Ghim Moh is part of Buona Vista, which is actually one of the seven districts of Queenstown. However, due to its location, it is easily mistaken as an independent housing estate.
Buona Vista is one of the rare places in Singapore with an Italian name, which means “good sight” in Italian. The origin of the name Ghim Moh is debatable, but the biggest possibility is its Hokkien translation, which means “golden hair“, a reference to the Caucasians, majority of them British soldiers, who once lived at the nearby Holland Village.
Located along Ghim Moh Road in front of Block 9, the tiny Ghim Moh Bus Terminal is one of the few last surviving roadside bus terminals left in Singapore that have been in operation since the seventies. Serving four routes (92, 100, 111 and 563), the buses lined up on one side of the two-lane road, making use of a narrow road within the bus park to make difficult three-point turns. While the bus is waiting at the bus park, passengers can board the bus instead of the normal bus stop along the road.
Other similar old roadside bus terminals elsewhere of Singapore that had already ceased to exist were Tampines Way Terminal, Punggol Road End Bus Terminal and Sembawang Road End Bus Terminal. Back in 1976, under the Singapore Bus Services’ (SBS) terminal improvement program, a total of 28 bus terminals were phased out or resited. Many of their bus services were relocated to the major bus interchanges located at the centrals of the new towns.
The clusters of 14- and 20-storey blocks of flats of three- to five-room around Ghim Moh Road were mostly built around 1977. In its early days, pedestrian crossings and traffic lights were absent at Ghim Moh, causing inconvenience and danger to the residents who had to travel to the main road of Commonwealth Avenue to catch their buses.
In 2006, the Housing Development Board (HDB) announced the Selective En-Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) program for blocks numbered 9, 9A, 10, 11, 12 and 12A. By the early 2012, most of the residents had left their homes, leaving the neighbourhood quiet and deserted.
The blocks of old flats are expected to be demolished in another year’s time. By then, the Ghim Moh Bus Terminal is also expected to cease its operation, moving its small fleet of buses to the nearby Buona Vista Bus Terminal.
Published: 23 July 2012
Updated: 23 October 2012
This place will be missed… It’s where I grew up and the fond memories will be with me forever. Thank you so much for capturing the images on this website before it’s gone… Great work!
I stayed at Blk12 since October, 1976. Then “asked” to go to the new Ghim Moh Link. I miss the raiway train sound.
Ghim Moh was our home since 1976 until we were compelled to move in late 2011. There’s nothing wrong with the structure – it is OUR home and fully paid for – yet we MUST move. Why? The new flats at Ghim Moh Link cannot compare to Ghim Moh Road flats!
Hi Lorna. I lived in Ghim Moh road Block 9a from 1978 to 2000. I moved to Bt Batok then. But I never liked the idea as my parents made the decision. I still visit Ghim Moh once a month and sit under my block. Fond memories of my childhood comes back when I am there. Yes you’re right, the new flats are very much smaller than the old ones. I know this because I visited an old neighbour who shifted there. I also missed the railway track with the beautiful banana trees surrounding them. What a memory! By the way, which block did you lived in?
To Sugumar
We lived at Block 12A. Unfortunately, not only humans were affected. The stray cats – one of them went missing mysteriously – had to be rehomed when humans moved out. There were a few pet cats who were abandoned when their owners moved and never seen again…GMoh Link – they must possibly be the most unattractive, resident unfriendly blocks of flats HDB had built. Imposing grey structures. No void decks, narrower corridors (so you cannot have plants, etc.), the corridors don’t get sunlight – plants don’t thrive and died – and also no sunlight at the rear (utility room) to dry the laundry. The blocks are just giant “sandwiches” – and the residents are the sandwich filling!
You are right. The new block cannot match the old ones. I remember block 12A. It is the 1st block when you approach from Buona Vista MRT. I went there 2 months ago with my son and wife. I took photos of block 9A, the Ulu Pandan CC, the bridge that connects Ghim Moh and Holland and the old market.
When I was in Primary School 25 years ago, I went to the Ghim Moh market with my mother. There was this old malay lady who use to sell mee siam for 50 cents. I always use to make fun of her. I always say ‘Aunty, your mee siam and nasi lemak is so little and you ask 50 cents.’ She then replied, ‘Alamak you so little and so naughty. This is just nice for 50 cents. There will be a time in Singapore where nasi lemak and mee siam will sell for 1 dollar!’ Can you find mee siam for 1 dollar in Singapore now. At least minimum 2 dollar. That’s why when I saw the market where her stall use to be, I immediately broke down. I walked away because I did not want my son to see me in tears. The old lady passed away when I was still in Ghim Moh road.
There were many memories like this in Ghim Moh road. If possible go back to the old blocks and take some photos. We may never know what will happen to those blocks where we stayed. I missed the railway track the most. But what to do. Time and tide waits for no man.
I lived in Block 11 unit #08-66 from 1977 till 1985.
I love this estate but unfortunately our family of 7 outgrew the small 3-room flat so we moved to a 5-room flat in Jurong East in the mid-80s.
Fond memories of racing up the stairs with my a pair of siblings from the opposite block (Block 10) from ground floor to the 8th floor.
When I had my first BMX bicycle I used to cycle in the big car park that is surrounded by blocks 11, 12 and 12A.
The cake shop, the book shop, the doctor (Dr Kee!) and the grocery shop at our block become long time friends with my parents…
Our favourite outing was crossing the railway track to the Buona Vista Swimming Pool; after our swimming lessons, mum would buy us a plate of mee siam and fishballs…
What lovely memories… growing up in the 70s & 80s in Singapore had been a wonderful experience and I would not want to swop for anywhere else!
You still remember the doctor’s name! That’s very nice of you. I remember Dr Patrick Kee treated me when I poured hot oil on myself at 2 years old. I went back to Ghim Moh road last week to the hawker centre for lunch. The blocks 9, 9A, 10, 11, 12 & 12A are all deserted. Most probably they will be demolished next year.
WHat are they going to do with bus terminal?
If gone, where is 100, 111 & 92 ends to?
Ghim Moh Edge?
The bus services are likely to be routed to the nearby Buona Vista Terminal.
They had actually wanted to abolish Ghim Moh Terminal since some 20 years ago. It survived nevertheless, but with the en-bloc of the flats, its operations may finally be ceased soon
Half of Ghim Moh is dead. With one-half gone, the life has gone out of the GM estate. Looks like eventually the whole of GMoh may go – prime land now. It wasn’t so when we moved there in 1977! A 4-room costs S$20,500 back then.
They will build new flats when they demolish the old ones. Most probably like the new ones in Ghim Moh Link. I visited an old neighbour who shifted there. The kitchen and the rooms are so small compared to our old Ghim Moh kitchen. My father bought the 4 room flat in block 9a for $17,000 back in 1976. It was left unoccupied for 2 years before we moved in 1978. The 40 storey high new flat can accommodate many families compared to the old blocks where there are only 12 floors. They squeeze all the families there by making the houses smaller!
It was a very busy estate once upon a time. The coffeshops were packed, the hawker centre was packed. I remembered a bird and fish shop below block 10 which was later replaced by a clinic. Then there was a aunty selling books and stationary beside the bird shop. There was a pharmacy called Bedok Medical Hall, a provision shop owned by Ah Seng and his brothers. There was also an old dentist and a toys shop called Bescom. On the opposite side, there was a cake shop called Smiling Orchid. Beside Doctor Patrick Kee’s clinic was another provision shop called Ban Joo Loong. All these names are deeply engraved inside my heart because I loved Ghim Moh road very much. Remember the bridge by the side of block 10 that connects Ghim Moh road and Holland road? I witnessed the construction of that bridge. At that time, I was in Primary School. They did the construction at night. 2 large cranes brought the bridge in 3 pieces. They were lifted, placed on top of the pillars and then were connected and casted with concrete.
I went to Ghim Moh road last week for lunch at the hawker centre. All the workers from MOE nearby the Buona Vista MRT came there for lunch. It is still packed like those days. The post office is still there. But the shops along the way have changed. I saw new pet shops, a shop and save supermarket (It was a small coffeshop back then). I use to rent and watch wrestling video tapes from a video library called Shadow. It is also gone. Then I spoke to an old friend of mine. He is an Indian Muslin vendor inside the hawker centre. He sells magazines, newspapers, sweets and cigarettes. He cannot remember me as he became too old . He told me that his shop is there for 35 years, same as my age. He also told me that he’s very sick and will give up the shop soon.
It has been 12 years since I left Ghim Moh road to Bukit Batok. But I still like Ghim Moh. It has been my hometown for 22 years. Those childhood days when I use to cycle around Ghim Moh estate, those days where me and my friends will go down to the Railway track canal to catch tadpoles, those days when I cross the bridge and go to Holland Village, those days when I take bus 100 to go to Primary and Secondary school, those days when I use to go the old Ulu Pandan CC for my Tae Kwon Do lessons – all these memories will not be erased from my memory. It’s very hard and painful to know that the area will be torn down. Anyway to all you guys and gals out there who shared the memory of Ghim Moh road, thank you very much. Take care.
Yes, Ban Joo Leong – husband and wife. Marvel at their hard work. Open whole year round – except for 1 or 2 days of Chinese New Year. Long hours and only the 2 of them. The people who ran the provision shops – Teochew (next to Ban Joo Leong) and Shanghai – who sells durians and one of the brothers used to give a tabby female cat (I call her “Wild Girl”) bicycle rides in the basket around the estate every morining. Wild Girl passed away April 2010 – of advanced kidney failure. I had her for 4 months until she died. Fiesty character, who used to take the lift to her former home at Block 10 – 8th floor? – and sleep on the sofa outside the flat until dusk, then she comes down. All the memories – gone all too soon. As for the new GMoh Link flats, where are the void decks for relaxation? If the HDB “wants” the people to move, the least they could do is to build the same type and size to replace the old flats. Why not give the residents the “old” designs? The “old” designs and layout are far better. Now – all the new flats have the same design! Mass housing? New flats are not cheap, by the way.
I found an old photo in the National Archives of Singapore
The Commonwealth Ave West was constructed in 1977 to link up the estates of Holland Village, Buona Vista, Ghim Moh and Clementi together… In the photo, the Buona Vista Bus Terminal as well as the railway track that used to run beside Ghim Moh were visible.
Hi Remember Singapore. I managed to get a few pictures of Ghim Moh road when I visited last week. Ho do I attach the pictures in my reply? Because I don’t see any attach icon. The pictures include the old bridge, some old HDB blocks and a few more. I want to share those with you. Thank you.
Thanks Sugumar for the contribution of the photos of good old Ghim Moh estate… a soon-to-be-vanish place that contains lots of memories of two generations of Singaporeans!
In 2014, the market lease will be up. Wonder if the stall owner will be allowed to stay or move? i miss the Prawn noodle, Yong Tau Foo and Teo Chew porridge.
Hi to all. I will be visiting Ghim Moh road again somewhere this month. I will be taking more photos and will contribute to this website. I am only one citizen of this country. The memories of Ghim Moh road is deeply attached to my heart as it was my childhood neighborhood. Imagine how many places like there in Singapore! Imagine how many people like me who missed their childhood neighborhoods, same like our Ghim Moh road. Some things in life are hard to accept and hard to forget. It will be very painful for me if the old flats in Ghim Moh road are demolished. Even when my sons grow up and I retire, I will still come and visit Ghim Moh road during my old age days. I will tell stories to my grandchildren. All those days when me and my friends go fishing at the railway track stream and stories like me and my father went to the banana tress nearby the railway track to look for Bananas are hard to forget!
All of us need to thank our dear ‘Remember Singapore’. He or she has done a great favour for all the Singapore lovers. All the hard to get photographs, whereby we did not think of creating a website like this, ‘Remember Singapore’ has done it. Even my father who is now 68 years old and an old resident of Woodlands road 11 3/4 milestone kampong found this website great. He was rather surprised by the photographs of the good old days. He later moved to Ghim Moh road and we stayed there for 22 years before going to Bukit Batok. He liked the old Kampong photos and the Community centres photos in this website. On behalf of all the Singaporeans who love this website I would like to thank ‘Remember Singapore’ very much. Keep up the very good work. I will always be here to support you. Even if I get a job overseas, I will still visit this website weekly and try to help with my contributions.
Please visit my webpage. It is not about Singapore but about my hobbies like jungle trekking, hiking and animals. I have written some articles on my own. I have mentioned about Ghim Moh road in an article on ‘My passion for nature and animals’. I also wrote another article about my great grandfather and his adventures in the old Singapore jungles and Kampong days. Please feel free to visit. Thanks and have a nice day,
Sugumar
Website : http://www.wix.com/sugu_king/1
That’s a neat website Sugumar!
Where do you usually trek in Singapore?
I trekked in Yio Choo Kang, Mandai and Choa Chua Kang areas. There used to be an old police camp in between Bukit Gombak MRT and Choa Chu Kand MRT. It is now being torn down for housing developments. There use to be an old Chinese kampong there. Me and my father use to go there around 10 years ago to look for jackfruits, bananas and tapioca. Hard to forget. In a few years later, the forested area will also be gone due to the up comings of HDB and condos. That place was full of Pythons and Monitor lizards. I’ve seen and played with many. I think if you visit my website, you can see me handling reptiles.
Thanks for visiting my website. I will update and add more interesting items in a few days.
Sugumar
Demolishment Notice has been posted. Demolishment starts 3 April 2013 to February 2014. So sad! Would be interesting to see what is being built in place. Condo housing or foreign campus?
Hi Lorna.
Thanks for the message. I visited an old neighbour 3 days ago in Ghim Moh link block 23. She was just discharged from hospital. I saw the old blocks, 12, 12A and 11 from the Buona Vista MRT station. Since the power is cut off, it was very dark. I went to visit her after work so I did not have enough time to visit the old blocks. Yes it would be very sad to see the place that we grow hard no more! If possible, I will visit the place in the off days to capture some photos. It is also very hard for me to accept that the whole area will change like what you said, a condo or foreign campus. Just bear with it as that is all that we can do.
Used to stay in Ghim Moh as well, actually, since I was born. I stayed at Block 1 but moved out last year. It’s quite sad to see Block 10 and 11 being demolished. Especially that playground where my mum presented me my first phone last time when I was still in primary school! Also, the awesome popiah from the kopitiam and the hair salon which is now at Ghim Moh Link if i’m not wrong. Great memories! I think HDB will build newer flats just like what they did with the neighbouring Holland Road (beside the swimming pool)
It is great to see a write up that documented Ghim Moh, part of my cherished childhood memories, having spent my teengage years in Ghim Moh. After moving out from Gim Moh in the late nineties, I only went back to Ghim Moh one afternoon early this year. I completely forgot that part of Ghim Moh (including my old home in block 10) has been selected for redevelopment when I visited my old place, in hope of reminiscing the bygone days. Seeing the snapshot of the row of shophouses lining block 10 and block 11 above, I could still vividly recall the old buzzling activities taking place between the open space and also the shops. Probably one of the unique memories of Ghim Moh was the scheduled northbound train and tanjong pager bound train that occasionally woke me up in the middle of the night and of course interrupting part of the audio from tv because of bypassing trains. For many former Ghim Moh residents, the easiest route to Holland Village is crossing battered path that traverse the railway track. In the eighties to mid nineties, there were only two buses at the Ghim Moh bus terminal; bus 13 and bus 100, that we could take to Orchard Road and Beach Road. So much cherished memories we are missing and there are many places and events that could only be documented to keep the old Singapore remembered. Thanks for creating and documenting what we will be losing and missing.
A little minor correction on Mike, if I’m not wrong the first two bus service number are 13 & 20. Then 111 & 100 replace the respectively. But I can’t remember when 13 & 20 started the service. In the 1970s, as I know. I stay Ghim Moh since 1976, Oct. Before that is at Commomwealth Close, near by.
A “No Football/Roller Skating/Littering/Motorcycle at the Void Deck” signage at one of the Ghim Moh block