It’s almost NDP season, and like clockwork, we get a new NDP song accompanied by a music video to get us feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. But away from the scenes of the CBD skyline and Marina Barrage, there are many underrated NDP music video locations that most of us might not even recognise.
From a sky garden tucked away in an HDB to a non-operational bus stop, these lowkey locations are perfect for romanticising living in Singapore.
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Screenshot from: NDPeeps via YouTube
The HDB void deck is a staple in many of our lives. You probably remember buying cup noodles from the mama shop after school and hearing aunties gossiping among themselves at the void deck. It was, and probably still is, the communal space where people from all walks of life would socialise.
Image credit: Jon Chiang via Flickr
Aside from the playground in the middle of this white U-shaped block, you might recognise the other facade of Block 31 Balam Road. It is part of the cluster of blocks covered in colourful grids of red, blue, and yellow along Circuit Road. The real throwback comes when you dabao food from the nearby coffee shops or Circuit Road Market & Food Centre to relive your secondary school days.
Screenshot from: NDPeeps via YouTube
Only a 7-minute sheltered walk from Redhill MRT is City Vue @ Henderson, an HDB estate with a sky garden on the 28th floor that’s open to the public. It’s also where you can enjoy scenic views of Singapore from a vantage point.
That said, remember that there are residents living there; don’t litter, and keep the noise to a minimum. While you can’t book the sky garden for exclusive use, it’s possible to write to your MP if you want to host a community event at your block.
GIF adapted from: NDPeeps via YouTube
Singapore has no shortage of basketball courts, but Block 497 Tampines Street 45 stands out with 2 courts on its grounds. Surrounded by iconic red-brick blocks, these 2 courts have become a favourite not just for ball games, but also for photoshoots.
They are free to use and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. While you’re there, you may or may not see Wheelsmith, a local rapper, and members from the Wheelchair Rugby Association (Singapore) gliding across the court for another video.
Screenshot from: NDPeeps via YouTube
There are many playgrounds in Singapore, but Adventure Playground @ Canberra is truly built different. Located at Block 334 Sembawang Close, this playground was designed and built by residents in 2018 as part of the Build-A-Playground initiative by the HDB.
Fun fact: PM Lawrence Wong helped install a part of a slide and opened the playground when he was the Minister for National Development. After the playground was completed, it was announced that the initiative would extend to existing playgrounds in Choa Chu Kang, Pasir Ris, Toa Payoh, and Woodlands. Who knows, your estate might be next.
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While most people flock to the Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden, Rasau Walk offers a tranquil escape surrounded by nature, going over land and a restored freshwater swamp.
Nestled at the quieter side of Jurong Lake Gardens, this 300m boardwalk trail is often overlooked because of its distance from the Chinese Garden MRT Station. But for those who make the trek, Rasau Walk connects you to other green spaces such as The Oval, Gardenhouse, and The Lone Tree.
Screenshot from: NDPeeps via YouTube
Tucked away at Block 118 Teck Whye Lane is a quaint bus stop that was left unmodernised with 0 buses going by. No one knows how it stood the test of time – even the bus stop across the street, which looked the same, was removed a few years ago.
This bus stop from a bygone era might not be here for much longer, so if you’ve ever wanted to recreate the last scene from the NDP 2021 music video, go before it disappears for good.
Screenshot from: NDPeeps via YouTube
If you grew up an Eastie, you would remember Mr Mashruddin Saharuddin and his son performing outside Tampines MRT Station Exit B. He was a pioneer of the local busking scene, being one of the few who helped make busking legal long before the line-up of new buskers around Singapore.
He sadly passed away in 2024, but his legacy lives on. The next time you’re in Tampines, you’ll be welcomed with music even before you tap out from the station.
GIF adapted from: NDPeeps via YouTube
Chestnut Nature Park has long been a favourite among mountain bikers, but what makes it extra special is that it’s home to Singapore’s first Pump Track.
With twists and turns, this track was designed for bikers to ride by moving their body up and down, AKA “pumping.” The track has 4 areas: 1 for beginners, 2 for intermediate and advanced riders, and a bowl for those who want to show off their moves. Come during golden hour, and you might just forget that you’re still in Singapore.
Screenshot from: NDPeeps via YouTube
Many Singaporeans may have forgotten the Tanjong Rhu Suspension Footbridge, as most of us prefer to alight at Stadium MRT Station for concerts. Suspended over the Geylang River, this minimalist pedestrian bridge offers a picturesque view of the Kallang Basin and skyscrapers along Nicoll Highway – ideal for post-concert walks to Tanjong Rhu MRT Station.
On the other side of the bridge is Tanjong Rhu Lookout Tower, where a quick climb up its spiral staircase rewards you with sweeping views of the Indoor Stadium and National Stadium. Or choose to continue your stroll along Tanjong Rhu Promenade to Marina Barrage.
Screenshot from: NDPeeps via YouTube
Strangers turn friends – that’s the character arc for most spectators when they’re shouting “referee kayu!” with other fans at a live football match. If you’ve never seen a football match with our homegrown teams, now’s your chance at Jalan Besar Stadium. Out of the 8 Singapore Premier League Clubs, 4 clubs have their home matches at Jalan Besar Stadium: Geylang International, Hougang United, BG Tampines Rovers, and Young Lions.
Tickets for the first 3 clubs can be bought 2 hours before the match at the North Entrance of the Jalan Besar Stadium ticket counter. For Young Lions matches, you can purchase tickets online 2 days before matchdays. More updates on matches can be found on the individual club’s social media pages.
Screenshot from: NDPeeps via YouTube
It’s not uncommon to find fountains in Singapore, but it’s rare to find one within HDB estates.
At the heart of Jalan Batu Estate is a three-legged water fountain, which is the centrepiece of the amphitheatre. During cooling evenings, it’s an ideal place to chit-chat with your friends or the elderly living in the area.
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Ah Ma Drink Stall is a sight you can’t miss when visiting Pulau Ubin. Located right beside Jelutong Bridge, it’s a pit stop for walkers and cyclists in need of a cold drink or a breather. But if you visit it now, you’ll notice that it looks different compared to In A Heartbeat.
Image credit: @oldsignboardsg via Instagram
In 2018, this stall was redesigned and rebuilt by NUS students with support from NParks. It was elevated to protect it from the common high tides, which deteriorated its original structure. The undergraduates ensured to keep the character of the original structure by using kampung-style construction methods and techniques.
GIF adapted from: NDPeeps via YouTube
When the NDP 2008 music video was released, this seemingly ubiquitous HDB block, 195B Punggol Road, was less than 3 years old.
Living in an HDB flat is as mundane as it gets, but the video featured a newspaper deliveryman training for a vertical marathon by climbing up the staircase, floor by floor. Mayhaps after climbing 16 flights of stairs, you’ll also be able to view life differently.
Screenshot from: NDPeeps via YouTube
Move aside, Joo Chiat, there are also Peranakan houses in other areas of Singapore. These Peranakan terrace houses aren’t just unique to Petain Road; similar Chinese Baroque shophouses can also be found in Jalan Besar, Chinatown, and Emerald Hill.
However, the key features that set it apart are the glazed ceramic tiles that decorate its facade, as well as columns decorated with birds, trees, and floral motifs.
Take note that there are residents living here, so don’t make too much noise or leave a mess behind.
GIF adapted from: NDPeeps via YouTube
This might be the only location on this list that is frequented by tourists, kinda. The link bridge at Changi Airport MRT Station connects Terminal 2 to Terminal 3, letting you skip the skytrain and sidestep the crowds at Jewel Changi Airport.
Once a familiar route for travellers and airport staff alike, the bridge now sees fewer footsteps, with most people naturally gravitating towards Jewel’s glitzy indoor waterfall. Before we know it, this once iconic link bridge might be removed in the next few years, so visit it while you still can.
Singapore isn’t just for the tourists – it’s for us, the ones who call it home. Many times, we take living here for granted, like grumbling about taking the same routes to work or living in cookie-cutter HDB flats. But, it’s all these daily experiences – not just our red passport – that make us Singaporeans. This National Day, let’s take a step back and appreciate the little moments on this little red dot.
For more reads during this patriotic season:
Cover image adapted from: NDPeeps via YouTube
Technically, this is the second time Singapore has qualified for the Asian Cup.
This is your call to get up earlier for work.
As if we need another reason to visit the mall.
Look forward to free model-building workshops.
Earn some extra money on the side.
Mark your calendars for 15th December 2025.