Choa Chu Kang (CCK), also spelled as Chua Chu Kang, was formerly home to numerous kampongs and rubber plantations in the 19th century. Located in the west region and north of the Jurong Lake District (and north-east of the Jurong Innovation District), Choa Chu Kang in its early years attracted many farmers to its fertile ground and proximity to a water body.
The influx of immigrants from the Teochew and Hokkien dialect groups would introduce gambier, pepper and then pineapple, rubber and coconut plantations. Vegetable and poultry farms were also erected.
Tigers were known to prowl the area. They were regularly hunted to keep the villages safe. In the 1930s, Singapore’s last tiger would be shot in Choa Chu Kang.
Over the decades, various sections of Choa Chu Kang would be demolished. By the 1980s, and with the first HDB flats in the area being developed in Teck Whye, Choa Chu Kang new town was in full swing. Yew Tee was developed in 1997. Eventually, Choa Chu Kang new town would come to comprise seven subzones with four zones – Choa Chu Kang Central, Choa Chu Kang North, Tech Whye and Yew Tee – being the most densely populated.
Despite this, Choa Chu Kang is known for its laid-back charm even as it grew into a vibrant and well-connected district. In 2015, the Choa Chu Kang Town Council revealed a $385 million Master Plan that would see various upgrades made collectively by the town council, HDB, LTA, NParks and other agencies over a span of five years.
Photo: Yew Tee Square
What’s in Choa Chu Kang
For a non-mature town, Choa Chu Kang isn’t lacking in amenities. The Choa Chu Kang stadium, which was the practice venue for the 2010 Youth Olympics, is a multi-sport facility located about four bus stops from Choa Chu Kang MRT/LRT station via bus 307. The Choa Chu Kang Swimming Complex is situated adjacent to the stadium.
Other than sports complexes, Choa Chu Kang has its fair share of shopping malls. Its most prominent, Lot One, built in 1997, is unequivocally its main shopping mall. Managed by CapitaLand, the massive mall is more of a hub; home to anchor tenants like NTUC FairPrice, Shaw Theatres and the Choa Chu Kang Community Library. Choa Chu Kang MRT/LRT station and bus interchange are situated next to Lot One.
Other nearby malls includes Yew Tee Square and Yew Tee Point in the subzone of Yew Tee. Junction 10 located at Ten Mile Junction is also nearby. Like any other townships, Choa Chu Kang’s many estates have smaller neighborhood malls like Keat Hong Shopping Centre, Sunshine Place and Teck Whye Shopping Centre in the vicinity to cater to the residents’ daily needs. Many of these malls are usually sites for tuition centres, mom & pop shops, grocery stores and clinics.
Convenience aside, Choa Chu Kang is not without its many green spots. The biggest, Choa Chu Kang Park is located in the northern part of the district. Others include Tembusu Park and Yew Tee Park with more upgrades and enhancements expected to come. In total, there are around five major parks with numerous smaller parcels of greenery usually built into the HDB estates.
Choa Chu Kang is also home to many exciting and new developments such as iNz Residence, Qingjian’s state of the art smart home executive condominium, Sol Acres, Wandervale and much more. Schools too are prevalent with at least 16 primary, secondary and tertiary institutions found in the district.
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Choa Chu Kang in the next 10 years
The $385 million dollar injection is expected to deliver enhancements to the entire district. This includes building sheltered link-ways to ease pedestrian traffic from the LRT or MRT stations to the nearby estates during rain. Cycling paths spanning six kilometers are also planned.
Choa Chu Kang will also benefit greatly from the nearby development of the car-free Tengah new town as well as the Jurong Innovation District and Jurong Lake District.
The Jurong Region Line (JRL), which will add 24 stations to the existing network, is another spillover benefit. Three interchanges, Boon Lay, Jurong East and Choa Chu Kang stations will further link to the North-South and East-West Lines. The new stations are expected to be opened in three phases, starting from 2026.
Another potential boon to Choa Chu Kang is the High Speed Rail, which currently is postponed due to political issues. Should it be resumed, residents in Choa Chu Kang who are already four stops from Jurong Interchange can visit Johor Bahru for leisure or even employment. In addition, this opens up more rental opportunity once the relevant transportation networks are in place where travelling from JB to Jurong and by extension, Choa Chu Kang is made easier.
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Unlike the popular Katong/Joo Chiat or the infamous Yishun, Choa Chu Kang rarely gets a mention in the news. Therefore, it’s natural for people to forget that in the north-westernmost region of Singapore, there’s a stable, healthy and vibrant district. Well-connected and with many conveniences in transportation and recreation, Choa Chu Kang residents have only more to look forward to as the $385 million investment improves the district.
It is also in an enviable spot due to its proximity to Tengah new town and the Jurong Innovation and Lake Districts. What improvements that comes to those areas can positively impact Choa Chu Kang, such as the new JRL.
Choa Chu Kang is also close to many recreational spots, such as the Warren Golf & Country Club, Chestnut Nature Park, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Mandai Zoo and Kranji Reservoir.
It’s a bustling location with an estimated 169,000 residents that has retained its idyllic and laid-back atmosphere.
