‘Startling sight’: Iconic tourist attraction looks a little different right now

Big visitor numbers are nothing new in Singapore. It has some of the world’s most popular tourist attractions. But now it’s a small herd of BIG visitors that are leaving a giant footprint here.

Dinosaurs have always punched above their weight – which isn’t easy when you weigh 40 tonnes – but 66 million years since they became extinct they can still pull a crowd.

Movies, merchandise, and museums all reap the benefits of association with the reptilian giants and now the big lizards are lending their celebrity to The Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay.

It is already one of the must-see attractions in Singapore so it doesn’t need dinosaurs to get visitors through the door, but it’s hard to think of a better setting for an exhibition of this kind.

The Cloud Forest features 72,000 plants, some that can date their lineage back to - you guessed it – the Jurassic era. Cue the theme music.

Jurassic World: The Experience is integrated throughout the multilevel experience that takes visitors through millions of years of botanical history.

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A botany display might sound dull until you see it for yourself. This is not your local community flower show. This is a dazzling exhibition that has now been elevated to dizzying new heights thanks to the injection of some prehistoric fun.

On entry to the Cloud Forest you immediately find yourself in the lair of the Brachiosauraus. At 8.5 metres tall it’s a startling sight and sets the tone for the rest of  your visit.

There is a range of different dino species scattered throughout the dome’s nine zones, some static, some animated like the fun activation involving an escaping velociraptor named Blue who featured in four of the Jurassic movies.

Then, of course, there is the crowd favourite. If you thought T-Swift’s Eras tour was big this guy has been No.1 since the Jurassic era – the T-Rex.

It is so real looking that a guide told me a visitor recently asked him if it was real. I don’t entirely blame her. Even right up close it’s uncannily lifelike. 

Fans of the Jurassic film franchise will appreciate the authentic signage and little nods to the movies as you make your way up 35 metres through the vertical environment to the cloud walk at the top.

Kids will love the jump scares and gardeners will be frothing over the plants drawn from tropical mountain environments from forest floor to altitudes around 3,000 metres.

To help set the scene there’s also one of the world’s highest indoor waterfalls.

To get the most out of the experience I recommend timing your visit with the mist release that happens every two hours from 10am-8pm.

This creates an eerie atmosphere that allows you to peer at the dinosaurs through the mists of time. 

Singapore’s heat and humidity can sap your energy so if you’re hesitant about spending an hour or so in a glass conservatory you’ll be happy to know the temperature inside sits between 23 and 25 degrees thanks to chilled water pipes running through the building. 

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I have to say for around $50 (S$46) for adults and $35 (S$32) for kids this is a great option if you’re tight for time on a stopover or as part of a longer itinerary.

Plus your ticket includes the adjoining Flower Dome – the world’s largest glass greenhouse.  

Jurassic World: The Experience has already been extended twice and is expected to run until at least the first quarter of 2027.

John Walsh travelled to Singapore as a guest of the Singapore Tourism Board.