The unpredictability of the weather is becoming oddly predictable these days. It’s been a week of consistent rain every late afternoon, so I made sure to visit the place I had planned to go to in the morning. As soon as I woke up, had breakfast, and took a shower, I hopped on a bus headed to the Bukit Timah area for a photo walk around the Old Railway Station.
I’d say it’s one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city. Of course, some might disagree, but it really depends on personal preference.
Maybe I’ve just gotten so used to seeing modern buildings and being immersed in the fast-paced city vibe that places like this feel like an instant haven to me. There’s something about the calmness here that makes it so relaxing — perfect for photo walks, and afterward, just sitting down and reflecting on life.
This is also one of the popular spots in the city where couples take their prenuptial wedding photos. I don’t blame them for choosing this place — the old railway station has a cinematic charm that fits perfectly with today’s TikTok craze. Everyone on TikTok seems to be aiming for that cinematic look in their videos because, let’s be honest, people love watching it. So if you're looking for an attention-grabbing backdrop for your special event photos, the Old Railway Station will give your shots a timeless feel.
I took the Blue Line MRT and got off at King Albert Park station. From there, it was just a short walk—less than 10 minutes—to the Old Railway Station. Take note that the railway is actually quite long, which is why some adventurous folks like to run or jog along it. But as for me, I was only interested in photographing the station at Bukit Timah, so I cheated a little and just took the train straight there.
I had a funny experience during my photo walk around the area — something that’s never happened to me before in all my city photo walks. I was taking reflection shots using water puddles from the night before, and I was totally enjoying myself. I spent more than 20 minutes just taking photos and videos from that one spot.
Apparently, one of the joggers in the area noticed me. She was behind me, quietly waiting for me to finish, but I was so focused on what I was doing that I didn’t even see her. She patiently stood there for a while, but when she realized I might take even longer, she finally spoke up and asked if she could see the photos I took.
I was a bit surprised since I had completely zoned out while shooting, but I showed her the photos anyway — and she thought they looked great! I told her she could take some shots at the same spot too, and she actually did. She ended up really happy with the photos she took.
It was an interesting experience for me because I never expected someone to actually pay attention to what others are doing. Usually, in places like this, we all just stay in our own little bubbles and rarely interact. So that moment was definitely a first for me.
Exploring the Old Railway Station turned out to be more than just a photo walk — it was a refreshing escape from the usual city vibe. Moments like these remind me why I love discovering nostalgic places with stories to tell. Sometimes, the simplest adventures lead to the most unexpected and meaningful encounters.
