The Circle Line is about to become a circle! With three new stops in the south, the Land Transport Authority has finally closed a long-incomplete loop. You’ll be able to start visiting the new stops beginning July 12. Wondering what the stops themselves and the surrounding areas have to offer? Join me in riding the Singapore MRT Circle Line from Prince Edward Road to Keppel.

This post continues my journey around Singapore’s Circle Line. If you’re exploring the rest of the route, you can also ride with me from Marina Bay to Bartley and from HarbourFront to Serangoon.

Prince Edward Road

The Prince Edward Road station sits at the southern edge of Singapore’s downtown core.

When you look up, you see condominiums and the giant tower of the Monetary Authority of Singapore in one direction …

… and tiny Masjid Haji Muhammed Salleh perched on a hill in front of the highway on the other.

I can’t imagine that a casual visitor would find themselves here — unless you happen to need the next-door Shenton Way Bus Terminal, there’s just not a lot to see or do. But if you end up stopping by, don’t miss the small but charming Hock Teck See temple (also known as Fook Tet Soo Khek temple).

Founded in 1844, it’s said to be Singapore’s oldest Hakka temple. The details inside are well worth a look (I’m particularly fond of the horse).

The Prince Edward Road station itself struck me as very grey. It felt more functional than fun, with a stark aesthetic that seemed in keeping with the downtown vibe: professional, efficient, and designed for hurrying rather than lingering.

Cantonment

The designers went all out at Cantonment.

This station sits immediately below the old Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, a 1932 Art Deco beauty that once served as the southern terminus of a train that ran up into Malaysia. Cantonment pays homage to its forbearer with a vintage-style Circle Line clock …

… and twenty-four stained glass murals that echo the glass windows of the old railway station.

Cantonment station lies beneath a busy roadway, so I thought it was more interesting inside than out. But if you venture above, you can peer through a fence to get a look at the old railway tracks.

A trip outdoors largely affords views of traffic and a large cluster of HDB towers.

If you’re hungry for nature and willing to walk several blocks, though, you can visit the greenery of Spottiswoode Park.

Looking for an even longer adventure? A few more blocks will get you to the historic shophouses of Blair Plain.

Back in the station, the Art in Transit projects include a wall of circles to honor the Circle Line …

… and a series of fun steel shapes that reflect “the ceaseless flow of travellers, treasures, and thoughts through this landscape.”

If you’re interested in Singapore’s station art, the LTA’s Art in Transit gallery is an excellent resource.

Keppel

It’s good that there’s so much to enjoy at Keppel Station itself, because there is absolutely nothing to do outside. This is a station for people who work the Keppel Terminal — a giant port that’s entirely off-limits to visitors — and the various shipping-related businesses nearby. As a traveler, your only options are to walk either along or over an eight-lane road.

If you’re excited about transport, it’s worth heading up to the overpass — you’ll have a clear view of the port to the south …

… and to a vast shipping container distribution center to the north:

Otherwise, you might do just as well to stay in the station.

I spent more time here than I’d expected, most of it studying the giant “Port Transformed” installation.

Singapore is one of the world’s busiest ports, so there’s a good bit to learn here (did you know that by 2040, Singapore’s Tuas Port will handle enough shipping containers to circle the Earth 10 times?).

I also appreciated the Art in Transit piece, “Uncontainable Dreams,” inspired by the evolving shape of Keppel Harbour, from its days as a mangrove swamp and coal shed storage area …

… to its transformation into a giant port lined with towering cranes and shipping containers.

If you want to keep riding the Circle Line from here, you can extend your adventure with my guide from HarbourFront to Serangoon. Or you can ride one stop to HarbourFront and hop on the Singapore Cable Car.

New Colors & Old Friends

Train cars in Singapore receive occasional updates, and the Circle Line is welcoming travelers with a serious pop of color:

If neon green weren’t enough, there’s also a very loud yellow-orange.

But some things don’t change — you’ll still find the Thoughtful Bunch, around since 2014, gracing station walls. Make sure to check out the latest public service announcements with Hush-Hush Hannah, Stand-Up Stacey, and the rest.

Continue Riding the Singapore MRT Circle Line

Join me in visiting all of the other Circle Line stops:

• Marina Bay to Bartley
• HarbourFront to Serangoon