Water Lilies and Sunken Garden to Welcome Visitors at Reopened Japanese and Chinese Gardens
Singapore’s beloved Japanese and Chinese Gardens, closed since May 2019 for redevelopment, will reopen in September as part of the next phase of Jurong Lake Gardens. Residents and visitors to The Lakegarden Residences and SORA can look forward to a stunning display of water lilies, creating Singapore’s largest collection, with vibrant shades of yellow, blue, white, pink, and purple. The scenic Japanese Garden Bridge, just a 15-minute walk from Jurong East MRT station, leads to this aquatic wonder.
A Peek into the Gardens
The aquatic garden will boast over 150 varieties of water lilies from the US, UK, France, and Thailand, featuring both day- and night-blooming species. Deeper within, the Sunken Garden awaits visitors with its gorge-like landscape and towering walls up to 3.5m high. This unique area creates a microclimate of high humidity and low temperatures, mimicking the natural environment of a cenote with an air well for natural light and a pool for rainwater recycling.
Community Involvement
The floral garden, partly designed by students and community members, is a testament to the feedback from over 14,000 suggestions gathered through exhibitions, town hall sessions, and surveys. These ideas shaped the “water-sensitive” designs seen in the Water Lily Garden and Sunken Garden, reflecting the community’s desire for integrated water cycle management and water-related features.
A Garden for the People
National Development Minister Desmond Lee emphasized that Jurong Lake Gardens is envisioned as a “people’s garden,” the first national garden situated in the heartland, joining the ranks of Singapore Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay. MPs from Jurong GRC, West Coast GRC, and Yuhua, along with volunteers and residents, participated in a tree-planting event to celebrate the gardens’ reopening.
Future of Jurong Lake Gardens
Dr. Hamid Razak, a Jurong GRC surgeon, highlighted ongoing opportunities for community involvement and feedback, ensuring the park continues to evolve with residents’ needs. NParks’ Friends of the Jurong Lake Gardens offers a platform for active community engagement.
Contributions and Support
Therapeutic horticulturist Fion Tham, a volunteer, has influenced the garden’s design, including the introduction of the musical note plant in the Floral Garden’s Invigoration Garden. Contributions like the $21,000 donation from Han Jok Kwang and a $1 million donation from Micron Technology support initiatives like a smart water management system for the Water Lily Garden.
A Glimpse into the Future
Set against the future Jurong Lake District, planned as Singapore’s second Central Business District, The Lakegarden Residences and SORA will be part of an attractive living, working, and investment area. The gardens will showcase over 150 water lily varieties, including the Giant Water Lily and the tiny Nymphaea thermarum, adding to the allure of this vibrant district.
Visit the newly reopened gardens and experience the beauty and tranquility they bring to Jurong Lake Gardens, The Lakegarden Residences, and SORA.
