Jul 17, Gardens by the Bay - Opening Date and Ticket Prices

Gardens By the Bay, one of the newest Singapore attractions, is located in the heart of Marina Bay and aims to become the world's most premier tropical garden. Singapore's location near the equator makes it the perfect location for a lush tropical paradise, and these new gardens in Marina Bay plan to offer that and so much more.

The attraction actually consists of three separate gardens - Bay South, Bay East, and Bay Central - spread out over 101 hectares surrounding the Marina Channel. View Map of Gardens by the Bay. Singapore is transforming itself from a city in a garden to a Garden City, and Gardens By the Bay is helping them accomplish that goal.

While the gardens are ever evolving and growing, much like the plants and flowers inside them, they will be open to the public in a series of phases. The gardens will first open in Nov 2011, just in time for the 20th World Orchid Conference and officially opens in Jun 2012. Once completed, you can expect to see plants and foliage from all around the world in special sections of the Gardens.

Opening Date in Phase 1
14 to 20 Nov 2011

Opening Hours
10am to 9pm

Weekdays Ticket Prices
S$15/adult, $9/child, $42/family (include 2 adults and 3 children or senior citizens)

Weekend Ticket Prices
S$20/adult, $12/child, $58/family

Where to buy tickets?
Buy online at www.20woc.com.sg or at ticket counters of Singapore Botanic Gardens or National Orchid Garden.

The Bay South Garden is the largest, sprawling across 54 hectares, and will serve as the heart of the Garden City. The key feature of the Gardens by the Bay South is the Conservatory Complex, which will showcase annual plants and flowering species from Mediterranean, Tropical Montane, and temperate climates in two separate cool buildings. read more »

As you walk through the garden, you'll be wowed by clusters of supertrees, ranging from 25 to 50 meter in height. These trees serve several purposes: they act as a vertical tropical garden, as the engine room for the environmental systems of the conservatory, and as rainwater receptacles. They will also be lit up at night, and some will connect by walkways to give you an aerial view of the garden.

The Horticulture Show Gardens will show you the best of the best when it comes to tropical horticulture and garden artistry. Two separate collections center on the themes "Plants and People" and "Plants and Planet." The Heritage Garden tells the story of Singapore's three distinct ethnic groups with a Malay Garden, an Indian Garden, and a Chinese Garden. The Colonial Garden rounds off the Heritage Gardens by telling the story of how plants were the driving force behind the lucrative trade between the East and the West. The second garden in the Heritage Gardens is the World of Plants, which shows our planet's biodiversity.

A two-hectare area is devoted to a large stage area that can hold up to 7000 people. The stage will have a retractable covering to offer protection from the elements for some of the seating area. The Flower Market, off of East Coast Parkway, will house events, retailers, and visitor centers. It will also make travel convenient, as it will connect to the Marina Bayfront MRT station by an underpass.

If you're looking for a place to stroll along the waterfront and engage in some aquatic sports, Bay East is the perfect spot in the Gardens By the Bay for you. The 32-hectare garden stretches along the Marina Channel Promenade and linking Bay South and Bay Central gardens, and is a recreational haven, with water sports, canoeing, and dragon boat races. The Boating Quay serves as a main entrance into the Gardens and will hold the boating slip for the dragon boats and canoes.

The Water Gardens of Gardens by the Bay East feature a cascading waterfall that ends in a wading and wave pool. Bay East will also appeal to foodies, as the Food Gardens will display the myriad of food plants used throughout Singapore and South East Asia. Dining and beverage outlets accompany the Food Gardens. The Theme Building tells an interactive story about plants, animals, and water in nature and trade.

An official approved plan for Gardens by the Bay Central has not yet been chosen. The 15-hectare linear garden will connect Bay East and Bay South. It will also provide access to the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay. The Garden may feature parts of several different submitted designs as well as incorporate public feedback in its planning.

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Jul 17, Gardens by the Bay South - The Conservatory Complex

The focal point for the Gardens by the Bay South is the Conservatory Complex, and is one of the most awe-inspiring aspects of Gardens by the Bay, one of the newest Singapore attractions. The complex consists of two buildings- a cool dry conservatory called Flower Dome and a cool moist one known as Cloud Forest. Together, they will feature annual plants and flowering species from three very distinct climates: Mediterranean, Tropical Montane, and temperate.

Gardens by the Bay Conservatory Complex: The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest
Before heading into the Gardens by the Bay South, take some time to learn about the different climates so you know what to expect from each section. Use that knowledge to impress your travel mates as you wander through the complex.
The Mediterranean climate is a subtropical one, and stretches across the Mediterranean basin, although it also exists in parts of southern Australia. It is also called a Dry Summer Subtropical Climate, because it doesn't see much rain during the warmer months. Plants and flowers in this climate must be able to stand up to both hot summer droughts and long wet winters.
Several different types of trees grow in this region, including pines, oaks, and sycamores, however the cypress tree may be the most famous of all. This tree has a place in the mythology of many Mediterranean cultures. In Turkey, the cypress symbolizes the universe. In Persian cultures, it is a symbol of freedom and truthfulness. The ancient Greeks associated it with the passage to the afterlife, while the ancient Egyptians used it to protect the mummified remains of their pharaohs. Fruit trees such as figs, citrus, walnuts and olives also grow in this climate.
As you walk through the complex of Gardens by the Bay South, keep your nose open for some amazingly fragrant herbs that grow in the Mediterranean, as some of pasta's favourite companions are found here, including rosemary, basil, and thyme. Just don't linger too long near the lavender unless you're in the mood for a nap, it is well known for its relaxing and sedating effect. The climate also produces some of the most beautiful flowers, including the bright yellow hibiscus, the vibrant red Nerium oleander, and the fleshy white flowers of the caper bush.
The Tropical montane is a type of rainforest that grows on mountains and at high altitudes. It is often referred to as a "cloud forest," and is much cooler than other tropical rainforests. It is also a very wet region, with much of the precipitation coming from the fog that is almost a constant feature.
One of the most interesting and unique features about this climate is that it has many types of epiphytes, or plants that grow on top of other plants and in the trunks of trees. Expect to see different types of mosses, ferns, and orchids in the Gardens by the Bay South. Keep an eye out for the rather unique looking nepenthes, also called pitcher plants or monkey cups. These carnivorous plants trap insects in their pouch and produce a special fluid to help them squeeze all the nutrients from their prey. They are most common in the Malay Archipelago, which includes Singapore.
Tropical montane forests are high on the list of threatened ecosystems, making up only about 1% of the world's forests, and it is believed that the few that remain are mere shadows of their former glory. By dedicating a section of the conservatory to the plants and flowers found in the region, perhaps the Gardens by the Bay can help preserve some of the species before they die out in their natural habitats.
The temperate climate region lies between the tropics and the polar circles, and generally doesn't get too hot or too cold. Most of the yearly rainfall comes during the summer, and the dry winters cause the trees to lose their leaves, creating beautiful colours before they fall.
This climate produces some of the most beautiful flowers. Purple Nemesia bloom throughout the year, and Princess Flowers soar twenty feet high into the air, and Dahlias blossom in a myriad of stunning colours. The famous Sakura, or Cherry Blossoms, of Japan grow best in a temperate climate, as does the Lotus flower. Iris, pomegranate, roses, and sunflowers and tulips also grow in this region.
The Conservatory Complex in the Gardens by the Bay South is still under planning, so you may not see all of these flowers and plants there right away, and you will definitely see more than those listed. There are thousands of species of plants, flowers, and trees throughout these three climate regions, so expect many delightful surprises as you pass from the cool dry to cool mist environments.
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