Jalan Tupai, Singapore

Jalan Tupai is a short yet distinguished road located in the River Valley Planning Area of Singapore. Stretching between One Tree Hill in the west and Paterson Road in the east, this residential street is nestled in one of the most exclusive parts of Postal District 10. Its nearest MRT connection is Orchard Boulevard MRT Station (TE13), served by the Thomson-East Coast Line. Branching out from it are Angullia Park, Jalan Arnap and Tomlinson Road.

Located in an upscale part of the city, Jalan Tupai is lined with landed residential properties. Jalan Tupai embodies the quiet charm of a private residential enclave, while being just minutes away from the vibrant heart of Orchard Road.

Street Layout and Surroundings

Jalan Tupai is a calm, tree-lined street, characterised by wide driveways and low-rise houses that contrast with the towering condominiums nearby. It primarily serves as an access road for residents, making it quieter than the busier adjoining roads. On its western end, Jalan Tupai connects seamlessly with One Tree Hill, while to the east it meets Paterson Road, which is one of the major routes feeding into Orchard Road. Its immediate surroundings feature a blend of old landed properties and modern luxury condominiums, reflecting the evolution of River Valley into an upscale neighbourhood.

History of Jalan Tupai

The origins of Jalan Tupai date back to the mid-20th century, when much of River Valley was still semi-rural. The name “Tupai” means “squirrel” in Malay, suggesting that the area once had abundant greenery that attracted small wildlife. Like many nearby streets, Jalan Tupai was planned during the post-war urbanisation of Singapore as a residential road serving the growing affluent community.

Over time, as Orchard Road developed into a major commercial and retail hub, Jalan Tupai retained its exclusivity as a residential street. It became part of the larger enclave of landed roads like One Tree Hill, which collectively represent some of the most sought-after addresses in the city.

Origin and Pronunciation of the Name

The name Jalan Tupai is of Malay origin, with “Jalan” meaning “road” and “Tupai” meaning “squirrel.” It is pronounced in English as “Jah-lahn Too-pie”, with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) pronunciation being /ˈdʒɑːlɑːn ˈtuːpaɪ/. The name reflects Singapore's historical practice of naming smaller residential streets with Malay terms, often inspired by flora and fauna.

Character of the Street

Despite its central location, Jalan Tupai maintains a peaceful, almost secluded atmosphere. Homes along the road are typically large, detached houses with private gardens, offering a lifestyle rare in central Singapore. Its proximity to Orchard Road ensures that residents have access to shopping, dining, and entertainment, yet the street itself remains shielded from the bustle of the city. This duality—serenity within steps of activity—defines the charm of Jalan Tupai.

Nearby Sights and Attractions

While Jalan Tupai itself is primarily residential, its location provides residents with quick access to several notable attractions:

Real Estate along Jalan Tupai

Jalan Tupai lies in one of Singapore's most prestigious districts, and property values reflect its prime status. As of August 2025, landed properties in the area typically measure around 3,500 to 6,000 sq ft (325 to 557 sq m). Detached houses and bungalows here are highly coveted, with asking prices ranging from SGD 12 million to SGD 20 million1, depending on land size and age of the property.

Rental values are equally strong, with larger landed homes fetching between SGD 25,000 and SGD 40,000 per month. Compared to average property prices in Singapore, which are significantly lower outside the central area, Jalan Tupai ranks among the city's most expensive residential addresses.

Public Transport Connectivity

The closest MRT station is Orchard Boulevard MRT Station (TE13), located within walking distance and served by the Thomson-East Coast Line. From here, residents can travel quickly to the Marina Bay area, Woodlands, and eventually to Changi Airport when the line is fully operational.

Other nearby stations include Orchard MRT (serving the North South Line), which provides a direct connection to the Central Business District and Jurong East.

Bus Services

Several bus stops are located along Paterson Road, offering routes to Orchard, Novena, Bukit Timah, and beyond. This provides residents with convenient access to both private and public transport.

Fun Facts about Jalan Tupai

One quirky fact is that Jalan Tupai is among a small handful of roads in central Singapore named after animals, making it stand out in a city where many roads are named after historical figures or geographic landmarks. It shares this characteristic with other “nature-named” roads in the River Valley and Tanglin area.

Quick Facts

References

  1. The Straits Times – Property Market News
  2. Singapore Street Names - A Study of Toponymics by Victor R Savage and Brenda S.A. Yeoh (2013, 2023), ISBN 978-981-4408-35-6
  3. What's in the Name? How the Streets and Villages in Singapore Got Their Names by Ng Yew Peng (2018), ISBN 978-981-32-2139-0

Map of Jalan Tupai, Singapore

Page Details

This page was created on 23 August 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.

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