Gardens by the Bay

Walking around the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore is like walking in paradise. If you like gardens I’m sure you will agree with me and if you haven’t been yet, I hope I can inspire you to visit these very creative and innovative gardens.

We first saw the work in progress in 2011 and when we returned in 2012 the gardens hadn’t yet opened. So last year, on a 10hr stopover from Europe via Bangkok we finally got our chance for a visit.

Eager to see the gardens we headed there straight from the airport and we were not disappointed. There are many wonderful zones to explore. This virtual garden city is very well laid out, but as it is was a warm day and we had a limited stopover, we took the buggy ride around the complex. In fact Gardens by the Bay redefines the whole garden strolling experience as it spans over 250 acres or 100 hectacres.

The gardens, located on reclaimed land near the Marina Reservoir feature three large garden spaces.  We found the Bay South section being the most impressive. This section features two bio controlled conservatories, Cloud Forest and Flower Dome containing plant life from different corners of the earth.

The Flower Dome is spectacular and ground-breaking in design and home to a collection of plants from deserts all over the world. There are nine different garden types replicated here, such as South African, South American, Australian, Californian, Mediterranean and Succulent gardens. The Dome showcases the adaptation of plants to arid environments thriving in the replicated dry Mediterranean climate.

Cloud Forest replicates the cool most tropical Montane region with orchids, pitcher plants and ferns on display.  We were amazed when we saw and later travelled up, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. The waterfall at 35 metres tall adds to the exotic touch and is truly a place for plant enthusiasts. We even found a Bride having Wedding photos here.

Wandering through this surreal mist filled Cloud Walk, covered in lush vegetation, showcases plant life from tropical highlands, 2,000 metres above sea level. There are two walkways and a lift taking us up to the mountaintop for an aerial view of the canopy. The mountainside is densely planted with a mixture of orchids, ferns, bromeliads, begonias and carnivorous pitcher plants. This type of plant lives on top of other plants in nature so are perfect for this vertical wall.

Another intriguing section of the gardens are the huge tree like structures known as the Supertree Grove which remind me of something from Avatar.  The Skyway, suspended 22 metres from the ground, links these vertical gardens. As we discovered when we returned at night, these living trees, home to a vast collection of exotic and rare ferns, orchids and vines, come to life with colourful lights and magical music at night with a light and sound show when lit up at night in two shows at 7.45 and 8.45. They are fascinating.

There is a link from Marina Bay Sands to the Gardens which is the nation’s most beautiful masterpiece. Gardens by the Bay is one of the Top 10 Indoor Gardens in the world, featuring the best horticultural, sustainability and architectural designs, filled with wonders from every continent, except Antarctica.

This is far from a secluded garden of peace. Here you can allow your wonder to bloom and know-how to flourish. It will leave your senses overloaded as you admire pretty pavilions and tree groves with more than 250,000 rare plants. There are also seven discovery zones for interactive educational adventures, where you can learn about the country’s diverse ecosystem and be inspired by nature.

The colourful changing displays of the Flower Field reflect different seasons and festive themes where you can stop and smell the flowers. During the winter season there was an exhibit called Winter Wonderland of lovely white flowers and penguin shaped plants.

A first for SE Asia and 5 months in the planning is Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay. An additional 95,000 lights have created a magnificent luminarie display throughout the festive season. The spectacular Spalliera is one of over 30 light installations that stands 17 metres tall and 31 metres wide, features designs inspired by Baroque architecture of the 16th and 17th century and will be featured until 4th January.

These displays are delicate and fascinating, dazzling and colourful and make me wish I was there to experience them too. Gardens by the Bay is just one of the top things to once the sun goes down, and there are many other things to do.

Have you been to Gardens by the Bay?  Did it captivate you?

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36 Responses

  1. fadz says:

    the indoor waterfalls are amazing, the icon of Singapore. You haven’t visited Singapore if you don’t stop by this place.

  2. Rhonda Albom says:

    This is exactly why I want to go back to Singapore. It was the first stop on our around the world trip, it was too short of a visit, and we seemed to have missed everything interesting, like the Gardens by the Bay. Those structures are amazing, and I have to see the giant baby statue for myself.
    Rhonda Albom recently posted…Quirky and Interactive Statues From Travel Bloggers Around the WorldMy Profile

  3. samiya selim says:

    Look forward to visiting now that I have read and seen these stunning images of the gardens! Do you have to pay to get in?
    samiya selim recently posted…Is campervan travel the best way to see New Zealand?My Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Samiya you will love Singapore, great to take a family there, it is very clean and safe. They will have fun at many attraction and the Gardens by the Bay is very educational too. There is a cost (you can purchase online in advance), not sure how much, but well worth a visit by day and/or night.

  4. Anita says:

    Looks fantastic! We are having a stopover in Singapore in August, only a day and a half, hoping I can fit this in!

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks for your comment Anita. We last visited Singapore on a stopover, only 10 hours, but made sure we fit in a few favourites. Garden by the Bay by day, a Singapore Sling at the Raffles and back to Garden by the Bay for the night time light show. Transport is so efficient and inexpensive I’m sure you’ll manage to fit a lot in.

  5. Talia says:

    This looks amazing Lyn! Those waterfalls are something else!
    Thanks so much for linking up with #wanderlust last month. Sorry for the delay in stopping by to read your post – I had surgery in December, and I needed to take a little break from it all. The January linkup is live as of today, and we would love to have you again if you haven’t linked up already! xo

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks for your comments and for hosting the linkups Talia. I hope you are all recovered from your surgery. Those waterfalls truly were amazing.

  6. I just returned from Singapore and had the opportunity to via Gardens by the Bay. I trekked over when things were lit. This is just an amazing place to see.
    Reginia Cordell recently posted…2014 : a Look BackMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Glad you got the opportunity to visit, isn’t it amazing when all lit Reginia? Thank you for your comment.

  7. The Gardens by the Bay look spectacular, I’d love to walk along the Skyway. Have a wonderful year of travels in 2015!

    Suze | LuxuryColumnist
    Suze the Luxury Columnist recently posted…12 Months of Luxury – My 2014 HighlightsMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks Suze, hope your travels in 2015 are wonderful also.

  8. Your photos of the gardens surely captivated me. I would love to visit these gardens one day. Thanks for sharing.

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks Susie, I hope you get to visit the gardens one day.

  9. Anda says:

    These gardens are unbelievably beautiful! I haven’t been in Singapore but I’d love to go someday. Excellent pictures, Lyn.
    Anda recently posted…My Best Travel Moments – Reviewing 2014My Profile

    • Lyn says:

      I think you would love Singapore Anda, it is a very clean and beautiful city with much to offer. Maybe we should plan a get together there some time?

  10. alicesg says:

    Thought your photos looked familar hahaha. Gardens By The Bay is really very beautiful.
    alicesg recently posted…My World Tuesday – Murals in Underpass TunnelMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks for your comment Alice.

  11. Em says:

    Great article Lyn. It looks like an amazing place to visit. Will be sure to add Singapore to my list 🙂
    Em recently posted…Brugges Christmas MarketsMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks Em, if you love gardens and/or light shows I really recommend a visit.

  12. Lauren says:

    This looks amazing! This is the prime example of something fun to do if you have a long layover. I’d love to see it in person!
    Lauren recently posted…Bermuda 4 Day ItineraryMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      We deliberately booked our flight to include a stopover in Singapore so we could stop off and visit the Gardens by the Bay and have time for a Singapore Sling before we returned the light show. Thanks for your comment Lauren.

  13. Amila says:

    Very beautiful captures,specially the photos of changing lights.
    We also visited Gardens by the Bay last week and could enjoy the sparkling moments during the night.
    Amila recently posted…2 hours in Isurumuniya Temple, Sri LankaMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Such a great show, thanks for your comments Amila.

  14. I was in Singapore earlier this year, and it was my first visit. I unfortunately didn’t make it to Gardens By The Bay, but I’m sure I will the next time I travel to Singapore. Great post 🙂
    Upasna / Life On My Plate recently posted…A Three-Course Menu for the #TasteofTravel Dinner PartyMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Upasna if you are like us, your first trip will just wet your appetite for more. Each time we have been to Singapore we have seen new places and a few of our favourites. Thank you so much for commenting.

  15. I thoroughly enjoyed my own visit to Gardens by the Bay. Those indoor conservatories are so amazing, and the Super Grove is fantastic at night, isn’t it. I bet going there during Christmas with all the extra lights would be magical. I’m glad you finally had a chance to visit it.
    Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted…A Look Back Around the Globe in 2014My Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks Michele, I was so happy to get to see the gardens too, but I now have to go back to see the Christmas and Winter Wonderland displays. It means two more visits are on the drawing board 🙂

  16. Singapore is definitely near the top of my list! The amazing food, these beautiful gardens and a fantastic city are more than enough reasons to go. Thanks for sharing!
    Richelle @AdventuresAroundAsia recently posted…Hiking the Taroko GorgeMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks for your comments Richelle. I adore Singapore and if it weren’t for not having leave approved we would have been there for NYE.

  17. Totally agree, I loved the gardens by the bay. Having lived in Singapore I have – like you – watched them be built and open over the years and the supertrees are quickly becoming an iconic structure in the city. Can’t wait to get back!
    Michael Huxley recently posted…Happy Christmas and New Year!My Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Thanks for stopping by for a read and for taking the time to comment Michael. Yes third time lucky, we finally got to see the Gardens by the Bay and thought they were so worth the visit, in fact we visited twice that day. We went straight from the airport, popped over to the Raffles for an obligatory Singapore Sling then went back to the Gardens at night for the light show.

  1. […] Gardens by the Bay […]

  2. […] Another impressive shopping centre is at Marina Bay Sands, this spectacular building has three 55 storey towers, a hotel with 2,561 luxury rooms and suites, a breathtaking Skypark Observation Deck, large scale luxury shopping mall with boutiques and designer stores, 5 celebrity chef restaurants, a canal running the entire length complete with Sampan Ride, its own Skating Rink, 2 theatres and Art Science Museum reminiscent of a lotus.  Marina Bay Sands is also the backdrop to the nightly WonderFull Show, a 13 minutes light and water show featuring lasers, lights, water movement and graphics. Nearby to Marina Bay Sands is the Gardens by the Bay.  […]

  3. […] beauty and history and never disappoints. A beautiful city by night, lit up over Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay, the iconic Merlion Statue, Sentosa’s spectacular Crane Dance and an array of brightly lit […]

  4. […] and see how daily life for the local residents are. Become cultured within a few hours during your layover and let the spontaneity take you […]

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