Bishan

Names
English:	Bishan
Chinese:	碧山
(Pinyin:	bìshān)
Malay:	Bishan
Tamil:	பீஷான்

Bishan is a small neighbourhood of the city-state of Singapore situated in the Central-North, measuring approximately three by three kilometres. The area is about 7 Sq Km with an estimated 75,000 residents. There are three sub-zones; Upper Thomson / Sin Ming, Bishan North and Bishan East. Primarily a housing estate, Bishan houses the upper-middle classes and flats there are relatively more expensive than in other estates due to its central location.

Origin of the name

Bishan is located at what was formerly known as Kampong San Theng, also known as Peck San Theng (碧山亭), which means Green Hill Pavilion. It was established in 1870 as a burial ground by immigrants who largely came from the three prefectures of Kwong Fu (广州府), Wai Chow Fu (惠洲府) and Siew Heng Fu (肇庆府) in Guangdong Province, China. The full name of this burial ground is called Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng (广惠肇碧山亭). This is because the burial ground was intended to cater solely to the Cantonese community in the early days.

In 1979, the Singapore government decided to acquire all its land to create a new town. All the existing graves were exhumed and the remains cremated during the 1980s. The new town was named Bishan, which is the same as Peck San except the former is in Hanyu Pinyin and the latter is in Cantonese.

Transportation

Being a centralized location, Bishan is linked to the rest of Singapore via the Central Expressway. The Central Expressway is a major highway connecting the city center and the northen areas of Singapore.

In addition, Bishan is also joined to the other areas of the island via the Mass Rapid Transit System. Having its own station, Bishan MRT Station sits on the North-South Line. In the near future the station will also serve as an interchange station for the Circle Line.

The Circle Line, an entirely underground and driverless orbital line linking all its 29 station to the city center, it is currently under construction with its completetion in 2008. Bishan roads are also conveniently served by the SBS (Singapore Bus Services) via the Bishan bus interchange, linking its roads to various parts of Singapore.

Bishan Park

Bishan Park, one of the largest parks in Singapore, is spread over two halves and dissected by Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1. One entrance is opposite the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery. Much quieter than East Coast Park, the northern section of the park is a beautiful, quiet spot with a series of linked ponds spanned by small wooden Japanese-style bridges, immaculately kept gardens and a delightful ornamental lily pond. This park also has a long bike trail, a skate park, and even an equipped dog run.

Bishan Active

Bishan Active, a S$1.8 million sports hub was constructed in the heart of the Bishan North neighbourhood on a seven-year lease. This 24,000-sq m Bishan Active features a playground and an exercise corner for senior citizens and will be the new home and training ground for the Singapore women’s football team. The sports facility include a basketball court, a football pitch and a roller blade track. There is also a multi-purpose sheltered pavilion. The Town Council will also look into further improvements, such as adding shower facilities there.

External Links

http://www.btptc.org.sg/
http://www.centralsingaporecdc.org.sg/