Media Room

By the third quarter of 2026, visitors with visual impairment going to Flower Dome can have their very own guide dog to help them navigate the space – a robotic version that will also “talk” them through a curated walking route and interesting sights along the way. This is part of Gardens by the Bay’s next phase of efforts to leverage technology such as AI to promote greater inclusivity, so that more persons with disabilities can experience its spaces with greater autonomy.

To encourage more visitors to experience the space, the Gardens is also strengthening youth volunteerism through its partnership with the National Youth Council’s volunteering division, Youth Corps Singapore. The Gardens aims to increase the number of youth volunteers engaged in its programmes to 3,000 by 2028.

The new initiatives were announced by Minister for National Development Mr Chee Hong Tat at the Garden of Reunion (团园) event this evening, which brought together more than 300 beneficiaries, volunteers, donors and partners of Gardens by the Bay’s Gift of Gardens community outreach initiative for an appreciation dinner. The event was graced by President of the Republic of Singapore Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who is Patron of Gift of Gardens.

Gift of Gardens was launched in 2012 to facilitate complimentary access to Gardens by the Bay for local residents with disabilities or who may not otherwise have the means to visit. Gift of Gardens has since expanded its scope to offer a range of community programmes, such as Quiet Mornings for individuals with autism to enjoy Flower Dome during pre-opening hours and sensory tours for persons with visual impairment. To date, Gift of Gardens has served close to 300,000 beneficiaries.

Gardens by the Bay CEO Mr Felix Loh said, “As a People’s Garden, we believe nature should be accessible to all. By leveraging technologies such as AI to support greater independence for persons with disabilities, we hope to create a more inclusive society where everyone feels welcomed and empowered.”

Leveraging technology for greater independence

Gardens by the Bay’s latest technology initiatives build on ongoing efforts to be a more inclusive garden. In 2024, the Gardens launched its sensory tours for persons with visual impairment that feature specially developed tactile guidebooks and real plant samples to help participants form mental images of its landscapes and plants. To date, more than 800 have experienced the tours. In addition, eight former participants with visual impairment have gone on to receive training to become paid docents for the tours.

Soon, these sensory tours will be further enhanced with not only the robotic guide dog, but also a wearable AI-powered device called AiSee. The objective is to eventually allow persons with visual impairment to enjoy Flower Dome independently at their own pace – the robotic guide dog will help them navigate safely, while AiSee can answer their questions the way a docent would.

The robotic guide dog, developed by local company RoamAssist, is pre-programmed with the layout of Flower Dome and will guide visitors with visual impairment to key plant highlights. It provides audio instructions and descriptions of these plants, while prompting visitors on how to use the tactile guidebook to enhance their understanding of the specific plant. The robotic guide dog can also sense obstructions in the path ahead and pause or lead the visitor on alternative paths. When operational in the third quarter of 2026, it will be available for rent at no charge.

AiSee, developed by a local start-up, is an AI-powered wearable headset that helps visitors with visual impairment understand the plants around them. When prompted by voice cue, it captures an image of a plant, uses cloud-based AI to analyse and match it against a database for identification, then relays the information back to the visitor through audio. It also allows for follow-up questions, which it will attempt to answer leveraging on the same cloud-based AI.

Development of the AiSee prototype for Flower Dome will begin in the first quarter of 2027, with plant highlights and information about the conservatory mapped into its database, followed by trials with persons with visual impairment.

The development of the robotic guide dog and AiSee is supported by the Enabling Lives Initiative (ELI) Grant which is funded by Tote Board and managed by SG Enable.

Deputy CEO of SG Enable Mr Eng Soon Khai said, “Technology can help remove everyday barriers for persons with disabilities, enabling more independent navigation of public spaces and access to information. Through the ELI Grant, we are proud to support innovations like AiSee and the RoamAssist robotic guide dog that leverage AI to provide tangible support for persons with visual impairment. We are grateful for partners like Gardens by the Bay that share our commitment to advancing inclusion and accessibility, and shaping a more inclusive Singapore for all.”

For visitors with autism, an online sensory map co-developed with St. Andrew’s Autism Centre will go live in June this year. The map uses past data to identify the levels of sensory stress—environmental triggers such as noise, light, and smell—in various areas of the Gardens at different timings of the day, so that such visitors and their caregivers can plan their visits in advance.

These efforts support Singapore’s Enabling Masterplan 2030, a national roadmap that sets out the vision for Singapore to be an inclusive society where persons with disabilities are enabled to participate in and contribute fully to the community.

Fostering volunteerism among youth

Gardens by the Bay’s partnership with Youth Corps is part of the larger SG Youth Plan, a five-year action plan that supports young Singaporeans to be confident, as well as to connect and contribute. The SG Youth Plan also creates opportunities for people from different segments and generations of society to interact and foster mutual understanding.

More than 1,000 youths have volunteered for the Gardens’ programmes such as sensory tours for persons with visual impairment and befriending activities.

Youth volunteers assist beneficiaries during visits, facilitating tours and community programmes while building social and intergenerational connections. Through these volunteer experiences, these youths also develop empathy, resilience, and a shared sense of responsibility, enriching both themselves and the communities they serve.

From today, visitors to Flower Dome can stroll through a recreation of old Japanese streets once walked by samurai and visit teahouses where geisha once gathered, as part of the 11th edition of Gardens by the Bay’s iconic Sakura (樱花展). Set against a breathtaking backdrop of cherry blossoms in delicate shades of soft pink and white, the floral display recreates the nostalgic landscapes of Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture, inviting visitors to experience the beauty and traditions of sakura season.

Presented in partnership with the Embassy of Japan to Singapore, Sakura 2026 coincides with 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan. It was officially launched today by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Gan Kim Yong, alongside Gardens by the Bay CEO Mr Felix Loh and the Ambassador of Japan in Singapore His Excellency Hiroshi Ishikawa. Sakura will run until April 15.

Gardens by the Bay CEO Mr Felix Loh said, “Sakura remains a much-loved tradition that our visitors look forward to each spring, and we continually strive to make each edition a special experience. Coaxing cherry blossoms to bloom in the tropics remains no small feat, and beyond crowd favourite cultivars, we introduce new varieties each year so our visitors have new blooms to enjoy. Each edition of Sakura also spotlights a region of Japan, celebrating its landscapes, traditions and cultural heritage. This year, as Singapore and Japan mark 60 years of diplomatic relations, we are honoured to spotlight Ishikawa Prefecture, bringing the nostalgic charms of its samurai and geisha legacy to Flower Dome for the first time.”

Cherry blossom highlights

Visitors can admire close to 40 varieties of cherry blossoms throughout the display, showcasing a range of silhouettes from elegant upright forms to cascading weeping branches, in soft shades of pink and white.

Among the highlights is the return of popular cultivars Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’, admired for its dense clusters of soft pink double-petalled blooms, and an 8m-tall Prunus ‘Somei Yoshino’, well-loved in Japan for its delicate blossoms that soften from pale pink to near white at full bloom. Also featured are Prunus ‘Kiku Shidare’, known for its richly layered blossoms resembling delicate pink pom-poms, and Prunus pendula, recognised for its graceful weeping form.

A new addition this year is Prunus ‘Jugatsu’, known in Japan as the “October cherry”, specially chosen for its rare habit of flowering in both autumn and spring. It bears small, semi-double blossoms in soft pale pink that often fade to near white.

Adding to the seasonal spectacle is Prunus persica ‘Hanamomo’, an ornamental flowering peach commonly seen in Japanese spring landscapes, bringing vibrant bursts of colour to the display.

Experiencing Ishikawa in Bloom

Ishikawa Prefecture is home to the historic city of Kanazawa, known for its preserved samurai districts, geisha quarters and traditional crafts.

During the Edo period, the Maeda family ruled the Kaga domain centred in Kanazawa and championed the development of arts and crafts in the region. Against the backdrop of the pink and white blossoms, the centrepiece of the floral display is a recreation of the two-storey Nomura residence, modelled after the former home of a samurai of the Maeda clan, now maintained as a historic house. The house features an engawa, or veranda, overlooking a serene courtyard garden — a space traditionally used to enjoy the outdoors from within the home.

Traditional arts associated with Ishikawa are also showcased within the residence, including gold leaf craftsmanship, lacquerware, silk dyeing and Kutani porcelain, which have been flown in specially from the region for this display. Visitors can also walk through a colourful walkway of columns adorned with different kimono patterns, showcasing the variety and craftsmanship of this traditional Japanese attire.

Sakura also introduces a rain feature inspired by Kanazawa’s famously wet climate, allowing visitors to experience cherry blossoms framed by a gentle curtain of rain. From there, visitors move along a pathway lined with lattice-covered façades inspired by Higashi Chaya, Kanazawa’s traditional teahouse district.

A tribute to Kenrokuen, regarded as one of Japan’s Three Great Landscape Gardens, comes in the form of a bridge overlooking a tranquil body of water and framed by cascading blossoms and stone lanterns, reflecting the serene balance characteristic of traditional Japanese garden design. The display also features a façade inspired by the main hall of the 1,300-year-old Natadera Temple, which is backed by the jagged rock formations of Mount Haku, where meditation caves are carved into the cliffs.

Visitors can also get a glimpse of the traditional sake brewing process that Ishikawa is known for, which uses pure mountain water and craftsmanship honed over generations to produce sake known for its smooth and well-balanced flavour.

Adding a touch of whimsy to the display, familiar Sanrio characters such as Hello Kitty, My Melody, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll and Kuromi can be spotted among the blossoms in the display.

Cosplay and anisong concerts at Anime Garden next weekend

Anime fans can look forward to the return of Anime Garden at the Supertree Grove and Flower Dome on March 21 and 22. The event brings together anime, music and cosplay in a dynamic two-day celebration.

Visitors will have a chance to meet celebrity cosplayers Thames Malerose and Munoko and catch high-energy performances by outstanding homegrown and regional talents. As night falls, the excitement continues with two electrifying concerts featuring acclaimed Japanese artists yanaginagi, Eir Aoi, KIHOW from MYTH & ROID, and ZAQ performing crowd-favourite anisongs and J-pop hits beneath the Supertrees.

There will also be a bustling marketplace filled with exclusive merchandise, collectibles and a variety of food offerings.

Please refer to the Annex for

• Highlights of Anime Garden
• All Nippon Airways (ANA) social media contest to win tickets to Japan

Sakura is also supported by All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Singapore Foundation (JCCI), the Japan External Trade Organization Singapore (JETRO), Popular Mi Pte Ltd, Kaga Yuzen Maida and HULS Gallery.

Sakura

Date: Until 15 April 2026

Time: 9am to 9pm

Venue: Flower Dome (Admission charge applies)

For more details, visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/sakura

Anime Garden

Date: 21 March and 22 March 2026

Time: 3pm to 9pm

Venue: Supertree Grove and Flower Dome (Admission charge applies to Flower Dome)

For more details, visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/animegarden

Gardens by the Bay will embark on its next phase of development with a major new space known as Wetlands by the Bay. Spanning about 5 hectares, the new space will expand the existing Kingfisher Wetlands precinct along the waterfront promenade near Gardens by the Bay MRT station. The development will include teamLab’s museum featuring the first-ever multi-sensory voyage that seamlessly moves between indoor galleries and the open landscape, bringing visitors up close to freshwater wetlands habitats.

Enhancing the wetlands experience, a newly designed cantilevered canopy boardwalk will extend over Kingfisher Wetlands, providing an elevated pathway that strengthens connectivity from Gardens by the Bay MRT station to Bay South Garden’s key attractions, while offering visitors a stunning over-water encounter with nature. A new community space, Glade Lawn will host a variety of community activities. Construction of Wetlands by the Bay is slated to commence in the first quarter of 2027, with progressive opening targeted by end 2028.

Wetlands by the Bay will complement the development of Bay East Garden, which will open in 2027, with Founders’ Memorial within to open in 2028. A new bridge linking Bay South Garden and Bay East Garden will improve accessibility between the two gardens while offering visitors panoramic waterfront views and a continuous, uninterrupted journey through the different garden spaces. Construction of the bridge will begin in the second quarter of 2026 and is slated for completion in 2028.

Gardens by the Bay CEO Mr Felix Loh said, “Gardens by the Bay is ever evolving to continuously provide fresh experiences for both Singaporeans and visitors from all over the world, and Wetlands by the Bay is our latest transformation. Last year, more than 16 million people visited Gardens by the Bay to experience our offerings – our highest visitorship to date – and it is timely to look at expanding our range of attractions. Wetlands by the Bay will strengthen Gardens by the Bay's reputation as a must-visit destination in Singapore where people can enjoy one-of-a-kind nature-based experiences. Together with the upcoming Bay South-Bay East bridge, these new additions to the Marina Bay area contribute to a prime waterfront experience and are another step forward in Singapore’s City in Nature vision.”

An expanded urban wetland with public spaces and teamLab museum

The key highlights of Wetlands by the Bay are:

• An expanded urban wetland with more than 600 mangroves and coastal plants
• Additional community green spaces for the public
• Refreshed waterfront dining with indoor and outdoor spaces
• A new teamLab museum

An expanded urban wetland with more than 600 mangroves and coastal plants

When the 15,000 sqm Kingfisher Wetlands opened in 2021, it was the rare urban wetlands located in Singapore’s city centre and a place for biodiversity to flourish even on reclaimed land. The results of an ecological study on Kingfisher Wetlands that was released in 2023 showed that several mangrove species that otherwise thrive in coastal saline or brackish water can also do well in freshwater conditions, and carbon sequestration had also increased as these mangroves grew.

The new Wetlands by the Bay will expand on this success, with more than 600 mangroves and coastal plants in the area. This is three times the number of mangroves now at the Kingfisher Wetlands precinct. Collected from around the world, the mangroves and coastal plants at Wetlands by the Bay originate from other equatorial countries such as Ecuador, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, and Timor Leste, and includes critically endangered species. In total, there will be more than 50,000 plants at Wetlands by the Bay.

A larger and lusher green space will attract biodiversity, providing new habitats at Gardens by the Bay for fauna such as birds, of which locally endangered and vulnerable species have been spotted in the area. It will also serve as an example of a potential natured-based climate solution for densely urban cities.

Additional community green spaces for the public

Refreshed waterfront dining with indoor and outdoor spaces

A new teamLab museum

Gardens by the Bay offers diverse experiences set within nature to appeal to a broad audience. Urban wetlands are rare in Singapore, and the teamLab experience is a unique and dynamic way for city-dwellers to get up close with such semi-aquatic ecosystems and see the biodiversity they support – an experience only possible at the Gardens.

An infographic of Wetlands by the Bay is here.

A bridge to connect Bay South and Bay East Gardens

The construction of the bridge that will connect Bay South Garden with Bay East Garden across the Marina Reservoir will start in the second quarter of 2026.

It is marked by its sinuous curve design, which is elevated at the Bay South Garden end, then gently slopes downwards at the other end at Bay East Garden, until it rests just above the surface of the Marina Reservoir. The design offers visitors the unique experience of “walking on water” over this latter 175m-long stretch.

In addition to the enhanced accessibility, the public can also enjoy panoramic views of the Singapore skyline, including the two cooled conservatories and Supertrees at Bay South Garden, and the upcoming Founders’ Memorial at the redeveloped Bay East Garden.

To facilitate construction of the bridge, parts of Bay South Garden will have hoarding, and pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted to alternative routes. Please refer to the diversion map here.

Eight magnificent, life-sized horse lanterns, crafted using 1,000-year-old techniques, gallop amongst the “Four Gentlemen” in Chinese art and philosophy – the plum blossom, bamboo, orchid and chrysanthemum – as Gardens by the Bay celebrates the Year of Horse at Flower Dome.

This year’s Spring Blossoms: Gallop into Prosperity (春花盛开之骏马奔腾) floral display is designed in collaboration with Shanghai Gardens Group, the renowned Chinese landscape company behind landmark projects such as Shanghai Disney and Shanghai Expo Culture Park. Their design expertise brings the elegance and symbolism of classical Jiangnan-style gardens to life.

The floral display, which will run until March 1, was launched today by Senior Minister of State for National Development and Transport Ms Sun Xueling, Gardens by the Bay CEO Mr Felix Loh, and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Singapore His Excellency Cao Zhongming.

Gardens by the Bay CEO Mr Felix Loh said, “Spring Blossoms is a joyful fusion of nature with some of the best elements of traditional Chinese culture, which we hope brings good tidings during the Chinese New Year for our visitors. The landscape inspired by Jiangnan-style Gardens, long regarded as masterpieces in classical Chinese landscapes, evoke beauty, renewal and new beginnings, while the horse lanterns symbolise strength, vitality and perseverance.”

Landscapes inspired by classical Chinese gardens and culture

Standing up to 2.6 metres tall, the lantern horses are crafted by artisans from Zigong, Sichuan — a city internationally renowned for its lantern-making heritage dating back to the Tang Dynasty, and vibrant Spring Festival lantern displays. Inspired by Ba Jun Tu (八骏图), the iconic Chinese ink painting of eight steeds in full gallop, the horses capture powerful strides that symbolise strength, vitality and success. The horses are adorned with exquisite silk flowers, meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans using traditional Chinese techniques.

The landscape is inspired by the aesthetics of Jiangnan Gardens, celebrated for their tranquil harmony with nature and long appreciated by Chinese scholars as places for rest and reflection. Visitors can wander through moon gates, pause at pavilions, and admire seasonal blooms, echoing the literati tradition.

Cascading water features called Die Shui (叠水) and a limestone rock inspired by the Taihu rocks（太湖石）from Lake Tai in Jiangsu – renowned for being shaped by nature into abstract twisted forms – are examples of quintessential Jiangnan Gardens elements. The rockery and cascading water embody the Jiangnan ideal of “bringing mountains and rivers indoors”.

There is also the 2.5-metre-tall Blooming Drum of Spring, decorated with the classic Bao Xiang (宝相) flower motif where lotus, peony and foliage intertwine, symbolising good luck and the arrival of Spring.

A profusion of seasonal blooms amidst a Jiangnan Garden

The Jiangnan Gardens landscape is adorned with over 10,000 plants. Taking centrestage is the “Four Gentlemen” of Chinese art and philosophy, which embody qualities of a virtuous gentleman:

• Plum blossoms, which bloom in the heart of winter, symbolise perseverance, resilience, and hope.
  • While not a plum blossom, Wintersweet, a winter-flowering plant native to China with delicate, fragrant yellow blossoms, traditionally admired alongside plum blossoms in Chinese gardens, is a bloom to look out for. Gardens by the Bay is bringing in Wintersweet for the first time and it is the only place in Singapore that the flower can be seen in its full glory.
• Orchids embody nobility, integrity, and refined character.
  • Boat orchids, also known as Cymbidiums, with their elegant, cascading form were lauded by Confucius and have a long association with Chinese culture.
• Bamboo stands for honesty and humility.
  • The Showy Yellow Grove Bamboo, with its radiant golden stems streaked with green that evokes an elegant blend of gold and jade, is one of China’s four famous bamboo species.
• Chrysanthemums represent endurance.
  • Chrysanthemum incidium Cosmo hybrids have forms that echo chrysanthemums often portrayed in traditional Chinese paintings.

Other Chinese New Year events at Gardens by the Bay

From February 15 to 24, Singapore’s iconic Chinese New Year event River Hongbao returns to Gardens by the Bay for the sixth time, ushering in the Year of the Horse. Marking its 40th edition, visitors can look forward to lantern sets set amidst the outdoor gardens, including the ever-popular massive God of Fortune, fireworks displays, nightly performances, a food street, and a special anniversary exhibition showcasing the festival’s history and evolution. River Hongbao has no admission charge.