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Gardens by the Bay, Singapore: The Coolest Gardens in the World?

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore: The Coolest Gardens in the World?

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 supertrees and Marina Bay Sands at Gardens by the Bay, SingaporeSupertrees at Gardens by the Bay, SingaporeThe skywalk at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

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 flower dome at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

Flowers in the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

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.

A waterfall in the cloud forest in Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

Rocks at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

Marina Bay Sands from the cloud forest, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

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.

A floating baby at Gardens by the Bay, SingaporeGardens by the Bay, Singapore

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.

Garden rhapsody at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

The supertrees at night at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

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!

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Jon Algie

A travel blogger from New Zealand who hates talking about himself in the third person and has no imagination when it comes to naming websites.

Jessi

Wednesday 14th of May 2014

Can't wait to make it out here once I settle in some more :)

Jon Algie

Wednesday 14th of May 2014

It's good to see you've made it to Singapore!

Samantha

Tuesday 13th of May 2014

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?!

Jon Algie

Tuesday 13th of May 2014

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!

Jen Dziekan

Monday 12th of May 2014

OMG. I think I fell in love with this garden! How DOES that baby float?! What a amazing concept. Thanks for the post!

Jon Algie

Tuesday 13th of May 2014

I can't give away the secret!

Margherita @The Crowded Planet

Monday 12th of May 2014

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!

Jon Algie

Tuesday 13th of May 2014

I think around 2 years, they are still going to add to them though, should be even better eventually!

Christina

Monday 12th of May 2014

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.

Jon Algie

Tuesday 13th of May 2014

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.