Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is Singapore’s showpiece park, built on reclaimed land next to Marina Bay. Its best-known sight is the Supertree Grove: tall steel structures wrapped in ferns, orchids and climbing plants, linked by an elevated walkway, the OCBC Skyway, that takes you across the treetops.

Two huge glass conservatories sit alongside. The Flower Dome holds plants from Mediterranean and dry climates with changing seasonal displays, while the Cloud Forest recreates a cool, misty mountainside around a tall indoor waterfall that you circle on ramps. Both are air-conditioned, a welcome break from the afternoon heat.

Plan the conservatories for late afternoon, then stay on for Garden Rhapsody, the light-and-sound show among the Supertrees after dark. Wear comfortable shoes: the gardens are bigger than they look, and a shuttle runs between the main areas for those who prefer not to walk.