Event date: 13 Jan – 26 Feb 2023

Dahlias are beautiful flowering plants that are native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. They belong to the Asteraceae family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers. Dahlias are known for their showy blooms, which come in a wide range of colours and shapes. They are a popular choice for gardeners and florists alike due to their versatility and stunning appearance.

The dahlia plant typically grows to a height of three to four feet and produces flowers that range in size from two inches to over a foot in diameter. The blooms can be single, double, or even have multiple layers of petals, which give them a unique and striking appearance. Dahlias come in a variety of colours, including white, yellow, pink, red, purple, and orange. Some varieties even have bi-coloured or striped petals.

Visitors to Dahlia Dreams will also be enchanted by elements such as the centrepiece of the floral display, an iconic 6m tall River Hongbao lantern set featuring a majestic magnolia tree in the shape of the word ‘rabbit’ in Chinese. Integrated into the floral display will also be an interpretation of the Aesop’s fable, “The Hare and the Tortoise”, as well as well-known aspects of Chinese culture such as paper-cutting, lion dance, Chinese New Year goodies and spring couplets.

As part of the Chinese New Year display at Gardens by the Bay, the theme for this year’s event is Dahlia Dreams. A variety of dahlias have been incorporated in the display, as well as a hundred over rabbit figurines to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit.

The Lion Dance is a symbolic event during Chinese New Year. Businesses and homeowners traditionally invite lion dance troupes to perform the 採青(căi qīng), translated to “plucking of greens” ritual on their premises on the eve of Chinese New Year and other auspicious occasions to usher in good luck and fortune for the year ahead. Spot the rabbit leaping into the air with the tortoise on its back as they successfully pluck the bundle of carrots before the lions get to them!

Look at the rabbit crossing the river. Spot the rabbits cheering the tortoise and its partner on with the beating of drums during your visit as they cross the river. Drums were originally used in China for both celebration and in war, with leaders using them for motivation and to ensure that a uniform marching pace was kept. 

The Chinese idiom “狡兔三窟” (jiǎo tù sān kū), which originally means “A sly rabbit has three burrows”, makes reference to not putting your eggs in one basket, and having backup plans. This puts a positive spin on the saying which features three outstanding rabbits ‘佼’兔  (jiăo tù)in different burrows – a magnolia tree, a mossy hill, and among mountain rocks. Spot them during your visit!

A hundred children at play. An expression of the Chinese’s desire for the continuity of the family through many offspring, hundred children paintings allude to the story of King Wen (Zhou Wen Wang), the legendary father of the Zhou Dynasty’s founder, King Wu. King Wen had 99 sons and adopted an infant he found after a thunderstorm, so he could have a total of 100 sons.

Rabbits are also a symbol of fertility and abundance. Spot them in frolicking in the hill cavern mirroring some of the children’s poses! 

Aesop’s The Hare and the Tortoise is a prominent moral fable involving an arrogant hare who challenges the slow tortoise to a race. Our Chinese New Year version of the tale sees the two animals teaming up and helping each other reach the finishing line. They begin by studying the map which marks out the route they are to take. Spot the rabbit spectators perching on the 5-tiered pagoda in the background, waiting with bated breath for the race to begin!

Unfortunately, the River Hongbao event ended by 28 Jan, so during our visit to Gardens by the Bay, we could not catch the display of stalls and festivities. They were in the midst of tearing down when we visited on 29 Jan.

While we were not particularly impressed by the exhibits, as it is only the centrepiece exhibition that changes from time to time, we still had a nice walk around the Flower Dome with our Friends of the Garden card. I think it is time I change my annual pass to some other attraction in Singapore. It is getting pretty mundane year after year. As for the Avatar Experience over at the Cloud Forest, did you know that the annual pass holders have to top up an additional $15 for the experience?