Gardens by the Bay is one of Singapore’s largest tourist attractions. Sprawling across 101 hectares of reclaimed land in the centre of the island, it’s an award-winning horticultural development created by a multidisciplinary team of landscapers, horticulturists, arborists, engineers, plant health experts and orchid breeding professionals. The result is a breath-takingly beautiful garden precinct with two mind-blowing garden domes and a Supertree Grove that seamlessly fuses modern technology together with organic plant matter in a way that is uniquely Singaporean.
Gardens by the Bay has seen more than 50 million visitors since opening in 2012, and those who have visited once return time and time again to see the ever-changing plant installations and art exhibitions. Watch the quick video below to see inside Gardens by the Bay, then read about our top picks of what to see and do in this lush garden development.
#1 The changing exhibitions
Gardens by the Bay often have changing exhibitions that are worth exploring, and none are ever alike. Be sure to check the website for details on the latest exhibition.
#2 The Flower Dome
The Flower Dome is a giant glass cool-dry conservatory (the largest glass greenhouse in the world!) that has an evolving display of flowers and plants from both Mediterranean and semi-arid regions of the world. There are nine different gardens within the dome, showcasing plant life from five continents, including Australia, America and the Mediterranean region. Chilled water pipes in ground keeps the air within the conservatory cool, a welcome respite from the hot and humid Singapore weather. Currently, Rose Romance is the theme for the Flower Dome, and the European garden filled with 40 varieties or roses is particularly worth seeing.
#3 The Cloud Forest
You could be forgiven for thinking you had just wandered onto the set of Jurassic Park when first entering Cloud Forest. This misty conservatory dome is home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall (standing at 30 metres), which spills from a man-made mountain of tropical foliage. Better yet, this dome has an indoor tree top walk that allows visitors to climb to the top of the waterfall and take in the lush views below. Cool, calm and refreshing, Cloud Forest is also home to an excellent display of orchids and carnivorous plants – aptly named ‘Lost World’. The Secret Garden is also worth visiting as the peaceful installations features 7000 plants found in limestone caves and forests.
#4 The Supertree Grove
The Supertree Grove and OSBC Skyway is a view to behold both night and day. The trees range from 25 to 50 metres tall and by day, the aerial walkway offers views across the gardens and over the city of Singapore, while at night the trees are illuminated by an enchanting light show.
#5 The outdoor gardens
Gardens by the Bay is a large precinct and also has nine other garden developments, including the Serene Garden, Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes, Bay East Garden, Children’s Garden with outdoor water play area, the sun pavilion and Heritage Gardens. Gardens by the Bay also showcases large scale art sculptures.
How to get there:
The gardens are easy to visit, and is a walkable distance from Bayfront MRT station, which will give you a delightful view of the Marina Bay Sands building, and the Dragonfly Bridge or Meadow Bridge, depending which route you take. Alternatively. The local city sightseeing bus tour tickets also include access to the garden shuttle bus which will drop you right by the entrance. Gardens by the Bay is also a convenience place to start your sightseeing journey in Singapore, as it is conveniently located nearby to Marina Bay, the Helix Bridge and the ArtScience Museum. Allow at least a day to explore the area.
Entry to the outdoor gardens is free, but tickets are required to enter both conservatories, walk the OSBC Skyway and access special exhibitions.
*The writer was in no way paid or given complimentary access to Gardens by the Bay – she simply loved the the experience!
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