Kranji Marshes and Thow Kwang Pottery

 

Raptor Tower at Kranji Marshes

Kranji Marshes

The Kranji Marshes is situated in the western part of Singapore. As it is far from where most of us live we decided to include a visit to the Thow Kwang Pottery for we have not been there for several years. 

To get there we arranged to meet at Lot One Shoppers' Mall in Chua Chu Kang for lunch first. Then from the front of the mall take bus service 975 to Lim Chu Kang Road where we alighted at the bus stop just before Lim Chu Kang Lane 1. An easier way is to take the Kranji Countryside Express bus from Kranji MRT Station that will take us to the Marshes. But we wanted to work in 10km of walking as part of our weekly routine. After alighting from the bus we walked along Lim Chu Kang Lane 1 at the end of which we turned right into Neo Tiew Road. About 400m on we turned left into LCK Lane 2. We stopped at D'Kranji Farm Resort for a short rest. This is also where the Kranji Express will make one of its stop. D'Kranji offers farm stays, gardening workshops and has a restaurant and pub. After the break we walked further in toward the Marshes. 

View from Raptor Tower

Only the Marsh Station and the trail leading to it from D'Kranji is accessible to the public. The rest of the areas are closed to allow the marshes to mature further.

Parking is available at the Kranji Gate. From here visitors have to hike their way to the  Marsh Station. Here there is the Raptor Tower for us to get a higher view of the areas and the wildlife. There are also hides on the ground for observing the birds feeding.

Thow Kwang Dragon Kiln

Thow Kwang Pottery

We left the way we came by walking towards Neo Tiew Road where we made a left turn to walk to Jalan Bahar to catch bus 975 to Choa Chu Kang Road. Along Neo Tiew Road we passed by Bollywood Veggies and a signboard leading to Seng Choon Farm one of the larger eggs producer. 

At the first bus stop after turning into Choa Chu Kang Road we alighted and crossed the road to take a bus to Nanyang Avenue where we alighted at the junction. We crossed Jalan Bahar and walked along Nanyang Avenue until we past JTC CleanTech One where the bus stop is. Just behind it is a path that took us all the way to Thow Kwang Pottery. One of their friendly staff welcomed us and showed us around and invited us to enter the dragon kiln. 

Inside the Dragon Kiln

We entered the kiln and were amazed by the size. The kiln is fired only 3-4 times a year. The public are welcome to bring their art pieces for joint firing and help in the firing as well.

A selection of porcelain ware

We walked around the place and saw many types of porcelain wares most of which are now imported. Thow Kwang is on a mission to educate the public on pottery and conducts classes accommodating more than a hundred students with 20 potter's wheels.

Potter's Wheels

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How to get there

For those going direct to the pottery take a train to Boon Lay Station and change to bus service 199 that will take one to CleanTech One.

Our Route to Kranji Marshes

Map data ©2019 Google

Round Island Walk - Boon Lay to Kranji

Round Island Walk Leg 4. Boon Lay to Jalan Murai

We assembled at Boon Lay MRT Station and had lunch at Jurong Point. After that we moved on to Pioneer Station and the nearby Yunnan Park at Jurong West St 93 to view the original Nantah Gate. This was where we had to drive through in the 1970's to enter Nantah from the old Jurong Road.

Old Nantah Gate

Thow Kwang Industry
After that we walked along Pioneer Road to NTU. We followed Nanyang Crescent northward to Nanyang Ave where we turned eastward past Cleantech 1 then into Cleantech View to Cleantech Loop to Lorong Tawas. Thow Kwang Industry is located here. They run the longest kiln in Singapore. It is operated only 3 times a year during which clay products from local potters are fired. The company also exhibits and sells products from China. However the kiln will be closed next year as JTC wants the place for Cleantech factories.

A garden has already being built next to the company and landscaped with granite streams and staircase to the Cleantech 1 building. Cleantech 2 is now under construction. A group of students from the Communication Class of NTU interviewed us for their class project. They wanted to find out what was our interest in the dragon kiln but missed the story of our Round Island Walk.

We moved on to Jalan Bahar where we walked past the Christian, Muslim and Chinese cemeteries. One of my friends told me he used to cycle among the cemeteries as he found the surrounding peaceful and serene.

Thow Kwang Industry

About 500m after the junction of Jalan Bahar and Old Lim Chu Kang Road, we turned into another stretch of Old Lim Chu Kang Road where bus service 975 also turn in to drop soldiers on their way to or from their camps. We did so because this stretch has more trees to provide shade.

This stretch of road finally turned back to Lim Chu Kang Road. Threatening clouds were fast approaching when we stopped at a bus stop opposite Jalan Murai. We powwowed and decided to stop our walk here because of the rain clouds and lightning that were fast approaching. As soon as we got on the bus the heavy thunderstorm descended on the bus. We were lucky this time and avoided a drenching.

Round Island Walk Leg 5. Murai to Kranji

We met at Choa Chu Kang Station and had lunch at the nearby Lot 1 Shoppers' Mall. After that we took bus no. 975 to Jalan Murai at Lim Chu Kang Road where we stopped our walk the previous week. As we alighted the bus driver was concerned and asked whether we were at the right place. We confirmed that it was and he left us. The bus would turn around after reaching the end of Lim Chu Kang Road. On the way back the bus driver waved to us as he recognized us walking toward the jetty.

Lim Chu Kang Jetty

Midway through our walk on LCK Road it rained. We were lucky to be at a bus stop shelter so we had a short break. When the rain slowed to a drizzle we continued our walk to the jetty.

Neo Tiew Road
After enjoying the misty scene at the jetty, we followed the path that we did earlier a few years ago (see Lim Chu Kang Farms). This way we reduced the distance we had to walk along Neo Tiew Road which was heavy with traffic, especially trucks carrying recycled building waste to and from the construction sites. Neo Tiew Road is a narrow 2-way road. With big trucks moving near the edge at times we had to step off the road to be safe. At Lim Chu Kang Lane 6, as we walked past one of the farms, the resident guard dogs gave us the obligatory barks, but seeing that we numbered 6, they decided not to go further.

Finally after passing the third Neo Tiew Cresent, we arrived at familiar territory, Neo Tiew Crescent led to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. By then, we were exhausted by the heat and the constant lookout for traffic, and walking single file that we went past this without comment. After a short break at a bus shelter, we proceeded to Block 259 next to the Chinese Temple at Kranji Loop for refreshments. Just before reaching the canteen, we were threatened by dogs again, this time they were more fierce and showed their teeth. But because we were a group of 6 and showed no fear, we continued on our way. However no more walking on this road what with the dogs, dust and noisy trucks. After the break we walked along Kranji Road to the Kranji Station where we ended this leg.

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Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Wetland Park

When we visit the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve we would aim to include Routes 1 and 2 within the reserve plus the Mangrove Boardwalk just next to the Visitor Centre and the Kranji Nature Trail. We would then achieve our target of close to 10km for our weekly walk. Some visitors may miss the Kranji Trail if they visit on the weekend as the bus would drop them off at Neo Tiew Crescent near the entrance to the reserve. If they were in a hurry to enter the trails they would also miss the entrance to the Mangrove Boardwalk at the Nature Gallery as well.

Mangrove Boardwalk

Kranji Nature Trail
At this time we did not walk the trail as it was closed for renovation. It will be redeveloped as an extension to the reserve and renamed the Sungei Buloh Wetland Park. Expected completion will be late 2014. The Kranji Nature Trail is a 2 km relaxing walk. It starts from opposite the the Kranji Reservoir Car Park B, leads toward the coast then turning left toward the reserve. The car park is where bus service 925 let passengers alight on weekdays before turning back to its final destination of either Choa Chu Kang or Woodlands.

Main Bridge

The Kranji Nature Trail is left wild and you would have walked past grasslands then a secondary forest and finally reaching the shore along the Johor Straits. There are signs posted to remind us to look out for crocodiles so I would cheekily remind my companions to walk in front or at the back to protect me!

Main Hide

The Walk
We gathered at the Marsiling MRT Station and walked to Block 304 at Woodlands Ave 1 for an early lunch. Then we proceeded to the bus stop along Woodlands Ave 3 to take bus service 925 that brought us to Kranji Reservoir Car Park B just after the Kranji Tidal Gates beside the Kranji Reservoir Park. On Sundays and public holidays the bus will drop visitors at Neo Tiew Crescent near the reserve entrance.

One Of Several Ponds

After alighting at the car park. we walked along Neo Tiew Road and then turned into Neo Tiew Crescent to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

The Resident Monitor Lizard Making Way For Us

Mangrove Boardwalk
After entering the Visitor Centre, we accessed the Mangrove Boardwalk through the Nature Gallery. The Gallery is where exhibits show the different themes in the reserve. Along the 500m Boardwalk we could see varieties of mangrove plants, mud-skippers, crabs and if we were lucky the Kingfisher and the White-bellied Sea Eagle. There are several shelters along the walk where we can relax and enjoy the view and breeze coming from the Johor Straits. We can also see across the Straits to Johor Bahru.

Aerie

Routes 1 and 2
We returned to the Visitor Centre in order to access the mudflats where the birds roost and feed. First we crossed a Main Bridge with a shelter in the middle. After crossing the bridge you can see the Main Hide, the first hide that has a view of both ponds. Here is where you can have a closeup view of the birds feeding. Once we saw a lot of birds feeding when suddenly they all rose into the air. Some of the photographers with pro camera were busy bursting their shutters. The reason was the birds sensed a bird of prey in the sky and rose in a fright. This gave us a chance for aerial shots of the birds in flight.

Birds Feeding on the Mudflat

There are a number of hides along the routes and they are numbered based on the route number and sequentially so we can easily tell our progress as we moved along the trail. We should consult the map frequently or we may miss the entrance to Route 2 between Hide 1.15 and 1.16. The Aerie is located here also. Climb up to the top for an aerial view of the mudflats and a lesson on bird identification through the posters hung up here. This is where a long lens or binoculars will come in handy.

Mangrove Arboretum

Along the trails watch out for monitor lizards. Sometimes they bask in the sun and when they hear us, they will head for the water. On one occasion we saw a big one feasting on a fish it just caught. We carefully walked past it to avoid interrupting its meal. Another time we saw one that was wounded in the face. It was slow and laid almost motionless.

Mangrove Arboretum
While at Route 2 lookout for the Mangrove Arboretum. This is a 575m boardwalk that will bring you close to the mangrove.

Reference:
"A Guide to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve" published by NParks.

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Route

View 240SungeiBuloh in a larger map

Lim Chu Kang Farms

The Route (see map below)

The objective of this route was to visit the Lim Chu Kang Agrotechnology Park, Turut Road (BBC transmitters) or Neo Tiew Lane 2 marshland.

• Take Bus 975 from Chua Chu Kang Station.
• Alight at Lim Chu Kang (LCK) jetty.
• Walk along LCK Lanes 8, 6, 3 to Neo Tiew Road
• Turut Road or Neo Tiew Lane 2
• Neo Tiew Road to LCK Road. Take 975 back to Chua Chu Kang Station

Lim Chu Kang Jetty

The Lim Chu Kang jetty is used by fish farmers to send off their harvest to the local restaurants. There is a marine police post here to ensure users are genuine and not illegal immigrants. The post has several boats to patrol the area.


Lim Chu Kang Agro-technology Park

The Lim Chu Kang Agro-technology Park is bound by Lim Chu Kang Road and Neo Tiew Road. It was developed for companies involved in production of livestock, aquarium and food fish, vegetables, fruits, flowers and other plants, as well as for the breeding of dogs. To the east is the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

Meninjau trees

Lane 8 and 6C. The roads are lined with the Meninjau trees (gnetum gnemom) that are cultivated in kampongs throughout Southeast Asia for their edible leafy shoots and ‘fruit.’ The latter can be made into a sort of flour used to prepare the fried crackers known as keropok or embing. This is a most popular snack in Indonesia and frequently found with every meal.

At the end of Lane 8, we turned left on lane 6C leading to Lane 9 to explore all the way to the coast. Along this road are fish farms breeding dragon fish.

Cashin's house

At the end of Lane 9, we noticed a track on the left. After going past the vehicle barrier, we followed this track that eventually led to an abandoned house built on a pier jutting into the Johor Straits. It used to belong to lawyer Cashin. We could see numerous fish-farms and the Johor coastline across the Johor Straits from here.

Returning to Lane 9, we continued on Lane 6C, 6, 5, 5A and 3 to arrive at Neo Tiew Road. Lanes 3 and 5 are popular access roads for traffic from Kranji side of Neo Tiew Road making the traffic along this stretch heavy. Along one of these roads we came across 3 durian trees fruiting. As it was already 1pm, we had no chance to pick up any fruits - probably already picked by the local workers early in the morning. Along these roads are planted trees such as nutmeg, butter fruit, langsat by AVA. The langsat were ripe and ready for eating.

Langsat trees

At Neo Tiew Road, we turned right in the direction of Turut Road. This is the home of the BBC transmitters. We continued along this road until we arrived at the security gate. We saw a security vehicle quickly heading in our direction to check on us. When we turned away to leave they returned to their post.

Neo Tiew Lane 2

We explored Neo Tiew Lane 2 on a separate trip. The D'Kranji Farm Resort is situated here and their vending machine quenched our thirst in the hot sun. At the end of this road is a marshland where the Nature Society had taken responsibility to take care of, and a PUB pumping station. A 2km long bund starts northward from here to protect the marshland from the reservoir. It was protected by a gate and we could not access it. It would be an interesting 4km walk along the bund.

Kranji Reservoir

After refreshing ourselves at D'Kranji, we returned to Neo Tiew Road, and turned left towards Lim Chu Kang to take 975 back to Chua Chu Kang. Along here we passed Bollywood Veggies but were too tired to stop.

Places of Interest 
Bollywood Veggies, Hay Dairies, Qian Hu, D'Kranji Farm Resort, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

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Route

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