Last Updated on January 5, 2016 by Jon Algie
Gardens aren’t usually the most exciting of places. Sure, if you are a huge flower fan or are really into ponds, they might be the highlight of your holiday, but to your average person they are just pleasant places to kill an hour or 2. Gardens by the bay is different, a futuristic wonder beamed down from space that might just be the best tourist attraction in Singapore.
Supertree Grove
Straight out of another world (Pandora from the movie Avatar to be specific), the supertrees are a unique blend of futuristic weirdness and environmental sustainability. The trees harvest solar energy and will eventually be home to over 160,000 plants. It’d be great if one day every tall building in the world is designed like this; the supertrees prove that sustainability and green thinking don’t have to be boring. You can walk along the Supertree Skyway (for $5), which is something I’d definitely recommend shelling out for.
The Flower Dome
Thankfully the Flower Dome is far better than the Stephen Baldwin/Pauly Shore film Bio Dome, because that was pretty awful. This dome is home to a lot of flowers and plants, and a strange Dutch themed garden featuring clogs and windmills. It doesn’t sound great, but the fact it’s in a futuristic dome makes it so much better. I was more interested in the dome than anything else, but if you’re really into flowers I’m sure you’ll love it too.
The Cloud Forest
This place is awesome. A huge 35 meter man made mountain dominates the dome, but what really tops it off is the tallest indoor waterfall in the world thundering down one side. You can explore the interior of the mountain, which includes a treetop boardwalk, stalactites and stalagmites (cave rock things) and some great views of the Marina Bay area (including the famous Marina Bay Sands). It costs $28 to enter the cloud forest/flower dome, but it’s definitely worth it.
The places in between
Gardens by the Bay is huge, and while the domes and the supertrees are by far the most interesting parts, just strolling around the various gardens is a great way to get away from the crowds. You can get some peace and quiet and see a huge white baby that looks like it’s floating in the sky. You can also see animals sculpted out of trees, heritage gardens and tranquil river scenes.
Gardens by the Bay at night
If you think the supertrees are cool during the day then you’ll be blown away when you see them at night. The light show (at 7.45/8.45pm) energises the trees with electric colours that makes them pulsate with power; it’s something that every visitor to Singapore should see.
So then, are these the coolest gardens in the world? They are by far the most interesting ones that I’ve ever heard of. I love science fiction movies and the Cloud Forest, Flower Dome and supertrees are all things I can imagine seeing on an alien world someday. If you are visiting Singapore you should definitely check out Gardens by the Bay!
Further reading: Check out the official website for Gardens by the Bay for more information.
Have you been to Gardens by the Bay, or any other unique gardens around the world? Let me know!
Jon Algie
Latest posts by Jon Algie (see all)
- Should You Travel to America in 2025? - April 30, 2025
- Baby on a Plane! Long-haul Flying with a One-Year-Old - March 8, 2025
- Trying to Feel Like a Travel Blogger Again - February 28, 2025
That really looks like some cool gardens Jon! Your photos actually remind me that it has been quite a while since I visited Singapore, because back then, everything was still under construction. Well, I guess it means I will have to visit again soon and check out the otherworldly bay area… 🙂
It’s a great reason to return to Singapore!
I’d love to see these, very futuristic!
I’m sure you’ll end up in Singapore one day, it’s a great place to visit.
I definitely need to get back to Singapore to see all the new changes to the waterfront area including these amazing gardens – beautiful!
It’s a great part of the city, and I’m sure they’ll keep on improving it.
Wow, very futuristic looking – the gardens under the dome look like some sort of Eden. I’ve never been to Singapore before but can imagine that this is one part of the city I’d definitely want to see. The lush parkland by the water looks like a great spot to just hang out for awhile.
It is a great place to hang out! I had been to the gardens about 4 times before checking the domes out, the rest of it is worth a trip on its own and it’s free.
Those gardens are incredible – it looks like a landscape from Avatar!
I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, but it does look very similar.
Wow, wow, wow, wow, WOW! (Did I say wow?) These are incredible. I have GOT to get there some day. Awesome post, Jon.
Thanks Erin!
In answer to your question, yes I think they are! I was there just a few months ago and absolutely loved my time there. We really had a great time.
The cloud forest area in particular was great and well worth paying to see, but I also loved the fact that you could just explore the rest of the huge gardens for free without any obligation to enter the paid areas! And the light show is just amazing.
God I love Singapore!
I wasn’t expecting the cloud forest to be as good as it was, I was pretty blown away by it. Most people don’t allocate nearly enough time to see Singapore properly, hopefully we can change that!
Amazing and spectacular gardens. We plan on going to Singapore so these are definitely on our list. Wonderful pictures of the gardens by night!
Cheers Nina,there is so much to see in Singapore I’m sure you’l have a great time.
Beautiful place. That shot of the indoor waterfall is just stunning.
Cheers Bianca!
These gardens look quite amazing. I missed them when I went to Singapore – are they new?
Yeah about 2 years old I think, although I don’t think they are fully completed yet.
Wow – haven’t been in Singapore in a while but certainly looks futuristic. Love that waterfall!
Frank (bbqboy)
Looks like it’s time for another trip!
Wow. What an awesome place. I saw it a couple of weeks ago on TV and thought I would love to see it some day. Especially your pictures from The Gardens By The Bay at night are beautiful.
Yeah, the light show is amazing. There is also a Chinese lantern festival that I forgot to mention, it’s definitely worth trying to check that out.
Hey Jon, to answer your question I would say yes, they are the coolest gardens in the world. Love all the quirky stuff and the trees al lit up at night. Have the gardens been open long? Amazing!
I think around 2 years, they are still going to add to them though, should be even better eventually!
OMG. I think I fell in love with this garden! How DOES that baby float?! What a amazing concept. Thanks for the post!
I can’t give away the secret!
I love the cloud garden! I love visiting places like this, anything to do with nature I’m in. Although I’m so confused by the baby statue… how does it work?!
The secret impresses no one.The trick you use it for is everything. Haha, that’s a quote from The Prestige, one of my favourite movies. You’ll have to see it for yourself!
Can’t wait to make it out here once I settle in some more 🙂
It’s good to see you’ve made it to Singapore!