Most of us associate Egypt with dry deserts and the pyramids. However, Lilytopia at Gardens by the Bay, presents a different side of the country with the first Ancient Egypt-themed floral display in the Flower Dome.
Lilytopia 2026 is the first floral display at Gardens by the Bay based on Egypt and is presented in collaboration with the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Singapore. It also marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Egypt.
Lilytopia: Ancient Egypt at Gardens by the Bay
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The Lilytopia floral display brings to life gardens with vibrant colours, and elements that once defined the country’s landscapes and culture.
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In ancient times, the Niles watered lush gardens while vibrantly decorated palaces and temples added a burst of colour to the landscape. These colours have faded over time, leaving behind the stone structures of today.
Lilytopia at Gardens by the Bay revisits the past palette and takes visitors on a journey through lush Nile-fed gardens.
Stepping into the Flower Dome, you will first be greeted by a display inspired by the Temple of Edfu, built between 237 and 57 BCE.
Formal Ancient Egypt Garden
A highlight is an interpretation of a formal ancient Egyptian garden at the Flower Field
These type of gardens would often be walled and rectangular, with a central pool. The pond at Lilytopia pays tribute to the Nile and its life-giving waters that supported agriculture, communities and gardens in Egypt.
The Great Temple of Abu Simbel
One of the most impressive sights is the 4.5 metre-tall façade at the Flower Field, inspired by the Great Temple of Abu Simbel in southern Egypt.
The Great Temple of Abu Simbel can be found in Nubia, near the country’s southern border. It was cut into the living rock by King Ramesses II the Great of the Nineteenth Dynasty, around 1264 BC.
The Egyptian temple is well known for the four imposing seated colossal statues that dominate its façade. One of these collapsed because of an ancient earthquake. However, the display in Flower Dome recreates the four colossal, seated statues as they would have stood in their resplendent colours.
The exterior is complemented by vividly coloured temple settings on the inside, including a depiction of Ancient Egyptian gardens. These are inspired by the Egypt of long ago all around the Lilytopia floral display.
You can view colourful hieroglyphs on the walls and columns. These have been inspired by the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temple complexes.
Solar Barque
Another impressive display within the Flower Dome for Lilytopia is a solar barque.
This is sacred vessel in ancient Egyptian belief that is associated with the sun god Ra’s daily journey across the sky and nightly passage through the underworld.
Lilies on Display at Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome
Lilies in a wide range of colours and with sweet fragrances anchor the floral display at the Flower Dome. The display features more than 7,000 plants bearing the “lily” name.
Look out for the Egyptian Blue Lotus. This water lily symbolises rebirth and the sun; it was even buried with pharaohs. Its flowers close at night and reopen with the morning sun, a daily cycle that made it a symbol of creation and rebirth.
There are also Giant waterlilies Victoria amazonica and Victoria cruziana, making their debut in a Flower Dome floral display. These South American plants are among the largest members of the waterlily family and were grown in-house by Gardens by the Bay’s research team from seed over the past year and a half.
Other interesting lilies include the Lilium ‘Tiny Massive’, a compact Asiatic lily with striking yellow petals and dark centres and the Lilium ‘Tropical Dragon’, an unusual lily that resembles a dragon fruit when closed.
Glimpse of Egypt through Art from 21 to 23 August 2026
From 21 to 23 August 2026, and presented in conjunction with Lilytopia 2026, you can view an exhibition by Egyptian artist Salwa Elhamamsy.
The exhibition offers a contemporary artistic perspective on Egypt’s landscapes and the beauty of its water lilies. The works are mainly presented in oils and showcase the artist’s romantic, dreamlike Impressionist style.
Free Plant Giveaway
To mark the opening of Lilytopia, visitors to Flower Dome can take home a complimentary air plant from today until August 25. Visit the Lilytopia website to find out more details. Limited to one plant per visitor and while stocks last.
Lilytopia at Gardens by the Bay
When: Friday, 21 August to Sunday, 27 September 2026
Where: Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay
Usual Flower Dome admission charges apply.
Website: Lilytopia Floral Display
