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Cloud Forest & Flower Dome

18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore,

Description

The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are the two cooled conservatories of Gardens by the Bay (South Garden) in Singapore. They were designed by WilkinsonEyre and Grant Associates as a showcase of sustainable buildings and are both among the world's largest column-less glasshouses in the world. The Flower Dome has a Mediterranean climate (cool and dry) with eight gardens made up of plants from semi-arid regions. The Cloud Forest has the moist conditions found in the tropical highlands of SEA, Central and South America. The key feature is the 42m tall Cloud Mountain.

Access & Transport

Located along the Marina Reservoir, within Gardens by The Bay (South); it is walking distance from MBS and the Esplanade / Singapore Flyer Marina area across the Helix Bridge. The closest MRT is 'Gardens by the Bay' (TE line) with Bayfront (Downtown, Circle, TE lines) a short 5mins walk away. There are also bus stops along Bayfront Av. and Marina Gardens Dr as well as onsite parking.

Instructions & Recommendations

Closed once a month for maintenance (dates available on the website) This activity can be combined with a visit of the Gardens by the Bay and ArtScience Museum (next to MBS).

Meta review

The domes are among the most popular attractions in the city and reviews are generally excellent. The number #1 highlight is the cooler temperature (!) followed by the impressive dome structures and Cloud Mountain with its waterfall and elevated walkway. Visitors also enjoyed the ability to see plants from different climes and the regular change in display / arrangements (applicable for returning visitors). The only mixed comment relates to the Flower Dome which quite a few reviewers found a little underwhelming as compared to the Cloud Forest.

Environmental & Social

Sustainable engineering enables a reduction of 20% in energy consumption (more details here: https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/about-us/our-gardens-story/sustainability-efforts.html) but we are still looking at cooling large structures in an equatorial climate + the construction would have been resources intensive. Socially neutral

Conclusion

The Cloud Forest and Flower Dome are marvels of design and engineering, but one has to wonder if this is not a little over the top to showcase plants from different climates. Notwithstanding such philosophical question we would highly recommend it to those with keen interest in plants & flowers or with a very flexible budget - for the others, the free Gardens by the Bay is probably sufficient.

Key positive

Nothing quite like it elsewhere in the world (that we are aware of)

Refreshing weather

Visually pleasant gardens

Key negative

Some sustainability credentials but still a lot of electricity and construction materials used to showcase plants...

Suitability

Suitable for all ages and accessible for visitors with reduced mobility

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

May 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Last admission is 30-60mins before closing time

av. transport time:0h 30m

est. visit time:2h 30m

Regulated hours

Monday09:00 - 21:00

Tuesday09:00 - 21:00

Wednesday09:00 - 21:00

Thursday09:00 - 21:00

Friday09:00 - 21:00

Saturday09:00 - 21:00

Sunday09:00 - 21:00

Pricing
Price for Flower Dome + Cloud Forest
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
60 - 99
SGD 32
Adult
13 - 59
SGD 32
Child
3 - 12
SGD 18
Infant
0 - 2
SGD 0
Price for Singapore residents are S$20/12 and $S15 for seniors.

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