Your complete guide to Gardens by the Bay

Ever wanted to see the plant kingdom in a whole new light? And learn and understand plants that aren’t from the region. Welcome to Gardens by the Bay, Singapore’s very own architectural wonder that has been drawing tourists and locals alike since opening its doors to the public, in 2012.

Garden of Wonder

Gardens by the Bay is a stunning nature park, spread across 101 hectares of reclaimed land, in the heart of the city. Located close to the equally famous Marina Bay Waterfront, it features several man-made gardens, including the mesmeric Floral Fantasy, the huge Flower Dome, the stunning Cloud Forest, the suspended OCBC Skyway, and the iconic Supertree Grove and Observatory.

So, whether it is breathtaking architecture, innovative horticulture, environmentally sustainable design, or even a relaxed stroll amidst all this greenery that you need, Gardens by the Bay offers something of interest for anyone who walks through this lush park. And some more. Small wonder that it has been consistently earning accolades and winning awards.

This blog aims to be a comprehensive guide to all the main attractions at Gardens by the Bay. However, if you would rather read about each of the attractions at your own leisure and pace, then you can do so. Simply click on the individual links for the mesmeric Floral Fantasy, the gigantic Flower Dome, the stunning Cloud Forest, the suspended OCBC Skyway and iconic Supertree Grove and Observatory, and the Garden Rhapsody Light and Sound Show.

Flower Dome

It is the largest of the three cooled conservatories. It has 3,332 glass panels across an area of 1.28 hectares. It is home to several exotic plants and flowers from the Mediterranean and semi-arid subtropical regions across all five continents, including magnolias, orchids, and olive trees that date back more than a thousand years. And in 2015, it entered the Guinness Book of Records for being the largest greenhouse in the world. This is Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore.

What strikes you immediately after you have walked in from the tropical outdoors is the chill. We can thank the dome’s unique climate control system that allows for this unique microclimate that can sustain a range of flora in a cool and dry environment. Once you have let your body acclimatize to the sudden dip in temperature, the next thing you notice are various flowers imaginatively decorated. Mesmeric is the word that comes to mind.

Once you are done with the photo-ops, then proceed to discover this floral wonderland. Flower Dome is spread across different gardens. Never mind if Botany was never your strong subject back in high school. Take your time and explore the walkways on the ground, go under the tree canopies, and discover a condensed version of our world through its many plants and flowers in their natural habitat. What amazes me is the amount of meticulous attention that has gone into recreating this dome.

And yes, do keep an eye out for the various animal sculptures, peering at you from behind a tree.

Cloud Forest

Cloud Forest is, by far, the most stunning of them all. Immediately after walking in, you are transported into another mist-filled world, complete with spectacular views and lush vegetation. By this time, your body will have also realized that there is going to be a temperature change. So it won’t be as shocking to the system as the first time.

Once you have had your initial fill of visual sensory overdose, soak in the atmosphere and that is when you notice the 35m tall structure, aptly named Cloud Mountain that, well, towers over everything around it. Making it even more dramatic is the lush vegetation that covers the mountain, and a mighty 30m waterfall cascading down.

However, your journey of discovering the Cloud Forest doesn’t begin here. On the contrary, a short scenic elevator ride takes you right up to the top of the mountain. Once there, you need to slowly make your way down to the base of the mountain. So, immediately after you have finished viewing the Lost World – a garden oasis with a small pond to complement the setting, make your way along the suspended walkway downwards.

Cloud Walk offers picture-perfect views of the Marina Bay Sands dome on one side and the Singapore Flyer on the other, don’t lose focus of the mountain inside the conservatory. Up so close is when you begin to marvel at the impressive amount of flora that has been used to clad this structure.

As you steadily descend one level, you walk into a cave-like structure, complete with stalagmites, stalactites, fossils, and other interesting rock formations. This is the Crystal Mountain and Treetop walk. If geology isn’t your forte, perhaps now is a good time to brush up on what little you know. As you walk on the walkway, there will be a moment when you are right next to the structure. With its amazing backdrop, this is the ideal spot for those Instagram likes.

Once you are finished here, walk down one more level and you will come into an interactive biodiverse exhibition called the Cloud Forest Gallery. It gives you a crash course on the adverse impact of civilization on the planet, and how we can better manage the little resources we have. From there, one more floor below and you are into the Cloud Forest Theatre, with a short film on conservation.

Floral Fantasy

It is where fantasy meets reality. Where scenes from Lord of the Rings merge with fabled stories of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It is a world that features hanging bouquets of exotic flowers or a towering sculpture that is either smiling or grimacing at you depending on where you are standing.

Welcome to Floral Fantasy. A world filled with hanging bouquets, imaginative floral displays, and towering sculptures. As one of the main attractions within the Garden by the Bay that opened to the public in April 2019, it has plenty to offer. Spread across 1,500 sq m of space, this cooled conservatory features over 3,000 varieties of exotic plants, flowers, and trees on display. Where else can you see plants such as the ominously sounding Darth Vader begonias and Japanese Fuchsia hybrids? Chances are, step into Floral Fantasy and you will be transported to another parallel world that is part Alice in Wonderland, and part The Lost World.

It is divided into four settings – Dance, Float, Waltz, and Drift. So, whether it is a beautiful bouquet that is suspended from high ceilings in Dance, clicking a photo with Nobu – the garden guardian who watches over the fauna in Float, Waltz where the poison dart frogs now call home, or the dark cave in Drift with more than 50 species of plants from Central and South America.

Floral Fantasy seamlessly merges art, nature, and technology into one enriching one-of-a-kind experience that is, well, Instagram-worthy.

Unfortunately, there is one last section that was closed when I went there – Fantasy 4D Theatre, where you get to experience Gardens by the Bay through the eyes of a dragonfly. Never mind. Another time, hopefully.

By the way, let me know if you managed to spot any of Nobu’s nine fairy friends hiding among the flowers. I didn’t.

 Supertree Grove

Once you are done with the conservatories, make your way to the gardens. As you walk, you can’t help but notice 12 soaring architectural structures called Supertree Grove. Made of steel and covered with over 160,000 plants, they span 25 to 50m above ground.

Impressive as the sight may be, each of the Supertrees also has an important environmentally sustainable purpose for the well-being of the garden. They not only serve as vertical gardens providing shade at all times but also serve to generate solar power, especially for the night show. Some of the trees are also connected to the conservatories, helping keep the air inside at its optimal levels.

The main Supertree Grove is located right in the middle of Gardens by the Bay. If you are up to exploring, then also check out the silver and gold gardens with their mini versions of Supertrees.

There is no entry fee to explore Supertree Grove.

OCBC Skyway and Supertree Observatory

A unique way to experience the marvel that is the Gardens by the Bay is to transport yourself to a higher level. Literally.

Right up there, suspended between two of the tallest Supertrees, in the heart of Supertree Grove, is the OCBC Skyway and Supertree Observatory.

While there is a crowd, don’t despair. Only a certain number of visitors are allowed up onto the skyway and observatory at any given time, which is a good thing. So, bide your time, stay in line, and wait your turn.

The 128m long skyway, at a height of 22m, is still only halfway to the tallest Supertree. And while the walkway might be a bit narrow, wide enough for two people, it is perfect for those candid photo moments without having to worry about other visitors photo-bombing your special moments.

Once you are done with the skyway, make your way to the Supertree Observatory, wrapped around one of two Supertrees at either end. This observatory makes for an excellent viewing platform. It not only offers panoramic views of the lush green Gardens below, Marina Bay, and the surrounding city skyline too.

Garden Rhapsody Light and Sound Show

By the time you are through checking out all these attractions, the sun would be rapidly setting on the horizon. Your weary legs and tired body would have already given you ample hints to call it a night. However, there is one last grand finale that you must wait for – the Garden Rhapsody light and sound show.

This synchronized display of colorful lights and music takes place on the Supertree Grove every night at 7:45 and 8:45 pm. With the iconic Supertrees as the centerpiece, expect an immersive and spectacular experience that showcases the beauty of the Supertrees and the whole park.

And should you imagine yourself in the middle of a movie set, you wouldn’t be far off the mark. This iconic structure has been featured in several movies, including Guardians of the Galaxy, Hitman: Agent 47, and Crazy Rich Asians.

Running for around 15 minutes each, these shows are free and open to the public.

Getting there

Gardens by the Bay is located at 18 Marine Garden Drive, Singapore 018953. Thanks to its central location, in the heart of the city, and its proximity to the Marina Bay Sands resort and the Central Business District area, it can be easily reached by various modes of public transportation.

However, I found it most convenient to hop onto Singapore’s super-efficient MRT system. It is one of the best forms of public transport I have used in this city. Once you get off at Bayfront Station, look for signs directing you to Gardens by the Bay. Brace yourself, it is quite a long walk, and depending on how you pace yourself, should take about 10 minutes. As for those of you keeping track of your daily count of steps, smile at yourself and march on. Once you reach the end, walk down a flight of stairs, and you will have reached Gardens by the Bay.

Gardens by the Bay is open on all days of the week. For show timing and ticket prices for each of the conservatories and shows, you can check out the Gardens by the Bay website which has all the information to help you plan your trip.