Guide to Jewel Changi Airport Singapore

Welcome to Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport, a revolutionary mall-airport hybrid featuring top attractions like the Rain Vortex waterfall, premium shops, acclaimed restaurants, and a unique floor plan that rivals other shopping destinations in Singapore.

While most airports are content with basic amenities like places to sit and wait for your flight, Jewel decided to go full Singapore-style extra with an indoor forest, countless shopping options, and enough restaurants to make you consider intentionally missing your connection. Beyond just being a mall with a fancy water feature, this glass-domed marvel actually houses some genuinely impressive attractions that’ll have you planning future layovers in Singapore (yes, really), though there are plenty of alternative malls if you somehow get bored of watching water fall from the sky inside a building.

What is Jewel airport?

Jewel Changi Airport is a massive lifestyle and entertainment complex connected to Singapore Changi Airport. Located at Terminal 1, with direct access from Terminals 2 and 3, it’s a mixed-use development featuring shopping, dining, attractions, and even a hotel. ewel Changi Airport was officially opened on April 17, 2019. The project took about four years to build, with construction starting in 2014. It was designed to enhance Changi Airport’s appeal as a top aviation hub while also serving as a lifestyle destination for both travelers and locals.

What is Jewel’s floor plan?

Jewel Changi Airport has ten floors—five above ground (L1 to L5) and five basement levels (B1 to B5). Here’s a general breakdown of its floor plan:

Above-Ground Levels

• L5: Canopy Park (Sky Nets, Hedge Maze, Mirror Maze, Discovery Slides, Foggy Bowls)
• L4: Dining, premium lifestyle stores, and the entrance to the Canopy Park
• L3: Shopping, casual dining, and entertainment options
• L2: More retail stores and restaurants, featuring international and local brands
• L1: The Rain Vortex (centerpiece waterfall), main shopping atrium, and airport access

Basement Levels

• B1: Food court (Five Spice), supermarkets, everyday retail stores
• B2 to B4: Parking spaces and service areas
• B5: Airport utilities and restricted areas

Top attractions in Jewel

Top Attractions in Jewel Changi Airport

• HSBC Rain Vortex – The world’s tallest indoor waterfall (40 meters), cascading through Jewel’s glass dome. At night, it transforms into a mesmerizing light and sound show, making it a must-see spectacle. Best viewed from various vantage points across multiple floors.
• Shiseido Forest Valley – A massive indoor garden filled with over 900 trees and palms, waterfalls, and meandering trails that offer a peaceful escape. The cool temperature and natural setting make it a great place for a relaxing stroll before or after a flight.
• Canopy Park – A sprawling 14,000 sqm recreational space on the top level featuring:
• Discovery Slides – A sculptural slide and art installation in one.
• Foggy Bowls – Mist-filled play areas designed for kids to enjoy a dreamy, cloud-like experience.
• Petal Garden – A floral wonderland that changes with the seasons, displaying vibrant flowers in full bloom.
• Manulife Sky Nets – Two thrilling experiences for those seeking adventure:
• Bouncing Net – A giant suspended net where you can leap and feel like you’re walking on air.
• Walking Net – A transparent, suspended net that lets you walk high above the ground with stunning views of Jewel’s indoor landscape.
• Hedge Maze & Mirror Maze – Hedge Maze – Singapore’s largest indoor hedge maze, offering a fun and challenging path with an observation deck at the center for a bird’s-eye view of the intricate design. Mirror Maze – A dazzling labyrinth of mirrors and optical illusions that makes for a fun and slightly mind-bending experience.
• Changi Experience Studio – An interactive digital attraction showcasing the history and innovations of Changi Airport. Visitors can play airport-themed games, experience a flight simulation, and learn about the technology behind one of the world’s best airports.
• Changi Airport Control Tower Viewing Deck – While not an official attraction, many visitors enjoy finding a spot to admire the control tower from within Jewel, especially at night when it’s beautifully illuminated.

Top shops in Jewel

Jewel Changi Airport is home to some stellar retail spots. Here’s a look at a few top ones:

• Nike Unite – A massive store with exclusive collections and an impressive range of running and athleisure gear, perfect for fitness enthusiasts.
• Apple Store – The flagship location offers a hands-on experience with the latest Apple products and hosts Today at Apple sessions, featuring workshops and tutorials.
• Adidas – Offering a sleek selection of Ultraboost, Adizero, and other high-performance shoes, plus a full range of apparel and accessories for athletes.
• Pokemon Center Singapore – The region’s only official Pokémon store, packed with collectibles like plush toys, trading cards, and limited-edition items that every Pokémon fan will adore.
• Lego Certified Store – A must-visit for LEGO lovers, this store has exclusive sets, build-your-own mini-figures, and fun interactive displays.
• Zara – With one of the largest Zara stores in Singapore, you can shop a wide variety of stylish clothes for men, women, and kids.

Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of luxury good stores so dont expect anything.

Top restaurants in Kewel

Here’s my list of top dining options at Jewel Changi Airport:

• Shake Shack – Known for its ShackBurgers, crinkle-cut fries, and milkshakes, offering tasty American fast-casual dining. It’s a pretty one too at Jewel and right near the entrance
• TWG Tea – A luxurious tea salon with an extensive selection of premium teas, paired with pastries, scones, and light bites—perfect for a refined afternoon tea experience.
• Crystal Jade – Offering high-quality Chinese cuisine, including dim sum, noodles, and signature dishes in a warm and welcoming setting.
• ArtesanIQ – A gourmet café serving a range of artisanal dishes, from fresh salads and sandwiches to pastries and specialty coffees, perfect for a light yet satisfying meal.
• Burger & Lobster – A must-visit for seafood lovers, this spot specializes in juicy burgers and fresh lobster dishes, served in a stylish, relaxed atmosphere.
• Jumbo Seafood – Famous for its Singaporean-style seafood, especially chili crab and black pepper crab, this is the place to indulge in flavorful local seafood.
• Violet Oon – A celebration of Peranakan cuisine, offering dishes like laksa, satay, and rendang, all in a beautiful setting.
• The Coffee Academics – A specialty coffee shop serving artisanal brews and a selection of breakfast and brunch options, ideal for coffee aficionados.

With these options, Jewel offers a delightful variety of dining experiences, ranging from local flavors to international favorites.

Special hacks to Jewel

Here are a few of my secrets -

• Skip the tourist crowds by visiting the Rain Vortex before 11 AM or after 9 PM, when the lighting makes the waterfall somehow even more dramatic and your Instagram photos won’t be photobombed by a hundred other smartphones.
• Early birds can take advantage of the early check-in counters up to 24 hours before your flight – drop off your luggage, grab your boarding pass, and enjoy a baggage-free shopping spree without that awkward roller suitcase bumping into everything.
• For those who appreciate a touch of luxury (without the luxury price tag), the Changi Lounge in Jewel offers pay-per-use access with showers, nap pods, and buffet spreads – perfect for refreshing between shopping sessions or when you’re pretending your flight isn’t delayed.
• If you’re visiting during Singapore’s notorious rain showers, use the air-conditioned link bridges from terminals 1, 2, or 3 to reach Jewel – you’ll stay dry and get some bonus plane-spotting opportunities along the way.
• Save money on airport food by heading to the basement level’s Food Hall, where you’ll find local favorites at much more reasonable prices than the fancy restaurants upstairs (though you might still need to take out a small loan for that famous pepper crab).

Alternative malls in Singapore

If you’re looking for alternatives to Jewel Changi Airport, here are a few other great malls in Singapore:

• ION Orchard – A luxury shopping hub on Orchard Road, featuring high-end brands, a wide variety of dining options, and stunning architecture. Perfect for a glamorous shopping experience.
• Marina Bay Sands Shoppes – A waterfront shopping destination with a range of luxury brands, upscale dining, and entertainment options, including the famous floating gondolas in the canals.
• VivoCity – One of the largest malls in Singapore, offering a mix of retail, dining, and entertainment, including a rooftop Sky Park and an extensive range of stores catering to all budgets.
• The Paragon – A premium shopping mall in Orchard Road, known for its selection of designer brands, fine dining, and wellness services.
• Takashimaya – Located at Ngee Ann City, this Japanese department store offers a wide range of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products, alongside several delicious dining spots.
• Suntec City – A massive mall in the Marina Centre area, with a diverse selection of stores, dining options, and entertainment, including an impressive array of international brands.
• Bugis Junction – Known for its vibrant atmosphere, Bugis Junction offers an eclectic mix of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle stores, as well as a range of food options.
• Plaza Singapura – A family-friendly mall located along Orchard Road, offering a mix of affordable retail, entertainment, and dining options. Great for casual shopping trips.

For more details on this, you can see my previous article. Happy shopping at Jewel!