We all know Balestier is an “older” district. Hopefully, it will get more popular when the nearby Mount Pleasant HDB Estate gets on its way. For now, if Balestier gets it right, it may even equal Holland Village as a “happening” competitor.

Any real estate at Balestier is a good bet. As it is now, Balestier is most popular for Tau Sar Piah. It is also a foodie paradise. There are countless eateries here – and all have their own USP. And we are not wrong.

You can never go hungry at Balestier. Over at the other end, there is Whampoa. Not all of us know Whampoa. His other name is Hoo Ah Kay – a philanthropist for his time. He was also the first man to import ice, all the way from New England, USA – at a time when ice was considered a “luxury”.

We’ll take a walk from Balestier all the way to Whampoa Hawker Center. On the way, we’ll take a sight-seeing tour and sniff and bite our way to Whampoa. Not many of us know that it is named after Joseph Balestier, an American. He was into sugar cane.

So, part of Balestier was once a large sugar cane plantation. And he had all the problems with tigers and all that “flora and fauna” nuisance! Yes, Singapore was once a tiger-infested jungle.

It has an interesting American history that not many people talk about. The first paying passenger to arrive into Singapore by air was American millionaire, Mr. Van Lear Black, who also had the distinction of being the first air passenger to travel so far east. Van Lear Black landed at Balestier Plain on 29 June 1927 at 11 am.

For us, we meet at Novena MRT, 9am on Thurs, 19th Feb 2026 – and together, we’ll explore the nooks and corners of both old and new Balestier. Upon alighting at Novena MRT, proceed to Meeting Point A, towards your left after exiting. This tour will end at Whampoa Hawker Centre.

I will do my lunch here at the Teochew Beef Noodle stall. There is a wide choice for lunch! This place is a foodie’s paradise!

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.