Chinese Gardens

I hate to admit this, but it is only after more than 2 decades of my life that I am finally visiting the Chinese Gardens. 

It was a public holiday and we decided to explore a part of Singapore that we have never been to. 

What greeted us that day after we exited from the Chinese Gardens Mrt was light blue skies with fluffy white clouds- beautiful but it often means that it is going to be a very hot day. 

The walk from Chinese Gardens MRT to Chinese Gardens first led us to open fields on both sides of the walking path where people were playing cricket, while others were just chilling under these barren trees. 

Built in 1975 and designed by an architect from Taiwan, the Chinese Gardens is modelled after the northern Chinese imperial style of architecture and landscaping.

Everything was just picture perfect at the Chinese Gardens. This is the "Bai Hong Qiao"  (white rainbow) which follows the style of the 17-Arch Bridge at the Summer Palace in Beijing.

It was easy to believe that you were not in Singapore- if not for the sweltering heat and the HDB buildings that formed a backdrop to the gardens. The Chinese Gardens has been described as a tranquil place by many, but it was not so on the particular public holiday. People were celebrating the festive occasion and it was a joy to busk in the singing which was accompanied by drums and a guitar.

For some reason, when I saw these manicured bushes, the first thing that came to my mind was computer games. Those computer games that I played when I was young seemed to have these little shrubs- was I just imagining things?

At every turn you took, there would be something that you will be attracted by. These include little stone bridges, bamboo (scant as they may be), and lotus ponds.

We did not manage to explore these tea houses because they were in the midst of refurbishment works.

We then climbed seven stories of the pagoda and were treated with this view. The pagoda design follows the design of the Ling Ku Temple Pagoda at Nanjing.

I am always grateful for greenery in Singapore, where I quickly scoot to the nearest tree and seek shelter under its shade everytime the Sun shines mercilessly (which is basically a good 70% of the year).

It was a nice soaking in the greenery and interesting architecture. More information on the Chinese Gardens would have been welcome!