A mellow neighborhood that's great for active people and those looking for affordable living.
Yio Chu Kang has long been associated with the gambier and pepper plantations that used to occupy vast areas of land, and the many kampongs that existed in the area right up till the late 1980s before more rapid development transformed the village into a modern residential estate. Not as densely populated as some Singapore neighbourhoods, Yio Chu Kang is now made up of public HDB estates as well as a small percentage of private developments providing apartments, condominiums, and landed housing options.
Its relatively affordable properties draw interest from young couples, first-time home owners, and singles. With a few schools nearby (though not as many options as some other neighborhoods), this is also an area worth considering for families with children entering primary/secondary/tertiary education. And with the abundance of natural spaces and greenery, nature lovers would feel at home at one of the many parks and gardens located around Yio Chu Kang.
If you’re not too creeped out you can discover a bit of Singapore’s history with a walk through the Japanese Cemetery Park. Or take in the views and explore the unique variety of flora and fauna in one of Singapore’s last remaining forests at the Lower Peirce Reservoir Park, or go jogging with a view at Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West on its hilly terrain and beautifully landscaped forest paths.
When it comes to shopping and dining, malls such as Heartland house an abundance of mid-range priced retail and dining options, satisfying the needs of more budget conscious residents, and supermarkets (e.g. Giant) located within the vicinity offer easy access to the necessities.
Yio Chu Kang is bordered on the north by Seletar, on the east by Seletar Hills, on the south by Cheng San, Ang Mo Kio, and Kebun Bahru, and on the west by Sembawang Hills and Tagore.
Commute:
CBD: 13.9 km / 20-50 minutes by car / 40-45 minutes by transit
Changi Business Park: 20.8 km / 25-60 minutes by car / 80 minutes by transit
Jurong International Business Park: 18.4 km / 25-55 minutes by car / 60 minutes by transit
One North Buona Vista: 13.8 km / 25-55 minutes by car / 40-50 minutes by transit
Tuas: 37.7 km / 40-75 minutes by car / 120 minutes by transit
Yio Chu Kang LOCAL schools
Yio Chu Kang Local Flavor 
A family mall located in the peripheral vicinity of Yio Chu Kang, Heartland Mall focuses on mid-range priced products catering to the needs of residents in the nearby housing estates. With 112 different outlets, the mall offers plenty of retail and dining options, kids’ enrichment centers, health and beauty wellness centers and other services.
The largest Japanese cemetery in Southeast Asia, the Japanese Cemetery Park is the burial ground of Singapore’s early Japanese community, including civilians and soldiers. Holding nearly 1000 graves in an expansive 30,000sq m area, the Japanese Cemetery Park remained a burial ground until 1947, and became a memorial park in 1987.
Located right beside Yio Chu Kang MRT station, the Yio Chu Kang Sport Centre offers a range of fitness and recreational facilities to the community, including a gym, sports hall, squash courts, swimming complex, and tennis centres.
No-frills retailer for your fresh groceries and general merchandise. With a focus on supplying the lowest prices to customers, Giant Supermarket is great for economical shopping needs.
Singapore’s second-oldest reservoir, the Lower Peirce Reservoir was built in the 1900s by impounding the upper reaches of the Kallang River, to meet the increasing demand for water supply in Singapore. Secondary forests line the banks of the reservoir and is still dotted with a number of rubber trees and oil palms. Today, visitors can walk along the 900m boardwalk that runs through the forest and take in the captivating views of the natural landscapes and discover the rich variety of flora and fauna that awaits.
One of a few gardens and natural spaces in the area, Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West is built on a small hill with rolling greenery and is a great place for fitness enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Visitors can take paths meandering through the forest, run on undulating terrain, and even climb a 120-step staircase to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the entire gardens.
Photo Credits: Thanks to @raies_s, @f_xlicia, @kwat83, @rereanindita, @dawnchuachenye, @shigoto_kaigai, @chm_1313, @expectingham, @vbvss, @hyun.y__, @longtran13, @imlaloignacio, @nethajiiii, @edwinpwl, @teamstrongsilvers, @marcuskoh_, @stevenng2004, @kahhong_flash, @stevenhofong, @james.rodriguez555, for your great photos of this neighborhood!
