Parks and gardens in Southeast Asia

This 140-acre (57-hectare) park in Bangkok's business district has operated since 1925. The grounds include an artificial lake with paddle boats, paved running tracks and outdoor fitness areas beneath shade trees. Locals gather here for morning tai chi sessions, while monitor lizards forage along the lake shore. Parc Lumphini serves as a central green space amid high-rise buildings and multilane roads.

Gardens by the Bay combines botany with contemporary architecture across 250 acres (101 hectares) along Marina Bay. The park features vertical gardens in the form of Supertrees reaching up to 164 feet (50 meters), equipped with photovoltaic cells and offering nightly light and sound shows. The climate-controlled conservatories Cloud Forest and Flower Dome house plant species from Mediterranean and tropical mountain regions. Visitors find themed gardens, elevated walkways between the Supertrees, and viewing points overlooking the skyline.

The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens opened in 1865 and ranks among the oldest zoological institutions in Asia. The 30-acre (12-hectare) grounds house native and exotic animal species along with a collection of tropical plants including orchids, palms and bamboo varieties. The park combines French colonial architecture with Vietnamese design elements and offers shaded pathways between animal enclosures and botanical sections. The facility serves as a green space in the densely built first district of Ho Chi Minh City.

Parc Rizal spans 58 acres (23 hectares) in central Manila and serves as a major public space for recreation and commemoration. The park contains the Rizal Monument, dedicated to Philippine national hero José Rizal and built on the site where he was executed in 1896. Visitors find landscaped gardens featuring native plant species, walking paths along water features, and an open grandstand used for national ceremonies. The park combines historical significance with urban green space and functions as a gathering place for locals and a venue for cultural events.

Kandawgyi Lake spans 150 acres (62 hectares) in eastern Yangon and offers a walking path that circles the entire shoreline. The lake sits within Royal Lake Park and draws locals for jogging and strolling, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. At the southern shore stands Karaweik Palace, a restored structure built in traditional Burmese architectural style that now houses a restaurant and lights up at night. The park also includes shaded areas beneath tropical trees and provides views of Shwedagon Pagoda to the west.

Taman Suropati is a public park in central Jakarta spanning roughly 3.9 acres (16,000 square meters) that showcases native and exotic plant species. The park contains several sculptures by artists from ASEAN countries, positioned along pathways and around a central pond. This green space serves as a meeting point for local residents and provides seating areas beneath shade trees and a circular path for walkers.

The Penang Botanic Gardens occupy a former colonial-era quarry site and contain collections of tropical plant species from the region. The grounds include several themed sections showcasing local flora, walking trails through forested slopes, and natural waterfalls that flow through the property. The garden functions as a recreational area and hosts scientific plant collections as well as populations of wild monkeys that inhabit the park's forest areas.

The Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City provides a 44-hectare (about 110-acre) recreation area centered around a mausoleum honoring President Manuel Quezon. This park offers shaded walkways, lawns and several museums displaying Philippine history. Visitors will find sports facilities, a cycling track and food stalls throughout the grounds. The 30-meter (about 100-foot) monument anchors the center of the complex.

Tao Dan Park spreads across several hectares (about 10 acres) in central Ho Chi Minh City, serving as a recreation area for urban residents. Mature trees provide shade over maintained pathways, while sculptures accent the green spaces. The park hosts regular cultural events where locals gather for tai chi exercises, badminton matches and other community activities.

The National Orchid Garden within Singapore's Botanic Gardens displays over 1,000 orchid species and 2,000 hybrids across 7.4 acres (3 hectares). The collection includes tropical varieties from the region and specially bred cultivars named after visiting heads of state. Visitors follow landscaped paths through themed sections, including the VIP Orchid Garden featuring hybrids honoring dignitaries. The grounds occupy the highest point of the botanic gardens and provide views across the surrounding green spaces.

Benjakitti Park surrounds a 50-acre (20-hectare) lake in Bangkok's business district, offering paved cycling and jogging paths along the waterfront. This public park combines open lawns with shaded seating areas that face the surrounding high-rise buildings. The paths are illuminated and attract locals who exercise during morning and evening hours.

The Jardins du triangle Ayala provides a public park in Makati's business district, featuring lawn areas, pathways and art installations. The seven-acre (three-hectare) green space integrates local tree species and seating areas among office towers. This park serves as a break space for office workers and includes cafés and an events area hosting cultural programs and concerts.

This botanical research center sits at 4,300 feet (1,300 meters) elevation in the mountains of Bali and houses over 2,000 plant species from eastern Indonesia. The Jardin botanique de Bali spreads across extensive grounds with thematic collections of tropical flora, including orchids, ferns and medicinal plants. The facility serves scientific studies on native vegetation conservation and provides visitors insight into the regional botanical diversity.

Chatuchak Park provides a green space covering 75 acres (304 hectares) next to the weekend market of the same name in Bangkok. The grounds include a lake, jogging paths and exercise equipment for visitors. Palm trees and tropical vegetation offer shade along the paved walkways, while benches provide resting spots. The park serves as a retreat for locals and travelers seeking respite from the crowds at the adjacent market.

KLCC Park extends across 50 acres (20 hectares) at the base of the Petronas Towers and includes water features, a children's pool and jogging tracks. The park sits within the business district and serves as a public recreation area among the high-rises. Winding footpaths connect different sections while lawns and tree clusters provide shade. The grounds attract both office workers during lunch breaks and families on weekends.

Hanoi Botanical Garden was established in 1890 and showcases Vietnamese flora with a collection of orchids and tropical plants. The garden covers several acres with thematically arranged sections displaying native species and regional vegetation. Visitors can walk along shaded paths through different plant zones, including greenhouses with specialized climate conditions for sensitive species. The site also serves scientific purposes and conserves endangered plant species from the region.

This royal esplanade of 30 hectares (74 acres) has served since the 18th century as a gathering space for ceremonial festivals and public events. Sanam Luang sits in Bangkok's historic center and provides relief between surrounding temples and government buildings. The open lawn is used for traditional kite festivals, markets and royal ceremonies.

This 33-hectare nature reserve on the outskirts of Quezon City combines forested walking trails with swimming facilities and designated picnic areas, providing Manila metropolitan residents with access to local flora while offering insight into urban conservation efforts.