Kosupa Travel

Long flights and layovers can often leave you with time to spare. Singapore’s Changi International Airport is famous for its various entertainment facilities within the terminals, making it ideal for maximizing transit time. Among these attractions, the “Butterfly Garden” stands out as a particularly special destination. In this article, we’ll explore the unique charm of this remarkable space.

A Lush Retreat from Airport Bustle

The Butterfly Garden is a greenhouse-style garden located in Terminal 3’s departure lobby. Stepping inside, you’re transported to a lush, rainforest-like environment that helps you forget the airport’s hustle and bustle. Its somewhat tucked-away entrance makes it feel like discovering a hidden oasis within the terminal.

The garden’s size is perfectly balanced – neither too large nor too small. With its high-ceiling atrium design, it offers a wonderful sense of openness. While it appears to be a greenhouse, it actually incorporates outside air, combining with Singapore’s tropical climate to create a warm environment. While the airport itself is cool and comfortable, the garden maintains a humid, tropical atmosphere. This might be seen as a benefit, offering visitors a taste of Singapore’s climate without leaving the airport.

Upon entering the garden, you’re immediately greeted by butterflies. This one is a Ruddy Daggerwing, a species rarely seen in many parts of the world.

This appears to be a Common Mormon butterfly. For those interested in learning more about the butterflies, informational displays throughout the garden provide detailed insights.

Here’s a Blue Clipper Butterfly, a species native to Southeast Asia. It’s particularly Singapore-appropriate to see them being fed with pineapple.

This is an Orange Oakleaf butterfly, living up to its name with its beautiful orange coloration that resembles formal attire.

Beyond Butterflies: Other Fascinating Features

The Butterfly Garden offers more than just butterflies.

This is the chrysalis incubation center, where hundreds of pupae are carefully arranged and maintained at specific temperature and humidity levels. It’s fascinating to wonder how they achieve this precise arrangement.

Here you can see Nepenthes, or tropical pitcher plants – famous carnivorous plants rarely found outside tropical regions. One might wonder if they ever catch any of the garden’s butterflies – witnessing such a rare occurrence would certainly be remarkable!

Your Next Transit Stop?

We’ve explored Changi International Airport’s hidden biotope, the Butterfly Garden. While not expansive, it’s a captivating space perfect for those with a few hours to spare during transit, such as a three-hour layover. If you’re passing through Singapore, make sure to visit this unique attraction!