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Dubbed as the garden of the future, Gardens By The Bay Singapore contributes to elevating the Lion City's global status thanks to its unbelievable records!
As a green, clean, and beautiful country, Singapore offers abundant natural landscapes for you to admire. And the destination considered the pride of Singaporeans is Gardens by the Bay! With lush greenery, diverse botanical gardens, and unique architecture, Gardens By the Bay always captivates every traveler who visits. However, with an enormous area of 101 hectares, you may feel overwhelmed and unable to explore everything. So, read these travel tips for Gardens By The Bay Singapore before embarking on your journey!
Where is Gardens By The Bay Located?
Gardens By The Bay is located at 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore, offering picturesque views of the serene river and the magnificent Marina Bay Sands. With an area of 101 hectares, Gardens By The Bay is divided into two main areas, Bay South Garden and Bay East Garden.
Bay South Garden is inspired by orchids, with a design mimicking Singapore's national flower, the 'Vanda Miss Joaquim' orchid. The highlight that everyone knows in this garden is the gigantic Supertrees located in the middle. These tree-like structures consist of 18 'supertrees' ranging from 9 to 16 stories high. You can stroll from one tree to another on the skywalk called OCBC Skyway to enjoy the panoramic view.
Especially, in the evening, there's a fantastic music and light show among the Supertrees called Garden Rhapsody. Come during special occasions like Christmas to see how this performance is different from regular days. And don't forget to bring a picnic mat and refreshments to enjoy the show with friends. On the other hand, Bay East Garden offers a completely different vibe. It's perfect for a picnic with family and friends on lush green grass under the shade of tropical palms.
How to Get to Gardens By The Bay
This location is right in the city center, so you can easily reach it by various means of transportation comfortably, quickly, and affordably:
1. By Bus
From Tanjong Pagar MRT Station (EW15), take Exit C to International Plaza Anson Road and head to bus stop 03223. Take bus 400 and alight at bus stop 03371, then walk along Marina Gardens Drive to reach your destination.
2. By MRT Train
From Bayfront MRT Station (CE1/DT16), take Exit B and follow the underground linkway until you reach the exit, then cross either the Dragonfly Bridge or the Meadow Bridge to reach the entrance.
Note: To use the MRT and buses, you'll need a Mytour NETS FlashPay Travel Card, a pre-loaded card for convenient travel and immediate use upon arrival in Singapore. The card also allows for top-up, cash withdrawal, and payment at convenient stores, making it extremely handy for independent travel.
3. Walking
From Marina Bay Sands hotel, cross the Lions Bridge (open daily from 8:00 to 23:00) or walk through the underground passage via Bayfront MRT Station. You can also book a Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands Singapore Walking Tour with Dining Experience from Mytour to explore more attractions.
4. Private Transportation
You can call a taxi, book a Grab ride, or hire a private sightseeing vehicle to get here. The trick to saving as much as possible is to choose the Half-Day Singapore City Tour with a guide and door-to-door transportation, ensuring you'll thoroughly enjoy this journey!
Operating Hours at Gardens By The Bay
Gardens By The Bay operates from Monday to Sunday, from 09:00 to 21:00 (last entry is one hour before closing). The Garden Rhapsody performance takes place twice daily, at 19:45 and 20:45.
According to Mytour's experience, it's best to visit in the afternoon to catch the 'golden moments' of this heavenly garden:
- 3:00 PM: Arrive at Gardens By The Bay
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Explore the indoor areas
- 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Visit the OCBC Skyway to admire Singapore's sunset
- 7:00 PM: Have dinner at Satay by the Bay
- 7:20 PM: Move to the Supertree area, find a good spot, and wait for the Garden Rhapsody. A small TIP is that even though it's late, you can still come here to admire the starry moon. Although the activities have ended, the lights are off, and the Supertree area is completely empty, the large trees will turn a rather eerie and unique green.
Ticket Prices at Gardens By The Bay
A major plus point of Gardens by the Bay is that this attraction is completely FREE, you won't need to spend a single penny to enter the Supertree area for sightseeing and to watch the Garden Rhapsody performance.
If you wish to access the OCBC Skyway or explore the unique botanical gardens, you'll need to purchase tickets. However, buying tickets is also a way to contribute to the maintenance of this stunning place, isn't it?
Ticket prices are around 450,000 VND, but if you book tickets for Gardens By The Bay on Mytour, you can enjoy significant discounts. Children's tickets apply to ages 3 to 12. You're allowed multiple entries, just present your ticket/wristband/sticker at the entrance upon re-entry. Moreover, when you book tickets for Gardens By The Bay on Mytour, you can enter by scanning the super convenient QR code. No need to stand in long queues or hassle with physical tickets.
Some Tips for Visiting Gardens By The Bay Singapore
- Utilize the available audio guides and rent headphones at the visitor center, guides are available in English, Mandarin, and Japanese for 70,000 VND (9:00 AM - 9:00 PM daily).
- Check the official website for specific maintenance and closure dates.
- To access the OCBC Skyway, you need to purchase tickets for this route, save up to 15% when booking the Combo package including admission tickets to Gardens by the Bay and OCBC Skyway tickets.
Exciting Experiences at Gardens By The Bay Singapore
The vastness of Gardens By The Bay can sometimes make you feel like you're lost in a maze, struggling to find your favorite theme. Below are the key highlights of the botanical garden to help you plan a scientific exploration if you're short on time.
1. Cloud Forest
Within this glasshouse lies the world's tallest indoor waterfall at 35m high, enveloped in mist and lush greenery. Here, you'll marvel at the plant life from high altitude tropical mountains up to 2000 meters above sea level. Cloud Forest is a favorite among adventurous visitors who enjoy strolling amidst the world's most peculiar vegetation.
2. Flower Dome
Flower Dome replicates the cool, dry climate of the Mediterranean region and houses a plethora of plant species from various parts of the world. Spend your time here being guided through the diverse natural vegetation.
3. OCBC Skyway
OCBC Skyway is a 128m-long aerial walkway, standing 22m above ground, offering stunning panoramic views of the Supertree Grove and Singapore's skyline.
4. Garden Rhapsody
Taking place twice daily at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM at the Supertree Grove, Garden Rhapsody is a unique light and sound show that is absolutely captivating. Make sure your phone is fully charged to capture this vibrant 15-minute performance, and prepare some snacks for the show.
5. Supertree
You'll find gigantic artificial trees towering up to 16 stories high scattered throughout, with 12 of them located in the Supertree Grove. What are you waiting for? Strike a pose next to Gardens By The Bay's iconic Supertrees and capture unforgettable moments.
6. Far East Organization Children's Garden
This area features a 7.5-meter-high treehouse and interactive water play. It's a sprawling 1-hectare garden perfect for children and families. Nothing beats letting your kids learn, play, and explore in the wonderful natural setting here at Gardens By The Bay.
7. Floral Fantasy
Nestled within Gardens By The Bay lies Floral Fantasy - an enchanting floral wonderland. This 1500m2 garden is home to over 3000 plants, predominantly showcasing flowers from around the world such as the Matilija Poppy, South American Darth Vader Flower, Japanese Blue Anemone, Purple Wandering Jew, and more.
Floral Fantasy is a testament to the art of advanced horticulture. It's divided into 4 distinct gardens: the Hanging Dance Garden, the Miniature Float Garden, the Tropical Waltz Garden featuring the highly poisonous Arrow Frogs, and the Drift Cave Garden, each with its own unique charm. At the end of Floral Fantasy lies the Fantasy Theater, a 4D cinema providing a surreal 'flight' across Gardens By The Bay.
8. Heritage Gardens
Within the Heritage Gardens are 4 themed areas: Indian Gardens, Chinese Gardens, Malay Gardens, and Colonial Gardens, representing the island's four main ethnic groups. Each garden encapsulates cultural values and distinctive plant species unique to each nation.
For instance, you'll find graceful willow trees and moon gates within the Chinese Gardens, or key industrial plants of Singapore like Nutmeg, Starfruit, Coconut, and Cocoa at the Colonial Gardens. It's not just a leisurely stroll through nature but also an opportunity to delve deeper into the unique cultural tapestry of these ethnic groups.
9. Kingfisher Wetlands
Kingfisher Wetlands, also known as the Kingfisher Bird Sanctuary, is a freshwater eco-conservation area, the habitat of various flora and fauna, especially the Kingfisher bird. Surrounding the wetlands are informative boards providing comprehensive information about the species, including native and migratory birds, in English.
10. Serene Gardens
Serene Gardens, the new outdoor garden of Gardens By The Bay, is inspired by Japanese Zen gardens. It took three years to complete the entire landscape from conceptualization to construction planning.
Stepping into Serene Gardens immerses you in a tranquil atmosphere, completely detached from the bustling urban outside. The highlight of Serene Gardens is the Madagascar Silver Palm Garden, Japanese Bonsai art, elegant bamboo groves, waterfalls, and a collection of stones from Niyodo, Japan.
11. Sun Pavilion
Sun Pavilion is a new must-visit attraction at Gardens By The Bay. It houses the largest collection of succulent plants in Southeast Asia, with over 1000 species of desert plants from 100 different genera. This compact garden takes only about 5-10 minutes to stroll through, with a glass-roofed canopy above to maximize light for cacti and shrubs.
12. Bay East Gardens
Bay East Gardens is akin to a refreshing oasis amidst the glamorous Singapore. This open space is designed like a park with lush green lawns, towering palm trees, offering a panoramic view of Marina Bay. It's ideal for leisurely walks, serene sightseeing, reading, or hosting a fun outdoor picnic with family and friends.
13. Active Gardens
Active Gardens is an outdoor playground suitable for all ages with a variety of exciting activities. The most popular is the sports training area equipped with full facilities. Next is the lively music playground equipped with a xylophone, drums, and other percussion instruments. And you'll surely love the Community Garden, where about 50 types of edible plants are cultivated, from herbs to leafy greens and fruit-bearing trees.
Additionally, there's the Waterfront Plaza (event center for weddings, dancing), Ficus Room (conference space), Moongate Lawn (outdoor sculpture park), Active Gardens Lawn, pet-friendly cafe Mylo's, Sensory Trail stimulating all 5 senses with sound, scent, and shape.
14. The Canyon
The Canyon creates a whole new impression for visitors with its collection of giant rocks and majestic landscapes crafted by renowned architect Jun-ichi Inada. The Canyon boasts over 60 unique ancient rocks sourced from Shandong Province, China. Besides the sculpted rock artworks, attention is drawn to the 200 plant species thriving in arid environments such as Yucca Rostrata, Carnauba Palm, Cockspur Coral, Doum Palm from Egypt, Xanthorrhoea Glauca,...
15. World Of Plants
Get ready to explore every corner of botanical knowledge at the World Of Plants with a soul filled with love for nature. Discover giant trees and how they thrive amidst tropical forests, observe palms and their uses in the World of Palms, understand the growth of plants in dark, humid environments, the ecological value of plants after death, the 500 million-year history of the oldest ancient plant species,... And much more!
Highlights Of Gardens By The Bay Events In 2023
Another new year has arrived, and excitement builds as we await numerous special events at Gardens By The Bay. 2023 promises to be a fantastic start, a year full of prospects for future travel plans. Below are the dates for the 8 most notable events.
1. Avatar: The Experience
This is also an opportunity for cinema enthusiasts, especially fans of the 'Na'vi' in the movie Avatar. On the occasion of the release of the sequel to the movie The Way of Water, interactive activities and experiences with creatures in the movie called Avatar: The Experience will open to welcome tourists.
2. Chrysanthemum Charm Event
Lose yourself in the space filled with autumn colors next to the glowing golden chrysanthemum garden at the Chrysanthemum Charm event. Chrysanthemums symbolize joy, hope, long-lasting happiness, and are highly favored by Asians. Hundreds of special chrysanthemum varieties collected from around the world will converge under the Flower Dome's common roof in Singapore.
- Event duration: 22/09/2023 - 13/11/2023
- Ticket price: Flower Dome entrance fee applies
3. Poinsettia Wishes Event
Flower Dome will be filled with Christmas atmosphere in the Poinsettia Wishes event. This time's theme is the Poinsettia, a familiar plant that often appears during year-end festivals everywhere. Exploring during the event period will create many memorable moments for you in the last days of 2023.
- Event duration: 24/11/2023 - 31/12/2023
- Ticket price: Flower Dome entrance fee applies
Even though more than a decade has passed since its opening in 2012, Gardens By The Bay has never failed to disappoint or feel even slightly boring to visitors. The themes of this botanical park are always refreshed, and there are many special events throughout the year, making it ideal for travel to Singapore in any season.
Discover the most unique and exciting things in Singapore through constantly updated travel guides on Mytour Blog such as: Experience Universal Studios Singapore, Singapore Malaysia Indonesia 6 Days 5 Nights Itinerary, 22 Unique Art Workshops in Singapore, Night Safari Singapore Review, National Museum of Singapore Review,...
Wishing you an exciting journey of exploration with a host of unforgettable experiences at Gardens By The Bay Singapore.
