Changi Heritage Trail - War and Peace

Estimated Trail Distance: 7.6 km
Changi Prison was the last penal institution built by the colonial government. Established as a response to overcrowding in Pearl’s Hill Prison and Outram Prison in 1936, the prison was also used as a place of interment for POWs during the Japanese Occupation. The prison underwent redevelopment in the 1970s and 1980s, and a stetch of the original prison wall, entrance gate and two turrets were preserved and gazetted as a National Monument in 2016. Image courtesy of Singapore Prison Service
Places
Changi Prison

Built on part of the former Changi POW camp, Changi Chapel and Museum features diverse narratives about the Japanese Occupation and reflections from POWs. These stories are presented through personal artefacts and recollections, as well as recreations of the well-known Changi Murals and St. George’s Church.
Places
Changi Chapel and Museum

Constructed between 1927 and 1937, Changi Cantonment was a British military base that guarded the eastern end of the Straits of Johor and the Naval Base at Sembawang. Before World War II, the cantonment housed Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers units, with artillery batteries installed within and around the base. After the war, the base was taken over by Royal Air Force (RAF) and became known as RAF Changi.
Places
Former Changi Cantonment and RAF Changi

Located on the top of the hill, former Changi Hospital was completed in 1962 and served residents until 1997 when Changi Hospital was merged with Toa Payoh Hospital and relocated to Simei.
Places
Former Changi Hospital

Once frequented by colonial day-trippers and the servicemen of nearby RAF Changi for leisure activities, Changi Beach has become a popular vacation spot for members of the public in the post-World War II era. Changi Beach was also one of the many sites where the Japanese military carried out the Sook Ching massacres.
Places
Changi Beach

First opened in 1987 in Sembawang Camp, Singapore Navy Museum explores the history and heritage of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), the navy’s operations and defence roles, as well as check out guns and weapons systems from some of the RSN’s pioneer ships.
Places
Singapore Navy Museum

This is a self-guided trail.

  1. Changi Prison
  2. Changi Chapel and Museum
  3. Former Changi Cantonment and RAF Changi
  4. Former Changi Hospital
  5. Changi Beach
  6. Singapore Navy Museum

Changi Prison was the last penal institution built by the colonial government. Established as a response to overcrowding in Pearl’s Hill Prison and Outram Prison in 1936, the prison was also used as a place of interment for POWs during the Japanese Occupation. The prison underwent redevelopment in the 1970s and 1980s, and a stetch of the original prison wall, entrance gate and two turrets were preserved and gazetted as a National Monument in 2016. Image courtesy of Singapore Prison Service
Built on part of the former Changi POW camp, Changi Chapel and Museum features diverse narratives about the Japanese Occupation and reflections from POWs. These stories are presented through personal artefacts and recollections, as well as recreations of the well-known Changi Murals and St. George’s Church.
Constructed between 1927 and 1937, Changi Cantonment was a British military base that guarded the eastern end of the Straits of Johor and the Naval Base at Sembawang. Before World War II, the cantonment housed Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers units, with artillery batteries installed within and around the base. After the war, the base was taken over by Royal Air Force (RAF) and became known as RAF Changi.
Located on the top of the hill, former Changi Hospital was completed in 1962 and served residents until 1997 when Changi Hospital was merged with Toa Payoh Hospital and relocated to Simei.
Sook Ching massacres were carried out at Changi Beach during the Japanese Occupation.
First opened in 1987 in Sembawang Camp, Singapore Navy Museum explores the history and heritage of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), the navy’s operations and defence roles, as well as check out guns and weapons systems from some of the RSN’s pioneer ships.

Changi is a site of memory for diverse communities as it developed from a secluded corner of the island into a British military base and subsequently endured the Japanese Occupation. Explore Changi’s military heritage and learn what life was like at the military base and as Allied prisoners-of war (POWs) and survivors of the Japanese Occupation.

Explore the Suggested Short Trails

- Bungalows and Beaches in Changi, 1 hour with public transport (4km)
- War and Peace in Changi, 1.5 hours with public transport (7.6km)
- Gateways and Communities in Changi, 2 hours with public transport (12km)

Downloads

Changi Heritage Trail Booklet
Changi Heritage Trail Map - English

 

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