Voted the world's best airport in the Telegraph's 2014 Ultratravel Awards, Singapore's Changi has a reputation for innovation and regularly snaps up plaudits. Its world-beating standing looks set to continue following the announcement that the airport grounds will soon house a futuristic attraction called Jewel.
A 134,000sq metre mixed-use complex open both to passengers and locals, the glass-plated facility will feature vast public gardens, with walking trails; 'Rain Vortex', a 40-metre tall waterfall that will plunge into a pool from a crevice in the building's ceiling; diverting displays for travellers dawdling between flight connections, such as synchronized light and sound shows, will be positioned throughout Jewel as will multiple dining, drinking and shopping options.
Jewel is expected to open at the end of 2018, but there's plenty at Changi to entertain passengers at the airport before then. Here are eight other popular attractions that put it head and shoulders above other airports around the world.
1. Changi houses the first butterfly garden to be found in an airport. It features an abundance of flowering plants and a six-metre-tall waterfall and houses 1,000 species of butterflies.
2. Passengers awaiting connecting flights at Changi use the time productively by joining one of the airport's two free city tours. The two-hour trips are themed: the heritage tour explores Singapore's most famous historical sights and major attractions, such as the Colonial District, Chinatown and Marina Bay Sands; the city of lights tour departs in the evening and shows the best of the city after dark. To participate in either trip, passengers will simply need to ensure they have adequate time to spare in the city; Changi takes care of the rest.
3. Film fans are well catered for too. The airport features cinemas in terminals 2 and 3 - it's completely free to visit, new blockbusters and specialist releases are shown, and both are open 24 hours a day.
4. A tonic for jetlagged travellers, Changi's Balinese swimming pool is enduringly popular. It is free to passengers staying at the Ambassador Transit Hotel, and costs $13.91 (£6.75) for others - that also entitles the purchaser to a complimentary non-alcoholic drink from the bar.
5. Airports around the world now display exceptional art collections and this is another area in which Changi excels. It features modern dynamic artworks alongside ancient ceramics, traditional additions and Singaporean pieces.
Changi's outdoor cactus garden
6. A simple resource but increasingly considered an essential one, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport and there are 550 free internet stations available throughout Changi for those who don't have their own devices.
7. Changi has some of the best entertainment facilities you're likely to find at an airport. Away from the cinema, visitors can visit an 'entertainment deck' with various computer consoles available for public use, as well as an 'MTV booth', where each guest can watch their favourite music videos on individual 50-inch plasma screens; elsewhere an entertainment lounge screens popular TV shows suitable for all ages and family zones feature an array of children's toys and play areas.
8. The airport has multiple gardens and green spaces for those who want to reconnect with something close to a natural setting between flights. An open-air cactus and sunflower garden is a popular spot; an 'enchanted garden' comes to life when visitors enter its grounds; an orchid garden stands beside a koi pond.
Visiting Singapore? Find out more about about the city's best attractions, hotels, restaurants and shops with our complete Singapore travel guide
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