Gardens by the Bay After Dark & Marina Bay Promenade

Gardens by the Bay is a park of around one hundred hectares built on reclaimed land next to Marina Bay, opened in 2012 as part of Singapore's ambition to be a city in a garden. Its most striking feature is the Supertree Grove, eighteen vertical gardens, between twenty-five and fifty metres tall, covered in ferns, orchids and climbing plants and topped with solar panels and vents that help cool the park's conservatories. After dark, the Supertrees light up and become one of the city's most photographed sights.

The evening begins at 7:30 PM at the main entrance at the Bayfront, where your guide welcomes you. Walking into the Supertree Grove at dusk is the best way to see the transition from day to night, as the sky fades to blue and the trees begin to glow with colour.

The OCBC Skyway, a walkway suspended around twenty-two metres above the ground between two of the largest Supertrees, offers a close view of the plants growing on the trees, and a view of the Marina Bay skyline, including the Marina Bay Sands hotel with its rooftop boat-shaped structure, and the Singapore Flyer, the giant observation wheel. The skyway can be closed in bad weather, and tickets are sold separately from the park entry.

Depending on the evening, a light and music show, known as Garden Rhapsody, is held in the Supertree Grove at set times, with the trees glowing to a soundtrack. The programme changes from time to time, so your guide will confirm the schedule.

The park also has two large conservatories, the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest, which can be visited during the day or early evening for an additional fee. The Cloud Forest houses a tall artificial mountain covered in orchids, ferns and other plants and a waterfall, and the Flower Dome recreates a Mediterranean climate.

From the gardens, the walk continues along the Marina Bay Promenade, a waterfront path that curves around the bay past the Helix Bridge, the Marina Bay Sands complex and its shopping mall, and the Merlion, the half-lion, half-fish emblem of Singapore. In the evening, the skyline of the Central Business District glows across the water, and the promenade is at its busiest, with families, runners and photographers.

Your guide explains how Singapore was built on reclaimed land, how the city plans for green spaces and the ideas behind the design of the gardens.

The climate is hot and humid all year, with rain likely in the evening from November to January. Bring an umbrella, light clothing and water. Entry to the Supertree Grove is free, but the Skyway and conservatories require tickets.

The walk lasts around three hours. A guide, the Supertree Grove walk, entry to the OCBC Skyway and a walk along Marina Bay Promenade are included. Conservatory entry is optional and costs extra.