Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay is renowned for its lush, nature-inspired attractions, including a massive greenhouse teeming with diverse plants and flowers, as well as a towering indoor waterfall.
Now, a new attraction outside of Singapore is drawing comparisons to this iconic destination — the Shanghai Greenhouse, located in the Shanghai Expo Culture Park.
The Shanghai Greenhouse has sparked discussions online for its striking resemblance to Gardens by the Bay, with a TikTok video highlighting these similarities going viral. Some Singaporean netizens have even labeled the Shanghai attraction a “copycat.”
The video, uploaded on Jan 9 by TikTok user noteggtan, showcased several side-by-side comparisons of Shanghai Greenhouse and Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. Features like waterfalls cascading down towering structures, floral walls, and elevated walkways appeared noticeably similar in both attractions.
According to Smart Shanghai, an online publication, the Shanghai Greenhouse is situated in a repurposed steel factory and consists of four main areas: a visitor center and three themed sections. One of these, called the “Clouds Forest,” has drawn particular attention for its resemblance to Gardens by the Bay’s Cloud Forest.
“Even the name was copied?” a TikTok user commented on the viral clip.
Another viewer asked, “Wait, this isn’t Gardens by the Bay?”
Several other users shared their thoughts, with some simply noting how “familiar” the Shanghai Greenhouse looked, while others praised its design. “It actually looks great,” one person remarked.
One commenter went so far as to say the Shanghai Greenhouse appeared even better and expressed their intent to visit the attraction.
Many netizens took the similarities as a testament to Singapore’s success. “It’s a world-class attraction that others want to emulate. Great job, Singapore!” one commenter wrote.
Another added, “Isn’t imitation the sincerest form of flattery?”
The Shanghai Greenhouse officially opened its doors on Sept 20 last year, as reported by Smart Shanghai. Tickets for a single-day visit currently start at $18.30 for adults on Klook.
