Name: Singapore
Rating: 4.7

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Overview

Nestled in Central Singapore, Gardens by the Bay are the botanic gardens of the future, the land of next-gen Supertrees groves, high-tech space domes, and outlandish sculptures. Home to almost 4,00,000 plants, Gardens by the Bay is famous for its awe-inspiring contemporary architecture and the hypnotic Garden Rhapsody, the light and sound show.

The vast and colourful super park conservatories is spread across 250 acres of reclaimed land along the waterfront. Its famous Supertree structures, which are futuristic botanical giants connected by a commanding Skyway, offer a mesmerizing view as one traverse the skywalk over the gardens. The over-sized seashell-shaped greenhouse of Gardens by the Bay, called the Flower Dome, is the largest glass greenhouse in the world recreating chilly mountain climates.

The garden is divided into three sections namely: Bay East, Bay South, and Bay Central, a garden that connects to the other two made along the waterfront. Of these sections, Bay South is the largest. The world's tallest indoor waterfall in the Cloud Forest conservatory is another major spot to admire. A walk around Gardens by the Bay also offers an expedition to the climate-controlled conservatories and the Supertrees that are worth visiting.

1. Cloud Forest

The Cloud Forest Dome, housed in Gardens by the Bay, is a greenhouse-like structure, re-c (Read More)reating the tropical montane climate found between 1500m and 3000m. The centerpiece attraction of this conservatory is a 35m high mountain with the world's tallest indoor waterfall. The glass dome is built to offer the visitors the views and ambiance as if the mountains surround them. Not just the beautiful mountain views, but one also gets to spot the diverse vegetation, rare plants and species, and the environment they need to survive in.

The largest glass greenhouse in the world, Flower Dome is one of the two breathtakingly beautiful conservatories of Gardens by the Bay. The temperature and humidity levels inside have been regulated t (Read More)o replicate the cool-dry climatic conditions of the Mediterranean and different arid tropical climates such as those in Australia, South America, and South Africa. With an area of around 1.2 hectares, the flower dome conservatory constitutes a total of eight gardens.

OCBC Skyway is a 128-metre-long aerial walkway connecting six Supertrees at the Supertree Grove. Situated at the height of 22 meters, with mesmerizing, panoramic views of and beyond the beauty of the (Read More)Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Bay skyline that encompasses the area, the OCBC Skyway is one of the most ideal places to find peace and tranquillity. The stunning OCBC Skyway is the ideal place to witness the gob-smacking Garden Rhapsody (light and sound show) in all its glory.

It is a garden with huge structures that look like man-made trees from the future. There are 12 supertrees inside the garden, and they rise to the height of a 16-story building. Two of the supertrees (Read More)are connected by a 128 m-long aerial walkway called OCBC Skyway, which offers marvellous views of the Singapore skyline. The grove is completely built on renewable energy, which runs on solar power, and lots of artificial vegetation is planted on the groves for a natural environment.

Gardens by the Bay Attractions

Far East Organization Children's Garden

What is it? A kids arena with interactive play area, water rides and pool and educational programs for the kids.
Timings:
Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM,
Saturday, Sunday, Public Holiday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Entry: No Entry Fee
Children's garden is a huge play station for the children with interactive play areas such as treehouse trails, a huge pool area with water fountain and water rides and an amphitheatre where they organize various contests and educational programmes for the kids. There is seating space for the adults where they can sit and cheer for their children as they see them performing. Children's garden is the best space to find the combination of learning and play and where the kids can be set free.

Bay East Garden

Bay East Garden at Gardens by the Bay — Source

What is it? A huge lush green garden for relaxation and peace amidst the city.
Timings: All day
Entry: No Entry Fee
Bay East Garden is a huge contrast to the hustle-bustle of the city. Amidst the huge buildings and tall skyscrapers, it is a place to rejuvenate and find serenity. Bay East Garden is the second largest area in the Gardens by the Bay. The never-ending lush greenery is sprawled over an area of 32 hectares. Located on the waterfront with fresh flowers and trees growing in every corner of the garden, one can spend time in the garden jogging, cycling, playing and enjoying a picnic with family and other recreational activities.

Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lake

Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lake at Gardens by the Bay — Source

What is it? An artificial lake ecosystem where one can spot various aquatic plants and species.
Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lake is an effort to create an aquatic ecosystem to preserve the rare plants and species. A futuristic approach to keep nature close to development is also a great way to explore the various species that survive in the aquatic ambience. Dragonfly and Kingfisher lake is an artificial island with a lake and planted vegetation in the vicinity. There are beautiful art sculptors adorning the whole ecosystem such as dragonflies and the most striking of them all, a floating infant. The sculptor is called "Planet" and despite weighing 7 tons it floats smoothly amidst the garden. The 440 m walkway along the dragonfly lake offers an impressive stroll along the lake with a variety of vegetation on plants and species. The best thing about the lake is that one gets to explore various animal species especially the dragonflies, who have also given the name to this arena.

Heritage Gardens

What is it? A heritage garden depicting the history and heritage of Singapore and how plants have played an important part in the history of the city.
Timings: 5:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Entry: No Entry Fee
Heritage garden is a uniquely built garden which narrates the history, culture and heritage of Singapore through the story of plants. The garden is themed in four parts, each one representing a different ethnic group of Singapore. The Malay Garden tells the story of life in a traditional village with its beautiful art and sculptors. Indian Garden has taken inspiration from traditional lotus flower motif called Kolam. Chinese Garden has its inspiration from writers, poets and artists. The Colonial Garden depicts the story of crops, spices and plants as 'Engines of Empire'. These garden are full of sculptures and art installations that are not only pleasing to watch but the intriguing story behind is what makes them so unique. Being here is a complete learning experience in itself for both kids and adults.

World of Plants

World of Plants at Gardens by the Bay — Source

What is it? A botanical garden with a variety of plants and vegetation and their history of evolution.
Timings: 5:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Entry: No Entry Fee
World of plants is a heaven for those who appreciate nature and botany. The arena based on the theme of "Plants and Planet" is brimming with a variety of plants and tells about the evolution of life, rich diversity, fruits and flowers. It is divided into various theme parks. "Secret Life of Trees," tells about the evolution and role of trees in the rainforest ecosystem. "World of Palms" is a great space to witness the rich diversity and shapes of tropical palms. "Understorey" is a learning space where one gets to know stories about plants of the jungle. "Fruits and Flowers" is a vivid space full of beautiful flowers and fruits. "Discovery Garden" will take one back to the evolution theory of the ancient plants that once existed on the planet. "Web of Life" showcases the relation of rainforest flora with fauna.

The Canyon

The Canyon at Gardens by the Bay — Source

What is it? A garden with a variety of rock formations
Timings: 5:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Entry: No Entry Fee
The Canyon has Singapore's largest collection of rock formations, brought all the way from China, with over 60 rock sculptures in the vicinity. Adding to the beauty of is what Gardens by the Bay is best known for, the plants. The blend of rocks and plants best portrayed here.

Sun Pavilion

Sun Pavilion at Gardens by the Bay — Source

What is it? The structure is known for its desert ecosystem.
Timings: 5:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Entry: No Entry Fee
Sun Pavilion will teleport one right inside a desert with its vegetation and ecosystem that has been carefully crafted to give the desert like experience. Another effort to safe keep the nature and plant species Sun Pavilion has the largest collection cacti and succulent plants in the whole of Singapore. They house some of the rarest cacti species that grows in various parts of the world. Some of their best collection includes the plants from Mexico, Turkey and Africa which are marked as the highlight of the place. It's your chance to come viz-a-viz with the desert life.

The Meadow - Bay South Garden

The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay — Source

What is it? An open area which hosts concerts and shows.
Timings: All Day
Entry: No Entry Fee
Imagine a grand outdoor space with live performances and in its backdrop the skyline of the city with beauties like Marina Sands Bay and Singapore eye. One also get the panoramic views of the attractions of the Gardens of the bay such as Super grove, conservatories and walkway. That is the beauty of this place. One can book this venue for the events which has a capacity to hold 30,000 people at a time. It's one of the most happening places in the town when it comes to attending concerts, live performances, festivals, celebrations, corporate events and big events in Singapore.

Singapore Garden Festival

Singapore Garden Festival is one of the most famous events in the country. If you love colours and the vibrant side of nature, then this festival is where you should be to welcome the spring in a full-fledged way. It is held every year in July and August and it welcomes the new look of nature with new flowers blooming in every nook and corner of Gardens by the Bay. With 1,000,000 in the premises of the garden, imagine the vibrant flowers and trees that you would get to see here during the festival.

The Singapore Garden Festival is held at Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, two of the biggest glass observatories of the Gardens by the Bay, that are home to the two different worlds of plants. While Flower Dome observatory has an exquisite variety of plants from Mediterranean and Subtropical region, Cloud Forest offers the ambience of mountain vegetation with several waterfalls, cloud mist and mountain views inside the dome. The festival has balcony gardens, fantasy gardens, flower window, vibrant marketplace, orchid extravaganza and much more to keep one close to nature.

Timings: July - August

Ticket Prices:
Singaporeans: Adults: SGD 20, Children: SGD 12
Foreigners: Adults: SGD 33, Children: SGD 20

Shopping and Dining at Gardens by the Bay

Indochine at Gardens by the Bay — Source

There are 14 eateries inside the garden. Five of them are located in the Supertree Grove which is best suited for a fine dining experience.

Indochine
USP: Located at the top of the highest supertree, it offers the panoramic views of the city's skyline.
Timings:
Main Restaurant:
Lunch: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM,
Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 5:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Friday - Saturday: 5:00 PM - 12:30 AM
Rooftop:
Viewing hours: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM,
Food & Drinks served: 5:00 PM - 1:00 AM

Satay by the Bay
USP: Enjoy local delicacies with stunning views.
Timings:
Drinks stall: All Day,
Food Stalls: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Pollen, Majestic Bay Seafood Restaurant, Bakerzin, Children's Garden Cafe, Cafe Crema, McDonald's and the Conservatory Cafe are other places to eat around the Gardens by the Bay.

Restaurants at the SuperTree Grove

Texas Chicken
USP: Variety of crispy and juicy chicken delicacies
Timings: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Bay Leaf Indian Curry House
USP: North Indian and South Indian cuisine
Timings: 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Oriental Western and Bistro
USP: Fine dining experience with uber interiors and international cuisines.
Timings: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

One can also eat at Hill Street Coffee Shop and Peach Garden Noodle House while within the SuperTree Grove.

Where to Shop?

There are four shops inside the Gardens of the Bay from where one can buy souvenirs and memorabilia.
Merchandise collection: One can buy Gardens of the Bay and Singapore merchandise from here.
Arrival gift shop: Buy gifts, memoirs and souvenirs from here.
Canopy gift shop: One can buy drinks and snacks for visit to the garden.
Conservatory gift shop: Souvenirs shop to buy Gardens of the Bay souvenirs.

Tips

Buggy rides are available at Gardens by the Bay for the specially-abled and senior citizens.
It gets really crowded on the weekends. Be prepared for a lot of tourists and long queue during the weekends.
There is a system of re-entry in the domes. In case you want to come back, you need to get a re-entry stamp on your arm.
There is a lot of walking in the garden. Make sure to carry light luggage and wear comfortable footwear.
Do not damage the plants and trees in any way – avoid plucking, stomping on, climbing, or hurting them in any way. This is a punishable offence.
Do not litter anywhere within the premises – dispose of waste in appropriate trash bins. Clean up after pets and dispose accordingly.
No open fires – including barbeques, lighted candles, and cigarettes – are allowed in the Gardens. The entire premises is smoke-free; smoking is not allowed anywhere.
Picnics are permitted in most parts of the Gardens, excluding the Conservatories. Remember that food and drinks are not permitted within the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest.
Dogs are allowed at the Outdoor Gardens, provided that they are leashed and muzzled under the Singaporean laws. Only guide dogs are allowed the Conservatories, OCBC Skyway, and the Children’s Garden – pets are not permitted here.
Bicycles, roller skates, hoverboards, skateboards, and scooters are not permitted in the Gardens. Cycling is allowed only along the waterfront promenade in Bay South Garden and the perimeter of Bay East Garden.
Flying drones, remote-controlled aerial cameras, planes, helicopters, remote-controlled kites, and kites are prohibited in the Gardens.
Swimming and fishing are not permitted throughout the Gardens.
While personal photography and videography are allowed, prior approval is necessary for commercial photography. Visit the official website to fill the official request form 14 days in advance.

Gardens by the Bay App

The official Gardens by the Bay app is a useful tool for navigation and finding resources within the Gardens. With a GPS map, self-guided tour itineraries, and wayfinder functions, this app is a useful free guide to explore the Gardens at one’s own pace. Available in English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, and Japanese, this app has an AR game where patrons find virtual plants hidden amongst the bushes, a treasure hunt to find mystery flowers, and a build-your-own-garden puzzle challenge. This exciting app is a great way to make an adventure of the visit to the Gardens.

This free app is available on the App Store and Play Store and can be downloaded at the free WiFi hotspots in the Gardens at Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Supertree Grove, Golden Garden, and Far East Organisation Children’s Garden.

How to Reach Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay Road Map — Getting to Gardens by the Bay
Source

Bus: Bus Number 400 arrives directly at the Gardens by the Bay bus stop. The International Plaza, Anson Road Bus Stop, located by the C Exit of the Tanjong Pagar MRT station, is the best way to access this bus.

MRT: The nearest MRT station to reach Gardens by the Bay is Bayfront. It is specially built for the visitors of the Gardens. Bayfront station lies on circle line or downtown line. Once you get here, take the exit from Gate B and further an underground linkway. You need to exit and cross the Dragonfly Bridge and Meadow bridge into Gardens of the Bay.

Shuttle: Gardens by the Bay runs a regular shuttle service, starting on the first Monday of every month. It runs at a ten-minute interval between the Bayfront Plaza and the Conservatories. Tickets can be purchased at the ticketing counter.
Timings: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Cost: SGD 3 for unlimited rides per day. Free for wheelchair passengers

Layout of Gardens by the Bay

The futuristic attraction of Gardens by the Bay is divided into three distinctive waterfront gardens for the ease of exploration - Bay South, Bay Central and Bay East. Of this, Bay South is the largest, home to the award-winning cooled conservatory of Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, along with the iconic Supertree Groves.

Bay East comprises of vast waterfront lush green spaces for the visitors to relax at. It offers a commanding view of Singapore's skyline, which looks especially breath-taking at dusk, after the light-outs. Bay East is also home to some serene picnic spots.

Bay Central serves as a link between Bay East and South and houses a 3km long waterfront promenade. This stretch allows scenic walks with breathtaking views and serene environs.

Tours & Trails

How to book: Guided tours are offered at Gardens by the Bay for groups of up to 12 people. Tour charges apply according to the number of groups. We recommend booking the tours online at the official Gardens by the Bay website and clicking on “Book a Guided Gardens Tour.” Tours must be booked 14 days in advance. Tour tickets will be eligible for a refund only if they are cancelled 7 days before the scheduled day.

Package Gardens Tour With Garden Cruiser (Option 1)
Ride in style atop a Garden Cruiser tram and explore the Outdoor Gardens, driving around the Bay South Garden and enjoying the two conservatories in this one-hour option.
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: SGD 700 per group of 12

Package Gardens Tour With Garden Cruiser (Option 2)
Take the Garden Cruiser tram and discover the beauty of the Supertree Grove, OCBC Skyway, and the two conservatories in leisurely comfort in this package tour.
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: SGD 1100 per group of 12

Back-of-House Add-on Tour
This tour is offered as an add-on to the Garden Cruiser package, for an extra half hour. Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Gardens and explore Support Biome II, one of the research glasshouses where testing and development take place before the magnificent colourful displays at Floral Fantasy are brought to life. Watch as expert botanists grow stunning flowers, and attend a briefing at the Biomass Co-Generation Plant, where organic waste is turned to sustainable biomass fuel that powers the Gardens. See if you can find the hidden chimneys through which purified air is pumped into the atmosphere too.
Duration: 30 mins
Cost: SGD 450 per group of 12, in addition to Garden Cruiser tour

Gardens Tour (Option 1)
This tour is ideal for patrons who have already purchased tickets to visit the Gardens but have not booked a group tour yet. This option covers the two conservatories and gives visitors a unique look at the different plants in the different zones – Succulents, Caves in the Clouds, Mediterranean garden, and the Sculpture garden.
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: SGD 400

Gardens Tour (Option 2)
This longer tour covers Supertree Grove and the OCBC Skyway in addition to the two conservatories, giving patrons a comprehensive look at the ethereal Gardens.
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: SGD 600

Package Gardens Tour Without Garden Cruiser (Option 1)
Get the daily dose of exercise and take a walking tour of the Gardens, covering the two sprawling conservatories in this option.
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: SGD 550

Package Gardens Tour Without Garden Cruiser (Option 2)
Explore the best of the Gardens with this walking tour that takes visitors to Supertree Grove, the two conservatories, and OCBC Skyway.
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: SGD 850

Audio Tour
Take a comfortable ride around the Gardens and discover the stunning vistas of the Heritage Gardens, The Meadow, Supertree Grove, and Cooled Conservatories as interesting commentary provides lesser-known facts about the Gardens aboard the Garden Cruiser audio tram. Commentary is in English, and tickets can be purchased at the Audio Tour ticket counter at Golden Garden on the day of admission.
Duration: 25 minutes
Timings: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Weekends, public holidays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Tour runs at 15-minute intervals
Cost: General admission: Adult/senior: SGD 8, Child (between 3 and 12 years): SGD 3
Singapore resident admission (local ID required): Adult: SGD 8, Senior (aged 60 and above): SGD 5, Child (between 3 and 12 years): SGD 3
Friends of the Gardens admission: Adult/senior: SGD 5, Child (between 3 and 12 years): SGD 3