Exploring the Charm of Old and New in Jalan Besar

I've always believed that going on a photography walk is the best way to de-stress after a long week. That's why I always look forward to the weekends as soon as Friday begins. There are times when I just wish time would fast-forward to 5:00 PM so I can head to a place I’ve been wanting to explore.

That being said, I don’t always have a plan or a specific destination in mind. Sometimes, like today, I simply feel like dropping by a random district and wandering around to see if something catches my eye. Sometimes it works out, and I find something intriguing, while other times it doesn’t, so there’s always a risk of my time being wasted.

Still, it ultimately depends on me—whether I’m observant enough to find an angle or a detail about a location that could make the photos and the story I want to tell interesting.

Tonight, I strolled around the Jalan Besar area without any particular direction in mind. Along the way, I came across some interesting buildings, saw a different side of the city, and even stumbled upon a Christmas tree display—how cool is that!

My walk began at the Rochor River along Victoria Street, passing by King George's Avenue, Kitchener Road, Jalan Besar Road, and somewhere around Serangoon Road. I wouldn’t blame you if you got confused reading all these road names and wondered how I managed to walk through so many streets. The thing is, roads in Singapore are relatively short and very walkable, so for me, it was more like a leisurely stroll in the park—lol.

Rochor River

This spot in the city is a great place to sit and relax on the benches along the river—if you don’t mind being surrounded by tall buildings. There’s also an ongoing construction project for a residential building rising beside the river, which will be completed soon!

King George's Avenue

This hotel's (Hotel NuVe) facade has a charming "old" design that still looks relevant and modern, which caught my attention.

Kitchener Road

Having the playground at the center of the commercial establishments has enhanced the overall vibe of this place.

Tyrwhitt Road

It’s so interesting to see a variety of building designs in the same area. The traditional shophouses here are incredibly well-preserved, and they also have a creative design as well.

Jalan Besar

I feel that the Jalan Besar area has a traditional yet modern vibe, which I find exciting. There are plenty of restored traditional shophouses that have been successfully transformed into commercial buildings, and I think that’s amazing. It reflects a significant achievement by the government in encouraging us to appreciate the importance of preserving our traditional lifestyle.

Serangoon Road

My final destination was City Square Mall, where I found another Christmas tree display. Some areas of the mall are currently under renovation, which is probably why half of it is barricaded by a temporary fence. Still, I saw a group of people relaxing on the benches near the display. And then, I noticed the liveliest playground, even at night.

Exploring the city in this spontaneous way always leads to surprising discoveries, whether it's a hidden gem or a new perspective. It’s a reminder that there’s always something worth seeing, even in familiar places. I’m already looking forward to my next adventure and the stories it will bring.

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