Sembawang Hot Springs

A small island, situated on the equator, with temperatures averaging nearly 30°C; the last thing on most people’s minds? A hot spring. To the surprise of tourists and even locals, hidden in the northern jungles of Singapore is Sembawang Hot Spring Park. In its prime, it was known for its “mystic” powers, true or not; many flocked to use it. Despite having multiple renovations over the years, it still retains its Kampong rustic charm!

In the early 20th century, Sembawang was just a dense forest. Perfect for cultivating crops like pepper, coconut, and rubber. A Chinese merchant, Seah Eng Keong, followed in the footsteps of his famous father, Seah Eu Chin, a successful owner of plantations. Keong established a pineapple plantation. In the jungle, secretly bubbling away, he noticed steaming water emerging from the ground. He found three springs in proximity and merged them into one. Thus, in 1909, the site became the Sembawang Hot Spring. Eventually, word spread, and many flocked to see the site, as this is the first of its kind on mainland Singapore. Unfounded or not, rumours began that the spring had healing properties. The area was then named Kampong Ayer Panas — the Village of Hot Water.

As time passed, the hot spring underwent multiple acquisitions. In 1922, the popular local soft drink brand Fraser & Neave (F&N) established a bottling plant to tap the mineral water. However, once the Second World War hit Singapore, operations were temporarily ceased due to nearby aerial bombing. In 1942, sadly, enemy forces seized the region. Onsen culture forms a significant part of Japanese life, with roots stretching back to ancient times. Assimilating Singapore into one of their colonies, Japanese forces converted the bottling plant into their own onsen. Thankfully, at the end of the war, Singaporean locals returned to their hot spring. In the 1960s, it was thriving, and rumours began that you could have “good luck” baths. To cash in on this luck, gamblers would have these baths before the start of horse races. Villagers loved the hot spring so much that it became a part of Sembawang’s way of life, and even encouraged the authorities over the years to develop the area into an onsen resort. However, the idea was shelved as geologists could not locate the source of the spring. The lack of commercial interest resulted in the hot spring losing popularity.

The site began to catch the locals’ attention again, drawing people back with fresh curiosity. In 2002, with enough interest from locals, the community leaders of Sembawang understood what their residents wanted. With signatures from locals, they petitioned authorities to preserve the hot spring and keep it open. The Ministry of Defence, which acquired the land, was going to close it to the public. Today, the area has public access, making it easier for visitors to enter. Changes to the site were made, for example: there is a separate station to boil your eggs in (onsen eggs, as they are called), instead of having eggs and feet in the same pool. It is worth remembering that, as it is a hot spring, the temperatures reach an average of 70°C (almost 160 degrees Fahrenheit), and there have been cases of scalding. Despite these incidents, locals continue to frequent and enjoy the site.