Size & Population: 18 Sq Km with an estimated 5,000 residents.

About

Singapore is reputed as having a shortage of land. This is not the impression one gets when entering Lim Chu Kang, a vast spread of greenery with areas that seem untouched by civilisation. To Singaporeans, Lim Chu Kang is best known for its farms and cemeteries; Lim Chu Kang is where part of Singapore's largest cemetery is located.

History

Lim Chu Kang began as a village that was founded in the early 1900s by Neo Tiew, an immigrant from China. He became a headman of Ama Keng Village, which is the area we now identify as Lim Chu Kang. Upon his founding of the village, Neo Tiew set up the Kay Wah School, which is now known as Qihua Primary. He also commissioned the building of Kay Wah Temple, which is still standing today.

The area is an important one in World War 2 history. Located in northwest Singapore, Lim Chu Kang is close to the Causeway, the route that the Japanese took to enter the island in 1942. This was unexpected as the British anticipated that the Japanese would arrive from the island's southern tip rather than the northern one. Thus, some of the fiercest battles occurred around the Lim Chu Kang area, resulting in some 40 000 deaths. Today, as you enter the Boy Scouts Camp in Lim Chu Kang, you will see a plaque recounting the history of the area and commemorating the soldiers. This lesson from history is also one of the reasons why there is a highly guarded military base in the Lim Chu Kang area.

What To Do

This district is one of the few places in Singapore that practices ecotourism. Abundant with nature, Lim Chu Kang is an excellent place to enjoy scenery in a rustic environment. Here are some places to visit:

• Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve
  
This nature reserve is an undeveloped mangrove swamp that gives a nature enthusiast the opportunity to study the different types of tropical flora and fauna. It is also a popular place for bird watchers, especially during the migration period, when birds such as kingfishers settle at the nature reserve for a time.


• Lim Chu Kang Jetty
  
Protruding from the edge of Lim Chu Kang, this flimsy jetty is where Singaporeans go to fish or to simply enjoy the scenery. From this jetty, you will get a view of Malaysia while you are surrounded by tall trees, peace and quiet.


• Farms
  
There are many farms in the area, such as the Hay Dairies Goat Farm, Fire Flies Health Farm, Jurong Frog Farm and Quan Fa Vegetable Farm.

Other than this, there are many campsites in Lim Chu Kang, e.g., the Girl Guides' Camp Site, the Boy Scouts' Camp Site and the army campsite. There are also cemeteries undertaking the burial of people of the Christian, Muslim, Chinese, Bahai, Jewish, Ahmaddiya Jama'at, Parsi and Lawn faiths.