Gardens by the Bay

The first time I went to Singapore back in 2012, Gardens by the Bay was just about to open to the public. I have no idea there’s a budding nature space in this corporate city. After five years, I went back and visited one of the most talked about and most photographed nature parks in the world.

Nestled in the center of the bustling concrete jungle of Singapore, this sprawling garden spans 101 hectares of reclaimed land and is free to enjoy by everyone. Can you imagine how wonderful it is to spend a day at a nature park for free? And it’s not just any park, but Gardens was a work of art by “skilled landscape designers, horticulturists, arborists, engineers, plant health, garden and turf management experts, as well as plant research and orchid breeding professionals.”

The most convenient way to get into the Gardens is by taxi or Grab, but it is only financially ideal if you’re going there in a group of four. But if you don’t mind the long walk from Bayfront MRT station (about 12-15 minutes), you can still reach the gorgeous park without spending too much cost on transportation.


I guess the most striking feature of Gardens by the Bay are the Supertrees. These are towering tree-like structures located at the Supertree Grove section and these have the height of 25 to 50 meters. Aside from their aesthetic appearance, these giant trees have useful functions such as structures to house ferns and orchids, provide light at night, and used as irrigation systems.

Going around the garden is free. However, if you want to see an aerial view of the place in an elevated walkway in between the two larger Supertrees, you must access the OCBC Skyway for a fee (SGD 8 for adults). The Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest are also part of the Gardens, but access to both attractions requires a ticket (SGD 28).

What else can you see here? They have lakes, sculptures, and areas for kids to play. If you appreciate plants and flowers, or if you enjoy walking around, or if you simply want to relax under the nature’s shade, you’ll enjoy the rest of your day at Gardens by the Bay. Although it’s a massive walking space, there are plenty of benches for you to sit on so you can read a book, listen to music, people watch, or just contemplate about life.

Other than the flora, what I like about this massive park is that it’s a favorable place to take a photo of the country’s popular attractions, such as the Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer. You’ll find plenty of spots to take those IG-worthy photos without having other tourists blocking the view. The garden has a waterfront sight as well, which presents a different scenery whether you visit in the morning, afternoon, or late at night.

What I like to do next time is to bike around the entire area. There are several bike-sharing services in Singapore where you can use a bike with an app on your phone, scan the QR code, and use the bicycle wherever your journey is. It’s one way of exploring the garden while you enjoy another activity at the same time.

What’s the best time to visit Gardens by the Bay? I suggest late in the afternoon and on a weekday where there are few people. You can enjoy the scenery without too many distractions. Then by 7:45 and 8:45 at night, the daily lights and sound show called the Garden Rhapsody happens at the Supertree Grove area. I’ve watched it once and I can say it’s worth 15 minutes of your time: high quality sound system and lights choreographed so perfectly. Best part of all, the show is free.