Chinese and Japanese Gardens

7-story pagoda

Only two trains stops away from Clementi MRT are located the Chinese and Japanese gardens. I do not think I have to explain what kind of architecture and landscaping is used in these gardens.
After the extremely long train ride of 6 minutes, I entered the Chinese Garden. Upon entering one immediately encounters an enormous 7 story high pagoda. Although it may look otherwise, but you can enter the pagoda and climb to any of the 7 floors. It gives a spectacular overview of one of the few patches of grass I have seen in Singapore, and of course a lot of apartment buildings. Near the pagoda statues of famous Chinese persons were placed, such as Confucius (孔子) and Hua Mulan (花木兰).

Walking toward the big lake which surrounds most parts of the parks, I found the twin pagodas. Although what smaller in size, the scenery combined with the lake gave a hell of a picture. I climbed both and from, and from both the scene of the lake was very impressive.
After the twin pagodas I went to the main gate, as I entered the garden via the entrance at the MRT station side. It was a huge gate, with a typical Chinese interior and pond, with lot of (gold)fish. The main gate was just in line with the 13-arched bridge. One of the two big bridges of the park, the other is the bridge which connects the Chinese and the Japanese Gardens.
Sadly the bonsai garden was closed, due to renovations so I had to skip that... pity. From the looks of it, it was a very nice garden and I would very much have liked to see the bonsai trees in contrast with the Chinese architecture.

After the Chinese Garden it was time for the Japanese Garden. In contrary to its Chinese brother, this garden only has the Japanese layouts and cultivation. Nevertheless, it was a lot more quite and peaceful then the Chinese Garden. A lot of ornaments and little bridges could be found, and of course a lot of streams and ponds. The only thing missing was the moss, probably it can not grow in such a hot country, or else you would expect it in a Japanese garden.
Well that is all about the Chinese and Japanese garden, hopefully I see again some Chinese gardens when I am in China. Fingers crossed.

Overview from the pagoda

Japanese Garden connection bridge, as seen from the pagoda

Confucius

Twin pagodas

Main gate

13-arched bridge

Japanese ornament

Japanese bridges

Rain forest-like tree, look at the roots coming from the branches