Supertrees, high-tech flowers: Singapore's incredible new attraction, Gardens by the Bay

Forget the casino. Marina Bay Singapore's hottest new attraction is Gardens by the Bay, a cutting-edge horticultural mega project featuring 50-meter high solar-powered "supertrees" and climate-controlled biomes. 

The entire project is estimated to have cost more than S$1 billion. Today is the official opening of Bay South Garden, the largest of the 101-hectare venue's three gardens. The 54-hectare section features cooled flower domes, multiple heritage-themed outdoor gardens and two lakes.

Cooled conservatories

Bay South Garden's two glass biomes -- dubbed "Cloud Forest" and "Flower Dome" -- were designed to replicate the cool-moist climate of the tropical montane region, the Mediterranean and semi-arid sub-tropical regions.

The conservatories feature plants and trees from these areas, which are among the most threatened habitats in the world, say Gardens officials. In addition to the permanent display of plant life and tree species, there will be seasonal changing floral displays in the Flower Dome.

Supertrees

Ranging in height from 25 to 50 metres, the Gardens' 18 Supertrees are basically vertical gardens covered in bromeliads, ferns and tropical flowering climbers. Two of the trees are connected via an aerial walkway. 

It's pretty innovative stuff. The structures mimic the ecological functions of real trees through their environmentally sustainable features.

Some have photovoltaic cells on their canopies to harvest solar energy to light up at night, others are integrated with cooled conservatories and serve as air exhaust receptacles. 

More on CNN: Solar-powered 'supertrees' breathe life into Singapore's urban oasis

Opening celebrations

The opening is being celebrated in the coming weeks with a live concert by Grammy Award-winning singer Jason Mraz, carnivals, a green fair, an outdoor movie under the stars and a specially choreographed light and sound show at the Supertree Grove. 

“Gardens by the Bay will provide a unique green space and horticulture-themed leisure destination in Marina Bay for all to enjoy," says Dr. Kiat W. Tan, CEO of Gardens by the Bay. 

"We are excited that in June we will finally be able to share with everyone this new garden, which has been some five years in the making,” 

Bay South Garden is open daily from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Opening hours for the cooled conservatories and the aerial walkway in the Supertree Grove are 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Venues include indoor and outdoor events gardens and 13 food and beverage outlets.  

Entry to Bay South Garden is free, with the exception of the cooled conservatories and aerial walkway. 

Getting there/cost 

The Garden Bay Bridge links Bay South Garden to Marina Bay Sands. MRT: Bayfront station.  

Entrance to the cooled conservatories is S$28/adult, $15/child (three-12 years old). Entrance to the Aerial Walkway is S$5/adult, $3/child.