Singapore’s iconic flower dome transports visitors to the Nile with 7,000 lilies, temple replicas, and rare waterlilies through September 2026.
Gardens by the Bay has transformed its Flower Dome into a lush ancient Egyptian garden for Lilytopia, the venue’s first-ever Egypt-themed floral display. Running through September 27, 2026, the showcase features more than 7,000 lilies across 46 species and varieties, alongside temple-inspired architecture, towering deities, and plants integral to everyday life along the Nile. The exhibition runs daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with standard Flower Dome admission required.
At the heart of Lilytopia lies a recreation of a formal ancient Egyptian garden—a walled, rectangular space with a central pool mirroring the Nile’s life-giving waters. The pond hosts the rare Egyptian blue waterlily (Nymphaea caerulea), which closes at night and reopens with the morning sun. This daily cycle made it a powerful symbol of creation and rebirth in ancient Egyptian culture. Fish and aquatic plants complete the tableau, evoking the gardens that sustained communities against Egypt’s arid landscape.
Beyond the centerpiece, more than 40 varieties of garden lilies drench the dome in color and fragrance. Debut cultivars include:
- Lilium ‘Tiny Massive’: A compact Asiatic lily with yellow petals and dark centers.
- Lilium ‘Tropical Dragon’: Narrow, curled lime-green petals streaked and edged in vivid pink.
- Lilium ‘White Triumph’: Large white blooms with an elegant fragrance.
Two giant waterlilies also make their Flower Dome debut: Victoria amazonica and Victoria cruziana. Native to South America and among the largest members of the waterlily family, both were grown from seed over the past 18 months by Gardens by the Bay’s research team.
The display is anchored by a 4.5-meter-tall façade inspired by the Great Temple of Abu Simbel, featuring four colossal seated statues of King Ramesses II, who commissioned the rock-cut temple around 1264 BC. Towering figures of Egyptian deities are scattered throughout—Hathor (goddess of music, joy, and motherhood), Ra (the sun god), and Thoth (associated with the moon, wisdom, and writing).
Time Out Tip: Early visitors from August 21 to 25 can take home a complimentary air plant—limited to one per person while stocks last.
Lilytopia offers a rare intersection of horticulture and ancient history, blending botanical rarities with cultural storytelling. For travelers or locals seeking a cool escape from Singapore’s tropical heat, the Flower Dome provides both education and wonder. Those inspired might explore further reading on ancient Egyptian garden design or plan a visit to the nearby Cloud Forest for a complementary experience in plant biodiversity.