Yishun, Singapore

The Yishun Planning Area (Simplified Chinese: 义顺, Traditional Chinese: 義順, Pinyin: Yìshùn, Malay: Yishun, Tamil: யிஷூன்) is a prominent planning area and residential town located in the North Region of Singapore. Covering an area of around 21.2 square kilometres, Yishun has developed into one of Singapore’s most recognisable suburban towns, offering a balance of housing, education, recreation, and community amenities.

History of Yishun

Yishun is named after Lim Nee Soon, a wealthy businessman and rubber magnate of the early 20th century, who was known in Mandarin as Lin Yishun (林义顺 / 林義順). The area was once covered by plantations growing pepper, gambier, pineapple, and rubber. From the late 1970s, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) began transforming Yishun into a self-contained new town, complete with public housing, schools, and commercial centres. Today, Yishun remains closely associated with its heritage while adapting to modern urban development.

Yishun, Singapore (29 July 2017)

Geography and Boundaries

Yishun is bordered by Sembawang to the west, Mandai to the south, Ang Mo Kio to the southeast, and Punggol across the waters of the Serangoon Reservoir to the east. The town’s northern edge reaches toward the Straits of Johor, providing a geographical connection to Malaysia.

Subzones of Yishun

Residential Neighbourhoods

Yishun consists primarily of HDB estates, though private condominiums and landed housing can also be found. The town centre is anchored by Northpoint City, one of the largest suburban shopping malls in Singapore, which integrates transport, retail, and community facilities. The residential neighbourhoods are interspersed with parks, neighbourhood centres, and schools, designed to serve the community’s daily needs.

Transport and Connectivity

Yishun is served by the Yishun MRT Station on the North-South Line, providing direct rail connectivity to other parts of Singapore. A well-developed bus interchange adjacent to the MRT station ensures smooth feeder and trunk services throughout the town. Major roads such as the Seletar Expressway (SLE) and Central Expressway (CTE) link Yishun to the rest of the island, while the future North-South Corridor is expected to further enhance connectivity.

Economy and Facilities

The Yishun Planning Area houses major amenities including Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun Community Hospital, and SAFRA Yishun Country Club. The town has seen rapid development in commercial and healthcare sectors, making it an important northern hub outside the city centre. With its large population, Yishun continues to attract both businesses and families.

Parks and Recreation

Yishun offers ample green and recreational spaces, including Yishun Park, Lower Seletar Reservoir Park, and the Yishun Pond Park adjacent to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. These areas provide residents with nature trails, water views, and community gathering spots. In addition, the SAFRA Yishun Country Club offers extensive leisure facilities, including swimming pools, gyms, and sports halls.

Education

Numerous primary and secondary schools serve the Yishun community, including Northland Secondary School, Yishun Secondary School, and Naval Base Secondary School. Higher education options are easily accessible in neighbouring areas such as Mandai and Ang Mo Kio. Yishun also benefits from community libraries and enrichment centres.

Fun Facts about Yishun

Yishun is named after Lim Nee Soon, a businessman once known as the “Pineapple King.”
Northpoint City, located in Yishun, is one of the largest suburban malls in Singapore, featuring over 500 shops.
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital is designed with a “healing garden” concept, integrating greenery and water features into its architecture.
The Yishun Dam, located nearby, offers scenic views of the Johor Straits and is popular for fishing and sunset photography.
Yishun has a reputation in local culture for quirky and unusual news stories, often dubbed the “Yishun Phenomenon.”

Map of Yishun

MRT Stations in Yishun

Khatib MRT Station (GPS: 1.41731, 103.83301)
Springleaf MRT Station (GPS: 1.39837, 103.81799)
Yishun MRT Station (GPS: 1.42944, 103.835)

Sights in Yishun

Northpoint City (GPS: 1.42923, 103.83603)
Yishun Community Hospital (GPS: 1.42346, 103.83681)
Yishun Stadium (GPS: 1.41258, 103.83153)

Residential properties in Yishun

North Park Residences (GPS: 1.42778, 103.836)
The Estuary (GPS: 1.41053, 103.83199)

Quick Facts

Total Area: ~21.2 sq km
Region: North Region
Population: ~220,000 (2020)
Postal District: District 27
MRT Station: Yishun (NSL)
Key Landmarks: Northpoint City, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun Pond Park

References

Page Details

This page was created on 9 September 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.

List of Planning Areas of Singapore, Singapore Sight Index and pillar page Discover Singapore

Want to share your Singapore travel experiences or get tips from fellow travellers?
Join the Singapore Travel Tips Facebook Group

More information for visiting and living in Singapore

Here are some related articles to help you get to know Singapore better.

Latest Pages & Updates

Buy Me A Coffee

If you enjoy the information I provide and want to support the work I do, please buy me a coffee! I appreciate it immensely, thank you so much!
Support me here

Backtrack | HOME | Latest Updates | Singapore Streets & Sights