Chinese Garden, Singapore
| Chinese Garden | |
|---|---|
Chinese Garden in 2025 | |
Interactive map of Chinese Garden | |
| Type | Tourist attraction |
| Location | Yuan Ching Road, Jurong East, Singapore |
| Coordinates | 1°20′19″N 103°43′48″E / 1.33861°N 103.73000°E |
| Area | 13.5 ha (33 acres) |
| Opened | 1975 8 September 2024 (Redevelopment)[1] |
| Operated by | JTC Corporation[2] |
| Open | Opened daily from 5:30am to 12am (SST) |
| Public transit access | EW25 Chinese Garden |
Chinese Garden[a] is a park in Jurong East, Singapore. Built in 1975 by the JTC Corporation, the Chinese Garden's concept is based on Chinese gardening art. [3] The main characteristic is the integration of architectural features with the natural environment.[4] The Chinese Garden is modelled along the northern Chinese imperial style of architecture and landscaping.[2] It is located next to Chinese Garden MRT station and connected to the adjacent Japanese Garden by two bridges.[5] Along with Japanese Garden and Lakeside Gardens, which was opened in 2019, the three gardens are collectively known as the Jurong Lake Gardens.[1]
History
Plans for the construction of the Chinese Garden were first mentioned in 1968 by Woon Wah Siang, the chairman of the JTC Corporation.[6] Earthworks began in 1968, and planning of the design was finalized in 1970, with construction beginning in 1971. The garden was completed in 1975 at a cost of S$4.7 million and was opened by then-Finance Minister Hon Sui Sen.[7]
In February 1989, the East Entrance was opened, following the opening of Chinese Garden MRT station, to ensure easy access for pedestrians visiting the gardens.[8] Chinese Garden was later closed from March to July 1989 to undergo renovation works.[9]
In 2014, a year-long "redecoration and refurbishment" project was launched. The areas to be repaired included the main entrance plaza, the pavilions, the pagodas, the Stone Boat, and footpaths. The repair works involved removing wood that had rotted or become infested by termites. This also included patching up spalling concrete and cracked walls, replacing broken and loose roof tiles, stopping water leakage, as well as replacing old electrical wiring, timber footpaths, or rusted fittings.[2]
In May 2019, the Chinese Garden and the adjacent Japanese Garden were closed for extensive renovation. The gardens reopened in September 2024 with a new aquatic garden with 150 different types of water lilies. A new exhibit, Sunken Garden, was also introduced that featured 200 types of epiphytes.[10] Previous features such as the Twin Pagoda, Grand Arch, and the Stone Boat were refurbished,[1] while others, such as the main building and courtyards, were demolished.
Features
Stone Lions
A pair of cloudy-grained marble stone lions at the main gates of the Chinese Garden, guarding the main gates of the garden. The marble stone used to sculpt the lions was imported from Taiwan.[11]
Bridge
The 13-arch White Rainbow Bridge[b] at the garden follows the style of the Seventeen-Arch Bridge at the Summer Palace in Peking.[12]
In 1989, a second bridge, the "Bridge of Double Beauty," was built to connect the Chinese Garden with the Japanese Garden.[13]
In the 2024 redevelopment, a third bridge, the Moonrise Bridge was built, serving as a second connection from the Chinese Garden to the Japanese Garden.
Grand Arch
The Grand Arch Building is a standard Chinese arch building. Inside, there were two courtyards, namely the “Early Spring Courtyard” and “Garden Courtyard”. Additionally, there was a fishpond in the centre, named the “Fish Paradise”.[12]
The main building within the Grand Arch, together with its courtyards, Chinese-style walls, and moon gates, was demolished in the 2024 redevelopment and replaced with a mass-engineered timber structure. It now houses the Jurong Lake Gardens Gallery and a restaurant.
Stone Boat and Tea Pavilion
The design of the Stone Boat[c] in Chinese Garden incorporates the traditional Peking style, but with some adaptations in the design and usage of materials.[14]
The Tea Pavilion[d] features three pavilions inspired by the style of the elaborate, winding gallery at the Summer Palace.[15] This meandering design is a characteristic and graceful Chinese architectural feature.
Bamboo Grove and Waterfall
Built in the 2024 redevelopment, the Bamboo Grove pays homage to the rich cultural symbolism of bamboo in traditional Chinese culture, representing moral integrity, resilience, and elegance.[16]
The waterfall, located within the bamboo grove, helps to cool the surrounding area through the wind it generates.[17]
Cloud Pagoda
In ancient times, pagodas, originally simple tower structures located beside temples, were used for the storage of human ashes (in urns) by Buddhists.
The 7-storey Cloud Pagoda[e] is situated on a small hill in the Chinese Garden, known as the Cloud Pagoda Plateau[f].[18] Its typical pagoda design follows the style of Linggu Temple Pagoda at Nanjing.[19]
The pagoda is surrounded by 12 animal stone sculptures of the Chinese zodiac.[18]
Twin Pagodas
The Twin Pagodas[g] are designed based on the Spring and Autumn Pavilions in Taiwan. They consist of two three-story pagodas, namely the Cloud Draping Tower[h] and Moon Receiving Tower.[i][20]
The designs of the Twin Pagodas embody the Yin-Yang principle, with the broader tower representing Yang and the slender tower representing Yin.[20]
Bonsai Garden
Opened in June 1992, the Suzhou-style Bonsai Garden cost an estimated $3.8 million to build. This 5,800-square-metre garden, featuring Suzhou-style buildings (including a main hall of 50 square metres) and landscape houses, showcases a collection of over 2,000 bonsais imported from China and other parts of the world.[21]
It is designed as the largest Suzhou-style Bonsai garden of its kind outside of China.[21]
Water Wall Court
Constructed during the 2024 redevelopment, the Water Wall Court features a courtyard and pavilion, surrounded by shallow pools and 3 metre-high water walls.[17]
Cascading Creek
Replacing the former Garden of Abundance in the 2024 redevelopment, the Cascading Creek is a riverine habitat showcasing Southeast Asian flora and fauna. It features a boardwalk trail with five stages: Fern Cascades, Hill Streams, Kasai Creek, Paperback Swamp, and Nypa Grove.[22]
Former features
Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum
The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum, a primary attraction in the Chinese Garden, exhibits various species of turtles and tortoises.[23]
In 2019, the museum moved out from the gardens and relocated to Yishun; this was due to upgrading works carried out in the surrounding Jurong Lake District. The Chinese-style pavilion that once housed it was subsequently demolished.
Garden of Abundance
The original name of this garden was the Zodiac & Pomegranate Garden, derived from the elements used for the construction of the garden. It consisted of pomegranate trees, the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals sculpture, a sundial, stone bridges, and planting of materials.[23]
100-year-old pomegranate trees from Shantung, China, were planted in the garden.[23] They sat among the 12 Chinese Zodiac Animal sculptures.[24]
The Garden of Abundance was replaced by the Harvest Moon Terrace, Cascading Creek, and Cascade Pavilion in the 2024 redevelopment. The 12 Zodiac animal sculptures were relocated below the Cloud Pagoda.
References
Notes
- ^ (traditional Chinese: 裕華園; simplified Chinese: 裕华园; Malay: Taman Cina; Tamil: சீனத்தோட்டம்)
- ^ (Chinese: 白虹橋, bái hóng qiáo)
- ^ (Chinese: 邀月舫, yāo yuè fǎng)
- ^ (Chinese: 茗香榭, míng xiāng xiè)
- ^ (Chinese: 入云塔, rù yún tǎ)
- ^ (Chinese: 云台揽胜, yún tái lǎn shèng)
- ^ (Chinese: 云月双塔, yún yuè shuāng tǎ)
- ^ (Chinese: 披云阁, pī yún gé)
- ^ (Chinese: 延月楼, yán yuè lóu)
Citations
- ^ a b c Yusof, Zaihan Mohamed (8 September 2024). "Chinese, Japanese gardens reopen with rejuvenated landmarks and new eco-friendly spaces". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- ^ a b c Toh, Yong Chuan (5 May 2014). "Makeover for Jurong gardens". The Straits Times (Singapore). Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ Cheang, Christina (16 March 1975). "Jurong's Latest Tourist Attraction". The Straits Times. p. 15. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ Cheang, Christina (18 April 1975). "Hon Opens $5 mil Chinese Garden". The Straits Times. p. 18. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ "Chinese Garden, MRT station link-up soon". The Straits Times. 12 November 1988. p. 3. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ Yeo, Toon Joo (26 October 1968). "Jurong gets ready to grow three times". The Straits Times. p. 10. Retrieved 15 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ Cheang, Christina (18 April 1975). "HON OPENS $5 mil CHINESE GARDEN". The Straits Times. p. 18. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ "Shortcut to Chinese Garden". The Straits Times. 8 February 1989. p. 19. Archived from the original on 7 October 2025. Retrieved 7 October 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ "Chinese Garden to close for renovation". The Straits Times. 6 March 1989. p. 19. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- ^ Wong, Pei Ting (21 July 2024). "Water lilies, 'sunken' garden to greet visitors when Japanese, Chinese Gardens reopen in Sept". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- ^ "Bonsai lions in S'pore". The New Paper. 28 January 1989. p. 6. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ a b Mak, Kian Seng (18 April 1975). "You will find peace and quiet in this green haven". The Straits Times. p. 19. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ "Bridge that will link two gardens". The Straits Times. 8 January 1986. p. 12. Retrieved 15 October 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ "Wedding bells peal at Stone Boat". The Straits Times. 21 June 1982. p. 8. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ "Stoneboat and Tea Pavilion". NParks. Archived from the original on 7 October 2025.
- ^ "Cloud Pagoda". NParks. Archived from the original on 7 October 2025.
- ^ a b Ganesan, Natasha (8 September 2024). "An edible garden, waterfall and 'breathing gallery': Chinese and Japanese gardens reopen with new attractions". CNA. Archived from the original on 7 October 2025. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Cloud Pagoda". NParks. Archived from the original on 7 October 2025.
- ^ "7-tier pagoda is the landmark". The Straits Times. 18 April 1975. p. 19. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ a b "Twin Pagoda". NParks. Archived from the original on 7 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Suzhou-style bonsai garden opens". The Straits Times. 23 June 1992. p. 26. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ "Twin Pagoda". NParks. Archived from the original on 7 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "The Garden of Blessings". Today. 7 February 2003. p. 40. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ "LANTERN LIGHT-UP". The New Paper. 16 September 1988. p. 40. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024 – via NewspaperSG.