Jewel Changi needs no introduction. Locals and visitors flock over in droves for that million-dollar shot with the famous Rain Vortex in the background. And not to mention, the mall is chock-full of delish grub, tempting stores, lush greenery, and of course, attractions that can keep you entertained for hours.
Trust us when we say – there’s a lot to cover. So here’s a comprehensive guide to all you can do at Jewel Changi.
Table of Contents
We don’t flaunt our Garden City status for nothing, and it only makes sense that one of the first few places tourists set foot in upon reaching Singapore reflects that reputation. Like all terminals in the airport, Jewel Changi is full of green spaces for that extra calming aura.
Your Skytrain might cruise through this area, depending on which terminal you’re headed to.
Perhaps the most prominent green feature of Jewel Changi is its Forest Valley, which is stacked with trellis upon trellis of different trees and shrubs. And right at the centre of it all is the massive Rain Vortex, the largest indoor waterfall in the world. The falls rain down 40m from Level 5 all the way to B1, and despite being man-made, it’s a sight to behold nonetheless.
Image credit: @blackminusgreen via Instagram
Come night, and you’ll be treated to a magical light-and-sound show, with rainbow-coloured animations projected on the wall of water itself.
Note: The floor surrounding the Rain Vortex is usually wet due to the mist, so be careful not to slip and fall.
For a better view of the gorgeous Rain Vortex, you can climb up the Forest Valley stairs to reach an ideal vantage point. As you ascend surrounded by shrubbery and smaller water features, you’ll feel as though you’re taking a hike in the outdoors – minus the humid weather. Yup, you don’t have to worry about breaking a sweat here as temperatures are a comfortable 23°C.
To best enjoy the walking trails, it is advisable to wear comfortable flat shoes instead of heels as there are numerous steps to climb.
The entire Forest Valley is full of lush, leafy backdrops. Look out for the mini bamboo grove on the lowest floor of the Valley, where you can snap pics to bluff your friends that you’re in Japan.
The top floor of Jewel Changi is where you’ll find the Canopy Park, which is less of park and more of a giant playground that both kids and adults will find thrilling. Think bouncy nets to play on, flower gardens to walk through, and even mazes to get lost in.
Do note that general admission into the Canopy Park is from $6/pax and covers only the Discovery Slides, Foggy Bowls, Petal Garden, and Topiary Walk. The rest of the attractions have a separate charge.
The looming Discovery Slides are nothing like what you’d find in typical playgrounds. It comes with 3 slides in total – 1 tube and 2 surface slides. The former were surprisingly thrilling, causing us to involuntarily shriek as we wooshed down.
But it was the vertical surface slide that took the cake. Even grown adults chickened out after seeing the drop, so a little crowd formed each time someone was game enough to take up the challenge. Of course, we weren’t about to miss this opportunity, so into a gunny sack I wriggled, and braced myself for the descent.
The verdict? 10/10, SUPER SHIOK. After the initial drop, you’ll realise the scariest part is actually just pushing yourself off the platform. Mind over matter, friends. You’ll be given a helmet, elbow guards, and optional gloves to protect yourself with, so there’s no need to worry about getting hurt.
Tip: Try not to break the fall with your arms and just let gravity do its work. You’ll have a smoother and more enjoyable ride that way.
The Discovery Slides were inspired by the Chicago Bean and look very much like an art installation.
Not forgetting the stellar view – the top of this attraction is the highest vantage point of Jewel Changi, so you’ll be able to bask in the view of the majestic Rain Vortex and the verdure that circles it.
Update: This slide is temporarily closed until further notice, but be sure to check out the others.
Kids and fun-loving adults will be thrilled by the play areas here. The Foggy Bowls are a couple of concave dips in a lawn of artificial grass, with mystical fog swirling out of the centres. There are crocheted pouf seats for children to play pretend with, or tired parents to take a rest on.
Don’t worry about your toddler scratching himself if he falls, because the artificial grass is pretty soft.
Another flower-filled spot is the Petal Garden, which has seasonal displays of different blooms. When we visited, the garden followed a warm colour theme with hues of red and gold, and looked just like one of those flower fields in Hokkaido.
We were impressed by the Topiary Walk, which features adorable animal sculptures made from colourful flowers and plants. Best photo spot for couples? By the pair of lovebirds perched on a tree branch. Solo travellers – complete the trio of wise orangutans by speaking no evil.
This English garden-style Hedge Maze (from $8.90/pax, includes admission to Canopy Park) will have you feeling like Alice in Wonderland as you work your way through the walls of shrubbery. The hedge is built tall enough such that even if you’re Yao Ming, you won’t be able to peek out over it. So, yup, no cheating.
It’s not all that clear-cut either – there are swing gates which you can push in different directions to alter the whole path.
Artificial flowers bloom open as you stroll past certain points.
A watchtower stands at the end, from which you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the entire maze. Help direct your lost friends from the top – or have a good laugh watching them scramble around like ants, if you so prefer.
If the Hedge Maze is no kick, perhaps you can anticipate a greater challenge at the trippy Mirror Maze (from $10.90/pax, includes admission to Canopy Park). You’ll be second-guessing every step, and wondering if you’re about to walk into a wall or an actual opening.
You’ll be given a foam stick to aid in wayfinding. Avoid running so as to not bump into fellow people on their quest.
You’d want to plan ahead and make sure you come here with extra time to spare before your flight, lest you get a little too lost and end up missing your plane.
Pretty self-explanatory – the Bouncing Net is basically a massive suspended trampoline where you can run, jump, and tumble along like a child to your heart’s content. Be prepared to sweat despite the cool aircon – we found ourselves panting by the end of it, and we hadn’t even scaled the full magnitude of the structure.
Rates:
Adult: $20.90 (Singapore Residents) | $24.90 (Standard)
Child: $15.90 (Singapore Residents) | $19.90 (Standard)
*Includes general admission to Canopy Park.
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Bouncing Net website
The Walking Net requires less physical exertion, but don’t be fooled into thinking that this will be a walk in the park, because some of the uneven surfaces can be quite tricky to navigate. At times we struggled to keep balance and ended up crawling on all fours.
Rates:
Adult: $15.90 (Singapore Residents) | $18.90 (Standard)
Child: $10.90 (Singapore Residents) | $13.90 (Standard)
*Includes general admission to Canopy Park.
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Walking Net website
You’ll get a clear view of the Rain Vortex from any point of the Canopy Park, but the Canopy Bridge is still not to be missed. Stretching across one end of the park to another, this walkway has a clear glass bottom for that bit of extra excitement.
Image credit: Jewel Changi Airport
AR has taken over the world by a storm – and in this case, you can go “Arrrrr”, as you go on a hunt for augmented reality dinosaurs hidden around Jewel Changi Airport.
That’s right, the Jewel-rassic Quest isn’t just a way to uncover all of Jewel’s best viewing spots, but it’s also a way for kiddos aged 6 and above to learn about the coolest dinos to ever roam the earth, including everyone’s favourite T-Rex.
Image credit: Jewel Changi Airport
Embark on the quest and you’ll get a TimeLens device to aid you on your hunt, plus access to the Canopy Park. You’ll have 90 minutes to complete your quest, but rest assured your time will be well spent hunting for mystery eggs, playing mini-games, and snapping pics with the virtual ancient reptiles.
Rates:
Singapore residents: $18
Standard: $20
*Includes general admission to Canopy Park.
Opening hours: 10.30am (first slot) | 5.30pm (last slot)
Contact: Jewel-rassic Quest website
Book a Jewel-rassic Quest session.
Changi Experience Studio (from $14.80/pax) on Level 4 is essentially an interactive mini-museum which lets you find out more about the history and operations of Changi Airport, through a series of interactive games and displays.
Doesn’t matter if you’re not in the least bit musically-inclined, because you, too, can be part of a symphony in the Garden of Harmony. Simply wave your RFID “travel pass” over the ground to play a virtual instrument, and watch as the projected flora and fauna dance around you.
Towards the crescendoing end you’ll be met with a flurry of butterflies surrounding you in a mesmerising spectacle.
Many of us travel bugs have taken off from Changi Airport’s tarmac multiple times, but few might know that the same runways were used for a Boeing 747 airplane vs Porsche 911 car race back in 2009. Amazing Runway sort of recreates that experience, where up to 10 people can pedal away on stationary bikes to beat a virtual plane.
Pre-flight workout, settled.
Being the best airport in the world, it’s no surprise that there are hundreds of flight routes to and from Changi Airport. The Sky Deck gives you a complete overview of that, with bites of information on each of the featured countries.
The many interactive games throughout Changi Experience Studio will give you a glimpse of the back-end of our airport, from baggage checks to immigration clearance.
You can also pose in front of various backdrops at a green screen photobooth, and have your picture printed out for a fee.
Collect as many trolleys as you can in this trolley handler simulation game.
Changi Experience Studio also has its fair share of greenery in its Hanging Garden, which you can admire as you go about poring over the informative displays.
You don’t have to travel across lands and search far and wide in Japan for that rare Mewtwo. Now that Singapore has its own Pokémon Centre – the only one outside of Japan – you’ll be able to catch ‘em all in terms of plushies, video games, and trading cards.
There are also Singapore-exclusive Pikachu stuffed toys, dressed up as pilots and cabin crew bearing our airport code SIN. You can also get your hands on Pokemon shoes, as well as purses in the shape of characters like Eevee.
Location: #04-201 to 202
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Pokémon Centre website
If you’ve got a couple of hours to spare before a connecting flight and need some shut-eye, head over to YOTELAIR Singapore Changi Airport. Unlike its sister branch at Orchard, this one allows for shorter stays of a minimum of 4 hours.
They’ve got all the standard equipment as well as a water dispenser.
And if you don’t need to catch your 40 winks but wish to freshen up a little, make use of their showers at $20/hour – this comes in a bundle with their gym facilities, so you might as well squeeze in a workout while you’re at it. All patrons are also entitled to free coffee and tea at YOTELAIR’s lounge.
Jewel Changi is a shopping paradise with over 250 stores. Out of these, 11 of them are huge duplex stores with 2 storeys, such as Muji (#02-227-229), Footlocker (#02-254-255), and Skechers (#02-201). Get ready to shop till you drop – but make sure you don’t miss your flight.
Sourbombe Artisanal Bakery delivers exactly as it says – a delectable fusion of sourdough with the Italian bomboloni, a doughnut pumped to the brim with a cream or jelly filling.
If you’ve been to their original outlet near Dhoby Ghaut, you’ll already be familiar with their renowned doughnut flavours like Kahlúa Coffee Pistachio ($5.60), Lavender Lime Mascarpone ($4.80), and Basque Burnt Cheesecake ($5.60) that are available here.
This outlet at Jewel Changi has a cafe concept, so you’ll find exclusive desserts such as Hay Honey ice cream ($8.50) which you can have served with a bomboloni or waffle for an extra $3 or $4 respectively. Some others you can dapao before your flight include the crispy and flakey Pistachio Rose Timber Ring, and sweet and savoury Pistachio Cheese Tart.
Location: #02-237
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-9pm | Sat-Sun 11am-10pm
Contact: Sourbombe Artisanal Bakery website
The Canopy Park doesn’t just have beautiful vegetation, it’s also home to a handful of restaurants with an open-air concept. It’s just like dining alfresco in a garden – but without being subjected to the mercy of the scorching sun or rain, and the possibility of finding creepy crawlies on you. Perfect for a romantic date!
Among these are Arteastiq Bistro and London’s famous Burger & Lobster.
Arteastiq Bistro
Location: #05-201
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11am-10pm | Fri-Sat 11am-13am
Contact: 6243 1987 | Arteastiq Bistro website
Burger & Lobster
Location: #05-203
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 11am-10pm | Fri-Sun 11am-10.30pm
Contact: 6971 6126 | Burger & Lobster website
Image credit: Eatbook
Sinful as it is, there’s nothing more heavenly than a burger done well like the ones at Shake Shack. While plenty more outlets have opened up around the island, it’s worth paying a visit to the 2-storey flagship that started it all.
Don’t underestimate their burgers – they might look small and unassuming, but the combination of their angus beef patties with melted cheese is a truly foodgasmic one.
It Takes Two To Mango concrete.
Image credit: Eatbook
Look out for outlet-exclusive Concretes – aka frozen custard with toppings – too. There’s the Jewela Melaka (from $7.80), which has a vanilla base flavoured with coconut salted caramel and gula melaka, and It Takes Two To Mango (from $7.80), a tropical offering with freeze-dried mango bits.
Location: #02-256
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Shake Shack Jewel Changi website
Here’s another flagship you can visit within Jewel Changi. This unique Starbucks has a Reserve Coffee Bar that serves Nitro Cold Brews (from $6.70) on tap. That’s when nitrogen is infused into ice cold coffee, which produces a creamy texture, much like a stout but with fewer calories and without the alcohol.
If you don’t take coffee but still want a hit of caffeine to fight off jet lag, the Nitro Green Tea Latte ($8) is a worthy alternative with the same creaminess.
Location: #02-204
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 10am-10pm | Sat-Sun 9am-10pm
Contact: 6910 1135 | Starbucks website
Link bridge connecting Jewel Changi to Terminal 3.
Even till today, the novelty of Jewel Changi Airport hasn’t waned – and it probably won’t be any less magical for years to come. We can’t promise that you won’t be engulfed by the human traffic though, so we suggest planning your visit in advance and avoiding peak lunch and dinner hours.
There are a good number of shops and eateries open 24/7 anyway, and even the Jewel Changi Lounge for travellers to freshen up between flights, so not to worry even if you’re waiting for a red-eye flight and feel the urge to explore.
Our only gripe is that both the Canopy Park and Changi Experience Studio are ticketed attractions, but I guess that’s understandable as there’s a need for crowd control and funding for the maintenance of the place.
While you’re here, check out these secret things to do at Jewel or go and see some dinosaurs along the Changi Jurassic Mile. Take note of these Jewel Changi photo spots, too.
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Photography by Heng Wei Shin, Adria Tham, and Nadia Elijanto.
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