If you are a nature lover or simply someone in search of a tranquil respite away from the bustle of the city, Chinese Garden in the West can be an option to consider. The 13.5-hectare garden was built in 1975 by renowned Taiwanese architect, Professor Yuen-Chen Yu, and it has since become one a hotspot for tourists—yet, it’s ironic that so many Singaporeans haven’t even been there before.

From the garden’s stunning bonsai collection, pavilions and pagodas, Chinese Garden is perfect for an outing if you’re ever in search of a new adventure. And while it does not boast the same glamour and majesty of Gardens by the Bay, it is still one of the most iconic parks in Singapore.

Before you go on to say that this underrated garden has nothing to offer, here is a list of the things that you can do there. So go on, pretend you’re a tourist for a day and explore Singapore’s Chinese Garden.

LUNCH AT YU HUA MARKET & HAWKER CENTRE

Start your afternoon right by filling up your tummies before heading to the garden. Yu Hua Market & Hawker Centre is just a stone’s throw away from Chinese Garden and there are many stalls that sell really cheap and tasty hawker fare.

Some of the must-try stalls include the famous Poon Kee Wanton Noodle, although chances are you will not go wrong with the other hawker stalls.

347 Jurong East Avenue 1, #01-226
Singapore 600347
Mon to Sun: 6am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Chinese Garden

STROLL THROUGH THE BONSAI GARDEN

Open from 9am to 5pm daily, the Bonsai Garden is built in Suzhou-style and stepping into this place makes you feel as if you are transported into a traditional Chinese home from a typical Chinese period drama. Even if plants are not your thing, one can’t deny that walking through this lush space is incredibly therapeutic.

ENJOY A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE GARDEN IN THE PAGODA

Probably one of the most iconic structures in the garden, the Cloud Piercing Pagoda is a 7-storey tower with a pretty spiral staircase that leads you to the top where you can enjoy the panoramic view over Jurong Lake and the West of Singapore.

Standing at 48m tall, the majestic traditional Chinese architecture is definitely one of the perfect photo spots for you to up your Instagram game.

FEED TURTLES AT THE TURTLE MUSEUM

Kids will love the Live Turtle And Tortoise Museum–which is home to more than 200 turtles and tortoises–that holds the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of Turtle and Tortoise in the world.

For an admission fee of only S$5 for adults and S$3 for children, you can get to see over 60 species of turtles and tortoises and also get a chance to feed the calm and cute animals.

PERFECT PLACE FOR THE KILLER #OOTD

Even if you are just there to enjoy the outdoors, there is no way you can leave this beautiful place without giving your Instagram feed an update. This place has some gorgeous photo backdrops for you to take the perfect #aesthetic shot and your social media followers might not even be able to guess that you are in Singapore!

Chinese Garden
1 Chinese Garden Road
Singapore 619795
Admission: Free
Mon to Sun: 6am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Chinese Garden