{"id":2232,"date":"2014-02-06T18:54:22","date_gmt":"2014-02-06T23:54:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/southerntravelgirl\/?p=2232"},"modified":"2016-02-14T11:19:18","modified_gmt":"2016-02-14T16:19:18","slug":"singapore-botanic-gardens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/carolinatravelgirl\/2014\/02\/06\/singapore-botanic-gardens\/","title":{"rendered":"Singapore Botanic Gardens – the Jewel of Singapore"},"content":{"rendered":"

Singapore Botanic Gardens and the National Orchid\u00a0Garden\"Tanglin<\/a><\/h1>\n

The first time I visited Singapore was last year in February, typically the rainy season in that part of the world. I was only in Singapore for two days and was blessed both days with heavy rains.\u00a0 In spite of that I managed to squeeze in a quick trip to the National Orchid Garden at the Singapore Botanic Garden.\u00a0 I promised myself that on a return trip I would return to the gardens and explore to my heart\u2019s content. I got that chance this year when I returned to Singapore for the FlyerTalk SIN Do<\/a> in January. I arrived two days early for the Do and headed to the Garden on my second day there.\u00a0 With no particular plan in mind, I spent a delightful four and a half hours exploring this jewel of Singapore.<\/p>\n

\"Swiss<\/a>

Swiss Granite Ball<\/p><\/div>\n

Location<\/b> Located in the city in the Tanglin area, the Garden is easily accessed by public transport (bus) or by taxi.\u00a0 I chose to have a taxi drop me off at the Botany Centre gate on Cluny Road and took a bus back to Orchard Road at the end of my visit.\"Signposts<\/a><\/p>\n

Background <\/b>\u00a0\u00a0Covering over 74 hectares (approximately 185 acres) of land, the Singapore Botanic Gardens was the idea of Sir Stamford Raffles who wanted to use the botanic gardens to explore the cultivation and sustainability of nutmeg and clove as cash crops.\u00a0 \u00a0Because of the size of the Garden, it became too expensive to maintain and was abandoned asSingapore\u2019s cash crop shifted to rubber. The Gardens were re-established in 1859 by the Agri-Horticultural Society. Today, the Botanic Gardens is managed \u00a0by the Singaporean government, National Parks. \u00a0Known as the \u2018People\u2019s Garden\u2019 it is a popular place for both Singaporeans and tourists to visit for recreation, sport, education, weddings, and cultural activities.<\/p>\n

\"Young<\/a>

Young Photography Students at Work<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Wedding<\/a>

Wedding Photoshoot at the Gardens<\/p><\/div>\n

Awards<\/b> In 2008 the Singapore National Botanic Garden received Time Magazine\u2019s award as \u2018Asia\u2019s Best Urban Jungle\u2019 as well as Three Stars in the Michelin Green Guide. \u00a0\u00a0In 2014, Singapore put in a bid for the Botanic Garden\u2019s nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The application detailed the Gardens\u2019 historical, economic and socio-cultural importance in the world as well as Singapore.<\/p>\n

There are several learning areas and museums located within the Gardens. \u00a0The two that I visited were the Heritage Museum<\/strong> and the CDL Green Gallery<\/strong> which, at the time, featured a ‘Living in the Garden’ interactive display covering the greening of Singapore. Both of these museum galleries just recently opened in November of 2013, and there is actually a SBG Heritage Museum iPhone app<\/a> available to accompany you on your visit.<\/p>\n

\"Heritage<\/a>

Heritage Museum History of the Gardens<\/p><\/div>\n

\"CDL<\/a>

CDL Interactive Heritage Museum<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Heritage<\/a>

Heritage Museum Display<\/p><\/div>\n

National Orchid Garden <\/b>\u00a0\u00a0The Orchid Garden is unquestionably one of the biggest attractions and boasts the largest display of tropical orchids in the world. It is easily located by following one of the many signposts throughout the Garden.<\/p>\n

\"Entrance<\/a>

Entrance to the Orchid Garden<\/p><\/div>\n

The Orchid Garden Area includes a VIP Orchid Garden<\/strong> with a collection of orchid hybrids named after visiting state dignitaries.\"Princess<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Princess<\/a>

Princess Diana Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

You can see the National Flower of Singapore, Vanda Miss Joaquim<\/i>, named after the woman who discovered it in her garden in 1893.<\/p>\n

\"National<\/a>

National Orchid of Singapore – Vanda Miss Joaquim<\/p><\/div>\n

The Orchidarium<\/b> is where most of the wild orchids are displayed in the National Orchid Garden. They are a little less showy than the hybridized orchids, but are outstandingly beautiful in their natural habitat.<\/p>\n

\"Orchidarium\"<\/a>

Orchidarium<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Orchids<\/a>

Orchids in their Natural Environment<\/p><\/div>\n

The Cool House<\/b> is an enclosed tropical forest with displays of orchids, bromeliads, and carnivorous plants. The cool air and tumbling waterfall give a very realistic impression of high elevation sites in the tropics. It is also a nice way to spend a few minutes out of the heat and humidity while visiting the gardens.<\/p>\n

\"Inside<\/a>

Inside the Cool House<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Cool<\/a>

Cool House Waterfall<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Ginger Garden<\/b> Officially launched in 2003, this area of the Botanic Garden has over 500 species of the Zingiberaceae\u00a0family.<\/p>\n

\"Ginger<\/a>

Ginger Garden Flowers<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Ginger<\/a>

Ginger Garden Flowers<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Flowering<\/a>

Flowering White Ginger<\/p><\/div>\n

Along the way in the Ginger Garden, there is a manmade cave and waterfall that you can nip behind for another chance to cool off.<\/p>\n

\"'Cave'<\/a>

‘Cave’ Along the Ginger Garden Walk<\/p><\/div>\n

Saraca Stream Walk<\/b> <\/b>Not far from the Tanglin Gate, you will find this little stream. \u00a0It\u2019s a nice place to stop for a bit and enjoy the sound of the water as it makes its way downhill.<\/p>\n

\"Saraca<\/a>

Saraca Stream Walk<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/b>There are plenty of little paths off the main paved paths with interesting seating areas.<\/p>\n

\"Path<\/a>

Path off the main paved walkway<\/p><\/div>\n

\"An<\/a>

An Inviting Place to Sit<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0Palm Valley<\/strong> has over 200 species of palms.<\/p>\n

\"Palm<\/a>

Palm Valley<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Lily<\/a>

Lily Pond in Palm Valley<\/p><\/div>\n

One of the best locations along the Garden trail for taking pictures is the Golden Shower Arches.<\/p>\n

\"Golden<\/a>

Golden Showers Arches<\/p><\/div>\n

There is just so much to see and do in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. \u00a0You don’t necessarily have to be a flower or orchid enthusiast in order to appreciate and enjoy its peace and beauty, There are also several restaurants and a cafe within the grounds – Au Jardin by Les Amis<\/strong>, a French restaurant; \u00a0<\/a>Halia<\/a>;\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0Casa Verde<\/strong><\/a>, a casual cafe eatery; and\u00a0Food for Thought<\/strong>,<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0an indoor\/outdoor cafe.<\/p>\n

If you are visiting Singapore, the Botanic Gardens should definitely be on your list of places to visit.<\/p>\n

Photo Essay <\/a>– more pictures taken in the Gardens.<\/p>\n

Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n

Guide to the Orchid Garden<\/a><\/address>\n
Guide to the Ginger Garden<\/a><\/address>\n
Map of the Gardens<\/a><\/address>\n

Information<\/b><\/p>\n

Singapore Botanic Gardens<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hours: 5 am to 12 midnight daily
\nAdmission Fee:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Free<\/p>\n

National Orchid Garden<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Opening hours: 8.30 am to 7 pm daily (last ticket sale at 6pm).
\nAdmission Fee:
\nAdults \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0$5.00
\nStudents \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0$1.00
\nSenior Citizens (60 years) \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0$1.00
\nChildren (under 12 years) \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Free<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Singapore Botanic Gardens and the National Orchid\u00a0Garden The first time I visited Singapore was last year in February, typically the rainy season in that part…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":2264,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[3,420,22],"tags":[78,334,379],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\nSingapore Botanic Gardens - the Jewel of Singapore - Carolina Travel Girl<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Visiting Singpore Botanic Gardens and the National Orchid Garden\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/first2board.com\/carolinatravelgirl\/2014\/02\/06\/singapore-botanic-gardens\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Singapore Botanic Gardens - 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