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Guide To Singapore Botanic Gardens: Things To Do, IG-Worthy Spots & Halal Food Nearby

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Faruq Senin •  Dec 29, 2020

2020 has been a great year of exploring Singapore's beautiful nature spots and hiking trails. Planning to start the new year by enjoying the outdoors? The Singapore Botanic Gardens is always a great spot to visit! As Singapore's only UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Gardens boast a rich variety of flora and fauna. We've rounded up this guide to Singapore Botanic Gardens - from things to do to IG-worthy spots, halal restaurants and more ?

Take a stroll at one of the Singapore Botanic Garden's themed spaces

With a sprawling over 80 hectares of green space and trees that are over 150 years old, there are many themed spaces that are worth a visit at the Gardens. Head over to Ginger Garden to see its 250 species of ginger in Asia, giant Amazon water lilies as well as a stunning mini waterfall. For a look into the changing life of plants through time, the Evolution Garden is perfect as you'd be able to spot magnificent Tree Ferns & Cycads. Other themed spots around the Singapore Botanic Gardens that are worth a stroll are the Sundial Garden, Healing Garden, Ethnobotany Garden and the Rain Forest which is the primary rainforest with trees dating as far back before 1819!

#HHWT Tip: To help you out with getting around, check out this interactive map of the Singapore Botanic Gardens on the NParks website.

Snap Instagram-worthy pictures

Unsurprisingly, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is also full of Insta-worthy spots. So, put on your best outfit and take plenty of stunning shots at these spots!

Bandstand

Credit: Singapore Botanic Gardens on Facebook

Probably the most iconic landmark of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the Bandstand is an octagonal white gazebo which was built in the 1930s on top of a hill. It used to be a site for regimental bands to perform but now it's a popular photo spot for wedding couples. But it's not hard to see why! The Bandstand is surrounded by light green and yellow foliage of the rain trees which make it look even more beautiful.

P.S. Check out these 17 Instagram spots in Singapore!

National Orchid Garden

Admire over 1000 species of orchids and 2000 hybrids on display at the National Orchid Garden. Orchids have been cultivated here since 1928 and everywhere here is a picture-perfect spot! Don't miss out on a photo opportunity in the middle of the Orchid arch. Look out for Singapore's national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim too. Do note that you'll have to pay for admission to the National Orchid Garden and opening hours are different from Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Admission fee: $5 (adults), $1 (students), $1 (senior citizens - 60 years and above), Free for children below 12 years

Opening hours: Daily; 8.30AM-7PM (last ticket sales and entry at 6PM)

Tanglin Gate 

Credit: Cecilia Leong on Facebook

How else would you show that you've been to the Singapore Botanic Gardens? By taking a picture with its entrance of course! Head over to the Tanglin Gate to snap a shot with the gorgeous gate which is also the entrance to the oldest part of the Gardens.

Hike through the Learning Forest and Keppel Discovery Wetlands

Looking for a place to hike in the city centre? You'll be able to do so at the Singapore Botanic Gardens! Head to the Learning Forest which is a network of boardwalks and elevated walkways where you can immerse yourself in nature. It will also bring you to the Keppel Discovery Wetlands, a freshwater forest wetland ecosystem as well as the SPH Walk of Giants, where you'll be able to find some of Southeast Asia's tallest tree species! Don't miss a visit to the Bambusetum, which has over 30 species of tropical bamboo trees ?

Spot white and black swans

Missing the stunning parks in Europe? Well, you can have a piece of that at the Singapore Botanic Gardens too! Catch the graceful pair of beautiful White Mute Swans from Amsterdam at Swan Lake. At times, you'll be able to spot wild otters swimming too. There's also a Victorian cast-iron gazebo near the Swan Lake that you can rest at. At the Eco-Lake north of the Gardens, you'll be able to spot a family of Black Swans from Western Australia too.

Have a picnic at the lawns

For a time away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Singapore Botanic Gardens make for a great spot to just sit down and relax. The Palm Valley Lawn overlooking the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage and Symphony Lake is a charming spot to lay down your picnic mat. Alternatively, you can also head over to Lawn E for a picnic near the Swan Lake and Tembusu Heritage Tree.

P.S. Check out more picnic spots in Singapore here. 

Jacob Ballas Children's Garden

If you're visiting the Singapore Botanic Gardens with kids, you have to visit the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden! Here, you and your kids can explore a farm, an orchard and a forest with its own stream and ponds. There are nature play areas where kids can see how plants grow as well as a treehouse, suspension bridge, obstacle courses, sand play areas and more!

Halal food at Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Halia at Singapore Botanic Gardens

Halal status: Halal-certified

Cuisine: Western

Address: 1 Cluny Road, Ginger Garden (enter via Tyersall Avenue), Singapore Botanic Gardens Singapore 259569

Contact No: 8444 1148

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Fusion Spoon

Halal status: Halal-certified

Cuisine: Western/Local/Japanese/Fusion

Address: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Tanglin Gate, 1 Cluny Rd, #B1-00, 259569

Contact: +6562555110

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For more halal food options nearby, check out our halal food guide to Bukit Timah, Tanglin and Novena!

With wonderfully manicured gardens, spacious lawns, IG-worthy spots and more, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is a great place to spend your weekend! Let your loved ones know and start planning your day to explore the Gardens!

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Opening hours: Daily; 5AM-12AM

Address: 

  • Tanglin Entrance- junction of Holland Road and Cluny Road
  • Tyersall Gallop Entrance - along Tyersall Ave
  • Nassim Entrance - junction of Cluny Road and Nassim Road
  • Bukit Timah Entrance - along Cluny Park Road (just outside Botanic Gardens MRT Station)

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