Amazing things to do at Singapore Changi Airport

Changi Airport is known for its many attractions, and it’s adding one more jewel to its crown. Climb@T3, managed by The Rock School (TRS) Singapore, is a new rock climbing and bouldering facility in Basement 3 of Terminal 3. This is where kids, youth, and adults alike can come to scale some world-class walls. 

The highlight of Climb@T3 is the eight metre High Wall. Hook yourself up to the auto-belay system and go for a challenge on any of the 20 climbing routes (soon to be increased to 30 routes). For some rope-free fun, head over to the 12 metre-long and 2.5 metre-high Boulder Wall – the perfect spot for young ones and beginners to clock in some practice and build up confidence before giving the High Wall a try.

Housing an abundance of shopping options, attractions, and even the world’s largest indoor waterfall, Jewel Changi Airport has something for both locals and tourists. From suspended trampolines to navigating your way through shops and boutiques, Jewel harmoniously mixes nature, fun, and retail therapy all under one roof.

Experience Changi Airport in a whole new way at the Changi Experience Studio. Get involved in the number of interactive games that illustrates the work it takes to get Changi Airport working like clockwork. Race with a Boeing 747 or play instruments by moving your arms, the experience studio has activities fit for the young and the young at heart. 

While aviation, retail therapy, and engaging leisure pursuits come to mind at the fast-paced lifestyle haven of Changi, there’s also the activity of art appreciation that is best indulged in when you take your own time. From illustrious wall murals to metamorphosing ceiling pieces, our airport is speckled with arresting art displays that demand a second glance. Located at T1’s Departure Hall is perhaps the airport’s most popular Kinetic Rain, made up of more than 1000 bronze droplets that cohesively contorts into abstract patterns and other recognisable shapes, while T2 boasts a kinetic art installation called A Million Times at Changi, where the hands of over 500 clock faces spell out greetings and form other mesmerising cadences. Elsewhere, wired-formed birds hover over T4’s Departure and Arrival hall and the scene of Singapore’s hawker past is immortalised as wall murals along the underpass of T4.

Those four words should realistically have any sane person sprinting towards T3 (even if they’re not in the airport). Changi’s giant slide holds the title of being ‘the world’s tallest slide inside an airport’ – not that we imagine there’s a lot of competition. You can ride this 12 metre-tall slide by signing up for the free Changi Rewards e-card, which allows you to redeem 10 slide rides. 10 rides isn’t an overkill – you’ll understand why when you take your first ride.

T4 shows extra love to the colourful Peranakan culture at its Heritage Zone. Existing as a lounge area, the carpeted space is strewed with an assortment of plush furnishings, complete with power plugs for electronic devices, that lay against a statement wall, sporting a façade of shophouses seen in Katong and Chinatown. Made up of nine different panels reflecting architectural styles of Baroque, Rococo, and Modern Deco, the shophouse façade also conceals a LED screen where the digital theatrical performance Peranakan Love Story is projected on. Screened on scheduled timings, it is not only entertaining to watch but also enlightening for travellers to learn more about this vibrant culture while waiting to board their flights.

You wouldn’t think an airport would be the ideal spot for a nature lover, but who said Changi was a normal airport? Singapore’s crowning jewel of aviation has gone to great lengths to propagate our treasured City in a Garden image. Throughout Terminals 1, 2, and 3 you’ll find five different gardens – the Cactus Garden (T1), Sunflower Garden (T2), Enchanted Garden (T2), Orchid Garden (T2), and the ever-popular Butterfly Garden (T3).

No points for originality here, but Changi’s 350-plus selection of shops which run the gamut from luxury goods to daily necessities is not to be sniffed at. Head to the Wines and Spirits Duplex store in either T2 or T3 to pick out a special bottle from its full assortment of wines, spirits, and tobacco. Pick up some souvenirs from RISIS’ selection of fine orchid jewellery or, if you want to step out of the box, some natural Chinese remedies, tonics, and supplements from homegrown Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) brand Eu Yan Sang. Don’t forget to box up some holiday perfumes and scents for your trip and also stock up on the mags for that long plane ride.

A far cry from the usual televised entertainment you can expect in an airport lounge – think a hundred people pretending to be watching the news or some dodgy reality show on a tiny screen in a waiting area. This is a full-blown cinema, showing the latest box office hits replete with comfy seats. The cinema is also open 24 hours, so you can catch a movie regardless of your flight timings.

Time flies when you’re having fun. Next time you’re in the transit area with time to spare, head to the Entertainment Corner at T4 to play sports games on the Xbox Kinect or dial up the nostalgia with arcade machines. Whether you want to sweat it out with tennis and bowling or take up the challenge of virtual pinball and car racing, this corner’s got the thing to keep you entertained during layovers.

Move aside MBS, you’re not the only one with a rooftop pool. That’s right, Changi has a swimming pool and jacuzzi on the rooftop of T1. It’s not entirely free, but for $25 dollars, you get to stretch out by the poolside and use the shower facilities too, so we think it’s a pretty damn good deal. There’s also a 24-hour bar if you really want to pretend you’re already on holiday. Remember to pack your bathers (and extra clothes) in your carry-on.

Airport, flying, and everything associated with it are generally not conducive for anyone who fancies a good, long sleep. Our hero Changi, however, has risen above sleep mediocrity with its Snooze Lounges. It’s actually comfortable and you can legitimately sleep there, instantly making it amazing. Fully reclining, butt-hugging chairs await throughout T1, T2, and T3’s transit area. We haven’t even started on the leg massages yet…

Okay, massage chairs are usually absolute junk that feel more like they’re violating you than easing any stress. Not these puppies though. Found in T3, these are the Rolls Royce of massage chairs – they’ll relieve all the tension in your body swiftly and smoothly. And they’re free. Go ahead, bliss out but don’t miss your flight.