Keppel Hill Reservoir
My next adventure led me to Keppel Hill, where I set out to explore yet another forgotten chapter of Singapore’s hidden past—the long-lost Keppel Hill Reservoir. Though this tranquil body of water has long since vanished from our official maps, the powers of Google (and a few local urban explorer groups) helped me track down its elusive location.
Tucked just a stone’s throw from the quiet neighborhood of Wishart Road, this century-old reservoir first appeared on a 1905 Tanjong Pagar Dock Arbitration map. Back in its day, it served as a water source for the nearby Tanjong Pagar Dockyard.
While Singapore’s modern water supply began with the MacRitchie Reservoir in 1868, there were smaller private reservoirs like this one built during the colonial period—quietly nestled into the landscape and slowly forgotten over time. During the Japanese Occupation, this particular reservoir was converted into a swimming pool. Several drowning incidents were reported here, the most notable being the deaths of two soldiers and, later, a 17-year-old boy. In 1936 and 1948 respectively, tragedy struck. According to The Straits Times, the boy—Chew Telk Pin—had gone swimming with two friends and tragically drowned.
Reaching this hidden gem involves a roughly 10-minute walk from the eastern end of Wishart Road. After passing the massive Joaquim Garden & Landscape nursery sign, you’ll come to a fork in the road. Take the left-hand footpath. The terrain is uneven, slippery, and overgrown—so yes, mozzies will feast, and no, flip-flops will not save you.
Still, despite the heat, bites, and a few near-slips on wet leaves, the payoff was so worth it. This place feels like a secret pocket of history preserved in vines.
And if you’re hungry after your trek (I definitely was), swing by Seah Im Food Centre just nearby. Cheap eats, big portions, and a very deserving reward after jungle-crawling through the past.
Till next time, fellow explorers—keep your laces tight, your bug spray ready, and your curiosity hungry.