Chinese Garden, Singapore

Chinese Garden is a park in Jurong East, Singapore. Built in 1975 by the JTC Corporation, the Chinese Garden's concept is based on Chinese gardening art. The main characteristic is the integration of architectural features with the natural environment. The Chinese Garden is modeled along the northern Chinese imperial style of architecture and landscaping. It is located next to Chinese Garden MRT station and connected to the adjacent Japanese Garden by a bridge. Along with Japanese Garden and Lakeside Garden, that was opened in 2019, the three gardens are collectively known as the Jurong Gardens.
Plans for the construction of Chinese Garden were first mentioned in 1968 by Woon Wah Siang, the chairman of the JTC Corporation. Earthworks began in 1968 and planning of the design was finalized in 1970, with construction beginning in 1971. The garden was completed in 1975 at a cost of S$4.7 million and was opened by then-Finance Minister Hon Sui Sen. In 1989, Chinese Garden was closed from March to July to undergo renovation works.
In 2014, a year-long "redecoration and refurbishment" project was launched. The areas to be repaired included the main entrance plaza, the pavilions, the pagodas, the Stone Boat, and footpaths. The repair works involved removing wood that had rotted or became infested by termites. This also included patching up spalling concrete and cracked walls, replacing broken and loose roof tiles, stopping water leakage, as well as replacing old electrical wiring, timber footpaths or rusted fittings.
In May 2019, Chinese Garden and the adjacent Japanese Garden were closed for extensive renovation. The gardens reopened in September 2024 with a new aquatic garden with 150 different types of water lilies. A new exhibit, Sunken Garden, was also introduced that featured 200 types of epiphytes. Previous features such as the Twin Pagoda, Grand Arch, and the Stone Boat were also refurbished.
A pair of cloudy-grained marble stone lions at the main gates of the Chinese Garden, guarding the main gates of the garden. The marble stone used to sculpt the lions was imported from Taiwan.
The 13-arch White Rainbow Bridge at the garden follows the style of the Seventeen-Arch Bridge at the Summer Palace in Peking.
In 1989 a second bridge, the Bridge of Double Beauty, was built, to connect the Chinese Garden with the Japanese Garden.
The Main Arch Building is a standard Chinese arch building. This building is popular for picture-taking. Inside the main arch building, there are two courtyards, namely the “Early Spring Courtyard” and “Garden Courtyard”. Additionally, there is a fishpond in the centre which is named the “Fish Paradise”.
A famous traditional feature of Chinese architecture is the Stone Boat structure. Its design and architectural beauty are considered to be a fine art that has been praised by people throughout the world.
The style of Yao-Yueh Fang (the Stone Boat) in the Chinese Garden is based on the Peking style, but with some adaptations in the design and usage of materials.
The Ming Hsiang Hsieh (Tea House) is a miniature structure following the style of the elaborate, winding gallery at the Summer Palace. This meandering design is a characteristic and graceful Chinese architectural feature.
In ancient times, pagodas, originally simple tower structures located beside temples, were used for the storage of human ashes (in urns) by Buddhists.
The Ru Yun T'a (7-storey pagoda) is situated on a small hill in the Chinese Garden. Its typical pagoda design follows the style of Linggu Temple Pagoda at Nanjing.
The Chinese Pavilion, Plateau and Tower are considered to be an important part of the Chinese gardening art. The artistic features, typical of Chinese architecture, have long been appreciated by man. The design of the four pavilions at the Chinese Garden is based on the style of Northern Chinese Pavilions, and decorated to blend harmoniously with the garden.
Opened in June 1992, the Suzhou-style Bonsai Garden cost an estimated $3.8 million to build. This 5,800-square-metre garden with Suzhou-style buildings (incorporating a main hall of 50 square metres) and landscape houses a collection of over 2,000 bonsais imported from China and other parts of the world.
It is designed as the largest Suzhou-style Bonsai garden of its kind outside of China.
A Bonsai Training Centre has been launched. The public are encouraged to sign up for the course, which will be taught by Bonsai experts from Shanghai and Suzhou (China). They will teach how to prune and care for Bonsais and how to appreciate the beauty of this unique artistry.
The original name of this garden is the Zodiac & Pomegranate Garden, derived from the elements used for the construction of the garden. It consists of pomegranate trees, the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals sculpture, a sundial, stone bridges and planting of materials.
100-year-old pomegranate trees from Shantung, China were planted into the garden. They sit among the 12 Chinese Zodiac Animal sculptures.
This entrance was constructed in conjunction with the Chinese Garden MRT station, to ensure easy access for pedestrians visiting the gardens. Upon approaching the garden, there is a Red Bridge that will lead you in. Four stone lions, welcoming the visitors that are entering the garden, "guard" the entrance.
The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum, a primary attraction in Chinese Garden, exhibits various species of turtles and tortoises.
In 2019, the museum moved out from the gardens and relocated to Yishun; this was due to upgrading works carried out in the surrounding Jurong Lake District.