Singapore Botanical Garden

Review

The peace and tranquillity of the Singapore Botanic Gardens will strike you the moment you walk through its gates – it’s hard to believe that there is such a beautiful large garden located so close to Orchard Road.

The Gardens have a wide variety of plants. Started in 1859, some trees are more than 100 years old. These trees are scattered throughout the Gardens and are marked. Our favourite is the distinguished Tembusu tree on Lawn E, close to the Swan Lake - it’s also featured on the Singapore $5 note and postage stamps.

Make sure you visit the National Orchid Garden – it is an orchid paradise with more than 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids. The Gardens are known for its orchid-breeding programme, adding more hybrids every year. Some hybrids are even named after celebrities and VIPs including the late Princess Diana.

The Tan Hoon Siang Mist House in the National Orchid Garden has a collection of beautiful rare orchids. It also houses fragrant-smelling orchids whilst the Cool House replicates a highland tropical forest with cool air and mist, set in a natural surrounding. Spot the carnivorous plants growing on the rocks.

Wandering through the Singapore Botanic Gardens, there is much to see. The Ginger Garden is a refreshing, picturesque corner with a waterfall. Enjoy the leaves of the ginger plant family members that are so beautifully patterned. And if you’ll never venture into a tropical rain forest, you must walk through the paved Rain Forest to get a feel of it.

If you like garden sculptures, there are three enchanting figurative bronze sculptures found near the Bandstand (another well-known feature of the Gardens).  Also nearby, the Swiss Ball Fountain will not fail to delight. A gift from the Swiss Community in Singapore, the 700kg granite ball being kept afloat and spinning constantly keeps little ones entertained.

Children are certainly not forgotten here - the Jacobs Ballas Children’s Garden is the latest addition dedicated to children to give them a learning and experiential encounter with plants.

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Tips

Dress for warm weather - it can get a little humid and warm at times. Make time to sit and rest and enjoy the various plants and flowers.

Things to Bring

Drinking water, mosquito repellant and an umbrella is useful for rain or hot sun.

Opening Times

Opening times: 5 am to 12 midnight. For National Orchid Garden: 8:30 am to 7 pm (last ticket sale is at 6 pm) For Jacob Ballas Children's Garden: 8 am to 7 pm (last admission at 6:30 pm). Closed on Mondays (except when it falls on a designated public holiday). Best time to go: Early morning or late afternoon.

Admission Fees

• Free. • For National Orchid Garden: Adults - $5, Students/Senior Citizens (60 yrs and over) - $1, Children (12 yrs and under) – free.

How to Get There

By Taxi – Alight either at the Tanglin Gate entrance (which is at the junction of Holland Road/Napier Road and Cluny Road) or at the Visitor Centre. By Public Bus – Take bus nos. 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123 or 174 and alight along Holland Road (ask the bus-driver to tell you when to alight). Enter the Gardens through the Tanglin Gate entrance. By MRT – Botanic Gardens MRT Station is currently under construction.