SINGAPORE : Some key features of Gardens by the Bay, including one of the two conservatories, are open to the public for a week-long sneak preview from Monday.
The preview is being held in conjunction with the 20th World Orchid Conference.
Spanning some 1.2 hectares, the flower dome is the larger of the two conservatories.
It features plants from semi-arid subtropical regions like the Mediterranean Basin and South Africa.
Highlights include the baobabs and olive trees - some of which are over 1,000 years old.
Kenneth Er, Chief Operating Officer of Gardens by the Bay: "What you see today is really what we have prepared over the last five years, beginning from how we have sourced the plants. And some of these plants, because they require a cool and dry environment, we could only bring them in when the air conditioning systems were up, sometime in June this year."
Most of the flora and fauna there are permanent fixtures. But displays at the flower field will be changed from time to time, to reflect the different seasons and festivals.
For now, some 14,000 orchid plants are on display as part of the World Orchid Conference.
Another key feature is also open during the preview - the Heritage Gardens, comprising the Indian garden, the Chinese garden, the Malay Garden and the Colonial Garden.
Visitors do not need tickets to enter the Heritage Gardens.
These gardens reflect the history and culture of Singapore's three main ethnic groups and the city-state's colonial heritage.
"We are a country of multi-cultures and the gardens offer the perspective from the viewpoint of plants. These plants had also accompanied the different culture groups when they came to Singapore. The Indians, when they came to Singapore, brought along many of the exciting herbs and spices," said Dr Kiat W. Tan, CEO of Gardens by the Bay.
NParks said the preview will help them gauge the public's interest and will be useful in its pricing strategies for tickets when the attraction officially opens in June next year. The promise is to keep it affordable where there could be discounts and annual passes.
At least 300,000 visitors are expected at the preview.
- CNA /ls
The preview is being held in conjunction with the 20th World Orchid Conference.
Spanning some 1.2 hectares, the flower dome is the larger of the two conservatories.
It features plants from semi-arid subtropical regions like the Mediterranean Basin and South Africa.
Highlights include the baobabs and olive trees - some of which are over 1,000 years old.
Kenneth Er, Chief Operating Officer of Gardens by the Bay: "What you see today is really what we have prepared over the last five years, beginning from how we have sourced the plants. And some of these plants, because they require a cool and dry environment, we could only bring them in when the air conditioning systems were up, sometime in June this year."
Most of the flora and fauna there are permanent fixtures. But displays at the flower field will be changed from time to time, to reflect the different seasons and festivals.
For now, some 14,000 orchid plants are on display as part of the World Orchid Conference.
Another key feature is also open during the preview - the Heritage Gardens, comprising the Indian garden, the Chinese garden, the Malay Garden and the Colonial Garden.
Visitors do not need tickets to enter the Heritage Gardens.
These gardens reflect the history and culture of Singapore's three main ethnic groups and the city-state's colonial heritage.
"We are a country of multi-cultures and the gardens offer the perspective from the viewpoint of plants. These plants had also accompanied the different culture groups when they came to Singapore. The Indians, when they came to Singapore, brought along many of the exciting herbs and spices," said Dr Kiat W. Tan, CEO of Gardens by the Bay.
NParks said the preview will help them gauge the public's interest and will be useful in its pricing strategies for tickets when the attraction officially opens in June next year. The promise is to keep it affordable where there could be discounts and annual passes.
At least 300,000 visitors are expected at the preview.
- CNA /ls