Sentosa’s beaches and attractions occupy an island with a layered past: Orang Laut and kampong communities, British military installations, wartime occupation, and redevelopment for recreation. Forts, barracks, and village memories complicate the image of a purpose-built leisure escape.
Guide preview
A beach day is only one chapter in Sentosa’s story. Before the island became a leisure destination, it was known as Pulau Blakang Mati and was home to Orang Laut and kampong communities; later, the British built coastal defenses and barracks here.
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UpgradeQuick facts
- Sentosa was formerly known as Pulau Blakang Mati.
- The island hosted communities and later British military facilities, including coastal forts.
- The Sentosa Development Corporation was established in 1972 to develop and manage the island.
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