SINGAPORE – Changi Airport’s future Jewel, which will open in early 2019, promises to be a thrilling experience.
Among the highlights that travellers can look forward to is a 50m-long Canopy Bridge suspended 23m-high, with glass flooring at the centre section and mist to simulate a stroll among the clouds.
The less adventurous can opt for a 250m bouncing net, which at its highest point, will be suspended 8m or three storeys above ground.
These attractions are part of Canopy Park which will be located at the top floor of Jewel Changi Airport.
Designed by world renowned architect Moshe Safdie and being built in front of Terminal 1, Jewel will feature a distinctive dome-shaped facade made of glass and steel, making it an iconic landmark in the airport’s landscape.
At approximately 134,000 sqm in size, it will offer a range of facilities including airport services, indoor gardens and leisure attractions, retail and dining offerings as well as a hotel, all under one roof.
The Canopy Park itself will be about 14,000 sqm, or the size of 11 Olympic-size swimming pools.
Giving a glimpse of what visitors can expect, Jewel Changi Airport (Jewel) – a joint venture between Changi Airport Group (CAG) and CapitaLand Mall Asia – said on Wednesday (June 7) that the park will offer a unique experience for all visitors.
Apart from the sky and bouncing nets, there will also be other play attractions like mazes and discovery slides that have been designed by consultants from Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Singapore.
In addition to the three main play attractions, open areas will also allow young children to wander amid the greenery in the park.
One of such specially created areas, also known as Foggy Bowls, will have four gentle concave bowls with depths ranging from 30 to 65cm with an element of mist again, to create the experience of playing among clouds.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy gardens, walking trails, and dining outlets.
Topping the list of attractions is a 40m indoor waterfall – Rain Vortex.
Jewel will also house one of the largest indoor collections of plants in Singapore. About half of the total landscaping and greenery in Jewel will be housed at Canopy Park, which boasts over 1,400 trees and palms.
Part of the lush offerings will also comprise 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.
Ms Hung Jean, chief executive officer of Jewel Changi Airport Development, said: “When we conceptualised Canopy Park, we envisaged an area that is not only relaxing because of the lush greenery around, but also one that is filled with timeless activities and interactions for visitors of all ages. It is our vision to pitch Jewel at the highest level and to position it as a world-class attraction for Changi Airport and Singapore.”
The aim is to create a place that will attract visitors from all over the world, she said.
The development of Jewel comes as Changi faces tough competition from other airports in the region for transit and destination traffic.It is expected to enhance Singapore’s attractiveness as a tourist and business destination.