The 156-year-old Singapore Botanic Gardens is more than thrice the age of Singapore itself. It was established in 1958 during the British colonial era. History states that the garden was made during the time when Singapore was part of the Straits Settlements, a British colonial region administered by the East India Company.
The garden, which is 183 acres in size, was officially named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The award is known to be a first for Singapore as well as for Asia. The botanical garden is referred to as an icon of Singapore, which is fondly called as the 'garden city.'
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is the third botanical garden to received such an honour. The other two are the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England, and the Padua Gardens in Italy.
According to CNN, the garden welcomes more an estimate of 4.4 million people each year, with the Burkill Hall as one of the most frequented spots in the garden. The hall is 'a rare surviving example of an Anglo-Malay plantation house.' It is also one of the few historical structures in the park. The hall has a second floor which provides the best views of the gardens.
'This is the highest point in the gardens and from here I can see the National Orchid Garden, Palm Valley and the Rain Forest,' Dr. Nigel Taylor, the gardens' director, said.
'There's something magical about being at this spot where I'm totally immersed in a sea of orchids and expansive greenery,' Dr. Taylor added.
The Singapore Botanic Gardens also played home to Singapore's first zoo between 1875 and 1905, where kangaroos, orangutans and rhinos could be found.
Since it has played a key role in the history of botany, most of the flora that can be found in the garden are named after presidents and princesses. Researchers have used this place for ages in investigating new agricultural technologies.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
