Singapore’s Changi Jewel Redefines the Airport

In addition to the free-to-enter part of the terminal – which includes a multilevel indoor jungle, complete with hedge and mirror maze, glass walkways and 280 retail stores and restaurants – guests can visit the Canopy Park, a garden and playground suspended above the sixth floor of the terminal dome.

The 14,000 sq m Canopy Park, which costs $5 to enter ($4 for locals), features a sculpture-cum-playscape called Discovery Slides, a petal and topiary garden walk, 'foggy bowls' where children can play amongst artificial clouds, and a 50m glass bridge suspended 23m above the ground with views of the waterfall. For an extra fee, guests can experience the Manulife Skynets, a series of bouncy nets straddling a five-storey drop above the terminal.

Also available to travellers and the public, the Changi Experience Studio on the fourth floor includes interactive games, immersive shows, gallery exhibits, and a cinema with film screenings at 'unsociable' hours for passengers.

The new airport terminal is connected to two of the original airport terminals via a series of walkways. It also features a hotel and lounge for passengers connecting to cruises docking in the city.

Airports are evolving to become stand-alone attractions, offering entertainment for travellers looking to supercharge their dwell time and a leisure hub for local residents.

Read New-Wave Airports and Airport Retail's Big Transformation for more inspiration.