Exploring Changi Airport: Attractions, Dining, And More

Singapore's Changi Airport is more than just a place to catch a flight. It's a destination in itself, with a wide variety of attractions and activities to keep travellers and locals alike entertained. From the world's tallest indoor waterfall to a butterfly garden and even a rooftop pool, there's something for everyone at Changi Airport. Whether you're looking for nature, art, shopping, or just a place to relax, Changi Airport has something to offer. So, if you find yourself with a layover in Singapore or are just looking for a unique day out, be sure to check out all that Changi Airport has to explore.

Nature spots: Sunflower Garden, Enchanted Garden, Orchid Garden, Butterfly Garden, and Cactus Garden

Nature lovers, rejoice! Changi Airport has a variety of gardens to explore and admire. Here are the details of each:

Sunflower Garden

Soak up some sun at the Sunflower Garden, located in Terminal 2. This rooftop garden features bright and cheerful sunflowers, grown in Changi Airport's own plant nursery. With the help of special lighting, the sunflowers transform into a mesmerising sight at night. The Sunflower Garden also offers a unique view of the runway and aircraft parking bays. It takes up to 90 days to grow the sunflowers, and the nursery produces at least 2,000 every month.

Enchanted Garden

The Enchanted Garden in Terminal 2 is a magical and restful place, full of orchids, sculptural art, and meandering paths. Four giant glass bouquet sculptures decorated with shimmering stained-glass mosaics and a koi pond, with the meditative sound of flowing water, create a tranquil atmosphere. The garden also provides unique photography opportunities with its floral arches and textures like timber decking.

Orchid Garden

Also located in Terminal 2, the Orchid Garden is a colourful and vibrant space. It is a popular spot for photography, with its spectrum of colours providing a unique and memorable backdrop. The orchids are a sight to behold, whether you are interested in gardening or not.

Butterfly Garden

The Butterfly Garden in Terminal 3 is an oasis of serenity within the busy airport. It is a great place to spend some time while waiting for your flight, with colourful butterflies and a waterfall. The garden is on two levels and is best visited during the day when the butterflies are active and feeding. It is free to access and can be reached via a secure monorail service between terminals.

Cactus Garden

The Cactus Garden, located in Terminal 1, features over 100 species of cacti and arid plants from the deserts and dry areas of Asia, Africa, and America. Notable plants include the Golden Barrel Cactus, Old Man Cactus, giant Ponytail Palm Trees, and various forms of Cycads, which date back to the dinosaur era. The garden also has a bar, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy the view.

Art installations: Kinetic Rain, A Million Times at Changi, and Wired-formed birds

Changi Airport in Singapore is known for its art installations, which have become an intrinsic part of every passenger's experience. One of the most famous installations is Kinetic Rain, a moving sculpture billed as the world's largest kinetic sculpture. Installed in July 2012, it spans an area of 75 square meters and a height of 7.3 meters. It consists of two separate segments, each made up of 608 copper-plated aluminium raindrops, controlled by computer motors that allow the raindrops to form elaborate moving shapes. Kinetic Rain can be found in the departure check-in hall of Terminal 1 and is viewable from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM daily.

Another stunning art installation at Changi Airport is A Million Times at Changi, located in Terminal 2. This kinetic art piece features the hands of over 500 clock faces, which spell out greetings and form mesmerising cadences.

In Terminal 4, you will find Les Oiseaux (The Birds) by French artist Cedric Le Borgne. This elegant installation features three brilliant bird sculptures made from stainless steel wires. Two birds soar in mid-air, perched atop the plants in the Arrival Hall, while the third bird sits forlornly at level one. These birds metaphorically represent the emotions experienced in an airport, from parting to reunions.

Changi Airport's art installations offer a unique blend of art and technology, enhancing the airport's identity and providing a captivating experience for passengers and visitors alike.

Swimming: Rooftop pool at Terminal 1 and the pool at Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel

Swimming is a great way to pass the time during a long layover at Singapore Changi Airport. The airport features a Balinese-themed rooftop swimming pool in Terminal 1, which is located airside, close to the D gates on level 3, one floor above the main transit hall. The pool is run by Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel, which is located in the same area, and hotel guests can use the pool free of charge. The pool area also features a small tropical garden, a jacuzzi, lounge chairs, tables, and a poolside bar serving light refreshments and drinks. There is also a large plastic swan for children to play with in the pool.

The swimming pool is open to all passengers, irrespective of airline and destination, and is accessible to those who are not guests of the Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel for an entry fee of S$13 or S$17, which includes towels and a bottle of water. Operating hours are from 6 am until midnight or 12 pm to 10 pm, daily. The airport also recommends that swimmers leave the pool no later than an hour before their flight departure to allow time for security control and the boarding process.

Dining: Pappa Mia, Peach Garden Noodle House, Ippudo Express, and 24Hr Food Gallery

If you're looking for dining options in Changi Airport, there are several restaurants to choose from, including Pappa Mia, Peach Garden Noodle House, Ippudo Express, and 24Hr Food Gallery.

Pappa Mia, located in Terminal 1, offers a variety of Asian, Singaporean, and Malaysian cuisine. The menu includes local favourites such as Char Kuey Teow with salted egg, Nasi Lemak, and Curry Laksa. The restaurant also serves fusion dishes and has friendly and attentive staff.

For traditional Chinese cuisine with a modern twist, travellers can visit the Peach Garden Noodle House in the departure hall of Terminal 2. This restaurant offers an extensive all-day dining menu featuring signature dishes, classics, and a diverse array of dim sum options.

Ippudo Express, located in the Departure Lounge (Central) of Terminal 2, is a world-acclaimed ramen emporium. It offers a quick service style with a convenient yet high-quality dining option for travellers on the go. The menu includes their signature tonkotsu broth and al dente noodles, as well as Japanese dip sandwiches and salads.

The 24Hr Food Gallery, located in the Departure Transit Lounge of Terminal 1, offers a variety of Asian and Singaporean cuisine. Travellers can find local favourites such as Nasi Lemak, Ayam Penyet, Laksa, Chicken Rice, Indian Curry, and various noodle dishes. The reviews suggest that the food is generally good, but some travellers mention that it is pricey for airport food.

Entertainment: Cinema, video and arcade games, and the Changi Experience Studio

Changi Airport offers a wide range of entertainment options to keep travellers and locals alike amused.

For movie buffs, there are free 24-hour cinemas located in Terminals 2 and 3, showing the latest box office hits. If you're looking for something more interactive, head to the Entertainment Corner at T4, where you can play sports games on the Xbox Kinect or indulge in some nostalgia with arcade machines.

For a unique experience, visit the Changi Experience Studio, where you can get involved in a number of interactive games that illustrate the work that goes on behind the scenes at the airport. Race with a Boeing 747, play instruments by moving your arms, and enjoy other activities suitable for all ages.

Changi Airport also has a variety of art installations and exhibits, including the Kinetic Rain sculpture in Terminal 1, which features over 1000 bronze droplets that transform into different patterns and shapes, providing the perfect backdrop for photos.

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