Toa Payoh used to be a big swampy area, which is how the name comes about – Toa means big in Hokkien and Teochew dialects, and Payoh stands for the swamp in Malay.

It is the first town designed and developed by the Housing and Development Board (HDB). Toa Payoh MRT station is also the first to be built.

In 1973, Toa Payoh hosted the sixth Southeast Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games. Athletes and official personnel from seven countries all stayed in the town during the event. They are from Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Block 175, 179, 191, and 193 served as a reflection of a major sport event in Singapore.

Block 53 features a Y-shaped design, and it’s the only remaining block with this unique layout. It has a rooftop gallery and hosts many foreign and local dignitaries in the early years. Thus, it is also known as the ‘VIP’ block. Too bad that the gallery is no longer open to the public.

Toa Payoh Town Park is a green space where residents go for exercises with a natural backdrop. The park retains its old charm and beauty with its landscaped pond, stone bridges, hexagon motif, and willowing trees. The once a glory 25meter tall Observation Tower offered visitors panoramic views in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, the tower is closed till further notice.

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The Dragon playground, designed by Mr. Khor Ean Ghee, was built in 1979. It is one of the iconic landmarks in Singapore today. After some feedback with the initial design, the current layout evolves. The larger head tiled with terrazzo and glass in red, orange, blue, and green is featured. The colorfully painted steel ring body allowed children to climb or slide through it. It is one of the two dragon playgrounds remaining and is the only one that retains its original sand surfaces.

Discover the charms of Toa Payoh on foot. Like the bird viewing pavilion at Lorong 4, such a scene is only found in the older estate. Another unique thing to look out for is the old wooden windows. This neighborhood also has numerous hawker center that serves delicious local cuisine, so don’t forget to taste them all.

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