A phase change memory (PCM) cell fabricated by etching a tapered structure into a phase change layer, and planarizing a dielectric layer on the phase change layer until a tip of the tapered structure is exposed for contacting a heating electrode. Therefore, the area of the exposed tip of the phase change layer is controlled to be of an extremely small size, the contact area between the phase change layer and the heating electrode is reduced, thereby lowering the operation current.