Bukit Brown

Off-the-beaten trail, hunt for abandoned cars 🚗, cemetery history/culture, and the famed avatar trees🌳
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Chapters

At-A-Glance

Did you know there are more than 100,000 tombs in Bukit Brown cemetery? It was open in the early 1900s and was maintained by the coolies for several decades. Several prominent families were buried here (and you can read about their histories around the tombs) but the area is actually a mix of pioneer businessmen and ordinary folk. Today, Bukit Brown continues to draw descendants who visit the graves to pay respect.
Closed in 1970s, the cemetery is overgrown with nature and there are several off-the-beaten trails. There is a easy “cemetery trail” around the tombs, and some challenging detours into the mangrove areas around the cemetery. These mangrove areas open into fields of avatar trees and hide abandoned cars – only for the adventurous at heart!

Main Highlights

What to wear & bring?

Photo Reel

⭐ 𝗕𝘂𝗸𝗶𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 - 🚗 Abandoned cars, 🌳 Avatar Trees, Iconic tombs of Bukit Brown Cemetery

📌 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁: Kheam Hock Park

🚚 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴:
You may park within the residential area along University Road and walk towards Kheam Hock Park.

🚛 𝗕𝘆 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁:
Botanic Gardens MRT (exit A) > cross the overhead bridge > turn right to get to University Road > ~15mins walk to Kheam Hock Park

From the park, head towards the flyover and walk under it.

The entrance to the trail will be on your right.

You will see a makeshift shelter with an altar (there is also space for 3-4 cars here)

Veer right into the forest trail

Follow upslope path into forest

Walk past this clearing

Follow the path parallel to the expressway

After a ~15mins walk, you’ll reach a prominent yellow sign.

Turn left and head down the flight of stairs to get to the temple & abandoned cars, or continue with the path to get to the Avatar trees!

At the bottom of the stairs from the yellow sign, turn left and follow the narrow path to get to the abandoned cars.

There is also a temple ahead that you may visit.

Sin Heng San Teng Tua Peh Kong (also known simply as Sin Heng San Teng) is the temple for the cemetery.

Information about the temple

𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗦...
At the bottom of the stairs from the yellow sign , turn left and follow the narrow path

Look out for tags left by other hikers that will lead you to the abandoned cars

Take the right path when you reach this tomb

Continue to follow the path (and tags).

Be prepared for some bashing through the greens and a mini obstacle course!

Sights along the way

Sights along the way

Soon you will reach the abandoned cars (3 of them)!

Bukit Brown Abandoned Cars

Bukit Brown Abandoned Cars

Bukit Brown Abandoned Cars

Bukit Brown Abandoned Cars

Bukit Brown Abandoned Cars

𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗦...
When you’re done exploring the abandoned cars, retrace your steps to the yellow sign. Now take the path on the right.

Marvel at the bamboo forest along the way

The path will eventually lead you downslope to a small stream. At the bottom of the slope, take the muddy path on your left.

We spotted many monkeys in the forest!

After ~15mins walk, you’ll reach an opening in the forest. Head out and you will find yourself surrounded by the majestic Avatar trees!

Check out the GIANT leaves!

The Avatar Trees. What a sight to behold!

Follow the trail out of the forest to a pathway that will lead you to the main road

Beautiful prayer flags along the way

The path will eventually lead you to the main road (Kheam Hock Road).

Turn right if you wish to explore the Bukit Brown Cemetery.

Otherwise, turn left to head back to Kheam Hock Park (Trail start point).

View from the main road (Kheam Hock Road). This is where you can turn in for direct access to the Avatar Trees.

𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗨𝗞𝗜𝗧 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬...
Turn right at the main road > Continue walking until you see this signboard > Follow the sign and turn right

You will reach this iconic cast-iron gate - the main entrance of Bukit Brown Cemetery!

Do note that the main gate is locked from 5:30PM (Mon – Sat), and closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Bukit Brown Municipal Cemetery

Bukit Brown Municipal Cemetery

Do download the Wayfinder @ Bukit Brown
(https://www.singaporeheritage.org/bukitbrownwayfinder/)!
It is a self-guided walk with directional signage to 25 tombs across Blocks 1 and 3 in Bukit Brown Cemetery. The route is easily-accessible along well worn paths and you'll learn diverse stories of our collective history and heritage.

Trail tips and highlights

Look out for the route markers. They mark the trail by showing you the distances and directions between tombs.

Do be respectful and be mindful not to trample on the tombs. Keep your volume down. Also watch your footing and be careful of uneven terrain.

Some of the iconic tombs to look out for...

𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗯𝘀 𝟮𝟮 & 𝟮𝟯 - 𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗫

The Ong Sam Leong family complex is the largest in Bukit Brown, spanning 600 sq metres, the size of 10 three-room HDB flats. It is also situated on the highest point of the Greater Bukit Brown area, a mark of Ong Sam Leong’s wealth and influence in the Ong clan. The burial grounds of the Ong family are designed on fengshui principles to bring forth an abundance of wealth and many children for the future generations.

A pair of Sikh Guards, two lions and a moat are some of the features of this grand tomb.

The pair of Sikh statues standing guard appear “old”, as seen from slouching shoulders, protruding bellies and nonmilitaristic uniforms. This symbolises their loyalty and years of experience.

Most tombs are marked with information boards that reveal the history, beliefs and practices of the people buried there.

𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗯 𝟭𝟲 - 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗸 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗴

Chew Geok Leong’s tomb is one of the most iconic and recognisable in Bukit Brown. It is guarded by a pair of distinctive and vibrantly coloured Sikh guards.

This is a “live” tomb, prepared by the deceased while he was alive!

𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗯 𝟴 - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗯

The tomb belongs to Tay Choon Neo (郑春娘), the wife of Koh Siao Seng, who was prominent in the lighter craft industry.

Marvel at how nature has reclaimed and intertwined with these tombs.

Prayer flags add to the beauty of the place

Experience the tranquility

Bukit Brown Exploration - Bean There, Done That! 😃

⭐ 𝗕𝘂𝗸𝗶𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 - 🚗 Abandoned cars, 🌳 Avatar Trees, Iconic tombs of Bukit Brown Cemetery

📌 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁: Kheam Hock Park 🚚 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴: You may park within the residential area along University Road and walk...

The entrance to the trail will be on your right. You will see a makeshift shelter with an altar (there...

Veer right into the forest trail

Follow upslope path into forest

Walk past this clearing

Follow the path parallel to the expressway

After a ~15mins walk, you’ll reach a prominent yellow sign. Turn left and head down the flight of stairs to...

At the bottom of the stairs from the yellow sign, turn left and follow the narrow path to get to...

Sin Heng San Teng Tua Peh Kong (also known simply as Sin Heng San Teng) is the temple for the...

Information about the temple

𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗦... At the bottom of the stairs from the yellow sign , turn left and follow the narrow...

Look out for tags left by other hikers that will lead you to the abandoned cars

Take the right path when you reach this tomb

Continue to follow the path (and tags).

Be prepared for some bashing through the greens and a mini obstacle course!

Sights along the way

Sights along the way

Soon you will reach the abandoned cars (3 of them)!

Bukit Brown Abandoned Cars

Bukit Brown Abandoned Cars

Bukit Brown Abandoned Cars

Bukit Brown Abandoned Cars

Bukit Brown Abandoned Cars

𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗦... When you’re done exploring the abandoned cars, retrace your steps to the yellow sign. Now take the...

Marvel at the bamboo forest along the way

The path will eventually lead you downslope to a small stream. At the bottom of the slope, take the muddy...

We spotted many monkeys in the forest!

After ~15mins walk, you’ll reach an opening in the forest. Head out and you will find yourself surrounded by the...

Check out the GIANT leaves!

The Avatar Trees. What a sight to behold!

Follow the trail out of the forest to a pathway that will lead you to the main road

Beautiful prayer flags along the way

The path will eventually lead you to the main road (Kheam Hock Road). Turn right if you wish to explore...

View from the main road (Kheam Hock Road). This is where you can turn in for direct access to the...

𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗨𝗞𝗜𝗧 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬... Turn right at the main road > Continue walking until you see this signboard > Follow...

You will reach this iconic cast-iron gate - the main entrance of Bukit Brown Cemetery!

Do note that the main gate is locked from 5:30PM (Mon – Sat), and closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Bukit Brown Municipal Cemetery

Bukit Brown Municipal Cemetery

Do download the Wayfinder @ Bukit Brown (https://www.singaporeheritage.org/bukitbrownwayfinder/)! It is a self-guided walk with directional signage to 25 tombs across...

Trail tips and highlights

Look out for the route markers. They mark the trail by showing you the distances and directions between tombs.

Do be respectful and be mindful not to trample on the tombs. Keep your volume down. Also watch your footing...

Some of the iconic tombs to look out for... 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗯𝘀 𝟮𝟮 & 𝟮𝟯 - 𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗫 The Ong Sam...

A pair of Sikh Guards, two lions and a moat are some of the features of this grand tomb. The...

Most tombs are marked with information boards that reveal the history, beliefs and practices of the people buried there.

𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗯 𝟭𝟲 - 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗸 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗴 Chew Geok Leong’s tomb is one of the most iconic and recognisable in Bukit...

𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗯 𝟴 - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗯

The tomb belongs to Tay Choon Neo (郑春娘), the wife of Koh Siao Seng, who was prominent in the lighter...

Marvel at how nature has reclaimed and intertwined with these tombs.

Prayer flags add to the beauty of the place

Experience the tranquility

Bukit Brown Exploration - Bean There, Done That! 😃

Watch Us

About the Place

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘?

You can start at the cemetery or the forest – we did the latter
📍 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁: Kheam Hock Park Nearest : Botanic Gardens MRT
From exit A, cross the overhead bridge before making a right to University Road. Walk 10-15 min until you see Kheam Hock Park.

🚗Park along University Road (be mindful it’s a residential area so watch for double lines) and walk towards Kheam Hock Park.
– Go under a flyover at Kheam Hock Park
– You will see a makeshift shelter with an altar (there is also space for 3-4 cars here)
– Veer right into the forest trail

𝙎𝙚𝙚 𝙥𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨: Kheam Hock Park>Temple>Abandoned Cars>Avatar Trees>Bukit Brown Cemetery
This information is accurate as of date of posting. If you know of any updates, do shout out to us and we’ll update accordingly!
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