They say Pulau Ubin is like stepping back in time; to the 60s or 70s if you will. I disagree with that description of the Pulau Ubin experience. A living museum may be a more actuate description. But at the same time, Pulau Ubin is an impressive example of successful preservation of both Singapore’s heritage as well as environment. An admirable by-product of not ‘selling out’ and becoming yet another cookie cutter private resort island.
The Pulau Ubin moniker is a shorter version of its original name, ‘Pulau Batu Jubin’ (Granite Stone Island) as Pulau Ubin was once a vast supplier of granite. The earliest inhabitants of Pulau Ubin were Orang Luat (Sea People) and indigenous Malays of Bugis and Javanese descent. By the mid-1800s many Chinese families arrived to work in the granite quarries. During the late 1800s about 50 Malay families moved to Pulau Ubin from mainland Singapore to embrace the fishing industry. Quite a melting pot, right?
Things To See And Do In Pulau Ubin
So what is there to do in Pulau Ubin? More than one might actually think. Or maybe more to see than one might think. I managed to kill 5 hours of time just cruising around (and getting lost a few times). And unfortunately, I also missed a few things I would have liked to have seen. Here is a run-down on some of the Pulau Ubin sightseeing highlights to help you plan your trip and maximize your Pulau Ubin experience.
First Stop: The Nature Gallery
My recommendation would be to arrive in the morning, preferably before 11:00, and head immediately to the Nature Gallery upon arrival to the island. The Nature Gallery has brochures with a map and there is also a large wall map to help you visualize your own personal what-to-see plan. Speaking from personal experience, one could easily hop on a bike and accidentally go in the right direction (or not). But if you have your heart set on seeing any particular sites, take the time to properly map out a plan.
Bike Through The Kampungs
Pulau Ubin is very park-like and perfect for cycling. With exception to a few small hills, the smooth paved roads and ample signage make for a relatively easy bike ride. Heading north from Ubin Town and following the roads in a clock-wise direction will lead you to most of the local sightseeing hot-spots as well as give you a healthy dose of fresh-air and nature.
Butterfly Hill
A must visit for butterfly fans; Butterfly Hill was created to preserve and showcase regional butterflies. Singapore butterfly expert, Khew Sin Khoon, suggested over 50 plant species to be planted on the hill which would attract butterflies. And indeed it did. His scientific recommendations paid off as Butterfly Hill now has about 140 different species of butterflies residing on Pulau Ubin.
Visitor Centre, House No 1
At the entrance of Chek Jawa near the shore, the Visitor Centre, which is also known as, House No 1 was built in the 1930s and restored to its present Tudor style finest in 2003. Of the original house, the fireplace and brick chimney are still intact. The ground level of the house has informative displays about the Chek Jawa Wetlands.
Chek Jawa Wetlands
Located on the eastern end of Pulau Ubin is the Chek Jawa Wetlands, where visitors can observe the wetland’s biodiversity; from various water birds to tidal sea creatures. The Chek Jawa Boardwalk is a man-made walkway through and around the wetland area. It has two routes; the 600m Coastal Loop and the 500m Mangrove Loop. Allow yourself at least 90-minutes to complete each. There are educational panels along the way that help visitors identify a few flora and fauna and learn a few fun facts to wow the folks back home with. Along the Chek Jawa Boardwalk is the 20-m Jejawi Tower that visitors can climb for a panoramic view of the island and the wetlands. A maximum of 20 people are allowed in the tower at a time, so another good reason to come early.
Fo Shan Ting Da Bo Gong Temple
Located near Pekan Quarry, the Fo Shan Ting Da Bo Gong Temple was originally built at its present location as a convenience for those living in the area at the time. The Pekan Quarry was at its peak between the 1950s and 1970s when the population of the island was about 2,000; three quarters of the residents being Chinese.
Pekan Quarry
Pekan Quarry is one of five granite quarries located on Pulau Ubin. Back in the day granite had huge economic value in Singapore as much of the granite was used in the construction of early public housing, roads and even a few local icons such as the Raffles and Horsburgh Lighthouses. The quarries were mined to about 40-m below sea level. Pekan Quarry has now been given new Ubin Island life as a lake. It has become a haven for local birds and a popular bird watching destination.
German Girl Shrine
In the early 1900s, a German family was running a German owned coffee plantation on Pulau Ubin, just before the First World War. When war broke out, the British military arrived at the plantation manager’s house to ‘remove’ the family. The 18 year old daughter ran away in fear and was never heard from again. Her body was later found by Boyanese plantation workers and eventually local Chinese workers gave her a proper burial on top of the quarry hill. Complete with a shrine.
Sensory Trail
The Sensory Trail is one of the first places you come to as you head out of town. You can’t miss the sign or the sights and sounds of nature. The 1.5 kilometer trail is flat and picturesque. You will truly want to just stop and take it all in. Keep an eye out for a variety of local vegetables and fruit trees which there are plenty of.
Teck Seng’s Place
Once owned by Mr. Chew Teck Seng, the historic Chinese kampung house was home to three generations of the Chew family. Returned to the state in 2005, the house has been refurbished yet maintains its original architectural style and ‘rustic charm’ as an ‘immersive’ museum for visitors to experience the good old days of the 1970s. (If that makes you feel old, trust me you aren’t alone).
Ubin Fruit Orchard
The Ubin Fruit Orchard is located along Jalan Ubin. What may appear as private property is not. Visitors are welcome to walk through and get up close and personal with some of the 30 species of fruit trees. But please don’t help yourself to any fruit unless given permission.
Where To Eat In Pulau Ubin
There are a few shops in the main town area which sell beverages and snacks, but for a full meal two places stood out. Season Live Seafood which is open Wednesday through Monday and Cheong Lian Yueh, which is open Friday through Tuesday. Out along Jalan Ubin, you can also get a cold drink from Encik Ahmad Kassim. A special Ubin resident who is also a survivor of World War 2.
How To Get To Pulau Ubin
No special reservations are needed to visit Pulau Ubin. Unless camping is on your agenda. Other than that, it’s just a matter of showing up at the Changi Point Ferry Terminal between 06:00 and 19:00. The 10-15 minute ferry ride is 3Sing Dollars each way. (And additional 2 dollars if you bring a bike). Ferry boats (called bumboats) have no set departure time either, so it’s rather stress free. There is a small waiting area for passengers and when 12 people show up to fill the seats, then the bumboat is ready to depart. Passengers pay the boat captain once on board, so have cash in hand.
How To Get To The Changi Point Ferry Terminal:
Bus Services: Take buses 2, 29, 59, 109 to the Changi Village Bus Terminal (it’s located next to the Changi Village Hawkers Centre)
MRT: Tampines MRT Station (EW2), board Bus No. 29 at Tampines Bus Interchange to Changi Village or Tanah Merah MRT Station (EW4), board Bus No. 2 at Tanah Merah Station Exit B Bus stop (85091) to Changi Village.
Taxi: For taxi app users use this address–>Changi Point Ferry Terminal, 51 Lorong Bekukong
Getting Around Pulau Ubin
Pulau Ubin is much larger than it appears from the far shores of Singapore. The 1,020-ha island was once five smaller islands separated by rivers, so the various must-sees are scattered around the island a bit. Visitors have three transportation options:
Renting a bicycle
If there is one thing Pulau Ubin has no shortage of and that’s bicycle rentals. Bike rentals are available for as low as 5 Singapore dollars for the day. I visited on mid-week day, so maybe it’s possible to actually run out of bikes on a weekend or holiday. But like I said before, get there early and you will beat the crowds. You will also cover more terrain on a bicycle (and save time), thus a great way to see the island.
Walking tours
If you prefer walking, one can easily shuffle around town and take a few selfies. Or the Singapore Parks services has two DIY Walking Tours mapped out and they offer a variety of guided tours as well. You can find that information HERE
Taxi service
Taxi service? Yup, that’s right! If you are in a big hurry or just plain lazy, you can’t miss the taxi stand just on the left from the arrival pier. Rate negotiations and other inclusive taxi driver services are between you and your driver.
Where To Stay (Changi Village)
Although there are buses that run to and from Changi Village (and taxis of course), if you have the time I recommend including the ‘Changi Village Experience’ in your visit to Singapore and actually stay in the village. I can recommend two local Changi Village hotels which I personally have stayed at. For ultra-convenience, the Village Hotel Changi is directly across the street from The Changi Point Ferry Terminal. It’s family friendly as well as group tour friendly. If you prefer a quieter hotel, I highly recommend the Raintr33 Hotel which is just a 10-15 minute picturesque walk from the Changi Point Ferry Terminal. For the hearty adventurers, camping is allowed on Pulau Ubin. Just bring your tent and register at the local Pulau Ubin Police Station upon arrival.
My ‘What To Bring’ Day Trip Tips:
Bring Cash: There are no ATMs on Pulau Ubin, but there is an ATM kioske in the center of the Changi Village Hawkers Centre
Bottle of water: Depending on when you arrive, you may find no stores are open yet. So rather than wait around, just bring your own just in case.
Snacks: I was starving by the time I cycled back to town. Just bring something to keep your blood sugar in check, but do watch those cheeky monkeys. Monkeys equate bags and day packs with food regardless of what’s inside. Within a blink of an eye your bag could be up a tree with a monkey. Also, please remember: Do Not Feed Any Wildlife (including cute monkeys).
Sunscreen: Yes, you will have ample opportunity to get plenty of intense sunshine.
Insect repellent: I’m usually an insect magnet but luckily had no problems with Pulau Ubin’s bug population. But better safe than sorry.
Small umbrella or light rain jacket: Singapore can be blue skies one minute and pouring rain the next. A good Pulau Ubin scout is always prepared.
For travelers who loves roads less traveled or embracing local culture and heritage, a visit to Pulau Ubin will not disappoint. In fact, it’s inspiring to see the possibilities of what a community can do when they combine their efforts. Both ecologically as well as culturally. Singapore’s Pulau Ubin is a breath of fresh air in more ways than one and proof that heritage needn’t disappear in a modern age. For more information about Pulau Ubin and the various programs and tours they offer, do check their very informative website HERE
Here are a few video clips from my visit to Pulau Ubin
Can Subscribe to The Island Drum’s You Tube Channel HERE
Have you been to Pulau Ubin?
What are your favorite things to do there?
Hi Vanessa,
Love it. Love it.
I totally get popular resort islands going the urbanizing route. Part of the game.
But it is SO nice to see a place that simply did not decide to go that route, with its folks choosing to keep things largely as they have been over the decades.
This is paradise to me. Not totally off the beaten path – I still like some creature comforts – yet seeing those flat roads, lush jungles, fishing villages. Perfect.
My ideal tropical paradise.
Thanks for sharing Vanessa.
Ryan
Hey Ryan!Yes, I use to live in Singapore (for 7 months) and had no idea Pulau Ubin existed. What Singapore has done to preserve the heritage and nature of the island is truly inspiring. I have visited so many small islands which would be perfect to do similar, but many simply slap up a bunch of hotels and call it a day or… create the ‘elite’ private island resort. And Changi Village is a serious breath of fresh air as well.
I have never heard of Pulau Ubin until I read this post. Great to know that there is a microcosm of what Singapore was like earlier before it thrived into the current metropolis. Seems like a good day trip to take a break.
It’s definitely worth spending an extra day in Singapore to include it in travel plans. Well worth seeing in my humble opinion.
Gosh, I lived in Malaysia when I was 6 – and visited Singapore then. Last year, 50 years later, I went back. It has really changed and you are right Pulau Ubin is so much closer to what I remembered from my childhood. Now I really want to go back to Singapore and take that day trip!
Singapore has changed a lot just in the last 10 years. My recent trip was after a 10 year absence and I was stunned at the difference. But discovering they had also revamped Changi Village and Ubin Island, yet kept it traditional, was a pleasant surprise.
Hi Vanessa
I never knew this island existed and I’ve visited Singapore several times. I too, agree. How refreshing they haven’t sold out to be a private resort. This is so much more appealing and somewhere we would definitely go with our two girls. I’d love to hire bikes, do the wetland loops and go up the tower! Thanks so much for sharing!
It is a lovely side trip for families. Affordable too. In fact, just hunkering down in Changi Village for a few days is perfect for a family get away. Lots to do and easy to get to Pulau Ubin.
Have been to Singapore so many times but never heard of this island. The butterfly garden would be my place to explore here. In Goa, we have a hill converted into a butterfly garden.. When they explain it looks so simple that – just plant the right plants and butterflies would come on their own.
I lived in Singapore in 2007 and had not even realized they had a beach other than Sentosa. And I certainly never heard about Pulau Ubin or nearby Changi Village. Anu, I absolutely loved cruising around that island on a rickety bike and being surrounded by so much nature. I regret I didn’t know about the butterfly garden until I was just leaving. Had I gone to the welcome center first I would have seen how big the island actually is and planned my day accordingly. But I will definitely be returning sooner than later, so will have another chance to explore more.
I never knew Singapore had so much “nature”! I never explored that part of Singapore On my next visit, I will surely explore the islands. This will definitely be a great place to go to. I mean, when we think of Singapore, we automatically think “city”, right?
Hey Kirstie, exactly! Singapore has represented to me the epitome of ‘man-made’ and even more has been added in the past 10 years. But along the way they seemed to have shifted gears to put more effort on protecting their natural resources and environments. A win-win. And considering they are a young country of just 60 years old, their efforts are even more notable. When they decide to do something by golly they just do it! And when they have an environmental issue they don’t put it off until the next election year, they just take care of it! :D
I’ll surely love to visit Pulau Ubin because of her road. It’s just too perfect for cycling and I’ll bike my way throughout. The butterfly hill is another highlight for me. Who thinks of keeping plants to attract butterfly? So beautiful. I must be missing a lot since I’ve not visited Singapore.
Hi Lydia! Yes, if you have never been to Singapore you should allow yourself enough time to get a dose of its city flash as well as its culture and heritage, which there is plenty of both. But a trip to Changi Village and Pulau Ubin is not to be missed either.
I loved Singapore, though didn’t get to take in Pulau Ubin on our trip. I would love to get back for it though. Really does seem like a fabulous example of preservation of both heritage and environment. We’re very big nature geeks, so biking throughout and exploring the nature gallery, butterfly hill, and the wetlands sounds wonderful. I was really impressed during my time in Singapore how much importance they placed on preserving the environment around them, even as one of the worlds biggest cosmopolitan cities.
You will be super impressed with what Singapore has done with Pulau Ubin. That island is an amazing example of ecologically sound possibilities which other not-so-ecologically sound islands could learn from. Changi Village itself is also a breath of fresh air and is now my preferred location to stay on future visits to Singapore.
What a find! I have been to Singapore umpteen number of times but I have never heard of Pulau Ubin. Next I think will try to get there. I love to see the place untouched by glass and steel.
Nisha it was totally by accident I ‘discovered’ Pulau Ubin. I had decided to spend a couple of nights near the airport and my hotel was in Changi Village. Then when I saw signs for Pulau Ubin I made a few inquiries but there seemed to be little info available. It was on my return trip a few weeks later that I had had a chance to delve further and found that Travel Dave had been there and then I found some You Tube videos. I got super excited! But!I had also not realized how big the place is. I spent most of a day getting lost and poking my head here and there, but ran out of time to see everything because I didn’t have a decent map with me. Hindsight lah.. :D I’m going back in a few weeks so am looking forward to another day of exploring and hopefully taking an actual tour. I’m sure you guys will love it there too. :)
Pulau Ubin is nothing short of a revelation, indeed a perfect getaway from modern-day Singapore, an escape to another time. The place looks so tranquil and pristine. We missed this place on our last Singapore visit, hope to visit next time we are in those parts.
This looks like a really interesting day trip! Fascinating history – although the story of the German girl is so sad :(
I know! She must have been so scared, I can’t even image. :(
It’s nice to hear Pulau Ubin has preserved its culture and hasn’t become a private resort island. All of your suggestions sound great! Butterfly Hill looks like a really pretty spot and I would love to see so many varieties of plants and butterfly species! The Chek Jawa Wetlands and Ubin Fruit Orchard both look really peaceful and pretty too!
I’m actually going back next month and will definitely be staying in Changi Village again and will be returning to Pulau Ubin to explore more. If you love nature you will love Pulau Ubin too!
Would it be weird if a Malaysian like me were to go to Singapore and decided to spend a few days in a kampung-like island?
I always had the impression that Pulau Ubin was small enough to be covered within a day but I’d definitely spend a longer time covering as much of the island as I can.
Danial I think you and your family would have a blast staying in Changi Village for a few days and popping over to Ubin a couple of times. I’d give Ubin at least two days to explore.I also had the impression that it was a tiny little place, but it’s rather spread out so even if you start early like I did.. I still couldn’t cover it all. I didn’t stay in Ubin, but stayed in Changi Village just a short walk from the ferry terminal. And very close to the Changi Village hawkers center, which has tons of food. You will also want to go see the Changi Chapel and Museum while you are in the area too.