Bishan and Bukit Brown: Exploring the 100,000 graves of central Singapore | 探索中新加坡的十萬墳墓

After finding out that Bishan is basically one huge, old graveyard, I decided to 'dig' (don't worry, not literally) into the history of death and burials in Singapore.
My exhumation experience:
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/...
Peck Sang Theng (Columbarium):
sgpecksantheng.com/%E7%BB%84%...
Seah Eu Chin (Grave Hill):
seaheuchin.com/seahs-final-re...
Bukit Brown:
bukitbrown.com/main/?p=10124
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[@lilihelmy]

I really appreciate the works that you do in every video. I can't imagine how tedious: you need to place the camera in certain possition, set it correctly, then you walk towards the camera, sometimes you cycle pass through where the area of the camera's view , then once you get it correctly, you pack up your camera, your tripod, then walk again... Oh... Unbelievable! This isn't mentioning the editing process. You are awesome Richard, you must be very patient person and really love to do this. Thumbs up! I enjoy your exploration channel, you explore intresting topics about Singapore.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you so much! The nice comments keep me going!

[@aliffikmal9389]

@@AsiaHikelopedia hello brother...i think you need to go to malaysia 🇲🇾 one day located abroad of singapore 🇸🇬...everything is very cheap at here🤗🤗🤗

[@gohhuiping3630]

Wow I'm a Singaporean and I'm truly inspired by you to go out there and explore my country more! Thanks for the great videos and hope you keep them coming.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

You should!

[@leeedward4399]

Another great video on Singapore's history. Keep them coming, Richard.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks, will do!

[@TattoosLovers]

@@AsiaHikelopedia In the 1950s, the land that Ngee Ann City sits on was a burial ground, owned and managed by Ngee Ann Kongsi. It was part of a parcel of land known as Tai Shan Ting, which was bounded by Orchard Road, Paterson Road, and Grange Road. A ten-storey Ngee Ann Building was then built on the site, and was demolished to make way for Ngee Ann City takashimaya was one a graveyard too , that's why i don't go to takashimaya at night lol , and i feel so sorry for the dead people who were move here & there just because of the gov who wants to build more buildings mrt's ect ..... housing's .

[@evelynlim1867]

thank you Richard, before i watch your YT, i will make sure i have coffee besides me and make sure i really listen what ever you say. its like attending history lesson.

[@viok2932]

I remembered paying respects to my grandparents at Bishan Ting when I was a young kid!The content, videography and the presentation of this video is so much better then many of the local TV documentaries! Kudos to you and many, many thanks 🙏.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

I'm not sure about that, but thanks!

[@Transidify]

Hahaha, the emphasis on “Toa” Your pronunciation of Bukit Brown and Sungei Buloh were great!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you! I'm relieved.

[@adityac3239]

@@AsiaHikelopedia if I may have one point to add, for Sungai it's not about Sungai vs sungei (with a or e) as people of different accent in malay also will do it differently. It's the fact that you sometimes added a further 'g' after the 'ng' to make it become like Su-ng-gei instead of pure Su-ngei. I get it that 'ng' is a tricky sound. By the way it's read unlike 'Mango', which you realise in Malay or indonesian becomes 'Mangga' due to the additional 'g'. "NG" is supposed to be just the 'ng' sound as you have done today

[@AnungAriwibowo]

The closest pronunciation for "-ngei" that comes to mind is like you pronounce May. Just replace M with NG. As for "su-" you pronounce it just right. Thanks for an interesting story.

[@shawtyAry]

Your "bukit brown" & "sungai buloh" pronunciation is amazingly perfect. Thumbs up!!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks.

[@gazzap62]

Just found your video's a few days ago, and I must say I'm loving these, the history and just Singapore in general, keep them coming Richard. I have a love for Singapore since I first visited in 96 and how the place has changed. I'm living in Perth Australia, originally from Scotland, and just can't wait until the borders open again.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Glad you like them!

[@yctoh9398]

The area around Yishun, Chong Pang area and all those with block 700+ are also all former cemetery.

[@haridaspanicker5888]

Brings back my memories of childhood in Singapore. I remember the elaborate funeral processions followed by mourners in sack clothes. This was the sixties, old Singapore that Conrad would have loved.

[@sallyltan]

I really enjoyed this video, Richard. Thank you 😊

[@phng8316]

The drain u wash your hands...is my childhood playground...catching fishes and spiders...during my childhood times..😘😍.. Thanks Richard!!

[@ROCLIFER]

Fascinating information. I’m enjoying these historic looks at Singapore. Thank you!

[@sengkiatlee8309]

Thanks for all your research done for this video, very informative, well done!

[@andrewlee1579]

Thanks Richard for showing us all those places and history that some of which I'm being a Singaporean is not even aware of. Keep up the fascinating posts and stay safe and above all have a great time!

[@faizwong5326]

Well done my friend. Finally its released after you mentioned on our boat rude. The drone shot of Ong'grave is very nice! Keep it up! Look forward to next video

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks!

[@deminions9302]

The best by far! Keep it up Sir

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks a lot!

[@SuzushimaChin]

I’ve learn so much about my country through your videos. During such difficult period when going out is a luxury your videos bring us so much joy. Thank you

[@isaactan9394]

You really deserve more likes and subscribers! I learn more from you than my history lessons in school. I also love how you present Singapore as a destination with rich diversity and culture. It makes me want to go out and explore Singapore on my bicycle too!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

I know I do! Haha! And thank you!

[@richardneo8921]

Tu To Kong means Lord of the land. He is the deity controlling the piece of land, so what ever one do or put on the land, he must first be informed and respected to ensure his protection.

[@ckneo3405]

Good morning Richard Really appreciate the amount of time, effort and foot-work you have put in to make your clips. Thank you, again !! Keep it up and stay healthy and safe !!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you too!

[@mr.sskimkimSg]

Thanks very much Richard! I really enjoy this video very much! Cheers~

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

My pleasure!

[@colingoh5227]

Thanks Richard...you are not only adventurous but resourceful...salute!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you kindly

[@linnoz3704]

Thank you for your video! It's very informative! 💯👏

[@benk7177]

You have scored another goal!! You have put in commendable effort to understand and showcase another deeper side of Singapore, than to see it as what it is superficially, and do it in such an entertaining format, esp the lighthearted touches such as learning to pronounce Bukit Brown.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks

[@mjlee5617]

Amazing you walked around there. Most Sg would never thought of making a trip there. Thanks for the upload

[@denzuko1]

Love your videos, you explore the places little known to even the locals.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

I try

[@desmondfung7886]

Richard, another excellent & enjoyable video from you. As a singaporean, I salute you for your effort in producing such quality video content. Keep it up & stay safe!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

So nice of you

[@lawrenzhuang9748]

Hi Richard, as always, pretty well researched subject on Bishan and very interesting one too, which not many Singaporeans are well aware of, I am sure. For me, my knowledge on the history Bishan is pretty limited except for a short stint where I worked for a government department involved in farm survey in the early 1970s which brought us to various rural areas of Singapore, including Peck San Teng. Keep up the good work!

[@Orionraylee]

You really make a big effort to do the research. Thumbs up!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you very much!

[@4794Walker]

Thank you for the tremendous effort for this video! 👍👍 a lot of young Singaporeans don’t even know about these places. A great history lesson!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

My pleasure!

[@weehuileow6666]

Your video has been very informative and educational as well. Being a Singaporean I dun know so much of Singapore history. Thank you for sharing.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ypeihan]

Resourceful Insightful Cute Humble/Humorous Amiable Respectful Down-to-earth

[@edwardrodrigues6964]

Hey Rich! I always like yr presentations! U always go where most of us don't n not aware off! Kudos bro!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Glad you like them!

[@fuqingshen]

Very interesting and you certainly taught most of us Singaporeans some history of the past. Great job!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks! 😃

[@Liquidmaster1006]

I appreciated what you have done mate. Your pronunciations good no doubt. Keep it up. Thanks for sharing pretty cool and admired you mate. :)

[@sombrance]

Thank you for being so interested in the history of our island and our people. It is a really refreshing change from what people usually see or want to see in and about Singapore. I'm still surprised you actually drank Oldenlandia water. That's something not everyone likes, especially the younger generation! Also, I might be wrong but i believe the Cantonese pronunciation is Bik Shan DENG rather than Bik Shan Ting. Ting still sounds Mandarin.

[@jadelpg]

Thanks for the information. I remembered visiting my grandfather’s grave once many years ago. So much tall grasses. It must be very tiring for you.

[@chengyenwee]

Like - the new color of your shirt. Matches your skin tone and definitely looks better in you. Thanks for putting up another great video, I learn the history of Sg from you a lot more from the text book during my school days.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you! 😳

[@LinksRoyal]

The Lighting on the background Building at 1:08 is really Pretty!

[@geokinski]

The latest neighborhood built on former graveyard is Bidadari. It was also the site of Istana Bidadari where many Johor sultans were born. I believe part of the Istana's former gateway is preserved.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Interesting. Thanks!

[@EricK-mj7kr]

Bidadari has the mystic of people performing black magic on its ground.

[@xijingping7684]

Wow, impressive video of exploring another area of singapore that is good for people who are interested in visiting Singapore to know more about the culture and traditions of Singapore. 👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks! 😃

[@reyskidude]

Another that had to give way to progress is Kopi Sua when PIE was built through it. The leftover graves are now on two sides - the Mount Pleasant side and the smaller one on the Whitley side. At least for Bukit Brown, though they still had to exhume to construct the new highway, they made a flyover so either side can be accessed underneath.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Interesting. You can still see the graves on the satellite images.

[@iristan2465]

Richard Thank you very much, great video enjoy watching 👍👍

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@CheikoSairin]

Very nice exploring and I love the entire video. Great shared. You got 1 like from me. Happy weekend.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you very much!

[@NewbieGamerz884]

Hi richard! Thanks so much for sharing the info! Didn’t know there’s so much about 碧山亭 / bukit brown! It (碧山亭), reminded me of when I go there to pray respects to my ancestors during 清明节/祭日 🙏🙏

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

My pleasure!

[@infinity_wsl]

Richard, you are right. Tu Di Gong is liked a Patron Saint protecting the graves. Some are erected beside smaller scale graves.

[@cecilialim8253]

Wow, thats interesting...your pronunciation is great! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you too!

[@infinity_wsl]

Thanks, Richard, this is the true blue beautiful Singapore that you are introducing to the world. 👍🙂

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

My pleasure!

[@rlrh1996]

Hi Richard, love your videos! I think you pronounced "Bukit" fairly accurately, but "Sungei" is pronounced more like " soong-eye” with the "ng" sound carried over.

[@seanseah242]

Glad to see you made it to Seah Eu Chin (Read as Sea-ah U Chin =) grave. The path clearing was only done in mid Dec 20 so you were lucky! Before that it was pretty overgrown!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Yes. I was expecting it to be really overgrown!

[@jcloiseau]

Another nice video! Tell me are you happy with your peak design clip on? I have their backpack and dont find it as confy as the timbuk2.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Yes I am so far! Although it's a bit tough to get on some straps. A lot of people prefer the earlier model as it's wider.

[@makinsense71]

I like this episode... thank you :)

[@ArlenesExperience]

Great contest .can't wait to explore on that place too..... Explore Singapore..

[@leewn2319]

Besides Bishan & Bukit Brown, there were other big & small cemeteries such as : Bukit Timah’s 光孝山 a Teochew cemetery behind Mandai Quarry which had be exhumed & closed; Chua Chu Kang cemetery; Bihadari which were fully exhumed & HDB flats being built now. There was also a grave at Botanic Gardens next to the Jacob Ballas children gardens; etc.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Interesting, thanks.

[@garychong8898]

Richard, we passed you at Upper Thompson Road. We just completed the Bukit Brown trail earlier in the morning. There is a secret hidden garden next to the main cemetery. Also a very green trail that ends in a Chinese temple besides PIE.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

I remember passing your group. Maybe I should have come with you!!

[@phng8316]

U must be bold enough to visit these places ..solo..👏👏👍👍

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Not really.

[@RyanWilliams-os6xw]

Great video

[@miltimchannel]

That's really amazing videos some places I've never seen yet here in Singapore.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you very much!

[@farahain6690]

Hey! You pronounced Bukit Brown and Sungei Buloh in Malay correctly!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Love your knowledgeable + funny trekking videos. Keep ‘em coming! 👍🏻😃

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Good to know!

[@chscteng4839]

Hey Richard, don't worry about the pronunciations, my pronunciation of Sungei Buloh still comes out closer to 'Sandra Bullock' (and i'm a local). My wife always have a good laugh with/at me. Love watching your videos, in fact we just came back from one of your recommendations - Wild Olives in Pasir Ris. Keep the videos coming in and hope to bump into you one of these days.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks!

[@yatishafii4976]

Like your video. Very informative.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you!

[@ArshadKhan-de1cj]

Have to say, the quality of the video is very good. Color is brilliant. What’s the camera and setting used?

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Canon M6 MkII

[@AmbientWalking]

The site where Ngee Ann City is located was a small graveyard too. There are many pockets of graves in between things in Singapore.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Interesting, thanks!

[@AnungAriwibowo]

There is also a graveyard in Fort Canning, if I am not mistaken.

[@cutepopcorn]

If you notice the shape of Ngee Ann City, I think you will be surprised

[@AmbientWalking]

@@cutepopcorn it’s designed as a Chinese tomb.

[@AmbientWalking]

@@AnungAriwibowo Yes. A grave for the old kings.

[@pegasussinbkk1846]

Maybe you can do a video with Charles and Raymond Goh, who are into locating and decoding graves

[@CrackTroop]

The whole of Raffles institutions sits above the old graves - no wonder the school got good high spirits!👍🏼😜😂😂😂

[@jeremykoek4159]

when at that coffee shop try the fried carrot cake and prata at the same market. great video!!

[@AbdulRahman-uo5sz]

hey Richard I really like your videos. please do one on clementi forest.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Watch this space!

[@simlim8156]

My great grandparent graves used to be in 碧山亭. Every 清明 the whole family would climb the Bishan hill to visit their graves.

[@birdsinacity8877]

Call heard in background from 16:10 to 16:20 is from a Changeable Hawk Eagle. I enjoyed learning from your video even though I have been to those places.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks for the info!

[@chilicrabbabe]

Love the color of your tshirt!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you!! Me too!

[@Garhobson]

Channeling Dr Jones..........HAHAHA You are killing me. Merino wool for Singapore? Never for outdoors in ANY time. Great colour though. Great video again!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Yes, it was a bit too warm!

[@LifewithSSss]

Thanks for the adventurous video which I probably don’t have the nerve to visit there by myself 😂 nice sharing 👍🏻👍🏻

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@handphone77]

Bukit Brown isn't as big as it used to be. They had most tombs exhumed for the construction of the mrt. Khean Hock Cemetery behind too is another interesting location that has been affected by the construction.

[@phng8316]

The stretch of road...along Jalan Mashhor...dun be surprise to see joggers in the early morning...in this quiet and remote part of central Singapore.

[@erfaraihana]

Love the face @ 11.40 😂 anyway love this video!!

[@Potomacstud]

Superb video

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks

[@nikoji4257]

Good spooky video. Appreciate your effort. Sleep well tonight. God bless u. 👍

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

I'll try!

[@derekgohel]

Great information for me as Singaporean of 50+ years...really appreciate your effort to research on our history. You don't hv to be so bother on yr local pronunciation, just flash the word on the screen if you are doubtful on your pronunciation. Causacian commonly has problem with chinese pin yin - 'zh'(周), so the closest sound to it will be 'ge' in English.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Chinese is not a problem for me. It's the Malay words I have trouble with.

[@cheongwaimengfabian1584]

Very well made video. You can always go there to look for information you need, esp when Qing Ming Jie is around. The caretakers of graves will be there. You can ask them for information too.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks for that!

[@EricK-mj7kr]

I grew up in Ang Mo Kio, overlooking Bishan. It was a very vast chinese cemetary hill. I could still remember all the chinese burial tombstones there. Then one fine day (or not so fine for the dead), the bulldozers arrived & started to razed the hill down, to build Bishan town & the park.

[@Tigerzbeer]

It was late 80s when Bishan Park was developed 😉

[@ccy4798]

There is Dr Tan Tock Seng's grave , who started Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

[@jennifer1981]

Tan Tock Seng cemetery wasn’t buried at Bukit Brown.There’s an article mention -It is possible that Tan Tock Seng’s remains were exhumed & re-interred in this Outram spot ( his daughter in law & grand daughter in law also buried here .I been there ,360 Outram Road Singapore 169077.

[@leewn2319]

My grandma’s tomb had a small 土地公next to it. During 清明节 the ritual is to give offering to the Earth god before you can give offerings to your deceased ancestors. It’s to get permission before the ancestors’ spirits can enjoy the offerings.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks!

[@cra_55]

There's a small abandoned Muslim cemetery hidden in Kranji across the street from Carros Centre. That area used to be kampongs up until the 90's. I'm surprised no one really talks about it even though many people commute past that place every day.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks.

[@Pemma200]

Like your choice of background music

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks!

[@MrKim29han]

I know where Tan Lark Sye 's tomb is. It along Whitley Road after the primary school. A good indication is if you can locate a huge durian tree. Beside there are three other tombs well visiting. I stay there till the late seventies then I emigrate

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks. I may have to go and have a search for it.

[@opticalsoap]

The most recent site will be Bidadari Estate.

[@gotmyonu1027]

OMG... Richard the Magnificent!!!! You are truly a great tomb hunter. Thank you for all the historical info. Enjoy your video very much. How about doing a haunted house hunt in SG....

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you kindly

[@lamnyetmin3834]

You are right on the Earth god.

[@shimmyshimmy6724]

You nailed Bukit Brown 👍🏻 Sungai is pronounced Soo-ng-ai where the ng sounds similar to the ng in “Sing”

[@rw4029]

This fella is the cutest with the pronunciations 🤣

[@ranasinghereubenelvisseyad5096]

New H.D.B in bidadari is one of the haunted placed plus tan tock seng hospital to was a former graveyard.

[@chunping6473]

Chew boon lay is Boon lay is near jurong that area

[@whkoh7619]

Nice threads! Is merino more cooling than synthetics?

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

It's great for non-tropical climates as it can keep you both warm and cool, but the best thing for me is that it doesn't smell after you sweat. You can wear it for a week solid in a place like Nepal and it doesn't smell at all.

[@jcloiseau]

Would be nice to have a top 10 of your hawkers across the island :)

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

That would be fun, but difficult. And I have a feeling I would get slaughtered in the comments by the locals! Haha!

[@jcloiseau]

@@AsiaHikelopedia well to limit the slaughter you can put it like some "gems you found so far" + you can definitely ask viewers if they tried them and what they thought AND if they recommend other "gems" boosting engagement

[@temasek65]

Tan Lark Sye is definitely an important figure of the past to remember.

[@alui5362]

12:55 omg richard, is it even clean to use the longkang water to wash up?? I don't think so, it's not like spring water that has gone through the ground or anything.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

It's ok. I'm only washing in it, not drinking it!

[@susanling7557]

To be honest, your pronunciation is quite good

[@WhiteBiscuit]

Glad you're fine and downing the juices

[@user-uy3du6cp7b]

Will you cover Bidadari in future?

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Maybe, but will need to research first.