Singapore Supertree Grove Rhapsody of Lights and Sounds

The Supertrees with the OCBC Skyway
The Supertrees with the OCBC Skyway

Funny how Singapore weather can be. We were supposed to visit Bukit Timah, one of the Singapore Nature Reserves but the thunderstorms have other plans. Back in the city, it seems rain clouds didn’t visit the area. We rendezvous with our friend again that evening who toured us to the Supertree Grove, just behind the Marina Bay Sands. It’s wonderful to see this sci-fi inspired grove finally done after seeing its construction two years ago.

View of the grove from the Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lake
View of the grove from the Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lake

Supertrees by the Numbers

There are 18 supertrees in the area, each has 4 major parts – reinforced concrete core, trunk, planting panels and canopy. 11 of which have photovoltaic cells that harvest solar energy. 12 of the supertrees are in the grove while the other 6 are scattered in the area. Each of the supertrees stand up to 16-story high. For a small nation like Singapore, vertical gardens are practical and these supertrees have over 162,900 plants comprising of more than 200 species and varieties of orchids, ferns and tropical flowers.

Zooming in at the supertrees and the OCBC skyway
Zooming in at the supertrees and the OCBC skyway

Garden Rhapsody

No doubt these supertrees are attracting a lot of photographers like me. Seeing a futuristic landscape as this that seems to be straight out of a sci-fi set is fascinating to capture. The dazzling lights are mesmerizing but the evening Garden Rhapsody adds an engaging experience. Every night at 7:45pm and 8:45pm, the grove becomes a stage for a spectacle of lights and sounds. A sweeping orchestral soundtrack fills the air and the lights dances to the rhythm of the sound. We first caught it afar on the other side of the Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lake. The 2nd time we were under the tree themselves. It was more wonderful looking up the sky and see the trees change hues as the mood of the music change.

I must admit, I prefer nature trips more but I also like seeing a fusion of nature with architecture just like what this ultra-modern Singapore has done.At that time, the plants have just started to crawl up the supertree walls. It’ll be interesting to see the Supertree Grove again after sometime when the plants have fully grown.

Beautiful reflection at the lake
Beautiful reflection at the lake

Essential Info

The Supertree Grove is open from 5am to 2am daily. Admission is Free. The OCBC Skyway is open daily at 9am to 9pm. Admission for adults is SG$5, child is SG$3. The Garden Rhapsody runs every evening at 7:45pm and 8:45pm.

Bridgeway to the grove
Bridgeway to the grove
The supertrees and the Marina Bay Sands in view
The supertrees and the Marina Bay Sands in view
These supertrees stands 16-story high
These supertrees stands 16-story high