The Jumbles really like the Chinese and Japanese Gardens in Singapore. Beautifully designed and maintained with luscious green foliage they present a green oasis in the middle of towering apartment and office blocks. They offer wonderful opportunities for photographers and artists but are also great for families.
The paths are wide making it easy work with a pram and there are lots of open spaces to play and picnic.
Unfortunately the cafe has been closed for a long time now which is a real shame but snacks like crisps and ice creams and chilled cans and bottled drinks can be purchased at the main entrance and from the Turtle Museum. There are adequate toilet facilities and plenty of seats to rest on. The gardens I believe are currently being developed into the Jurong Lake Gardens so I expect a cafe and restaurant will be included in this plan.
The pagodas offer great views and are fun to climb and if you are a turtle and terrapin fan then you will enjoy the Turtle Museum and garden. The Turtle garden and Museum are self funded and there is a small entrance fee ($3 for seniors and children under six and €5 for everyone else). This goes towards the maintenance and support of the rescued turtles in the museum.
The ‘Bridge of Double Beauty’ connects the Chinese Gardens to the Japanese Gardens but, as the entrance is free to both there is no pressure to ‘see’ everything on the same day and today we were happy to enjoy just the Chinese Gardens.
The last time we visited it was the Chinese New Year when the gardens were beautifully decorated with lanterns. There is also a Mid-Autumn Festival (September/October) when the gardens resemble a fairyland and there are evening cultural performances.
This short video is a snapshot of our trip today but, for a more detailed one designed as a pre-visit ‘taster’ for children, see the link at the end of this post. Today’s Visit. (20.2.17)
Georgie visits the Chinese Gardens and Turtle Museum. (2016)
I hope you enjoy the video:
Creative Learning for Young Children 