Wrangling the Changi choices

Where can you shop in designer boutiques, get lost in a hedge maze, see your face on a departure board, take a swim, watch a movie, or feast on hawker food while waiting for your next flight?

Singapore’s Changi Airport has redefined the transfer experience, becoming more than just a place passengers pass through by adding what it calls “a touch of magic”.

I arrive at Changi on Singapore Airlines, which next year celebrates 60 years of operations to Perth. Singapore is the final destination for most of the airline’s passengers, but many also connect through Changi to Tokyo, London and Colombo, with increased demand to Sri Lanka, Vietnam, China and India.

Across all airlines, the top 10 transfer cities between Australia and the rest of the world via Changi are London, Delhi, Phuket, Bangkok, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Ho Chi Minh City, Mumbai and Osaka.

Transit passengers aren’t the only ones here. With more than 700 food and beverage outlets, Changi is also a lifestyle destination for locals.

Like many passengers, I have been guilty of racing through Changi, doing little more than grabbing a quick bite and hasty photos of Jewel’s famous Rain Vortex.

Over several days of exploring, I realise there’s so much I’ve never seen. Passengers on Australia-bound flights including routes operated by Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Scoot, can use Jewel early check-in to ditch their bags and have more fun before flying.

ADVENTURE

Jewel’s Canopy Park puts me to the test. The hedge maze is fun, as is the mirror maze, where I am armed with a pool noodle to avoid smashing into my reflection. Unfortunately, the bouncing nets, slides and Canopy Bridge activate my fear of heights. Attractions start at $8.80 per adult. The free Fit and Fun Zone (T2) is a colourful place to swing, bounce and punch my way into an energetic mood. The world’s largest indoor airport slide (T3) is temporarily closed when I visit. Phew!

ART

For a few minutes I am Changi-famous, with my silhouette up on an old-fashioned departure board. Flap Pix (T2) has repurposed the 1080 split-flaps into an installation that combines nostalgia and new technology. I pose for my photo, stand back, and am amazed. Another of my favourite works is Kinetic Rain (T1), the mesmerising collection of 1216 droplets with motion resembling flight movements.

CITY TOUR

If you have 5½ to 24 hours in transit, sign up for one of four city tours: Sentosa Discovery, City Sights, Singapore River and Marina Bay Sands, or Heritage and Culture. I take the latter tour on a bus packed with passengers not dressed for Singapore’s climate. I get reacquainted with the street art of Chinatown, learn about historic shopfronts, and admire the Sultan Mosque in Kampong Gelam.

EAT

Chicken rice or char kway teow, burgers or pasta? I am overwhelmed by the choices at Changi, and nearly always default to chicken rice. I get a kaya toast fix at Ya Kun Kaya Toast (T2, T3, Jewel) and signature coloured xiao long bao at Paradise Dynasty (T3). Curry puffs from Old Chang Kee (multiple) are the perfect local snack. Some cafes and hawker stalls operate 24/7.

ENTERTAINMENT

There are 50 plush seats in the Changi Airport Movie Theatre (T3), open 24 hours a day. Shaw Theatres (Jewel) has multiple screens showing new releases.

There are movie and sport screenings in the ST3PS event atrium (T3), four TV lounges, and I even spot a karaoke studio (T3).

FLOWER POWER

It’s hot exploring the Cactus Garden (T1) and the Insta-worthy Sunflower Garden (T2), but much cooler in the famous Butterfly Garden (T3). Orchids are Singapore’s national flower and I love the colourful varieties around the Rain Vortex. Dreamscape (T2) is an immersive garden surrounded by 20,000 plants from more than 100 species. I take tentative steps across glass panels “floating” above a fish pond, listening to sounds recorded in nature. Above, the digital sky reflects Changi’s real-time weather conditions, or an immersive light and sound show that plays at 15-minute intervals. Nearby, I wave my hands to conjure music at the Enchanted Garden’s Plant Sonata.

SHOPPING

I don’t have the budget for Tiffany and Louis Vuitton, so put my dollars toward a block of artisan kaya toast-flavoured chocolate from Mr Bucket Chocolaterie (T3). The lavish TWG Tea and Bacha Coffee boutiques (multiple outlets) are great for gifts, while Guardian pharmacy is where I stock up on motion sickness patches. Australians shopping at Changi typically buy wines and spirits (46 per cent), beauty products (22 per cent), and electronics (12 per cent). Lotte Duty Free is where to register for a free cocktail from a robotic bartender.

WATER WONDERS

Jewel’s Rain Vortex is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Water cascading down seven storeys is mesmerising by day, and stunning during the evening light shows, when crowds jostle for the perfect photo. I catch a Skytrain past for a different view. The Wonderfall (T2) digital waterfall was created to help create a sense of calm. There are also various calming koi ponds, not to mention the Aerotel swimming pool (T1).

WORK OUT

Hub and Spoke (outside T2) has individual gym pods bookable 24/7 for a private workout. Until May 31, passengers can also get two hours of free bike hire to ride to Gardens by the Bay or along the Jurassic Walk to East Coast. Bikes can be returned at multiple destinations.

+ Sue Yeap was a guest of Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport. They have not influenced this story, or read it before publication.

fact file

Amid ongoing travel disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict, Changi Airport is supporting the process on the ground by helping passengers access the right information, directing them to their airline or handling agent, and keeping the terminal experience safe and orderly. The airport continues “to work closely with our airline partners and stakeholders as the situation evolves”.

changiairport.com

singaporeairlines.com

nowboarding.changiairport.com