I actually took this set of photographs of Sembawang Hot Spring Park in March 2020 before the circuit breaker and was hesitant to publish them as it was closed shortly after in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Good news is that the park was finally opened on Friday as part of the relaxation measures undertaken during phase 2 of post circuit breaker!
Given that the hot spring park is located at a small area beside the air force camp, there isn't any parking space for private vehicles and your best bet is either to park your motor vehicles at Block 114, Yishun Ring Road or take a public bus (to bus stop IDs 57129 / 57121 along Sembawang Road), and then walk over.
A short walk of about 500 meters later, you would reach the entrance of the hot spring park. On crowded days like weekend mornings / late afternoons, you would see people walking towards the park with plastic pails.
The hot spring had re-opened in January 2020 after a major renovation and i must say it was way nicer than before. You can check out my post of the hot spring park in 2013 and spot the differences!
There's even a purpose-built stream, by the side of the path known as floral walk, that would have appeared natural if not for the fact that i knew it wasn't there pre-renovation.
Going to the parks nowadays is no longer just about immersing yourself in greenery; it's about education too! As urbanites, many of us are not too sure about the source of our food like how does a chiku (a tropical fruit) tree look from? Here's a chiku tree and you can read more about it using the plaque placed next to it!
Isn't this the roselle fruit?
Many flowering shrubs too and we were so captivated by the varied species; we actually stopped a few times. What you see from the above panel is not a full list of all the flowers found at the park.
Aside from adding washrooms near the entrance of the park, one other major structure constructed was used to house a cafe! On one hand, i was happy to see a decent food & beverage outlet and the other hand, i do hope they can sustain the business given that there's no nearby bus stop / car parks.
Selling a mish-mash of food (mains, finger food etc), you could have toasted bread with kopi at its air-conditioned section or have a coconut with a slice of cake at the alfresco seating.
I personally find the canal, by the side of the cafe, an eyesore but if you are seated, you might not really notice it due to the elevation differences.
Crossing the bridge above the canal; the area is heavily fenced up because of the air-force camp next door. It's heartening to know that the land previously reserved for defense was given up to expand the hot spring. park!
Canal again; if only they could do something to it. For example, like what they did to the humongous canal beside the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.
The iconic trees and the red building were signs that we were close to the source of the only hot spring on mainland Singapore. There's another one at Pulau Tekong but the island is strictly off-limit to the public.
A panel showing the timeline from the founding of the hot spring in 1908 to its reopening in 2020. The spring water was actually bottled and sold under the brand "zombum". Hmmm, can we drink it right from the source, after cooling it down?
Random photos! Don't you just love that "bouquet" of trees in the second photograph? It was previously fenced up under the military area; there appeared to be information panels near the trees which i should have stepped nearer to read!
Another panel about the history of Sembawang Hot Spring; it was also marketed under the brand of "Salina" back in 1918 and said to be used "with great success" to treat gout and chronic rheumatic complaints.
Introducing the 'new' hot spring!
The most eye-catching structure would be the above four-tier fountain; aside from aesthetic, there is a practical usage to its design! Could you think of what it is?
It helps to disperse the temperature of the water; from 70-degree celcius on top to to 40-degree celcius for the bottom tier. After my trip to Hokkaido, i can confidently say my confidence level for hot water would be below 40-degree celcius!
Lowest tier is also where you can have a foot bath. For the convenience of those on wheelchairs, there's even a lot reserved especially for them. Those who have been to hot springs before would know you have limit your soak to at most 15 minutes at one-go and it's no exception here too.
Before the renovation, i remember a news article that talked about a person, who already had some medical conditions, soaking for too long and eventually had to have his / her feet amputated.
Contrast with pre-renovation hot spring park and you would appreciate the amount of shade and seating area! Back then, i don't like to visit as it's recommended to bring along your own pail and chair! That's just too much work to soak your feet for 15 minutes!
Now, they even provide rustic looking wooden pails and scoops!
Main hot spring water collection point; in the past, it was just pipes with tapes! Do note that temperature is 70-degree celcius here and hence, conducive enough to cook some eggs! I keep forgetting to buy a tray of raw eggs whenever i visit.
Education zone which explains the source of the hot spring water and has a water play feature for children. I think the feature be demolished in no time as it wasn't interactive enough for kids nowadays and even though i had visited twice since its opening in January 2020, hardly any kid was playing there.
Argh, the sun!
Real source of the water is still in the red building which remains locked up. I am always curious as to what the depth of the 'well' is like and whether the water would be gurgling down there. For safety reason, however, i do understand the need for it to be locked up.
Guidelines! Wash your feet beforehand and do remember to clean up after use! I have yet to see anyone doing their laundry there but i do remember there's already someone who tried to soak his whole body in the foot bath area which is extremely inconsiderate and unhygienic!
And no camping in the park.
Our Jovyn enjoying the foot soak ! She would prefer to use the foot bath area at the four-tier fountain so that her lazy bum wouldn't have to move to fill up the pail but there were too many people sitting there that day.
My friend wasn't too accustomed to the hot spring water! I think that's what happened to me at first too; there's always this apprehension that i would give an unmanly yelp due to the high temperature.
Now my turn to soak my feet in this mineral-rich water.
Please bring along your own towel.
More photos; including a panorama at the end. Recommended to visit either early morning, like at 7.00 am or in the late afternoon so that it's not too sunny.
Once you are done with your soak, remember to empty the spring water into the drains and not on the plants! Poor plants might not benefit from the excessive minerals from the water.
I was wondering why there seemed to be more NParks employees around and thought it was because the park was new and they needed people around to educate the populace on the correct usage. Turned out the three ministers of parliament for Sembawang GRC was there for a photo-shoot.
The answer on everyone's mind; election is coming!
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Address
Along, Gambas Ave,
Near Yishun, Singapore
Map
As above.
Park Map
As above.
Operating Hours
7.00 am till 7.00 pm
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