The seventh lunar month, commonly known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, starts tomorrow (Aug 16, 2023). While skeptics may dismiss taboos and stories as mere folklore, others take them seriously, especially when it comes to certain roads to avoid during this time. Whether you’re an avid believer or curious, here’s a rundown of roads that are often cautioned against during the Hungry Ghost Festival.
This road is labelled a heritage road under Nparks, with towering trees creating a lush canopy overhead. But it’s also pretty remote, and also located just hundreds of metres away from various cemeteries, lending to its spooky factor, especially after dark.
There’s also been tales of other-worldly encounters here. A number of cab drivers have claimed to pick up non-human passengers who mysteriously vanish the moment they disembark, and numerous drivers have even said to see apparitions at the bus stops along the road. Eeeps.
The waterfront precinct is now bustling with a slew of dining establishments but also has a dark history. The road leads to Punggol Beach, a historic site once used during World War II to execute hundreds of Chinese civilians during the Sook Ching massacre in 1942.
Human remains have been found on the beach in the 70s as well as 90s, believed to be connected to the massacre. While the town has rapidly developed, the road undoubtedly still has a sinister atmosphere, making it one of the scariest roads to travel alone in Singapore.
Back in the 60s and 70s, this long meandering road was a well-known racing circuit used to hold the popular Singapore Grand Prix. During the 11 years it was held there, however, it also tragically claimed seven lives, due to challenging sections like “Devils Bend” and “Murder Mile.”
And those weren’t the only times the road claimed lives. In 2018, two polytechnic students lost their lives when the car they were in plunged into a ditch and hit a tree on Old Upper Thomson Road. From dangerous twisty bends to the accounts of cabbies picking up supernatural figures – this path is certainly one to avoid during the Hungry Ghost Month.
In any case, you won’t be able to drive through the road at night these days. According to the Nparks website, it is now closed to vehicular traffic between 7.30 pm to 6 am daily to make the area even more conducive for nocturnal animals within the nature reserve and park.
Contrary to its name, the stories surrounding the area aren’t quite as pleasant. For there are urban legends, saying that if you get a whiff of frangipanis (and if it wafts into your car), it means that a pontianak (a female ghost in Malay mythology) is around.
It doesn’t help that the road is situated in the vicinity of the Bukit Brown Cemetery as well as the now-defunct Old Police Academy, both of which have their fair share of horror stories.
This infamous spot is not for the faint-hearted, given how it has been linked to freak accidents, spooky stories and supernatural accounts. The road itself also gives an ominous vibe, with the narrow and secluded stretch flanked by trees.
Cabbies have reported encountering supernatural entitie here, such as ghosts who pay them with money that turns into “hell notes”, and numerous evil spirits including pontianaks (and the scent of frangipanis) have also been said to be lurking around this area.
Once famed for illegal drag races, car or driving enthusiasts may know this road as Gao Zhup Gao Wan, which directly translates from Hokkien as “99 bends” (though it actually only has 11 turns). It was thus named because of the series of sharp, banked hairpin turns with varying elevations, making the road tricky to navigate.
Be careful while driving here, as the road has seen a number of accidents. On top of that, it’s also located close to Opium Hill (Bukit Chandu), which was once a battleground that saw many casualties during World War II.
With its dark history, precarious structure and overall ominous vibe, this is one spot to avoid this time of the year.
Situated in a remote area, and located near a number of cemeteries, it’s no wonder this road is on the list. Plus, it’s also where what’s apparently one of Singapore’s most haunted bus stops can be found, with just one bus stopping there.
There have been stories of taxi drivers getting flagged down by a mysterious lady asking to go to the cemeteries in the middle of the night.
Sime Road Camp was once home to the combined operational headquarters of the British Army and Royal Air Force during the second world war.
Following the fall of Singapore, it was used as an internment camp for prisoners of war (POWs), with many prisoners dying in the camps. Add that to its secluded location, which is narrow and surrounded by trees (we’re seeing a pattern here), it sure makes for an eerie drive after dark.
Last, but not least, here’s one where Singapore’s most infamous haunted place — Old Changi Hospital — sits along. It doesn’t help that the long windy road is secluded, with the area known for numerous creepy chalet stories and encounters at the old hospital itself. Scary stuff.
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