Singapore’s desire to be a city in a garden is no better exemplified than the spectacular Gardens By The Bay. It can be difficult to know where to start, so here is our quick guide to the best way to make sure you don't miss anything.
The gardens are divided into Bay Central Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay South Garden. Supertree Grove, the super-size man-made trees, are in the south garden. They are covered in trellises and are home to over 300 types of plants. Best seen at night, you can also take the Skyway, an aerial walkway that lets you walk among the canopies of the smaller supertrees. There is a particularly stunning light show, Rainforest Orchestra, which takes place at 7.45pm and 8.45pm.
In the south garden, you can also find The Cloud Forest and The Flower Dome. These work alongside the supertrees, and aim to project the vision of sustainability. Visiting the Cloud Forest means that you will come face to face with the Cloud Waterfall, which are over 35 metres high. Following the path, you can also see the different plant life found at different sea levels. The climate here replicated is that of Southeast Asia and South America, whereas the Flower Dome is more Mediterranean, as well as featuring the drier climates of Australia and South Africa. There is also a spectacular orchid display here, as well as flower arrangements which change with the seasons.
From here, head to the Heritage Gardens. This is a look at the diversity in Singapore, with Indian, Chinese and Malay gardens. There is also a water play area in the Far East Organization Children’s Garden, perfect for the humid summer months.
Where to find food on your walk
There are some food outlets at the Supertree Grove, but these are definitely catered to tourists. If you want something more local, head away from the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. You will eventually find Satay By The Bay, a fantastic hawker center with almost every type of food on offer.
You can arrive at the Gardens by taking the Circle and Downtown Lines, the nearest MRT station being Bayfront. The park is open from 5am- 2am and admission is free. Opening times and admissions for the conservatories and other attractions may vary. You can visit the website for more information.