The Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore aims to become the greenest metropolis in the world. The Gardens by the Bay park, opened in 2012, impressively demonstrates that this interplay between skyscrapers and nature can be achieved.
As early as 1971, land reclamation work began in Marina Bay, Singapore. In September 2006, following an international tender, two architectural firms from England were awarded the contract for their design. On part of the land reclaimed from the sea, the 101-hectare park was opened in 2012. Gardens by the Bay opened.
We arrived at the park's main entrance in our small tour bus. It is located on the southeastern edge of... Gardens by the Bay. Here you'll also find the visitor center, should you need further information and tips. However, if you're arriving by public transport, you'll need to get off at the Bayfront MRT station. This is located beneath the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
The central point of the park is the Supertree Grove (German: group of trees). Various gardens are laid out around this group. We walked around it clockwise, passing through, for example, the Chinese, Indian, and Malaysian gardens. Everything is beautifully designed, and the variety of exotic flowers and trees in the park is unique. In total, we spent about an hour in the different gardens. For these, you need to... Gardens by the Bay No entrance fee is charged. An entrance fee is only charged for the two large greenhouses and the OCBC Skyway in the Supertree Grove required.
Gardens by the Bay – Supertree Grove
The artificial trees are the centerpiece of the park. Gardens by the Bay.The steel and concrete structures "grow" up to 50 meters high and are planted with various types of vegetation. But this group of trees is not only a visual highlight. It also collects rainwater, generates electricity via a solar array, and powers part of the cooling system for the two greenhouses. The electricity generated is sufficient, for example, for the nightly light show "Garden Rhapsody" (daily at 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.).
At a height of 22 meters, the OCBC Skyway A kind of treetop walkway has been installed. It's open from 9 am to 9 pm and costs 8 SGD (approx. 5 EUR). The 128-meter-long, level walkway is said to offer fantastic panoramic views of the entire area. However, it's important to note that only a limited number of people are allowed on the steel cable structure at any one time. During peak times, like during our visit, you should expect longer waiting times. There's also a bar/restaurant called IndoChine in the crown of the tallest "supertree." You can find more information, such as opening hours and special offers, on the website. Website.
Gardens by the Bay – Flower Dome
My first impression upon entering the Flower Dome, The pleasant and cool indoor temperature was a major plus. It consistently stays between 23° and 25°C, almost ten degrees below the outside temperature. This constant temperature range is crucial for the optimal growth conditions of the over 120 million different plants. A large proportion of these plants originate from Italy, Spain, South Africa, or California. In the central section, which covers 1.2 hectares... Flower Dome, A changing exhibition takes place every three months. During my last visit in July 2016, orchids of all colors and shapes were on display. The variety was truly unique. However, Europeans shouldn't expect too many "new" varieties. The selection of plants was geared more towards an audience from the Asian/tropical region.
Even if you're not particularly interested in plants, a visit to the conservatory is recommended from an architectural point of view. For example, the Flower Dome Listed in the Guinness Book of Records in 2015 as the world's largest greenhouse. Breathtaking, considering that the outer shell is made of steel and 3,332 glass panels, without any load-bearing supports inside.
Gardens by the Bay – Cloud Forest
I personally found the [missing information] to be much more spectacular. Cloud Forest (German: Nebelwald). At 0.8 hectares, this one is somewhat smaller than the Flower Dome, but its design is no less interesting. Right at the entrance, I stood before a 35-meter-high mountain with a waterfall cascading down it. I then took an elevator to the sixth floor. From there, it was just one more flight of stairs up to the "summit." The descent involved several suspension bridges that wound their way around the mountain. All around me, I kept discovering different plants, ferns, and mosses. Impressive!
The entrance fee for both greenhouses together is 28 SGD (approx. 18 EUR). They are open daily from 9 am to 9 pm.
Satay by the Bay
Past the two large glass domes, an asphalt path led us directly along Marina Bay. Our walk eastward took us a few meters to the... Satay by the Bay Over. Inside this pavilion are small stalls offering all sorts of different food. Overall, it resembles the old market hall. Lau Pa Sat, only it Satay by the Bay significantly smaller.
We chose delicious satay skewers from the extensive selection. They come with chicken, beef, or king prawns – you can mix and match as you like. They're served with a slightly spicy peanut sauce and traditional sides like onions and cucumber. They were delicious! In short, a visit to the pavilion was a must. Satay by the Bay And we highly recommend trying the satay skewers during your trip to Singapore. You can find the opening hours on the official website.
Tips and information for Singapore
How do you get there?
Singapore Airlines* Flies 24 times a week from Germany (Frankfurt 14 times, Munich 7 times & Düsseldorf 3 times) nonstop to Singapore. The route from Düsseldorf is operated with the new Airbus A350. The airline also offers... Lufthansa* a daily direct connection from Frankfurt.
Where are good places to stay?
The selection of hotels in Singapore is enormous; there are over forty 5-star hotels alone. In the luxurious The Ritz-Carlton Millenia at Marina Bay (Hotel review), for example, a room costs from 340 euros per night. However, those who want to stay a little cheaper will certainly find it through booking portals such as Agoda* or Booking.com* Transit passengers from Singapore Airlines* can stay as part of the “Singapore Stopover Holiday” program from 28 euros per person in a double room (including airport transfer).
How do you get around?
Singapore has a very well-developed public transport network. Traveling by modern subway (MRT) or bus is inexpensive and reliable. Furthermore, a large number of taxis are available around the clock. It's important to note that in addition to the fare (measured by meter), road tolls (ERP – Electronic Road Pricing) are also charged. Rental cars are, of course, also available. However, we would advise against them, and not only because of driving on the left.
What do I need to enter the country?
To enter Singapore, German citizens only need a passport that is valid for at least six months. Upon entry, they will receive a residence permit for up to 90 days. Children require their own identification documents. Further information, particularly regarding the strict customs regulations, can be found on the information page of the Federal Foreign Office.
What about security?
Singapore is considered one of the safest metropolises in Asia. The city-state consistently combats crime of all kinds, even seemingly minor offenses such as littering. Furthermore, the usual precautions against petty crime should be observed.
Which travel guide for Singapore can you recommend?
  | For the perfect city break to Singapore, we recommend you this travel guide*. Here you will find not only a detailed city map, but also plenty of information about all the important sights. |
Participation in the trip was sponsored by Singapore Airlines and the Singapore Tourism Board. Once again, we would like to thank you for your cooperation and support. This article represents our free and independent opinion. Further information on independence can be found under Cooperation.
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Hi, could you tell me how long it takes to visit Gardens by the Bay? I'd like to go into both domes and take a long walk through the park. Is a whole day too much?
Hello Tanja,
Well, that depends a lot on the waiting times in front of the domes. I would plan about 45-60 minutes per dome. Half a day should be sufficient overall.
Greetings and have fun in Singapore!