Exploring Singapore’s Southern Ridges: Colonial mansions and hidden reservoirs (探索新加坡南部山脊)

Join me as I take an extended walk of the popular Southern Ridges trail and make a few detours along the way.
Trail map: app.suunto.com/move/richardha...
Hill 270
www.fortsiloso.com/batteries/d...
Battle of Opium Hill
eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infoped...
Alkaff Mansion
eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infoped...
Danish Seamen’s Church
www.roots.gov.sg/places/place...
Keppel Hill Reservoir
www.straitstimes.com/singapor...
Support/buy me a coffee: (do not feel obligated!)
www.buymeacoffee.com/hikelopedia
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hikelopedia.picfair.com
Follow me:
/ asiahikelopedia
asiahikelop...

[@lightspeedrescue]

It's funny because as a local who's been here for years, I learn more about Singapore through your videos than those crappy clickbait articles or whatever heritage tour people do. Thanks for doing this!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks for the compliment!

[@susangoh6551]

Me too and I am now in AZ,USA. Next home trip I think I will explore your route. How long is the route?

[@motivationchampion6642]

Good job. Once again, never fail to show most singaporeans a side of singapore we do not know. Kudos!

[@kltan5642]

绿意盎然，谢谢你把新加坡拍的太美了。

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

謝謝你！

[@haroldlo8624]

Well done once again Richard. It never fails to amaze me how you continually manage to find hidden corners of Singapore even along routes I’m already familiar with!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Many thanks!

[@sabrecruz6721]

So happy someone like you makes the effort to show the World this!

[@therover65]

First of all let me congratulate you for another great video. I’m 55 and have been living abroad for 23 of those years. Your videos always remind me what a beautiful place Singapore is, with nature and man-made blending smoothly into one another.

[@hugo-5212]

Thanks Richard

[@crosbyong]

I’ve walked this route many times, and yet, I’ve learned a couple of new things from you. Bravo! Thanks you!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Great to hear!

[@samueltan24]

Oh Singapore's erratic weather.. Happy Lunar New Year to you and your family!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Same to you!

[@AmbientWalking]

The Southern Ridges are my backyard! I live in a HDB block facing Telok Blangah Hill Park and every day I am grateful for the amazing view. Such a privilege to live here. Best place to live in Singapore.

[@geoffsmith1156]

Thanks Richard. As usual packed with interesting history. I did this walk in 2019. Can't wait for covid to pass to return. Al Kaff is an absolutely stunning old mansion.

[@ketchupc1051]

Another fab video about the history of Singapore. Well done Richard!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Many thanks!

[@Shagman692]

A Thai crown prince passed away in Goldbell building and Tan Boon Liat’s grandfather wrote the reference letter to the Thai king for Anna to be the princes english teacher. Her son was offered a captain’s commission in Thai Royal Calvary when he grew up.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

That's very interesting. Thanks!

[@tf-ok]

Anna from Anna and The King?

[@united24601]

Your videos are now a staple of my Saturday mornings. Tea, breakfast and your vid on the big screen! Share your passion for Singapore and its history. Will enjoy watching your channel continue to grow! Gong xi fa cai!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Wow, thank you!

[@paecpc]

Wishing you and family a very happy, healthy and prosperous Lunar New year! I saw you doing the firming of this clip, I waved to you to say hello, and you acknowledged, nice.😊 And you look very tall and big size in real person. Cheers!

[@benc8640]

My old stomping grounds. Amazing to see how much more development there now. It used to be mainly poorly maintained trails and roads. Nice video.

[@MrEric5452]

You are really an explorer, Richard.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

I try my best

[@hardhang]

Another great episode.

[@viok2932]

Many thanks for another great video, Richard!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rainerkoh774]

Thank you for the awesome history lesson ! I pay attention to your video more then what my history teacher taught me back in school

[@charleschoo794]

Hey, I've been watching your videos since the one you posted about the 100,000 graveyards in Singapore. I just wanted to say that your channel is AMAZING so please keep up the great work! (Fun Fact: I actually study at Catholic High School, which was only about 200 metres away from where you started the video :) )

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you for your support!

[@ericyeo8824]

Hi Richard, It was nice watching this video. It was very calming & relaxing for a start...

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@smj7246]

This man is fearless!

[@mdee8784]

Another great video! Very brave man doing all this in Singapore’s horrific heat and humidity.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks for watching!

[@ckneo3405]

Great clip (as usual); just wanted to drop a belated Happy Chinese New Year to you and all in your family. Wishing you, your loved ones and all your viewers good health, great happiness and continual prosperity in the OXpicious Chinese New Year !

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Same to you!

[@brianvittachi6869]

Thank you for the upload.

[@apekcoolify]

The Malay Regiment was the fiercest and bravest unit against the Japanese back in WW2. Fought till their last

[@united24601]

Was reading about this the other day. Led by Lt Adnan Bin Saidi

[@sha00757]

Yes ..unsung malay hero

[@1changi]

In the old days, local Chinese called Mount Faber as Flag Rising Hill.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Cool. Thanks for sharing

[@TicketToRideAsia]

Must be a dream filming in a city with hardly any people & no noise!! Envious lol! Will keep watching!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

It is!

[@AVION360]

That's some nice aerial shots at few segments of this video.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks.

[@palmtree_]

Great video. Thanks, Richard

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jadelpg]

Happy Lunar New Year to you and your family. It is a joy to watch this video. Telok Blangah Hill is a place I used to go very often. 2 thumbs up 👍

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Happy new year!

[@cezann]

Thank you, Richard. What a lovely extended walk along the Southern Ridges. Happy Birthday in advance!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Glad you enjoyed it. But it's not my birthday for a while!

[@cezann]

Haha, Richard. Today is the 7th day of lunar new year hence it is known as everyone’s birthday :)

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Wah! I've never heard about this before.

[@cezann]

@@AsiaHikelopedia am glad you learned something new. It is called “人日”。

[@zainanuar6958]

Very informative. Love the abundance of nature and the tranquility along the route. I've tried a part of the trail n wud love to try further. Hiking with a good sporting companion wud be lovely too.

[@Yishushu]

Thank you! I’ve really enjoyed the music, attention to details...

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Potomacstud]

Richard is superb , real deal

[@oeric8252]

Another Great video. Wishing you & family a Happy and Joyable CNY here. 👋👋👋

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Same to you!

[@ahboonzofsaikongclan5335]

Oh... If you have been my history teacher, it would not have been a boring subject.

[@rext8949]

When you said gear I was looking for the parachute. When it's a hill it's bound to be scenic. Very pleasant walking course indeed. Though I can't believe that it can get pleasant in Singapore during the day.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

It can, but it's rare!

[@gotmyonu1027]

Good job..... Richard. Love your videos....

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks 👍

[@hansvonessen6259]

I like💕 the home made videos 🎥📀📼 you made about your exploration🌅🌴🐦🌳🦜🏙️ in Singapore 🇸🇬 . 👏👌👍🙂

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks! 😃

[@JCDSG]

Your videos are awesome! Thank you so much for sharing !

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Glad you like them!

[@abdulazizany]

Hi there, just drop by to say that I think I saw you this morning (Friday 18th) at Bedok Reservoir Park. Nice to bump into you in person 😀

[@leeedward4399]

Looking forward to your coming Bukit Chandu battle video. 😉

[@addherre6218]

Wow I live in Dover and never been to Keppel Reservoir! Amazing! Something to discover

[@yubooncheng9309]

Thanks for the video on the full trail. I usually hike the second half from Hort Park to Mount Faber and Harbourfront. Haven’t explored the area around Kent Ridge park yet. Happy lunar new year to you and family!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

You should!

[@mitramoso]

You have taken me on a journey I would have ;liked to do but, I am 91 now and homebound. I wish to thank you from my heart for this fascinating journey. And also the history I was trying to find out from books mostly out of print. The vast changes since my visit many years ago.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

glad you enjoyed it!

[@mjlee5617]

Thanks for the historical information which we locals tend to take them for granted. :)

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

My pleasure!

[@foodmore]

Great video. I am learning so much from your videos!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@keithh2100]

Loved it - thank you!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@simpernchong]

Another amazing video. Happy Lunar New Year :)

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Same to you!

[@awclow]

Great job Richard... I would really like to do some of the trails you have done. Will be so helpful if a map of these walks can be posted somewhere for all to check out..

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

There's a link in the description.

[@wwpoof]

Gosh, your trip today looked like a long journey 😲🙉! But it's nice 👍💘, showing the different fauna and landscape. Lol. Please continue to keep up the great content of your videos 😍😇🌈.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you! 😃

[@ROCLIFER]

Nice one. I liked the map, too!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks!

[@infinity_wsl]

Richard, Happy Chinese New Year to You & Your Family!🙂

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Happy new year!

[@daphytan6638]

great job mate! 🤜🏼🤜🏼

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks! 👍

[@affendihamzah5587]

I've been following you sir and you make me blush hard, I'm a local(58)& I do not know the places you've been.. Thank you soo much for your eye opener video's and I'm looking forward for more

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks!

[@sebastienyap1207]

祝你合家新年进步，身体健康！

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

新年快樂！

[@lagibizar]

Great drone work between the trees. Interesting that you showed Bukit Chandu. One of the soldiers who fought the battle there, Ujang Mormin, just passed away a few days back from Covid. He was 100 years old.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Ha! I almost crashed it. That's a shame. I had no idea any of those guys were still alive.

[@monyet9999]

Rip

[@gryff8400]

Nice to see places I walked on my last trip 15 months ago. I started at MRT Harbor Front /Mount Faber and walked through to Kent Ridge MRT - thought I'd do it in a day, but the heat! and humidity! forced me to split it across two days. On both days I was passed by Singaporeans in cardigans...

[@therover65]

Cardigans... that’s a band isn’t it? A word not often used these days. 😁

[@geokinski]

It's one of the favourite running routes amongst many Singaporeans. Just about 10km to and fro, between the peaks of Kent Ridge Park and Mount Faber Park, longer if one goes around the hills.

[@jjyf78]

Great job Richard! After watching you video, i have an impulse to visit this place immediately, thank you once again for the hard work. ♥️

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Have fun!

[@Cobrakai147]

Nice work!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@donagh1954]

At 7.51 he passed the Interlace Apartments , one of the most famous buildings in Singapore if not the world. This complex merits a video to itself. See what you can do please.

[@ThatMevely]

I saw you on the news. happy Chinese new year Richard

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Same to you!

[@bobobobowai]

Good job 👍👍👍👍👍👍😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you so much 😀

[@yclee481]

Another fantastic video, Richard. I really appreciate your thorough research on points of historical interest for every video. Please set up a patreon or google subscribers channel, I would love to chip in for your meals along your hikes! From one avid hiker to another. :)

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thank you so much. It's the nice messages of support that make this all worth while. I'm considering doing a KZbin membership where I can do live chats with subscribers. More news coming soon.

[@gomosh6967]

I have been to Reflection At Bukit Candu many times. It is a nice museum that everyone should visit if you are into historical. It also have information of our Malay warrior, the late Leftenant Adnan Bin Saidi. Thank you. :)

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Yes, you are right. Can't wait to visit.

[@lawrenzhuang9748]

Good morning, Richard, and Gong Xi Fa Cai. Always looked forward with excitement to your new videos on your discovery of many new places. As usual, a well done job with snippets of the history of the area, which I believed many locals, including me, are not aware of. Keep up the good job!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Good morning!

[@graceleeks]

Another wonderful piece. AWESOME JOB RICHARD! (Btw what camera were you using for that drone shot 2:17 ?)

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

My drone. Mavic Pro

[@aidenkuan9047]

New area to explore

[@terrymchugh4174]

Hi Richard - we are scheduled to visit Singapore next year, is there any way we can see a mapped version of this route ? Keep up the amazing work

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

There is a link in the description.

[@gnaiseefhokyrneh]

thanks for introducing the lesser known places! do you think you could attach a map showing how to access the keppel hill reservoir?

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Yes I can. I put the map of this walk in the description.

[@s0me1usaw]

Happy Chinese new year! :3

[@donagh1954]

Reference to a graphic map every now and then would enhance the video and make it easier for anyone who wanted to follow in Richard's footsteps in the future.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

There's a map in the description!

[@bluelingen]

12:23 never knew this was a mansion before it became something else

[@nicholaschia4014]

Love your series of singapore gems. what camera do you use for your video?

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Thanks. Canon M6 MkII

[@rossmonday600]

Was it a coincidence? u released this video the same day the Malay Regiment started the battle of pasir panjang, walking the same route where the battle had been held... coincidentally back in 1942, i heard CNY fell within this week as well.. it looked oike u even walked pass the battlesite...Ive always looked forward to stories of bukit chandu. Im looking forward to your video on this part of history. KEEP IT UP! and Thank you!

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Yes, Total coincidence. Also, one of the soldiers who fought in the battle unfortunately passed away in Malaysia last week aged 100. So two coincidences.

[@rossmonday600]

@@AsiaHikelopedia yes i heard... sadly its from Covid.. on a brighter side, will be waiting for your Bukit Chandu vlog. Its probably one of the few ww2 momentsthat had been made into a malaysian movie and a local comic book..!

[@oliverhosookeong9426]

Happy Chinese New Year

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Same to you!

[@walniw]

Hi Richard, happy lunar new year. I like the drone aerial shots. I recognise many of the areas you've covered here but am wondering how the routes are linked. why did you start from? it would be good if you can describe the whole route you've taken. Thank u once again

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Map link coming soon. When I can get my Suunto synch working!!! Keep an eye out in the description.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

It's in the description now!

[@walniw]

Great! thanks a plenty

[@peterqiu5520]

Well Done...my fave spot to retreat and meditate not next to a coffin a silly man did during his father's wake

[@jeffc899]

Nice Pool.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Yes it was!

[@escapiststupor]

There is the Alexandra Food Village near that area no? It’s definitely within 1km and has a lot of good food. ABC brickworks also nearby

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

It was about 900m but I was feeling lazy!

[@kwfong3466]

Yes i was also thinking of AV opposite Queensway. But ABC would be a bit far though, considering the return trip back to Forest Walk

[@janyip398]

@@AsiaHikelopedia cheat a little. Take a short bus ride to alexandra food village then resume. Hehe.

[@owl77]

Nice. You missed one historical building near the bus interchange car park. I couldn't find it when I was there. Hoping u could show us the way. I been to the reservoir but couldn't find the tomb.🙄

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

You mean the Seah Im bunker？ Sorry, but It wasn't on the route that I took. Check my map and maybe you can find the tomb next time!

[@andromeda582]

I was fascinated by the Japanese tomb. It looked as if someone had laid offerings there, even though it's in an out of the way place ...? I wonder why he wasn't buried in the Japanese cemetery? And the tomb looks more impressive than a lot I've seen in the Japanese cemetery, even though it was built for a commoner. Also, he died from overwork!! So typical, the term "karoshi" couldn't have been invented yet in those days ...

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

I know.. It's fascinating.

[@neelmurty]

I have a question - how do you do the shots of you riding towards the camera or away from it, if you are the only one doing the hike? Do you actually set up the camera, record yourself cycling away, then come back and pick it up? And redo that for every camera shot of you moving away from the camera?:)

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Yes. Just me and my tripod.

[@kelvgan]

Hi Richard, sorry! I missed your channel 8 cameo interview, may i know where can.i watch it where possible. Thanks

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Its on my FB page. Or Ch8 news KZbin page.

[@nazinom]

i wish i could adventure Singapore like him but sadly i on wheelchair not all place are wheelchair accessible.

[@theweatherman6124]

DRONE SHOTS! YES

[@indoolderguy4041]

Where's marina hill ?

[@zaijunhua5322]

There's some group that able to find a small cave nearby the reservoir, not sure if u know any info about it. The group that found the cave does not want to disclose the location.

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

There is a bunker, but there's not much to it. (If that's what you mean)

[@zaijunhua5322]

@@AsiaHikelopedia Not the seah Im bunker but a legit cave with shallow waters. Its okie, once I have the info I will link it here for u!

[@shanmugaretnam9868]

@@zaijunhua5322 I will be keen to know about the cave, recall there were such hidden gems in Sembawang created by roots of a large tree.

[@minsweechoong2783]

Have you published any maps of all your walks in singapore?

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Link to this one is now in the desrcription!

[@minsweechoong2783]

@@AsiaHikelopedia Thank you so much !!!

[@s0me1usaw]

7:42 mmm the lego brick building.......

[@michaelgkj1]

Where was the starting point and what route you took to get to hort park

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

There's a GPS map of my route in the description.

[@michaelgkj1]

@@AsiaHikelopedia Thank you!

[@therover65]

Lt Adnan hero of Bukit Chandu, is - unfortunately for us - not exactly “local”. He’s born in Malaysia and was a Malaysian (Not that this takes anything away from his heroism and sacrifice).

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Things were different back in those days. He's still a hero!

[@geokinski]

Malaysia wasn't established until 1963, so Lt. Adnan wasn't and never was a Malaysian. One could say he was a Malayan, from Malaya, like many other Singaporeans were. He died defending Singapore in the Battle of Singapore, just as many Indian, Chinese, British, Australian and New Zealand soldiers did.

[@HoofinBob]

Malays are the original Singapura sorry to say. Points deducted for your school and teaching. Lt.Adnan is a great local hero.

[@therover65]

@@geokinski I stand corrected.

[@therover65]

@@HoofinBob actually, our shabby history curriculum during the 70s and 80’s focused more on unheard of ancient civilisations than on local recent history like WW2. And when it did, it made no mention of Lt Adnan, only Lim Bo Seng. I made my own deductions this omission was either: a) Adnan was not Singaporean, or b) Adnan was ethnic Malay, which our culture of Chinese chauvinism deemed less desirable to celebrate. I only found out about Lt Adnan through my own reading outside of the school curriculum.

[@martinkwanhk]

Is it a habit to order a bottle of sparkling water? Don't they serve plain o' iced water?

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Not really. I don't always, but I was really hot and fancied a bit of fizz!

[@genexizz]

Nice. Did u use a drone for ur aerial shots?

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Yes I did

[@oneroadgoodwalk]

syonan jinja @ macritchie next!

[@librsuriah6984]

Yes you swim

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

Actually, I didn't! Haha

[@librsuriah6984]

😜😜😜👍👍👍 waiting for your latest video sir

[@leeedward4399]

I thought I saw some KZbin videos on paranormal locations in Singapore that this is one of them !!! Thank goodness, you didn’t take a swim !?

[@PlainVanilla308]

where u get the energy?

[@AsiaHikelopedia]

I eat a lot!

[@user-ox6th4gs7y]

The malay regime was from malaysia , not local Malay.