Exploring Changi Airport's Many Gardens: A Relaxing Escape

Changi Airport in Singapore is affectionately known as an 'airport in a garden', and it's not hard to see why. The airport is home to over 200,000 plants across its four terminals, with a dedicated team of horticulturalists and gardeners curating the beautiful floral displays. Changi Airport boasts a number of themed gardens, including the Butterfly Garden, the Enchanted Garden, the Cactus Garden, the Sunflower Garden, the Orchid Garden, the Arrival Garden, and the Discovery Garden. Each garden offers a unique experience, from the tropical paradise of the Butterfly Garden to the tree-like sculptures of the Discovery Garden. With its abundance of greenery and creative horticultural displays, Changi Airport truly brings the outdoors inside, providing a peaceful escape for travellers.

Butterfly Garden: Home to over 1,000 butterflies, this garden is a tropical paradise with lush greenery, cascading waterfalls and gentle streams

Changi Airport's Butterfly Garden is a tropical paradise, home to over 1,000 butterflies from as many as 40 different species. The world's first butterfly garden in an airport, it is a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of travel, offering a unique opportunity to connect with nature.

The garden is located in Terminal 3 of Singapore's Changi Airport. It is open 24 hours a day and can be accessed from both the ground and second floors, providing a serene space for travellers to unwind amidst lush greenery and the soothing sounds of nature.

Stepping into the Butterfly Garden, you'll be greeted by a profusion of flowering plants and a stunning 6-metre-tall grotto waterfall. The garden's design mirrors the natural habitats of the region, with cascading waterfalls and gentle streams. It is a true tropical paradise, showcasing Singapore's commitment to sustainability and biodiversity.

The butterflies in the garden include the Leopard Lacewing, Blue Clipper, and even Singapore's national butterfly, the Common Rose. These delicate creatures with their vibrant colours and intricate patterns are a sight to behold. The garden also features educational corners and individual enclosures, allowing visitors to witness the breeding and feeding habits of butterflies up close.

The Butterfly Garden is not just a place to view butterflies but also an opportunity to learn about their life cycles, ecological importance, and role in pollination. It is a peaceful haven that leaves visitors with a sense of wonder and appreciation for the delicate beauty of nature, even in the midst of a busy airport.

Whether you're a butterfly enthusiast, a photographer, or simply a weary traveller seeking a moment of calm, the Butterfly Garden at Changi Airport is definitely worth a visit. With its unique concept, lush greenery, and abundance of vibrant butterflies, it is a magical experience that will leave a lasting impression.

Orchid Garden: Features the Dendrobium Changi Airport orchid, alongside 700 orchids of 30 species, grouped by colour and shape to represent the four elements

Changi Airport in Singapore is renowned for its gardens, offering a peaceful escape for travellers, as well as a treasure trove of unique flora and fauna. One of these gardens is the Orchid Garden, located in Terminal 2. This garden is home to the Dendrobium Changi Airport orchid, a royal purple and warm yellow hybrid orchid that was launched in May 1997 to commemorate the opening of the Orchid Garden. This orchid variety is particularly significant as visiting dignitaries and VIPs are usually the ones who have an orchid named after them.

The Orchid Garden features a stunning collection of over 700 orchids, encompassing 30 species, each with their own unique characteristics. These orchids are meticulously arranged by colour and shape to represent the four elements of nature: earth, water, fire, and air. The vibrant display surrounds a pond filled with fish, creating an organic and tranquil landscape within the bustling airport.

The Dendrobium genus, to which the Changi Airport orchid belongs, is one of the largest groups of orchid species, with over 1,500 varieties. These orchids are native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific, adapting to a diverse range of climates, from hot, wet lowlands to high-altitude, cool mountains. Dendrobiums are primarily epiphytes, which means they grow on other plants without taking nutrients from their hosts. In their natural habitat, they are often found perched on tree branches.

The care and cultivation of Dendrobium orchids involve specific techniques. They thrive in bright light, with daytime temperatures between 70°F and 85°F, and slightly cooler nights. Proper watering techniques are crucial, as overwatering can lead to root rot. The use of distilled water or rainwater is recommended to prevent mineral and salt buildup. Fertilization with a balanced orchid fertilizer is also important for healthy growth.

Changi Airport's Orchid Garden is a beautiful showcase of the Dendrobium Changi Airport orchid, alongside a diverse range of orchid species, all curated to represent the four elements. It stands as a testament to the airport's commitment to integrating nature and technology, creating a memorable experience for travellers from all over the world.

Cactus Garden: Showcases multi-purpose cacti with medicinal benefits and edible parts, such as the Prickly Pear Cactus, which can be used in food and medicine

Changi Airport is home to a plethora of gardens, each with its own unique charm and offering a tranquil escape for travellers. One of these gardens is the Cactus Garden, located on the rooftop of Terminal 1. This garden showcases over 100 species of cacti and arid plants from the deserts and dry areas of Asia, Africa, and America.

The Cactus Garden is not just a visual treat but also a showcase of multi-purpose cacti with medicinal and edible properties. One such example is the Prickly Pear Cactus, or Opuntia, which is known for its delicious edible stems and fruits. These can be consumed raw or cooked and are versatile enough to be used in candies, jams, and even vodka! The juice extracted from the Prickly Pear Cactus is believed to have medicinal properties, aiding in the treatment of diabetes and the healing of internal wounds.

The Prickly Pear Cactus is not the only plant with such benefits. The Apple Cactus, also known as Cereus spp., is another edible variety found within the Cactus Garden. Furthermore, the garden features various forms of Cycads, ancient plants that date back to the dinosaur era, adding a touch of prehistoric intrigue to the collection.

The Cactus Garden at Changi Airport is more than just a display of exotic plants. It showcases the versatility and usefulness of cacti, highlighting their potential in food and medicine. The garden provides a unique educational experience for travellers, offering a glimpse into the hidden benefits of these spiky yet fascinating plants.

For those who wish to learn more about the natural wonders of Changi Airport, the airport also boasts other gardens, such as the Enchanted Garden, Sunflower Garden, Butterfly Garden, and Orchid Garden, each with its own distinct charm and secrets waiting to be discovered.

Enchanted Garden: An indoor garden featuring four giant glass bouquet sculptures filled with thousands of fresh flowers, creating a magical atmosphere

Changi Airport is home to several gardens, including the Enchanted Garden, an indoor garden in Terminal 2's Transit Area. The Enchanted Garden features four giant glass bouquet sculptures filled with thousands of fresh flowers, creating a magical and restful atmosphere. The garden is decorated with shimmering stained-glass mosaics and a koi pond, with the meditative sound of flowing water adding to the tranquil environment.

The Enchanted Garden offers a unique and immersive experience. Motion sensors detect movement and produce sounds of nature, while a carpet of sparkling lights guides visitors through the garden. The garden also boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna, including giant Tasmanian Tree Ferns and archerfish in the pond.

The character and charm of the Enchanted Garden extend beyond the flowers and sculptures. Meandering paths, timber decking, and floral arches provide a distinct and captivating backdrop for photography. The combination of nature and technology creates a peaceful green escape for travellers, making it one of the airport's hidden treasures.

The Enchanted Garden is not the only garden in Changi Airport. The airport also boasts the Sunflower Garden, the Cactus Garden, the Orchid Garden, the Discovery Garden, the Water Lily Garden, the Sculptural Tree Garden, and the Butterfly Garden, each offering its own unique experience and showcasing a variety of flora and fauna.

Arrival Garden: A 460sqm garden with lush greenery, water features, and tall palms, welcoming visitors with a unique outdoor experience in an indoor setting

Changi Airport is home to a variety of gardens, including the Arrival Garden, a 460sqm space that offers visitors a unique outdoor experience in an indoor setting. The garden is filled with lush greenery, water features, and tall palms, creating a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere for travellers.

The Arrival Garden is carefully designed to resemble a dragonfly habitat, with water features that produce ripples and patterns on the surface, resembling dragonflies flitting across the water. The garden also features classic outdoor textures such as timber decking, adding to the overall charm.

One of the most striking features of the Arrival Garden is the presence of majestic 12-15m tall palm trees, specifically the Washingtonia Robusta species. These palm trees are native to Mexico and are known for their adaptability and hardiness, being able to thrive in dry soil or sand. Their scientific name, 'robusta', reflects their robust nature.

The Arrival Garden also provides a glimpse of the HSBC Rain Vortex and serves as a prelude to Jewel, one of the airport's notable attractions. The garden's carefully curated flora collection and water features create a captivating and tranquil space for visitors to enjoy.

Changi Airport's gardens, including the Arrival Garden, showcase a combination of nature and technology, offering travellers a peaceful escape and a chance to discover unique flora and fauna. The Arrival Garden, with its beautiful design and attention to detail, sets the tone for a pleasant journey, welcoming visitors with a splash of colour and life.

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