Whether it is the delicately curled rooftops in Seoul or wild tigers in India,  anything that throbs the local heart becomes the symbol of their country.

Orchids in Singapore are just that – an emblem of this island nation! For you and me, these petals are just dainty creations of mamma nature.

But for Singaporeans they are more than mere flowers. Orchids in Singapore are revered as national treasures ! So hop on aboard as we explore the best places to see orchids in Singapore

By the way, if you were expecting our opening photo to be with the iconic Merlion, then let me reintroduce our style. Here at Three Tickets Please, offbeat flavors of the world  get more attention than insanely famous landmarks!

Singapore’s national obsession with orchids is a unique contrast. These delicate plants ranks high on culture meter and offer a refreshing change to heritage lovers like us. No wonder, some of the best places to see Orchids in Singapore belong to UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Dutch are madly in love with their tulips,  Hawaiians can dance all day in praise of Hibiscuses and the Japanese are crazy about Sakura.

But Singaporeans are different. They are beyond crazy about this flower. They immortalize the orchid and cherish it for eternity. Don’t believe me? Take a look below.

Gold is poured over orchids and turned into jewelry. All the souvenirs and pendants you see above are made with real orchids. They encase them in glass and preserve their natural shape and color. Such is the love for orchids in Singapore.

Or should I say devotion?

Best gardens to see Orchids in Singapore

1. National Orchid Garden :

Flower lovers, behold ! This is the largest display of orchids anywhere in the world and holds the title of UNESCO world heritage site. Within the limits of Singapore Botanic Gardens, lies the National Orchid garden. It is a floral paradise and nature lovers will be dazzled by the delicate beauty of this flower. 

Its colorful, clean and relatively cool because of the shade of trees and arches. Go ahead and be enveloped in the fragrant floral mist.

More than 1000 varieties of orchids and over 2000 hybrids adorn this garden. Enormous trees, shrubs and flowers dot its landscape. The grounds are massive and it’s best to get a map from visitor center.

You need at least 2-3 hrs to do justice to this place. Carry hats , umbrellas and water, because it can get tiring walking in the humid climate of Singapore. Wear comfortable shoes. This place is absolutely gorgeous and a must see in Singapore.

It is beautifully designed and has various themes. There is a seasonal theme and orchids are sorted by colors depicting a season. All the orange, yellow and maroon ones exuding a warm tone are  in the ‘Summer Pavilion’. White, mauve and purple ones having a cooling effect are classed in the winter section. You get the Picture 🙂 !

A large colonial house in the middle of the grounds adds a lovely old world charm to this already pretty place. Plenty of Shaded gazebos and benches are provided where you can take short breaks and let all the floral wonder soak in.

2.Cloud Forest (Gardens by the Bay) :

Straight from the sets of a futuristic movie, the super trees at night make you gasp in awe. Super trees in Singapore rise up to the sky and bloom out looking sensational at night. Walking among the ‘branches’ of these humongous ‘trees’ feels as if you are in a sci-fi movie. Its surreal. Each of these is as tall as a 16 story building.

Cloud forest is as dreamy as it sounds. This floral paradise is futuristic and enigmatic. Massive otherworldly mountains and tall waterfalls are all – indoors! Vertical gardens showcasing rare and exotic species of flowers amaze you.

Various structures and sculptures with a landscape of indoor flowers offer visitors an innovative glimpse. The climate is cool & dry  inside the cloud forest giving a great relief from the hot & humid weather outside.

Ever changing floral displays have everything from tulip mania to orchid extravaganza. Flowers are the focal point of gardens by the bay. Free garden rhapsody – light and sound show keeps you enthralled too!

Cloud forest is a green engineering marvel. Walk among mysterious soft tufts of clouds for a surreal experience. Dappled, streaked and ruffled orchids welcome you with their fragrant scent. The entire garden with over hanging bridge is enveloped in a cloud like blanket of mist. Its a sensory delight.

 

3. Flower dome: 

Here spring is eternal. More than a quarter million plants, waterways and floral sculptures dazzle visitors.  Stroll among colorful flowers and admire the glistening views of marina bay from the flower dome. Dragon fly lake and kingfisher lake offer cool tranquil escapes and give a glimpse in aquatic life .

There is a free garden dedicated to Singapore’s multicultural heritage. Enjoy Malay, Indian and Chinese gardens along with a colonial era garden for FREE!

4. Singapore Zoo:

Have breakfast with Orangutans in the zoo followed by a stroll amidst the lush tropical forest-like environment. Say your hellos to the majestic white tiger or the cuddly panda. All over the zoo, tropical foliage and countless orchids greet you.

Not as many as in National orchid garden but definitely worth the price, to have your kids happily bounce around the zoo while you savor the orchid extravaganza. The zoo gift store is lovely too, albeit expensive like all zoo stores. If you wanna bring back a  huggable memoir from your trip to Singapore then pick an orangutan plush toy for your little monkey !

5. Shop, Eat, Repeat but first Shangri- La:

Just because we missed a gorgeous location for orchids in Singapore, doesn’t mean you should too! Shangri- La Hotel has a romantic orchid dome, shaped like a bud.  You are literally surrounded by gorgeous flowers to celebrate a special occasion in this private alcove of orchids. Definitely check it out.

We couldn’t fit it in our itinerary, but that gives us an excuse to go back to Singapore for more !

So why did we miss it? Blame it on awesome food and fabulous shopping options.

Delicacy in Singapore –

We were determined to find the most authentic delicacies of this city country and spent too much time doing that (no regrets though). Nasi Lemak and Singapore chili crab were pit against each other.

Nasi Lemak  stole our heart. It was the whole package. Soft grains of rice are cooked in an infusion of coconut milk and pandan leaves, making the rice creamy and fragrant. It is then paired with crunchy anchovies, peanuts and a hot Malay/ Singaporean chili paste called  sambal. Along side are fried fish,  fresh slices of cucumber, fried chicken wings, an egg and a unique char- grilled fish wrapped  in a banana leaf.

One of the best places to try Nasi Lemak is the food stall in Adam street. Clean, cheap and oh so delicious! [ Beware of the wait though. 20 mins can feel like a lifetime with delicious aroma teasing you ].

Sorry It’s not the first time food has distracted me!

Back to orchids.

6. Orchid Garden and Koi Pond – Changi airport :

Last but not the least. Changi Airport is one of the most surprising places to catch orchids in Singapore. Whether it is the hidden gems in Dubai or the secret spots in Paris, our discerning eyes always catch the best spots in a city. 

Singapore’s ability to weave natural beauty into every visitor attraction is visible at Changi airport. From golden cheerful sunflowers blooming on rooftop to indoor butterfly  garden – this airport takes your breath away. We were specially impressed with the Koi pond inside the airport. The plump orange Koi fish looked as delighted as us in the beautiful surroundings.

So next time you visit Singapore, make sure you enjoy all the natural and concrete beauty of  this island nation.

What was your favorite experience in Singapore?  We’d love to hear! Food, fashion or fragrance ! Drop us a comment 🙂

Until next time – See you across the big blue ball !