Singapore Botanic Gardens - UNESCO World Heritage Site!

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I guess by now, it is no longer news that the Singapore Botanic Gardens was awarded the UNESCO World Heritage Site status. It is the first and only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO's World Heritage List and also the first in Asia and the third botanic gardens inscribed in the world.

I had wanted to visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG) when it was first inscribed a year ago but the usual let-the-crowd-die-down-first procrastination got the better of me.

Since the folks were out of town and I did not have anything to do at home, I decided to just grab my camera and head for the Gardens.

You can take either the new downtown line or circle line to Botanic Gardens Station (DT9/CC19).

Visiting is now made even more convenient with the train station's exit right at the Gardens' doorstep.

Since I arrived by the Bukit Timah Gate, the plan was to cover as much ground as possible while heading towards Tanglin Gate.

The garden is divided into three sections namely, Bukit Timah Core, Central Core and Tanglin Core.

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Stepping through the gates, I came to Trellis Garden. You can read the intro in the photo above.

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Eco Lake (click to enlarge)

I then came to the Eco Lake which is home to the black swan. I have no idea how many black swans there are but I only saw one.

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The swan even left the water and came up to me. Perhaps he thought that I would feed him.

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The Bougainvillea corner

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Foliage Garden

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Boardwalk

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Leaving Foliage Garden, I took the red brick path headed for Fragrant Garden in the Central Core.

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Red Brick Path

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Cacao

Along the way, I saw these what appeared to be cacao. I heard a rustle from above and when I looked up, I saw two squirrels feeding.

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Squirrel

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Fragrant Garden

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Evolution Garden

I have the entire 1.5 hectare garden all to myself as I did not run into anyone else.

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Just close your eyes and be one with Nature

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What animal pawprint is this!

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A small pond at the end of the Evolution Garden

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Cut across the N Parks HQ and reached the Nassim Gate Visitor Centre

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Singa at the Visitor Center

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Singapore Botanic Gardens - UNESCO World Heritage Site!

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Free roaming chicken at the Visitor Centre

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I love this water feature outside the Visitor Centre

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After asking for directions, I headed for lunch at Raffles Building

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I break for brunch

I do not know when did it all started but there are a total of nine food establishments within the Gardens! There is a snack bar, cafe, food court and even restaurants!

I had my brunch at Food Canopy near Raffles Building which is just a short walking distance from the Visitor Centre.

After lunch, I returned to the Visitor Centre to take some photos around the Corner House.

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Corner House

The Corner House was so named not because it is located at a corner but it was named after E.J.H Corner, a botanist and a mycologist who lived here when he occupied the post of assistant director at the Singapore Botanic Gardens (1926–1946).

It is now a 1 Star restaurant in the Singapore Michelin Guide 2016.

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Spotted this monitor lizard at Corner House near the Visitor Centre

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I find trees like this full of character

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Spotted another monitor lizard at Heliconia Walk

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A PRC tried to pull the snake out much to the horror of the Caucasian beside me

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Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage

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Pond in front of the stage

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Yet another Water Monitor Lizard swimming in the Symphony Lake

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National Orchid Garden

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Clock Tower at Orchid Plaza

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You can walk behind this water fall!

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We have now come to the last core (from the direction I was heading), Tanglin Core.

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Sun Garden featuring catuses that resemble...

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Sculpture: Passing Of Knowledge

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Unfortunately, the bandstand is undergoing a makeover

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Singapore's National Flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim

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Vanda Miss Joaquim

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Sculpture: Girl On A Bicycle

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Sculpture: Girl On A Swing

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Prisoner-Of-War Brick Steps

During the war, a set of brick steps down to the Plant House were built using bricks made and installed by allied prisoners of war (PoWs), which can still be seen today.

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As a sign of defiance, the PoWs imprinted arrows on most of the bricks to indicate that they were detained by the authorities.

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In August 1995, upon the 50th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities, eight former veteran PoWs from Australia came to the Gardens to examine the steps they had built with bricks marked with arrows.

Back where they were held captive fifty years ago, I wonder what was going on in their minds?

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The tree featured on our 5 dollar bill

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Sculpture: Chang Kuda ("chang" means piggyback and "kuda" is horse in Malay)

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Swan Lake

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Sculpture: Flight Of Swans

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Swan Lake Gazebo

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Sculpture: Nurturing

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Frangipani Collection with swings

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Lots of swings

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I would not want to be here after dark!

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Frangipani flower

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Bonsai Garden

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Suddenly it began raining

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Heavy downpour at the Sundial Garden

Something really embarrassing happened here. I was so engrossed taking photos not realizing that there were actually two shelters on either side of the sundial. After I am done then I realized there were many people seeking shelter there and all were staring at me taking photos in the rain with my weird pose.

My hands were operating the camera so I had my neck pinning the umbrella against my shoulder with my mouth wide open... lol

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Sundial

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Sculpture: Swiss Granite Fountain

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Tanglin Gate

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The cloudy skies and cool weather make the walk in the Gardens a enjoyable one. Although it rained intermittently, my spirits were not dampened at all. The smell of fresh, crisp air is really invigorating! I am really proud of our beautiful Botanic Gardens for achieving the UNESCO recognition!

SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS

1 Cluny Road

Singapore 259569

Opening hours: 5am - 12am

Website: www.sbg.org.sg

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SingaporeBotanicGardens

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