District 25: Admiralty, Woodlands, Singapore

Early Woodlands consisted of villages where residents made their living mostly as small-time shopkeepers and vegetable farmers in the Marsiling area, while rubber plantations and poultry farms dot the landscape at where modern-day Admiralty is located. The first HDB flats were built in 1972 in the northern part of Marsiling, and the Woodlands Bus Interchange located at Woodlands Centre Road was built in 1980. The development of Woodlands began in 1981. This comprises the building of HDB flats in Neighbourhood 1, which was completed in 1985; well after the Marsiling Estate. Neighborhood 8 was completed in 1987, together with Neighbourhood 3 in 1989.

Starting from June 1992, the Jalan Ulu Sembawang is being cleared because of the extension of Woodlands New Town, Gambas Avenue, Sembawang Airbase, and the Seletar Expressway. The kampong was being cleared by 1996 and it was being converted into a military training ground.

Shopping malls in this area include Causeway Point, one of the largest shopping malls in Singapore, which houses 250 shops and various outlets, including a cinema and two food courts. Other malls in this area include Woodlands North Plaza and Woods Square, Marsiling Mall, and Vista Point.

The dining in this area is just as plentiful. Enjoy some local cuisine in the various hawker stalls such as Yes Nasi Kukus, well known for its delicious Nasi Lemak.

Sports are an emerging emphasis in Singaporean society. Recreational facilities can be easily located around the estates and especially in parks: The Woodlands Stadium and Woodlands Swimming Complex are common places for sport-goers.

The Woodlands and Admiralty area are also home to a number of parks, gardens, and decors. Woodlands Waterfront Park offers a stunning view of the water dividing Singapore and JB and is a popular destination for tourists looking at the scenery and park regulars looking to do some exercise. Marsiling Park keeps a clear and simple agenda, to bring greenery in the right ambiance with the mixture of the local ethnicities. The theme of the park revolves around the Malay and Chinese culture, and winding through the park is Sungei Mandai Kechil, the river that extends into a lake within the park. To the east of this area, bordering the polytechnic is Admiralty Park, a 27-hectare national park much of which is covered in mangroves.

There are many notable and prestigious schools in the area some of which include Singapore American School, Woodlands Ring Secondary School, Riverside Secondary School, Admiralty Primary / Secondary School, and more.

Like many other popular destinations in Singapore, this area is easily accessible by many MRT stations including Woodlands, Admiralty, and Marsiling. There are also various bus stops and taxi stands throughout the area.