Chinese and Japanese Gardens
The Chinese and Japanese Gardens are off Yuan Ching Road, and
adjoin Jurong Bird Park. Each garden covers 13.5 hectares. The Chinese
Garden, which occupies the island on Jurong Lake, is done in the
classical Northern Chinese Imperial style.
Stroll around the Chinese Garden and take in the majestic stone
lions at the entrance, the stoneboat, the towering pagodas and the
statue of Confucius. Marvel at the rockeries in the Garden of
Romance and breathe in the smell of the culinary and medicinal
herbs in the Herb Garden. The most interesting section of
the Chinese Gardens is the Suzhou-styled penjing, or bonsai, garden.
This section houses some 2,000 pots of penjing and is a must for
bonsai buffs.
Across the Double Beauty Bridge are the Japanese Gardens,
which are more minimalist in style. You'll find serene gardens,
zig-zag bridges, pebbled pathways, stone lanterns and traditional
summer houses here.
The Japanese and Chinese Gardens are open from 9 am to 7 PM daily,
with last admission at 6 PM Admission (which includes both gardens)
is SGD4.50 for adults and SGD2 for children.
Tang Dynasty City
This
theme park, which is at the corner of Yuan Ching Road and
Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, recreates ancient Chang'an, or Xian, the capital
of the Tang dynasty. Xian was where China's golden age flourished
from 6AD to 8AD.
This elaborate theme park, which is surrounded by 10-m high stone
walls, provides an admirable attention to detail. There's a main
street with shops, restaurants, temples, a court house and a geisha
house, all done in the style of the Tang period.
You can go for a Silk Road camel ride, or go for a buffet
lunch where Chinese acrobats will perform. Alternatively,
attend craft demonstrations or historical displays which feature
such items as a reproduction of the famous terracota army in Xian,
China. There's also a wax museum which features a talking
statue of Mao and other figures from Chinese history.
Tang Dynasty City is open from 9.30 am to 6.30 PM daily. Admission
is SGD15.45 for adults and SGD10.30 for children.
Singapore Science Centre
The Singapore Science Centre (510, Upper Jurong Road,
tel: 4252500) was created as a fun way to educate children on
the wonders of science, and it's a great experience for the entire
family. Here you'll find over 600 interactive exhibits,
such as the Aviation Gallery which demonstrates the principles
of flight, and gives you an account of how man first explored
the skies.
Don't miss the latest offering at the OmniMax Theatre,
which offers 3-D IMAX movies on topics which have ranged from
the Great Pyramids to great amusement park rides to life on the
moon.
The Singapore Science Centre is open from 10 am to 6 pm daily,
and admission is SGD3 for adults, SGD1.50 for youths of 3 to 16
years, and SGD2.50 for senior citizens.
Haw Par Villa
Also
known as the Tiger Balm Gardens (262, Pasir Panjang Road,
Tel: 7740300), Haw Par Villa is a theme park built around
the heroes and legends of Chinese mythology. The park, built with
the fortunes made by the Au brothers from the medicinal cure-all
Tiger Balm, features a collection of vivid plaster and concrete
figures.
These figures depict the stories of the famous Monkey God,
as he makes his Journey to the West; the tragic love story
of Lady White Snake; the Divine Maiden, a symbol
of love and sacrifice; and the fearless hero Wu Song. There's
also the grandiose Nine Dragon Wall and statues of the Laughing Buddha and the gods of Happiness, Wealth and Longevity.
But the piece de resistance of Haw Par Villa is undoubtedly the Ten Courts of Hell, which depict the various punishments
suffered by men and women for sloth, indulgence, gambling, drinking
and adultery. New additions to Haw Par Villa include a roller-coaster
boat ride, and multimedia performances of Chinese legends
and myths.
Haw Par Villa opens from 9 am to 6 PM daily. Admission is SGD5
for adults and SGD2.50 for children between 3 and 12 years. |
