How to Visit Singapore Airport’s Waterfall + 16 Things to Do at the Jewel on a Layover
Singapore Airport’s Waterfall, officially called the “HSBC Rain Vortex”, is the largest indoor waterfall in the world. The Rain Vortex stands impressively at 130 feet (40 meters) in height and dumps 10,000 gallons of recycled rainwater every minute down 7 stories. The airport’s Jewel shopping mall, which opened in 2019, was built around the magnificent waterfall – In the Jewel mall, you can also find dozens and dozens of retail outlets, restaurants, and interactive activities like Canopy Park, all with a view of the falls!
✔️ Changi Waterfall Quick Guide
💡Need to Know: The famous Rain Vortex Waterfall at Singapore Airport is located in the Jewel Mall. To reach the Jewel, you must pass through customs and immigration, so factor in additional time if you’re on a layover in Singapore.
💰 Cost to Visit: Visit the Jewel Mall and the Rain Vortex Waterfall are 100% free attractions, if you would like to do some of the activities at Changi’s Canopy Park you can buy a bundle package for $40 per person.
✈️ How to Get There: The Jewel Mall can be found opposite Terminal 3 and 1. If you’re at Terminal 2, utilize the AirTrain, while a shuttle bus is available from Terminal 4. All of these transportation alternatives are provided free of charge.
✅ Make Sure You Have Enough Time on Your Layover to Visit the Jewel Mall (At Least 3 Hours for a Layover)
✅ Consider Taking the SkyTrain Between Terminals 2 & 3 (It’s Free!)
✅ Bring a Jacket (For the AC!)
✅ Take Advantage of the Free Lockers at Canopy Park for Your Valuables
✅ Wear Shoes With Socks! (For Visiting Canopy Park)
✅ Know That Prices are Shown in Singapore Dollars ($ Same Symbol as USD)
The Waterfall is located in the Jewel Mall. Although the Jewel Mall is the most iconic part of the Singapore Airport, it’s not actually located within the airport at all and instead is the connecting building off of Terminal 3. In order to get to the Jewel Mall you need to go through immigration and customs at Singapore International Airport, since the mall is technically located inside of Singapore the country.
👉 From Terminal 1: You have to cross a SkyBridge that connects Terminals 1 and 3 to reach the Jewel.
👉 From Terminal 2: You can take the SkyTrain which runs every 10 minutes between Terminal 2 and 3 to reach the Jewel Mall.
👉 From Terminal 3: All you need to do to access the Jewel Mall from Terminal 3 is cross the street.
👉 From Terminal 4: You need to take a shuttle bus to reach the Jewel Mall.
16 Things You Can Do at the Singapore Airport Waterfall (Jewel Mall)
1. Enjoy the World’s Largest Indoor Waterfall – HSBC Rain Vortex
The HSBC Rain Vortex Waterfall is the crown jewel (sorry for the pun!) of Singapore Airport’s Jewel Mall. The entire structure of the Mall is centered around the Rain Vortex Waterfall. Although Changi Airport has been open since 1981, it was launched to international celebrity and given the title “The Most Beautiful Airport in the World” only when the Jewel Mall opened in 2019. Since then, the Singapore Airport has become a tourist attraction in its own right, with millions and millions of visitors coming to see the iconic HSBC Rain Vortex Waterfall – Which is currently the largest indoor waterfall in the world, and goes through over 10,000 gallons of recycled rainwater per minute!
2. At Night, Enjoy the Free Light Show at HSBC Rain Vortex
Every night there’s a free sound and light show projected onto the waterfall for the enjoyment of everyone visiting the Jewel. On the weekdays the sound & light show is at 8 and 9 PM, and on the weekends it shows at 8, 9, and 10 PM.
3. Visit Shiseido Forest Valley – An Indoor Forest!
The Shiseido Forest Valley is a real-life indoor forest that compromises the greenery surrounding the HSBC Rain Vortex Waterfall at Singapore Airport. The Shiseido Forest is home to over 3,000 trees, 60,000 pieces of shrubbery, and over 120 species of fauna. Like the Waterfall, the Shiseido Forest Valley is 100% free and open to the public. What I appreciated about the Shiseido Forest Valley is due to the way it’s designed, no matter how crowded the Jewel was there was always a quiet spot to sit on an empty bench and chill out – Much appreciated on a hectic layover day!
4. Take The SkyTrain Between Terminals 2&3 for a Unique View of the Waterfall
Did you know that if you take the SkyTrain between Terminals 2&3 at Singapore Airport you can get a view from behind the famous Rain Vortex Waterfall? This is because the SkyTrain goes straight through the famous Jewel Mall – It’s 100% free and open to anyone visiting the Jewel, and well worth a trip! The SkyTrain between Terminals 2&3 runs around every 10 minutes.
Note! There’s a rumor online that you can take the SkyTrain without going through Customs, Immigration, and Security at Singapore Airport. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case when I visited. From what I saw, you need to always go through Immigration and Customs to travel between Terminals at Singapore Airport.
Tip! There are multiple SkyTrains at Singapore Airport, only the train between Terminal 2&3 goes through the Jewel Mall!
5. Bounce Around at Canopy Park
Canopy Park is the second most popular activity at Singapore Airport’s Jewel Mall, after the Waterfall. It’s an interactive experience featuring multiple activities including hedge mazes, floral sculptures, glass walking bridges, and multiple climbing net activities suspended 20-meters+ above the airport! Located on the top floor of the Jewel Mall, what makes the activities at Canopy Park extra special is that they almost all feature astounding views of the Rain Vortex Waterfall and Shiseido Forest. If you have over 2-hours to spend at the Jewel Mall, I highly recommend visiting Canopy Park.
6. Admire the Instagrammable Floral Displays at Petal Garden (Canopy Park)
All along the Canopy Park complex, you’ll see intricate floral sculptures depicting nature, animals, and figures from pop culture like the Avengers Superheros.
7. Get Lost in the Largest Hedge Maze in Singapore (Canopy Park)
The Hedge Maze at Canopy Park is gorgeous, it’s also the largest hedge maze in all of Singapore! Standing at 5 feet 11 inches, the hedges are tall enough to get lost in, but the maze is quite small so you don’t have to worry about getting actually lost. At the end of the Hedge Maze, there’s a nice viewing platform where you can see the maze from above, as well as the HSBC Vortex waterfall.
8. Challenge Yourself in the Mirror Maze (Canopy Park)
The Mirror Maze is the other maze at Canopy Park – The Mirror Maze is an indoor activity, where you use a pool noodle (so you don’t run into the mirrors!) to guide yourself through intricate mirrored corridors.
9. For Kids: Have a Blast at Discovery Slides (Canopy Park)
Discovery Slides is a super fun slide complex at Canopy Park – It’s included in your Canopy Park bundle ticket, and is best for kids under 10.
10. For Kids: Play Around at the Foggy Bowls (Canopy Park)
The Foggy Bowls is another great activity at Canopy Park for the kids. The Bowls are an open playground feature at Canopy Park that has a depth of 12 inches – When a kiddo jumps into the bowl, it creates a mist effect, i.e. the “fog” in the Foggy Bowls.
11. Walk Across The Glass Canopy Bridge (Canopy Park)
The Glass Canopy Bridge is another paid activity that’s included in your Canopy Park bundle ticket. Suspended 75 feet (23 meters) above the ground, the Glass Canopy Bridge offers one of the best views of the Rain Vortex and is a great photo opportunity.
12. Bounce Around on the Bouncing Nets (Canopy Park)
The Bouncing Nets was my favorite activity at Singapore Airport! Suspended along the roof of the Jewel Mall, the bouncy nets are an interactive climbing activity where you walk through netted corridors that are bouncy, just like a trampoline! Among the bouncy corridors, there are also netted slides so you can travel from one floor of nets to another. There were tons of little kids having fun on the Bouncing Nets when I went, but trust me, it’s also a lot of fun for adults!
Tip! For both the Bouncing Nets and the Walking Net activity at Canopy Park you will have to wear the shoes provided. I highly recommend wearing shoes with socks when you visit Singapore Airport, so you’re not putting your bare feet into the shared shoes!
13. Take a Stroll on the Walking Nets (Canopy Park)
The Walking Net is another top feature at Canopy Park. Although from the outside it looks very similar to the Bouncing Net, the two activities are very different experiences – The Walking Net has no bounce and instead is a more rigid net you walk across. While the Bouncing Net is mostly in small alleys and corridors, the Walking Net is a wide and expansive room where you can see everything: from the Rain Vortex Waterfall beyond the net to the stories and stories of the Jewel Mall you’re suspended over. Even though the Walking Net seems less adventurous than the Bouncing Net, I saw more people with fears of heights struggling on it.
Tip! There are lockers provided free of charge at Canopy Park – If you’re going on either of the net activities I recommend using them since small items can easily fall out of your pockets and through the nets.
14. Enjoy Truly International Cuisine
They have a restaurant devoted to pretty much any type of cuisine you can imagine at the Jewel Mall! When I went I noted Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, French, American, etc x 100.
15. Take a Sip at Starbucks Singapore’s Flagship Store
Right next to the HSBC Vortex waterfall at the center of the Jewel Mall, you will find Starbucks, Singapore‘s international flagship store. You can get your usual Frappuccino, latte, etc – or you can try one of their high-end reserve options to get a more elevated experience. I purchased a Starbucks reserve cappuccino, which was served in a ceramic mug, instead of the usual paper cups that most Starbucks sell.
16. Have a Meal With a View
Although many cafes and restaurants in the Jewel Mall have a great view of the waterfall at its center, on the top floor next to Canopy Park you’ll find cafes that have viewing platforms of the Glass Bridge and Rain Vortex.
Tip! Go at 8 PM for a late dinner to watch the Sound & Light Show while you dine.
