Chinese New Year Spring Celebrations @ Gardens by the Bay

Looking for something to do during the Chinese New Year festive period?

Why not usher in 2013 with a visit to Gardens by the Bay?

The Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay is having a special “Spring Celebrations” themed floral display from now till end of February. The display features some 8000 colourful blooms including peonies, camellias, cherry blossoms, chrysanthemums, dahlias, azaleas, orchids such as Cymbidiums and Phalaenopsis, and more than 8 varieties of kumquat (Citrus) plants such as the Giant Golden Citrus and Buddha’s Hand Citrus, and the Dwarf Flame Celosia.

I was invited to the preview tour on 28 Jan and here are some pictures I took:

Complementing the spectacular blooms are a selection of penjing (or bonsai) up to 200 years old, 3-metre-long snake topiaries, grand kumquat plants measuring 3 metres in diameter, and life-sized oriental pavilions to add to the festive ambiance.

Beautiful isn’t it?

I have visited Gardens by the Bay many times, but I never grow tired of it.

By the way, they have recently added a new gigantic “floating baby” sculpture called “Planet” which I really like.

British artist Marc Quinn created Planet in 2008, one of three sculptures which drew inspiration from highly personal, family events. Planet is a seven month old child made out of painted bronze and steel, with the illusion of being weightless and suspended in mid-air. Fashioned to portray an infant in peaceful slumber, the artwork, which weighs seven tons and 10 metres in length, is a an engineering trompe l’oeil.

It is donated by an indonesian couple, Putra and Imelda Masagung and is located at The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay.

From a distance, the sculpture gives an optical illusion that it is floating in the air when it is actually resting on the ground and supported by a single contact point at the wrist.

Besides flowers, there are lots of interesting sculptures within Gardens by the Bay if you take notice. Gardens by the Bay is home to more than 40 sculptures that complement the beauty of the plant displays and add a new dimension to the landscape.

At the entrance, there is the majestic Merrill Lynch Bull:

Sited at the Arrival Square of the Gardens, this strong bronze cast bull sculpture is designed by American sculptor, Walter Matia and donated by Merrill Lynch bank.

Since it is the Chinese New Year, perhaps taking a picture with the bull will give you a bull’s year ahead.

Gong Xi Fa Cai everyone! 🙂

More details on the Spring Celebrations @ Gardens by the Bay:

Dates: 1 to 28 February 2013
Time: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Location: Flower Dome
Admission charges into the Cooled Conservatories apply. Tickets can be purchased via the official website.