The Four Heritage Gardens – Stories of Culture and Botany at Gardens by the Bay

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Amidst the futuristic domes and towering Supertrees of Gardens by the Bay, lies a quieter but deeply meaningful experience, the Heritage Gardens. This quartet of gardens: Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Colonial, beautifully traces Singapore’s multicultural roots and colonial history, told through the language of plants.

As you walk along the serene promenade of Dragonfly Lake, each garden unfolds like a chapter from a living book, blending botany, belief systems, trade history, and migration narratives. Collectively, the Heritage Gardens remind visitors that Singapore’s identity was shaped not just by people, but by plants.

🌿 1. Malay Garden – Plants of Daily Life and Ritual

Rooted in the traditions of the Malay Archipelago, the Malay Garden showcases plants that were integral to village life, used for food, medicine, craft, and spiritual practices.

Highlights:

  • Pandan leaves, used in cooking and weaving

  • Banana trees, symbolic in many Malay festivals

  • Lemongrass and galangal, essential in local cuisine

  • Traditional plants used in Malay healing and postpartum care

The garden's layout mimics a traditional Malay kampong (village), offering a glimpse into how closely the Malay community lived in harmony with nature.



🏯 2. Chinese Garden – Symbolism and Philosophy in Plants

This garden is enriched by Chinese philosophical ideas and traditional art forms. Alongside bamboo groves and symbolic flora, visitors encounter intricately carved sculptures, such as:

  • Stone guardian lions (fu dogs) flanking the path, signifying protection and strength

  • Ram and horse sculptures, evoking zodiac and imperial imagery

  • Pine, bamboo, and plum blossom, symbols of endurance and friendship

  • Lotus and peach trees, representing purity and immortality

Together, the plants and sculptures create a space that feels like a walk through a classical Chinese courtyard garden.



🕌 3. Indian Garden – Sacred Plants and Ayurveda

The Indian Garden focuses on plants revered in Hinduism, Ayurveda, and ancient Indian agricultural practices. It reflects India’s contributions to botanical knowledge and medicinal traditions.

Highlights:

  • Tulsi (holy basil) – sacred in Hindu households

  • Neem and amla, known for their healing properties in Ayurveda

  • Turmeric and ginger, widely used in Indian cooking and medicine

  • Architectural elements inspired by Indian temple gardens

With its structured layout and sacred plantings, this garden conveys the spiritual and scientific harmony present in Indian traditions.



🏛️ 4. Colonial Garden – Trade, Empire, and Economic Crops

The Colonial Garden tells the story of the British Empire’s botanical ambitions in Southeast Asia. Here, the focus is on plants that transformed economies and landscapes through trade and colonization.

Highlights:

  • Rubber trees, the cash crop that reshaped Malaya

  • Nutmeg, clove, and coffee, once coveted global commodities

  • Cinchona (source of quinine), essential for colonial survival in the tropics

  • Interpretive displays explaining the impact of these plants on history

Amidst the neat layout and white colonial-style signboards, this garden invites reflection on the legacy of botanical imperialism and its long-lasting impact.

📍 Location & Tips

  • Where: Gardens by the Bay, along Dragonfly Lake

  • Entry Fee: Free (outdoor garden area)

  • Nearest MRT: Bayfront Station (Circle and Downtown Lines)

  • Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon for shade and better photo light

  • Nearby Attractions: Supertree Grove, Floral Fantasy, Love the Last March sculptures

The Heritage Gardens are not just about plants; they're about people, culture, and memory. They tell Singapore’s story not through monuments or museums, but through living species that migrated, adapted, and rooted themselves, just like the communities they represent.

Amid the high-tech spectacles of Gardens by the Bay, these gardens offer a slower, more intimate experience, one of stories whispered through leaves and petals.

Happy travelling.

Also Read on Indian Columbus:

 

Location: Singapore

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