It can be difficult to stop and smell the roses in the midst of Hong Kong’s bustling streets and busy work hours – thankfully the airport is just a hop, skip and an express train away – leaving us but a few hours from some of Asia’s most breathtaking botanical gardens. Helping you to destress and enjoy the beauty of nature., from the east of Thailand, the heart of Singapore and the south of China here are our favourite botanical gardens in Asia.

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden

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Declared one of the most beautiful places in the world, the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden is located just short of 166km south-east of Bangkok and is spread out amongst 2.4 km2 of land. Known for its rich supply of Cycad the garden serves as an important conservation site for endangered and ancient plant groups. Travellers can also spend their visit to the garden with activities such as swimming, dining and world-famous Thai massages.

Singapore Botanical Gardens

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Just a touch north of the equator one may find the 160-year-old Singapore Botanic Gardens. As one of the only two cities in the world to have a tropical rainforest within its city limits, Singapore’s botanical garden is perfect for anyone trying to juggle an itinerary of shopping and nature. Also home to a children’s garden, this may be the ideal place to snap some family travel photos.

Xishuangbanna Botanical Garden

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Right before reaching the border of neighbouring country Laos is the Xishuangbanna Botanical Garden in southern China. Here botanists can enjoy over 13,000 species of tropical plants, and learn about the innovative practices and studies being done by biologists and nature conversationalists, leaving you with a nose full of sweet scents and noggin full of botany knowledge.