The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a national park located at the fringe of the Singapore‘s Orchard Road shopping district. This tropical garden is one of three gardens, and the only tropical garden, to be honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the only such garden in the world that opens from 5 a.m. to 12 midnight every day of the year.
The garden was first established in 1859 by an agri-horticultural society, the Agri-Horticultural Society of Singapore, and was used as an experimental garden for the introduction of economic plants. Since then, the garden has been developed and enhanced over the years, to become a popular tourist destination and a national landmark.
History of Singapore Botanic Gardens
The Singapore Botanic Gardens was founded in 1859 by the Agri-Horticultural Society of Singapore. It was then known as the Singapore Botanic and Economic Garden. The garden was initially used as an experimental garden for the introduction of economic plants.
In 1874, the garden was handed over to the colonial government and renamed the Singapore Botanic Gardens. It was then developed and enhanced, becoming a popular tourist destination and a national landmark. The garden was further developed and enhanced in the early 20th century, and was declared a national park in 1959.
The garden was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, becoming the only tropical garden in the world to receive such an honor.
Features of Singapore Botanic Gardens
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a 156-year-old tropical garden that is open from 5 a.m. to 12 midnight every day of the year. It is home to a wide variety of plants, from orchids to palms, and from bamboos to ferns. The garden also features an array of features, such as:
- The National Orchid Garden, which features more than 1,000 species of orchids;
- The Sun Garden, which features a variety of plants that can thrive in sunny conditions;
- The Ginger Garden, which is home to more than 400 species of ginger plants;
- The Rainforest, which is a lush, tropical rainforest;
- The Eco-Lake, which is a man-made lake that provides a home to various species of aquatic life;
- The Children’s Garden, which is an interactive garden designed to educate children about plants and the environment.
Events at Singapore Botanic Gardens
The Singapore Botanic Gardens hosts a variety of events throughout the year. These include:
- The National Orchid Festival, which is held annually in April and showcases the best orchids from the National Orchid Garden;
- The Singapore Garden Festival, which is held annually in July and showcases the best of the garden’s plants and landscapes;
- The Night Safari, which is held annually in November and features a variety of nocturnal creatures.
Things to Do at Singapore Botanic Gardens
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a popular tourist destination, offering visitors a variety of activities to enjoy. These include:
- Guided tours, which are available throughout the year;
- Picnicking, which is allowed in certain areas of the garden;
- Bird watching, which is a popular activity in the garden;
- Educational programmes, which are available for both children and adults;
- Cycling, which is allowed in certain areas of the garden;
- Shopping, which is available at the garden’s gift shop;
- Dining, which is available at the Garden’s restaurants and cafés.
Admission to Singapore Botanic Gardens
Admission to the Singapore Botanic Gardens is free. However, certain activities may require an additional fee.