Jalan Benaan Kapal Experiential Tour - A Forgotten Heritage Chapter of Kallang Story

Detailed Tour Itinerary

Duration: ~2 hours 30 mins guided experiential walking tour in Jalan Benaan Kapal & Kallang, with participants sampling traditional Peranakan bakes

Start Point: Stadium MRT, Exit A End Point: National Stadium, Singapore Sports Museum

Photo Contest or TikTok Challenge During the Walking Tour! (Either Or)

• Participants are encouraged to take photos throughout the walking tour. At the end of the walk, the best picture will be selected.
• Participants of the walk are encouraged to create a TikTok video capturing their excursion experience — the scenery, the fun, the vibes!
• Winner - The winner of the challenge will receive a box of Premium Ondeh Ondeh Cake (worth $20.90)

🚩 Stop 1: Merdeka Bridge

Historical Significance

• Opened in 1956, the Merdeka Bridge spans the Kallang Basin, connecting Nicoll Highway to the eastern parts of Singapore
• It was named “Merdeka”, which means “freedom” or “independence” in Malay, reflecting the growing movement for self-governance during that era.
• It’s one of the few physical landmarks in Singapore that predates the country’s independence, bearing witness to the city-state's evolution.

Architectural Value

While modest compared to today’s infrastructure, the bridge’s clean lines and symmetry are representative of 1950s civil engineering.

Memory Lane for Generations:

For older Singaporeans, it’s a piece of lived history — many associate it with attending events at the old National Stadium, participating in youth sports, or watching parades.

🚩 Stop 2: Kallang Gasworks Holder Structure + Commemorative Art: Spirit of Kallang

• Of four gasholders, No. 3 (c.1901) is the sole remaining steel-framed structure, now a solemn octagonal sculpture preserving industrial memory
• Adjacent to the frames sits Spirit of Kallang, a stainless-steel sculpture by Lim Leong Seng, unveiled during the gasworks’ decommissioning in 1998
• Crafted using leftover gasworks materials, it symbolizes the early pioneers’ hardworking ethos and enduring spirit

🚩 Stop 3: Kallang Airport Terminal Building

Singapore’s First Purpose-built Civil Airport

• Opened on 12 June 1937, built on reclaimed mangrove land spanning 300 acres, designed for both land planes and seaplanes

Iconic Architecture & Design

• Designed by Frank Dorrington Ward in early-modernist British style, with Art Deco features, horizontal lines, streamlined curves, and a prominent central control tower flanked by side blocks and hangars
• Innovative circular aerodrome layout allowed multi-directional landings; a slipway served both flying boats and traditional aircraft

🚩 Stop 4: The Cage Kallang, Jalan Benaan Kapal – The Forgotten Shipbuilders' Road

Where land met labor, and heritage met water. Continue the tour on this quiet lane that once housed shipyards and boat repair workshops. “Benaan Kapal” means “shipbuilding” in Malay — a nod to Singapore’s maritime roots. Though quiet today, echoes of industry remain.

• Photo spot at The Cage @ Kallang now a futsal arena on historic shipyard soil
• Converted in the mid‐2000s from former shipyard workshops and warehouses, it repurposed industrial spaces into futsal and sports halls — bridging Singapore’s early marine industrial era with today’s urban recreation
• While the original shipyard rows vanished by the mid‐1980s, these vintage steel-and-concrete shells carry their architectural bones into modern use, preserving a tactile link to the past.

🚩 Stop 5: Jalan Benaan Kapal Food Centre

• Food Centre Since 1968: To feed shipyard workers, a hawker centre with ~10 stalls was built—many of which still stand today in their original form
• Oldest Kopitiam Vibes: A vintage kopitiam atmosphere lingers, with unchanged scruffy ceilings and timber-charcoal toast—a nostalgic window to the past.

Highlight: Enjoy a delightful tea break snack set worth $12.90!

• Includes : Taste of Peranakan artisan cakes and a cup of nostalgic coffee/tea
• As participants unwind with tea and snacks, the guide will lead a fun, interactive quiz to reflect on the highlights and insights from the guided walking

🚩 Stop 6: National Stadium & Singapore Sports Museum

https://www.sportshub.com.sg/visit-explore/singapore-sports-museum

• A modern icon built on historic ground. The new National Stadium sits where the original (1973) once united Singapore through sports and national events.

Highlights:

• Heritage Gallery inside the Sports Hub (Free Admission for Singapore/PR)
• Hall of Fame – Honours over 50 sports legends.
• Building a Dream – Rare artefacts from early sports clubs and associations.
• Chasing the Dream – Showcases our sports policies and programs developing young athletes.
• Dream Venue – Highlights the engineering marvels and design story of the former National Stadium.
• Living the Dream – Follows the personal journey, struggles, and triumphs of elite athletes.
• Collective Dream – Displays memorabilia celebrating community sports and major events

Activities for Children (aged 12 and below)

Children’s Season 2025 – Stamp Booklet Adventure! ✨📚

• Each child will receive a special Stamp Booklet and embark on an interactive adventure. At each museum, they’ll take part in a fun, themed activity. Upon completion, they’ll earn a unique stamp to mark their achievement!
• Collect all the stamps and redeem an exclusive prize – a perfect reward for a season filled with learning, exploration, and fun!