Gardens by the Bay is another wonder that showcases Singapore’s efforts in preserving nature’s beauty.
Alongside Singapore Botanic Gardens, Gardens by the Bay is among the numerous testament that Singapore really is the Garden City.
What sets Gardens by the Bay apart from other gardens in the city-state is its grandiose architectural feat which perfectly blends nature and modern technology.
History of Gardens by the Bay
Spearheaded by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong back in 2005, the PM wanted to create a monumental garden by the bay. An international competition for the best projects for gardens by the bay was announced in January 2006 where 170 companies from over 25 countries participated.
In September of the same year, the winners were announced where Grant Associates for the Bay South Garden and Gustafson Porter for the Bay East Garden reigned as victors.
Construction began in 2007 and on October 11, 2011, the grand opening for Gardens by the Bay was held.
Today, this beauty is visited by an estimated 6-9 million people each year and has received numerous accolades and awards.
Three Parts of Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay measures up to 101 hectares! And within this massive area of land are three main parts, each full of character and potential.
Bay East Garden
The first part of Gardens by the Bay is the East Garden which is free to all and is open 24/7.
This is perfect for families, sport-junkies, and those who simply want to spend time under the sun. This is the second largest area of the Gardens, measuring around 32 hectares!
Bay Central Garden
The smallest area among the three parts of Gardens by the Bay, this land measures up to 15 hectares. But don’t be fooled by its size because it’s filled with beautiful scenery, perfect for serene walks!
Bay South Garden
Considered the national pride of Singapore, there is no wonder why! Bay South Garden measures 54 hectares and is jam-packed with awesome activities that will definitely bring out the adventurer in you!
What to Do and See in Gardens by the Bay
Cloud Forest
This mist-filled landscape, adorned with rare vegetation, is one of the most popular attractions in Gardens by the Bay for their Avatar: The Experience, an immersive walk-through of the world’s most exotic plant species.
Avatar: The Experience is based on the globally highest-grossing film of all time, AVATAR. The Experience will take you to the world of Pandora where you’ll see bioluminescent environments, mystical creatures, flora, and more! You’ll also be able to get a first look at the new marine creature, Ilu, from the second installation of the AVATAR franchise, AVATAR: Way of Water.
To know more about Avatar: The Experience, visit their website and book your tickets here!
Flower Dome
Officially a Guinness World Record holder as the World’s Largest Glass Greenhouse, the Flower Dome houses various plants and flowers from five continents, boasting a number of about 32,000 plants and 160 species and varieties!
Cloud Forest and Flower Dome are located under one building and tour packages and bundles are offered for both.
Floral Fantasy
Flower Dome is not the only floral paradise in Gardens by the Bay. You can also go to Floral Fantasy. This perfectly combines fantasy and history and the design concept will bring you to a fairytale-like world!
Be in awe as you walk among the hanging flowers that mimic that of the stories Hanging Gardens of Babylon!
Supertree Grove
This iconic site is what we instantly think of when we say ‘Gardens by the Bay’! The Supertree Grove features soaring structures called ‘Supertrees’ that look as if they’ve come straight out of a sci-fi movie!
These Supertrees are not just for show, they actually have functions! Supertrees house over 162,900 plants of over 200 species and harvest solar energy. That’s right! Seven of the Supertrees are designed to convert solar energy into electrical energy!
At night, light illuminates these Supertrees as they seemingly dance along to the accompanying music! Be enchanted as you watch the show with your friends and family!
Admission is free to Supertree Grove and it is open from 5 AM to 2 AM!
OCBC Skyway
While you’re at Supertree Grove, you might want to try out going up the OCBC Skyway to get a view of the Marina Bay’s gardens and track.
There is an entrance fee, however, but for an affordable price of $10 for adults an $6 for children, you’ll get a wonderful view of the Marina Bay from the 128-metre pathway at an altitude of 22 meters!
Floral Clock
If you have time, you can visit the Floral Clock too! It is a 7 metres in diameter clock ornated with 5,000 tropical annual and perennial plants in more than 20 varieties, some are uncommon in Singapore. The clock hands are guided by GPS.
The Floral Clock can be found just before you go to Supertree Grove from the Flower Dome. It was a gift given by Swiss watchmaker, Audemars Piguet, for Singapore’s Golden Jubilee and it was designed after its signature octagonal bezel, hexagonal screws, and tapisserie dial from its Royal Oak collection.
Heritage Gardens
The Heritage Gardens is one way to look back to Singapore’s rich history told by nature. There are four parts: Indian Garden, Chinese Garden, Malay Garden, and the Colonial Garden. All of which possess their own beauty.
Sun Pavilion
Just when you thought Gardens by the Bay ran out of plants to showcase, they open the Sun Pavilion which is basically a collection of desert plants from Mexican Cacti to colorful Euphorbias to cactuses that look like dried up brains! Gardens by the Bay seems to have it all!
The Sun Pavilion holds around 1000 desert plants from 100 different species and varieties. Most of the cacti came from The Americas while most of the Euphorbias came from Africa and Madagascar.
Restaurants at Gardens by the Bay
Marguerite
The out-of-this-world collection of flora, cacti, and other plants isn’t the only thing that will leave you in awe at Gardens by the Bay. If you’re up to it, you can also try the 7-course meals at the Marguerite, a Michelin star restaurant at the heart of the Gardens.
This restaurant portrays Singapore’s beginnings, seasons, and produce through contemporary cuisine. They offer two options: the Herbivore (vegetarian/vegan) and the Omnivore (a combination of vegetables and meat).
Though most reviews say that Marguerite can be a hit or miss but overall, this restaurant delivers what is expected of fine dining, perfect for a dinner date.
BUSINESS HOURS
| Monday and Tuesday | Wednesday and Thursday | Friday to Sunday |
| Closed | 6 p.m. | 12 p.m.-3 p.m. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. |
Visit Marguerite’s website for a look at their menu.
Hortus
Hortus is another restaurant within the premises of Gardens by the Bay. The atmosphere is much more chill here compared to that of Marguerite but the food is still absolutely scrumptious.
The High Tea set is quite popular among people who are looking to relax in the afternoon while breathing in the fragrance of the flowers around the area. They also offer food and drinks that highlight the fresh flavours of the Mediterranean.
BUSINESS HOURS
| Wednesday to Friday | Saturday to Sunday |
| Lunch: 10am to 2:30pm Last order at 2:30pm Afternoon Tea: 3pm to 5pm Dinner: 6pm to 10pm Last order at 9pm | Lunch: 10am to 2:30pm Last order at 2:30pm Afternoon Tea: 3pm to 5pm Dinner: 6pm to 10pm Last order at 9pm |
To know more about the food at Hortus, visit the website here!
Map of Gardens by the Bay
With how big the area is, it can be quite difficult to navigate around as a first-time traveler. So to guide you, here is a map in Gardens by the Bay’s official website that might be useful on your visit.
Address, Business Hours, and Contact Information
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
Contact: +65 6420 6848
Business Hours: Daily- 5AM to 2AM
Admission Tickets: Entrance fee to Gardens by the Bay is free but certain areas like the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome have entrance fees. For the best deals and discounts on tickets, you may book online!
How to get there?
The cheapest way to get to the Gardens, especially if you are already in Marina Bay Sands, is by walking!
Simply cross the Lion Bridge located at Marina Bay Sands Hotel or take the underground linkway via Bayfront MRT Station (Exit B).
If you are not near the Gardens at all, you can take the bus or train.
via The Circle Line Or Downtown Line by train
- Alight at Bayfront MRT Station (CE1/DT16)
- Take Exit B and follow the underground linkway
- Exit and cross the Dragonfly Bridge or Meadow Bridge into Gardens by the Bay
via The East-West Line
- Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT Station (EW15)
- Take Exit C and head towards bus stop no. 03223 located at International Plaza, Anson Road
- Hop onto bus 400 and alight at bus stop no. 03371 along Marina Gardens Drive
via Thomson East-Coast Line (NEW!)
- Alight at Gardens by the Bay MRT Station (TE22)
- Take Exit 1 into Gardens by the Bay (beside Satay by the Bay)
Information taken from gardensbythebay.com.sg and may be subject to changes.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best place to spend time with friends and family can be a bit of a challenge, especially if we want everyone to enjoy, and Gardens by the Bay is the answer to that. With tons of activities to do, everyone will be beaming with excitement!
It is such an affordable way to treat you and your family on a fun-filled day out and you get to be surrounded by nature!
0 Comments