Jewel is one of the most captivating spaces enriched with a diverse collection of flora within the Changi Airport premises to wisely waste your time during your stay in Singapore or else if you are in a transit. Jewel has become an outstanding milestone of Changi Airport along its fruitful journey towards successively becoming the world’s best airport for the 8th time.
Apart from the forest valley and the indoor waterfall which are directly noticeable by just entering to Jewel, the picturesque 14,000 sqm space at the topmost level is the home to Changi’s largest and newest collection of attractions and gardens together with a variety of restaurants, where residents as well as travellers can spend hours at play or simply relax at one of many charming diners. Officially opened in 2019, the Canopy Park has been conceptualized with an eco-friendly environment to bring outdoor experience into the indoor environment, so that people can enjoy the activities under all weather conditions without any interruption.
Main Attractions in Jewel at a Glance
Starting off with the Shiseido Forest Valley which can be accessed through entry and exit points at each level you can freely enjoy the HSBC Rain Vortex which is located in the Heart of Forest Valley.
At level 5 there is Hedge Maze, Mirror Maze, Canopy Park, Canopy Bridge, Manulife Sky Nests – Bouncing, Manulife Sky Nets – Walking.
Not to mention Changi Experience Studio at level 4 is another collection of attractions together with interactive games.
Getting to Jewel
Jewel is open 24hrs and easily accessible to all the terminals of the Changi Airport. Closest is the Terminal 1, where Jewel is connected with the Arrival Hall (level 1) of the Terminal 1. If you happen to come to any other terminal you can check the following directions.
- Terminal 2: Walk via a link bridge (5-10 minutes’ walk) from the Departure Hall (level 2) of Terminal 2 (near row 1).
- Terminal 3: Walk via a link bridge (5-10 minutes’ walk) from the Departure Hall (level 2) of Terminal 3 (near row 11).
- Terminal 4: Take the free airport shuttle bus service from Terminal 4 to Terminal 3 and then walk via a link bridge (5-10 minutes’ walk) from the Departure Hall (level 2) of Terminal 3 (near row 11).
If you are looking for directions to Jewel from any other places within Singapore check this Jewel Changi Airport official website.
Opening Hours
- Shiseido Forest Valley is open daily for 24hrs.
- Canopy Park which includes, Topiary Walk, Petal Garden, Discovery Slides and Foggy Bowls is open from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m., from Monday to Thursday. During Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays it is open from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m.
- Hedge Maze, Mirror Maze, Canopy Bridge, Manulife Sky Nests – Bouncing, Manulife Sky Nets – Walking and HSBC Rain Vortex are open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.
- Changi Experience Studio is open daily from 11.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. and last admission is at 7.00 p.m.
Cost and Ticket Purchasing
Shiseido Forest Valley and HSBC Rain Vortex can be freely enjoyed if you come to Jewel. For other attractions the standard rates are as follows as at September 2020.
- Canopy Park (Topiary Walk, Petal Garden, Discovery Slides, Foggy Bowls): SGD 5
- Canopy Bridge: SGD 8
- Changi Experience Studio: Adult – SGD 25, Child/Senior – SGD 17
Following four attraction tickets include the admission to Canopy Park.
- Manulife Sky Nests – Bouncing: Adult – SGD 22, Child/Senior – SGD 16
- Manulife Sky Nests – Walking: Adult – SGD 15, Child/Senior – SGD 10
- Hedge Maze: Adult – SGD 12, Child/Senior – SGD 8
- Mirror Maze: Adult – SGD 15, Child/Senior – SGD 10
There are also 4 types of bundle packages where you can select according to your preferred attractions and that would be cost effective. Since we wanted to try out all the attractions, we bought the “bundle package 4” which includes all the above attractions and the standard rate for that was SGD 71 per adult, SGD 50 per child/senior.
For further and updated details on other packages and how standard prices vary for Singapore citizens/ Changi Reward members/ CapitaStar members you can visit Jewel Changi Airport official website.
We purchased the tickets online through Jewel Changi Airport official website. It was easy and convenient.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
For most of the attractions at level 5, it is recommended to wear shorts or pants to get the optimum and safe experience without any trouble, especially for the Canopy Bridge which is transparent, Manulife Sky Nets and Discovery Slides.
Also make sure you wear comfortable covered shoes, to get the best experience without any physical injury while you enjoy, particularly for Sky Nets, Discovery Slides, Canopy Bridge and Mirror Maze.
Leave your Luggage Safe
If you come for a spend a day, it is advisable to pack light and take a small side bag along with a water bottle, since you may need to spend few hours.
But if you happen to visit Jewel Changi during a transit or a departure/arrival you may have your own luggage with you. In such situations it is better and safe to leave your luggage at the “Baggage Storage” at level 1 at a charge. Keep in mind that Shiseido Forest Valley, Mirror Maze, Hedge Maze, Manulife Sky Nets and Canopy Bridge do not allow luggage or wheel bags.
If you have a small side bag you can leave that inside a locker for free of charge, while you enjoy the Manulife Sky Nets. But keep in mind that this locker space is not enough for larger bags or backpacks. For other attractions you can take your small side bag without any disturbance.
Our Experience at Jewel
We reached Jewel around 11.00 a.m. and after SafeEntry check-in (due to COVID-19) into the Jewel, straightaway we went to level 5 where most of the attractions were located.
Staff is allocated in all the attraction points and SafeEntry check-in has been implemented. Special safety precautions are followed with regards to the COVID-19 condition while all the attractions are sanitized frequently and currently these are operated at reduced capacities to maintain public safely. It is mandatory to wear your mask all the time except during your meals and make sure to keep a safe distance while you are enjoying these attractions.
Hedge Maze
At first, we entered to the Hedge Maze following the SafeEntry check-in. This is the Singapore’s largest hedge maze and has artificial blooming flowers while walking through certain paths.
Also, could get a bird's eye view of the maze's tricky windings as below, when reach the watch tower at its core.
If you have luggage or wheeled bags you need to leave those at the Baggage Storage for safety reasons. It is recommended to wear covered comfortable shoes.
Mirror Maze
Once we came out of the Hedge Maze, we went into the Mirror Maze following the SafeEntry check-in and a brief introduction given by the staff. This is truly an amazing multifaceted variegated adventure, with a unique cover of greenery branching overhead creating an illusion of endless arbors. You will be given a foam stick to find the path through the maze and it is advisable to use that to prevent any physical damage, by hitting yourself on the side walls as well as to avoid you from bumping into others while moving forward. Definitely you cannot understand where the correct path is, if you don’t use these sticks because these mirrors will completely delude you for sure.
Being absolute kaleidoscopic, this maze definitely gives an entertaining adventure from start to end, hence make sure to enjoy well enough before you leave as this will be a single-entry activity per ticket. For us this was a new experience and we truly had a great time and here you can see how we pose to the mirror walls.
Keep in mind to leave your luggage/wheel bags at the Baggage Storage before you enter into the maze, for safety reasons.Canopy Park
Canopy Park includes four different attractions as; Topiary Walk, Petal Garden, Discovery Slides, and Foggy Bowls. Once we came out of the Mirror Maze we entered into the “Topiary Walk”. This is actually a whimsical wonderland where you can walk along the path surrounded with plants and colorful animal topiaries/sculptures such as the chameleon, two orangutans, birds, red crocodile and pink elephant.
For kids this is definitely a better attraction. Even being adults, we didn’t forget to take the best snapshots here as you can see below.
Next it was the “Discovery Slides” which is a sculptural playscape where the bright yellow inside of the play sculpture contains four slides; a family slide, a steep drop slide and two glass-covered spiral slides coming down from the highest point. The viewing deck of the playground is the highest accessible point in the complex, giving a fantastic view of the Forest Valley and Rain Vortex. The Discovery Slides structure has a complete double curved steel exterior and the bottom part of Discovery Slides comes with mirror surfaces making it the perfect spot to indulge in a wefie.
“Petal Garden” is another attraction inside the Canopy Park which resembles a mini version of the flower dome at Gardens by the Bay. There is a small pond area, flower decorated arch and some attractive photo spots. You can take a relaxing walk through this Petal Garden.
Then there was the “Foggy Bowls” which is a lawn area particularly attractive for kids. This has four gentle concave bowls that fill with heavy fog periodically, giving the experience of playing amongst clouds.
Manulife Sky Nests
After moving around the Canopy Park, we wanted to try the Manulife Sky Nets. There are two types of Sky Nets, one is for bouncing and one is for walking. First, we went to the bouncing net and at the entry point we were advised to keep our loose items and side bags inside the locker before entering in order to have a safe experience during bouncing activities. Then we did SafeEntry check-in and before entering the bouncing net, a staff member gave a short introduction and advised not to climb along the net or do somersaulting while we move through the bouncing net. Due to COVID-19 we were advised to keep safe distance with other visitors inside the net all the time.
For both bouncing and walking nets, make sure to wear comfortable shoes and shorts/ easy pants to make your bouncing activity easier and comfortable. In case you do not wear shoes, staff will provide you with appropriate shoes at the entry point. There is a minimum heigh requirement of 110 cm when allowing children into the nets.
One bouncing net session will last for 60 minutes and this time is more than enough to get the best experience. This is a single-entry activity, so make sure you get the best out of the given time to bounce almost weightlessly and enjoy before you leave the net.
This net stretches for a length 250 m and have around 8 m height from the level of Canopy Park so you will definitely get the feeling of bouncing among the trees. Going through this net was not difficult but we felt little tired by the end. Anyway, it was fun, and we went through the sliding holes as well. Staff members were there inside the net to assist and this is safe for children.
Next we went to the walking sky net after SafeEntry check-in was done. This is a taut net suspended 25 m above the ground and walking on this is quite a challenge which will hold your breath while you make your way across the nets. You need to carefully walk along as at some point your shoes might go through the mesh holes but nothing to worry as there is another mesh layer with small holes beneath the top layer. Give it a try to look down through the net and you will get goosebumps for sure.
It will definitely sweat a lot if you really enjoy bouncing and walking nets, so it would be better to keep an extra suit if you prefer.
It was around lunch time when we came out from the walking net, so we decided to have lunch from Tiger Street Lab restaurant at level 5 before moving on to the Canopy Bridge. If you come to Changi, there are plenty of dine-in restaurants offering a range of local and western food and beverages at level 5 where you can enjoy your meals in a calm and a pleasant atmosphere.
In order to assure well-being of all the guests and staff members during COVID-19, all the restaurants here are following safety measures along with temperature taking and SafeEntry check-in. As long as you support these measures you can assure your safety at Jewel Changi.
Canopy Bridge
After lunch we went to the Canopy Bridge and there also, we first did SafeEntry check-in. This is a suspension bridge having a height of 23 m from the ground level and expands for a length of 50 m. You can get a closer look of the indoor waterfall “HSBC Rain Vortex” and also take a nice picture with the waterfall at the backdrop.
Make sure you wear pants/shorts along with comfortable covered shoes to have a safe and a comfortable experience. Not to mention, luggage and wheeled bags are not allowed for safety reasons, hence leave your bags at the Baggage Storage before entering to the bridge.
The bridge is having a glass panel flooring and when you take a look through this you can see all the greenery beneath. It felt little uncomfortable to look down through the glass but was a good experience.
From both ends of the bridge there is a foggy mist burst in frequent intervals which gives you the sensation of walking through the clouds. Since the ticket to the bridge is a single entry, make sure you stay long enough oh the bridge and experience this within the given 30 minutes, before leaving.
HSBC Rain Vortex
Known as the Marvel at Jewel’s Heat, HSBC Rain Vortex is considered to be the world’s tallest indoor waterfall having a 40 m height and stretching over seven floors, HSBC Rain Vortex is spectacular by the day and stunning by the night with the light and sound show.
Due to COVID-19, in line with the Singapore Government's enforcement measures to limit social gatherings, the Light & Sound show is temporarily suspended from 26th March 2020 until further notice. Nevertheless, you can observe and experience the unique and elegant waterfall.
From the Canopy Bridge at level 5 we were able to get a closer view of the top of this waterfall as you can see below.
Shiseido Forest Valley
This forest valley is a heavenly landscape bathed in natural sunlight during the daytime and consists of more than 900 trees and palms together with around 60,000 shrubs in its verdant indoor garden. While observing the diverse flora collection, you can definitely have a thrilling experience by taking a hike up through the Shiseido Forest Valley up to the Canopy Park. The Eastern Trail will lead you past rocky falls while the Western Trail is enhanced by the mist.
It will allow half an hour for each trail, at a comfortable pace with ample time for photo-taking. There are several exit points and seats along the way. Be aware that luggage and wheeled bags are not allowed but can be left at the Baggage Storage. Make sure you wear comfortable footwear and avoid high heels.
Changi Experience Studio
Lastly, we came down to level 4 and entered to the Changi Experience Studio, which is a virtual and exiting journey of fun and discovery through projection experiences, interactive games and immersive shows. In this first-of-its-kind digital attraction, it gives the chance to experience the magic of technology and learn about how Changi is connected with the world by being one of the best transportation hubs.
After scanning our tickets, we received our travel guides. This travel guide is actually a foldable blank board with AR markers and embedded RFID, which is required to enter into the studio and specially to get further information of the key destinations inside the studio. We needed to hold the travel guide under the given projections to get the available information as well to activate the games.
We firstly moved into the “Cloud” which has several projection booths. This is a white space, where you will get to know how to use your travel guide inside the Changi Experience Studio. In here we were introduced to the projected butterfly companions which accompanied us throughout this magical journey.
Next we entered into the “Time Tunnel” where a sequence of videos was displayed along the tunnel on how the Changi Airport was built and evolved with the time through passing different milestones, in order to cater the current world demands.
Then there was this “Amazing Runway" designed with peddled bicycles to go for a virtual race while actually peddling at our optimum speed. This is a multi-player game where you can choose to virtually race against a Porsche 911 GT3 Carrera Cup car or Boeing 747 jet plane. If you come with a group of friends, this will be a really fun and challenging game and if you break the previous records your name will be put on the display board.
Also, at “Backstage” there is a green space which serves as a framework for taking wefie shots beside various Changi Airport associated backgrounds. Not to mention you can participate in a smile challenge and see whether you have a winning smile. All you need to do is to sit and face the camera with a broad smile. Those who get the highest score will have a chance to display your smile on the Wall of Fame.
“Garden of Harmony” was another key destination inside this studio where we stood on the petals drawn on the ground and once we hold the travel guide we were able to generate our own music by moving the travel guide up and down until it creates the ONE Changi Symphony made with emotional resonance. Each petal has a different virtual instrument, so you can stand according to your preference. If you go as a group, you all can get together and try different instruments at once. This ONE Changi Symphony was sweet and harmonious.
Final Verdict
Eventually, our day spent at Jewel Changi Airport had come to an end. If you are looking to spend the day in Singapore or if you are in Singapore for a few hours transit, it would be really great to visit Jewel and enjoy these diverse attractions while getting to know how this magnificent transport hub was built and evolved with the time. We would love to hear your experiences as well. Also, if you need further information, we are happy to help you. Please leave your comments below.
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