Garden Link Bridge @ Chinatown

If you have thought these pictures are taken in Chinese Garden, you are very mistaken.  On the overhead bridge from the Pagoda Street where the Chinatown station is located towards Upper Cross Street side; is a small little charming chinese garden.  Most people are usually in a hurry when the use the bridge, however if you pause for a moment, you will actually noticed that the garden is very well manicured and the pavilions to be attractive and a suitable addition to the Chinatown area.

At this bridge garden, there are two chinese architectural pavilions.   These pictures are taken in the early morning, therefore there are no visitors to the garden.  Wait till the later part of the day you will see many elderly congregating at this charming little spot.  If you noticed the picture to be a little hazy in the background, that is because they are taken during the morning when a major haze hits Singapore on 21 June 2013 where the PSI index shoots above 400.  They are not special effects created by me, but just a record of the history in Singapore on such remarkable day!

This blog is not about “The Singapore Haze 2013” but I can’t help but to comment how bad the visibility is.  I was actually wearing the N95 mask and risking my life trying to take these pictures.  I hope you like it.  Most of the time, the garden is swarmed with pedestrian so it is rare that I am at Chinatown at the wee hours of the morning and the bridge garden being so empty, perfect for some shots.

There are the tall trees that provides shade at the sitting area.  The Chinatown area can get very busy during the day and night.  Most of the time you will see elderly people sitting here.  They will be chit chatting, playing chess and occasionally people practising taiji.  The place has a different vibe from the picture with more energy and vibrancy!

The bridge is just about an average height of typical overhead bridge, probably 50 metres above ground?  Although it seems a simple little garden, but a lot of effort has been put into creating a space for rest and play.  Look at the willow plants beside this pavilion, it complement the scene, setting and mood for a chinese garden.  I feel this pavilion beats the one that was on display at the flower dome during Spring Celebrations.

If you are in the Chinatown area, do stop by and visit this garden link bridge.  You can buy some snacks from the nearby People’s Park Complex and have a drink in hand while immersing yourself in this enchanting chinese garden and people watch.  And if you are lucky, you may have some of our elderly folks tell you Singapore in the past or stories of how Chinatown has become what it is today.  Let me hear of your surprises if you do.

Garden Link Bridge
Over Eu Tong Sen St & New Bridge Rd
Linking People’s Park Complex to Chinatown area