Japanese and Chinese Gardens - Destination Singapore
/Japanese and Chinese Gardens
One of my favorite places to visit in Singapore was at the Chinese and Japanese Gardens in Jurong East. There are so many beautiful areas here, make sure you have enough time (and water bottles) to enjoy it all. Pro Tip: Go early because it gets HOT here!
Getting there
Although it’s a bit long of a ride, the easiest way we found to get there from Singapore City is to take the EW25 (East West 25) line on the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit, or Metro) and getting off at the Chinese Gardens stop. Then it’s just a short walk to the entrance gate.
Another much more expensive option (depending on where you’re coming from) would be to take Grab, which is Singapore’s equivalent of Uber. Download the app to your smartphone and it works the same as Uber.
If you have a car and prefer to drive, then of course that is an option for you as well.
Stunning Pagodas
This a beautiful seven story Pagoda in the Chinese Gardens in Singapore
One of the beautiful “Twin Pagodas” in the Chinese Gardens in Singapore.
One of the first things you’ll see as you approach the gardens from the RMT is the seven story pagoda show in the first photo above. The beautiful Pagodas here in the gardens are truly stunning to see. The amount of detail that has been put into these structures will blow your mind. The detail in the wood is amazing and is complimented by beautifully vibrant paintings. Although pagodas originate from India, the Chinese adapted their own type of architecture to build pagodas as early as 68 CE (or BC). The first in China was built by Emperor Ming to spread Buddha’s teachings.
Architecture and amazing greenery combine at this cultural park for some beautiful views.
The Turtle Museum at the Chinese Gardens
A turtle in the Turtle Museum at the Chinese Gardens in Singapore.
For some turtles, life can be a little rough. This turtle shows serious damage to its shell, but keeps on trucking!
In October 2018 when I last visited Singapore, the Turtle Museum was located at the Chinese Gardens. Please note that the museum has moved and is now located in ORTO. ORTO is a sanctuary for nature lovers, and is a lush greenery located in the northern part of Singapore. It is the country's first multi-recreational park that is open to the public 24 hours a day, catering to all-day and night activities.
Now I have a new destination for my next trip to Singapore!
The Double Beauty Bridge connects the Chinese Gardens to the Japanese Gardens
Crossing the Double Beauty Bridge from the Chinese Gardens will pull you into the beautiful Japanese Gardens, These are to distinctly different places of beauty highlighting both the Japanese and Chinese cultures. Although the gardens were under construction during our visit, it was scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018. So, again, I’ll need to take another trip here during my next visit!
The Japanese Garden is a large strolling garden showcasing a landscape style originating from the Muromachi and Momoyama periods of Japanese history. There is a network of paths winding through the garden and along Garyuchi pond. Photo opportunities are abound with plenty of birds, and bonsai trees.
This is such a great place to take photos that you will undoubtedly see models and photographers doing photo-shoots around the park. From my observations, it seems most of the models are in anime style costumes. Pretty cool, right?!
An arched bridge within the Chinese and Japanese gardens in Singapore.
A beautiful pond scene in the Japanese Gardens in Singapore.
One of many beautiful Bonsai trees in the Japanese Gardens in SIngapore.
The seven story pagoda from the shore of Garyuchi Pond in the Japanese Gardens in Singapore.
In closing, if you have a day during your trip to Singapore, make the minimal effort and visit these beautiful gardens!! Oh, and it’s FREE!
