One of the most breathtaking attractions in Singapore is the Gardens by the Bay, known for its domes and Supertrees. This stunning indoor forest captures the imagination of every traveller who comes to see it. An architectural marvel, the Flower Dome holds a Guinness World Record for the largest greenhouse in the world.

Gardens by the Bay - Image by Tien Tran from Pixabay

Here are the top ways to explore these stunning locations:

Tourists can reach the Gardens by the Bay by car, bus or train (MRT). If you’re taking the MRT, head to the Circle or Downtown lines and get off at Bayfront Station. You could also take the East-coast MRT lines and get off at Gardens by the Bay Station.

It is just a short distance away from many attractions, and can be accessed on foot. Cross the connecting Lions Bridge in the hotel which is open from 8 am – 11 pm daily. You could also make your way from the ArtScience Museum, walk under the Helix Bridge and keep going forward. Accommodation can be found in an apartment hotel in Singapore located close to these attractions such as The Robertson House by The Crest Collection.

Gardens by the Bay is usually open every day from 5 am – 2 am, and the conservatories and OCBC Skyway are open daily from 9 am – 9 pm.

Before you start exploring the gardens, make sure to grab a map from the Visitors' Centre, located just opposite the ticketing booth. This will help you navigate this massive conservatory and find your way to the top places to see. The main highlights are the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, unique in their design, with futuristic structures merged with nature. The Cloud Forest Dome and Flower Dome house over 800 species of plants.

The Cloud Forest Dome has an array of plants from the tropics found in East Asia and Central and South America, including many carnivorous varieties. It has a cool interior, modelled after tropical forests situated in regions 1000 - 3000 metres above sea level. An elevator ride will take you to the top once you’re inside the dome. When you make your way along the cloud walk or treetop walk, you can view the incredible 35-metre-tall waterfall which gushes down a wall carpeted with thick foliage. It also has a 42-metre cloud mountain and stalagmites and stalactites.

The Flower Dome is made up of nine smaller gardens, and houses plants that thrive mainly in Mediterranean and semi-arid regions. From the unique Baobabs to ancient olive trees and succulents, it is like taking a journey to the gardens of southern Europe. The climate is also reminiscent of the Mediterranean. Another beautiful section is the Flower Field. Depending on the time of the year, different flowers are in bloom, representing various themed festivals from the Chinese New Year to hanami, or cherry blossom season.

The Supertree grove in Singapore is an iconic sight, reminiscent of the forests from the movie Avatar. It consists of 18 steel and concrete structures which are 16 storeys tall, and adorned with 162,900 plants. They are not only visually appealing but also serve important functions in the Gardens. 11 of the Supertrees can harvest solar energy, while others act as a chimney stack or air exhaust for the conservatories. The OCBC Skyway offers a great way to experience the Supertrees and the gardens. This walkway connects 6 supertrees and provides panoramic views of the trees and the surrounding area. One of the trees also has a restaurant and rooftop bar where you can stop for a meal.