Print this page

Gardens by the Bay Singapore

Gardens by the Bay Singapore

Gardens by the Bay is an independent organisation responsible for developing and managing one of Asia’s foremost garden destinations, the Gardens by the Bay.

The Gardens is led by a multidisciplinary team of professionals who have been involved in the greening of Singapore and had worked alongside international and local experts to develop the Gardens. It has an in-house team of skilled landscape designers, horticulturists, arborists, engineers, plant health, garden and turf management experts, as well as plant research and orchid breeding professionals, who leverage on the extensive global network of plant sources cultivated during the development days, to continuously curate and grow the Gardens.

Guided by its vision to be a world of gardens for all to own, enjoy and cherish, Gardens by the Bay has earned numerous awards and accolades including the World Building of the Year in 2012, the President’s Design Award (Singapore) in 2013, the Outstanding Achievement Award by the Themed Entertainment Association in 2014, the Largest Glass Greenhouse (Flower Dome) in the Guinness World Records for 2015, and the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2016. These achievements are testament to the ongoing excellence of the Gardens and spur the team towards attaining greater success.

A national garden and premier horticultural attraction for local and international visitors, Gardens by the Bay is a showpiece of horticulture and garden artistry that presents the plant kingdom in a whole new way, entertaining while educating visitors with plants seldom seen in this part of the world, ranging from species in cool, temperate climates to tropical forests and habitats. Gardens by the Bay comprises three distinctive waterfront gardens – Bay South, Bay East and Bay Central.

Bay South, the largest of the three gardens, opened in 2012. With its award-winning cooled conservatories and iconic Supertrees, Bay South has placed Singapore squarely on the international map and is a source of national pride. Within Flower Dome, the ever-changing floral displays including crowd favourites such as Tulipmania, Orchid Extravaganza and Blossom Beats bring the beauty and diversity of the plant kingdom to life for all to enjoy. While plant displays remain the focal point of Gardens by the Bay, engaging programmes and excellent service form key pillars in enhancing the Gardens’ overall visitor experience.

The Gardens’ calendar - filled with signature festivals, music concerts and movie screenings, sports and community events, and educational workshops and school programmes – draw a wide spectrum of visitors to the Gardens. With more than 30 million visitors to date, Gardens by the Bay continues to refresh and refine its offerings, to make the Gardens a place that everyone can enjoy – a green jewel where wonder blooms.

Bay East, the second largest, offers a tranquil respite from the bustling city and a stunning view of the Singapore skyline even as it unfolds over the next century. This green space is open to the public and has immense potential for future development as a waterfront garden. Bay Central is the garden which will serve as a link between Bay South to Bay East when developed, with a 3km waterfront promenade boasting stunning views of the city. 

Gardens by the Bay Singapore

Gardens by the Bay brings to life the National Parks Board Singapore's vision of creating a City in a Garden. The Gardens captures the essence of Singapore as the premier tropical Garden City with the perfect environment in which to live and work - making Singapore a leading global city of the 21st century. In January 2006, an international master plan design competition was launched to seek world-class design ideas for Gardens by the Bay. It drew more than 70 entries submitted by 170 firms, from over 24 countries, including 35 from Singapore. An 11-member Jury comprising local and international experts shortlisted eight teams and two winners were announced in September 2006; namely Grant Associates for Bay South and Gustafson Porter for Bay East, both from the UK. A decision was made to develop Bay Central later.

A public exhibition of the master plan concepts and models of the winning teams was held in September 2006 at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Over 10,000 people visited the exhibition and over 700 gave their feedback. An overwhelming majority 85% of those surveyed liked the features in the master plans and over 97% said they would visit the gardens. Gardens by the Bay broke ground in November 2007, signalling the commencement of the Gardens’ development. Subsequently, development of Bay East Garden also commenced. It was developed as an interim garden to be used as a staging site for some of the rowing and canoeing events of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in August 2010. Following the YOG, Bay East underwent reinstatement works and was open to the public in October 2011. A special preview of Flower Dome was held in November 2011 in conjunction with the World Orchid Conference (WOC). Some 300,000 members of the public visited both WOC and Bay South Garden.

Step into the Flower Dome and stand in awe. Spectacular and innovative, it is the largest glass greenhouse in the world as listed in the 2015 Guinness World Records! Be amazed by changing display of flowers and plants from the Mediterranean and semi-arid regions. Enjoy a cool leisure stroll through the Flower Dome and immerse in a world of perpetual spring. The Flower Dome replicates the cool-dry climate of Mediterranean regions like South Africa, California and parts of Spain and Italy. Here, you'll discover not only the amazing beauty of these plants and flowers, but how they have also adapted to the cool-dry environments. See art blossom before your eyes as Gardens by the Bay takes inspiration from one of the Netherland's most celebrated artists, Vincent van Gogh, in this year's Tulipmania Inspired. Be enthralled as Flower Dome transforms into a floral gallery where Van Gogh's self-portrait and famed art piece "The Starry Night" come to life with the vivid hues of tulips. More than 100 varieties of tulips and hyacinths - including Darwin hybrid tulips often appreciated for their large blooms - will be on display in a palette of colours.

Enter the Cloud Forest, a mysterious world veiled in mist. Take in breath-taking mountain views surrounded by diverse vegetation and hidden floral gems. And learn about rare plants and their fast-disappearing environment. Entirely different from the Flower Dome, the Cloud Forest showcases plant life from tropical highlands up to 2,000 metres above sea level. It features a 35-metre-tall mountain covered in lush vegetation, shrouding the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Take the lift to the top of the mountaintop to discover the unique biodiversity and geology of cloud forests, and then take a stroll along a walkway in the clouds for an aerial view of the canopy and mountainside below. High in the tropical mountains, plants absorb the refreshing mist and abundant rainfall, releasing the water gradually to create a constant, long-lasting supply for the land beneath them to support even more plants!

Gardens by the Bay Singapore

There’s nothing quite like a stroll along the OCBC Skyway. At a height of 22 metres and surrounded by panoramic vistas of the Gardens and Marina Bay skyline, this 128-metre-long aerial walkway is an experience not to be missed. Sitting 22 metres above ground, the OCBC Skyway at the Supertree Grove lets you get an up-close look at the technical marvels of the Gardens’ futuristic Supertrees. During the day, a stroll along this 128-metre-long aerial walkway presents glorious photo-taking opportunities to capture the scenic beauty of the surrounding flora. And as dusk falls, the captivating Marina Bay skyline emerges and the entire area comes alive during the twice-daily Garden Rhapsody light and sound show. When night falls, be enchanted as the vertical gardens come alive with a mesmerising Garden Rhapsody light and sound show. OCBC Skyway was constructed to give visitors the unique sensation of floating above the ground.

Measuring between 25 and 50 metres tall, these iconic tree-like vertical gardens are designed with large canopies that provide shade in the day and come alive with an exhilarating display of light and sound at night. Of the 18 Supertrees in Gardens by the Bay, 12 of them can be found here at Supertree Grove, with the tallest one measuring up to 16 storeys in height. Make a trip to the top of one of these iconic Supertrees and be awed by splendid views of the Gardens and the surrounding Marina Bay area. Or, stroll along the 22-metre-high OCBC Skyway, a 128-metre aerial walkway that connects two of the Supertrees, and see the Gardens from a different point of view. Watch the Supertrees come alive at night with a dazzling display of lights bursting across the sky. 11 of the Supertrees are embedded with environmentally sustainable functions like photovoltaic cells to harvest solar energy.

Have a fun-filled family day with interactive play delights, water play features and educational programmes in a lush natural setting at Far East Organization Children’s Garden. With play equipment, such as a sway bridge and stepping springs, and the Fish Fountain with an interactive landscape of water tunnels and fish sculptures, it’s perfect for toddlers to clamber and play around. Let your children have a splashing good time with our water play features. Step into a picturesque world where beautiful pavilions, lush wide-open lawns and elegant palm trees await. With glorious views of the Marina Bay skyline, Bay East Garden offers scenic tranquility in the city.

Bay East Garden, the second largest of the three gardens, offers a tranquil respite from the bustling city and a stunning view of the Singapore skyline even as it unfolds over the next century. This green space is open to the public and has immense potential for future development as a waterfront garden. Set amidst beautiful pavilions, wide open lawns, and amazing views of the iconic Conservatories and Supertrees against the Marina skyline, Bay East Garden welcomes you to immerse yourself in picturesque serenity. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it’s the perfect place to chill out with a good book, enjoy a quiet stroll, have a family picnic or practise your photography skills.

The Gardens seeks to promote community bonding amidst nature in an urban landscape. The 32-hectare Bay East Garden is a green canvas that Singaporeans have embraced - the peaceful expanse is popular on weekday evenings with runners who go for a post-work job, and families which gather for a relaxing time over weekends. With the development of the Thomson-East Coast MRT line underway, Bay East Garden will be accessible from almost every corner of Singapore. A pedestrian bridge linking Bay East to the bustling Marina Centre is also in the works.

Gardens by the Bay Singapore

A visual treat rich with aquatic life, Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes invite you to dive below the surface of the lakes and discover the fascinating aquatic ecosystem of this area. Immerse in the fascinating world that exists below the surface of Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes. More than a scenic treat, the lakes are a rich source of aquatic life from fish to plants. These plants play a vital role in maintaining the right amount of nutrients in the lake by absorbing excess nitrogen and phosphorus. They help ensure better water quality by acting as a natural eco-filter and strategically located aquatic reeds also act as filter beds. The beautiful dragonflies can be a little hard to spot as they fly amidst the plants and lakes. Head over to the binoculars for a close-up view! The 440-metre boardwalk along the Dragonfly Lake is one of the many secret gems and a fantastic photographic spot.

Learn about Singapore's diverse history and culture, told through the fascinating story of plants in the Heritage Gardens. Walk around the four themed gardens and discover how plants are intricately linked to Singapore's culture. A collection of four themed gardens, the Heritage Gardens will take you through the history and culture of Singapore’s three main ethnic groups and colonial past, through the fascinating story of plants. Explore the Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Colonial Gardens and learn how plants are intricately linked to the culture of each group. Try to check out the decorative motifs on the blue fence surrounding the Indian garden. They depict fantasies of the supposed natural origins of certain animals from plants, based on the book, Night Life of Trees. The Indian Garden is laid out in the shape of a traditional folk art floral motif design known as Kolam.

Discover something new around every corner at the World of Plants. Venture into this realm of lush greenery and learn all about the spectacular myriad of tropical plants and the systems these plants support. There’s a fascinating world waiting to be explored at the World of Plants. Find out how plants disperse their seeds, how mushrooms benefit rainforest communities and how plants adapt to adverse environments. Enjoy the sights of flowers and fruits in bloom, learn how to identify different tree species and even see some of the most primitive plants in the world! Tree leaves and flowers may be out of reach but if you want to find out the name of a plant, the texture of its bark may hold important clues. Cycads are amongst the oldest evolved plants in the world and evolved hundreds of millions of years ago!

Bigger, «boulder» and more beautiful. Here’s your opportunity to discover The Canyon, the Gardens’ newest attraction featuring the largest collection of sculptural rocks along a 400-metre-long dragon-shaped trail. Under the masterful direction of established landscape architect Jun-ichi Inada, The Canyon brings together more than 60 one-of-a-kind ancient rock forms sourced from Shandong, China. Be in awe of the rocks’ naturally intriguing shapes and imposing sizes which stand out against the surrounding backdrop of the Cooled Conservatories. Adding to the exotic appeal are 200 plant species unique to arid regions, as well as four mystical sculptures in the form of a giant dragonfly, a metal dragon and two Chinese totems. 

Sporting narrow, powder-blue leaves that eventually form a skirt of withered leaves around its stem, the Beaked Yucca is often trimmed at the skirt for a more manicured look. Its tall inflorescence bears cream-white flowers with buds that resemble a beak, thus giving it its name. nDragonflies are naturally drawn to healthy ecosystems. Similarly, this giant dragonfly crafted from salvaged metal is a symbol of Gardens by the Bay and represents the Gardens’ environmental sustainability efforts. Designed by Italian sculptor Simone Belotti, this sculpture is a donation from Ms Juanita Foo.

Take a walk through the Sun Pavilion and marvel at the amazing desert-like landscapes. With over 1,000 desert plants comprising some 100 different species and varieties, the Sun Pavilion is nothing short of extraordinary. These spectacular plants are capable of surviving for months without rain. The ribs running down their bulky trunks adapt to survive in dry climates, allowing them to expand and contract in accordance to their water absoption needs. Cacti are mostly from the Americas, while succulent Euphorbias come from Africa and Madagascar.

Gardens by the Bay Singapore

Gardens by the Bay is home to more than 40 sculptures from around the world. Featuring unique pieces, intriguing crafts and stone works, these sculptures complement the beauty of the plant displays and add a new dimension to the landscape. A gift from Audemars Piguet on the occasion of Singapore's 50th anniversary, this seven-metre-wide Floral Clock draws inspiration from the signature characteristics of Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak collection and fuses traditional and contemporary landscaping elements in its design. Featuring tropical plants with coloured foliage and flowers, its plant palette will be refreshed regularly for the public to enjoy.

Cleverly crafted from the polished and varnished Lychee roots, this commanding eagle is supported by a plain Lychee tree stump. The eagle has a reputation as a fierce hunter in the sky and its name also resembles the Chinese word for “hero”. The eagle surveys the Flower Dome from its vantage point, where it overlooks the changing display of the Flower Field and the Mediterranean Garden. Sited at the Arrival Square of the Gardens, this strong bronze cast bull sculpture by renowned American sculptor Walter Matia (b. 1953) displays a vigour that aptly depicts Singapore’s bullish economy. The artist’s passion about natural history serves as an inspiration to his impressive pieces. In his own words, he uses his visual experience to represent nature, rather than documenting it, by “selecting shapes and organising the masses, lines and negative spaces into sculpture”.

Wonderfully captured by contemporary Australian artist Will Wilson, a bronze cast of an oversized snail stands among the beds of multi-coloured of begonias growing in the shady and humid Secret Garden. Nearby, several limestone snails by Wang Rong Hai from Xiamen, dot the landscape and provide company for the giant bronze snail. Climbing all over our “peek-a-boo” trees made from the hollow trunks of Toog Trees (Bishofia javanica), these curious ants seem to be hard at work and are a favourite with our young visitors. The pieces were designed and sited by renowned local artist, Eng Siak Loy. Those larger-than-life wildlife sculptures are amongst the many which are dotted around the Gardens, to stimulate our curiosity and help us reconnect our urbanized lifestyle with nature.

A landmark feature within the tranquil Dragonfly Lake, these magnificent giant dragonflies sculptures with casts of children riding on their backs, measure 5m by 6m. The laser-cut meshed pattern used on the wings of the dragonflies encases colourful art glass, which gives an overall fascinating abstract effect. The eyes of the dragonflies, blue in one sculpture, red in the other, are made of mouth-blown glass flecked with gold. A touch of human warmth amongst our grandiose garden, the sculpture of the child riders is an ode to the joys of childhood.

Comprising two kingfisher sculptures in a perching stance and one in a flight position, the Trio of Kingfishers is given pride of place at the Kingfisher Lake, one of the more tranquil and relaxing spots in the Gardens. These large, impressive kingfisher sculptures are not only location markers but a sight to behold as their metallic feathers catch the changing light on the lake surface. The sightings of nine species of kingfishers have been recorded in Singapore. Some of them, such as the White-throated Kingfisher and the Collared Kingfisher are a familiar and welcome sight at the Gardens.

Gardens by the Bay Singapore

You will encounter a modern piece of sculpture as you depart the Chinese garden and walk towards the Malay Garden. Named Diaspora, or li xiang, which means “to leave one’s native place”, this two-piece sculpture pays homage to early Chinese immigrants who had journeyed to Singapore in search of a better life. The first piece with a hollow centre, shaped in front of a pond which represents the ocean, while the second cut-out human figure is placed nearer the Malay Garden. The two pairs of guardian lions placed to welcome visitors at both ends of the Supertree Grove are a prime example of traditional Chinese sculpture.

Chinese guardian lions are always presented in pairs, with the male on the right, with its right paw playing with a ball that represents “power” and the female on the left, with a cub under her left paw, which symbolizes the cycle of life. According to the Taoist philosophy, the paired lions are also a representation of yin (female) and yang (male), which are the two contrasting and fundamental elements of the “Way”. While the male lion guards the entrance, the female lion protects the interior of the dwelling. A hefty seven tons, this impressive bronze sculpture is 9m long and 3m tall. It portrays an oversized reproduction of the artist’s own son, Lucas, as a baby. The sculpture’s weight is masterfully balanced on the infant’s right hand, creating the illusion that the sculpture is floating in the air.

Created in 2008, the sculpture was exhibited for the first time at the Beyond Limits exhibition of contemporary sculpture at Chatsworth House, then later at the 2012 The Littoral Zone, at the Musee Oceanographic in Monaco. ‘La Famille de voyageurs’ (A travelling family) depicts a family visiting Gardens by the Bay before heading home. As they depart Singapore, they take with them beautiful memories and leave a part of themselves behind. Inspired by the universal theme of travel, French sculptor Bruno Catalano’s eye-catching works, with their dashed bodies and the deliberate lack of volume, invite the viewer to mentally reconstruct the possibility of the human potential.

18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
+65 6420 6848
www.gardensbythebay.com.sg