Famous for its idyllic cafes, premium estates and some of the best nature Singapore can offer, Bukit Timah is also steeped in history. Meaning “Tin Hill” in Malay, Bukit TImah is famously the site of the last defensive stand of the British against the Japanese in 1942. Bukit Timah is also central enough to be within minutes of Holland Village, Orchard, and CBD (a mere 10 KM away). With so many plus points about this estate, we consolidated 5 reasons why the Bukit Timah life is worth living.

Food Rules

In a bid to cater to homesick expats, numerous casual Italian and French restaurants have popped up in recent years. Noteworthy of these is Acqua e Farina. Led by Italians, it serves a wide range of Italian savouries like Neapolitan-style pizzas, cheese, and wine. For French fare, checkout the no-fuss Choupinette, offering simple but elegant French delights like sandwiches and breakfasts. For a taste of Brazilian food, visit the popular Brazil Churrasco for an authentic churrascaria experience, which translates to free-flow meat cut in front of you. These establishments compliment traditional Asian cuisines, which are served by the likes of Joo Seng Teochew Porridge, Good Good Eating House, and Royal Thai Boat Noodles & Bar.

The district of Bukit Timah and the neighbouring Holland Village is well-served by some of the best-known schools in Singapore, including international schools such as Anglo-Chinese International School (ACSI), the Integrated International School, the International Community School, Nexus International School, United World College South East Asia, Chinese Intentional School, Chatsworth Bukit Timah, and more. Local schools include Raffles Girls’ Primary School, Hwa Chong Institution, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and more. All these schools cater to wide range of students.

Bukit Timah is serviced by 6 MRT stations spanning the Downtown Line and the Circle Line. On the former are Beauty World, King Albert Park, Sixth Avenue and Tan Kah Kee, while on the latter are Farrer Road and Holland Village. Being in a central location, it takes about 15-20 minutes to reach CBD by car and about 40 minutes to reach the Changi area.

Being a site of huge historical value, Bukit Timah is home to several interesting landmarks. The first is the Old Ford Motor Factory, which began operations in 1941 and was the first Ford vehicle assembly plant in Southeast Asia. Notably, it was the site where the British surrendered to the Japanese in 1942. Today it houses a permanent exhibition which reflects life during the years of occupation.

One must-visit landmark, perhaps even daily for Bukit Timah residents, is the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. One of the richest and most diverse ecological systems in Singapore, the reserve is home to one of the few areas of primary rainforests on the island, as well as Singapore’s tallest hill, the Bukit Timah Hill. The perfect place to have a stroll or run, this area is also great for children and photographers to experience its indigenous species of flora and fauna.

Other noteworthy landmarks are the Bukit Timah Railway Station, Greenwood Fish Market & Bistro, and the Pasarbella Farmer’s Market.

A Different Kind Of Shopping

A unique combination of posh brands, independent labels and rustic shops can be found scattered throughout the iconic Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, Beauty World Centre, Bukit Timah Plaza, and Cluny Court. The former, which is Singapore’s first fully air-conditioned shopping centre, houses an eclectic mix of shops, from the renowned Jew Kit Hainanese Chicken Rice to beauty salons. Elsewhere, check out Simone Irani at Cluny Court and Our Second Nature at Holland Village.

If you’re still searching for your perfect home in Bukit Timah, do check out on Leedon Green. There, you can find New Project Insights that offers the latest information like percentage of units sold, average price, comparison models, and more.