Exploring Changi Airport: Activities And Attractions

Singapore's Changi Airport is much more than just a travel hub. It's a destination in itself, offering a wide range of attractions and activities for travellers and locals alike. From thrilling slides and nature exhibits to cultural experiences and culinary delights, there's something for everyone at Changi Airport. Whether you're looking for a unique travel experience or a fun day out, Changi Airport promises to deliver. So get ready to be entertained as we explore all that this airport has to offer!

Visit the Cactus Garden, Sunflower Garden, Enchanted Garden, Orchid Garden, and Butterfly Garden

Changi Airport is home to a variety of gardens, including the Cactus Garden, Sunflower Garden, Enchanted Garden, Orchid Garden, and Butterfly Garden. Each garden offers a unique experience and is worth a visit.

The Cactus Garden, located at Terminal 1, features over 100 species of cacti and arid plants from Asia, Africa, and America. Notable plants include the Golden Barrel Cactus, Old Man Cactus, and giant Ponytail Palm Trees. The garden also includes cactus sculptures by American artists Richard Turner and Eric Carroll.

The Sunflower Garden at Terminal 2 is a rooftop garden with bright yellow blooms and offers a majestic view of the runway and aircraft parking bays. The sunflowers are grown in the airport's own plant nursery, with at least 2,000 sunflowers produced each month.

The Enchanted Garden at Terminal 2 is a magical and restful place, featuring orchids, prominent sculptural art, and meandering paths. Four giant glass bouquet sculptures, decorated with stained-glass mosaics, and a koi pond create a tranquil atmosphere with the meditative sound of flowing water.

The Orchid Garden, also located at Terminal 2, is a colourful and vibrant garden with a spectrum of orchids that will take your breath away. It is a popular spot for photography, offering a unique background for memorable photos.

The Butterfly Garden, the first of its kind in an airport, is a tropical paradise with a 6-metre tall grotto waterfall, flowering plants, and lush greenery. It is home to over 1,000 tropical butterflies from 40 different species, with educational corners and individual enclosures that allow you to witness the breeding and feeding of butterflies up close.

Take a dip in the rooftop pool

If you're looking for a place to relax and unwind, look no further than the rooftop swimming pool at Singapore Changi Airport. Nestled within the Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel in Terminal 1, the pool offers a unique and tranquil escape for travellers.

The rooftop pool is the perfect spot to take a refreshing dip and rejuvenate before your next journey. For S$23-25++, you can access the pool and enjoy comprehensive amenities, including towels, showers, and a chic poolside bar serving a range of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. Little ones will also be thankful for some fun and splashing time, with kids below two entering the pool free-of-charge.

As you glide through the water, you can marvel at airplanes taking off and taking a dip in the bubbling jacuzzi. The pool is strategically located overlooking the tarmac, providing a unique and memorable experience.

Don't forget to pack your swimwear and extra clothes in your carry-on, as well as sun protection if you plan to lounge by the pool. With lounge chairs available, you can bask in the tropical sun and work on your tan while enjoying the fresh air.

Whether you're looking for a quick dip or a 20-lap workout, the rooftop pool at Changi Airport is the perfect spot to turn your layover into a mini vacation.

Try the local cuisine at one of the 80 restaurants and eateries

Changi Airport is a sprawling celebration of food, with nearly 200 dining outlets across its four terminals and the iconic glass-domed Jewel mall. The airport is a foodie's paradise, offering a wide variety of cuisines to satisfy all cravings. Here are some options to try:

Local Celebrity Chefs

Try the elegant Peranakan cuisine at Violet Oon's restaurant on the first floor of Jewel. Must-orders include the dry laksa (a spiced noodle dish) and the complex chicken buah keluak, made with an indigenous lethal nut that's detoxed before cooking. For a lively atmosphere and sharing portions, head to Jumbo Seafood (L3 Jewel) for authentic chilli crab, one of Singapore's national dishes.

Communal-style Meals

For a unique dining experience, visit Beauty In The Pot (B2 Jewel), where giant hot pots brimming with savoury and spicy soups are served communally. This restaurant is open until 3 am, perfect for travellers with early or late flights. From the third quarter of 2024, Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck will open on Jewel's first floor, offering trademark Peking duck pancakes and elevated Cantonese dishes.

Casual Sit-down Meals

PS Cafe, a local cafe chain famous for its decadent cakes and shoestring truffle fries, has an Art Deco-themed space on Jewel's second floor. Ask for a table at the back to enjoy your meal with a view of the mall's dramatic Rain Vortex waterfall. For traditional and modern Hainanese cuisine, visit Hainan Story in Basement 2. Here, you'll find everything from noodles to Western plates, but the must-order dish is the chicken rice, a recipe from one of Singapore's most storied shops.

Quick Bites

Singapore Food Street in the transit area of Terminal 3 offers 24-hour hawker fare. Tai Wah Pork Noodle serves zingy, vinegary noodles, while Rong Cheng Bak Kut Teh offers a herbal pork broth, perfect for a comforting post-flight meal. In Terminal 2, Ya Kun is the place to go for the quintessential Singaporean breakfast of kaya toast and rich, sweet coffee. For a modern twist on nasi lemak, try Crave's bento boxes of aromatic coconut rice with toppings like crispy whitebait or fried chicken.

Grab-and-go Snacks

Follow the queues at Jewel to Birds of Paradise, an ice cream parlour serving delicate botanical flavours like white chrysanthemum or lychee raspberry on fragrant, thyme-infused cones. Irvins, with five locations across the airport, offers dangerously addictive packs of potato chips and crispy fish skin sprinkled with salted egg and curry leaves. For a sweet treat, Rich & Good on Jewel's first level offers pillowy roll cakes that melt in your mouth, with flavours like coconut-laced kaya and pungent durian.

Experience the art installations, including Kinetic Rain and A Million Times at Changi

Changi Airport in Singapore is known for its many attractions, from its nature-filled gardens to its rock-climbing facilities. But one of its standout features is its collection of art installations, including the famous Kinetic Rain and A Million Times at Changi.

Kinetic Rain, located in Terminal 1, is one of the most popular art installations in the airport. It consists of 1,216 bronze droplets that move in harmony to form various shapes, from abstract patterns to recognisable objects like an aeroplane, a hot air balloon, and even a dragon. The installation is a stunning example of the blend of art and technology, with each droplet controlled by a high-precision motor, working together to symbolise the movement of flight and the collaboration of the airport community.

A Million Times at Changi, located in Terminal 2, is another captivating kinetic art installation. It consists of the hands of over 500 clock faces that spell out greetings and form mesmerising cadences. The installation adds to the airport's artistic landscape, surprising and delighting passengers and visitors alike.

In addition to these two iconic installations, Changi Airport also features other captivating art pieces. For instance, the Green Wall in Terminal 3 is a massive art installation of more than 100,000 real plants, inspired by the bird's-eye view of a tropical rainforest canopy. There's also the Daisy by Christian Moeller in Terminal 3, which is a propeller created to resemble a daisy and painted in Singapore's national colours of red and white. It moves gracefully in response to people's movements, representing the transportive nature of the airport and the busy seaport.

Whether you're an art aficionado or just looking for something to do during a layover, the art installations at Changi Airport are sure to captivate and inspire. So, the next time you find yourself in Singapore Changi Airport, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these stunning displays of creativity and innovation.

Take a free tour of the city, including the Merlion, the Esplanade, and Marina Bay Sands

Changi Airport: Free Tour of the City

Changi Airport offers a free tour of Singapore for travellers with long layovers. The tour is a fantastic opportunity to explore some of Singapore's top sights and experience this world-class city. It is easily bookable on the Changi Airport website and runs daily, departing in the morning and afternoon. Each tour lasts around 2 to 3 hours and covers major attractions around Marina Bay and the Civic District.

Merlion Park

The Merlion Park is a 30-minute stopover on the tour. Here, you will find the iconic Merlion, an emblem of Singapore unveiled in 1972 to welcome visitors. This spot offers a fantastic opportunity to take photographs against the backdrop of Marina Bay and the city skyline. The Merlion is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, symbolizing Singapore's humble beginnings as a fishing village and its transformation into a vibrant metropolis.

The Esplanade Theatres

The Esplanade Theatres, connected to the Merlion Park by the Jubilee Bridge, is another highlight of the tour. This performing arts centre is known for its unique architecture, resembling a durian fruit or the eyes of an insect. It is a prominent feature of Singapore's cultural scene, hosting a variety of performances and exhibitions throughout the year. The Esplanade Theatres provide a striking contrast to the surrounding modern skyscrapers.

Marina Bay Sands

The Marina Bay Sands is a world-renowned integrated resort and casino. It is known for its stunning architecture, featuring three hotel towers topped with a skypark and an infinity pool. The resort offers a range of attractions, including a sprawling convention centre, the ArtScience Museum, a world-class theatre, luxury retail outlets, and fine dining options. The Marina Bay Sands is a symbol of Singapore's modernity and innovation, offering a unique experience for visitors.

The free city tour provided by Changi Airport is an excellent way to explore Singapore's top attractions without venturing too far from the airport. It offers a blend of history, culture, and modern developments, providing travellers with a memorable glimpse of this dynamic city.

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