drive)
Opening Hours: Daily 7am – 7pm