From flourishing tropical idylls bursting with exotic plants to serene mountain landscapes with space to breathe, the gardens of Asia are some of the most spectacular in the world. Take some time out of your busy itinerary to explore these little pockets of paradise.
Kenroku-en Garden, Kanazawa, Japan
Kenroku-en combines all six elements (explained here) in the classic blueprint for a perfect garden, achieving both spaciousness and seclusion with its hidden lawns and sweeping views. Celebrated as one of Japan’s top gardens, the cherry trees erupt with soft, pink blossom in the spring, while in autumn the turning leaves make a rainbow of gold, burgundy and rust against the pale sky; constantly changing scenery, equally exquisite in every season. Designed as a strolling-style garden, Kenroku-en is best enjoyed ‘on the move’, by following the paths as they meander over the hills and between the lakes, leading you on a tour through the landscape. Read our local's guide to Kanazawa here.
Suggested Read: 9 Hotels In Asia That You Share With Animals
Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
The futuristic super-trees that tower over Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay provide vertical habitats for over 200 hundred plant species, including orchids, ferns and flowering climbers. During the day, these iconic structures give shade to an aerial walkway with panoramic views towards the bay, and at night they are illuminated by thousands of coloured lights. On the ground, the Flower Dome biosphere recreates the conditions of a ‘perpetual spring’, while the Cloud Forest mimics the cool conditions high in the mountains. The combination of striking visual spectacle and fresh botanical innovation gives these gardens a wide-ranging appeal that keeps everyone engaged, even the very young.
Royal Botanical Gardens, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Planted on the site of an ancient temple, and once only open to royalty, the Botanical gardens near Kandy are on an altogether different scale and require a bit more time to explore. Avenues of towering palm trees stretch skywards and forests of giant bamboo (which grow, on average, 30 cm per day!) guard the lake. Hundreds of rare orchids are protected in specially built hot houses, surrounded by vibrant flowerbeds, and the heady scent of bay, nutmeg and cardamom radiates from the shady spice garden. The crowning glory, however, is the collection of exotic flowering trees that flood the canopy with colour throughout the year. Read our guide to Kandy here.
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