• The Singapore Botanic Gardens has a total land area of 82 hectares. It is a leisure garden that integrates several attractions such as Ginger Garden and Swan Lake.
• In 1822, Singapore’s first botanical garden – housing local flora collections and experimental cultivation – was set up by Sir Stamford Raffles at what is today Fort Canning Hill.
• In 1836, William Montgomerie, along with several other notable members of society, set up the Agricultural and Horticultural Society.
• In 1859, the Agricultural and Horticultural Society transformed a disused 60-acre plantation at Tanglin into a British-style leisure park, which became the present Singapore Botanic Gardens.
• Initially, access to the gardens was restricted to senior officials of the British colonial government and military. As such, it was also colloquially known in Mandarin as “兵头花园” and “红毛花园”. “兵头” was a term used by the Cantonese to refer to British military officers, while “红毛” is an umbrella term for Westerners. “花园” means “garden”.
• In 2015, the Singapore Botanic Gardens was inscribed as a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It is the first tropical botanical garden to clinch this honour.
• In 2017, the National Parks Board began renovation works at the National Orchid Garden. This included expansion of existing facilities and the introduction of the Secret Ravine and a lowland habitat trail.

Having been awarded Platinum certification under the Landscape Excellence Assessment Framework, both the Gallop Extension at Singapore Botanic Gardens and Thomson Nature Park showcase Singapore’s rich biodiversity and cultural history. (Lianhe Zaobao, 26/4/2022)