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You may have visited Jewel Changi Airport multiple times since its opening in 2019, but how much do you really know about it? From the highest accessible point for the best view to the robots that help Jewel maintain its sparkle, and even the handwoven net in Canopy Park; here are 10 fun facts you probably never knew about Jewel.
Prepare to view Jewel with a different perspective on your next visit. It’ll also be a good opportunity to wow your friends and family with your newfound knowledge!
1. The highest accessible point within Jewel
Want to get the best views in Jewel Changi Airport? Head to the Discovery Slides in Canopy Park. The Discovery Slides are designed by Carve, an architecture firm from the Netherlands, and built by Playpoint in Singapore.
The 6.5m high viewing platform at the Discovery Slides provides a stunning panoramic view of Jewel and is perfect for photos of the majestic HSBC Rain Vortex and lush Shiseido Forest Valley that surrounds it.
The platform gives you the best view of the iconic HSBC Rain Vortex – go prepared with a wide or fisheye lens for the best photos.
Discovery Slides
Location: Canopy Park (L5)
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday - 10:00am to 10:00pm, Friday to Sunday, PH and Eve of PH - 10:00am to 11:00pm
2. The sculptures in Topiary Walk are made from biodegradable and organic materials
If you've taken a walk along Topiary Walk, you may have noticed our nine resident animal friends along the way, including birds, an elephant, a chameleon, and even two orangutans! But what you may not know is that they are made of completely natural materials, including coconut husks, flowers and other locally sourced materials. The next time you visit, try to spot all nine of them and maybe even identify which materials they're made of for an extra challenge! Better yet, let your imagination run wild at this photo-friendly enclave as you wonder about this whimsical indoor jungle for the perfect shot with your smartphone or digital camera!
The realistic-looking, orange tufts of hair on the Orang Utan at the Topiary Walk at Jewel Changi are actually made from coconut husks!
Topiary Walk
Location: Canopy Park (L5)
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday - 10:00am to 10:00pm, Friday to Sunday, PH and Eve of PH - 10:00am to 11:00pm
3. The Manulife Sky Nets - Bouncing is completely hand-woven
Attractions at Jewel do not just end there. There are two types of nets that are also known as the Manulife Sky Nets in Canopy Park. The bouncing net, which is blue, yellow and green, is completely handwoven! French ex-sailor - who picked up weaving nets and is involved in the creation of other net attractions worldwide, was specially commissioned to create the bouncing net for Jewel.
Experience the thrill of being almost weightless on the Manulife Sky Nets.
If that isn't enough to amaze you, at its highest point approximately 8m from Level 5, the Manulife Sky Nets - Bouncing is also the closest that one can get to the Jewel facade. Feel like you're leaping across the treetops as you bounce over all 250m of the net and reach for the skies!
After you’re done having fun at the Manulife Sky Nets, head over to the Hedge Maze and Mirror Maze on the same level for a little adventure around the intricate windings. With attractions such as these, you’ll never run out for things to do even if you decide to spend a day at Jewel Changi Airport.
Manulife Sky Nets – Bouncing
Location: Canopy Park (L5)
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday - 10:00am to 10:00pm, Friday to Sunday, PH and Eve of PH - 10:00am to 11:00pm
4. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Did you know that Jewel was strategically designed to optimise sustainability? Its donut structure is built to reduce heat gain and provide cool conditions with less emissions. The extensive tree canopies help in providing shade and creating a cooler environment, while cool air is also supplied through concealed vents (some even cleverly disguised as benches).
The benches strewn all over Jewel are multi-purpose, serving as cool air vents and also a spot to take a break.
That's not all – recycled water is used for irrigation, while dead leaves and branches from the many plants at Jewel are converted to planting mulch (a material spread or laid over soil as a covering). Sustainable products are also used where possible, from the floor tiles and adhesives to the ceiling board.
5. Trees to … furniture?
Nothing goes to waste – even the trees from other parts of Changi Airport. Some of the furniture at Jewel are made from trees that used to be at the former Terminal 1 open-air Car Park. The next time you're sitting on a bench at Jewel, remember that it could have possibly been part of a tree that used to stand proud and tall in another part of Changi Airport!
Jewel has benches that will leave you wondering if they were made from actual trees found within the compounds.
6. The HSBC Rain Vortex is, quite literally, a rain vortex
How so? NEWater is mostly use for the waterfall and there’s constant water circulation which helps to lower the temperature of the indoor environment.
The most iconic structure of Jewel Changi Airport, the HSBC Rain Vortex, stands at an impressive height of 40m, making it the world's tallest indoor waterfall. Structural features are built into Jewel's exterior to channel water to the ring, which then distributes water down the HSBC Rain Vortex, giving it the circular effect.
HSBC Rain Vortex
Location: Heart of Jewel
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday - 11:00am to 10:00pm, Friday to Sunday, including PH - 10:00am to 10:00pm
The HSBC Rain Vortex located at the heart of Jewel contains actual rainwater too!
7. The oldest trees in Jewel are at least a century old
There are more than 2,000 trees and palms, over 100,000 shrubs in Jewel, making it one of the largest indoor gardens in Singapore. The oldest residents in this vast greenery are a pair of olive trees that are at least 100 years old. Originating from Spain, the trees weigh 3.5 tonnes each.
Century old olive trees found at Canopy Park.
All the plants in Jewel are chosen with careful consideration, including their aesthetics and ability to thrive in Jewel's indoor climate, given its light levels, temperature and humidity. The trees were also brought to Singapore via sea freight, and it took nine months to arrive and another two years to nurse them, to ensure that they flourish in Jewel's conditions.
8. Robots are introduced to maximise the guest experience
Apart from an assortment of nature, the Mandarin ducks and nine other topiary animals in Canopy Park, Jewel is also home to many talented robots with unique names and personalities. From cleaning to waste collection and even hospitality and concierge, each serves a different function and does its part in creating the best experience for all guests.
The hospitality robot offers sweets and bottled water, and is well-loved especially by younger guests. PETER, Jewel's Robocop patrols the main entrance of Jewel and screens traffic enforcement messages and plays audio advisory alerts to ensure safety. For those venturing the Changi district for the best spot for a staycation, YOTELAIR at Jewel is sure to make the recommendation list. And guess what? There are even robots at YOTELAIR that will deliver bottled water to guests in their rooms!
The hospitality bot is always stocked with essentials and ready to serve.
Keep a lookout for Joy, an adorable pink robot with bunny ears, with the ability to sing and rap! This robot can be found around Level 1 of the Shiseido Forest Valley.
Will you be the lucky one to witness Joy's rap performance? Head down to Jewel to find out!
9. Learn about the past, present and future of Changi Airport at Changi Experience Studio
The Changi Experience Studio is the only place you can explore the virtual world of Changi Airport, with 20 different interactive touchpoints. Find out about what goes on behind the scenes, interesting tidbits, and even operational processes at Changi Airport through exciting games and challenges. From collecting airport trolleys to racing on the runway, this is definitely something that you wouldn't be able to experience anywhere else.
Challenge your friends and family to a runway race at the Changi Experience Studio.
Changi Experience Studio
Location: Level 4
Opening Hours: Open daily from 11:00am to 8:00pm (Last admission at 7:00pm)
10. Enjoy exclusive Zi Char collaborations and seasonal brews at Tiger Street Lab
Tiger Street Lab is Tiger's first experiential concept store, located at Jewel Changi Airport. They pride themselves in partnerships with different local Zi Char (Chinese home-style hawker dishes) brands, including Timbre, Keng Eng Kee (KEK) Seafood, Da Shi Jia and Jiao Cai Seafood.
All menu items are specially curated to complement their exclusive seasonal brews and include mouth-watering dishes such as Double Fried Crispy Pork Belly with Sambal and Sambal Stingray. The best part? These collaborations are refreshed every six months, so there's always something new to look forward to.
Food galore at Tiger Street Lab at Jewel.
Tiger Street Lab
Location: Level 5, #05-205
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday - 11:00am to 8:30pm, Friday to Sunday, Eve of PH, and PH - 11:00am to 9:00pm
There's always plenty to explore and discover on every trip to Jewel. With these newly acquired fun facts, we hope that you can view Jewel from a different perspective, and potentially even uncover more surprises on your next trip!
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