A Walk Into History

Situated just before the Woodlands Checkpoint, the old Woodlands Town Centre is the last point in Singapore before one crosses over to Malaysia. A resting point for many, it is now a sleepy old neighbourhood, paling in comparison to its glory days during the 80's and mid 90's, when it was the regional town centre of Woodlands. 

In the early 70's, kampungs in Woodlands were cleared as plans to develop the area as an industrial and residential estates were laid out. By 1972, Woodlands welcomed the completion of its first 1 300 housing units. The establishment of Woodlands Town Centre followed and became the focal point for the residents and workers. 

During its heydays, the old Woodlands Town Centre was bustling with activities both for locals and the visitors from Malaysia. Retail shops selling textiles and electronic goods were popular. The hawker centre, Kopitiam and Prata houses were filled with people, and more choices in food were offered with the arrivals of fast food restaurants such as the KFC and MacDonald's. 

In 1996, Woodlands MRT Station and its underground bus interchange opened at the Woodlands Regional Centre, which replaced the old Woodlands Town Centre as the central hub of the new town. Three years later, the 7-storey shopping mall Causeway Point was also completed. The old Woodlands Town Centre then started to lose its shine and attraction. 

The original Woodlands Bus Interchange, established in 1981 to serve the residents in the northern part of Singapore, was thus replaced by the one at the Woodlands Regional Centre. The old one was converted a bus terminal, providing short intra-town services for travelers between Singapore and Malaysia. The services were soon discontinued and the space became a temporary parking and pick-up points for Malaysia buses ferrying the workers. 

Today, the old Woodlands Town Centre is considered part of the Marsiling Estate.

With little upgrading, the old Woodlands Town Centre has largely retained its appearance for the past four decades. As a town centre, it may have lost its appeal and in certain times, look like a deserted ghost town. But it still serves as an ideal resting point for travelers on both sides of the causeway, or for anyone who yearns for a quiet meal in an increasingly crowded Singapore.