A 'Gardens by the Bay' in Shanghai

'Wait, this isn't Gardens by the Bay?' Shanghai's new plant dome leaves netizens surprised and puzzled

The Shanghai Greenhouse features four main sections including one Clouds Forest, which netizens were quick to point out bore similarities to Gardens by the Bay's own Cloud Forest

Singapore's Gardens by the Bay boasts green and nature-based attractions, including a giant greenhouse filled with various types of plants and flowers, and a towering indoor waterfall. 

Well, now there's another attraction outside of Singapore that also fits that description — Shanghai Greenhouse located in the Shanghai Expo Culture Park.

In fact, the features within the Shanghai Greenhouse appear so strikingly similar to that at Gardens by the Bay that a TikTok clip highlighting this likeness has gone viral, with some netizens from Singapore branding the Shanghai attraction a "copycat".

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Shanghai's New Plant Dome Sparks Comparisons to Gardens by the Bay

Gardens By The Bay,Shanghai Greenhouse,Cloud Forest

Shanghai's new Greenhouse, located in the Shanghai Expo Culture Park, has drawn comparisons to Singapore's Gardens by the Bay due to striking similarities in design, particularly the Clouds Forest section. A TikTok video highlighting these resemblances has gone viral, with some Singaporean netizens labeling the Shanghai attraction a 'copycat'. The Shanghai Greenhouse, formerly a steel factory, features four main sections, including a visitor center and three themed areas, one of which is the Clouds Forest.

'Wait, this isn't Gardens by the Bay?' Shanghai's new plant dome leaves netizens surprised and puzzled

Well, now there's another attraction outside of Singapore that also fits that description — Shanghai's Greenhouse located in the Shanghai Expo Culture Park. The video, posted on Thursday by user noteggtan, had various shots comparing the Greenhouse and Gardens by the Bay's Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, like waterfalls cascading down mountain installations, floral walls and aerial walkways.

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Asia's BIGGEST Greenhouse Garden Has Opened In Shanghai, How Does It Compare To Singapore's?

The Shanghai Greenhouse Garden has been transformed from a former industrial facility. It spans about 22,000 square meters, with three pavilions combining sightseeing, leisure, and entertainment—you can’t see it all in just three hours!

👉 Pavilion 1: Sand Mirage

🤗 Showcasing unique plants from arid desert regions!

🤩 Highlights include China’s largest Baobab tree, an 800-year-old olive tree, the impressive Ceiba, known as the "Camel of Plants," a 30-ton Bodhi tree, and the world’s tallest species of cactus. They are truly eye-opening! The plant growth simulation in the light and shadow hall is incredibly impressive!

👉 Pavilion 2: Clouds Forest

🤗 Featuring a tropical rainforest environment with the theme “Breathing Leaves,” it offers a fascinating look into the wonders and mysteries of tropical rainforests!

👭 Visitors can walk through the four main scenic areas: Water Forest, Underwater Forest, Hidden Mist Forest, and Staghorn Forest, to observe the incredible rainforest features like buttress roots, prop roots, and aerial roots up close. On the sky bridge, you can overlook the entire garden, feeling as if you’re inside a real tropical forest!

🐠 The 12-meter-long tropical fish tank is particularly stunning—you can enjoy both tropical fish and the diverse shapes of plant roots underwater!

👉 Pavilion 3: Clouds Canyon

🤗 This is the largest of the three pavilions, showcasing a variety of tropical flowers that are bright and vibrant in color!

🌊 With ponds, unique stones, waterfalls, and skywalks, the intertwined spaces are full of artistic flair! There’s even a shallow pond where kids can play!

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Tour of GARDENS BY THE BAY Singapore

Why It's Named One of the BEST Attractions in the World?

This is an immersive tour of GARDENS BY THE BAY Singapore.

We explore the stunning landscapes, innovative architecture, and unique attractions that have earned it the title of one of the best attractions in the world. In this virtual tour, we will explore the Cloud Forest, the Flower Dome, and the iconic Supertree Grove.

Gardens by the Bay, located in the heart of Singapore, is a highlight of our Singapore walking tours this 2024. You may browse the video chapters to see the different areas you can visit within Gardens by the Bay Singapore.

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Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day?

Breakfast is often described as the most important meal of the day, but is skipping this morning meal really detrimental to health? Newer research suggests this may not be as bad as many of us believe. In this Honest Nutrition feature, we take an in-depth look at breakfast and whether skipping it is really harmful.

Breakfast literally means “to break the fast.” It is the first meal of the day after a stretch of not eating overnight. Breakfast earned its title as the most important meal of the day back in the 1960s after American nutritionist Adelle Davis suggested that to keep fit and avoid obesity, one should “eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.” Though a recent study of 30,000 adults found that 15% regularly skipped breakfast, many still believe it to be the most important meal of the day. Breakfast provides the body with important nutrients, to start the day feeling energized and nourished. Many also believe that it can promote weight loss. But is breakfast really the most important meal of the day?

As with most things in nutrition, the answer is complex. While some research suggests that skipping breakfast is not harmful, other research suggests otherwise. Eating regular meals and snacks, including breakfast, allows for more opportunities throughout the day to give the body the energy and nutrients it needs to function optimally. However, as long as a person can fit their nutrients in during other meals, breakfast may not be the most critical meal of the day.

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Is it better to eat several small meals or fewer larger ones?

Many of us may have heard that eating several small meals daily can help improve metabolism and achieve optimal health. However, evidence to support this claim is mixed. In this Honest Nutrition feature, we take an in-depth look at the current research behind meal frequency and discuss the benefits of small frequent meals compared with fewer, larger ones

It is widely accepted in modern culture that people should divide their daily diet into three large meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — for optimal health. This belief primarily stems from culture and early epidemiological studiesTrusted Source.

In recent years, however, experts have begun to change their perspective, suggesting that eating smaller, more frequent meals may be best for preventing chronic disease and weight loss. As a result, more people are changing their eating patterns in favor of eating several small meals throughout the day. Those who advocate for eating small, frequent meals suggest that this eating pattern can:

• improve satiety, or feeling full after a meal
• increase metabolism and body composition
• prevent dips in energy
• stabilize blood sugar
• prevent overeating.

While a few studies support these recommendations, others show no significant benefit. In fact, some research suggests it may be more beneficial to stick with three larger meals.

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Pee, Poo and Poot

Hematuria: Blood in urine

Hematuria is the presence of red blood cells in the urine. If there are enough red cells, the urine can become bright red, pink or cola colored. Often, however, the urine appears completely normal because there is not enough blood to cause a color change. In this case, the condition is called "microscopic" hematuria. There are many possible causes of hematuria, including:

• Urinary tract infection — Hematuria can be caused by an infection in any part of the urinary tract, most commonly the bladder (cystitis) or the kidney (pyelonephritis).
• Kidney stones
• Tumors in the kidney or bladder
• Exercise — Exercise hematuria is a harmless condition that produces blood in the urine after strenuous exercise. It is more common in males than females.
• Trauma — Traumatic injury to any part of the urinary tract — from the kidneys to the urethral opening (the connection between the bladder and the outside world) — can cause hematuria.
• Drugs — Hematuria can be caused by medications, such as blood thinners, including heparin, warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin-type medications, penicillins, sulfa-containing drugs and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan).
• Glomerulonephritis — Glomerulonephritis is a family of illnesses that are characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli, the filtering units of the kidneys. Glomerulonephritis is a rare complication of certain viral and bacterial infections (including strep throat). It can also occur in people with certain auto-immune diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus or SLE) and vasculitis. Sometimes there is no identifiable cause.
• Bleeding disorders — This includes conditions such as hemophilia and von Willebrand's disease.

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Nocturia: Excessive Urination at Night

Nocturia is a condition that causes you to wake up during the night to pee. This condition is also called nocturnal urinary frequency — having to pee more often at night. Nocturia becomes more common as people age (usually older than 60) and occurs in all genders and sexes, sometimes for different reasons. It can be common for people to wake up once during the night to pee, but peeing more frequently may be a sign of an underlying condition or problem.

When a person pees too much during the daytime, but can limit the amount of trips to the bathroom at night, it’s referred to as frequent urination. Nocturia is strictly using the bathroom multiple times after bedtime and before you wake up in the morning. Whether it’s happening due to an underlying medical condition or something else, it can leave you feeling tired because your regular sleep cycle is disrupted.

How common is nocturia? Nocturia is a common condition affecting more than 50% of adults after age 50. It’s more common in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) after age 50. Before 50, nocturia is more common in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). It affects up to 1 in 3 people over the age of 30.

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Pneumaturia: Gas in urine

What Is Pneumaturia? Having small bubbles in your urine is called pneumaturia. It isn’t a diagnosis on its own but can be a symptom of certain health conditions. Common source causes for pneumaturia include urinary tract infections (UTIs) and passageways between the colon and the bladder (called fistula) that don’t belong.

If you have pneumaturia, you’ll feel gas or a bubbling sensation interrupting your urine stream. Your urine may appear to be full of small air bubbles. This is different than urine that looks foamy, which is usually an indicator of too much protein in your urine. Since pneumaturia is a symptom of other conditions and not a condition all by itself, you may want to look out for other symptoms that sometimes come along with it, such as:

• burning sensation while urinating
• difficulty urinating
• feeling the need to “go” all the time
• discolored urine

All of these symptoms could indicate an infection in your urinary tract. Common causes:

• One common cause of pneumaturia is infectious bacteria. Pneumaturia can indicate a UTI, as the bacteria create bubbles in your urine stream.
• Another common cause is a fistula. This is a passage between organs in your body that doesn’t belong there. A fistula between your bowel and your bladder can bring bubbles into your urine stream. This fistula can be an outcome of diverticulitis.
• Less often, deep sea divers will have pneumaturia after a period of time underwater.
• Sometimes pneumaturia is a symptom of Crohn’s disease.

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Diabetes: Early Signs & Symptoms

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is an important source of energy for the cells that make up the muscles and tissues. It's also the brain's main source of fuel. The main cause of diabetes varies by type. But no matter what type of diabetes you have, it can lead to excess sugar in the blood. Too much sugar in the blood can lead to serious health problems.

Chronic diabetes conditions include type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Potentially reversible diabetes conditions include prediabetes and gestational diabetes. Prediabetes happens when blood sugar levels are higher than normal. But the blood sugar levels aren't high enough to be called diabetes. And prediabetes can lead to diabetes unless steps are taken to prevent it. Gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy. But it may go away after the baby is born. Diabetes symptoms depend on how high your blood sugar is. Some people, especially if they have prediabetes, gestational diabetes or type 2 diabetes, may not have symptoms. In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe.

Some of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are:

• Feeling more thirsty than usual.
• Urinating often.
• Losing weight without trying.
• Presence of ketones in the urine. Ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there's not enough available insulin.
• Feeling tired and weak.
• Feeling irritable or having other mood changes.
• Having blurry vision.
• Having slow-healing sores.
• Getting a lot of infections, such as gum, skin and vaginal infections.

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Hematochezia: Blood in Stool

Blood is supposed to stay in your body. Seeing blood in your bowel movement is very frightening. It is an indication that something is not working right, but it is not always a herald of colon cancer. Rectal bleeding has many causes, but only one of them is colon cancer.

When You Note Blood in the Stool - The best action you can take now, to advocate for yourself, is to pay attention to this symptom and be prepared to discuss it with your doctor. Ask yourself these questions:

• Was the blood in the stool, toilet bowl or on the toilet paper?
• Was the blood bright red or dark red?
• Approximately how much blood did you see? (Keep in mind, a drop of blood in a toilet bowl will turn all of the water red.)
• Did you have to strain to pass the bowel movement?
• How frequently do you have bowel movements?
• Do you have other symptoms?
• When was your last colon screening exam or colonoscopy?
• Do you have a history of polyps or a family history of polyps?

Causes of Blood in the Stool:

• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory Conditions
• Colon Polyps
• Constipation
• Bowel Infections
• Colon Cancer

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Constipation and Urinary Incontinence

Bloating and cramps are two common symptoms of constipation

Being constipated means your bowel movements are tough or happen less often than normal. You might be constipated if you have less than three bowel movements per week.

Constipation is very common. Around 2.5 million people visit their doctor each year in the U.S. because they are constipated. It's usually not serious, and home remedies can get you back on track. How often should you poop? The normal length of time between bowel movements varies from person to person. Some people have them three times a day. Others have them just a few times a week.

But going longer than 3 days without one is usually too long. After 3 days, your stool gets harder and more difficult to pass. Constipation Symptoms You may have:

• Few or no bowel movements
• Trouble having a bowel movement (straining to go)
• Hard or small stools
• A feeling that everything didn’t come out
• Belly bloating
• A feeling like your rectum is blocked
• A stomachache or cramps

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Acupressure Points for Constipation

Acupressure can help in relieving constipation symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating and gas by applying pressure to specific points on the body. The following are the commonly used acupressure points to relieve constipation that you can do on your own. Instead of pressing with your fingers, you can also use acupressure stick:

• Tianshu (ST25) - Tianshu can improve digestion. You can place three fingers parallel and alongside the centre of the belly button. Tianshu is located at the edge of the last finger, away from the belly button. Use your thumb or forefinger and apply pressure or you can do circular motion with finger.
• Guanyuan (CV4) - Guanyuan is used for relieving abdominal pain and diarrhea. It is located at 3 inches below your belly button. Use your thumb or forefinger and apply pressure or you can do circular motion with finger.

• Zhigou (TE6) - Zhigou is an effective pressure point for relieving chronic constipation. It is located at 3 inches up the back of your arm from the crease of your wrist. Use your thumb and apply pressure or you can do circular motion with thumb. This procedure should have been repeated for the other wrist.
• Zusanli (ST36) - Zusanli can strengthen the digestive system. It is located on the outer calf, about four finger widths under the knee bone. Use your thumb or forefinger and apply pressure. This procedure should have been repeated for the other foot.

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15 signs your stomach is functioning badly

A queasy feeling in the pit of your stomach, dreading even the idea of food, and having to constantly run to the washroom; these are all unpleasant symptoms of stomach issues. There are all sorts of reasons why you may have a poorly functioning stomach. Sometimes, it’s from food poisoning or a gastro bug going around; however, if your stomach is chronically upset, it might be a sign of a bigger problem. If you are experiencing any of these 15 signs that your stomach is functioning badly, be sure to make an appointment with your healthcare provider:

• Frequent and chronic diarrhea
• Blood in your stool
• Severe cramps after eating
• Chronic constipation
• Frequent heartburn
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Sudden intense abdominal pain
• Feeling full after eating a small portion
• Swollen abdomen
• Anemia
• Fatigue and weakness
• Frequent vomiting
• Skin issues

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What your poop tells you about your health

5 Things Your Poop Can Tell You About Your Health

Having a bowel movement is a critical part of digesting the food we eat. Stool formed by the large intestine is the body's way of getting rid of waste.

While you should talk to your doctor about any concerns, changes in poop color and consistency could show what is happening inside your digestive system:

• Rocks and Pebbles - Poop that is hard and shaped like tiny rocks or pebbles is likely just a sign of constipation. You can still be considered constipated even if you are able to pass a small amount of stool. The large intestine helps to concentrate waste by absorbing water. If muscle contractions in the large intestine are not working properly, waste left in the colon becomes even more concentrated, resulting in harder stool.
• Color Changes - A change in stool color is one of the most common concerns patients ask about. The foods you eat and the kind of bacteria living in your colon can both cause such changes and added food colorings are frequent culprits. This is one reason why patients preparing for a colonoscopy are instructed to avoid food and beverages with certain added colors the day before. Doctors note that when they perform a colonoscopy, they can actually tell what color the beverage was that the patient drank during their preparation for the procedure. Most changes in the color of stool are not cause for concern. The exception is poop that appears black or bloody, which could signal other problems with the digestive system.
• Black and Tarry - The most common cause of black and tarry poop is taking iron supplements or a medication containing bismuth, such as Pepto-Bismol. However, it could mean you're losing blood somewhere in your gastrointestinal tract, such as in the stomach or small intestine.
• Oily or Greasy Stools - If you have poop that appears oily, has a greasy consistency and is difficult to flush, it could be a signal that your body is not able to properly digest fat. The consistency changes could be caused by an infection, nutrients not being digested due to celiac disease or a problem with the pancreas, such as pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis.
• Pencil Thin - Stool that is only occasionally very thin is not a cause for concern. It is likely due to muscle contractions in the large intestine as it helps to concentrate waste. If there is a sudden and consistent change in your stool always being thin, it could mean there is a blockage in your colon, and you should see your doctor.

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Tattoo Fails

A good tattoo is an incredible story, a beautiful picture, and a piece of your personal style. A bad tattoo is a stupid story, a stupid picture, and a piece of your stupid style.

What follows is a huge collection of some of the worst tattoos we’ve ever had the displeasure to see, and now you have to see them too.

Try not to laugh at No. 6.

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Remembering Chief Justice Yong Pung How 2025

Late chief justice Yong Pung How remembered by mentees for his kindness in new biography

The book details the late chief justice Yong Pung How’s career milestones. ST FOTO: MARK CHEONG

As a young lawyer, Associate Professor Dorcas Quek Anderson was taken aback by how personable her first boss was, given his courtroom reputation as a strict and steely judge. The 44-year-old recalled how former chief justice Yong Pung How played an instrumental role in her foray into academia by taking the time to read the first article she wrote for submission to a law journal. Said the former district judge, who now teaches at Singapore Management University: “He was very encouraging and gave me the courage to submit it for publication. That publication, as well as my early years being a justices’ law clerk, helped me discover my passion for research and writing in the area of law.”

In a new biography on the late Mr Yong, she and 63 other former justices’ law clerks paint the “Chief”– as many affectionately called him – as a kind and warm figure who enjoyed chats over lunches and always made time for them. Their tributes make up one chapter in the book, titled Pioneer, Polymath And Mentor: The Life And Legacy Of Yong Pung How. It was launched on April 11, which would have been Mr Yong’s 98th birthday. Prof Quek Anderson added: “We benefited immensely just by learning from him and seeing the compassion he had for us even though we were young and inexperienced.” The book, which details Mr Yong’s career milestones, was written, compiled and edited by Senior Judge Andrew Phang, who retired as justice of the Court of Appeal in 2022.

Mr Yong died on Jan 9, 2020, at the age of 93. He served as chief justice from 1990 to 2006, implementing rigorous reforms and leveraging technology to streamline the Singapore court system during his tenure. Officiating the book launch, which was attended by more than 400 guests, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recalled his childhood encounters with Mr Yong, who was close friends with his father, founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. The pair studied law at Cambridge University together. PM Lee said that shortly before he became prime minister, he received a message that Mr Yong wanted to personally administer the affirmation for his swearing-in ceremony, and not just stand beside him as PM Lee read out the affirmation himself.

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Singapore's former chief justice Yong Pung How dies, aged 93

In his 16 years as chief justice, Mr Yong Pung How introduced sweeping changes and harnessed technology to streamline court procedures. PHOTO: BT FILE

Former chief justice Yong Pung How, who implemented rigorous reforms to transform the Singapore court system into a model of efficiency, died on Thursday (Jan 9) morning, the Supreme Court has confirmed. He was 93. He is survived by his wife, Madam Cheang Wei-Woo, and their daughter, Ms Yong Ying-I, who is permanent secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information.

Mr Yong and Madam Cheang, a graduate of the London School of Economics, met in 1950 while they were studying. They married in 1955. Mr Yong's work in the legal field started as early as 1953, when he was appointed by the Singapore Government as arbitrator to resolve a dispute between the Government and a union. The union was represented by a young lawyer, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who would go on to become the country's prime minister in 1959. Mr Yong was admitted to the Bar in 1964 and became a senior partner with the law firm of Shook Lin and Bok, until 1970. He then went into merchant banking and finance, ending up as chairman and chief executive of OCBC Bank. On a secondment from OCBC Bank from 1981 to 1983, Mr Yong helped form the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation - Singapore's sovereign wealth fund - and became its managing director. He later became the managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

When he took the helm at the judiciary in September 1990, there was a backlog of more than 2,000 cases. He introduced case management measures that cleared the backlog by the mid-1990s and reduced the time for cases to be concluded. In his 16 years as Singapore's top judge, Mr Yong introduced sweeping changes and harnessed technology to streamline court procedures.

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'Truly this nation's loss': Chief Justice Menon pays tribute to former CJ Yong Pung How

Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon on Thursday (Jan 9) described the death of Singapore's former top judge Yong Pung How as "truly this nation's loss", saying that his 16-year tenure as chief justice was the "most consequential in our history".

Mr Yong, whose career included stints as a banker and a university chancellor, served as Singapore's second chief justice from 1990 to 2006. He died on Thursday aged 93. In a written statement on behalf of the Singapore judiciary, Chief Justice Menon called Mr Yong a "prodigiously talented individual" and a “foundational figure” in Singapore’s legal and national history. “He leaves behind a legacy that is nothing less than the modern and progressive judiciary and legal system that Singapore has today,” said Chief Justice Menon.

Mr Yong was born on Apr 11, 1926, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He spent almost two decades in legal practice before deciding to enter the finance industry in 1971. During that time, he became the first managing director of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and later, the CEO and chairman of OCBC Bank. At the age of 63, Mr Yong returned to the law as a Supreme Court judge in 1989 and was appointed chief justice the following year. "Mr Yong was a prodigiously talented individual whose diverse gifts and interests brought him beyond the law into business, finance and public administration," Chief Justice Menon said in his statement. “In each field he entered, Mr Yong reached its pinnacle,” he added.

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Yong Pung How

Born 11 April 1926 & died on 9 Jan 2020 at the age of 93

Yong Pung How (11 April 1926 – 9 January 2020) was a Malayan-born Singaporean judge who served as the second chief justice of Singapore between 1990 and 2006. After stepping down as chief justice, Yong served as the chancellor of the Singapore Management University between 2010 and 2015. The Yong Pung How School of Law at the Singapore Management University was named after him in 2021. He was appointed by former President Wee Kim Wee and took office on 28 September 1990.

Yong was born in Kuala Lumpur (then located in undivided Selangor state prior to 1974), to an ethnic Chinese family with Hakka ancestry from Dabu County, Guangdong, China. His father, Yong Shook Lin, was a lawyer who founded the law firm Shook Lin & Bok. After completing his early education at Victoria Institution, Yong went on to read law at Downing College, Cambridge University. While in Cambridge, he developed close friendships with Lee Kuan Yew and Kwa Geok Choo. Yong was made an Exhibitioner and an Associate Fellow in his college years. In 1949, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in law, and qualified as an Inner Temple lawyer in 1952. In 1970, Yong attended the six-week Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Yong was called to the English Bar at the Inner Temple and he returned to Malaya as an advocate and solicitor in 1952, practising law as a partner at his father's law firm, Shook Lin & Bok. In 1954, Yong also served as the arbitrator appointed by Sir John Fearns Nicoll, the Governor of Singapore, to resolve the dispute between the Singapore government and the general clerical services and telecommunications workers.[8] He was also admitted into the Singapore Bar in 1964 and appointed to the role as Chairman of the Public Services Arbitration Tribunal in Malaya from 1954 to 1962, and as a Chairman of the Industrial Court in Malaysia between 1964 and 1967. Yong also had commercial powers invested upon him as Chairman of Malaysia-Singapore Airlines between 1964 and 1969, and as Deputy Chairman of Maybank between 1966 and 1972.

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