Landform Fengshui Secrets: The Dragon’s Path through Toa Payoh, Novena and Caldecott

Published: 6 Mar 2026

Part 2: Continuing the Southern Dragon’s Journey through Central Singapore

 

From the early HDB blocks of Toa Payoh to the sacred slopes of Bukit Brown, the bustling shophouses of Balestier and the media-rich heights of Caldecott Hill, each district marks a pulse point along the Southern Dragon’s path. At the heart of it all lies Novena, a former fringe district now reimagined as a premier healthcare and residential hub.

In this second part of our journey, we explore how landform fengshui shapes these neighbourhoods, guiding their evolution from ancestral grounds to modern urban estates. Are you living or working in the following districts near the Southern Dragon’s body?

Haven’t heard of the Five Hidden Dragons? Uncover Singapore’s secret landforms here or learn to spot them yourself in our fengshui courses.

Why Landform Fengshui?

In ancient China, early settlements were carefully aligned with the natural landscape. Landform fengshui, the study of how mountains, rivers and valleys influence the flow of qi (energy), guided where people lived, farmed and prayed. When these elements are in harmony, they are believed to bring lasting prosperity, health and balance across generations. This ancient wisdom continues to echo through modern cities like Singapore, subtly shaping how our neighbourhoods evolve and thrive.

Among landform types, the dragon formation is considered the most auspicious. It refers to terrain like ridges, hills or waterways, which flows in a continuous, undulating path, much like a dragon’s body. For qi to circulate smoothly, this flow must remain unbroken. In Singapore, areas along such formations are often favoured for homes, schools, places of worship and long-term investment.

The Southern Dragon’s body flows through several key districts in Singapore. In part 1, we explored Ang Mo Kio, Bishan and Bright Hill. Now, in Part 2, let’s delve into Toa Payoh & Kim Keat, Caldecott Hill & Bukit Brown and Balestier & Novena. Ready to uncover the unique fengshui formations shaping each neighbourhood’s character and evolution? Read on!

Singapore’s Southern Dragon (the Wealth Dragon) boasts a densely populated area that favours commerce. Discover its impact on communities near the dragon’s head.

Fengshui formations near the Southern Dragon’s body (Part 2)

Toa Payoh & Kim Keat

Credits: ROOTS

Toa Payoh, literally meaning “big swamp” in Hokkien, was transformed into Singapore’s second satellite town in the 1960s. The mature estate has seen dramatic transformation: from a rough-edged “Chicago of the East” notorious for gang activity, to hosting the 1973 SEAP Games and Queen Elizabeth II’s visits in 1972 and 2006.

Today, Toa Payoh is a mature estate divided into 12 zones, including Kim Keat, a quieter residential pocket on its eastern edge that has recently seen renewed development interest. Aside from the 1979 Dragon Playground, the historic Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery, Singapore’s oldest Buddhist monastery is housed here as well.

Beyond its central location and excellent connectivity, Toa Payoh’s fengshui strength may not be visible at first glance. The land itself forms a gentle basin, protected by elevated ridges on multiple sides. In landform fengshui, such “qi-gathering bowls” create ideal conditions for long-term settlement and community stability.

With the Kallang River nearby and MacRitchie Reservoir to the west, Toa Payoh also benefits from both water and mountain elements. So, what does this mean if you live in Toa Payoh or Kim Keat? Let’s examine the specific land formations.

Toa Payoh & Kim Keat: Lands of Lotus Flower

In fengshui, the lotus flower is associated with purity, elegance and spirituality. Toa Payoh holds not one but two “Land of Lotus Flower” formations, which is rare and auspicious for those seeking spiritual growth.

The first formation stretches from Lorong 1 to Lorong 8, with the lotus flower positioned in the centre surrounded by lotus leaves. The second centres on Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery near Kim Keat, known in fengshui as “Guanyin Sitting on Lotus Land”. Although these two lotus lands are conducive for self-cultivation, residents are advised to stay grounded to avoid embarking on the wrong path.

Being one of Singapore’s oldest estates, Toa Payoh gained renewed vitality in 2002 when HDB Hub and Singapore Press Holdings relocated here. To fully activate the “Land of Lotus Flower” formations, water features and greenery throughout the town would further nourish its growth, enhancing the flow of qi and supporting both community well-being and long-term prosperity.

Caldecott Hill & Bukit Brown:

Located along Thomson road, Caldecott Hill is an exclusive private landed housing estate that is renowned for its Good Class Bungalows (GCBs) and tranquil atmosphere. The establishment of the British Malaya Broadcasting Corporation here in the 1930s kickstarted the development of local broadcasting, leading people to associate Caldecott Hill with Singapore’s media industry. Inspired by its hilly terrain, locals often referred to Caldecott Hill as “The Hill”.

Nearby, Bukit Brown is a Chinese cemetery known as “Kopi Sua” (coffee hill). During its heydays, it was the largest Chinese cemetery outside of China with over 100,000 tombs. As one of Singapore’s oldest and most significant Chinese burial grounds, Bukit Brown Cemetery was the resting place of many of Singapore’s early Chinese pioneers, including prominent figures like Chew Boon Lay and Cheang Hong Lim.

Way Fengshui’s Bukit Brown Cemetery Expedition in 2012 with Grand Master Tan Khoon Yong before constructions started for the highway where over 4,000 graves were exhumed between 2013-2019.

Way Fengshui’s Bukit Brown Cemetery Expedition in 2012

Tucked between MacRitchie Reservoir and Caldecott Hill, Bukit Brown resembles a natural dragon’s lair where qi gathers and flows. This made it an ideal place for ancestral rest, believed to bring prosperity and harmony to descendants. Preserving its greenery is important not just for heritage, but also for maintaining the area’s fengshui balance.

Strategic fengshui can be applied to both homes and ancestral grounds. Ready to embark on a fengshui learning journey including field expeditions? Enquire now

Caldecott Hill & Bukit Brown: White Tiger Fighting Winged Snake

The land formation of Caldecott Hill and Bukit Brown is known as “White Tiger Fighting Winged Snake”. Here, Caldecott Hill reflects the “Land of White Tiger”, whereby the tiger is known to be bold and ferocious. As such, career pursuers must be decisive and bold, in order to ride on the tiger’s imposing stature and make great achievements.

Bukit Brown symbolises the “Snake Land” that is associated with a winged snake. Known for its loyalty, this snake watches over Singapore’s oldest reservoir, MacRitchie Reservoir. The meetings of the White Tiger and Winged Snake will cause occasional disputes. Hence, residents in this area are advised to be mindful of their health. Staying open-minded and generous can help one to avoid unnecessary problems and quarrels.

Older Singaporeans may recall that Caldecott Hill was home to Mediacorp for nearly 50 years. The media company relocated to Mediapolis in 2015, and the former broadcast site has since been cleared for luxury residential development. As trees resemble the tail of the Tiger, and are accessible to the winged snake, it is advisable to conserve the heritage trees in Caldecott Hill and Bukit Brown to make good use of the land formation and fengshui.

Balestier & Novena

Credits: ROOTS

Balestier takes its name from Joseph Balestier, a U.S. consul who ran a sugarcane plantation here in the mid-1800s. Today, the area is known for its charming mix of pre-war shophouses and traditional trades. Beside being home to the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, Balestier also houses the Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong Temple; the only local Chinese temple that houses a Chinese opera stage.

Nearby, Novena gets its name from the Church of Saint Alphonsus, popularly known as the Novena Church, where weekly novena devotions began in the 1950s and drew large crowds.

Once a quiet enclave of colonial bungalows, Novena has transformed into Singapore’s largest medical hub, home to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Novena and HealthCity Novena. The conserved Tan Tock Seng Pavilion Blocks offer a glimpse of its residential past.

Balestier & Novena: Arhat Taming the Tiger

Balestier and Novena reveal the “Arhat Taming the Tiger” formation. A three-legged tiger rests quietly on the hill where Tan Tock Seng Hospital stands, its mouth positioned at Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong Temple. Enlightened and tamed, this beast now has a heart of gold, hence the emergence of multiple hospitals and medical centres in the area.

Along the Whampoa River sits the arhat, sent from Siong Lim Temple to tame the tiger. He has stayed by the river to meditate ever since. It’s no coincidence that this district hosts several temples: Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong Temple, Tai Pei Yuen Temple (formerly Kuan Yin Lodge) and Burmese Buddhist Temple among them. Benefiting from this spiritual energy, residents can lead carefree lives by staying content and doing good deeds. Are you living or working in this area?

The “Arhat Taming the Tiger” formation also emphasises salvation and healing. This makes Novena naturally suited for medical development. From traditional hospitals to the integrated HealthCity complex, this concentration of healthcare infrastructure supports Singapore’s vision as a regional medical hub. Combined with nearby Balestier’s dining and heritage appeal, this area could continue to thrive.

Going beyond Singapore landform fengshui secrets

Representing the Fire element, the Southern Dragon signifies wealth and staying near its body means having support for stability and long-term growth with its gentle, stable qi. On the flip side, this may feel slow-moving for those seeking quick results or fast-paced change.

Also, qi flow can be easily disrupted if the terrain is cut by roads, construction or sharp angles. In Singapore’s ever-changing landscape, this is something residents should definitely look out for. Are you staying in the above-mentioned districts? Stay connected to learn more!

Stay tuned for our next write-up on hidden landforms near the Southern Dragon’s Tail, especially if you are living or working in Sembawang, Yishun or Yio Chu Kang. That’s not all! If you’re curious about deeper fengshui secrets, check out our upcoming Strategic Fengshui modules for deeper insights and strategies to leverage energies in your environment to enhance various aspects of life. WhatApp us now to learn more!

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