A Peaceful Escape: Your Ultimate Guide to Yishun Dam
Despite its reputation (which I think isn’t fair!), Yishun is a good place to live and a great destination for tourists. If you’re thinking about visiting this underrated place in the north, one attraction I highly suggest you visit is Yishun Dam.
Yishun Dam was constructed in 1983, and its main purpose is to simply separate the saltwater in the Johore Straits from the fresh waters of Lower Seletar Reservoir. It’s not meant to be a tourist destination, but that hasn’t stopped people from visiting it.
After all, Yishun Dam is a quiet spot that allows you to escape from the city’s fast pace and enjoy a scenic view of nature. If you’re interested in visiting, check out this ultimate guide to Yishun Dam!
Things to Know about Yishun Dam
How to Get to Yishun Dam
Address: Yishun Ave 1, Singapore 769130
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Driving is the preferred method of getting to Yishun Dam, especially since parking is free of charge.
That said, be mindful of the cars that are parked on the roadside. You might think that the vehicles aren’t parked, which might lead to an accident.
If you’d like to come here via public transportation instead, riding the bus is your best option.
Take either bus service 117 or 103, and alight at Bef Shell Aviation. From there, Yishun Dam is only a few minutes away on foot.
Best Time to Visit
— From: nomishaes
The best time to visit Yishun Dam is during a sunny or cloudy day, preferably either morning or late afternoon.
This is because there’s no shade area in the dam, so you need to come when the sun isn’t at its harshest.
Nighttime is also a good time to visit Yishun Dam. It’s a lot quieter during this time, and you get to enjoy the view of the glittering buildings in urban areas.
What to Do in Yishun Dam
Go for a hike or ride your bike
— From: vincetacy
Yishun Dam is a picturesque stretch of greenery, thus making it an ideal route for a hiking trail. Dress comfortably and wear sneakers for a lovely stroll.
And if you’re not a fan of hiking or jogging, then you might be interested in riding a bike instead. Bike rentals are all over Singapore—you can mostly find them in any park—so get yours for an hour or two and enjoy cycling along the dam.
What makes Yishun Dam a lovely place to stroll or ride a bike is the fact that it’s far from the city and surrounded by a body of water. It’s peaceful, and the breeze from the water is refreshing.
Of course, the highlight here is the gorgeous view. You’ll get an unobstructed view of the clear blue sky, and if you’re hiking in the late afternoon, you might be able to catch the beautiful sunset on the horizon.
Enjoy a picnic with loved ones

Going on a picnic is one of my favorite things to do with my family. It’s one simple way to bond with your loved ones.
Yishun Dam has become one of our go-to picnic spots because it’s easy to set up here. There’s a lot of room on the green stretch, so it’s easy to find a spot and lay down our blanket and picnic basket.
Spot as many wild animals as you can

If you’re a big fan of birds, you’ll be delighted to know that you can find a lot of wild birds in Yishun Dam.
I’m not really a bird enthusiast, but some of my friends are. With the help of their expertise and binoculars, I’ve been able to spot pied stilts, white-breasted waterhens, little egrets, and striated herons.
Try your hand at fishing

Another fun activity you can try doing here is fishing. In fact, it’s such a popular thing to do in Yishun Dam that you might actually find a bunch of budding fishermen casting their lines on the water.
I’m not skilled at fishing at all, but that hasn’t stopped me from bringing my fishing rod and trying my luck.
If you are interested in fishing here, do keep in mind that you’re only allowed to fish in certain areas; fishing on the side of the reservoir is prohibited. So, be on the lookout for the fishing area signs, and stay in these designated areas.
Relax in Rower’s Bay Park
— From: creatingmymuse
Rower’s Bay Park is located right on one end of Yishun Dam’s causeway, and it’s a great place to be if you really want to bask in serenity.
This park features a boardwalk that takes you closer to the water, and on its end is a lookout pavilion that lets you view the swales and wetlands in the area. I love coming here just to look at the view or take a break from all the hiking or cycling.
If you’re an animal lover, you can spot a few cool-looking wild animals here too, such as the grey heron and the copper-cheeked frog.
Lay down on the green and gaze at the stars

As mentioned earlier, nighttime is also a great time to visit Yishun Dam—which is why this place still has visitors even when the sun has set for some time.
At night, you can lie down on the green and gaze at the night sky. You’re far enough from the glittering center of Singapore, so you might be lucky to find a few stars scattering above you.
If you want, you can even bring an amateur telescope. That way, you can really get a closer look at your favorite celestial objects in the sky.
Where to Eat Near Yishun Dam
Georges Hideout
— From: chewmengkuan
Address: JTC Aviation 2 S797523, 690 W Camp Rd, Singapore 797523
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—3 to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—3 pm to 12 am
- Closed on Sunday
Contact Number: +6566941159
Pricing: $$
If you’re looking for a cozy hangout spot near Yishun Dam, then you might like Georges Hangout. This restaurant features wooden furniture and exposed brick walls, thus giving off a rustic charm and a relaxed ambiance.
As for the menu, you can find fries, BBQ baby pork ribs, and various pasta dishes. They also have a good selection of wines and craft beers, so be sure to order a bottle of your preferred drink to complement your meal.
Hangar66 Cafe
— From: bryansng84
Address: 66 Seletar Aerospace View, #66 Level 1 WOA Aviation Hangar, 66, Singapore 797509
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Closed on Monday and Tuesday
Contact Number: +6587118677
Pricing: $$
Hangar66 Cafe is probably one of the coolest restaurants I’ve ever visited. As you can probably expect from the name, this dining spot is actually aviation-themed, and they really went all out with the decorations.
Since you’ll be dining in a “hangar,” you can find airplanes in every nook and cranny. Children can also play around while waiting for your orders.
Take some photos too! The restaurant looks too Instagram-worthy to resist.
The menu here is quite extensive as well.
My favorites include the grilled chicken chop, Hangar66 Wings, and Truffle Fries. As for dessert, I’m a big fan of their homemade tiramisu.
Wheeler’s Estate
— From: caulibeam
Address: 2 Park Ln, Singapore 798386
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—11:30 am to 11 pm
- Friday—11:30 am to 12 am
- Saturday—9 am to 12 am
- Sunday—9 am to 11 pm
- Closed on Monday
Contact Number: +6597357332
Pricing: $$$
Wheeler’s Estate is the perfect place to go if you want to treat yourself to a fancy meal. This restaurant makes use of fresh-from-the-farm ingredients, and for their signature steaks, applewood and lychee firewood are used to give them that perfect char.
In addition to steaks, you can find other delicious dishes here. The Billabong Lamb Cutlets are quite indulgent, and if you’re vegan, you might enjoy their Beetroot Falafel Burger.
Delectable dishes aren’t the only things you’ll enjoy here.
There’s also live music to entertain you, and you can even put in a song request. Just make sure to do it ahead of time (their website has a Google Form where you can send your request).
5 by Sans Façon
— From: js_belly
Address: 5 The Oval, Aerospace Park, Singapore 797863
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Friday—11:30 am to 3 pm, 6 to 9:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—8:30 am to 9:30 pm
- Closed on Monday and Tuesday
Contact Number: +6569747355
Pricing: $$$
Another place you can go to if you want a fancy dining spot is 5 by Sans Façon, and it’s actually located near Wheeler’s Estate. This restaurant is French-style, so you can indulge in some of your favorite French dishes here.
The great thing about this restaurant is that it features a seasonal menu, so you never know what you’ll get when you come here. The element of surprise adds a lot to the experience.
Chingu at The Oval
— From: spoonsofdelights
Address: 7 The Oval, Singapore 797865
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—11 am to 11 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—9 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +6596908007
Pricing: $$$
Korean BBQ is all the rage these days, so if you’re in the mood to splurge, head to Chingu at The Oval.
Here, you can order pieces of wagyu beef, USDA-prime rib-eye steaks, grass-fed beef briskets, and more, so you can really make the most of your money.
Additionally, there are many side dishes available for a well-rounded meal. My favorites are the steamed egg, kimchi pancake, and kimchi stew simmered with pork.
Yishun Park Hawker Center
— From: misstamchiak
Address: 51 Yishun Ave 11, Singapore 768867
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—6 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6590214251
Pricing: $
If you’re on a budget, I highly suggest going to a hawker center instead because there, you can find various stalls selling all sorts of Singaporean delicacies at an affordable price. Luckily, there’s a hawker center near Yishun Dam: Yishun Park Hawker Center.
My go-to stalls here include Bismi Biryani, GoPizza, and Wee Kim Hainanese Chicken Rice. When I’m in the mood for a local dessert, I usually go for Teh Tarik, Munchi Delights, and Summer Dessert.
Arab Street Turkish and Western Restaurant
— From: jessoroll
Address: Blk 661 Yishun Ave 4, #01-431, Singapore 760661
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 to 10 pm
Contact Horus: +6586141441
Pricing: $$
I love both Arab and Turkish cuisines because of their bold and rich flavors. So if you’re anything like me, I highly recommend checking out Arab Street Turkish and Western Restaurant.
This spot offers a plethora of delicious dishes—from mouth-watering appetizers like eggplant moutabal and hummus to satisfying main courses like shish beef kebab and Adana chicken kebab. They also have various tagine dishes too!
If you don’t know, tagine is a dish originating in North Africa that’s named after the earthenware pot in which it’s cooked. Usually, tagine dishes are savory stews, but they can also resemble a quiche or frittata.
Siam Kitchen
— From: tricia.plsstopeating
Address: 2 Yishun Walk, #01-01 HomeTeamNS Khatib, Singapore 767944
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6569085616
Pricing: $$
Siam Kitchen’s tagline is “a symphony of flavors,” and they really made good on that promise. The dishes here are a combination of traditional charm and modern innovations, so every bite is just an explosion of flavor in your mouth.
I like starting with their Thai mango salad, and then for the main course, I go for any of the curry offerings. When it comes to dessert, my favorite is the red ruby with coconut ice cream, but the durian sticky rice has been growing on me.
Orchid Live Seafood
— From: esth3r_esth3r
Address: 2 Yishun Walk, #03-01 HomeTeamNS Khatib, Singapore 767944
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 2:30 pm, 5 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6567560311
Pricing: $$
Looking for a seafood restaurant? Then, you’ll be happy to know that Orchid Live Seafood is near Yishun Dam.
True to its name, this restaurant features a lot of tanks full of live seafood, so you can rest assured that your meals are always made of fresh ingredients.
They also have a menu for set meals. That way, you can easily order if you’re with a group.
Orchid Live Seafood is best known for its lobster porridge, so I highly recommend you try that. Aside from this meal, you might also be interested in trying out the Teochew cold crabs, Teochew smoked duck, and steamed live seabass with black bean sauce.
Tips When Visiting Yishun Dam
To make your Yishun Dam experience even more fun, I’ve prepared a few more tips to consider.
- Come early during the weekends. Yishun Dam can get crowded with families during the weekends, so if you’re planning to have a picnic here, be sure to come as early as possible. That way, you can find the spot that you want.
- Bring insect repellants. This is especially true if you’re coming at night, but I suggest still bringing an insect repellant even if you’re coming during the day. There will be bugs and insects here, so keep that in mind.
- Put on sunscreen. When you’re at Yishun Dam, you’ll be exposed to the sun for a good amount of time. So, you should protect your skin by putting on good-quality sunscreen.