About
Located along the south-western coast of Singapore, Pasir Panjang comprises mainly housing estate and port facilities. The area is quiet and sleepy, with most activities taking place at the water's edge rather than on land. The primacy of port-related industries in Pasir Panjang results in land filled with lush greenery. There are three prominent parks along the Pasir Panjang coast, namely West Coast Park, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Park. The area is also close to Mount Faber, one of Singapore 's few remaining hills. Pasir Panjang is also the location of National University of Singapore (NUS), and NUS-related offices and institutes researching everything from business to molecular biology.

History
The phrase “pasir panjang” is a Malay one, literally translating into ‘long sand'. A major road, called Pasir Panjang Road , defines the district. This road was constructed in 1850 by John Turnbull Thomson, the Singapore 's governor after Sir Stamford Raffles. During colonial times, Pasir Panjang was a site for fishing wharves and opium factories. Today, wharves still comprise the bulk of Pasir Panjang, but are used for containerization instead of fishing.

Pasir Panjang was a flashpoint during the Japanese invasion of Singapore. This area was where the British had expected the Japanese to land, thus building pillboxes and other defensive structures in Pasir Panjang, some of which are still existing as relics from the past. Although the Japanese did not land in Pasir Panjang, the area nevertheless experienced some of the fiercest battles in Singapore, such as the Battle of Pasir Panjang. This battle took place on Kent Ridge Park. Today, there is a battle tank displayed in the park to commemorate Kent Ridge 's historical significance.

Places of Interest
As Pasir Panjang is rich in history, there are a number of interesting sites to visit:

• Labrador Park
  When the British colonized Singapore, they identified Labrador Park as a defence site that could provide an aerial view of invading troops. Today, the park is no longer used for military purposes and is open to the public. You can take long walks, go fishing, or explore one of the many World War II bunkers and ammunition stores located in the park's premises.

• Reflections At Bukit Chandu
  Reflections At Bukit Chandu (literally translating into “opium hill”) is a centre that traces Singapore 's military history with a special focus on World War II. It explores the lives and experiences of the 1,400 Malay soldiers who participated in the Battle of Pasir Panjang and also serves as a memorial to them.

• Kent Ridge Park
  This park has recently been redeveloped, and is complete with wooden bridges, benches, vending machines, water coolers and solar-powered toilets. From here, you can get an aerial view of the whole Pasir Panjang district, including Harbour Front, Alexandra Road and Clementi. In the middle of the park is a battle tank that has been cordoned off because it is now inhabited by hornets.

• Haw Par Villa
  This place was set up as a site for Chinese legends, myths and folklore. The site is guarded by a huge, colorful dragon and as you enter the place, you enter the dragon's mouth. Inside, there are statues and art pieces that narrate tales from ancient China.

Residences
Pasir Panjang offers a lot of private housing, from condominiums to apartments to landed property. Many condominiums are old and low-rise, and are popular with expatriates working in nearby offices and institutes. Such condominiums include The Village, Vista Park Condominium and The Longhouse. There are also posh new condominiums such as The Caribbean, which is by the sea and faces the island of Sentosa. This condominium also provides you with a private lift that opens at your front door. You find more HDB units on the outskirts of Pasir Panjang, such as in Bukit Permai, Alexandra Road and Clementi.

Industry
Most of the industries in Pasir Panjang are involved in the port business in some way or another. The Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) building in located in Pasir Panjang, off-Alexandra Road. There are also many car-marts around the area. Some of the sell brand new and second-hand cars, that have just arrived in Singapore by ship.

Shopping and Recreation
Off Pasir Panjang, at Harbour Front, there are two major shopping centres:

• Harbour Front Centre (the old World Trade Centre), a complex of offices and a ferry terminal, also has many shops and restaurants such as Harry's Bar, Coffee Club Ltd., and food courts. From the ferry terminal, you can go to Batam, Tanjung Pinang and other Indonesian islands near Singapore.
• VivoCity is Singapore 's largest shopping centre and was opened in October 2006. Besides retail outlets, this shopping centre has an amphitheatre, a promenade and a chlorinated wading pool. It also houses Singapore 's largest cinema multiplex of 15 theatres. You can also take a monorail to the Sentosa Island from the third floor of Vivocity.