Gardens by the Bay

Introduction:

Gardens by the Bay is a top-rated tourist attraction in Singapore, spanning 105 hectares (260 acres) beside Marina Reservoir. This iconic urban park features three stunning waterfront gardens: Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden, and Bay Central Garden. The largest, Bay South Garden at 54 hectares (130 acres), was designed by Grant Associates and is home to the Flower Dome, the world’s largest glass greenhouse.

Announced in 2005 by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Gardens by the Bay was part of Singapore’s vision to evolve from a “Garden City” to a “City in a Garden.” This transformation aimed to enhance city life with lush greenery and world-class outdoor spaces.

Recognized globally, the park welcomed 6.4 million visitors in 2014, 20 million by 2015, and over 50 million by 2018. In 2024, it was ranked the best attraction in Asia and the eighth-best in the world by TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards Best of the Best.

Flower Dome

The Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay is the world’s largest greenhouse, recognized by the 2015 Guinness Book of World Records. Covering 1.2 hectares (3.0 acres), it simulates a cool-dry Mediterranean climate. The Flower Dome includes a dynamic flower field and eight themed gardens: The Baobabs, Succulent Garden, Australian Garden, South African Garden, South American Garden, Olive Grove, California Garden, and the Mediterranean Garden. These gardens display exotic plants and vibrant flowers from Mediterranean and semi-arid regions across five continents. A must-visit attraction in Singapore, the Flower Dome blends global botany, garden design, and climate-controlled technology in one iconic space.

Bay Central Garden

Bay Central Garden connects Bay South and Bay East Gardens in Singapore. Covering 15 hectares (37 acres), it features a 3-kilometre (1.9 mi) waterfront promenade offering scenic city-to-east Singapore walks. This picturesque garden is perfect for nature lovers seeking relaxing outdoor experiences and panoramic skyline views in Singapore.

Bay East Garden

Bay East Garden, spanning 32 hectares (79 acres), is a key waterfront attraction in Singapore, featuring a 2-kilometre (1.2 mi) promenade along Marina Reservoir. Initially developed as an interim park to support the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics, Bay East Garden’s first phase opened to the public in October 2011, offering alternative access to the popular Marina Barrage.
This scenic garden is uniquely designed as a collection of large, tropical leaf-shaped spaces, each showcasing distinct landscaping styles, characters, and themes. The layout includes five water inlets aligned with the prevailing wind direction, optimizing natural cooling by allowing water and wind to circulate throughout the area.
Bay East Garden is a favorite spot for walking, jogging, and relaxing, thanks to its panoramic, unobstructed views of Singapore’s city skyline. Its peaceful environment and waterfront setting make it a must-visit destination for tourists and locals alike.
Future developments at Bay East Garden will focus on the theme of water, enhancing its role as a tranquil escape within Singapore’s urban landscape. In 2018, it was announced as the future location of the Founders’ Memorial, a national landmark dedicated to honoring Singapore’s founding leaders.
As part of the Gardens by the Bay network, Bay East Garden continues to draw visitors looking for green spaces, waterfront views, and outdoor experiences in Singapore. With its prime location, thoughtful design, and cultural significance, Bay East Garden plays a vital role in the city’s effort to blend nature, heritage, and recreation in one destination.

Supertree Grove

The Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay are 18 iconic vertical structures that define Singapore’s skyline. Towering between 25 metres (82 ft) and 50 metres (160 ft), these futuristic tree-like designs were conceptualized by Grant Associates, with engineering contributions from Atelier One and Atelier Ten. These towering structures function as vertical gardens, performing key ecological roles such as shading, air circulation, and supporting plant life.
Each Supertree hosts a diverse range of exotic plant species including ferns, orchids, vines, and bromeliads like Neoregelia and Tillandsia. These structures are also embedded with green technologies that replicate the functions of real trees. Photovoltaic cells installed on selected Supertrees generate solar energy used for lighting, mimicking photosynthesis. They also collect rainwater, which is used for irrigation and fountain operations, while playing a role in the cooling systems of the conservatories through air intake and exhaust functions.
The OCBC Skyway connects two of the larger Supertrees, providing visitors with stunning panoramic views of the Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay skyline. Every evening at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM, the Supertree Grove transforms into a dazzling spectacle through the Garden Rhapsody light and sound show. Themed music, including scores from popular films like The Little Mermaid and Pinocchio, accompanies the lights, creating a magical experience.
Opened on 27 December 2019, the Supertree Observatory is housed in the tallest Supertree. It includes three levels: a ground floor, an Observatory Space with digital exhibits on climate change, and an Open-Air Rooftop Deck offering breathtaking 360-degree views of Singapore’s cityscape.
A structure similar in design, Italy’s Pavilion at Expo 2015 featured the Albero Della Vita or “Tree of Life”, which visually resembles Singapore’s Supertrees. However, Singapore’s Supertrees remain unmatched as a sustainable architectural wonder and a must-visit attraction for eco-tourism, innovation, and iconic skyline views in Southeast Asia.
Perfect for nature lovers, families, and tourists alike, the Supertrees are a top-ranked Singapore attraction on Google, TripAdvisor, and global travel guides—showcasing the best of garden artistry, vertical greenery, and environmental design in the heart of Singapore.

Bay South Garden

Bay South Garden, the largest of the three Gardens by the Bay, spans 54 hectares (130 acres) and officially opened on 29 June 2012. This iconic garden showcases the finest tropical horticulture and innovative garden artistry in Singapore.
Designed by Grant Associates, its master plan draws inspiration from the orchid, a symbol of the tropics and Singapore’s national flower, the Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’. The design reflects an orchid’s structure: the conservatories represent the roots at the waterfront, landforms as leaves, paths and linkways as shoots, and utility lines as secondary roots. At key intersections, theme gardens and Supertrees bloom, completing the concept.
Bay South Garden stands as a leading outdoor destination in Singapore, offering lush landscapes, world-famous conservatories, and the iconic Supertree Grove. This garden highlights sustainable design, tropical biodiversity, and visual beauty, making it a must-visit location for travelers exploring nature, attractions, and eco-friendly tourism in Singapore’s urban heart.

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