Facts About Yishun (Updated for 2024) All S’poreans Should Know About

Last Updated on 2024-02-07 , 9:19 am

Yishun, the place that we once wanted to build a wall around. However, do you know that there are a bubble tea city and various fun, accessible and hidden places in this part of Singapore?

Learn more fun facts about Yishun from how did Yishun come about to Yishun’s son, Chong Pang, in this article!

Before we begin, allow me to bombard you with a fun fact: Do you know Khatib MRT Station was originally going to be called Nee Soon MRT Station? #themoreyouknow

Origin of Yishun 

Before Yishun was the Yishun that we know now, it was filled with rubber and pineapple plantations.

These plantations were own by several people but one person stood out: the Pineapple King, Lim Nee Soon.

Despite running many other businesses, he was mostly known as the Pineapple King due to his big investments in the pineapple industry.

Additionally, he was a respected community leader and one of the most influential businessmen of that day. With such influence, naturally, the people named the land after him.

But since Yishun was named after him, how did Nee Soon become Yishun?

Back in the days, Singapore started a programme to use Mandarin as the official Chinese language, so many Chinese dialect names in Singapore were translated to Pinyin.

Nee Soon then become “Yi Shun” and eventually, Yishun.

Origin of…Chong Pang

Chong Pang is the son of Lim Nee Soon. Similar to Lim Nee Soon, Lim Chong Pang was also a well-known businessman here in Yishun.

In case you are thinking, “Singapore is just naming streets after rich people,” you are wrong.

Nee Soon and Chong Pang are more than just businessmen. They contributed to public service as well.

For example, Nee Soon opened the first Chinese secondary school in Singapore while Chong Pang served in the Singapore Rural Board for nine years.

Although Chong Pang did have the best nasi lemak presently while Nee Soon just…erm…

Yishun is the First Dementia-Friendly Town  

Do you know that Yishun is the first dementia-friendly town?

Back in 2016, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) and Lien Foundation created Singapore’s first dementia-friendly community in Yishun.

2000 people in the region are trained to spot those with dementia and how to interact with and help or refer them to aid agencies.

Since then, there have been a lot more dementia-friendly communities and even an app for you to support and help people with dementia.

Bubble Tea City

If you drink bubble tea on a daily basis, you would know of this bubble tea city in the north, Northpoint city.

Northpoint City is known for having many bubble tea stalls. There are 8 bubble tea stalls in the mall, and 2 more outside the mall. This is why some people called it Bubble Tea City.

Before this gigantic mall becomes Bubble Tea City with many wings, it was a small mall called Northpoint Shopping Centre, and back then, it was the very first modern suburban mall.

The mall was built back in 1992, and for reference, the super old Jurong Entertainment Centre, which is now demolished, was opened back in 1993 while the old Causeway Point was opened in 1998.

In short, Northpoint has been around for a long time, just that it was not as big.

Northpoint City 

Opening Hours: 10:30am to 10:30pm
930 Yishun Ave 2, Singapore 769098

Featured Image: LisaAngeline123 / Shutterstock.com