Antisocial Tourist

Singapore’s Changi Airport consistently ranks as one of the top airports in the world, and it’s the first airport to hold the title of ‘World’s Best Airport’ by Skytrax for eight consecutive years. It’s also one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia.

Part of what makes the Changi Airport so special is Jewel — an entertainment and retail complex attached to the airport itself. Jewel is often referred to as the Jewel Changi Airport, but it’s not a part of the Changi Airport at all, it’s simply attached to the same building. It is accessible from all four airport terminals, but you will need to clear customs before you can get to it.

The centerpiece of Jewel is the jaw-dropping indoor waterfall called the Rain Vortex. The Rain Vortex is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, flowing through a total of seven stories! The waterfall is surrounded by a nature-themed forest setting, with different levels and viewpoints to explore.

Many travelers question if Jewel can be visited during a layover through Singapore’s Changi Airport, and the answer is yes! We just explored Jewel on a recent trip to Singapore, and we couldn’t believe how easy it was to get through. In this article, we’ll cover how to get to Jewel, how much time you need to spend there, and what to do with your luggage while you’re there.

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What is the Rain Vortex?

Rain Vortex World's Tallest Indoor Waterfall

The Rain Vortex is the name of the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and it’s located at the Jewel Changi Airport. The waterfall is 130 feet tall and pours from the roof of the Jewel complex, plummeting seven stories down to the bottom floor.

The waterfall was designed by Safdie Architects in 2014 and was meant to encourage travel to Singapore. Safdie Architects’ designs are known for incorporating natural weather and temperature conditions into their designs. The Rain Vortex waterfall is supplied by captured or harvested rainwater from the frequent thunderstorms that Singapore experiences.

What is Jewel?

Jewel is a retail and entertainment complex that is attached to Singapore’s Changi Airport. Even though Jewel is attached, it’s on the non-transit side of the airport, so anyone can visit. It’s easiest to think of Jewel as a large shopping mall with several notable attractions. The main attraction of Jewel is the Rain Vortex, which is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.

The waterfall is set in a lush tropical garden (referred to as the Shiseido Forest Valley) and is surrounded by shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. It’s a common misconception that the waterfall itself is Jewel, but this isn’t true. The entire complex is Jewel, and the waterfall, or Rain Vortex, is just a feature.

Jewel has hundreds of food options and retail shops to explore. There are also plenty of interactive things to do around the Rain Vortex, like bouncing across open nets high above the forest floor or finding your way through a maze of mirrors or hedges. They even have an IMAX movie theater.

How to Get to Jewel

If you’re already in the country of Singapore, you can visit Jewel by simply arriving at the building and walking right in. Remember, it’s not a part of the airport — it’s simply attached to it. It’s just like visiting any other attraction or mall in Singapore.

But if you’re just arriving, and you want to visit Jewel right when you land, it can be accessed from any of the four Changi Airport terminals. If you arrive in Terminal 1, 2, or 3, you’ll find plenty of signage pointing you in the direction of Jewel. It’s roughly a 5 – 10 minute walk from any of these terminals. If you arrive in Terminal 4, you’ll take a free shuttle bus to Terminal 2, and then follow the same signage to get to Jewel.

Honestly, Changi Airport has such well-marked signage, you can rest assured that you’ll find your way. The airport is clean, organized, and easy to navigate.

Changi Airport also has a Skytrain system to transport passengers between terminals. This Skytrain runs right through Jewel, so even if you don’t have time to visit, you can still see the world’s tallest indoor waterfall with your own eyes for a brief minute. The Skytrain only connects terminal to terminal though — to get to Jewel you will need to walk on foot.

It’s important to remember that Jewel is located on the non-transit side of Changi Airport, so anyone can visit without needing a boarding pass or going through airport security. This means that anyone who is visiting right after they land, or during a layover, will need to clear customs and passport control to get to Jewel. If they have a connecting flight, they’ll need to go through security again to re-enter the airport when they’re done.

Fortunately, it’s a very quick process to get back into the airport. Unlike other airports, you won’t wait in a long line to get through security before finding your gate. Instead, you’ll just show your boarding pass and passport to re-enter the airport and walk right in. You won’t go through security until you’re at your gate. Each gate has its own security scanners. Your gate will open 1 hour before your flight, and then only the people on your flight will go through the security line to board.

Is it Free to Visit Jewel?

It’s completely free to visit Jewel, just like any other shopping mall. You can access all the restaurants, shops, and the waterfall, just by walking into the building. There are a few things to do at Jewel that do require the purchase of a ticket though. These things include the Canopy Walk, Bouncing Nets, Canopy Bridge, Mazes, and some interactive exhibits.

Tickets for Jewel Attractions

Canopy Park — Canapy Park is found at the highest level of Jewel. The park encircles the Rain Vortex, providing unique views from the top of the waterfall. Admission to Canopy Park includes access to the Discovery Slides, Foggy Bowls, Petal Garden, and Topiary Walk. You’ll find that the lush forest theme continues on this level, and sculptures made of flowers add an extra touch. Tickets are S$8.00 per person and the park is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily (11:00 pm on weekends). Admission to Canopy Park is included with any other ticket purchased below.

Canopy Bridge — The Canopy Bridge is a small glass-bottomed footbridge suspended 75 feet above the ground. The bridge offers the best clear views of the waterfall from the top floor and really immerses you in the foggy forest setting. Walking along this bridge is very cool but it comes with a steep price considering you can walk from one end to the other in under a minute. Tickets are S$13.90 per person and the bridge is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Admission to Canopy Park is automatically included with this ticket.

Walking Net — The Walking Net in the Canopy Park is suspended 85 feet in the air, with the netting pulled taut to create a sensation of weightlessness as you walk across. Tickets are S$18.90 for adults and S$13.90 per child. The Walking Net is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Admission to Canopy Park is automatically included with this ticket.

Bouncing Net — The Bouncing Net is a thrilling experience, where, unlike the Walking Net, you’ll feel like you’re on a springy trampoline. These colorful nets are set just 25 feet above the ground, to allow for plenty of room to reach the sky as you bounce your way across. Tickets are S$24.90 for adults and S$19.90 per child. The Bouncing Net is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Admission to Canopy Park is automatically included with this ticket.

Hedge Maze — The Hedge Maze is a labyrinth of tall bushes that form a maze. You’ll be rewarded with a bird’s eye view of the maze when you reach the center and climb to the top. Tickets are S$13.90 for adults and S$11.90 per child. The Hedge Maze is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Admission to Canopy Park is automatically included with this ticket.

Mirror Maze — The Mirror Maze is an intense maze of mirrors, lined with colorful lights and covered with greenery overhead, creating a unique illusion as you make your way through. This maze is so trippy that you’ll be given a foam noodle on your way in to help you feel your way through, without running into anything. Tickets are S$18.90 for adults and S$13.90 per child. The Mirror Maze is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Admission to Canopy Park is automatically included with this ticket.

Bundle Ticket Options — If you plan on doing most of the attractions listed above, you can save a few dollars by purchasing one of the ticket bundle options.

How Long Does it Take to Visit Jewel?

Some people suggest 5 – 6 hours to visit Jewel, but we don’t think that’s necessary. Unless you plan to catch a movie or spend a few hours doing some (high-end) retail therapy, 2 – 4 hours is all you need.

Each ticketed activity in the Canopy Park will take about 15 minutes to get through, so you’ll need 1.5 hours at the most there. And much less if you only do a few of the activities. You’ll also want at least 30 minutes to see the Rain Vortex from the many different viewpoints. Besides that, you’ll need 1 – 2 hours to eat and window shop. And don’t forget to add some time for storing and picking up your luggage before heading back to the airport or continuing on to your hotel, although that process should only take a few minutes.

💣_{Antisocial Tourist Tip — If you have a really long layover (10+ hours) and you also plan on visiting Gardens by the Bay, we recommend doing Jewel last. Since Jewel is at the actual airport, you can better manage your time and be in control of when you head back through security for your flight.}

How to Store Luggage While at Jewel

Storing your luggage while exploring Jewel is easy. You have two options — Early Check-In or Baggage Storage. Early Check-In is available to anyone arriving for a departing flight more than three hours early. You can get your boarding pass and check your luggage, then head straight to Jewel. After you’re done at Jewel, you’ll head back to the departure hall and go through security to your gate. You may still need to use Baggage Storage for your carry-on luggage though.

Baggage Storage is a facility that charges a flat rate per bag to hold your luggage while you explore. It costs between S$5.00 and S$15.00 per bag and they’ll hold the luggage for up to 24 hours. You’ll receive a ticket when you drop your bags off, and when you’re ready to pick them up, you’ll just head back and collect them. There are several Baggage Storage facilities in Jewel, and plenty of signage to point you in the direction, so don’t stress over knowing where to go. Just follow the signs to Jewel with your bags, and once you arrive, you’ll start to see signage pointing you to the Baggage Storage locations.

Can I Visit Jewel Between Connecting Flights?

If you have a long layover at Changi Airport, it’s easy to visit Jewel while waiting for your connecting flight. However, you will need to go through customs and passport control to get to it since it’s on the non-transit side of the airport. Changi Airport is very efficient though, and getting through passport control is a breeze.

We suggest a minimum of a 5-hour layover to get to and from Jewel, and have enough time to explore; however, if you’re ambitious you can visit Jewel with as little as a 3-hour layover. Allow 30 minutes to get to Jewel once you land, and 30 minutes to store your luggage if you have any carry-on bags you want to unload. Allow at least 1 hour to get back to the airport and to your gate before your flight departs. It took us even less time to get to and from Jewel, but it is an airport after all, so you never know what types of delays you may encounter.

10 Things to Do at Jewel

There are plenty of things to do while visiting Jewel. Whether you want to spend the day admiring the waterfall, get adventurous in the canopy park, or shop and dine all day, there’s something for everyone at Jewel.

1. Discover the Rain Vortex in the Shiseido Forest Valley

The Rain Vortex (the world’s tallest indoor waterfall) is found in the center of a lush tropical setting called the Shiseido Forest Valley. The Forest is home to plants from all over the world, including 2,000 trees and 100,000 shrubs, and it’s one of Singapore’s largest air-conditioned indoor gardens. You’ll even find “hiking trails” that take you all the way to the highest floor, giving you unobstructed views of the Rain Vortex from the top. Seeing the Rain Vortex and walking through the plants is completely free.

2. Explore the Canopy Park

Canopy Park is on Jewel’s top level and encircles the Rain Vortex, providing unique views of the waterfall. Admission to Canopy Park includes access to the Discovery Slides, Foggy Bowls, Petal Garden, and Topiary Walk. Tickets are S$8.00 per person and the park is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily (11:00 pm on weekends). There are several other ticketed attractions in Canopy Park, and if you buy a ticket for any of them, admission to the park itself is included (so save your S$8.00 if you purchase any other ticket!).

3. Walk the Canopy Bridge

The Canopy Bridge is a small glass-bottomed footbridge suspended 75 feet above the ground. The bridge offers the best clear views of the waterfall from the top floor and really immerses you in the foggy forest setting. You’ll be limited to 15 minutes on the bridge because of it’s high demand and small size. Tickets are S$13.90 per person and the bridge is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Admission to Canopy Park is automatically included with this ticket.

4. Suspend Yourself in the Air

The Walking Net and Bouncing Net are both suspended high in the air, allowing you to walk above the Shiseido Forest floor. These are some of the largest indoor nets in the world. Walking Net tickets are S$18.90 for adults and S$13.90 per child, and Bouncing Net tickets are S$24.90 for adults and S$19.90 per child. Both attractions are open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Admission to Canopy Park is automatically included with this ticket.

5. Get Lost in a Maze

Jewel offers two mazes to explore — a Hedge Maze and a Mirror Maze. The Hedge Maze is a more straightforward maze, leading you through a labyrinth of tall hedges until you find your way to the center, where you’re rewarded with a small climb to a birdseye view of the hedges. The mirror maze is a mind-bending experience with endless illusions as you stumble your way through. Hedge Maze tickets are S$13.90 for adults and S$11.90 per child, and Mirror Maze tickets are S$18.90 for adults and S$13.90 per child. Both attractions are open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Admission to Canopy Park is automatically included with this ticket.

6. Catch a Movie at Shaw Theatre Jewel

Jewel is also home to an IMAX Theater called Shaw Theatre, which is one of the largest movie theaters in Singapore. Shaw Theatre has 11 screening halls and nearly 800 seats, with two premium screening halls called Shaw Lumiere. Shaw Lumiere has plush leather reclining seats, armrests that fold up to create love seats, and individual USB charging ports on each chair. This theater also features an IMAX with Laser show. Hours vary, but most movies are shown between 10:00 am and 10:00 pm.

7. Dine and Shop

There are hundreds of stores and restaurants to choose from when exploring Jewel. You’ll find everything from high-end designers to souvenir shops, and fine dining restaurants to local street food.

One of the most notable stores in Jewel is Tokyu Hands. This store is known as a one-stop shop for DIY and functional products unique to Japan. Tokyu Hands has everything from bags and travel accessories to kitchenware and stationery. If you’re not from Japan (and even if you are) this is guaranteed to be a fun stop.

You’ll also find a Michelin-star restaurant at Jewel called Tsuta Japanese Soba Noodles, and a Michelin-plate gelato parlor called Birds Of Paradise, among many other delicious eating establishments.

8. Changi Experience Studio

The Experience Studio is a virtual experience. Participants will engage in immersive experiences and play interactive games. You’ll discover the magic of technology and learn about aviation and what makes the airport tick. Tickets are S$25.00 per adult and S$17.00 per child and senior. The Experience Studio is open from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm on weekdays and 10:00 am to 8:00 pm on weekends.

9. Get Some Sleep at YotelAIR or Aerotel

If you want to get some rest or a shower during a long layover at Jewel Changi Airport, you can book a room at YotelAIR or Aerotel by the hour. A minimum of four hours must be booked, or you can stay for the whole night. The rooms are very small, especially at YotelAIR, but this is the perfect place to get some privacy while waiting for your next flight.

YotelAIR is located landside right among the trees and waterfall on the 4th floor of Jewel. Aerotel is located transit side, on Level 3 of Terminal 1. Aerotel also has access to a rooftop pool!

If you’d prefer a more traditional hotel room for an overnight stay, we recommend the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, an IHG Hotel. This hotel is located transit side, in Terminal 3.

10. Swim in the Rooftop Pool at Aerotel

We bet you didn’t know you could go swimming while waiting for your connecting flight at Changi Airport! This one isn’t actually in Jewel. It’s part of the Aerotel Transit Hotel, located on Level 3 of Terminal 1. Hotel guests have free access to the pool and facilities, but you can also purchase a day pass for only S$23.00 per adult! The pool also features a jacuzzi, a poolside bar, shower facilities, and the use of a towel.

Final Thoughts: Jewel Changi Airport

Visiting the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at the Jewel Changi Airport is absolutely worth the detour! If you can score a long layover, or if you’re spending a few days in Singapore, you need to add this stop to your list. The shopping mall itself is similar to any other high-end fashion mall, but the entertainment offered at Jewel is unlike anything we’ve seen before. Whether you just want to snap all the pics you can of the waterfall, or you want to catch a movie, or take a quick dip in the rooftop pool, there’s something for everyone at the Jewel Changi Airport.

Thank you for reading our post! We hope it helps you plan the perfect trip! Check out our other guides here and follow us on Instagram (@AntisocialTourist) or on Facebook to see our latest adventures!