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Gardens by the Bay launches new interactive digital experience 'The Hidden Forest', in collaboration with Japanese company Naked Inc

Meet and interact with 17 plants and 16 animals from cloud forest habitats around the globe

Cheryl Sekkappan
Written by
Cheryl Sekkappan
Deputy Editor, Time Out Singapore
The Hidden Forest
Photograph: Gardens by the BayThe Hidden Forest
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There's now more reason to visit Gardens by the Bay. In addition to being named the 8th best attraction in the world by Tripadvisor, it has launched a new digital experience that will take you into the unique and mysterious world of cloud forests. 

The Hidden Forest
Photograph: Gardens by the BayThe Hidden Forest

Named The Hidden Forest, this new attraction was created in collaboration with Japanese creative production company NAKED, INC. It's known for dazzling, experiential projects like the Naked Flowers Flower, Dance, Light and Shadow Exhibition and Naked Cherry Blossom Festival that skillfully combine art and technology. This time, it brings its magic to Gardens by the Bay's Cloud Forest, bringing to life the interconnected ecosystem of remote cloud forests and the rare flora and fauna that live within.

The Hidden Forest is now open at the third and fourth levels of the Cloud Forest. In this darkened, mist-shrouded environment, you will get to meet and interact with 17 plants and 16 animals from cloud forest habitats typically found between 500m and 3500m above sea level in regions like Central and South American, southern Mexico and parts of the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, eastern Africa, and New Guinea. The experience is fully interactive too – your movement will stimulate the growth of Cecropia trees (also known as the Tree of Laziness as they provide food for sloths), Monkey-faced orchids, and other plant life found in cloud forests, and touching the walls will conjure sleepy sloths making their slow way along tree branches. Other unusual species may also appear, including the "spectacled" Andean bear with eyes ringed by cream-coloured fur and the threatened Resplendent Quetzal with its emerald feathers. 

The Hidden Forest
Photograph: Gardens by the BayThe Hidden Forest

As you can probably tell, cloud forest habitats are extremely remote. They are also under serious threat due to climate change and human activities, which limits what can be brought in and showcased in Singapore. The Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay already shows a slice of this unique ecosystem, but with Naked Inc.'s technology, The Hidden Forest digital experience "can now present a more complete showcase of the rich biodiversity and critically endangered plants that we cannot otherwise bring in," shares Clarice Xue, Gardens by the Bay Assistant Director of Conservatory Operations. 

That's your cue to head to Cloud Forest for The Hidden Forest experience. Usual admission rates to the Cloud Forest dome at Gardens by the Bay applies – get your tickets here

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