Garden by the Bay
Singapore
The Genesis of a Green Revolution
The story of Gardens by the Bay began in 2005, when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced a bold plan to create a premier outdoor recreation space that would enhance the quality of life for residents while establishing a world-class tourist attraction. The project was built on reclaimed land in the Marina Bay area, a feat of engineering that transformed a barren coastline into a lush, thriving ecosystem.
The master plan was the result of an international design competition that drew over 170 entries from 24 countries. Two British firms—Grant Associates and WilkinsonEyre—were ultimately selected to lead the design of the main gardens and conservatories. Their vision was inspired by the form of an orchid, Singapore’s national flower, symbolizing the beauty, resilience, and interconnectedness of nature.
Today, the site is divided into three distinct waterfront gardens:
Bay South Garden: The largest and most famous, home to the iconic Supertrees and conservatories.
Bay East Garden: A tranquil retreat offering 2 kilometers of promenade with unobstructed views of the city skyline.
Bay Central Garden: A developing link that will eventually connect the other two gardens, providing a seamless 3-kilometer waterfront walk.
Architectural Marvels: The Cooled Conservatories
At the edge of the Marina Reservoir stand two massive glass structures that resemble giant, shimmering shells. These are the Cooled Conservatories—the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest. Designed by WilkinsonEyre, these domes are marvels of sustainable engineering, utilizing cutting-edge glass technology and cooling systems to maintain precise environments for plants that would otherwise perish in Singapore’s tropical humidity.
The Flower Dome: A World of Perpetual Spring
As the largest glass greenhouse in the world—a title recognized by the Guinness World Records—the Flower Dome spans 1.2 hectares. Unlike the humid heat outside, the air inside is kept cool and dry, mimicking a Mediterranean climate.
Visitors wander through eight themed gardens that showcase flora from five continents. From the ancient, bulbous Baobabs of Africa to the vibrant Succulent Garden and the fragrant Olive Grove, the dome is a celebration of biodiversity. The centerpiece is the Flower Field, a large display area that undergoes spectacular transformations throughout the year to celebrate seasons and festivals, such as the famous Sakura (Cherry Blossom) display in the spring and the Tulipmania event.
The Cloud Forest: A Misty Mountain Escape
Stepping into the Cloud Forest is akin to entering a prehistoric world. The air is cool and moist, maintained at a humidity level of 80% to 90%. Upon entry, visitors are greeted by a thunderous 35-meter-tall indoor waterfall—one of the world's tallest—cascading down the side of a lush, man-made mountain.
The Cloud Mountain is clad in epiphytes, orchids, ferns, and carnivorous pitcher plants typical of tropical montane regions found between 1,000 and 3,500 meters above sea level. An elevator whisks visitors to the summit, known as the Lost World, from which they descend via two spiraling walkways: the Cloud Walk and the Tree Top Walk. These paths offer breathtaking views of the "mountain" and the Marina Bay waterfront, allowing for an intimate look at the delicate mosses and rare plants that cling to the vertical surfaces.
The Supertree Grove: Living Skyscrapers
Perhaps the most recognizable feature of the Singaporean landscape is the Supertree Grove. These 18 tree-like structures, ranging from 25 to 50 meters in height, are vertical gardens that perform a multitude of roles.
Designed by Grant Associates, the Supertrees are composed of concrete cores, steel frames, and "skins" planted with over 150,000 plants representing more than 200 species. These include orchids, bromeliads, and tropical climbers that create a tapestry of color and texture against the sky.
Engineering Meets Ecology
Beyond their visual impact, the Supertrees are "environmental engines." Eleven of them are fitted with environmentally sustainable features:
Solar Power: Photovoltaic cells harvest solar energy to power the lighting of the trees.
Water Collection: Their funnel-shaped canopies collect rainwater for irrigation and fountain displays.
Cooling Systems: Some serve as air exhaust receptacles for the conservatories, venting waste heat in a mimicry of natural transpiration.
The OCBC Skyway and Supertree Observatory
For those seeking a bird’s-eye view, the OCBC Skyway—a 128-meter long aerial walkway suspended 22 meters above the ground—links two of the largest Supertrees. Walking across the skyway provides a unique perspective of the gardens' intricate layout and the surrounding Marina Bay Sands.
The tallest Supertree houses the Supertree Observatory, which offers 360-degree panoramic views from its open-air rooftop deck, making it one of the most popular photography spots in the city.
Garden Rhapsody: A Symphony of Light
As day turns to night, the Supertree Grove undergoes a magical transformation. The Garden Rhapsody light and sound show is a nightly spectacle that brings the structures to life. Choreographed to a rotating playlist of musical themes—ranging from classic film scores to traditional folk songs—the Supertrees twinkle and glow in a dizzying array of colors.
The show is free to the public and occurs twice daily, usually at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM. It is a sensory experience that feels both futuristic and organic, reinforcing the gardens' theme of harmony between technology and nature.
Hidden Gems and Outdoor Themed Gardens
While the domes and Supertrees draw the most attention, the outdoor gardens offer a wealth of cultural and ecological knowledge across 54 hectares of Bay South.
The Heritage Gardens
A collection of four themed gardens, the Heritage Gardens tell the story of Singapore’s history and diverse ethnic groups through the plants they brought with them:
Indian Garden: Designed in the shape of a traditional kolam, featuring floral motifs and plants used in sacred rituals.
Chinese Garden: Highlighting the significance of water, rocks, and symbolic plants like bamboo.
Malay Garden: Showcasing the traditional "kampung" (village) life with fruit trees and medicinal herbs.
Colonial Garden: Focusing on the cash crops—such as rubber, nutmeg, and cloves—that shaped Singapore's early economy.
World of Plants
This area is a botanical "edutainment" zone where visitors can learn about the diversity of tropical plant life. Highlights include the Web of Life, which explores the relationships between plants and animals, and The Canyon, which features the world's largest collection of sculptural rocks and ancient gymnosperms.
Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes
These two man-made lakes are more than just scenic water features; they are a vital part of the gardens' sustainable water cycle. The lakes act as a natural filtration system, using aquatic plants to cleanse stormwater runoff before it enters the Marina Reservoir. They also provide a habitat for local wildlife, including dragonflies, migratory birds, and the occasional family of smooth-coated otters.