Exploring Singapore Airport: Activities And Things To Do

Singapore Changi Airport is one of the largest transport hubs in Asia, with four main terminals and the Jewel Changi Airport entertainment and retail complex. The airport is known for its many attractions, including gardens, a waterfall, and a butterfly garden. Visitors can also enjoy a wide variety of activities such as swimming in the rooftop pool, exploring the Changi Experience Studio, rock climbing, shopping, and dining. With its beautiful terminals, nature-filled gardens, and abundance of attractions, Changi Airport offers a unique and memorable experience for travellers.

Explore the Jewel Changi Airport complex

Jewel Changi Airport is a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex linked to one of the passenger terminals of Changi Airport. It covers a gross floor area of 135,700 square metres, spanning 10 storeys—five above ground and five basement levels. Here are some attractions to check out in the complex:

Shiseido Forest Valley

The Shiseido Forest Valley is one of Asia's largest indoor gardens, spanning five storeys and approximately 22,000 square metres. It houses around 3,000 trees and 60,000 shrubs of 120 species that are typically found in high-altitude tropical forests around the world. It features the SENSE art installation, a collaboration between Shiseido and the Japanese art collective teamLab.

Rain Vortex

The Rain Vortex is the world's largest and tallest indoor waterfall, standing at 40 metres high. It is surrounded by a terraced forest setting and recirculates rainwater that is pumped to the roof to freefall through a round hole at up to 37,850 litres.

Canopy Park

The Canopy Park is located at the topmost level of Jewel and spans 14,000 square metres. It houses recreation and leisure attractions, including two gardens: Topiary Walk and Petal Garden. The Topiary Walk features animal-shaped topiaries, while the Petal Garden showcases seasonal floral displays. The Canopy Bridge is a 50-metre-long suspension bridge located 23 metres above the ground, offering panoramic views of the Rain Vortex. The park also features two mazes: the Hedge Maze and the Mirror Maze.

Changi Experience Studio

The Changi Experience Studio is a 3,000-square-metre space with interactive games and displays relating to the airport's history. It offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of the airport.

YOTELAIR Hotel

The YOTELAIR Hotel, operated by YOTEL, is the first of its kind in Asia. It offers guests a place to relax, rejuvenate, and refresh during their layover or transit.

Experience nature in the airport terminals

Singapore's Changi Airport is a nature-filled haven, a gateway to the city's "Garden City" vision. The airport manages over a million trees and plants and has an in-house nursery with over 100,000 plants from 300 species. The terminals are meticulously clean and well-maintained, with gardeners tending to the plants.

The airport features live mini gardens, water features with live fish, and beautiful screens on the ceiling, displaying images of clouds and birds in the sky during the day and a pond filled with wildlife at night, accompanied by bird calls. The Daisy Sculpture at T3, inspired by Singapore's seaport status, is interactive, detecting and facing its viewers. The garden at Terminal 1's Arrival Hall features dragonfly-themed flora, including a Mexican Fan Palm, specially imported from Spain, alongside topiaries and sculptures. The highlight is a feature pool with ripple effects, simulating dancing dragonflies, and coloured lights in the evening.

The $1.25 billion Jewel hub, with its five-story waterfall and nature walks, is a major attraction. Designed by Safdie Architects, it features a terraced forest valley with 2,000 trees and 100,000 shrubs, offering sitting areas and nature walks overlooking the falls. The top-floor Canopy Park offers ticketed experiences like rope walks and futuristic slides. Jewel also has early check-in gates for over two dozen airlines, a cinema, a hotel, and nearly 300 shops and eateries, including local favourites like Rich and Good Cake Shop.

With its beautiful and meticulously designed nature-inspired terminals, Changi Airport offers a unique and relaxing experience for travellers, providing a welcome break from the usual sterility and stuffiness of airports.

Relax in Snooze Lounges

Singapore Changi Airport is one of the largest transport hubs in Asia, with four main terminals and the Jewel Changi Airport entertainment/retail complex. The airport is known for its meticulous cleanliness and beautiful terminals, with an abundance of nature, including live mini gardens and water features with live fish.

If you're looking to relax and unwind during your time at the airport, the Snooze Lounges offer the perfect opportunity to catch some shut-eye or simply unwind in a tranquil setting. These lounges are strategically located in various terminals, providing a convenient space to rest and recharge.

The T1 Snooze Lounge, situated on Level 3, Transit East, Transit Hall, offers a variety of chairs and recliners, inviting you to relax and doze off. This spot provides a soothing view of the Sculptural Tree Garden, adding a touch of greenery to your resting experience. Additionally, you can take advantage of the nearby pay-per-use swimming pool for a refreshing dip before your nap. The T1 Snooze Lounge also features charging ports next to the seats, allowing you to recharge your devices while you rest.

For those travelling with children, the T3 Snooze Lounge on the Transit North Mezzanine, Transit Hall, provides a comfortable space with smaller seats and reclined chairs. The T4 Snooze Lounge, located on Level 2M, Departure Transit, Transit Hall, offers a range of quirky sofas, providing a unique and cosy environment for a quick nap or a longer rest.

The T2 Sanctuary Lounge on Level 2, Transit North Pier, Transit Hall, is another secluded spot, offering privacy and a peaceful atmosphere for a satisfying snooze. This lounge features dim lighting and comfortable seating, making it ideal for a relaxing break.

These Snooze Lounges are free to use and provide a tranquil escape from the bustling airport environment. With their strategic locations, cosy seating, and, in some cases, soothing views and amenities, they are the perfect spots to relax and recharge during your time at Singapore Changi Airport.

Try various cuisines

Singapore Changi Airport is a sprawling celebration of food. With nearly 200 dining outlets across its four terminals and the glass-domed Jewel Changi Airport complex, you'll be spoiled for choice.

If you're looking for local recipes, head to the staff canteen for more affordable options. Local favourites include chicken rice and kopi (strong local coffee), bak chor mee (minced meat noodles in a tangy gravy), and kaya toast. You can find the latter at Ya Kun in Terminal 2, where you can also get an all-day Singaporean breakfast. For a taste of local celebrity chef Violet Oon's Peranakan cuisine, visit her restaurant in Jewel on the first floor.

If you're craving dim sum, head to Swee Choon in Terminal 2, a 24-hour hotspot for celebrities seeking late-night dim sum. For a taste of Singapore's celebrated hawker fare, visit the Singapore Food Street food court in the transit area of Terminal 3. Here, you'll find popular stalls like Tai Wah Pork Noodle and Rong Cheng Bak Kut Teh, serving up comforting herbal pork broth.

For something on the spicier side, try the Chinese restaurant Tai Er in Jewel, serving up sauerkraut fish—a sour and spicy dish with tender fish slices that pair perfectly with rice.

And don't forget to stock up on edible souvenirs to bring home! Irvins, with five locations across the airport, is a popular choice for snack lovers, with packs of potato chips and crispy fish skin sprinkled with salted egg and curry leaves. For something sweeter, head to Rich & Good on the first level of Jewel for pillowy roll cakes—the durian flavour is a must-try for adventurous foodies.

Visit the Butterfly Garden

If you're looking for a tranquil escape from the chaos of travel, look no further than the Butterfly Garden in Singapore's Changi Airport. This serene sanctuary is located in Terminal 3 and is easily accessible from both levels. As the world's first butterfly garden in an airport, it boasts a unique concept that seamlessly blends nature with the airport experience.

Step inside and be captivated by the enchanting atmosphere, where the delicate fluttering of wings, the fragrant scent of blooming flowers, and the vibrant hues of butterflies create a soothing ambiance. The garden is a tropical paradise teeming with over 1,000 butterflies from 40 different species, each with its own captivating colours and intricate patterns. Be on the lookout for species like the Leopard Lacewing, Blue Clipper, and Singapore's national butterfly, the Common Rose.

The Butterfly Garden is meticulously designed to mirror the natural habitats of the region. It features lush greenery, cascading waterfalls, gentle streams, and an array of flowering plants, including nectar-producing varieties such as Calliandra tergemina (Red Powderpuff Plant) and Leea rubra, which provide sustenance for the butterflies. The garden's star attraction is a 6-metre-tall grotto waterfall, creating a serene backdrop for your butterfly viewing experience.

As you wander through the garden, you'll encounter educational corners and individual enclosures that offer a closer look at the breeding and feeding habits of these fascinating creatures. You'll also find informative signs that provide insights into the life cycles of butterflies, their ecological significance, and their essential role in pollination. The garden represents more than just a beautiful display; it embodies Singapore's commitment to sustainability, biodiversity, and the harmonious coexistence of nature within an urban setting.

Whether you're a butterfly enthusiast, a nature photographer, or simply a weary traveller seeking a moment of tranquility, the Butterfly Garden at Singapore Changi Airport is sure to enchant and delight. With its serene atmosphere and the opportunity to connect with nature, it's the perfect place to relax and recharge during your travels.

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