Ang Mo Kio – a name every Singaporean knows, but almost no one can fully explain. Was it really about tomatoes (ang mo kio in Hokkien)? Or about a bridge (kio) built by an ang mo lang (Caucasian) engineer, John Turnbull Thomson?

Or perhaps the nine bridges (kow tiou kio) that villagers once crossed between Lorong Chuan and Thomson Road? The truth is, no one knows for sure – which makes it all the more fun to explore.

What we do know is this: before Ang Mo Kio became the 7th HDB project, it was farmland dotted with villages, each with its own little nickname. By the 1970s, the bulldozers rolled in, and Ang Mo Kio was reborn as one of the most ambitious housing estates of its time.

By then, HDB had already learned from earlier estates like Toa Payoh and Queenstown, so things ran smoother here – wider roads, better layouts, and plenty of community spaces.

But Ang Mo Kio’s story isn’t just about blocks and bridges. In the 1980s, it was also about movies. This was the golden (and slightly cheeky) age of pirated VHS tapes. Cinemas in Ang Mo Kio fought hard against the booming video rental shops, but both eventually lost the battle – leaving behind stories of Saturday night queues, rewinding tapes, and the smell of freshly popped cinema corn.

On this trail, we’ll stroll through the estate’s streets, uncover the legends behind its name, and revisit some of its playful history. Was Ang Mo Kio really named after a tomato? Or a bridge? Or both? Come along and decide for yourself.

📍 Meeting Point
Meet me at Ang Mo Kio MRT Station at 9.00am sharp. Look out for me with my Tourist Guide badge.

🏁 Ending Point
We’ll finish at the bridge that may just hold the key to Ang Mo Kio’s name – a reminder that sometimes the simplest things, like a bridge, can leave the longest legacy.

From there, we’ll hop on a bus to either Upper Thomson MRT or Springleaf MRT, where great food awaits. After all, what’s a walk without a reward at the end?

So join me for a playful journey through Ang Mo Kio – where tomatoes, bridges, and pirated tapes all have a place in the story.

For reservations, contact:
UNCLE CHRIS WALKING TOURS
Chris WK Ng
T: 65 91814298
E: [email protected]
W: www.unclechrisdrivingholidays.com

Note:
• We do the worldwide practice of tipping at the end of the tour.
• We also reserve the right to accept or reject habitual late cancellations and No Shows.
• Do not sign up for this tour if you are not sure of your schedule. Sign up only when you are sure of your schedule.