Established in 1956, Kampong Lorong Buangkok is the last surviving kampong on mainland Singapore.
Located near Gerald Drive (off Yio Chu Kang Road), the kampong currently houses less than 30 families, Malays and Chinese mixed with harmony. The houses, connected by dirt roads, are mostly made of wood with zinc roofs.
The roaming dogs, cats and chicken co-exist with one another in this peaceful village, where time seems to be frozen since 40 years ago. Children likes to play and fish at a big canal behind the village.
The residents of Kampong Lorong Buangkok pay a small monthly token of not more than $30 to the landlord Madam Sng Mui Hong, who inherited the plot of land from her father decades ago.
The little kampong received electricity and water supplies in 1963, two years before the independence of Singapore.
There are unconfirmed news that the land where the kampong is situated will be used for development in the near future, which means the 40-plus year-old kampong will not escape the rapid urbanisation of Singapore.
The most recent kampong in Singapore that was forced to cease to exist was at Khatib Bongsu. Used to be accessible through a muddy track off Yishun Avenue 6, the kampong‘s last two residents were being requested by the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) to move, because the nearby forested area has been marked as a restricted military training ground since the early nineties. By 2007, the zinc-roofed houses at Khatib Bongsu were demolished.
At the end of 2010, a jogging track which is linked to Sengkang Riverside Park was built behind the kampong, allowing joggers to enjoy the peaceful ambiance of that area.
A few steps away from the kampong is Leong Yoke Keng Hardware Manufacturing Factory, probably as old as the kampong itself, with two gigantic warehouses with zinc-plated roofs.
The region of Buangkok, situated not far from the kampong, is now filled with modern HDB flats of less than 5 years old, a stark contrast compared to the humble kampong.
Let’s hope the unique “kampong spirit” will last forever!
For a brief history of kampong in old Singapore, check out From Villages to Flats (Part 1) – The Kampong Days
Published: 22 October 2010
Updated: 15 July 2012
Remember Singapore 
Charming. Is there another kampongs in the surrounding island?
Sadly no.. This is the last surviving kampong on mainland Singapore
Another one is at Pulau Ubin
Here it is: (https://remembersingapore.wordpress.com/2012/03/11/the-last-fishing-village-in-singapore/)
But it’s going to be cleared soon… Technically speaking, it is not considered a kampong because its people doesn’t stay there
We are destroying the past too fast. We are losing our past. It is very sad.
The gov is systematically targetting what it deems sub-optimally productive land(read: all those old places) all over the country, and “re-purposing” them to supposedly benefit this land-scarce nation(read: line the national coffers). This is their idea of “nation building” alright, in every literal sense of the word…except they forgot to ask if this is how we want it. Oh wait, they did do the national dialog thing alright. But we all know it’s a foregone conclusion anyway. Everything’s been decided well in advance, the show-and-tell is just a polite formality.
Leong Yoke Keng Hardware Manufacturing Factory has been there for aeons!
there a pair of stone lions situated at back gate of surya home along lor buangkok. to reach this part of lor buangkok, u have to go in via the hdb buangkok link and continue into lor buangkok after the roundabout and take the first right turn once u get into lor buangkok. drive up 30-50m on a badly pothole road and you will see a pair of majestic looking stone lions. not very big, about 1m by 1.5m, height less than 1m. i dunno the history of the lions, maybe you can find out from the ppl inside the home.
So sad if this goes too. We are moving too fast.
The kampong is still there,with new pavements. (: My aunty lives there. Everytime,during hari raya…the whole lots of our family including our cousins will visit them. So fun and enjoyable.
Hi Fafa,
I’m from a group of local Instagram interest group called InstaSG (our Instagram handle is @instaSG). We would like to organise an Instagram photowalk (a casual photo-taking session) around Kampong Lorong Buangkok.
We organise this photowalk once a month, to different places. And our previous photo-walks include Gardens by the Bay, Thieves Market, Haji Lane, Little India, etc.
And for our January 2014 photowalk, we would like to organise one to Kampong Buangkok, to capture the rustic charm of Singapore’s last kampong.
We respect the privacy of the residents at Kampong Buangkok, and will only take photos of the building exteriors and surrounding compound (unless invited by the residents to go into their houses).
Understand that your auntie lives there. Appreciate if you can advise whether it is ‘ok’ for a group of 20 to 30 people taking photos there, most probably on a Saturday morning or afternoon.
You can contact me via e-mail.
Thanks.
Chew Lian
(Instagram handle: @autumnlotus8)
hi. so sorry about the very late reply. I didn’t noticed the reply until as of today. Yes of course ! It’s ok for you as group of 20 to 30 to take photo’s there. It’s really a nice place to visit and it’s Singapore memorable place. (:
I lived just behind the kampong 🙂
The development is slowly but surely heading towards Gerald Drive and Lorong Buangkok… The old factory may be the next to go in the future
Jalan Kayu sports hub ready by 2015
SINGAPORE – Residents in Jalan Kayu can look forward to a multi-purpose sports facility in the first half of 2015, which will feature a skating zone and areas for yoga.
Located in Buangkok Crescent, the 0.48ha facility will cost over $1.5 million to build, announced Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar, the adviser to Jalan Kayu Grassroots Organisations, at a media briefing yesterday. Dr Intan, who is a Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC, was speaking to reporters ahead of a ministerial community visit on April 14 by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Grace Fu.
The facility is expected to directly benefit residents living in the 29 Housing Board blocks nearby, and private residences in Gerald Drive. Some 22,000 residents live in the Jalan Kayu ward, which encompasses Serangoon North Avenue 4 and Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10.
http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130328-411859.html
Welcome to the future of S’pore…a land of generic sameness everywhere you look 🙂
No mall is too far from your home! No place unreachable by the MRT! No corner untouched by the mighty aspalt! No HDB flat that isn’t spanking new! Those dusty old places? Don’t worry we’ll have them cleaned up in no time! Welcome to “Uniquely S’pore”!
Agree with you 100% Melvin. I couldn’t have put it better myself. Ironically, the only thing unique about Singapore is that it is the only country in the world where nothing is unique.
thats a good one ,I born since 70’s and quite pissed that many of those old places even on sentosa ,jalan Imbiah etc that can make good Haunted attractions better than that Universal Studios paying high ticket prices ,, yes its sad they should preserve more places of Heritage , at least for young to appreciate 🙂
sad but true
A bird’s eye view of three types of housing at the Lorong Buangkok vicinity
– Landed properties at Gerald Gardens
– Kampong Lorong Buangkok hidden in the vegetation (in the middle)
– The new HDB flats at Buangkok Crescent
Hi, I found this is a very amazing controversial photo. I am doing a university thesis report about housing typology in singapore, may I have the courtesy to request this copy of photo from u ?
Thanks
Fern
Preserve this photo. It’s a perfect depiction of an ugly grey tidal wave that will drown Singapore’s soul.
My family lived in Bangkok before moving to Hougang. I’ve photos to share if anyone is keen.
I used to live in Jalan Tongkang Pechah which is very near to Jalan Buankok. Do you have old photos of the kampong and the present development? Thanks.
Development is inching ever closer to Kampong Lorong Buangkok…. What used to be a large piece of greenery next to the last kampong is now cleared and demolished in a space of just two months
is the kampong still there? i want to explore and take some photos there)-:
Yes it is still there ! (: everyone is welcome to take some photos!
Hi pple, for information the kampong now is ceasing. I wanted to go in but it was for closure and barred at the construction site and a lots of stray dogs are there. I wonder got any other ways for me to go in to take a look.
As of now, is the kampong still accessible? I really wanna take a look. Kinda regret for not exploring it a few years back…
Hi I was wondering if I could use your pictures to be published. could you kindly contact me at my provided e-mail? thank you.
Hi everyone!
We’re a team of students doing research on Kampong Lorong Buangkok and we would love it if you can take part in our survey. We’re really hoping to conserve Kampong Lorong Buangkok because we strongly feel that it is a part of Singapore’s heritage and culture. Your views would mean a lot to us. Thank you!
You can access the survey through the link below:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Y5N8TQ5
Hi everyone, as of JUNE 21, I still went to visit the kampong and also to see for myself the extent of the land clearing happening just at the border area of the kampong. Ms Sng the village chief is still around busy with everyday chores. Managed to catch up with her, she mentioned that in the meantime, the land that is being cleared outside is not affecting the kampong for now. Maybe pretty soon the next development would be the clearance of the kampong. Here are pictures of what exactly is going on at the land clearance site:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/39086910/IMG_0599.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/39086910/IMG_0600.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/39086910/IMG_0601.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/39086910/IMG_0606.JPG
The old St Luke’s Church and Surya Home might be demolished. Need further researching.
e church n home r demolished all buildings r cleared…
as of today, with the launch of new bto at Buangkok, the area might be cleared for high rise residential development.
Hi. I heard the Kampong Glam will be demolished and redeveloped.. Is it true? If yes, does anyone know the rough date? Thanks.
I taught at a school in Singapore for 3 years , 1989-1992 , and looking at these photos it is heartbreaking to see so much of the character of old Singapore and the spirit of its various and many talented people being destroyed by faceless and money grabbing politicians. Why have the young people who commented on this site not continued to report on it and to voice their opinions publicly. Show some courage to save your homeland and the place your children will inherit
from total destruction,,, you are Singapore. Patty from Durham
, UK.
The Clock is Ticking on Singapore’s Last Village:
https://remembersingapore.org/2015/01/13/development-at-lorong-buangkok/
amazing, I wanna go there ASAP.
Please please pleasee..someone, do up a petition or something. Don’t let our governments take everything away from us. What do we have left to show our future generations? the tourists? everything is the same now. Malls, Modern hubs, high rise. Good god, those people seating in the governmental positions are singaporeans too, why can’t they feel the same way we do? the importance of preserving. WE DO NOT NEED ANY MORE NEW MALLS. WE JUST NEED OUR CULTURE AND UNIQUE SIDE OF SINGAPORE BACK.. FYI half of the farm land in kranji area gonna be cleared up for military purposes…
I plan to go there is weekend (5 Sep 2015), may I know if the Kampong is still there ?
Yes it is still there ! Do take a look around.
Mostly all malay folks staying there. Some if them are related to me tho. Have fun ! And do remember to spray insect repellent , as there are many mosqitoes
Thanks PinkRanger . I’m happy to learn that the kampong is still there. Looking forward to this trip back memory lane.
By the way , just a confirmation , I can take bus 854 direct from Bedok right ? Or is there any faster way? Thanks once again !
Yups. But it may take a longer route. If you take 854 from bedok it will take at least 1hr. Then u have to alight at ang mo kio ave 5 and walk. Another way , u take 87 to hg mall int. Then take 101. Alight opp the lorong buangkok. Walk a few metres. (:
Thank you for your swift response and help. I sincerely appreciate the gracious gesture !
Is the village still there or has it been demolished? Can’t find any news on it and was really hoping to check it out when I go to Singapore in two weeks..
Hi !
yes it is still there ! My grandma side aunties are still residing there. It’s one of the oldest kampung in singapore that is still standing till today. You can check it out ! But no fliming is allowed. Taking pictures is ok. Have fun exploring !
Farrah, I am visiting from the UK in Sept 2016, I am hoping to visit the Kampung and take some photographs, I used to live in Seletar Hills in the 1960’s, I wish to make a keepsake of how I remember Singapore from those days, do I need permission from anyone in the village to take Photo’s? I am disabled and cannot walk very far, would I be allowed to take a taxi into the village and then do my bits of photography?
I would not intrude on anyone’s privacy, however if a resident would like to help me with the photography I would be very grateful.
Nice village.
@ Matt Stoves , hi !
Yes , taking photos is always welcome. But no filming. (: Not a single car can pass through the village itself , because it has a walkway. There’s a walkway path that we could walk and turn left going inside the village. I’m not sure if there’s any other way that a car could park somewhere nearby. But do take a look around. 😀
Hi! Is there any opening hours to this location? Cuz I’m thinking of having a photoshoot for my friend over there tomorrow!
Thanks!
This place is open 365 & 24/7 everyday ! All are welcome to this place.
Hi , appreciate if anyone can advise if this is still standing ? Would like to bring my famil for viewing before it is gone . Thank you !
Yes it’s still standing. (:
Can the Singapore government ‘force’ the land owner to develop or would they simply rezone the land and let the higher taxes force the owners to sell.
I lived in Singapore 35 years ago and went to the kampung in Pasir (if I remember correctly, not sure) regular ’cause I had some friends there. Even experienced a wedding there! So beautiful! I’m visiting Singapore this year for the first time and tried to recognize some familiar places on Google but didn’t recognize it anymore!! So terribly sad 😦
A few years back I was reading the hardcopy street directory and saw a ‘Mogli Residence’ at Buangkok Crescent around where Surya Home used to be. Anyone knows what that is?