Cactus Garden
Over 100 species of cacti and arid plants from deserts across three continents — on a rooftop with runway views and an open-air bar.
Terminal
T1
Location
Transit Area, Level 3 Rooftop
Hours
24 hours daily
Admission
Free
About the Cactus Garden
Perched on the rooftop of Terminal 1 at Level 3, the Cactus Garden brings together over 100 species of cacti and arid plants collected from the deserts and dry regions of Asia, Africa and the Americas. It is one of Changi Airport's most distinctive gardens — an open-air landscape of spines, sculptural forms and surprising colour set against the Singapore skyline.
Among the garden's most striking residents are the Golden Barrel Cactus — spherical specimens wreathed in golden-yellow spines that catch the tropical sun — and the Old Man Cactus, whose white, hair-like coating makes it one of the most photographed plants on the rooftop. Giant Ponytail Palm Trees rise from swollen bases with cascading leaves, while various Cycads — true survivors from the dinosaur era — stand as living fossils among the newer arrivals.
The garden is also home to edible cacti that have sustained communities for centuries. The Apple Cactus (Cereus spp.) produces the sweet "cactus apple" fruit cultivated across Latin America, while the Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia spp.) yields both edible pads and fruit — a plant of such economic importance that it appears on Mexico's national coat of arms. These species remind visitors that cacti are more than ornamental curiosities; they are vital food sources in arid regions worldwide.
What makes the Cactus Garden truly special is its rooftop position. As one of Changi's few open-air, alfresco spaces, it offers the Traveller's Cactus Pub — a bar where you can enjoy a cold drink under the sun — alongside unobstructed views of the T1 taxiways and runway. Watch A380s and Dreamliners push back from their gates while surrounded by desert flora from three continents. It's an experience that exists nowhere else in the world.
Signature Plants
Golden Barrel Cactus
Iconic spherical cactus native to Mexico, with dense golden-yellow spines that glow in the sunlight.
Old Man Cactus
Covered in white, hair-like filaments — one of the most photographed plants in the garden.
Ponytail Palm
Giant specimens with swollen bases and cascading leaves — not a true palm but a member of the asparagus family.
Cycads
Ancient plants that survived the dinosaur era — living fossils among the cacti, unchanged for over 200 million years.
Apple Cactus
Cereus spp. — produces edible fruit known as "cactus apple," a sweet treat cultivated across Latin America.
Prickly Pear Cactus
Opuntia spp. — edible pads and fruit, economically important worldwide as food, dye, and livestock fodder.
Highlights
100+ cacti species
Rooftop setting
Bar & refreshments
Runway views
Edible cacti
Dinosaur-era Cycads
Visitor Tips
Cactus Bar
Grab a cold drink at the Traveller's Cactus Pub — one of Changi's few open-air bars. Perfect before a long-haul flight.
Aviation Photography
The rooftop position offers unobstructed views of T1 taxiways. Watch A380s and Dreamliners from among the cacti.
Access
Located in the transit area of Terminal 1 — a boarding pass is required. Open 24 hours. Use the interactive map to find your way.