Singapore Changi Airport is the undisputed best airport in the world. Their creativity and innovation is beyond all other airports and they continue to invest in the facility. The latest addition is the Jewel Complex. You may be familiar with Jewel if you’ve seen the impressive indoor waterfall, but it is actually more than this. Jewel is a massive multi-storey shopping mall and entertainment precinct; a big glass bubble that’s surprisingly green on the inside, just as you’d expect in Singapore. Visit Jewel is one of the best things to do in Changi Airport to pass the time, just beware that it is on the land side of the airport, meaning you have to clear immigration to get there.
I visited Jewel at least 3 times while in Singapore in July and August: twice while I was staying next door at the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, and once when at the end when I was travelling back to Sydney. Here is a quick guide to Jewel to help you plan your visit.
The HSBC Rain Vortex
The Rain Vortex is the, ahem, jewel in the crown of the Jewel precinct. It is the centrepiece around which the entire mall revolves, and at 40 metres tall it stands as the world’s highest indoor waterfall. A gargantuan waterfall tumbles from a hole in the cavernous ceiling, falling into the depths of shoppers’ paradise.
The waterfall forms a bright beam that mesmerises you from every angle. You’ll keep circulating it and you’ll keep photographing it. Come during the day to see the white water flow, or come at night to watch a brief light show projected onto it. And don’t forget to the walk underneath to the “Immersion Garden” where you can view the white water flow against behind a clear protective panel.
If you want to get up close and personal to the waterfall, catch the train between Transfer E at Terminal 2 and Transfer B at Terminal 3 and you’ll pass right through the middle of Jewel.
Shiseido Forest Valley
Surrounding the Rain Vortex is the Shiseido Forest Valley, a garden that spans four stories and houses over 900 trees and plants and over 60,000 shrubs. The indoor forest surrounds the Rain Vortex and has two short walking trails: east and west. These trails will lead you on an easy tour with multiple opportunities for photos. In fact, with so many entries, exits, and viewing platforms on every level, you might not even know you are on a “trail”. It’s simply a walkway around and the green gardens and is a much more aesthetically pleasing way to get from a higher viewpoint to the floor of the waterfall.
The waterfall is one thing, but to add an entire world-class garden is entirely another. It’s incredible how natural they have indeed made a giant concrete shopping mall feel. They certainly love to bring the outdoors indoors in Singapore.
Enjoy a meal with a view
Every mall has restaurants and many have bars, but not many have a view quite like at Jewel. High on the fifth level, restaurants surround the Rain Vortex an exquisite view of the waterfall. We dined at Privé, which actually has a mezzanine seating area above the sixth floor, but there are many others that will also get the job done. Pick one that fits your style and enjoy.
Explore the Canopy Park
On Level 5 you won’t find any shops. About a third of the level is around 8 or so restaurants, the rest is a green park waiting to be explored. As if knowing airports and even shopping malls can err on the dull side, Jewel and Changi have spiced things up with a stack of interesting things to do while waiting for your flight.
The kids will love the overhead bouncing nets and the Discovery Slides, while the Canopy Bridge might take your breath away as you gaze out over the Rain Vortex and down 23 metres through a glass floor.
The Topiary Walk will delight your senses with a path that weaves through trees and many colourful animal-shaped flower arrangements. As an aside, I visited the Topiary Walk in both the daytime and nighttime and while I really enjoyed it in the day, at night it’s a perfect spot to watch the evening Rain Vortex light show.
Actually shop
I said in the opening that Jewel is a shopping mall, so I guess now would be a good time to begin talking about that. There are two types of people that come to Jewel. The first is obvious: the traveller passing through Changi either on their way in, out, or through Singapore and stops by Jewel to see what all the fuss is about. The other is the local who comes out to Jewel to do their shopping. I know this because outside there are signs and road marking directing traffic to drop off zones. The many people heavily laden with shopping bags is another giveaway.
If you’re reading this you’re likely in the former category, so don’t ignore them, go for a wander, find some shops you like and if you are already over your baggage limit, just poke your nose in. The busiest shop was, without doubt, the Pokemon store, where they sell hundreds of different type of plush pokemon dolls. I was very impressed. You’ll also find a vast array of luxury stores as well as athletic and other apparel, including kidswear.
Charge your device
Running low on juice? Head to the concierge desk on level 2 where they will loan you a power bank to charge your phone for up to a whopping 12 hours. This raises so many questions but I am astounded at this level of service. Charges apply after 12 hours, but I can’t imagine there’d be any charge left after 12 hours anyway. It’s one of the helpful amenities on offer at Jewel.
How to get to Jewel
Now you know what’s here and why you might want to visit Jewel, but you might be asking “how do I get there” or even “do I have to lug my overweight luggage all through this mall just to enjoy it?”
Jewel is accessible from every terminal. It’s important to know that Jewel sits outside of immigration, i.e. the Singapore side of the airport. It is connected to the Arrivals Hall of Terminal 1, and by a footbridge at the Departure Halls of Terminals 2 and 3.
As for your luggage, there is a long list of airlines that will allow you to check your bags in 24 hours early, allowing you to arrive at the airport well before your flight time, drop your bags at the check-in desk, and explore Jewel at your leisure. Jewel also has Baggage storage on level 1 if this (for some reason) does not appeal to you.
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