Taking in the Pretty at Singapore"s National Orchid Garden

Spreading over 74 hectares, you can get to the Botanic Gardens in a number of ways. There is the dedicated MRT subway stop on the citys Circle Line, which has you walk in from the far northeast corner (marked You are here on the map above), or you can take buses from Orchard Road.

Note that the National Orchid Garden is a good bit further west (see the purple orchid symbol at the top of the map), which in the blazing Singapore heat and humidity is easily a thirty-minute walk. There are entry points closer if you need them. No matter where you plan to go, bring lots of water and be mindful of the sun and the mobility or fitness level of those with you.

The National Orchid Garden itself is relatively compact, with wide paths that encourage a little wander.

Burkill Hall, a plantation-style building from the 19th century, gives you access to the Gardens VIP section, with orchid hybrids named after people like Nelson Mandela and, more recently, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Inside, information is displayed about the history of the orchid and the cultivation of different species and hybrids.

Elsewhere you can find a Celebrity Orchid Garden, as well as spot the Vanda Miss Joaquim, Singapores national flower. Regardless of the almost year-round unrelenting heat, wed recommend finding a morning or afternoon to make the short journey out of the heart of the city to come here theres a reason Singapores Botanic Gardens are the most visited botanic gardens in the world.

[Photos: JasonD]

Taking in the Pretty at Singapore"s National Orchid Garden