Pulau Ubin

A tranquil footstep into Singapore’s rustic past, where forests, kampong life, and coastal ecosystems quietly endure.

Pulau Ubin rests just off Singapore’s northeast coast, a rare vestige of kampong-era life and natural habitats in an urbanized nation. Its name, meaning “Granite Island,” pays tribute to its past in quarrying—one of Singapore’s stone sources for early infrastructure. Today, it remains one of the few places where forests, mangroves, and village life survive together.

A Glimpse of Times Past

By the 1970s, Pulau Ubin supported a community of several thousand who lived amid active quarries and farms. With the industry’s decline and migration to mainland Singapore, the population fell sharply—today, fewer than 50 residents remain. Much of the island feels suspended in time, from wooden kampong houses and unpaved lanes to vendors operating from coffee shops.

Landscapes Reclaimed by Nature

After abandonment, Ubin’s land regenerated into diverse habitats—secondary forests, expansive mangrove stands, grasslands, beaches, and reclaimed quarry ponds. The island’s biodiversity is notable: over 600 plant species and more than 170 species of birds, including critically endangered mangrove species and the straw-headed bulbul, make it a quiet sanctuary.

Getting There & Moving Across

Reaching Pulau Ubin requires a 10–15 minute bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal, a modest journey that itself marks a shift from the city’s pace. Once on the island, bicycles are the common choice for most visitors—rental shops sit clustered near the jetty, offering everything from casual city bikes to mountain-ready models.

What to Explore on Foot or Wheel

Chek Jawa Wetlands

A junction of six distinct ecosystems—from coral rubble to mangroves to sandy shores—Chek Jawa is accessible via a well-designed concrete boardwalk. A seven-story viewing tower offers contemplative views over the coastal habitat, while the nearby Tudor-style Chek Jawa Visitor Centre preserves architectural heritage tied to the island’s past.

Ketam Mountain Bike Park & German Girl Shrine

In the island’s west lies Singapore’s first IMBA-standard mountain biking park, built around a rehabilitated quarry. It includes graded trails—from beginner-friendly blue tracks to challenging black diamond routes—and leads to the quietly narrative German Girl Shrine, a small religious site rooted in local lore.

Scenic Trails and Vistas

Other paths lead to boarded forests, Butterfly Hill (home to rare butterflies), and granite quarries converted into still lakes—such as the iconic Pekan Quarry—all offering stops for quiet reflection and unhurried photos.