From Hawaii to India, the best botanical gardens of Asia and Oceania are not to be missed. Full of lush tropical plants and unique aesthetic, these botanical gardens are some of the most verdant in the world.

Getting out to enjoy the flowers and plants is a great way to stretch your legs and get to know the plants of a new country. Before heading out, be sure to check out our tips on enjoying and preparing for botanical gardens. There’s even a helpful packing list so that you don’t forget anything! Don’t forget to charge your phone for photos and PlantSnap.

We sorted the list below alphabetically within Asia and Oceania.

All price conversions are based on conversion rates in August 2018.

 

Best Botanical Gardens in Asia

 

 

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Size: unknown, small but beautiful

Number of Species: unknown

Key Features: One of Japan’s oldest traditional gardens – finished in 1629.

Description: Like many Japanese gardens, this garden attempts to reproduce famous landscapes in miniature using plants, rocks, and water features. The many maple trees in the park turn a brilliant red in the fall, and plum blossoms in the spring bring early color. These gardens are not to be confused with the Koishikawa Botanical Gardens, which are operated by the University of Tokyo.

Entry Fee: 300 yen ($2.70 USD)

Hours: 9am to 5pm, closed December 29 through January 1.

 

 

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden

Location: Chonburi Province, Thailand

Size: 500 acres

Number of Species: unknown (thousands)

Key Features: Major scientific center dedicated to cycads (an ancient group of plants commonly confused with palms), also a resort.

Description: Originally purchased to be a fruit plantation, this 600-acre property has been turned into 500 acres of gorgeous gardens and wildlife conservation land instead. In addition to the gardens, visitors can enjoy religious ceremonies, a martial arts demonstration, elephant shows, and massages.

Entry Fee: 390 Baht ($11.86 USD)

Hours: 8am to 5:30pm daily

 

 

Image credit to AsianNews.network

Pha-Tad-Ke Gardens

Location: Laos

Size: 99 acres

Number of Species: 1,500

Key Features: The first botanical gardens in Laos. Take a 15-minute boat ride from Luang Prabang.

Description: These stunning gardens include a twice-daily orchid talk (11am and 3pm), a bamboo handicraft workshop (10am and 2pm daily), and herbal tea tasting all day. As if that wasn’t enough, the gardens are centered on the relationship between Lao people and plants (ethnobotany).

Entry Fee: $25

Hours: 8:30am to 6pm, garden and reception closed Wednesdays.

 

 

Shalimar Garden or Shalamar Garden

Location: Shalamar Town, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Size: 40 acres

Number of Species: unknown

Key Features: Persian paradise garden from 1641. UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Description: These ancient gardens are known for their elaborate water features and over 410 fountains. The garden is terraced into three main levels and is meant to be a microcosm of perfection on earth – a lofty goal that is certainly worth exploring! Much of the marble and other expensive stones were pillaged over the garden’s 400-year history. Please note that these gardens do not appear to have a website.

Entry Fee: 20 PKR ($0.16 USD), according to Google Questions.

Hours: 5am to 7pm, hours may vary during Islamic holidays

 

 

Xishuangbanna Botanical Garden

Location: China

Size: 13,000+

Number of Species: 2,779 acres

Key Features: Over 35 living collections. These gardens are primarily scientific and research oriented.

Description: Xishuangbanna is the largest botanical garden in Asia. It has knowledgeable guides, but bring a translator if you don’t speak Mandarin. The gardens are enormous but exquisitely maintained. The gardens were founded in the 1950s by botanist Cai Xitao.

Entry Fee: 104 RMB ($15 USD)

Hours: 7:30am to 6:30pm

Best Botanical Gardens in Oceania

 

 

Adelaide Botanic Garden

Location: Adelaide, Australia

Size: 130 acres

Number of Species: unknown

Key Features: One of the best displays of local Australian plants.

Description: The city of Adelaide was built with the botanic gardens in mind. The gardens feature some truly breathtaking architecture in the Palm House, Observatory, and the Amazon Waterlilly Pavillion. Be sure to check out the “Garden of Health,” full of medicinal plants!

Entry Fee: Free

Hours: Opens at 9am on weekends, 7:15am on weekdays. Closing hours vary by season, see the schedule here.

 

 

Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, Hawaii

Location: Hawaii, USA

Size: 240 acres

Number of Species: unknown

Key Features: Guided tours only. Enjoy gardens and sculptures in one park.

Description: Look no further for a tropical paradise botanical garden – and you don’t even need a passport if you’re from the US! The name means “Lands by the Sea.” This large park offers a wide variety of tropical plants and beautiful artwork. Much of the landscape was altered to suit the visions of Joyce Doty, one of the cofounders of the gardens.

Entry Fee: $20 to $80 per person, depending on which tour you select.

Hours: 8am to 5pm most days (closes 1pm Monday and 2pm Tuesday), closed Saturday and Sunday.

 

 

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Location: Singapore

Size: 183 acres

Number of Species: 10,ooo

Key Features: UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the heart of Singapore. 

Description: These gardens are the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Singapore. These are the national gardens of Singapore, an idea dreamt up in 1822 by Sir Stamford Raffles. The gardens feature an ethnobotany garden, which highlights over 300 culturally useful and significant plants.

Entry Fee: free

Hours: 5am to midnight (12am) daily