Kew Gardens: The Royal Botanic Gardens of the UK

Established in 1759, Kew Gardens, originally the private garden of Princess Augusta, mother of King George III, has evolved into a vast 120-hectare botanical garden, reflecting the era of British colonial history. Upon entry, visitors can pick up a map with recommended routes, but be mindful that many exhibits close early, so plan your time wisely. The garden is expansive, so it's best to arrive early. Key attractions include: 1. Palm House, resembling an inverted ship, built in 1848 during Britain's peak power, housing many tropical plants extinct in the wild. 2. Temperature Garden, the largest Victorian glass structure, preserving subtropical and temperate plants from various continents. 3. Shirley Sherwood Gallery, featuring exhibitions by contemporary artists on plants. 4. Great Pagoda, built in 1762, inspired by the Chinese style popular in the West, reportedly modeled after the Porcelain Tower of Nanjing. 5. Bamboo Garden and Japanese Minka House, showcasing various bamboos and Japanese dwellings. 6. Kew Palace, the residence of King George III. 7. Broad Walk, lined with beautiful flowers. 8. The Hive, a honeycomb-inspired structure. 9. Princess of Wales Conservatory, home to the giant Amazon water lily and other tropical plants. 10. Davies Alpine House, a small alpine plant greenhouse. 11. The Rock Garden, built in 1882, mimicking mountain life. 12. Agius Evolution Garden, illustrating the evolution of plants, quite interesting. 13. Bonsai House, displaying various bonsai. Additionally, the shop offers some attractive canvas bags worth checking out after visiting the attractions. Recommended documentary: Kew Gardens/Flowers That Changed the World #KewGardens