Gardens by the Bay Cloud Forest: A Cool and Refreshing Escape from the City

Imagine stepping into a world of misty mountains, lush vegetation, and cascading waterfalls, right in the heart of Singapore. That’s what you can expect from the Gardens by the Bay cloud forest, also known as Cloud Forest, one of the two conservatories at the Gardens by the Bay, a nature park that showcases the best of horticulture and architecture.

The Gardens by the Bay cloud forest is a stunning attraction that you don’t want to miss when you visit Singapore. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this amazing attraction, and how you can book a trip to Singapore with my.trip.com, a leading travel agency that offers the best deals and packages for travelers.

What to Expect from the Gardens by the Bay Cloud Forest

The Gardens by the Bay cloud forest is a cool and moist conservatory that replicates the environment of a tropical highland forest, typically found at some 2,000 metres above sea level. The cloud forest features a 35-meter tall waterfall, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, that greets you as you enter the dome. The waterfall creates a refreshing mist that fills the air and cools the temperature, which ranges from 23°C to 25°C.

The cloud forest has several attractions and features that you can explore, such as:

• The Cloud Mountain, a 42-meter tall structure that houses a variety of exotic plants and flowers from different regions and elevations. The Cloud Mountain also has a lift that takes you to the top, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the dome and the city.
• The Cloud Walk, a 144-meter long aerial walkway that descends from the top of the Cloud Mountain and gives you a close-up view of the plants and flowers. The Cloud Walk also has a glass floor that allows you to see the waterfall and the ground below.
• The Treetop Walk, a 69-meter long bridge that connects two of the tallest Supertrees in the dome. The Treetop Walk offers a bird’s eye view of the cloud forest and the surrounding landscape.
• The Crystal Mountain, a cave-like chamber that showcases rare plants and minerals from around the world. The Crystal Mountain also has an educational display that explains the formation and evolution of the continents and the impact of climate change on the environment.
• The Secret Garden, a hidden area at the base of the Cloud Mountain that displays carnivorous plants and orchids. The Secret Garden also has a misty and mysterious atmosphere that adds to its charm.
• The Lost World, a rooftop garden that features plants that thrive in high altitude environments, such as pitcher plants, bromeliads, and orchids. The Lost World also has a pond that reflects the sky and the Supertrees.

The cloud forest is home to more than 60,000 plants and flowers, representing more than 2,500 species and varieties. Some of the rare and endangered plants and flowers that you can find in the cloud forest are:

• Orchids, such as the Vanda Miss Joaquim, the national flower of Singapore, the Dendrobium Margaret Thatcher, named after the former British Prime Minister, and the Dendrobium Memoria Princess Diana, named after the late Princess of Wales.
• Bromeliads, such as the Tillandsia, which are air plants that do not need soil to grow, the Neoregelia, which are colorful plants that form rosettes, and the Puya, which are spiky plants that produce bright blue flowers.
• Carnivorous plants, such as the Nepenthes, which are pitcher plants that trap and digest insects, the Drosera, which are sundews that have sticky hairs that catch prey, and the Sarracenia, which are trumpet-shaped plants that lure and drown insects.
• Pitcher plants, such as the Nepenthes rajah, the largest pitcher plant in the world, the Nepenthes edwardsiana, one of the most sought-after pitcher plants by collectors, and the Nepenthes x hookeriana, a hybrid between two species of pitcher plants.

To enjoy the cloud forest, here are some tips and tricks that you should know:

• The best time to go is during the weekdays, as the weekends tend to be more crowded and noisy.
• The best spot to take photos is from the OCBC Skyway, a 128-meter long aerial walkway that connects two of the tallest Supertrees. From there, you can get a panoramic view of the cloud forest and the cityscape. However, you need to buy a ticket to access the Skyway, and the tickets are limited and sell out fast, so you need to plan ahead and book online.
• The best way to learn more about the plants and flowers is to join a guided tour, which is free and available daily at 11 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm. The tour lasts for about 45 minutes and covers the highlights of the cloud forest. You can also download the Gardens by the Bay mobile app, which has an audio guide and a map of the cloud forest.

Before you go, make sure to check the schedule and weather of the cloud forest, as it may be closed for maintenance or special events. You can find the latest information on the Gardens by the Bay website or social media pages.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Gardens by the Bay

The cloud forest is not the only attraction at Gardens by the Bay, and you should definitely explore the rest of the park, which spans over 100 hectares and features more than 1.5 million plants from around the world.

Some of the main attractions that you should not miss are:

• The Flower Dome, the world’s largest glass greenhouse that houses a variety of exotic flowers and plants from different regions and climates, such as the Mediterranean, South Africa, and Australia. The Flower Dome also hosts seasonal floral displays that showcase different themes and cultures, such as the Chinese New Year, the Tulipmania, and the Christmas Wonderland.
• The Supertree Grove, a cluster of 18 giant metal structures that resemble trees. These Supertrees are covered with over 200 species of plants and flowers, and are fitted with over 50,000 LED lights that create a mesmerizing effect when they light up in sync with the music. The Supertree Grove also hosts the Garden Rhapsody, a free light and sound show that takes place every night at 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm.
• The OCBC Skyway, a 128-meter long aerial walkway that connects two of the tallest Supertrees. The OCBC Skyway offers a breathtaking view of the Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Bay, and the Singapore Flyer. The OCBC Skyway is also the best spot to watch the Garden Rhapsody, as mentioned earlier.
• The Floral Fantasy, a new attraction that opened in 2019, that showcases four diverse garden landscapes and artistic floral installations. The Floral Fantasy also has a 4D ride that takes you on a simulated flight over Singapore’s landmarks and natural wonders.

To get to Gardens by the Bay, you can take the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and alight at Bayfront Station, which is connected to the park via an underground linkway. You can also take a taxi or a car, and park at the nearby Marina Bay Sands or Satay by the Bay. The park is open from 5 am to 2 am daily, but the conservatories and the OCBC Skyway have different opening hours and admission fees, which you can check on the Gardens by the Bay website.

Besides the Gardens by the Bay, there are many other activities and attractions that you can enjoy nearby, such as:

• The Marina Bay Sands, a luxury hotel and resort that features a casino, a shopping mall, a museum, and a rooftop infinity pool that offers a stunning view of the city.
• The ArtScience Museum, a museum that showcases the intersection of art, science, technology, and culture. The museum hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions that are interactive and immersive, such as the Future World, the Minimalism, and the Marvel Studios.
• The Singapore Flyer, a giant observation wheel that stands at 165 meters tall and offers a 360-degree view of Singapore and its surroundings. The Singapore Flyer also has a variety of experiences and packages, such as the Sky Dining, the Premium Champagne Flight, and the Singapore Sling Flight.

Singapore is a vibrant and diverse city that has something for everyone, whether you are looking for culture, cuisine, or nightlife. You can discover more of Singapore’s charms and secrets with my.trip.com, a travel agency that specializes in creating customized and affordable trips for travelers.

Visit Gardens by The Bay Today!

The Gardens by the Bay cloud forest is a wonderful attraction that you don’t want to miss when you visit Singapore. It is a cool and refreshing escape from the city, where you can experience the beauty and diversity of nature and technology, and learn more about the environment and the climate.

If you are ready to embark on this amazing adventure, book your trip to Singapore with my.trip.com today!