Singapore Botanic Gardens: Natural Gem in the Heart of Lion City

Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, the Singapore Botanic Gardens are the first and only tropical botanic garden on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This beautiful garden is for both recreational and research purposes. 

Whether you are visiting these beautiful gardens to take a stroll, jog, picnic, dine, gather knowledge, or just laze around, the Singapore Botanic Gardens promises you a memorable time in the lap of nature. Thus, making them one of the most visited nature-based tourist places in Singapore.

History of Singapore Botanic Gardens

Mr. Raffles’ vision became a reality with the establishment of Fort Canning’s first ‘Botanic and Experimental Garden’ in 1822. However, it wasn’t until 1859 that the Gardens found their current home, designed in the elegant style of England’s Landscape Movement, by a committee of agri-horticultural experts.

The British colonial government took over in 1874, and the Gardens grew into a major botanical institute with a bunch of people who had been trained at Kew. In the early days, it was seen as a great place for farming, and they experimented with lots of different plants that would eventually have a big impact on the economy of the region. One of the biggest successes was Para Rubber, which was a type of plant that brought a lot of wealth to Southeast Asia at the start of the 20th century.

In 1928, the Singapore Botanic Gardens led the way when it came to breeding orchids, using the latest in vitro techniques to create hybridized plants. They kept up with the times and were a key part of the Garden City project, introducing plants of all kinds to the city.

The National Parks Board now manages the Singapore Botanical Gardens, which covers an area of 82 hectares and serves as a living monument to the history of Singapore. Despite its long-standing history, the Gardens remain a symbol of tropical botanic excellence, deeply embedded in the identity of the nation.

As the Singapore Botanic Gardens continues to flourish through its botanical and garden-related activities, it has earned a place in the collective consciousness of Singaporeans as a timeless oasis where nature and culture come together.