Unlike Balestier and Holland Village, Tai Seng Village is not on any walking tour radar. But, in reality, Tai Seng (as it is affectionately known) has a well-documented history.

Like many other early days kampongs, it was an agriculture thing for most farmers here. It was a small village which was part of the much larger Perseverance Estate. From nutmeg and gambier, it later transitioned from self-sustaining farming to big-time lemongrass farming.

Most of the folks here were Teochews – so Tai Seng was also often called “Charn Mau Herng”. But the truth is that Tai Seng was, and is still known primarily for, its crime-ridden days.

From the 1940s, poverty among some villagers pushed the crime scene to an all-time high. Gangsters and secret societies proliferated. The beginning of the Paya Lebar Airport in the 1950s added some concern to the villagers too.

With Paya Lebar Airport firmly entrenched, the landscape of Tai Seng finally changed to commerce and industrialisation. All said, Tai Seng Village can be considered “a poor boy made good – progressing from farmers to gangsters and secret societies to company head honchos”.

MNCs made their offices here. Companies like DHL and BreadTalk made sure that Tai Seng will go down well in history…. It is almost like a fairy tale come true. I invite you to take a walk with me through the new modern Tai Seng.

Meet me at Tai Seng MRT at 9am on Saturday, 15th April 2023. Upon alighting at Tai Seng MRT station, please go toward Exit C in the direction of 18, Tai Seng. Take the escalator up to street level. I will meet you next to Hawker Chan. Just opposite is TimHoWan. You can recognise me with my Tourist Guide Badge TG4737.

For reservations, contact:
UNCLE CHRIS WALKING TOURS
Chris WK Ng
T: 65 91814298
E: [email protected]

Note:
• We do the worldwide practice of tipping at the end of the tour.
• We also reserve the right to accept or reject habitual late cancellations and No Shows.
• Please do not sign up for this tour if you are unsure you can make it. Sign up only when you are sure of your schedule.