Singapore offers a perfect place to make a winter escape

The Botanic Gardens. [Photo by Yang Feiyue / China Daily]

I choose the Botanic Gardens to be my last stop in the country, since it is Singapore's first UNESCO Heritage Site.

It's like being in a lush green world and all the modern brick-and-mortar buildings suddenly disappear.

The sun sparkles on the oily green leaves and exotic blossoms.

Many visit the gardens to jog or dine, I'm told.

The garden was established in 1859 by the Agri-Horticultural Society. It's a 60-acre plot that was transformed from a disused plantation.

Botanical and horticultural research are carried out here. Plants are grown in designated areas, and some toxic ones are fenced in to keep visitors at a safe distance.

The national orchid garden is believed to be the world's largest, with more than 600 species and hybrids.

The Heritage Museum is another site in the Gardens that one should not miss. It was built in 1921 and covers an area of 240 square meters. The museum features interactive and multimedia exhibits and panels that detail the Gardens' rich heritage.

For those with children, the Jacob Ballas Children's garden mixes fun with education. Children can play in the open air and pick up knowledge on plant life.

All exhaustion can be relieved at a host of diners and cafes tucked away in the Gardens.

Indeed, the convenient visa (four days after application through a travel agency) and cheap flights (1,800 yuan, $262 for round trip if your timing is right) make the City in the Garden an attractive option compared with domestic destinations for those who want to avoid the chill and the smog.

yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn