Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay
As Singaporeans, we have 3 main things to flex: our passport, Changi Airport, and Gardens by the Bay. The latter, especially, is our go-to whenever friends or relatives visit from overseas.
One of our favourite spots in the gardens is the Cloud Forest. Imagine a colossal 58m-tall glass dome with not a single column in sight. Inside, expect over 7,000 plants spanning over 135 species and hybrids. It also boasts one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls and is home to a “cloud mountain” draped in greenery.
Home to one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls
The moment you step into Cloud Forest, you’ll be hit with the sight – and sound – of a 35m-tall indoor waterfall gushing down from the top of Cloud Mountain. This is one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls – and it’s easily the most iconic feature here.
Image credit: @roaming_scots via Instagram
Step a little closer, and you’ll feel the cool mist on your skin that’s super shiok, especially in Singapore’s humidity. But this waterfall isn’t just for show. It actually helps create the cool, misty climate that makes the Cloud Forest feel like a tropical mountain escape.
To fully take it in, check it out from different angles – stand at the base for the full immersive effect, or head up Cloud Mountain for an aerial view of the cascading water.
Walk on the aerial walkway that snakes around Cloud Mountain
Image adapted from: @_kimberlypham via Instagram
If you were wondering how one could explore a 58m-high glass dome, the Cloud Walk is your answer. This aerial walkway snakes around Cloud Mountain, giving you mad views of the lush greenery inside and the Gardens by the Bay skyline outside.
Image credit: @matteomencarelli via Instagram
Designed to mimic the misty cloud forests, the cantilevered pathway lets you experience what it’s like to walk through the clouds – minus the need for a mountain hike. Keep your eyes peeled for epiphytes, plants that grow on other plants, clinging to the mountainside in a delicate yet fascinating balance of survival.
Image credit: @matteomencarelli via Instagram
If you’re up for random facts to impress your next date, check out the informational displays located along the walk that educate visitors about cloud forests and their biodiversity. And if you’re at Cloud Forest on a date, show off your art knowledge by showing them impressive art sculptures scattered around the conservatory like Dale Chihuly’s Ethereal White Persians.
Wondering if you can bring your ah ma, ah gong, or baby along? No worries, the Cloud Walk is wheelchair- and pram-friendly. There are lifts that connect all levels, and the wide, gently sloping pathways ensure a smooth ride.
Check out an interactive digital art experience
Image credit: @gardensbythebay via Instagram
Tucked away on the 3rd and 4th levels of the Cloud Forest, The Hidden Forest is one of the latest additions here. This immersive exhibition was launched in mid-2024 and is a collaboration with Japanese creative production company NAKED, INC. It brings to life the intricate ecosystems of remote cloud forests found between 500m and 3,500m above sea level.
Image credit: @gardensbythebay via Instagram
Here, you’ll meet 17 plant species and 16 animals from regions like Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and East Africa. These are the species that usually thrive in high-altitude, misty landscapes. Kids and adults alike will love the hands-on elements, like touching the walls to wake up sloths or stepping on activation points to watch plants sprout before their eyes.
Keep an eye out for the spectacled Andean Bear and the Resplendent Quetzal, a strikingly colourful bird known for its long, flowing tail feathers.
Plan your next visit to the Cloud Forest
Image credit: @irene.cccc via Instagram
This is your sign to make another visit to the Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay. And if you haven’t been, we don’t judge – there’s always a first for everything. Besides, the Cloud Forest also has educational elements like Crystal Mountain, which showcases the geological history of earth, and The Cavern. So, you’re bound to learn something new with every visit.
Avatar: The Experience
The Cloud Forest also hosts special exhibitions from time to time, such as the Instagrammable Avatar: The Experience. So, keep your eyes peeled for the next one.
For Singapore residents, entry to Cloud Forest costs $12/adult and $8 for senior citizens and children. You can also make the most of your visit by getting a Cloud Forest & Flower Dome bundle, which costs $20/adult, $15/senior citizen, and $12/child. Note that prices are different for special exhibitions.
However, there’s also a way for Singaporeans to get free entry on certain days by signing up for one of their free tours.
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Opening hours: 9am-9pm, Daily (Last entry at 8pm)
Contact: Gardens by the Bay website
More reads for Gardens by the Bay:
- How to get free entry into Gardens by the Bay
- An inside look at Gardens by the Bay
- Janice Wong at the Supertree
Cover image adapted from: @_kimberlypham, @roaming_scots via Instagram