Singapore is home to several green parks and gardens that have earned it the nickname ‘Garden City’. Of all the green spaces across the country, the Gardens by the Bay is the most significant, housing multitudes of plant species and impressive gardens and futuristic structures. Deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this nature park is a must-visit for anyone touring the city. Here’s a quick guide on how to best explore this green wonder in Singapore.
How to Get There
The Gardens are located in the central region of Singapore next to the Marina Reservoir. It is easily accessible by public transport. It is best to use the MRT and get off at the Bayfront MRT Station. A short walk from there will get you to the Gardens. Those staying at The Robertson House by the Crest Collection or any other luxury apartment hotel in Singapore can access the Gardens via the MRT or by a quick 10-minute taxi ride.
Best Time to Visit
The park is open from 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. However some of the park’s attractions like the Kingfisher Wetlands and Outdoor Gardens are open from 5.00 a.m. to 2.00 a.m. every day. Those looking to avoid the crowds during peak hours should make their visit on weekday mornings.
Navigating the Gardens
Gardens by the Bay has three main zones or gardens. The Bay South Garden is the most popular, featuring crowd favourites like the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest and Supertree Grove. The other gardens include the Bay East Garden and the Central Garden.
Major Attractions
The Cloud Forest: This greenhouse features several species of exotic plants and contains the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and the 35-metre high Cloud Mountain which is covered in a wide range of tropical plants. Other attractions within include Lost World, Cloud Walk, Crystal Mountain, Waterfall View and more.
The Flower Dome: This is the largest greenhouse in the world covered with 3332 glass panels and spans 75 Olympic-sized swimming pools. It houses eight gardens that feature all manner of plants from African Boababs or Bottle Neck trees to Olive trees from Spain and Australian Kangaroo Paw.
Supertree Grove: this features giant electronic tree structures that act as canopies during the day, and come alive at night with dazzling light displays. The Supertrees measure between 25 to 50 metres tall and are decorated with 162.900 plants. The technology within the trees allows them to function as plants, collecting solar energy and rainwater that is used for fountain displays and other attractions.
