Queenstown was Singapore's first satellite town, and it still gets up early. This route eats two breakfasts before nine, walks a few stops of the estate's heritage trail and finishes in a public pool.
Commonwealth MRT is on the East-West Line, a few stops beyond Tiong Bahru. Go on a Saturday or Sunday. Wei Yi Laksa and the peanut pancake stall at Tanglin Halt typically both trade then, and the pool is shut on Tuesdays. The stalls are early ones, so the eating comes first and the walking after.
Tanglin Halt sits in an estate HDB has selected for SERS, the scheme under which older blocks are redeveloped. The market is open now, and a replacement is promised inside a new neighbourhood centre.
Where to start
Commonwealth MRT (EW20), Exit A
When to go
Saturday or Sunday, start by 7am
Stop by stop
We'd do these in order, and each linked stop has its price and directions.
7:00 AM
Laksa at Tanglin Halt
Tanglin Halt Market is at 48A Tanglin Halt Road, four or five minutes' walk from Exit A of Commonwealth MRT. Wei Yi Laksa at #01-18 typically runs from 5.30am to noon, and the peanut pancake stall at #01-17 is usually done by 11.30am. Order the laksa first and carry a pancake for later.
8:00 AM
Porridge on the hill
Commonwealth Crescent Market is about seven minutes' walk from the same exit, by way of Commonwealth Drive. Hong Kee Porridge at #02-89, upstairs, opens at 6am, a gentler second bowl than laksa. The hall sits on a hill, so look up from your bowl.
9:00 AM
Queenstown Heritage Trail
NHB's Queenstown Heritage Trail is a free, self-guided walk through the estate's firsts, among them the polyclinic on Margaret Drive and Queenstown Secondary School, Singapore's first technical school. Download the booklet from the Roots site and pick three or four stops. Margaret Drive Hawker Centre is a short walk from them, if you want a seat.
11:15 AM
A swim at Queenstown
Queenstown Swimming Complex at 473 Stirling Road is an ActiveSG public pool, open 8am to 9.30pm and closed on Tuesdays. An adult swim is S$1.70 at weekends, or S$1.30 for citizens and PRs. Give it an hour or two.
Save for another day
- Mei Ling Market, uphill from Queenstown MRT, for a second morning
- Alexandra Village Food Centre for zi char at midday
Before you go
Book ahead where you need to, and turn up for the rest.
Tanglin Halt MarketQueenstown · FreeGo
Commonwealth Crescent MarketQueenstown · FreeGoQueenstown Heritage TrailQueenstown · FreeGoMargaret Drive Hawker CentreQueenstown · FreeGoQueenstown Swimming ComplexQueenstown · From S$1.30Tickets Queenstown morning questions
How long does the Queenstown Heritage Trail take?
About two hours if you do the whole route, and the booklet is a free download from NHB's Roots site. Several stops are working places of worship, so check their visiting hours first. We'd choose three or four stops and keep the rest for another morning.
Is Queenstown Swimming Complex open on Sundays?
Yes, it's open 8am to 9.30pm every day except Tuesdays, unless a Tuesday is a public holiday. A Sunday adult swim is S$1.70, or S$1.30 for citizens and PRs. Lanes in the competition pool open from 6.30am on Mondays and Wednesdays.
What can I eat near the Queenstown Heritage Trail?
Margaret Drive Hawker Centre, at 38A Margaret Drive, is managed by NEA and sits a short walk from the trail's stops, including the former polyclinic. Stall hours vary, so check the one you want before you go. It makes an easy lunch after the pool.
Stories from along the way
Longer reads on the places you'll pass through.
