Shopping malls in Singapore with hidden green spaces

When it comes to green spaces in malls, it's hard not to mention Jewel Changi Airport. The majestic dome-shaped mall houses over 280 dining and retail outlets, the tallest indoor waterfall and also some very lush greenery. And if you thinking of a couple of plants and benches indoors – think bigger, like a whole entire forest. The Shiseido Forest Valley has more than 900 trees and palms, and over 60,000 shrubs from all over the world. You could say that this would be the only mall in Singapore where you could also fit in a gentle (and cooling) hike. Besides the Shiseido Forest Valley, the entire fifth storey of Jewel Changi Airport is also the Canopy Park where you can play on slides, jump on nets and walk through flower gardens and pretty ponds – at a shopping mall. 

With Somerset MRT station located at its basement and both Orchard Gateway and Orchard Central linked to the building, 313 is one of the busiest malls on the Orchard Road stretch. But if you go up to the fifth level where the food court is, there is a green oasis not many people know about. The Sky Terrace is a little outdoor space with green rotating columns where adults can take a breather after shopping and kids can have a little fun at the mini play area. 

Escape to a landscaped rooftop garden at Orchard Central. You'll find yourself stepping into a new world with beautiful green walls all around, a zen reflective pond, lush plants and also some visual art at the enchanting roof gardens on the 11th and 12th floors of the busy shopping mall. Immerse yourself in the greenery and enjoy the spectacular street views of Orchard and its surroundings from the top as well. Built to be a "high-rise shopping" shopping experience, Orchard Central has definitely not forgotten to fit in some space for respite from the busy streets. 

Take a break from the retail jungle of Funan and step out (and up) to the rooftop urban farm operated by Edible Garden City – who has long championed the grow-your-own-food movement in Singapore. Located on the seventh storey of Funan is an 18,000sq ft Food Garden where you can find more than 50 types of fruits and vegetables including mushrooms, edible flowers, okra, basil, mint, watermelon, lemongrass and passionfruit. The urban farm is also open to the public (one of the few!) and is a space where visitors can learn how vegetables are produced and harvested through workshops that the mall organises regularly. Modern preschool Trehaus are organising an adventure day camp for kids which includes urban farming at Edible Garden City.

We know it for its grandeur and range of luxury boutiques but Marina Bay Sands also has some (green) secrets of its own. The RISE Herb Garden is where over 70 edible herbs, plants and other food produce that are specially nurtured, grown and harvested for use in the kitchens. The herb garden is in line with the Sands ECO360° global sustainability strategy which aims to reduce carbon footprint and overall environmental impact. You can also take a self-guided sustainability tour of MBS where the garden is one of the stops.

Though only over two storeys high, the rooftop of Design Orchard is quite a gem in the bustling shopping precinct. Inside the building, you can find a wide range of local labels from homegrown designers and makers under one roof - but climb up to the open-air second floor and you will find yourself in a spacious amphitheatre surrounded by lush greenery and views of the streets. Climb up further to explore more green corners  and to also grab a coffee from Alchemist, the hidden cafe up the steps.

Though not within a mall or on a rooftop of one, Dhoby Ghaut Green is a centrally located park that sits across Plaza Singapura and atop Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, making it easily accessible to patrons of the mall and people looking for a breather. A main feature of the park is the unique open-air amphitheatre which is inspired by the design of natural lines of a rattan basket. There are also plenty of benches and even swing sets for people visiting the park to sit and swing – and escape from the crowds.