I’ve written about the Singapore Botanic Gardens in previous posts, but I’m returning to this remarkable place because it’s had some upgrades.

My favorite changes have taken place within the National Orchid Garden (which is, in turn, one of my very favorite spots in Singapore). The Orchid Garden now features a “Tropical Montane Orchidetum,” a trio of spaces that are well worth a visit. The unrivaled star of show is the newly-added Sembcorp Cool House.

The Cool House is designed to mimic a high-elevation mountain forest, and the lower temperatures inside allow it to showcase flowers such as Phragmipediums (slipper orchids) …

… Miltonias (pansy orchids) …

… Draculas (I feel like the name speaks for itself, but it actually means “little dragon”) …

… Cymbidiums (boat orchids):

…. Phalaenopsis (moth orchids) …

… Sobralias …

… and Rhynchostylis (foxtail orchids):

But I’ll admit that I’m rarely paying attention to the orchids’ scientific classifications — I’m just there to admire the pretty flowers.

Some of the displays here are really dramatic:

The other reason that you should head straight for the Cool House is that it’s air conditioned! On a hot day (and let’s face it, all days are hot in Singapore), you’ll breathe a sign of relief and delight the minute you walk in the doors.

The second new feature at the National Orchid Garden is the Tan Soon Siang Mist House …

… a “paleotropical” garden that features orchids from slightly lower altitudes:

Rounding out the trio of additions is the Yuen Peng McNeice Bromeliad Collection (a great place to go if you love tiny pineapples).

Walkways among these different areas allow the Botanic Garden to showcase other kinds of plants, some of which are truly remarkable.

For an entirely different kind of garden experience, fifteen minutes away on foot from the National Orchid Garden lies a newly-added 20-acre expanse called the Gallop Extension.

The space feels a bit bare right now — I’m not sure I’d run out of my way to see it — but the Gallop Extension does play host to the Botanical Art Gallery …

… the Adventure Grove (featuring a giant cemepdak for kids’ climbing) …

… and Atbara, Singapore’s oldest black-and-white house. Now 125 years old, Atbara houses the Forest Discovery Centre, which teaches visitors about Singapore’s forest ecosystems.

The Gallop Extension is also home to both a small dipterocarp arboretum and Rambler’s Ridge, the highest point in the Botanic Gardens. You can’t see much of anything from the top, but it’s a nice walk.

If you visit the Gallop Extension, try to get there from the HPL Canopy Link (it comes out of the Learning Forest). We took an approach through a parking lot, which was not particularly appealing.

I’m not sure I’d visit both the Gallop Extension and the National Orchid Garden in one day — that would be a lot. But if you do, you’ll see all sorts of amazing flowers and plants along the way!

As a side note, to take your visit to the Botanic Garden to a whole new level, I would recommend making reservations at Corner House for lunch. You’ll pay a pretty penny, but you’ll have a meal that’s out of this world.