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What Makes Visiting The Botanic Gardens In Singapore A Must
Every Singaporean would surely have some or the other memorable moments spent in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Its position in the center of the city along with its sprawling grounds housing more than 60,000 plants makes the place ideal for a lazy picnic, jogging or simply enjoying the beauty of nature. In 2015, this oldest garden in Singapore has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is in fact the country’s first. If you still want to know why you should visit the place, here are some great reasons.
Getting Face To Face With VIPs
Singapore has a very old custom of naming orchids after visiting celebrities and dignitaries who have made notable contributions towards the advancement of the society. Accordingly, when you visit the National Orchid Garden, you will be able to meet the Paravanda named after Nelson Mandela and the Vanda named after William Catherine. There are also orchids named after celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan and Jackie Chan. In fact there are more than 200 orchids donning the names of VIPs.
Taking A Snap With The Majestic Tembusu
This tree, which is alive and kicking at the Botanic Gardens, is depicted on Singapore’s $5 note. Believed to be more than 156 years old, this tree provides a wonderful photoshoot backdrop for tree climbers, young couples, and other visitors.
Seeing The Origin Of Southeast Asia’s Rubber Boom
It is true that if the Singapore Botanic Gardens had not been there, Southeast Asia would have been quite a different place from what it is now. Rubber seedlings were first cultivated here after being brought from London’s Kew Gardens. The 1880s and 1890s witnessed the development of rubber tapping tactics at this place, which ultimately led to the Malay Peninsula rubber boom. As many as 7 million rubber seeds have been supplied by the gardens to this region by 1917. This is one of the key factors of Southeast Asia’s economic prosperity, resulting in marked developments in modern industries like textiles, aviation and automobiles, utilizing rubber as raw material.
Visiting The Original Plant Nursery
As you enjoy the lush greenery adorning the roads of the Garden City, it would be great to know that the Botanic Gardens is the place where all these plants had their original roots. When Lee Kuan Yew, the then Prime Minister of Singapore, embarked on the Garden City programme and tree planting campaign during the 1960s, a nursery was set up at the place which currently houses the Symphony Lake, to grow plants that would contribute to the city’s greenery. Today the Gardens, with a dedicated Botany Center, continues its mission of making the city green and clean.
Getting To Know The First Paktor Spot Of Singapore
If you are planning a romantic date in Singapore, the Botanic Gardens may be the ideal place, because this was presumably the first paktor spot. As per popular belief, the 50s and 60s saw this place as commonly frequented meeting location for families discussing arrange marriages. Afterwards, the various corners of the park became the venue of secret meetings for young lovers. Some of the most charming spots that couples can visit include the Bandstand, the royal Burmese Banyan tree and the Swan Lake Gazebo.
