I’m starting a month-long series on my Singapore trip back in September. It’s my 3rd time in the Lion City (I won’t get tired visiting it!) and I’ve been coming back for both personal development (gotta invest on myself!) and vacation (gotta get some break!). Hope you’ll enjoy this series!

Singapore’s Changi Airport has been hailed as the best airport in the world for 7 consecutive years. It’s also a destination in itself, worthy of exploration. Where else can you find an airport with an outdoor pool, themed gardens, and tall indoor slide, among many other cool amenities?! That’s why in the past, I explored Singapore’s premiere gateway. (You can read about it here.)

But the world’s best airport has just gotten better with the opening of Jewel Changi Airport last April. Simply called Jewel, it is a mixed-use development housing retail stores, dining spots, recreational attractions, and even a hotel. It’s a 10-storey development covering 3.5 hectares of land, and it costed a whopping USD1.7 billion! Is that the reason they call it Jewel? LOL.

I’ve been researching about the name of Jewel but I couldn’t find a definitive answer. Maybe it’s because it’s shaped like a jewel crown. Or maybe because it’s Singapore’s newest prize possession. Whatever the reason is, Jewel will surely bedazzle its visitors, travellers or otherwise, with the things they can see or do there. Here are some that you can do:

Marvel at the HSBC Rain Vortex

First things first! Jewel is most famous for housing the world’s tallest indoor waterfall christened as the HSBC Rain Vortex. This engineering masterpiece is located at the heart of Jewel, measuring 40 meters high.

The HSBC Rain Vortex in daytime (left) and nighttime (right)

If you visit Jewel at night, make sure to catch the light-and-sounds show which projects light to the water and is accompanied by music. It’s 5 minutes long and showtimes are on 1-hour intervals starting at 7:30PM until 11:30PM. A word of advise: Don’t miss this spectacular show!

Spend family time at the Canopy Park (L5)

Located at the topmost floor of Jewel, Canopy Park is an attraction that includes gardens, playgrounds, and even mazes. For SGD5, you will have access to the following:

Discovery Slides

Foggy Bowls

Petal Garden (not in the picture) and Topiary Walk

For an additional fee, you can also try the Canopy Bridge, Hedge Maze, Mirror Maze, and the Manulife Sky Nets.

Manulife Sky Nets (it has walking and bouncing options)

The indoor park is perfect for family time. Kids and kids-at-heart will surely enjoy here!

Operating Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 10AM-12AM; Friday, Saturday, and eve of Public Holiday: 10AM-1AM | Entrance Fee: SGD5 for adults; SGD4.50 for children and seniors (Tip: Sign-up for a Changi Rewards membership to avail discounts) | Website

Learn interactively about the airport’s history at Changi Experience Studio (L4)

Changi Airport has gone through a ton of improvements to attain its status as the world’s best airport. To learn about these developments through the years, head over to Changi Experience Studio.

This is no ordinary museum that simply showcases Singapore’s aviation history. Rather, the Studio lets its visitors learn through interactive means. At the start, visitors will be given a Travel Guide, a brochure-like cardboard with a blank content that is actually a smart device to be used for participating in activities:

They even gave me I butterfly companion!

The Studio isn’t just about the airport’s history. There are fun games and experiences that will keep you entertained. One is the Amazing Runway, which is a reenactment of the Changi Airport Race, a showdown between a B747 jetliner and a Porsche sports car done in the airport’s runway. Visitors will have to choose sides, ride a stationary bike, and pedal their best so that their chosen transportation wins.

I played against 2 kids and won. But I was catching my breath afterwards. LOL.

Another game is the Smile Challenge, where visitors compete for the best smile:

I entered the Top 10…but got dropped a few minutes later! LOL.

Just be mindful of the time or you might miss your flight! LOL.

Operating Hours: Daily, 10AM-10PM | Entrance Fee: SGD25 for adults; SGD17 for children and seniors (Tip: Sign-up for a Changi Rewards membership to avail discounts) | Website

Relive your childhood at Pokemon Center (L4)

I played Pokemon on Gameboy and collected trading cards when I was a kid. So a visit to Pokemon Center is must for me. It’s a store with tons of Pokemon merchandise (it’s my first time to see so many Pokemon stuff) and the first one outside Japan.

This store brought nostalgia to me! O, gotta catch ‘em all!

Store No.: #04-201/202 | Operating Hours: Daily, 10AM-10PM

Shop ‘til you drop

If you feel like your Singapore shopping spree is still not enough or you’re simply looking for a retail therapy, then head to Jewel and it will have you covered. It’s home to a lot of local and international brands, many of which are not available in the Philippines (like Foot Locker and Tokyu Hands).

Foot Locker, an American sportswear retailer

Tokyu Hands, a Japanese department store chain with unique items. Their overseas branches are only found in Singapore so far.

Dine at World-Class Restaurants and SINGAPORE “Firsts”

With over a hundred food spots, Jewel is undoubtedly a foodie paradise. You will find local favorites such as Dian Xiao Er and Song Fa Bak Kuh Teh; Michelin-starred chains such as Din Tai Fung, Kam’s Roast, Putien, and Tim Ho Wan; and Singapore “firsts” such as Burger & Lobster and Shake Shack (they beat Manila into having the first Shake Shack in Southeast Asia). There are Filipino brands as well, namely the churros maker La Lola Churreria and the flavored fries chain Potato Corner.

Burger & Lobster is a U.K.-based chain that specializes on lobster rolls and burgers

And after a drought of the American burger-and-rootbeer chain, A&W made a comeback to the Lion City, with a first branch in Jewel.

Check out my article on Thursday for the food spots I tried in Jewel.

Check-In Early at the Automated Counters (L1)

For a hassle-free exploration of Jewel, you can do an early check-in and baggage drop (check if your airline is eligible) at the automated counters.

Alternatively, you can leave your luggage at the Baggage Storage (also at L1) for a fee.

Early Check-In Lounge Operating Hours: Daily, 6AM-11:59PM

Have you been to Jewel Changi Airport? How was your experience? Are there are other things to do there? Comment them below!

Address: 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore | Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours (most shops are open from 10AM-10PM and some even extend) | Facebook | Website

SG Trip '19: Bedazzled by Jewel Changi Airport