A new fruit tree arboretum has been established on Pulau Ubin alongside a newly conserved Chinese kampung house, allowing you to get more of a feel for kampung life!
These new places were announced on 3 December last year as part of a year-long series of activities called “Celebrate Ubin”. These activities represent the National Park Board’s (NParks) commitment to further conserve the cultural heritage and rustic character of the island.
New fruit tree arboretum and restored Chinese kampung house
The first of its kind in Singapore, the fruit tree arboretum is situated along Jalan Ubin on Pulau Ubin. Named Ubin Fruit Orchard, the one-hectare site was previously a fruit orchard belonging to a resident on the island.
The arboretum showcases fruits commonly planted in kampungs such as rambutans and starfruit, as well as uncommon cultivated varieties of durian and mango. Students from Nanyang Girls’ High School prepared interpretive signs and students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic assisted with planting works for the arboretum.
To officially open the arboretum, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs & National Development Mr Desmond Lee and Senior Minister of State for Defence & Foreign Affairs Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman joined Ngee Ann Polytechnic students in planting fruit trees.
“Teck Seng’s Place” — formerly House 363B — overlooks the Sensory Trail Ponds. Built in the 1970s, the house was owned by Mr Chew Teck Seng, who operated a provision shop in the village centre. The refurbished house has now been conserved as a model of a Chinese kampung house, featuring interpretive signs and memorabilia that offer a glimpse at life on Pulau Ubin during the 1970s.
The house is open on the second and fourth weekends of each month and on public holidays from 10am to 2pm.
The Ubin Fruit Orchard and Teck Seng’s Place will be among the highlights of NParks’ new monthly Rustic Reflections Tour. To find out more and to register for the guided tour, visit NParks’ website for updates.
NParks Community in Nature (CIN) Biodiversity Watch: BioBlitz @ Ubin
SMS Lee also launched the NParks Community in Nature (CIN) Biodiversity Watch: BioBlitz @ Ubin, the first 24-hour survey to document biodiversity on the island. This survey took place from 3 to 4 December last year.
This was Pulau Ubin’s first BioBlitz event. It aimed to encourage the community to learn more about Pulau Ubin’s natural heritage and to contribute to organised research efforts as citizen scientists.
The data collected will help set the ground for a comprehensive biodiversity survey of Pulau Ubin, which will take place later this year.
Over 24 hours, members of the public joined naturalists and researchers in documenting the biodiversity found on Pulau Ubin, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. Some 30 surveys were led by about 35 naturalists and researchers from NParks, the Nature Society (Singapore), the Herpetological Society of Singapore, the Entomological Network of Singapore, the National University of Singapore, and Nature @ Seletar Country Club.
So whether you’re new to Pulau Ubin or a regular visitor, do keep your eyes open and discover different aspects of the island’s cultural and natural heritage during your visit!
Watch NParks’ YouTube videos to learn more about what you can do there: