Singapore Botanic Gardens
Most of us know that Sir Stamford Raffles is the founder of Singapore. Well, here’s something interesting that you may not know about him: Raffles was an expert in botany and he was responsible for setting up the very first Botanic Gardens in Singapore in 1822. Unfortunately, this garden was closed in 1829.
Singapore Botanic Gardens Today
In 1859, the government set up the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which is now an impressive tropical garden covering a large plot of land. It started as a modest 23-hectare (0.23 sq km) garden, but is now an impressive 82 hectares (0.82 sq km) of land!
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is an attraction for both tourists and locals. It boasts a vast plant collection that has great historical and worldwide importance. There are also many interesting educational and recreational facilities for visitors to explore. Let’s take a look at a few of them!
National Orchid Garden
The National Orchid Garden is a key attraction in the Botanic Gardens. It has a wonderful collection of more than 2000 types of orchids. Look out for the celebrity Orchid Gardens, with orchids named after famous people, including Bae Yong Joon, Margaret Thatcher and Shah Rukh Khan.
The Learning Forest
The latest addition to the Gardens is the ‘Learning Forest’, which allows visitors to explore habitats ranging from a freshwater forest wetland to a lowland rainforest.
Be sure to check out the giant Canopy Web, which allows you to experience being in the canopy of a forest from a height of about 8 m.
Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden
The Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden is Asia’s first children’s garden. There are interactive exhibits that teach children about plant processes and a mini-garden that explains how plants can be used to make dyes and drinks. There are also many play areas for children to enjoy.
With so much to see and do at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, why not head there with your family this weekend? ♦