Walks · 1 of 6

Gardens

Shaded paths in the Botanic Gardens, the ixora that gives this site its name, and a detour to the gardens by the bay.

Come in by Tanglin Gate and keep left. The heliconia walk is the first long stretch of shade; after rain the leaves drip for an hour and the path is nearly empty.

The rainforest boardwalk is a small patch of the forest that once covered the island, kept inside the gardens. It is ten degrees of shade cooler, and the place to look for waterhens picking along the stream edges.

Ixora grows in hedges all over the gardens and the city. It flowers almost all year, in tight round heads of red, orange or pink, and the buds look like small matches before they open.

The gardens by the bay are a separate trip: take the train to Bayfront and walk out along the water. Go late afternoon and stay for the bay walk in City Evenings.

Start

Tanglin Gate, Botanic Gardens

End

Botanic Gardens MRT

Distance

About 4 km

Time

2 to 3 hours, with stops

Best

7 to 9 am, before the heat

Food

Adam Road Food Centre, a short walk from the north end

Free

Entry to the gardens; the orchid garden charges

Added Apr 2024 · notes checked Mar 2026