Gardens by the Bay is a must-visit attraction in Singapore and one of the chief highlights of this expansive gardens in the middle of the city are its two cooled conservatories – Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. But what are the differences between the two domes and which one should you visit if you only have a limited amount of time?
In this post, we will take a look at the Cloud Forest vs Flower Dome, including what you can expect inside these huge reverse greenhouses and some useful information for you to plan out your visit to these Gardens by the Bay attractions in Singapore.
What is Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is situated at the Marina Bay area, at the Central Business District of Singapore.
This futuristic horticultural attraction span 101 hectares and is famous for blending cutting edge technology with nature. It is designed to immerse visitors into a realm that covers both lush greenery and imaginative landscapes.
One of the most iconic sights at Gardens by the Bay is its Supertrees. The most well-known cluster of Supertrees is found at the Supertree Grove. This is where the light and sound show is held twice every evening.
Cloud Forest vs Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay
Another iconic sight at Gardens by the Bay is its two cooled conservatories. That’s what we will be discussing in this article so that you have a better idea of the differences of the Cloud Forest vs the Flower Dome.
Cloud Forest Dome
The Cloud Forest replicates a misty mountain environment, complete with a cascading indoor waterfall.
The fact that the structure even exists is a mesmerizing testament to the wonders of nature and human ingenuity.
This extraordinary cooled conservatory transports visitors away from the hot and muggy tropics into a cool, misty environment reminiscent of a tropical highland ecosystem.
The pièce de résistance of the Cloud Forest is a magnificent indoor waterfall. This immediately greets visitors who enter into the Cloud Forest, thundering down from the side of the mountain, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle that amplifies the power and beauty of nature.
At the center of the dome sits a towering man-made mountain, covered with lush greenery and vibrant blooms. An ethereal shroud of mist covers the mountain at times, thanks to a special misting system.
What is a Cloud Forest?
In nature, a cloud forest is also known as a water forest or a tropical montane cloud forest. This can be found in a tropical or sub-tropical region where a persistent low cloud keep the forest constantly moist and wet.
As a result of these conditions, cloud forests are often covered with mossy vegetation. It also contains a rich level of biodiversity.
Exploring the Mountain in a Dome
Once you have gotten over the awe inspiring sight of the water fall, venture further into the Cloud Forest by following a broad path that goes around the base of the mountain.
One of the attractions here is that of a collection of orchids known as Orchid Haven. These flowers thrive in the wet conditions of a cloud forest. Singapore’s national flower is an orchid, hence it is fitting that there is a display of orchid here.
When you finally reach the end of the path, you can ride an elevator up to the top of the Cloud Forest from which you can follow descending walkways that encircle the mountain, providing a closer look at the diverse vegetation on show at the Cloud Forest. These range from ferns to orchids and other green flora.
Eventually, you will find yourself in a cavern where there is a collection of stalagmites and stalactites. This is also where you can take a walk way that gives you a close up view of the tops of the trees below.
As you make an even further descent, there are exhibits within the Cloud Forest that provide information about the consequences of global warming and changes to the environment.
Eventually, you will arrive at the “forest floor” which is filled with lush green vegetation, thanks to the abundance of water flowing down from the upper reaches of the Cloud Forest.
A visit to the Gardens by the Bay Cloud Forest is not only an educational opportunity to explore unique plant life but also a sensory adventure that evokes a profound connection to the delicate ecosystems of the world’s highlands.
Flower Dome
The Flower Dome is where you can enjoy a Mediterranean climate within a dome all year round.
The temperature within the Flower Dome is kept at a range of 23 degrees Celcius to 25 degrees Celcius, allowing flowers that would otherwise not be able to grow in Singapore to flourish.
The Flower Dome holds the record for the largest glass greenhouse in the Guinness Book of World Records and it is very impressive. 3,332 glass panels cover the dome and these allow light to come in when necessary but also play a role in reducing the heat within the cooled conservatory.
Nine Gardens
The Flower Dome is split up into nine different zones, each based on a specific part of the world. These gardens showcase flora found from all over the globe.
The Succulent Garden features plants found in deserts such as cacti and aloes. There are some towering examples here at this part of the Flower Dome.
Next to the Succulent Garden is the Baobabs. Here, you can view baobabs, also known as bottle trees, with its very distinctively shaped trunks. Make your way to the end of this section and you will find yourself at a balcony that overlooks the entire Flower Dome. It is a great vantage point to get an overview and admire just how impressive the engineering of the Flower Dome really is.
Other areas that you can visit at the Flower Dome include the Australian Garden. At the Australian Garden, you will find flora native to Australia.
Other mini gardens with the Flower Dome include the South American Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Californian Garden and the Olive Grove.
One of the most impressive sights are the old olive trees at the Olive Grove and the Mediterranean Garden. It never fails to amaze me that these olive trees are several hundreds of years old and have now found their way to a cooled conservatory in the middle of tropical Singapore!
At the centre of the Flower Dome is the Flower Field. This is where changing floral displays are held throughout the year.
You can find seasonal displays ranging from cherry blossoms when it is sakura season to poinsettias around Christmas time. It is a way to experience different countries and cultures within the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay.
Cloud Forest vs Flower Dome: Which to Visit?
Now that you know all about the different features and displays within the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, hopefully you are in a better position to decide which one to visit.
If you have time, we would recommend that you visit both. There are bundle tickets available that you can use to visit both the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome.
Tickets are best purchased online from the Gardens by the Bay website.
With these bundled tickets, we would recommend starting at the Flower Dome. After exiting the Flower Dome, you will find yourself at the entrance to the Cloud Forest.
If you only had time to visit one, we would recommend visiting the Cloud Forest, especially if you live in a temperate country represented at the Flower Dome.
If you do come from one of the countries which has a “garden” represented in the Flower Dome, you may find some the flowers there similar to what you have back at home.
However, the Cloud Forest is quite impressive and just a walk through is an experience in itself (unless you live in cloud forest back at home).
In either case, we are sure that you will have a great time visiting the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome.
When you are done with your visit to Gardens by the Bay, you may also want to check out Haji Lane, a part of Singapore that isn’t too far away from the city but yet offer a completely different vibe and experience.
Another experience that is worth visiting while in Singapore is the new Mandai Bird Paradise.
You may also appreciate this set of useful things to know about the Gardens by the Bay light show or the Borealis Northern Lights installation.
