The name "Yishun" (traditional Chinese:義順; simplified Chinese:义顺) is the Mandarin equivalent of "Nee Soon", the given name of Lim Nee Soon (Chinese: 林義順), a prominent industrialist who made his fortune from the rubber and pineapple plantations he had in the area. In the 1980s, "Nee Soon" was renamed "Yishun" as part of a government initiative to replace dialect names with hanyu pinyin versions as a consequence of the Speak Mandarin Campaign.
Although development of Yishun New Town began in 1981, the MRT station originally called Nee Soon North was formally renamed Yishun during its construction in 1984. This government initiative was eventually scaled back in other parts of Singapore. Furthermore, Nee Soon remains commonly used especially by the older generations.
Subzones
Yishun planning area is divided into nine sub-zones namely Khatib, Lower Seletar, Nee Soon, Northland, Springleaf, Yishun Central, Yishun East, Yishun South and Yishun West. Springleaf and Nee Soon subzones are private housing estates in Yishun.
Northpoint City - The largest shopping mall in the North, it is located beside Yishun MRT station. Previously known as Northpoint Shopping Centre, it underwent its first expansion which was completed in 2009. It included a new building connected to the main shopping mall built on a plot of land next to it. The expansion increased the square footage of Northpoint Shopping Centre and had more shops as well. Additionally, Yishun Community Library moved to its new location, at the top floor of Northpoint Shopping Centre and was renamed Yishun Public Library. The shopping centre was opened in 1992 making it the first modern sub-urban mall in a major housing estate (new town). Currently, sub-urban malls are almost a standard feature in all housing estates. Northpoint Shopping Centre was then renamed Northpoint City. After undergoing a massive expansion in 2017, it became the first shopping mall in Singapore to have the Integrated Transport Hub (ITH), a condominium called North Park Residences, a public library, an underground walkway to Yishun MRT station and the Nee Soon Central Community Club. The latest expansion brings the number of shops and restaurants to 500.
Junction Nine - The first mixed development in Yishun. Situated at the junction of Yishun Ring Road and Yishun Avenue 9, Junction Nine is a seven-minute walk away from Yishun MRT station with Sheng Siong Supermarket as one of its anchor tenants.
Wisteria Mall - Opened on 28 July 2018, Wisteria Mall is the only heartland mall in the southern part of a mature Yishun estate. Wisteria Mall has Fairprice Finest supermarket and Koufu Food Court as its anchor tenants.
Neighbourhood centres
Chong Pang City - Chong Pang City is located in Neighbourhood 1. It has a collection of shophouses, a hawker centre and a market. There are small and family-run businesses as well as major retailers. Chong Pang City was the largest neighbourhood centre in Yishun until the opening of Northpoint City and Yishun 10. In September 2020, the Singapore government announced that the 40-year-old neighborhood would be rejuvenated with a new community club, upgraded hawker center and market, tentatively named Chill @ Chong Pang. The multistorey development will also feature swimming pools, a gym, fitness studios, and commercial spaces. Expected to be completed in 2027, it will include more than 300 parking spaces, serving residents of Nee Soon South and Nee Soon Central, all within walking distance.
Neighbourhood Centres - There are various neighbourhood centres such as Nee Soon East (Neighbourhood 2) and Khatib Central (Neighbourhood 8). A typical "heartland" neighbourhood centre would consist of stores such as provision stores, eateries (commonly called coffee shops), supermarket chains, mini-marts, clinics, local banks, and salons. In the last few decades, fast food outlets as well as pharmacies have opened in these areas.
Blossom Spring @ 461 - A small neighborhood hub that is manage and operate by Prime, located in Yishun Everspring, opened on 6 September 2019.
Yishun Park Hawker Centre - Operated by the Timbre Group, the Yishun Park Hawker Centre at Yishun Avenue 11 opened on 20 September 2017. The 800-seater hawker centre includes family-friendly features such as a play area, and a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tray return system. It also has top-up kiosks for cashless payments and is due to host arcade games and pinball machines, as well as weekend activities for community bonding.
Leisure areas
ORTO - Formerly known as the Bottle Tree Park, ORTO was closed down mid-2023 to make way for future housing developments. It was Singapore's First 24 Hour Multi Recreational Leisure Park with activities such as prawning, freshwater sports fishing, longkang fishing, jump at Katapult Trampoline Park, drift karting at Maximum Drift Karting Arena, paintball games at Red Dynasty Paintball Park and kick the ball with Uber Sports Futsal. Additionally, ORTO catered for corporate events and weddings.
Ground-Up-Initiative (GUI) Kampung Kampus - Boast activities ranging from farming programmes, craft workshops and even camping! This is a family friendly place that is a must to visit.
Learning spaces
Yishun Library - Previously named Yishun Community Library, it was previously located at Yishun Street 22 and was relocated to Northpoint City and was renamed Yishun Public Library in 2008 and now features a larger floor area to cater to the different needs of the Yishun population, with books for both children and adults. It underwent renovations in 2018 to better serve the Yishun residents.
Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre - Houses areas for youth to flourish. Amenities include plant-based cafe and artisan bakery, Wellness Studio, Arts Studio, Makerspace, Sustainable Workshops, Bookstore cafe, Multi-purpose hall equipped with AV and lighting, Co-working space, Study Area, Classrooms, Youth Volunteer Room, Counselling Rooms and Office Space/Pantry/Conference Room.
Places of worship
Chinese temples
Chee Leng Lian He Miao (慈靈聯合廟) - Chee Hoon Sun Kong (慈云山宫) & Cheow Leng Beo (昭灵庙)
Chong Pang Combined Temple (忠邦联合宫) - Dou Mu Gong(汫水港斗母宫), Hong San See(汫水港凤山寺), Kwang Tee Miao(关帝庙) and Hwa Poh Siang Tng(华报善堂) & Fook Poon Tong(复本堂)
Chu Siang Wah Sua Temple (聚善华山宫) - Chu Siang Tong (聚善堂) & Wah Sua Keng (华山宫)
Hwee San Temple (橫山廟) - Phua Clan Temple, founded in 1907
Hock Huat Keng Combined Temple (福发宫) - Hup Choon Kek Hock Huat Keng (合春格福发宫), Tian Hock Dian (天福殿) & Tiow Hoon Tien (朝云殿)
Nam Hong Siang Theon (南凤善堂), Seng Pang Tua Pek Kong Keng (成邦大伯公宫) & He Bi Shan Gong (何碧山宫)
Initially named Northern General Hospital, the new general hospital was named Khoo Teck Puat Hospital after receiving a S$125 million donation from the late Mr Khoo's family. Spanning over 3.5 hectares in the Yishun Central Area, the 795-bed general and acute care hospital is managed by Alexandra Health System. Opened in June 2010, KTPH offers a comprehensive range of medical services and specialist care to the community in the north. It overlooks the scenic Yishun Pond.
Yishun Polyclinic
Yishun Polyclinic was located at 30 Yishun Central beside Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and is managed by National Healthcare Group Polyclinics (NHGP). It moved to a new location opposite Nee Soon East Community Club in 2018.
Yishun Community Hospital
The new Yishun Community Hospital (YCH) with about 428 beds provides sub-acute, rehabilitative, dementia and palliative care for patients. Opened on 28 December 2015, YCH receives post-surgical, post-stroke patients and patients who are recovering from medical illnesses/trauma from the neighbouring Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), other acute hospitals and nursing homes.
Khatib Polyclinic
Opened in May 2024 and managed by NHGP, Khatib Polyclinic is designed with elderly-friendly facilities, a Health Studio for lifestyle workshops, and programmes screening adolescents for psychosocial conditions. The polyclinic is also integrated with technology like telehealth consultations and self-help blood pressure stations.
Other Private Clinics and Dental Clinics
Currently, the Yishun estate is well served by the Yishun and Khatib Polyclinics as well as many private medical clinics and dental clinics situated at void decks.
Country Clubs
SAFRA Yishun Country Club - SAFRA Yishun Country Club is a country club owned by SAFRA, which aims to build morale and camaraderie amongst NSmen in Singapore. The club was opened in 2001. It also has a wide range of amenities like a Bowling centre, Gym, Tennis court, Adventure Sports Centre (Rock Climbing), Western and Chinese restaurants, Swimming Pool and a Karaoke Centre. To create various choices among NSmen, SAFRA Yishun Country Club is destined as an Adventure Sports Hub within the group of SAFRA clubhouses. It underwent upgrading works and completed in February 2020.
Orchid Country Club - Opened in 1993 located near the scenic Seletar Reservoir. The club aims to improve the social status of its members. Activities there include Paintball. There is also a Chinese restaurant, Bowling alley. Member facilities include a gym, swimming pool, golf driving range as well as tennis courts. They also offer accommodations as well for staycations.
Seletar Country Club - Seletar Country Club was opened in 1930. It is strategically located on a hill overlooking the Lower Seletar Reservoir and the Orchid Country Club. Although the country club is named after Seletar, Seletar Country Club is in Yishun planning area according to URA Masterplan.
HomeTeamNS Khatib - The club opened in August 2020 and has a wide range of amenities like an Indoor Obstacle Course Hub, Gym, Swimming Pool, Indoor Playground, Karaoke Centre, Bowling. Various restaurants and shops can be found inside the clubhouse too, but referred to its official openings on 10 April 2021. And followed by another HomeTeamNS clubhouse in Bedok Reservoir that officially opened on 4 January 2023.
Transport
Bus interchange
The old Yishun Bus Interchange was built in 1987 and was closed on 14 March 2015 serving 28 years of service to Singapore residents so as to make way for Northpoint City. The Yishun Temporary Bus Interchange was later opened at a land parcel adjacent to Golden Village Yishun. This interchange operated throughout the construction of the Integrated Transport Hub where it was being built at the old site of the Yishun Bus Interchange. On 8 September 2019, the newly constructed air-conditioned Yishun Integrated Transport Hub (ITH) officially opened its doors facilitating the integration of Yishun Bus Interchange, Northpoint City, North Park Residences, Nee Soon Central Community Club and Yishun MRT station.
Mass Rapid Transit stations
There are three main MRT stations serving Yishun. The three stations are:
Yishun Park (managed by National Parks Board)– a 13 ha park in the centre of the housing estate. Used to be a rubber estate, it is thickly covered with natural vegetation. Part of the land was developed into the SAFRA Yishun Country Club.
Lower Seletar Reservoir Park (managed by NParks and PUB)– this small 3 ha park at the southern edge of the housing estate bordering the northern edge of the reservoir. Under the PUB's Active, Beautiful, Clean Water for all (ABC) programme, there are plans to open up the reservoir to more water sports. Currently there is a smaller water sports rental facility, and occasionally there are dragon boat competitions held there. Viewing benches, riverside deck and possibly a stage will be in the works if the project take off.
Khatib Bongsu Nature Park: Khatib Bongsu Nature Park was initially an old Kampong estate. It was the most recent kampong to be demolished, in 2007. It is situated near the mouth of Sungei Khatib. On 4 March 2020, it was announced by the government that Khatib Bongsu Nature Park will be the new nature park covering 40ha by 2030 as part of government efforts to revitalise Singapore's biodiversity. The area is rich with mangrove and mudflat habitat.
Small parks:
Yishun Neighbourhood Park- Bounded by Yishun Ave 2, Ave 7 and St 22 and featuring an open lawn for picnics and facilities such as fitness corner and playgrounds.
Nee Soon East Park– Located opposite Block 407 Yishun Avenue 6. Facilities include a basketball court and fitness corner.
Yishun Pond Park- Located along Yishun Central, in front of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. Features a spiral tower called The Spiral@Yishun where visitors can get a bird's eye view of the area.
Yishun Park Neighbourhood 8- Located at Blk 810 Yishun Ring Rd. Facilities include fitness corner, playground and a running track. It is undergoing renovation in 2020.
Yishun Nature Park- Located at 329 Yishun Ring Road has a basketball court, playground and exercise corner.
Rower's Bay Park- Located at Seletar Club Road
Yishun Green Link- Located at Yishun Street 61
Rockridge Park- Located at Yishun Street 51
Springside Park- Located at Springside Place
Springleaf Nature Park- Located at 1230 Upper Thomson Road
Oasis Waterpark @ Nee Soon East
Everspring Park - Located within Yishun Ever spring along Yishun Street 42
Yishun Park Connector:
The Yishun Park Connector Network links the Khatib Bongsu Park Connector to the Canberra Park Connector, passing through the Simpang Kiri Park Connector and Canberra-Sembawang Park Connector, and running by Yishun Swimming Complex.
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