Chinese Garden

Review

Designed by a well-known Taiwanese architect, Prof Yuen-Chen Yu, the 13-hectare Chinese Garden was built based on ancient northern Chinese imperial architectural style of the Sung dynasty period (960 to 1279 AD). Make sure you take a closer look at the traditional architectural designs with its carvings, tiles, windows, etc., when you wander through the buildings in the Garden.

If you are entering the Garden from the MRT station, you will be greeted by the 7-storey Pagoda. Climb to the top and you'll get a good panoramic view of the Garden. You'll also be able to see the neighbouring Japanese Garden and the surrounding scenery of Jurong.

The Chinese Garden also houses the largest Suzhou-stlye Bonsai Garden outside of China. Its beautiful collection of bonsais come from countries such as Malaysia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand. The beautiful landscape here will make a picturesque backdrop to your photos.

Do stop to read the stories of the eight Chinese Legendary Heroes at the Ixora Garden. Kids will be fascinated by them. The kids will also be intrigued by the sundial next to the stone boat - it is one of ten sundial structures installed around Singapore in April 2007 in support of Singapore Science Centre's initiative to increase interest in Science.

If you love turtles and tortoises, be sure to visit the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum. It has a collection of more than 200 live turtles and tortoises with more than 60 species from all over the world, including the Alligator Snapping Turtle, the Snake Headed Turtle, the Mexican Turtle, etc. Take a walk across the pond and enjoy the free-roaming tortoises following you.

Tips

Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Garden. If you have time, do cross over the Bridge of Double Beauty to the Japanese Garden.

Things to Bring

Drinking water (there are a few drink machines around the Garden).

Opening Times

Opening times: 6 am to 10 pm daily. The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum is open 10 am to 7 pm daily. Best time to go: Early morning or late afternoon when it is cooler. If you're visiting during Chinese New Year (January/February) and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations (August/September), there will be beautifully designed lanterns, brought in from China, on display. There will also be cultural performances by Chinese cultural troupes.

Admission Fees

It's free admission to the Garden and $5 per adult or $3 per child for the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum.

How to Get There

By Taxi - This is the easiest and most convenient way of getting there. Ask the taxi driver to drop you at the entrance of the Chinese Garden. By MRT - Alight at Chinese Garden Station on the East-West line. It's a 5-minute walk to the Chinese Garden. By Bus - Take SMRT bus number 180 or SBS bus numbers 154 & 335 and ask the bus driver to tell you where to alight for the Chinese and Japanese Gardens.