Changi's Jewel set to dazzle visitors with array of attractions

A tourist destination in its own right, it'll have attractions aimed at both locals and travellers

Sky Nets, world’s first where two unique net experiences are combined in a single play attraction. PHOTO: JEWEL CHANGI AIRPORT DEVT

You will be able to walk through its indoor gardens, bounce on its nets and see children lose themselves in its mazes.

When it opens its doors in early 2019, Changi Airport's lifestyle and retail hub Jewel is set to be a tourist attraction in its own right.

Thrill-seekers will be able to walk along a bridge suspended 23m from the ground and jump on a 250m-long bouncing net, which at its highest point will be suspended 8m, or three storeys, above ground.

There will also be slides and walking trails amid simulated clouds.

The attractions are part of a 14,000 sq m Canopy Park, the size of 11 Olympic-size swimming pools, located on the top floor of Jewel, which is being built in front of Terminal 1.

Jewel Changi Airport - a joint venture between Changi Airport Group and CapitaLand Mall Asia - will boast one of the largest indoor collections of plants in Singapore. About half of the greenery is to be housed in Canopy Park, which will have 1,400 trees and palms.

Among the lush offerings will be two specially created gardens - the Topiary Walk and Petal Garden.

Nestled among winding walkways, the Topiary Walk will feature animal-shaped topiaries at every corner, while the Petal Garden will have seasonal floral displays.

There will also be mazes and a children's play area known as Foggy Bowls, which will have four gentle concave bowls with depths ranging from 30cm to 65cm.

Giving a glimpse of what visitors can expect, Jewel Changi Airport Development said that the attractions are aimed at both local residents and travellers.

"When we conceptualised Canopy Park, we envisaged an area that is not only relaxing because of the lush greenery, but also one that is filled with activities and interactions for visitors of all ages," said Ms Hung Jean, its chief executive.

Designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie, the 10-storey Jewel complex will feature a distinctive dome-shaped facade made of glass and steel.

At approximately 134,000 sq m in size, it will offer a range of facilities, including airport services, indoor gardens, leisure attractions, and retail and dining offerings, as well as a hotel.

To allow all travellers to enjoy the facilities, Jewel intends to offer early check-in services, and is working with Changi Airport to get as many airlines on board as possible.

Where this is not possible, Ms Hung said, travellers will be able to drop their bags off at a designated area and pick them up later.

Considering that locals might flock to Jewel, steps have been taken to avoid traffic snarl-ups. Changi spokesman Ivan Tan said there will be more taxi bays, for example. Other plans will be shared later.

The development of Jewel comes as Changi Airport faces tough competition from airports in the region for transit and destination traffic. Last year, Changi handled 58.7 million visitors, out of which 30 per cent was transit traffic.

Assistant Professor Terence Fan of Singapore Management University, who specialises in transport, said Jewel should help boost Changi's status as an air hub.

"The global air travel industry is increasingly competitive. And while travellers' choice of connecting airports are traditionally constrained by their choice of airlines, having a very good reason to make a connection at Changi can help steer travellers in their travel decision," he said.

READ MORE

Testing boundaries to draw travellers.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 08, 2017, with the headline Changi's Jewel set to dazzle visitors with array of attractions. Subscribe