Welcome to the Balestier Trail Guide

According to information on National Library Board's (NLB) Singapore infopedia website, "Joseph Balestier was the first Consul to Singapore for the United States of America serving between 1837 -1852"

The current Balestier road runs on what used to be Joseph Balestier's 1000-acre sugar-cane plantation estate.

The following blog would guide you through the many buildings and sites in Balestier with historical significance. It would bring you to explore places such as popular eating places, a house where famous historical figure once lived, places of worship, unique trades and structures with architecture distinction.


While exploring Balestier you should look out for the many information markers erected by the National Heritage Board (NHB). They all bear the print of sugar-cane paying tribute to the area's agricultural.

Route map of Balestier

Destinations according to route map
1. Novena Church
2. Single-storey Shophouses & Tau Sar Piah
3. Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
4. Mana Sasana Ramsi Burmese Buddhist Temple
5. Water Kiosk at corner of Boon Teck Road
6. Balestier Market
7. Sim Kwong Ho Shophouse, 418 Balestier Road
8. Former Shaw’s Malay Film Studio
9. Sim Kwong Ho Shophouse, 292-310 Balestier Rd
10. Lam Yeo Coffee Powder
11. Masjid Hajjah Rahimabi Kebun Limau
12. Kim Keat Road
13. Art Deco Shophouses, 230 / 246 Balestier Road
14. Classic Bakeries in Balestier
15. Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong Temple
16. Balestier Point

Novena Church, 300 Thomson Road

What's This Place About?

Church of St. Alphonsus AKA Novena Church

The Church of St. Alphonsus, also known as Novena Church was built after World War Two in 1950. It was built in dedication to Saint Alphonsus Maria De Liguori of Italy. This church is run by the Redemptionists who conducted novenas in the church. Novenas are a mission given by Pope Pious IX to the Redemptiorist fathers to make Our Lady of Perpetual Succour known in other parts of the world. Even roads, buildings and MRT station borrows it’s name from the church itself.

The bell tower. Next to it is the St. Clement Pastoral Centre

The building next to the church was the St. Clement Pastoral Centre. Previously, it was an old Administrative Building. The Pastoral Centre was blessed and opened on the occasion of the Tercentenary of the birth of St. Alphonsus De Liguori. Basically, both buildings have their relationship with St. Alphonsus.

What's Interesting?

This church dwells in exorcism which got them involve in a court case in 2007 and was reported in the news. It was about a lady suing 2 priests and volunteers for assaults and battery when she undergoes a prayer session which her family members suspected her to be possessed. In the end, the court dismisses the case after 2 years of trial.

Another point to note, mostly were Indians and Filipinos who flocked to this church for prayers. There is also a novena conducted for Filipinos on top of the usual English and Mandarin version.

Single-storey Shophouses & Tau Sar Piah

What's This Place About?

It is a must for everyone to visit the row of single-storey shop house! Nowadays, it is rare to find single-storey buildings in Singapore and there are only a handful remaining. These single-storey buildings are the earliest forms of buildings to be built in the rural areas and functioned as shops and homes for new settlers in the rural areas in pre-1965 Singapore. The designs in the form of Art Deco pediment above the five-foot way beautified it, giving it an elegant touch, setting it apart from its simplistic design. These shop houses are owned by the Ngee Ann Kongsi, a foundation founded in 1845 to look after the interests of Teochew immigrants in Singapore. Something worth mentioning is that the income generated from these properties will become funds for education and charitable projects. Dabbling in properties for a noble cause never felt this good. This row has also been conserved by the URA, which means that the shop front cannot be altered. The preservation of this site means there is a huge historic meaning for you to discover and explore, so hurry up and visit it!

What's Interesting?

Walking along the stretch of shop house, you are sure to notice the 4 Tau Sar Piah shops. Tau Sar Piah is a popular confectionery item with a sweet or salty bean-based filling covered with an outer skin of flour. In Balestier, the idea of Tau Sar Piah originated from Loong Fatt Confectionery which was owned by Mr Lee. This confectionery item was so popular that others started selling this traditional biscuit and the end product, as you can see are the 4 shops selling Tau Sar Piah.

In fact, Balestier is famous for its Tau Sar Piah (and we as your guide, have validated this claim for you). =) Thus, another good reason for you to visit this shop house is to purchase this famous traditional biscuit that originated form Balestier. The shop we visited (House of Tau Sar Piah) not only sells the traditional filling of sweet and salty, it also created other fillings to cater to more customers; coffee paste, yam paste, lotus paste and the best of the best, green tea paste! Besides selling Tau Sar Piah, the shop has diversified to sell cookies and other confectionery items. Therefore, it is a must for one to experience and taste the traditional biscuit and other goodies of Balestier.

Location of House of Tau Sar Piah 529 #01-02 Balestier Road Tel: 62503008

Once again, it is time for silly re-enactments. Try to top ours if you can. (:

This is the stall we visited.

You try and top this photo.lol.

the row of single-storey shophouses

Another Tau Sar Piah shop

Maha Sasana Ramsi Burmese Buddhist Temple, 14 Tai Gin Road

What's This Place About?

A stone’s throw away from the Sun Yat Sen’s Memorial hall lies the Maha Sasana Ramsi Burmese Buddhist temple. It was founded by a Burmese, named U Thar Hnin, also known as Tang Sooay Chin in 1875. He wanted to spread Theravada Buddhism in Singapore. Hence, founding this temple. In 1878, he donated the temple to U Kyaw Gaung, a Burmese traditional physician. The latter wanted to have a sizable marble Buddha statue as seen in Myanmar and have it in this Singapore temple too. Hence, he later found a gigantic marble weighing more than 10 tons from Sagyin Hill in Myanmar to craft the Buddha image. This contributes to the uniqueness of the temple such that it houses the largest pure white marble statue of the Buddha outside of Myanmar. This statue measures measuring 3 metres (eleven feet) in height. After visiting the temple, your eyes will be dazed by all the gold and splendour.

The temple also has an intricate Burmese architectural style with teak wood carvings that were donated by the Tripitaka Nikaya Main Ministrative Body (Ti Ni) of Myanmar. It also houses a spacious shrine hall, a meditation hall, a multi-purpose hall, a library and living quarters for the monks.

What's Interesting?



Prior to reaching this temple, you will realise that the streets and roads names around this area in Balestier are Greek to you. However, you will realise that the names weren’t of Greek origin, but that of Burmese. Many of the connecting streets off Balestier Road have names of cities and places in Myanmar. Some examples are Mandalay (a royal capital from 1860),

Irrawaddy (a main river running from north to south of Myanmar), Shan (ethnic minority and state in Myanmar), Moulmein (an old commercial town and port) and Martaban, Pegu (Now Bago), Bhamo, Prome (cities).

Author's Thoughts

Upon stepping foot into this temple, I realised that there were many Burmese around. There were also some Chinese who came to pray but there were definitely more Burmese than Chinese. From researching, this area has got a sizeable amount of Burmese community such that Burmese residents would often gather here. This reminds me of places such as Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Geylang Serai and Little India that have cultures for the different races. Burmese people can be considered a different race that exists as a minority in Singapore. Hence, in this area of Balestier, we may consider it as a cultural place for the Burmese.

Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, 12 Tai Gin Road

What's This Place About?

Located at 12 Tai Gin Road is the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall.

This building was initially a double-storey bungalow named Bin Chan House and belonged to a wealthy businessman Boey Chuan Poh. It was later bought by a rubber magnate Teo Eng Hock and named it Wan Qing Yuan (晚晴园).

This was for his aged mother, Mdm Tan Poh Neo so that she could have peace and happiness in her twilight years living in this house.
Dr Sun Yat Sen was later given this bungalow by Teo Eng Hock as the latter was a supporter for the Chinese revolutionary cause. The building was used for revolutionary activities, meetings and even as a refuge for revolutionaries when revolutionary uprisings failed.

What's Interesting?

You should drop by this place when you are at Balestier as this memorial hall collates all the history of Dr. Sun’s involvement with Singapore when he was rooting for his revolutionary cause.
We wanted to be the proud descendents of Dr Sun.

Us trying to include ourselves as members of the Revolution Alliance for the Singapore Branch in the picture.

In this villa, Dr Sun drafted the constitution of the Alliance, planned uprisings against the Qing Dynasty with other revolutionaries such as Huang Gang uprising, Guangxi Zheng Nan uprising, Yunnan He Kou uprising etc. This building was the headquarters of revolutionary movements in Southeast Asia.

Zheng Han and Rezal joining in the discussions about uprisings.

Dr Sun also described Southeast Asia countries as the ‘mother of the Revolution’ to acknowledge overseas Chinese’s contributions.

Through this memorial hall, we have also learnt a lot of China's history. Some major events such as the Boxer rebellion, the Opium war was also recorded on the walls of this place.

We could also see how life was like during Dr Sun's time. We could infer from the pictures that he made life better for the Chinese, sufficient food and development. Mavis wanting to eat the pau.


People were largely happy with their lives. (like how happy Ban Hock and Zheng Han is smiling)

there was a sugar cane juice maker, showing us some jobs that hawkers probably undertook- as sellers of sugar cane juice drink.

This building is now gazetted a national historical monument as a memorial hall, as it plays an important role to tell of Singapore’s culture and history about Dr Sun’s revolutionaries.

Author's Thoughts
When I first entered the building, i felt that the place has a lot of historical value and tells a lot of some of Singapore’s history with the presentation of pictures and involvement of Singapore in the Chinese uprising.

This building is like a time capsule, capturing all the events in chronological order during Dr Sun’s lifetime. We were totally immersed in the history as we were led by the stories being told in each room. I think many parts of this building is wonderfully preserved. I especially like the tree that has lived past ages together with the bungalow.
Most Singaporeans today might not know of such a part of history that we had a part to play in China’s revolutions. However, I felt that this building might serve a political agenda to depict Singapore’s mutual history with China. China today has a huge economy and it would do Singapore good for Chinese investments to flow into our country.

We had a great time at this place, not only because it is air-conditioned, but due to the overwhelming of China history information. =D

Water Kiosk at corner of Boon Teck Road

What's This Place About?

Walking along the Boon Teck Road, I chanced upon a water kiosk. This small cart provides free water and tea to any thirsty passer-by. It was provided by the temple along Boon Teck Road called Thong Teck Sian Tong Lian Sia to provide clean water for the poorer folks, such as drivers of horse carriages, rickshaw men and others who were working in the area in the past. Clean water and tea was probably a luxury item in the past, despite water being a necessity for life. From this, I could infer that life was tough for the poor people and they might have a problem in terms of drinking clean water and having proper sanitation.

What's Interesting?

Despite the kind gesture, this water kiosk serves more as a historical purpose. In today’s context, clean water is being provided in abundance and easily from just the tap. We no longer face problems of obtaining clean water that is drinkable. Instead, I would doubt the cleanliness of the containers and wonder how long the water might have been in it and would not want to try tasting it. I also didn’t want to use the cups provided as someone else might have used it before me. Nevertheless, I felt that this kiosk should continue providing water and tea, so that as passer-by walk past, they may gain a better idea of how life was in the past for Singaporeans.

Author's Thoughts
On retrospect, I regret not tasting the water to have a glimpse of how life was like in the past. I would encourage you to check out this cart that has been standing there since the 1970s. It was originally located at Kim Keat Road at the 1040s but shifted to where it is today in the 1970s. Also, do try tasting the tea when you drop by. However, do bring your own cup along!

Balestier Market

What's About This Place?

How could one not visit this culturally rich place? This is the famous Balestier market; the one that was built in the 1920s to cater to farmers nearby who needed a place to sell their produce. Another name for this was Or Kio market, which was what the locals used to call it. This name Or Kio originated from the block bridge along Whampoa River that connected Ah Hood road (off Balestier Road) to Lorong 8 Toa Payoh. In fact, the popularity of the word ‘Or Kio’ can be seen when several shops in balestier area are named after Or Kio. The market was actually given a make-over in 1999, however, it closed its doors after dwindling business due to competition from the bigger Whampoa Market, i.e. the Tua Pah Sat.

Admittedly, when we got to this market, we got a shock. Market? What market? At first glance, it looks like a coffeehouse, there are stalls selling local delicacies (hokkien mee, barbecued chicken wings… YUM!), but not a single stall selling vegetables, frozen meat, which is what a normal market sells. In fact, the interior doesn’t even resemble a market (Imagine wet, dirty floors, with metal huts and the stench from the frozen meat). Upon asking around, our confusions were cleared. The market was actually closed in 2004 and in place of the market, a coffeehouse has been built.

Author's Thoughts

Just a personal thought, we feel that it would be interesting if one could visit the old Balestier market, even before it got renovated in 1999. Because one would get to absorb the essence of the old market and get a feel of how people in the past actually shopped for groceries, which is a pretty interesting way to relive the past. Nonetheless, you should still visit this ‘market’, step on the land where the real market used to be and breathe in its essence. Hopefully, you’ll be able to get a whiff of the market in the 1920s. Or best yet stop by and have your lunch and a rest before continuing on your journey. We guarantee that you won’t regret making this pit-stop (but even if you do, the food will make up for any grievances you have. =P)

Some pictures acting as landmarks, just in case you lose your way. And you can attempt to re-enact the silly pose we displayed in front of the sign. Have fun!

Zheng Han acting crazy. LOL

Zheng Han acting crazy part 2

Group shot

Makan time!

Makan time!

Sim Kwong Ho Shophouse, 418 Balestier Road

What's This Place About?

While walking along Balestier road towards the junction of Jalan Kemaman you should take some time off to admire the unique designs on the shophouses along the road.


According to the information on one trail marker near the area, the shophouses @ 418 Balestier Road were built and developed more than 80 years ago in 1928! The shophouses have since been converted to a budget accommodation (Fragrance Hotel Classic) fortunately still retaining its beautiful mystical façade.

What's Interesting?

The style and décor of the shophouses were described to be “‘Late-style’ (1900-1940) ‘Singapore Eclectic’ shophouse design with a unique blend of eastern and western elements”.

The western element can be seen in the Sikhs doorguards flanking us on the two walls as they are symbol of colonial policemen while the eastern designs can be seen in the half-dragon half-bat creature on top.

Author's Thoughts

Many of us from the younger generation don't know how to appreciate the art and designs on the shophouses. It's such a pity as there are so much hidden messages which could tell us so much about the heritage of the place.

Former Shaw’s Malay Film Studio, 8 Jalan Ampas

What's This Place About?

Between Balestier Plaza and Shaw Plaza, you would find a lane named Jalan Ampas. Walking down the lane of Jalan Ampas you would notice a plot of fenced land with relatively low structures and a tree in the middle. It was the once prominent Shaw's Malay Film Production Studio.

What's Interesting?

Here’s how Rizal explains the meaning of Ampas…

Here's the perfect answer we found on the information marker there:
Jalan Ampas got its name from the sugar cane plantations, which used to be in the area since the time of Joseph Balestier’s sugarcane plantation. The Malay word ampas tebu refers to the refuse of the crushed cane.

Author's Thoughts

After learning so much about the Shaw’s Malay Film Production Studio from Dr. Blackburn’s (our history lecturer) lectures we finally got to visit it! A little background: The studio at Jalan Ampas was set up by the Shaw brothers in 1947. It was the film malay film studio to be set up then and was one of the only two malay film studio during the ‘Golden age of Singapore Cinema’, the other being Cathay-Keris Studio. The studio produced more than 160 films over two decades.

Unfortunately what we found was the Jalan Ampas far from its glorious days. The gate was locked but we managed to sneak our camera through the little gap and caught this photo.

Looks kind of rundown isn’t it, we seriously think that Shaw (or whoever owns this plot) should consider redeveloping it… Look at all the buildings surrounding it, only one pathetic looking tree rises out from the once famous studio *sigh*

After walking on both sides of Balestier Road, you would have noted that many roads on the ‘odd’ side are Burmese named such as Shan Rd and Irrawaddy Rd which indicated that the area are largely resided by Burmese.

However the ‘even’ side of Balestier Road are malay named such as Jalan Rama Rama and Jalan Kemaman indicating the presence of Malay Kampung communities as well. Thus it is evident that Balestier was not dominated only by the Burmese but Malays were also among early Balestier residents.