Haven’t you heard Pulau Ubin called Granite Island? That’s because Pulau Ubin literally means Granite Island in Malay. Pulau means island. Ubin is said to be a Javanese term for squared stone.
To the Malays, Pulau Ubin is also known as Pulau Batu Ubin. This means Granite Stone Island. The rocks on Pulau Ubin were used to make floor tiles. These tiles were called Jubin. This name was then shortened to Ubin.
Pulau Ubin first appeared on a map in 1828. It was in a sketch of the Island of Singapore. The island was named Pulo Obin. Since the British founding of Singapore, Pulau Ubin has been known for its granite. Numerous granite quarries on Pulau Ubin supplied the local construction industry.
The granite outcrops are spectacular from the sea. Their grooves and fluted sides create furrows and ridges on each granite rock slab. The granite from Pulau Ubin was used in the construction of Horsburgh Lighthouse. Tongkangs ferried huge rock blocks from Pulau Ubin to Pedra Branca. Pedra Branca was the site of the lighthouse. This happened in 1850 and 1851. Later, the granite was also used to build the Singapore-Johor Causeway.
Most of the quarries are not in operation today. They are being slowly recolonized by vegetation or filled with water. Apart from quarrying, farming and fishing were principal occupations on Pulau Ubin.
In the 1880s, a number of Malays moved to Pulau Ubin. Endut Senin from the Kallang River led them. This began the thriving Malay community on Pulau Ubin.
Many of the former kampung on Pulau Ubin were named after the first person who settled there. Some were named after a feature in the area. Kampung Leman was named by Leman. Kampung Cik Jawa was named by a Singaporean named Jawa. Kampung Jelutong got its name from people from Changi and its jelutong trees.
During the 1910s, Pulau Ubin was home to German-run coffee plantations. One of the German residents died in 1914. She is commemorated at the German Girl Shrine.
During the Japanese invasion of Malaya and Singapore in WW2, Pulau Ubin was captured. The Imperial Japanese army occupied it on the night of 7th February 1942. This was a diversionary attack on Singapore. A few Japanese soldiers were killed and wounded in the conquest of Pulau Ubin. Some locals put up a fight. The Japanese created havoc on Pulau Ubin. They executed and wounded many locals.
During the 1950s and 1970s, 2,000 people lived on Pulau Ubin. The Bin Kiang School was established in 1952. It was for the increasing number of children. Money was donated by the Chinese residents. Lessons prior to this were conducted on the village wayang stage. The school once had 400 students. Enrollment fell as the Singapore mainland developed. The school closed in 1985. It was demolished on 2 April 2000. There was also a private Malay school around 1956 at Kampung Melayu. It closed in the late 1970s.
Outward Bound Singapore was established in 1967 at Pulau Ubin. The National Police Cadet Corps opened its site camp there too.
As of 2012, only 40 people live on Pulau Ubin. Pulau Ubin is one of the last areas in Singapore that has been preserved. It is free from urban development, concrete buildings and tarmac roads.
Pulau Ubin’s wooden house villages and jetties are unique. The relaxed inhabitants and rich wildlife are special. The abandoned quarries and plantations are memorable. The untouched nature makes it the last witness of old kampung Singapore. This Singapore existed before modern industrial times.
Ubin Town is the only settlement on Pulau Ubin. It is located near Ubin Jetty. Businesses in the village cater mainly to visitors. Bicycle shops, restaurants and provision shops dot the village center. A Chinese opera stage is managed by the village temple. It is one of the last three Chinese opera stages that has survived in Singapore.
Pulau Ubin has been popular with Singaporean visitors for recreational activities. These include summer camps and outdoor activities. The island sees an estimated 300,000 visitors annually.
Mountain biking is a popular activity on Pulau Ubin. It is home to one of Singapore’s mountain bike trails. The trail is approximately 8 kilometers long.
Visitors travel to Pulau Ubin from the main island of Singapore. They take a bumboat ride from the Changi Point Ferry Terminal.