I settled on a 10km hike to fill my day, taking me up Mount Faber, across Telok Blangah Hill Park, over the Henderson Waves, through to Hort Park and finishing off with a Canopy Walk. Sounded perfect – but spoiler alert, this walk did not go to plan!!

That said, it was still one of the best days I had on my most recent trip to Singapore, so if you’re looking for something a bit “different” to do on your visit, then I highly recommend it as an option!

Want to read more about Singapore? Read my recommended itinerary: HERE.

Walk Information

• The hike is 10km long, and takes 3-5 hours depending on your level of fitness.
• The hike starts at the bottom of the Marang Trail, accessible from the Harbourfont MRT station.
• Alternatively on the Grab taxi app, select drop off point “Mount Faber Park Car Park Marang Road” if you are being dropped off by a taxi.
• I completed this hike solo and had no issues; I didn’t get lost, it’s well signed, and I never felt unsafe even in parts of the trail where I was alone.
• Wear comfortable shoes and sensible clothing. Take lots of water, suncream, a hat, and an umbrella if you can.
• The walk terrain varies from flat to quite steep, especially in the first section.
• That said, all sections are easy to navigate; either on clear trails, roads, or steps. No climbing is needed so overall a moderate level of fitness is fine.

Top Tip: Singapore gets super hot in the heat of the day, so I recommend starting the hike early (around 8am) to ensure you finish before lunch time. Alternatively you could start in the evening, but sections of the trail aren’t lit, so be sure to take a torch if so.

Walking Route

Marang Trail

The Marang Trail is the start point of the walk. Just to the right of a car park, the trail takes you up some steps surrounded by trees. Along this section of the walk you will probably see (or at least hear) a wide variety of birds, and you may also encounter wild monkeys. I didn’t see any, but if you do, don’t engage with them or have any food/drink on show!

As I was hiking solo, it was a bit disconcerting to have these trails to myself surrounded by dense rainforest – if something bad were to happen, no-one would have even heard me scream. I was perfectly safe and saw no-one, but it’s always sad to think that as a woman that was my first thought.

Faber Walk

The Marang Trail brings you out on to Faber Walk, on to which you turn left along the road, enjoying the views as you go. Follow the paved walkways to enjoy spectacular views of the southern part of Singapore and the Southern Islands as you circle Mount Faber Peak.

You will also notice that there is a cable car servicing Mount Faber Peak – so if you don’t want to climb up, you could take the easier route!

Faber Point

Faber Point lies just off to the right of the path on Faber Walk. Here you can find a lovely look out point, with glorious views all around – plus a replica Merlion! I also liked all the arrows on the floor so you could see what direction you were facing in relation to other South East Asian countries.

Henderson Waves

From Faber Point, follow the signs down through the woodland trail to the main road and cross over to Henderson Waves, on the site of an old nutmeg plantation. The distinctive wave-like pedestrian bridge was built to improve connectivity between nature areas. A series of seven undulating “ribs” double up as a nice place to sit and enjoy the views (or drink some water and try to control the sweat in the heat)!

Alkaff Mansion & Telok Blangah Hill Park

After walking over the Waves, you follow the path downwards through more tree covered walkways. This brings you down to Telok Blangah Hill Park where you could divert off to explore a therapeutic garden, terrace garden or the stream pond. I didn’t do this as 10km is already quite far in the heat, and these diversions would add quite a bit more distance. Instead, I made a short diversion off to the Alkaff Mansion, a unique conservation mansion restored by the Singapore Tourism Board which serves food and drink.

Forest Walk

Well, it’s here that sadly my walk went horribly wrong. After following the road upwards (all the signs point you to “forest walk”), the entrance to the next stage of the walk was closed. Sadly, the Forest Walk had been partially swept away in a landslide due to heavy rain, and looks likely to remain closed for a while! I managed to get a shot from the road, and I’m gutted to have missed it as it looks lovely.

Hort Park

What’s a girl to do? Well – the diversion on the sign took me back where I’d come from, and then along a main road which I didn’t want to do. So I did what any respecting hiker would do and called a taxi (!!!). Thankfully, the forest walk entrance is right by a car park so I was picked up from there and escorted to the next spot on the walk for just S$5.

I arrived at Hort Park to a thunderstorm. Luckily I had an umbrella with me so I was able to keep plodding on. Hort Park is a lovely area, full of miniature little gardens and well worth a bit of an explore. It’s even a growing garden for Gardens by the Bay, home to row upon row of greenhouses and outdoor growing areas.

Canopy Walk

Past the Prototype Glasshouses right at the end of Hort Park is a park connector path that links HortPark to Kent Ridge Park. You wind up it, and then pop out where you can see the Canopy walkway above you. Turn back on yourself up to the main road to get to the entrance to the canopy walk (opposite Reflections at Bukit Chandu Museum).

The canopy walk is a lovely elevated trail through the Southern Ridges, enjoying secondary rain forest at eye-level. It takes about 10 minutes to explore the long boardwalk that links Hort Park to Kent Ridge Park, and the end of the walk.

Reflections at Bukit Chandu

Instead of finishing the walk at Kent Ridge Park, I actually doubled back on myself back along the Canopy Walk to come back to the Bukit Chandu Museum. The museum tells the story of the Malay Regiment killed in the Battle of Singapore during WW2 who took a stand here against the Japanese – choosing death over dishonour. All bar one person who fought here was killed in the battle. I was very moved in the museum reading the stories of bravery.

After all that, I ordered a Grab taxi to pick me up and take me back to my hotel. In total the walk (with a cheat taxi ride for about 3km), plus the museum, took me 4 hours.

As you can see, I had pretty much the entire walk (and museum) to myself. It was well off the beaten track, and wonderful to explore another side to Singapore. I would definitely recommend this hike as an option to anyone visiting Singapore and looking for something a bit different. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!

Stay safe and happy travelling!

During World War Two (WW2), Singapore was a British stronghold in South East Asia. In 1942, the Battle of Singapore saw the Japanese capture the city, leading to the largest British surrender in history. Singapore fell to the Japanese on Feb 15th 1942, and remained under Japanese occupation until 1945. During this time, atrocities were committed against both the captured soldiers and civilian population in Singapore.

My husband’s ancestor, Percy Peacock, fought in the Battle of Singapore, where he was captured and imprisoned – before being sent to Thailand to work on the construction of the Burma Railway. He never came home.

It was important to us to make sure we retraced his steps (and those of my great grandpa, more on him later) and beyond, across the country, to understand more of Singapore’s WW2 history.

WW2 Sites in Singapore

Changi Museum & Chapel

After the Japanese captured Singapore in 1942, they interred all the Allied (British, Australian etc) soldiers in a place called Changi, where they built a Prisoner of War (PoW) camp.

Changi Museum & Chapel remembers those interred in the PoW camp, tells their stories and gives a view as to what life was like here. The majority of soldiers captured were those who fought in the Battle of Singapore – mainly Australian and British soldiers. The British regiments stationed here at the time were mainly from Cambridgeshire and Norfolk.

Percy Peacock was in one of those Cambridgeshire regiments which fought in the Battle of Singapore and was captured. Percy, named after his mother’s brother who was captured as a German PoW in WW1, knew nothing other than home in the Cambridgeshire Fens. Percy married a local girl, Doris, on Christmas day before he was deployed. He had 4 siblings; Maurie, Marj, Len and Ron. These 4 people played a huge role in my mother in law’s upbringing, but she never met Percy and he wasn’t spoken about. She didn’t know his story.

Percy was captured in 1942 and kept at Changi for just over a year. I can’t imagine his fear as he was deprived of food, beaten, unable to send letters home, forced to sleep on concrete floors in cramped conditions, and afforded no freedom, before ultimately being sent to his death on the Burma Railway.

Whilst here, I like to think he found some comfort in a simple chapel the Prisoners built, or the small community they formed where music, reading and makeshift games were played. It was moving to discover the site, and pay tribute to Percy.

Before he was captured, Percy wrote to his mother Mabel (my husband’s great Grandma): “Dear Mother, Well we are off this time, Join the Army & see the world, well I certainly look as though I shall see some of it, I’ve always wanted to but not quite in this fashion“.

I wish he could have seen it through our eyes instead.

Civilian War Memorial

It’s now time to head to my great grandpa, Cyril Kenneth Sansbury, who served as Bishop of Singapore and Malaya post WW2 in the 1960s, during Colonial times. His obituary reads:

“In 1961 he was consecrated as the last expatriate Bishop of Singapore and Malaya. Sansbury, now 56, braved tedious travelling in the tropics and taught and preached with his customary skill and energy. Perhaps Archbishop Fisher, often ultra-cautious, would have been wiser to have chosen a young non-European for this very rapidly developing Asian diocese. A cathedral service in Singapore might use seven different languages. Sansbury felt keenly the ecclesiastical and political divisions imposed by history, European traders, colonial powers and missionaries…. and was glad to return to England.”

It was during this time, in 1963, 20 years after Percy’s death, that the Prime Minister at the time set aside a plot of land at Beach Road for the building of a memorial dedicated to the civilians killed in WW2. My great grandpa was on the construction committee and would have seen the memorial built.

The memorial is dedicated to the civilians, mainly many thousands of ethnic Chinese, who were killed in the Sook Ching Massacre and more. The civilian death toll was reported to be 6,000 by the Japanese, but official estimates range between 25,000 and 50,000.

Fort Canning Park & Battlebox

Fort Canning sits right at the heart of the Civic District in the city. It remained the headquarters of the British military operations until the outbreak of Second World War in 1941.

Notably, it is the location of The Battlebox, a bomb-proof command center, originally known as the Headquarters Malaya Command Operations Bunker. Built between 1936 and 1941, it served as a key operational hub for the Allied forces.  It was here that Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival and other commanders made the decision to surrender Singapore to the invading Japanese forces in February 1942.

Kranji War Cemetery & Memorial

The Kranji War Memorial is located in northern Singapore, and pays tribute to the men and women from the UK, Australia, Malaya, India, Sri Lanka, Canada and New Zealand who died defending Singapore and Malaya against the invading Japanese during WW2.

The Cemetery houses 4,500 identified bodies with marked graves. The Memorial’s walls inscribe over 24,000 more names of Allied personnel whose bodies were never found, spread over both sides of 12 columns of the war memorial itself.

It is a sobering and moving sight.

Reflections at Bukit Chandu

It wasn’t just the British and American soldiers who suffered horrendously at the hands of the Japanese. The Malayan Regiment, fighting as part of the British army, suffered significant casualties too. The Regiment is known for the stand it made at Bukit Chandu (literally translates at “Opium Hill” from Malay), which it held for as long as it could whilst being attacked by the Japanese. Every single person was slaughtered – apart from one. Abbas Abdul Manan somehow fought his way through the Japanese, crossed a 20ft wide drain filled with burning oil, and then rejoined the Battle of Singapore in another location!

The Regiment was lead by Lieutenant Adnan Saidi, an embodiment of the Regiment’s motto “Ta’at Setia” (faithful and true). He was a teacher before joining the Malay Regiment, where he was voted the best recruit and represented the Regiment at the coronation of King George VI in London. He died at Bukit Chandu along with around 150 others.

Fort Siloso

The fort was designed and built to defend Singapore against an invasion by sea from the south. However, during the Battle of Singapore, the guns were instead turned inland to fire at rapidly-advancing Japanese forces approaching from Malaya to the north. Ridiculously, in the confusion, a number of British and local troops were retreating south, but were mistaken for Japanese troops and fired upon, with at least major casualties sustained.

The building at the entrance of Fort Siloso is now known as the Surrender Chambers and has a vivid portrayal of the scenes of the British and Japanese surrenders in WWII with actual footage of the war being played.

Alexandra Hospital

In 1940, Alexandra Hospital was the best equipped British Military Hospital in the Far East, and it wasn’t spared during the Japanese invasion. The Japanese stormed the hospital on Saturday 14th Feb 1942. Despite hospital staff surrendering, the Japanese bayonetted many of them, including defenceless patients on operating tables and in hospital beds. Of over 200 staff and patients in the building at the time, only 5 lived to tell the story.

The hospital still exists and is still in use today.

Former Ford Factory

This is the site where Commander Arthur Percival surrendered to the Japanese on 15th February 1942, a day after the Alexandra Hospital massacre and the same day as the Bukit Chandu massacre ended. Today the factory is converted to a huge exhibition about the Battle of Singapore and the surrender. I didn’t have time to visit it on this trip, but it’s top of my list for my next return to Singapore.

It’s really hard to believe that my husband’s grandparents, and my great grandparents, literally lived through these events. Our ancestors wouldn’t recognise the Singapore of today – a wealthy, safe nation – our favourite country in the world.

My husband’s family don’t travel. They trace back for at least 300 years in the Cambridgeshire fens. Other than Percy, no-one we know of in his family has ever left Europe; most have never left England. It is with a deeper meaning that my husband fell in love with travel in Singapore, before knowing anything about his family history. We both feel a strong affinity to Singapore, and I’m now sure that it’s because those who came before us left pieces of themselves here for us to find.

May my great grandpa be looking down on me as I sit in Singapore Cathedral typing this in the church he called his.

And may Percy rest in peace.

So, if you’re planning a visit, I’ve got you covered. Having now visited a couple of times, spending countless hours amongst the plants in my happy place, I’ve compiled a complete guide so you can make the most of your trip!

Important Note: Don’t get the Singapore Botanic Gardens confused with Gardens by the Bay. If you’re looking for more detail on them, you can find my post HERE.

How to get to the Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Gardens lie just outside the city centre, and aren’t walkable from the main hotel hotspots. You will therefore need to get transport out to the Botanic Gardens, and there are a number of options.

• Grab Taxi: Book a taxi using the Grab App. From central Singapore the ride will take around 20 minutes and cost around S$20.
• MRT: There are two entrances to the Botanic Gardens, both served by MRT stations
  • Tanglin Entrance: Arrive in to Napier MRT Station (Thomason East Cost Line, Brown).
  • Bukit Timah Entrance: Arrive in to Botanic Gardens Station (Circle Line, Yellow) or (Downtown Line, Blue).
• Buses: There are a number of buses arriving in to each entrance.
  • Tanglin Entrance: 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 174 and 174E.
  • Bukit Timah Entrance: 48, 66, 67, 151, 153, 154,156, 170.

The Botanic Gardens are huge, and there is so much to see and do. You won’t be able to see everything in one visit, but there are a few things you can do to maximise your time.

• Spend at least 3 hours in the gardens, this will allow you to see a decent amount of items on the list
• Prioritise the bits you’re most interested in and plan a route around to cover it – it’s easy to wonder off and get distracted, not seeing what you’d planned to see!

What to see and do at the Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Singapore Botanic Gardens are:

• Open daily from 5am – 12am
• Free to enter
• Other than the National Orchid Garden which is open 8.30am – 7pm daily, and costs S$15 to enter.

There is so much to see and do at the Botanic Gardens that the list might seem overwhelming, but pick to your interests and you can’t go wrong.

National Orchid Garden

The orchid has been the symbol of Singapore since the 1980s, and that means it takes orchids seriously. The orchid garden is made up of a number of absolutely STUNNING sections, including fountains, walkways, displays and even a Cold House (which makes a nice respite from the baking heat)!

It’s easy to spend an hour just in this section, and I highly recommend getting there for opening as it gets really busy. I visited at 8.30am and had it to myself, but my 9.45am when I left the Orchid Garden, the walkways were getting really busy.

Ginger Garden

The Ginger Garden displays several hundred species of gingers and other plants from related families. With a walk behind a waterfall, romantic night lighting and a pool adorned with giant Amazon water lilies, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular amongst visitors. My highlight is definitely the waterfall!

The Bandstand

The octagonal gazebo known as the Bandstand was erected in 1930 and has retained its original form over the years; and it’s now a heritage landmark (and a great place to get some shade)!

Prisoner of War Steps

The Prisoner of War Steps are a set of steps within the Botanic Gardens, which bear the memory of those who were imprisoned during World War II in Singapore under Japanese occupation, and laid the bricks as forced labour in 1942. The bricks are engraved with tiny, uneven arrows, and were constructed by individuals who were incarcerated in Changi Prison (the arrows are a sign of defiance).

Plant House

The Plant House is tucked away from the main trail of the Gardens; that makes it worth a visit in my eyes – and the waterlily pond was beautiful!

Sundial Garden

“What thou seekest is but a shadow”.

It’s rare to be moved by a sundial, but there I was in my feels as I stood there. What a lovely inscription; a reminder to enjoy every moment instead of always seeking more with no guarantee. This sundial has been here since 1929, designed and sculpted by Ursula Holttum (wife to the former Assistant Director of the Gardens, Eric). I decided I quite liked Ursula.

Heritage Garden

At this point, I was happened upon by a giant water monitor lizard! I nearly trod on him!! He was wondering about in the Heritage Garden, a throwback to Colonial times, without a care in the world. Luckily, I’ve met my fair share of monitor lizards on my travels – if this had been the first time I’d seen one, I would have screamed and ran for the hills!

Swan Lake

Swan Lake was formerly also known as the Main Lake or the First Lake. It was constructed in 1866, shortly after the Gardens’ formation and is considered to be the oldest ornamental water-feature in Singapore. It even once had a crocodile living in it! You can hire little row boats and take to the lake now; thankfully it’s croc free!

Symphony Lake & Palm Valley

Connecting the north and south parts of the garden is a long walk way through Palm Valley with views to Symphony Lake – home to a large stage which hosts plays and concerts. It’s a nice peaceful walk through huge open green spaces.

Healing Garden

The Healing Garden showcases over 400 varieties of plants used medicinally. It is laid out thematically relating to component parts of the body. It was quite interesting to learn a bit more about South East Asian medicinal plants.

Foliage Garden

The foliage garden is relatively new, and is an extensive collection of terrestrial and aquatic leafy plants. It aims to showcase that the beauty and diversity of plants does not lie in their flowers alone.

Ethnobotany Garden

The Ethnobotany Garden comprises of over 300 species of plants that are deeply-seated into traditional cultures of Malay Archipelago, Indochina and South Asia; and a Centre for Ethnobotany. Visitors can learn about the various plants in each zone, and how they are used traditionally by indigenous communities of this region; including for building houses, treating illness and making crafts.

Eco Lake & Gardens

The Eco-Garden and Lake is a discovery area of plants of economic and ecological importance through human history. Trees, shrubs and herbs yielding a myriad of products from spices, dyes, resins and fibres to fruits and timbers are laid out and include things like Bamboo groves and Herb gardens.

Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden

There is a large garden area designed for children aged 14 and below. It was full of school groups on my last visit which was lovely to see, though did mean I didn’t go in as I didn’t exactly fit the target demographic!

Trellis Garden

The trellis garden showcases the garden’s collection of climbing plants. Again this garden is a bit off the beaten track, so I sat and had a nice long rest on a bench in the shade. A perfect way to end my visit!

Interested in more gardens in Singapore? Read my full post HERE (coming soon).

Facilities at the Singapore Botanic Gardens

There are lots of facilities on offer across the gardens; and overall I found it to be incredibly well provisioned for a day out!

• Visitor Centre: at the Nassim Gate in the centre of the gardens; offering helpful advice, tips, a gift shop and a Café.
• Toilets: There are at least 10 toilet facilities dotted around the gardens, which is just as well given the distances you can cover!
• Restaurants: There are plenty of places to eat and drink in the gardens, including:
  • Au Balcon (12pm – 3m, 6pm-10.30pm, closed Mondays)
  • Bee’s Knees (daily 8am – 10pm)
  • Fusion Spoon (9am – 9pm, halal certified)
  • Halia Restaurant (9am – 9pm, halal certified)
  • Halia Pantry & Bakery (12 – 3pm, 5pm-8.30pm)
  • Ice Cream Man (9am – 7pm)
  • Pangium (Thurs – Sat)
  • Prive (8am – 9pm)
  • Roia (12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm, closed Mondays & Tuesdays)
  • Sprouts Food Place (7.30am – 9.30pm)
  • Small Batch (9am – 6pm, closed Mondays)

So there you have it, a comprehensive tour around Singapore Botanic Gardens! Have you been before and seen anything I haven’t covered? Or are you planning to go and have found this guide helpful? Let me know in the comments below!

My garden obsession was really fuelled in Singapore and I completely fell in love with all the greenery! I hope you’re enjoying it too – stay safe and happy travelling!

Wanting more Singapore inspiration? Find a detailed itinerary HERE.

Contents

1. Contents
2. What is Gardens by the Bay?
3. What to See & Do at Gardens by the Bay
   1. The Cloud Forest
   2. The Flower Dome
   3. Floral Fantasy
   4. Outdoor Gardens
      1. Supertree Grove
      2. OCBC Skywalk
      3. Sky Garden
      4. Themed Outdoor Gardens
      5. Lakeside Outdoor Walkways
4. How much do Gardens by the Bay cost?
5. How to get to Gardens by the Bay
6. Other things to do nearby

What is Gardens by the Bay?

Gardens by the Bay is a futuristic nature park spanning 101 hectares of reclaimed land in the Central Region of Singapore. It’s right in the centre of the city, and isn’t to be confused with Singapore’s Botanic Garden which is outside of the main centre.

You can read more about the Singapore Botanic Garden HERE.

The Gardens sit opposite the Marina Reservoir and consist of 4 main areas (the first being outside, and the remaining three being indoor attractions):

• The Cloud Forest
• The Flower Dome
• Floral Fantasy
• Outdoor Gardens (including Supertree Grove)

Overall you will need around 3 hours to visit Gardens by the Bay and explore all the attractions.

What to See & Do at Gardens by the Bay

The Cloud Forest

The Cloud Forest is probably Gardens by the Bay’s most famous resident, known world wide as the home of the incredible indoor waterfall. The waterfall is effectively cascading down the side of a lush “mountain”, clad with plants from around the world. The Cloud Forest really is one of a kind in a city centre.

On a visit, you will first enter at ground level, to see the waterfall from the front, and then climb upwards inside the waterfall, before descending back down again. A stroll along the aerial walkways, enjoying lovely views of all the exotic plant species is one of the best ways to spend some time in Singapore.

The Flower Dome

Right next door to the Cloud Forest is another dome, which houses The Flower Dome. This is where all the themed floral displays are held, and I would say it’s more suited to children than the Cloud Forest. There are also lots more people as a result!

The displays are lots of fun – we’ve seen a poinsettia wonderland at Christmas time, a Dutch windmill themed tulip display in the spring, and a mythical beasts one back in 2021. Whilst this is probably more tourist/Instagram focused it’s still really nice to stroll around and the displays are impressive.

Floral Fantasy

Floral Fantasy offers a magical escape among suspended bouquets and creative floral arrangements. Again the displays are more child oriented, and the themes can definitely reflect that – for example on my latest trip to Singapore, the theme was Disney characters.

Outdoor Gardens

Supertree Grove

Supertree Grove is the name for the famous futuristic “trees”. Set outside in the park, you can walk around them any time for free. Every night at 7.45pm and 8.45pm there is also a light and music show, where the trees are lit up and there’s a fun atmosphere.

OCBC Skywalk

During opening hours, you can pay to walk in the ‘”treetops”‘ via a suspended platform called the OCBC Skyline. It gives some really nice views out over the skyline of Singapore, but if you’re scared of heights it’s not one for you!

Sky Garden

When I visited Singapore in the past, the central tree was home to a restaurant called Indochine (very tasty food!), but sadly this has now closed. Instead, it’s been converted in to a Sky Garden bar where you can pay an entrance fee to relax on the top of a “tree” with a drink in hand. I made sure to visit on my last trip and it was pretty cool!

Themed Outdoor Gardens

Surrounding the central Supertree Grove trees are a number of small themed outdoor gardens which are free to visit. These include:

• World of Plants
• Colonial Garden
• Malay Garden
• Chinese Garden
• Indian Garden

My favourite by far was the World of Plants area, full of diverse trees, flowers and palms. The Chinese garden is also very pretty, and I loved the A* topiary going on with all the tree animals dotted around the gardens too!

Lakeside Outdoor Walkways

The grounds of Gardens by the Bay house a number of lakes, and this means some really lovely walking trails in and around the lakes, which offer some totally beautiful views out to Marina Bay Sands, Supertree Grove and the Singapore Flyer. These include:

• Dragonfly Island
• Nibong Island
• Victoria Lily Pond
• Water Lily Pond

Insider Tip: Dragonfly Island boardwalk is one of my favourite spots in the whole garden. It gives absolutely brilliant views of Marina Bay Sands hotel.

How much do Gardens by the Bay cost?

Looking for more information on Singapore’s best gardens? Read more HERE (coming soon).

The ticket structure for Gardens by the Bay is a little confusing as it’s not just one ticket for everything. Tickets are available 30 days in advance online, and you can purchase on the door too. There is also a price for Singapore residents and a more expensive price for non residents. Prices listed below are for non residents.

• Outdoor Gardens, including Supertree Grove – free, or with audio guide S$10 (Adult)/ S$5 (Child)
• Cloud Forest & Flower Dome – S$32 / S$18
• Supertree Grove Sky Garden – S$14 / S$10
• OCBC Skywalk at Supertree Grove – S$14 / S$10
• Floral Fantasy – S$20 / S$12
• Shuttle Service from metro station to the domes – S$3

Insider Tip: I recommend visiting the outdoor gardens early in the morning first (before the ticketed attractions are open), to avoid the heat of the day. Then head to the Cloud Forest pre 10am, and then do the rest, to have a less crowded experience!

How to get to Gardens by the Bay

• If you’re staying centrally in Singapore, Gardens by the Bay is probably walkable from your hotel.
• If you’re staying in the famous Marina Bay Sands hotel, it’s just a 3 minute walk across to the Gardens!
• If not, the best way to get to Gardens by the Bay is via the metro (MRT). The nearest MRT station is Bayfront and then it’s a short walk over Dragonfly Bridge in to the Gardens.
• You can also book a shuttle service from the metro to the gardens if you don’t want to walk, for S$3

Other things to do nearby

As the Gardens are within the centre of Singapore, they are easy to combine with other attractions nearby. You could easily choose from the following:

• Enjoy Shoppes by Marina Bay Sands for lots of shopping and dining options
• Take a short walk to the Art Science Museum
• Cross the Bay to explore China Town, and grab some food from a Hawker Market
• Enjoy a Museum – perhaps the Asian Civilisations Museum, National Museum or National Gallery
• Take a ride in the sky on the Singapore Flyer, or a ride along the water in a traditional Singapore River Bumboat

For lots more information and ideas, you can read my detailed Singapore itinerary HERE.

So there you have it – a complete guide to Gardens by the Bay! I hope you enjoyed it and think the Gardens look interesting. If you’re visiting Singapore, would you like to visit the gardens? Let me know in the comments below – stay safe and happy travelling!

Singapore is a small country, and whilst a lot of people use it purely as a stopover on the way to another destination, it really is worth giving it more time if you can. There is so much to see and do, so whilst 2 days is the minimum to take in the main sites, I actually think it’s worth at least 3-5 days depending on your interests.

I’ve included a full 2 day itinerary and then lots of recommended optional extras at the end of this itinerary if you have longer!

In Singapore for less than 2 days? Read my Singapore Layover Guide instead (coming soon)!

Contents

1. Contents
2. Important Visitor Information
3. Itinerary Day 1: Marina Bay & Chinatown
   1. Gardens by the Bay
   2. Marina Bay Sands
   3. China Town
   4. Merlion Park & The Singapore River
   5. Evening: Clarke Quay and Garden Rhapsody lightshow
   6. Bonus Extras for Day 1: Urban Gardens Galore
4. Itinerary Day 2: Little India, Kampong Glam & Civic District
   1. Little India
   2. Kampong Glam
   3. Civic District
   4. National Museum of Singapore or Another Museum
   5. Evening: Raffles Bar for cocktails
   6. Bonus Extra for Day 2: Peranakan Houses
5. Have a little longer?
   1. Singapore Botanic Gardens & National Orchid Garden
   2. Mount Faber & The Southern Ridges
   3. Sentosa Island
   4. Jurong Lake Gardens
   5. Jewel at Changi Airport
   6. Changi Chapel & WW2 Museum (& other WW2 sites)
   7. Other
6. Where to Eat, Drink & Sleep in Singapore
   1. Eat
   2. Drink
   3. Sleep

Important Visitor Information

• Visa: Visas are required to enter Singapore from numerous countries, though most only need an arrival card. Be sure to complete one!
• Cost: Singapore is an expensive city. If you’re on a budget, consider eating in the Hawker markets for cheap and delicious food, plus consider skipping costly attractions like Gardens by the Bay and prioritise free ones like the Botanic Gardens.
• Language: English is widely spoken in Singapore.
• Time Difference: GMT +7 or +8, depending on time of year.
• Getting around: Singapore is small, so Day 1 and 2 of this itinerary are all walkable. The Metro is your cheap friend for anything further afield, and Grab is the taxi app of choice if you want to prioritise speed.
• Temperature: Singapore has two temperatures; hot and hotter. It’s a standard 30 degrees year round, so be sure to have lightweight clothing, sun screen and a hat. The UV here is not to be messed with.

Insider Tip: Pack an umbrella; you’ll either need it for the tropical downpours, or use it to protect yourself from the sun like a local! I never visit without one now.

Itinerary Day 1: Marina Bay & Chinatown

Gardens by the Bay

Read my full Guide to Gardens by the Bay: HERE

Start your day off in one of the most iconic areas in Singapore, Gardens by the Bay, which are something not to miss on a visit to the city. Overall, a visit will take around 3 hours if you want to explore the outdoor and dome gardens.

Helix Bridge

To get to the gardens, try to walk across the Helix Bridge, for some incredible views out across the Bay to start your day.

Outdoor Gardens

Start your visit to Gardens by the Bay early, and explore the outdoor gardens before it gets too hot. I recommend visiting the themed gardens, Supertree Grove and the Sky Garden.

• Themed Gardens: 10+ small gardens outside, with stunning views out and around Marina Bay (free)
• Supertree Grove: home to the famous futuristic “trees” (free)
• OCBC Skywalk: to walk between the “trees” for panoramic views (ticketed)
• Sky Garden: to head to the top of a “tree” for more great views (ticketed)

Insider Tip: When in the outdoor gardens, head towards the “Meadow”. When you reach the giant white baby sculpture (you can’t miss it), take the path down to the water for a beautiful boardwalk across the Dragonfly Island.

Garden Domes

• Cloud Dome: built to replicate the tropical mountain regions of Asia and South America and with a massive waterfall in the middle, it really is spectacular (ticketed)
• Flower Dome: the largest greenhouse in the world, slightly more tailored to children with displays and themes. I’ve visited during a Wizard of Oz theme and a Dutch Windmill theme before. Both were a lot of fun! (ticketed)
• Floral Fantasy: more amazing floral displays well worth some time to enjoy (ticketed).

Marina Bay Sands

Another Singapore icon, Marina Bay Sands Hotel is one of the most famous images of Singapore. There are numerous things to do here:

• Infinity Pool: you can only use the infinity pool if you’re staying in the Hotel.
• SkyPark Observation Deck: for the views without getting the pool to go with it.
• Shoppes at MBS: a great Mall at the base of Marina Bay Sands, and perfect for a spot of lunch and shopping. I recommend trying:
  • Dim Sum at Tim Ho Wan
  • Kaya Toast at Toast Box
  • Coffee at Bacha
• Rain Oculus at MBS: in the Mall is a beautiful water feature and indoor canals, which you can even ride along on a gondola!
• ArtScience Museum: a fascinating museum home to design, science and technology exhibits which is always interactive and fun to explore.

China Town

China Town is just a short walk south from the Marina Bay Sands area and is a wonderful cultural addition to any Singapore Itinerary. Be sure to check out at least a few of the main sites, and DEFINITELY make sure you hit up one of the Hawker food markets:

• Hawker Centres: for amazing and cheap street food – Lau Pa Sat and Maxwell Food Centre are both great options. Make sure you try the famous local dish of Chicken and Rice, or whatever else takes your fancy!
• Buddha Tooth Relic Temple: a striking Tang dynasty style temple with ornate rooms.
• Thian Hock Keng Temple: an historic Taoist temple, full of red lanterns and incense.
• Singapore City Gallery: a museum focused on the city development of Singapore from a small settlement to gleaming metropolis.
• Chinatown Heritage Centre: restored shophouses displaying the living spaces and items of early Chinatown settlers in Singapore.
• Mohamed Ali Lane: a cute little street nice for a stroll to see the murals.

Merlion Park & The Singapore River

After finishing in China Town walk north to the water and you’ll reach Merlion Park. It’s home to the famous Merlion fountain; a symbol of Singapore, with Singapore itself literally meaning ‘Singa Pura’ or ‘Lion City’. Half fish, half lion, this sculpture spits out water from its mouth with the Singapore skyline as a backdrop, facing Marina Bay Sands.

From the Merlion, you can then follow the river east by foot, or take a traditional “bum boat”, and enjoy a few of the sights along the Singapore River. Particular buildings to look out for include The Fullerton Hotel, Asian Civilisations Museum, Arts House, and the buildings along Boat Quay. Lovely.

Evening: Clarke Quay and Garden Rhapsody lightshow

Clarke Quay is one of the most lively areas of Singapore, full of bars and restaurants, and it’s cool to arrive by boat in to the quay. It’s a perfect spot for a delicious Korean BBQ and a few Singapore slings before heading back on a boat to the Promenade Jetty to end the day where it started, in Gardens by the Bay, for the wonderful Supertree Grove lightshow.

As night descends, the trees light up in a myriad of colours and song. The show is free lasts around 15 minutes and runs at 19:45 and 20:45 daily. There are also numerous special shows throughout the year; I visited while Borealis, mirroring the Northern Lights was on. It was spectacular!

Bonus Extras for Day 1: Urban Gardens Galore

If gardens are your thing, then I’ve found some hidden gems for you. Visit them before they become mainstream, by sneaking them in between Gardens by the Bay and China Town if you have time.

• Sky Garden @ Capita Spring: a stunning urban rooftop garden with glorious views out to Marina Bay Sands hotel. Entrance is free but tickets need to be purchased in advance.
• Green Heart @ Marina One: another beautiful urban garden built in to the centre of a tower block, with a waterfall carving through the middle. Wow. Entrance is free and no booking is required.
• Park Royal Collection Pickering Hotel: a garden built in to the side of a hotel is one not to miss as you walk past. Entry not permitted for non hotel residents.

Read my full guide to Singapore’s best gardens: HERE (coming soon)

Itinerary Day 2: Little India, Kampong Glam & Civic District

Little India

Little India is one of my favourite areas in Singapore and easily worth a couple of hours on any visit to the city. Start the day with breakfast chai or a tasty brunch at Main Street Commissary before heading to check out some of the sights including:

• Tekka Lane: to see the kaleidoscopic House of Tan Teng Niah (Tan House).
• Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple: for its lovely exterior.
• Indian Heritage Centre: to learn more about the Indian origin settlers in Singapore
• Tekka Centre: to see a traditional wet market.
• Singapore Mobility Gallery: a museum focused on Singapore’s transport system.

Kampong Glam

Just down the road from Little India is another lovely area of Singapore, Kampong Glam. It’s well worth at least an hour or so to check out:

• Sultan Mosque: with its golden onion dome (which interestingly was partly made from donated glass bottles).
• Malay Heritage Centre: to learn more about the history of the area, and the Malaysian settlers to Singapore.
• Arab Street and Haji Lane: for an array of shops, bars and restaurants.
• Street Art: there are lots of beautiful lanes filled with murals, including the famous “Beautiful Boat” wall painting.

Civic District

By this point in the itinerary, you’ve seen China Town, Little India and Kampong Glam, learning about the history of the Chinese, Indian and Malaysian settlers in Singapore. Heading to the Civic District, it’s time to learn more about the Colonial Era in the country, when the British ruled the island.

Again there are so many things to see and do, so take your pick from:

• Fort Canning Park: a lovely place for a stroll. The famous Singapore “Tree Tunnel” is situated here, and there are numerous other lovely gardens to stroll around.
• Battlebox: Within Fort Canning Park is a WW2 Bunker which now serves as a Museum telling the story of Singapore during the War.
• St Andrew’s Cathedral: a personal favourite of mine, as my great grandfather was Bishop of Singapore here during the Colonial era.
• War Memorial Park: to stroll around and see the memorials.
• Old Hill Street Police Station: one of the most beautiful buildings in Singapore with lots of colourful shutters.
• Armenian Church: Singapore’s oldest Christian church, behind which you can stroll through a lovely little memorial garden.
• Raffles Landing Site: The spot where Sir Stamford Raffles landed in Singapore, commencing the start of Colonial interference.
• Chijmes: A perfect stop for lunch, with dozens of food stalls within an old converted church.

Insider Tip: For something a bit special in Fort Canning Park, head to Sang Nila Utama Garden, to feel like you’ve stepped straight on to the set of Tomb Raider.

National Museum of Singapore or Another Museum

I know not everyone wants to learn about the history of a country when they visit it, but Singapore’s is really fascinating. From the pre-British area, to colonisation, to Japanese invasion, to becoming part of Malaysia to full independence. This museum tells the whole story and it’s both horrific and full of hope at the same time. We spent about 3 hours in the museum and were so glad we spent the time learning about it.

If history isn’t your thing, the National Gallery is a wonderful art museum housing some absolute treasures just across the road. The Asian Civilisations Museum is also just round the corner and absolutely incredible.

Evening: Raffles Bar for cocktails

Raffles is a Singapore institution, and home of the original Singapore Sling cocktail. Tradition is, you peel the peanuts and sling the shells on to the floor. I’m allergic to peanuts so this wasn’t an option for me and we sat in a side bar, with no nuts, instead. The Singapore slings are still epic though. The Long Bar is walk in only so be prepared to queue!

Bonus Extra for Day 2: Peranakan Houses

Southeast Asia has long been a crossroads of the world, where trade has stimulated cultural exchange. Merchants and other travellers have connected the region to China, India, the Middle East, and Europe. Many of these people settled in Southeast Asia and intermarried into local communities, creating vibrant hybrid cultures which today are widely referred to as Peranakan.

If you want to see some beautiful Peranakan heritage houses, all lovely colours and perfect for a photo, then you *may* be able to squeeze in a trip to them today by taking a short Grab Taxi ride out and back.

Have a little longer?

If you manage to explore all of the above areas in Singapore in 2 days, but have longer in the city, then there is also so much more for you to explore. Here are just a few ideas of awesome things to do in the city!

Singapore Botanic Gardens & National Orchid Garden

Read my full Botanic Gardens Guide: HERE.

Heaven. On. Earth. Anyone who knows me knows I adore a Botanic Garden, and this one is no different. Full of beautiful flowers, walkways and water features it’s truly magical. And the National Orchid Garden is something else. I spent a whole day exploring on my most recent trip! And it’s FREE!

Mount Faber & The Southern Ridges

Read my full guide to The Southern Ridges hike: HERE (coming soon)

My favourite walk in Singapore is a lovely tree top walk which takes you from Mount Faber, with its views down to the Singapore islands and sea, through secondary rainforest along a treetop walk which really makes you feel out amongst nature. In total the walk is around 10km and takes c.4 hours so is the perfect way to spend half a day (do it early morning or evening to avoid the heat).

Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island is a lovely island off the coast of Singapore. It’s home to so much to see and do, but its main draws are:

• Universal Studios: who can resist the Minions and Muppets Spaghetti Chase!?
• Palawan Beach: a lovely section of pristine beach, perfect for a sunbathe or walk.
• Adventure Cove Waterpark: I can’t swim but my husband LOVES a waterpark and was raving about this one for a while!
• Fort Siloso and Skywalk: an old defensive fortress now converted in to a military museum, complete with sky walk out over the water.
• KidZania: the one item on this itinerary I haven’t been to, but it’s meant to be one of the best Children’s amusement centres in the world!

Jurong Lake Gardens

Read my full Jurong Lake Gardens Guide: HERE (coming soon)

Jurong Lake Gardens are one of Singapore’s hidden gems. Free to enter, the gardens are themed in to three areas (Chinese, Japanese and Lakeside). They are so beautiful that I managed to spend 4 hours wondering around and could have stayed longer!

Jewel at Changi Airport

Read my full Singapore Changi Airport Layover Guide: HERE (coming soon)

It’s really not often that I would recommend an itinerary includes the airport, but if you have time you really must see Jewel at Changi Airport as you enter or exit the country. It’s land-side, meaning you have to pass through immigration to visit it (i.e. you must leave transit), so I think it’s perfect to do on your return to the airport, before checking in. There’s even baggage storage so you can drop your stuff off and see the star of the show – the incredible indoor waterfall – before grabbing a bite to eat and checking in to your onward flight.

Changi Chapel & WW2 Museum (& other WW2 sites)

Read my full Singapore WW2 Guide: HERE.

Whilst not everyone’s cup of tea, I find Singapore’s War history absolutely fascinating. My husband’s ancestor, Percy Peacock, was stationed here and captured by the Japanese in 1942 (he went on to work on the Burma Death Railway and died) and then my own great grandfather was part of the group that commissioned Singapore’s WW2 Civilian War Memorial in 1966 as part of his role as Bishop of Singapore. Changi Chapel & Museum tells the story of Singapore’s occupation by the Japanese from the prisoner’s perspective.

Other

The above includes only places I’ve been myself, but there are a number of other things I’d love to check out in Singapore (I really should become a Singapore travel consultant) on my future trips which may be of interest:

• Night Zoo: for a night time safari
• Pulau Ubin: for a day trip out in nature
• MacRitchie Treetop walk: for a walk with canopy views away from the tourist trail
• Sungei Buloh: an area of wetlands, known for its bird and nature opportunities
• Haw Par Villa: for a Chinese mythology themed park full of sculptures.

Where to Eat, Drink & Sleep in Singapore

There is an endless choice for food, drink and hotels in Singapore. Below I recommend some of the places I have been and enjoyed, in case any appeal to you.

Eat

• Hawker Markets: for cheap and delicious plates in a communal setting. These markets are icons of Singapore and I recommend trying as much as you can!
  • Maxwell Road Food Centre
  • Lau Pa Sat
  • Tiong Bahru Market
  • Old Airport Road Food Centre
  • Market Street
• Chijmes: lots of little pop up stores, set around an old Colonial style convent. Anglo Indian and Lebua Thai are my favourites.
• KOMA: brilliant Japanese (the sushi is soooo good) in a lovely setting.
• Tim Ho Wan: delicious Dim Sum.
• Burma Social: perfectly spiced South East Asian curries, noodles and rices.

Insider Tip: Make sure you try local food in the hawker centres. If you want something less adventurous, try a Curry Puff (like a curried Cornish pasty), or if you’re feeling more adventurous try Hainanese chicken rice, Char Kway Teow, Hokkien Mee or Laksa.

Drink

• Raffles Long Bar: for old style luxury
• Atlas Bar: for cocktails in the most incredible building. Dress smart post 5pm!

Sleep

• Conrad Marina Bay: for newly refurbished rooms in a prime central location
• Shangri-La Orchard: for a beautiful hotel outside the main tourist trail hustle and bustle

.Read my full Conrad Marina Bay Hotel Review: HERE (coming soon)

And that’s a wrap on my beloved Singapore. It offers so much to see and do, and I could return time and time again – I can’t recommend it highly enough and hope my post has done some justice and given you a few ideas to enjoy this wonderful place.

Have you been to Singapore? Would you like to visit? Let me know what you think in the comments below – and if you are planning a trip and have questions, let me know! I love this country and am always happy to share more information if I can. Stay safe and happy travelling!

Contents

1. Contents
2. Location of The Ritz Carlton
3. Accommodation at The Ritz Carlton
4. Food & Drink at The Ritz Carlton
5. Amenities & Experiences at The Ritz Carlton

Location of The Ritz Carlton

The Ritz Carlton is situated just a short 10 minute drive away from Langkawi airport. Whilst there are no international flights to Langkawi, flights arrive daily from Penang (Malaysia – 30 minutes), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia – 1hr) and Singapore (1.5hrs). It makes it the perfect place to combine with a city to make a multi-centre holiday of exploration followed by relaxation. We chose to combine it with Kuala Lumpur, a city we absolutely fell in love with.

You can read my full post on Kuala Lumpur HERE.

Langkawi island itself is quite small, and The Ritz Carlton is on the west side of the island, close to the Langkawi Cable Car and Sky Bridge. It’s only about a 30 minute drive across the island to the beautiful area of Kilim Geoforest Park, and everything else is within 20 minutes of the hotel. I would say the island is quite touristy, and after arriving from Kuala Lumpur we really noticed a much higher number of Brits, and the much higher prices that accompany a tourist hotspot. I do think it means some of the island experiences aren’t exactly authentic – more just trips for tourists.

If you want true, authentic Malaysia, then I think there are much better options – Langkawi is mainly great for a lovely beach destination and relaxation to round off a trip.

Accommodation at The Ritz Carlton

The accommodation at The Ritz Carlton is nothing short of incredible. We stayed in a 1 bedroom villa with rainforest view, and as we entered it, we couldn’t believe how spacious it was, with the door opening up to a large living room with a huge comfortable sofa, desk are and lounge.

To the left was a lovely dining area, and to the right the large bedroom with walk in wardrobes behind the bed. The bed was the comfiest bed I’ve ever slept in – easily giving me my 9 hours a night the moment my head hit the pillow. Through to the bathroom and there was a huge walk in shower, plus dual sinks and a toilet – plus a wonderful soaking tub looking out to the rainforest. I would say that inside the villa was definitely one of the nicest we’ve ever had the pleasure of staying in.

Finally, stepping out of the room there is an outdoor pool, complete with two loungers on the top deck, with steps down to a day bed and table with chairs on the lower deck, all looking out to the trees. It was beautiful, but I’ve been spoiled with similar pools in Costa Rica and Bali and if I’m honest the rainforest view wasn’t as beautiful – instead of being dense and verdant, it was relatively thin and to the right (out of shot) was a view over a flat roof with a generator.

Another factor that set the room apart was the amazing housekeeping team. We booked this trip for our wedding anniversary and I was touched by the care they had taken to mark this – we had a rose petal bath run on arrival and every other night, anniversary rose petals on the bed, plus cards and gifts every day of our stay. Though hilariously they had no idea how long we’d been married – it was 10 years on the bed, 20 years on a card, and then another card congratulated us on 40 years. I could barely stop laughing – do I really look old enough to be 60?! (All were wrong by the way, but it’s the thought that counts!). They also got my husband’s name wrong on about half of our gifts – sometimes he was Charlie, sometimes Colin, and even better Chirstopher! It added some entertainment.

Housekeeping were also so thoughtful beyond the anniversary – I had a stack of books, so they wrote me a note to say they see I like reading so have left me some bookmarks. I also commented I loved the towel penguin they’d made, so I ended up with a pretty impressive menagerie!

Food & Drink at The Ritz Carlton

The Ritz Carlton offers numerous food and drink options. The main restaurant, Langkawi Kitchen, is set amongst the rainforest with pods that hold 4-6 tables overhanging the canopy. This is where breakfast is served every morning; a huge buffet with choices ranging from Western to Chinese to Malaysian. Breakfast is included within the room rate at the hotel. Langkawi Kitchen is also open for dinner, serving a Malaysian and Indian menu. It was delicious, and pricing is reasonable – we had 2 courses and wine for £25/head.

Another dinner option is Chinese restaurant Hai Yan, the most upmarket (and most expensive) restaurant onsite. We had dinner there one night, and the crispy duck followed by butter prawns were good but not great, and I did think it overpriced, costing us £50/head for a shared starter and a main.

The hotel also offers a restaurant called the Beach Grill for lunch and dinner. This beautiful restaurant is situated right on the beach next to the family pool. It’s set within mock “bubus” (Malay fishing nets), and is calm and tranquil overlooking the sea. It serves a mix of Malaysian and Western food at lunch, and for dinner is known for its grill – either steak or catch of the day fish. I highly recommend the beef rendang bao buns. Prices were around £25/head for 2 courses and a drink.

Horizon Bar, another option, is situated next to the adults only pool, again offering sweeping views. It serves a limited lunch menu (largely Western bar snacks), and slightly more expansive evening menu. Its main draw however, is the beautiful sunset views it offers as you sit on the comfy sofas taking it all in. We didn’t eat here so I cannot comment on quality of food or pricing.

Finally, you could also choose to book a special dinner. The hotel offers private dinners in villa with a privately cooked BBQ on the terrace, and private beach dinners in a lovely tent right at the shore as the sun sets. We had an evening meal on the beach and this is the setup we arrived to – beautiful! Prices depend on the menu you wish to choose.

If I’m honest, the service at the restaurants was a little clumsy. Whilst absolutely no big deal, there were a few things a 5* hotel could tidy up on. For example at breakfast you order tea/coffee as you arrive – on two mornings it didn’t turn up until after we’d finished eating (and we had to chase multiple times). We also had a couple of meals where the incorrect order was brought to us, and we had someone knocking on our door insisting they take us to a cooking experience we hadn’t booked. It felt just a little clumsy. The staff were so friendly and kind though, and went out of their way to help us.

Amenities & Experiences at The Ritz Carlton

Let’s start with the obvious amenities – the pools. Onsite are two pools, the first of which is a family pool which anyone can use, including children. It sits right at the beach level, with a path directly accessing the beach in one direction. There is a jacuzzi area and large pool, though it’s not ideal for swimming if you want to get some lengths in due to its shape.

The second pool is an adults only pool; a beautiful infinity pool which has to be one of the best hotel pools we’ve ever had the pleasure of enjoying. We spent 2 days sitting by it and it was just stunning. We found that in the mornings it was quiet, but from about 11.30am onwards most of the loungers were taken – so get any proper swimming in early!

The other part of The Ritz Carlton I loved was its incredibly special spa. Set in numerous mock pods known as a “bubu” (like the restaurant above, based on mock Malaysian fishing nets), it truly was an oasis. We booked in for a “bubu suite experience”, which sounded cute so I couldn’t resist it!

The experience allowed us to make use of the amazing facilities including a free sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and relaxation lounge (separate for men and women) before heading to our bubu. Within the bubu we received 90 minute stress relief massages (amazing), followed by use of the bubu for a further 90 minutes. It had a beautiful soaking tub overlooking the ocean, balcony out towards the sea, tea, cake and showers. I think it wins the prize for best spa experience I’ve ever had a hotel, and it was very reasonably priced.

The hotel also offers some great opportunities to spot wildlife. The grounds are home to two types of monkey – dusky leaf (friendly), and macaque (less friendly). It’s also home to toucans, lizards, lots of different butterflies and glorious plants galore. Who knew a banana plant looked like THAT?! I couldn’t stop laughing.

The hotel also offers a beautiful stretch of private beach, home to loungers, a little cafe beach bar and a beach club where you can kayak/swim/paddle board. We opted for the land only option of walking along it at sunset! If you’re adventurous there is also another ‘secluded beach’ a 3km hike away from the resort. We started the path, but got so bitten by mosquitoes and ticks we had to turn back – I really wish we’d completed it!

Away from the beach, the hotel also offers lovely grounds to stroll. Whilst not big, on site there is a giant chessboard, tennis courts, a little herb garden, some giant swings, a nice big pond area full of fish, a games lounge, a small library and a kids’ club. There is also a fully quipped gym and multiple exercise classes (e.g. yoga) on the beach.

Finally, the hotel has an extensive experience offering – being able to organise everything from kayak tours, boat trips, cultural excursions, traditional dance classes, cooking classes, weaving experiences and much more! We didn’t do any of these as none are really our thing, but it’s great they offer such variety.

And with that, I draw a close on an absolutely beautiful 6 days in paradise, and my time in Malaysia. The Ritz Carlton is a truly stunning destination, made by the luxury villa we were able to call home for a few days, and the attentive and kind staff especially housekeeping.

I also fell in love with Malaysia, well beyond this hotel. If you’re considering a trip to the country – by all means add Langkawi and its swanky resorts, but it was by far the most Westernised (and therefore expensive) place we visited, and the joy was in seeing more of the real Asia as well. I hope you enjoyed this review, and Malaysia more broadly – let me know what you think in the comments below. Stay safe and happy travelling!

1. About Kilim Forest Geopark
2. How to get to Kilim Forest Geopark
3. What to expect from the Kilim Forest Geopark Mangrove Tour
   1. Mangroves
   2. Eagle Watching
   3. Bat Cave
   4. Fish Farm (& Restaurant)
   5. Macaque Monkeys
   6. Andaman Sea
4. Other important Visitor Information

About Kilim Forest Geopark

Kilim Forest Geopark’s formation dates back c.490 – 370 million years! It’s a place with ancient geological heritage, and is home to many natural wonders such as huge areas of mangroves, multiple species of monkey, and the beautiful local eagles.

Sailing around the Geopark feels like stepping in to a magical world, full of steep cliffs, wildlife and beautiful waterways winding through interesting rock formations and views.

It’s no wonder that the park was made the first UNESCO Global Geopark in 2007, making it the first geopark in Malaysia and the South East Asia region. This endorsement was given due to its significant geoheritage features like landscapes, caves sea arches and sea stacks, dropstones, fossil and local community involvement.

Today the park is a thriving tourist attraction, with hundreds of visitors daily. That does mean it’s quite busy, but despite crowds at the beginning, once you’re out on a boat it’s not too busy at all.

How to get to Kilim Forest Geopark

Kilim Forest Geopark is accessible only via boat, and boat tours leave from Tanjung Rhu pier.

Tanjung Rhu is located right on the northern tip of the island, and if you’re arriving from other parts of the island, I recommend leaving 45 minutes to get there as traffic can be busy on the island. The easiest way to get there is to take a Grab taxi, which will cost c£5-£10 depending on where you are coming from on the island.

Alternatively you could book a tour which includes hotel pickup, though this will come at a premium. Tours of the Geopark can be booked as part of a group tour, or by booking an individual boat. The group option should cost around £20-30 per person, and the private option will cost around £50-75 to hire a private eight seater boat. You can book directly online (via Klook), or you can turn up to the pier and head to the ticket counter to purchase the experience directly.

What to expect from the Kilim Forest Geopark Mangrove Tour

Mangroves

Without doubt the highlight of the boat trip is to sail among the mangroves and see these amazing plants in their natural habitat. They are special plants, and act as a barrier for Langkawi island – they even acted as a huge defence wall against the 2006 tsunami that hit the coast.

Eagle Watching

Langkawi is home to hundreds of beautiful eagles, sailing above the cliffs like something out of a movie. That said, some boat trips ‘feed’ the eagles by throwing chicken in to the water so that the tourists can see them up close – we chose not to do this, and instead just enjoyed seeing them fly overhead more naturally.

Bat Cave

The bat cave is an impressive place, unless you hate bats, in which case it would be a nightmare. The cave system is only accessible via the river and is home to hundreds of bats that cling to the roof of the cave as tourists stroll past – there’s a round loop walkway which can be completed at low tide, or you have to walk in to the cave and back out again the way you came at high tide.

Fish Farm (& Restaurant)

This was really very touristy and I didn’t love this part of the tour. After climbing out of your boat, you’ll get a rushed run-through of the different fish and crustaceans kept in the small pens, before they try to usher you in to the restaurant for food and drink. It is a picturesque setting, but we didn’t choose to eat there and got straight back on our boat.

Macaque Monkeys

All along the river front, you’ll see a host of wildlife. We saw a brilliant blue kingfisher right near us but it was too quick for us to manage a photo, as well as some lizards, crabs and other wildlife. However one thing we did see hundreds of is Macaque monkeys, and they were everywhere, almost showing off to the boats as they sailed past!

Andaman Sea

The tour finished for us on a high. I love it when a boat goes really fast through the open sea – wind in my hair, sun on my face, powering over the waves. We sailed out of the windy mangrove trails and in to the sea with a view out over to Thailand and absolutely hit the throttle. So much fun to end the tour!

Other important Visitor Information

• A trip around the mangroves lasts roughly 2.5 – 3hours
• It’s best to go early morning before all the crowds descend and to avoid the heat of the day
• Take a hat, sun-cream and plenty of water
• You will have to climb on and off the boat, so wear sensible footwear
• You can also add on to your tour a stop at a private beach, or for snorkelling. We didn’t do either of these things on our trip.

And that’s a wrap on Kilim Geoforest Park. We really enjoyed our half day boat trip and would highly recommend it as something a bit different if you’re in Langkawi. We found it to be interesting, and it added some variety in to our trip by getting out on the water. I hope you enjoyed the trip – let me know what you think in the comments. Stay safe and happy travelling!

1. Location of The Banyan Tree
2. Accommodation at The Banyan Tree
3. Food & Drink at The Banyan Tree
4. Amenities & Experiences at The Banyan Tree

Please note: The hotel is not to be confused with Pavilion by Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur, which is just across the road, inside the Pavilion KL mall!

Location of The Banyan Tree

The Banyan Tree is located around a 45 minute drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and the hotel can organise smooth and simple transfers from your arrival terminal.

The Banyan Tree is conveniently located just outside of the Bukit Bintang area in Kuala Lumpur city centre, around a 10 minute walk south of the Petronas Towers and KLCC Park. It’s attached the Pavilion KL mall, which makes it perfect for finding food at the end of a busy day as the mall offers over 100 restaurants to choose from. To get to the mall you need to go to Level 1, then instead of going out of the doors, turn right and head to the lift and stairs behind the Café which will take you to the mall access corridor at level 2.

The Banyan Tree is also a 30 minute walk away from the Merdeka area, home to the old Colonial district, china town and a number of markets. You can also easily take a taxi to other parts of the city within 30 minutes, including the Botanical Gardens and Thean Hou Temple.

You can read my full post on Kuala Lumpur HERE.

Accommodation at The Banyan Tree

The hotel occupies floors 53 – 58 of the building it’s located in. This means there’s no reception on the ground floor as it’s on floor 53. This can feel a little ‘soulless’ coming in to a hotel and it just being an empty lobby with one person directing you to the lift, but the moment you pop up on floor 53, all is forgotten because the accommodation is warm, inviting and a true city oasis.

The accommodation at The Banyan Tree is really calming. We stayed in a Signature Banyan Tree King room, which came in lovely neutral colours, with a warm stone bathroom, all looking out over the city. You could choose a Sky Retreat or Sanctuary Suite room, which provide the additional benefit of views out to the Petronas Towers from your window.

The room itself was spacious, with a huge bed, comfortable seating area, large desk area, and lobby entrance area including a mini-bar and storage. The room is made up daily, and there is also a turn down service which ensures the lighting is dimmed, curtains are closed, fluffy slippers are laid out, and incense is burning. A perfect calm oasis to come back to after dinner.

The bathroom also came complete with double sink, huge walk in shower, walk in closet area and separate toilet. But the star was the huge stone bath with city views. The hotel also offered a bath menu, where they would make up a bath for you with various options (e.g. rose petals, lavender scent, bubbles) ready for a time to suit you arriving back.

Food & Drink at The Banyan Tree

The Banyan Tree offers a few food and drink options. The main restaurant is Horizon Grill, set on the 58th floor and offering panoramic views out to The Petronas Towers. It’s here every day that breakfast is served. Breakfast is included in the room rate, though the menu itself is quite limited. With this view, I didn’t mind at all!

In the evening, Horizon offers a large menu and some great wine options, including my beloved Whispering Angel wine. We chose to go non-Asian with our evening meal there (our only non-Asian meal of the week) and went with Surf n Turf. It was truly delicious. This was the most expensive meal we had in Kuala Lumpur, but was still reasonably priced for a top end hotel – expect to pay around £20pp for a main course and drink.

Also on site is newly opened Torito (a Peru-Japan fusion restaurant), and Bake (a café serving coffee, cakes and snacks). Both of these are situated on the ground floor and we didn’t eat in either so cannot review them but Google ratings show me 5/5 for Torito so perhaps we should have tried it!

For drinks, The Banyan Tree offers something special. It has a rooftop bar called Vertigo which is just stunning with its panoramic views of The Petronas Towers as the sun goes down. Even better, hotel guests get a front row seat!

Amenities & Experiences at The Banyan Tree

Aside from the dining experiences, The Banyan Tree offers a number of amenities on site, the most impressive of which is the absolutely beautiful pool. Situated on the 53rd floor, the pool has a covered roof but with open sides to soak in the views. We spent a couple of afternoons reading our books here and had it to ourselves – so relaxing.

In addition to the pool, The Banyan Tree also offers a relaxing luxury spa, typical of the Banyan Tree brand. I had a deep tissue massage and it was lovely. Again the spa itself is soothing, with neutral colours, fragrant flowers and top service. After the massage they sat me in a room overlooking the Petronas Towers with a cup of tea – how very perfect.

There is also a concierge who can help you plan trips to the local attractions, including The Petronas Towers, Thean Hou Temple, Batu Caves and many more. We visited these independently, so cannot comment on service here.

So what did you think of The Banyan Tree KL? We absolutely loved our stay, and felt the hotel is well worth its 5* rating. We truly felt it was an oasis in the sky in a chaotic, hot and humid capital city. I would definitely choose it again if I go back to KL, and let me know what you think in the comments below.

Away from the Banyan Tree, I have noticed something very interesting in my blogging stats this month. I am now getting a lot of referrals from ChatGPT and other AI type sites. Normally my traffic is largely Search Engines, but it’s starting to flip. It shows how much the world is changing, and the way people are using the internet is changing. At least the engines are citing my pages though and not just taking the content, that’s something.

Stay safe and happy travelling!

Let me tell you about my visit, and hopefully it can help you plan yours.

1. A bit about Batu Caves
2. How to get to Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur
3. Important Visitor Information
4. What to see and do at Batu Caves
   1. Temple Cave
   2. Ramanya Cave
   3. Cave Villa
   4. Other Areas

You can read more about things to do in Kuala Lumpur: HERE

A bit about Batu Caves

Batu Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a place of extreme sacredness for the Hindu community. Batu Cave’s most iconic feature, which is the image seen all over Instagram and the travel guides, is the incredible 140ft gold statue of Lord Murugan which sits at the entrance to the main cave.

Batu Caves are a series of four limestone caves which are over 400 million years old, and since 1891 they have housed a myriad of Hindu temples. The main temple is in honour of he of the massive gold statue – Murugan, the Hindu God of War.

The name Batu comes from the nearby River, Batu Pahat, and the word Batu itself is derived from the Malay for “rock” – which feels appropriate. Aside from the religious temples, Batu Caves are also a biodiversity hotspot consisting of many plant and animal species, over 21 species of bat and a whole host of monkeys. It’s also a haven for rock climbers, with over 100 climbing routes on the north face of the caves if you’re feeling adventurous.

How to get to Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur

• Organised Trip – many people book on to an organised tour via one of the major tour providers. These typically cost around £10-20 per person including transport for the 17km journey from Kuala Lumpur.
• Grab – much cheaper is to use the taxi app Grab, and order a private car to the site. Ours cost £1.80 for the two of us each way. Much of the Batu cave site is free to enter so this works out much cheaper.
• The KTM Komuter train – the cheapest option is to take the train, via the Komuter train that runs from Tampin in the south, through Kuala Lumpur, and up to Batu Caves in the north. People often get the KTM Komuter train from KL Sentral as this is the main transport hub in Kuala Lumpur, but you can get it from other stations in Kuala Lumpur, like Bank Negara and Putra. At the time of writing, prices were about 50p per person.

Important Visitor Information

• There are a number of caves to explore at the site – Entrance to the Temple Cave is free, Entrance to Ramanya Cave is £2.50, and Entrance to the Cave Villa is £2.50 (at the time of writing)
• The site is open from 7am – 9pm daily (though please check if there is a religious festival on before visiting)
• I recommend arriving early (pre 9am) if you want to see it reasonably quiet
• Entrance to the Temple Cave is up 272 steps, so a moderate degree of fitness and mobility is required
• There are a number of other temples at the site, outside of the caves
• Monkeys roam the site freely and can be quite aggressive – we saw one scratch a woman who was in its face trying to take a photo. Give them plenty of space.
• As it’s a religious site, it’s important to be respectful with dress code. I wore trousers and a t-shirt that covered my arms, though plenty of people were in shorts with no problems.

What to see and do at Batu Caves

Temple Cave

The main draw is the Temple Cave guarded by it’s huge gold statue of Murugan. Climb the 272 stairs behind him, and enter a vast cave, with a temple nestled at the heart of it, which dates back to 1920. It’s a very active temple, and was really busy with Hindus worshipping at the time of our visit. You can also walk through the main cave, through to a second cave to find another temple site – and lots more monkeys of course!

Ramanya Cave

Many visitors to Batu Caves only visit the Cave Temple, due to Ramanya Cave having a small entrance fee. That makes this cave much more enjoyable as it’s got a more laid back feeling, and definitely fewer people. Ramanya Cave is famously known for its kind of mad storytelling via big gold statues with interesting expressions – you can’t miss the giant statue of Kumbhakarna, brother of Ravana and a deep sleeper (note the attempts to wake him with arrows and cymbals). You can also climb the stairs to a shrine featuring a naturally occurring lingam, a stalagmite that is a symbol of Shiva.

Cave Villa

The Cave Villa, which sits at the foot of the hill between the two caves above takes you through a lovely koi pond and a water garden via a raised walkway. It’s very pretty from the outside but we opted not to go inside as it does house animals in a way I’m not comfortable with, and a little girl was outside crying as there was a dead turtle just floating in one of the tanks. I also see from Trip Advisor a low rating, with many reviews saying do not visit due to animal conditions.

Other Areas

There are also a number of other areas within the caves that can be visited. Off of one of the steps on the staircase up to the Temple Cave, is Dark Cave, which is a deep (and dark!) cave that can be visited independently or with a guide. On the day of our visit it was closed, but it looks really cool. There are also a number of other temples at the site, including Sri Subramaniar Temple and Murugan Temple, though we didn’t visit any of these as they are primarily for prayer.

So there you have it – are Batu Caves worth visiting? Yes, absolutely – they are a beautiful and important religious site and an icon which is part of Malaysia’s culture. However, I do think they have become overtouristed to the point they aren’t that enjoyable. It did feel quite badly maintained, the Cave Villa didn’t sit right with me, and I was about ready to take down about 6 Instagrammers standing there in skimpy dresses blocking the way while elderly Hindu ladies were trying to get to a sacred site and pray. It left me with mixed feelings, but is is undeniably impressive and well worth a trip if you’re in Kuala Lumpur.

Thanks for reading – stay safe and happy travelling!

Putrajaya is a beautiful city about 30 minutes from Kuala Lumpur, and only 10 minutes from Kuala Lumpur international airport. It’s Malaysia’s administrative capital, home to its many government buildings. It’s also known as a garden city, set around a lake, for its lush greenery and flowers everywhere. It makes a perfect day trip from Kuala Lumpur, or first/last stop on a trip around Malaysia.

Contents

1. Contents
2. How to visit Putrajaya from Kuala Lumpur
3. Things to do in Putrajaya
   1. Seri Gemalang Bridge
   2. Anjung Floria
   3. Iron Mosque
   4. Putrajaya Square & Federal Court of Malaysia
   5. Persiaran Perdana
   6. Putra Mosque
   7. Putra Square
   8. Putrajaya Botanical Gardens
4. Other Putrajaya Visitor Information

How to visit Putrajaya from Kuala Lumpur

• Putrajaya is 30-45 minutes drive north of Kuala Lumpur.
• The easiest way to reach the city if you don’t have your own car is via Grab Taxi, which will cost around £6 each way.
• You can reach Putrajaya via public transport, by taking the MRT Putrajaya Line from KLCC or Conlay station in to Putrajaya Sentral. This will cost around £3 in total and take 55 minutes.
• If you take the MRT, you will then need to take a Grab taxi to the start the walk below, or any of the points of interest listed.
• You can also visit Putrajaya from the airport. A Grab Taxi from there will cost around £2. It’s a perfect first or last night in the country rather than an airport hotel if you can manage it!
• Finally, there are a number of tours which take you to Putrajaya from KL, but only for a boat ride and visit to the pink mosque – they cost around £30-£40 per person and you only really see one part, not the whole city. In my opinion, it’s not worth it and much better to visit independently.

Things to do in Putrajaya

Putrajaya is centred around a main thoroughfare, stretching across a number of its precincts. We started in Precinct 5 and effectively walked at the waters’ edge, then came inland for a stroll along the main avenue, through precincts 4, 3, 2 and ended in 1. It was effectively a (wiggly) straight line, and end to end the walk took 2 hours.

The items I list below are in order as we saw them on the walk. In total we spent 6 hours in Putrajaya including the travel time, doing this walk, taking in the sites on the way and eating lunch before heading back to KL.

Seri Gemalang Bridge

We started our visit to Putrajaya by being dropped off at the roadside next to Seri Gemalang Bridge, a ceremonial and ornate bridge connecting two parts of Putrajaya. After taking in the majestic views, we took the steps down from the bridge to the water front (on the opposite side of the river to the Convention Centre), and strolled along the front to our next stop.

Anjung Floria

About 15 minutes later after a lovely stroll in the sunshine, we arrived at Anjung Floria, a pretty park. It’s home to some nice sculpted gardens and beautiful Chinese pavilion. We had it all to ourselves and I particularly loved the pandas! We sat here for a while just admiring our surroundings, the scent of the flowers and chirp of the birds our only company.

Iron Mosque

Just a short hop back along the waterfront and you’ll come to the imposing Iron Mosque jutting out in to the river. It’s actual name is the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, and was opened in 2010. It’s silver all over and its dome glistened beautifully in the sun.

After approaching the Mosque from the water, before we reached it we turned inwards away from the water and crossed a couple of roads to reach an underpass. We emerged up some steps with a view back to the Iron Mosque which was quite striking.

Putrajaya Square & Federal Court of Malaysia

The stairs pop you up in to Putrajaya Square, a beautiful and open green square which opens to the Iron Mosque above on one side, and the Federal Court of Malaysia on the other. The Court building was truly breathtaking with its imposing domes.

Persiaran Perdana

From here, we turned left when facing the court building, and walked straight down the beautiful and wide road Persiaran Perdana. It’s lined with architecturally striking government buildings and reminded us a little of the wide avenues we’ve seen in Budapest and the US! I of course particularly liked the department of Finance building.

Putra Mosque

Eventually the road brings you out on Putra Bridge and then…..neither of us could stop saying WOW as the Putra Mosque came in to view. The most beautiful mosque I think I’ve ever seen from the outside, in hues of pink in the sunshine. And even better, there was no-one else on the bridge, not one single person.

Putra Square

After crossing the bridge, the mass tours hit – riding out on boats and taking snaps all around the main square in to which the bridge opens up with the mosque to the left. At this point we had barely encountered any tourists and were having a fabulous day – I think it would be entirely different if all you did was the tour and all you saw was the square. The square itself was another grand affair, with an open view to the Prime Minister’s office (which was very heavily guarded)!

Putrajaya Botanical Gardens

By the time we left Putra Square, we’d walked 8km and had had a really lovely half day out. In hindsight, we should have just got a Grab taxi back to Kuala Lumpur at that point, however I wanted to visit the Putrajaya Botanical Gardens.

Whilst they were lovely, and absolutely worth a visit, they aren’t a patch on the Perdana Botanical Gardens in Kuala Lumpur, so if you’ve already visited those, then the extra 3+km to walk there and walk around probably aren’t worth it. In addition, you’ll probably be hungry by now but the restaurants in the Botanical Gardens only took AliPay, cash or TouchNGo cards (none of which we had).

That said, the gardens are still great to walk around and explore. We managed to find a late lunch shortly afterwards in a nice little local restaurant, and then head back to KL at around 3pm after a magical day out.

Other Putrajaya Visitor Information

• Putrajaya is more of a local city than a tourist city, and so I did feel a little out of place in a summer dress! I wish that I had worn something slightly more reserved – especially as I would have loved to go in to the Pink Mosque but obviously couldn’t given what I was wearing.
• You can take boat trips out on the water as well, I think this would have been a nice way to finish the visit instead of the Botanical Gardens.
• There are not huge numbers of eating options in Putrajaya, but we found a lovely local restaurant. If you are looking for Western food, I recommend travelling early and getting back to Kuala Lumpur for lunch (though there is a Burger King!).
• Visiting at the weekend will mean it’s at its quietest given it’s mostly full of people there for work Monday to Friday only.
• Putrajaya, like the rest of Malaysia, gets scorching hot. If you follow this post, given the amount of walking, please take water, suncream and a hat with you.

So, what do you think of magical Putrajaya? Both my husband and I put it in out ‘top 5’ experiences of the holiday – we thought it was amazing and gave a completely different experience to Kuala Lumpur.

Finalising this post has also really cheered me up this week. The last few weeks at work have been really full on, working 12hr days and weekends means I’ve had little time for myself. I also had a car accident 2 weeks ago, hitting a deer, which was a bit scary though I’m fine. I’m pretty good at managing stress, I never suffer with anxiety and actually, I enjoy thriving in high pressure scenarios. BUT with my workdays being so challenging, I’ve not had time to really write here, or even plan any travel adventures, which is a habit I don’t wish to keep up for too long. Roll on September and (hopefully) the end of my project!!

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below – stay safe and happy travelling!

Perdana Botanical Gardens Visitor Information

• The Botanical Gardens are free to enter (wow)
• The Botanical Gardens are open 7am – 7pm daily
• I recommend visiting in the morning during the week to avoid the heat of the day and to avoid weekend crowds
• There are multiple entrances to the Botanical Gardens, but I recommend the Perdana Lake Club entrance as a good and easy place to start
• The gardens are around 20-30 minutes outside of central KL. The easiest way to reach them is to take a Grab taxi to get there
• From the Gardens, you can also walk easily to a number of other attractions, with which the Gardens can be combined to make a day trip:
  • KL Bird Park
  • National Planetarium
  • National Museum (we chose this option and it was really interesting)
  • Tun Abdul Razak Memorial
• Parts of the gardens are in full sun, and some of the paths are quite steep. It gets baking hot and humid – please wear a hat, suncream and take plenty of water
• There are multiple restroom facilities onsite
• There is one café within the Gardens, called Restoran Rebung Chef Ismail, which serves Malaysian food. We didn’t eat here so cannot recommend it (or not recommend it).

What to see and do at Perdana Botanical Gardens

Sunken Garden

The Sunken Garden is a beautiful landscaped area formed in to a bowl shape. I loved the symmetry, surrounding flowers and greenery everywhere.

Oasis Garden

The flowing sound of water always draws my attention, and when it’s coming from an area signed ‘oasis garden’ – what’s a girl to do? Home to cascading mini waterfalls and lush green pathways, this was a lovely area to stroll.

Orchid Garden

Well. Where to start. My idea of HEAVEN. This garden was sooooo special, showcasing all kings of orchids in every colour imaginable. I took 187 photos just of orchids, and spent over 1hr in this section. My husband was ready to kill me but it was worth it!

Deer Park

Within the Botanical Gardens is a deer park. To be honest, the deer looked a little sad for my liking, but you walk above them and see them being fed. The walk was lovely, and I’d rather the deer were in the wild.

Perdana Canopy

Perdana Canopy is an interesting man made structure lying right at the heart of the gardens, which was unveiled in 2015. Sadly for us, there was an event on (graduation) on the day we visited so we didn’t get to see it at its best, but I managed to snap a few shots by hiding in the bushes – haha!

Waterfall

The waterfall is a lovely calm and peaceful area in the shade, perfect for a little sit down with the sound of trickling water in the background. By this point of the day, I was overheated and pretty exhausted so it was exactly what I needed!

Hibiscus Garden

I love hibiscus and it was a joy to find an entire garden dedicated to them, again in all colours, shapes and sizes. I left hubs on a bench this time.

Fernarium

Another way to stay in the shade is to visit the Fernarium, which is the jazziest way I’ve ever heard to make a load of ground ferns sound exciting. But I have ferns in my garden which flower beautifully and even though there were no flowers here, it was welcome respite from the heat.

The Lake

The whole gardens are situated around a large lake which you can walk all the way around. It also provides some nice views back to the highrises of the city.

And that was that, the most wonderful morning out. We spent a total of 4 hours exploring and over 15,000 steps!! I didn’t even notice the heat as I was just in my absolute element. These gardens are up there with some of the best I’ve visited and I will remember the beautiful orchid garden as a highlight across the entire holiday.

What do you think – let me know in the comments? Stay safe and happy travelling!

1. What is Thean Hou Temple?
2. How to get to Thean Hou Temple?
3. Visitor Information for Thean Hou Temple
   1. Dress Code
   2. When to visit Thean Hou Temple
   3. Other Important Information

If you’re interested in more awesome spots in Kuala Lumpur, you can read my full Itinerary: HERE

What is Thean Hou Temple?

The Temple is an ornate, six tiered temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. It was opened in 1987, and makes use of authentic traditional design featuring imposing pillars, spectacular roofs, ornate carvings and intricate embellishments. It’s primarily made of red and white colours, with beautiful hanging lanterns everywhere.

The main prayer hall houses three altars, each dedicated to a difference goddess – including the Goddess of Mercy, Goddess of the Waterfront and Goddess of the Sea. The temple is an active temple, and when you visit you will see many people lighting incense and praying.

In addition to the Temple itself, there is also a lovely area of gardens, including a walk through each of the zodiac signs and their animals, plus a pretty Chinese garden with water pools.

How to get to Thean Hou Temple?

As with everything in Kuala Lumpur, the simplest option is to take a Grab taxi. Our journey cost us £2.40 from central KL and took about 20 minutes.

There is an LRT station nearby, but you’d still have to get a Grab from there. Whilst this may be the cheapest option at around £1.50, for ease I recommend just booking that taxi from your hotel!

You could also book to visit on a tour and there are some which combine it into a half day tour with Batu Caves, but it was simple and easy to visit independently which costs less and avoids arriving en-masse. This is the most costly option with tours costing around £12 with Get Your Guide.

Visitor Information for Thean Hou Temple

Dress Code

The Temple is an active place of worship and as such should be treated with respect. For women, it’s important to have shoulders and knees covered. The rules aren’t so strict for men. You can wear shoes around the Temple, but must take them off to enter the Prayer Hall.

When to visit Thean Hou Temple

You can visit the temple any time, but please check before visiting to ensure your visit isn’t coinciding with a religious festival.

I recommend visiting on a week day in either the morning or the evening to avoid the heat of the day. At weekends, the temple is very busy for worship so I recommend avoiding it. We visited at 2pm on a Friday in November 2024 and it was pretty empty.

Other Important Information

• The temple is free to enter
• The temple is open from 8am – 8pm every day
• There are a small number of shops on site where you can buy incense, water etc
• There are restrooms on site
• The temple gets super hot as it’s exposed to the sun on top of a hill, please wear sunscreen and take a hat. We went in winter, in rainy season, and it was still 32 degrees and sweltering up there.

So what do you think of Thean Hou Temple? I absolutely fell in love with it and would absolutely choose it over a trip to the (in my opinion) overhyped Batu Caves.

Completely separately to this post, I’ve had a pretty rough week this week. I’m supposed to be in New York right now, but my husband and I had a complete disaster. We were due to fly on Saturday and on Friday night I came down with Norovirus which meant I was highly contagious and seriously ill. I didn’t think it fair to other passengers to board a plane, and I was in no fit state for an 7hr flight. It was a good decision as I’m still really ill, now full of cold, with a coldsore, conjunctivitis and an eczema flare up, so I could never have enjoyed NYC.

In reality I also think it was fate because it stopped my husband getting on the plane – on Sunday, he spent the day in A&E with severe chest pains which turned out to be lung and ligament inflammation – I can’t imagine air pressure would have done him any good so I guess everything happens for a reason. It’s the first time we’ve ever had to cancel a trip, and we’ve lost around £1,000 on non refundable items. I’m upset about that, but I also know it doesn’t matter in comparison to our health, and I’m grateful to be at home resting.

Let me know what you think in the comments and I hope you’ve had a better week than me! Stay safe and happy travelling!