The Fascinating History of Hougang
Did you know 'Hougang' means 'back of the river' in the Hokkien dialect? Once a rural area of pig farms, this district has a rich history. Uncover the story of its transformation on a private Hougang tour.
Private & personalized tours - just for you!
The best stories aren’t found in guidebooks. Skip the crowds and unlock the hidden gems of Hougang with a private, personalized experience led by a local.




Reviews from guests about our tours and locals
"Monica was the most fabulous host, kind and generous, and of course knowledgeable about her local communities. We rode local buses, looked at upmarket, contemporary and traditional neighbourhoods. We saw businesses providing and supporting pets suitable for apartment living, small dogs, cats, little caged birds and Chinchillas, a cute, fluffy rabbit-like rodent. We visited a local Taoist temple and saw how peopled lived and shopped, a great way to spend an afternoon and see a different side of Singapore away from the touristy areas."
"Richard took me to hidden spots in Singapore and shared incredible stories about the country’s journey from 3rd world to developed nation in just 60 years. His knowledge of local plants, birds, and trees made the walk even more enriching, and we ended with some delicious parata and chicken. A unique and highly recommended experience!"
"A big thank you to Monica. We spend some realy great hours with her. It was our second time in Singapur and we wanted to explore the city further than usual sights. Monica took us to her neighborhood and showed us how people live in Singapur, how the different religions exsist side by side, showed us the last original houses from 1970 and many more things. While walking with her she shared personal Stories, answered all questions and was really fun talking to. We strongly recommend the tour with her, Monica is a true expert and a gem!"
Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore Singapore with locals







Our locals will give you the best experiences that Singapore has to offer
Discover experiences based on your interest

Tired of the usual tourist spots? Discover the real Singapore in Hougang! This vibrant neighborhood is bursting with authentic culture, amazing food, and hidden gems. Your private Hougang tour is the key to unlocking it all.
Did you know 'Hougang' means 'back of the river' in the Hokkien dialect? Once a rural area of pig farms, this district has a rich history. Uncover the story of its transformation on a private Hougang tour.
Explore the Hougang Tou Mu Kung Temple, the oldest temple in Singapore dedicated to the Nine Emperor Gods. Feel the serene spiritual energy and admire its unique architecture on your Hougang cultural tour.
Hougang is a food lover's dream! From delicious Teochew porridge to savory local snacks at hawker centres, the flavors are endless. Let a local expert guide you on an unforgettable Hougang food adventure.
Experience the true heart of Singapore by exploring Hougang's vibrant HDB estates. See how locals live, shop at bustling markets, and feel the community spirit. A real slice of life in Hougang awaits.
Escape to Punggol Park, Hougang's beautiful green oasis. It's the perfect spot to relax by the pond and watch the world go by. Discover this tranquil side of the city on your personalized Hougang tour.
Why follow the crowds when you can have a unique adventure? Your private guide is excited to show you their Hougang. Skip the tourist traps and create lasting memories. Don't wait, book your personalized Hougang tour with Withlocals today!
Always private. It’s just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.
Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.
Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.
"Enjoyable tour with Stefan. Temples, hdb tour and last remaining kampung visit. Good facts, questions answered and steady pace in hot weather. Nice to see a side to Singapore that is away from the shiny MBS and Singapore sling at the raffles hotel. "
"Richard nous a fait découvrir un Singapour insoupçonné, celui du Kampong Buangkok, le dernier subsistant dans un ilot de verdure entouré par la cité moderne. Il a documenté ses propos et nous a fait connaître de nombreux aspects historiques, économiques et humains de la cité-état. Grâce à cet excellent guide qui nous a invité dans son environnement quotidien, nous avons pu appréhender la vie des habitants tout en déambulant loin des lieux touristiques et en partageant en fin de visite, un simple mais très bon repas typiquement singapourien."
"This tour was such a wonderful experience! Instead of the usual tourist spots, we got to see the real Singapore — where locals shop, how they live day-to-day, and even visit beautiful temples. Our guide was amazing: warm, funny, and full of interesting insights that made everything come alive. It truly felt like stepping into the authentic side of the city. What made it even better was that after showing us the local life, she gave us fantastic recommendations on which tourist attractions to visit the next day, so we got the best of both worlds. I’d highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see beyond the usual sights and experience the true spirit of Singapore."
"Monica picked me up at the hotel and showed me a side of Singapore that many tourists don’t see from the singing birds to the original village and local shopping areas. She was so considerate and aware of how hot it was for me that we popped into air conditioned places. So interesting to hear her personal life. "
"I had an amazing experience thanks to Monica. She is friendly, passionate, knowledgeable, and considerate. The perfect guide. "
"Notre tour avec Richard était fantastique, c’est une personne très cultivé et tellement adorable. Il nous a fait découvrir une multitude de choses, c’était très enrichissant et captivant. C’est un circuit atypique qui vous fait mieux découvrir les singapouriens et leur quotidien. Nous recommandons fortement ce circuit avec Richard. Merci beaucoup."
"This special trip shows a different perspective of singapore. Not a famous attraction, but hop into a lush greenery of the last rural village (kampong), visit Taoist shrine, and has a local meal at a nearby hawker centre. You will feel like a local rather than a traveller. Our guide (Mr Richard) was very nice, cheerful, kind and knowledgable. He provided us many interesting information about Singapore history, Singaporeans and their daily life in the past and present. He also a keen plantsman and nature lover. We really enjoy this amazing experience. Thank you!"



Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.