Do you know that there is a swimming pool and movie theatres (showing new movies for free!) inside Changi Airport? I am not surprised if you don’t. Despite flying off from Changi Airport to many destinations around the world, I have to admit like many other busy travellers, I tend to treat the airport as a transit point – check-in at airline counter, clear passport checkpoint, do a quick duty-free shopping and head straight to departure gate.

Just before our flight to Bhutan last week, we had the opportunity for a quick tour around the airport transit areas with Changi Airport Social Media “guru” – Melvin. 🙂 We were amazed by the many hidden gems of this airport that we have been missing out all these years!

Changi Airport Terminal 1 Swimming Pool

Perfect for a quick cool dip and sunbathing before a long flight to Europe or the USA, this Balinese-themed swimming pool also offers a good view of the runway while you relax in the jacuzzi. Use of the pool and jacuzzi is charged at SGD 13.91 nett per person per entry (includes the use of the shower facilities, a towel and a complimentary non-alcoholic drink from the bar). Guests at the Terminal 1 Transit Hotel get to use the pool for free. The swimming pool is located at Terminal 1 Near Transit Hotel at Departure Transit Lounge East, Level 3

Changi Airport Terminal 2 and 3 Cinema Free Movies

Not only can you get to enjoy the latest movies as part of your inflight entertainment, you can also choose to do so right in Changi Airport before your flight! Simply go to the cinemas located in Terminal 2 and 3 which offers quite a good selection of movies including new movies e.g. Ringo which was just showing 2 weeks ago in Singapore cinemas (as at 5 Aug 2011). These screenings are available free of charge for your viewing pleasure. These entertainment hubs are open 24 hours daily and are located at:
Terminal 2 – Near the Sunflower Garden at Departure Transit Lounge South, Level 3 and
Terminal 3 – Near the Ambassador Transit Lounge at Departure Transit Lounge North, Level 3

Changi Airport Terminal 3 Butterfly Garden

If you are a fan of the flora and fauna, there are FIVE gardens in Changi Airport – Cactus Garden at Terminal 1, Sunflower Garden, Fern Garden and Orchid Garden at Terminal 2 and Butterfly Garden at Terminal 3. Changi Airport’s Butterfly Garden is just as great as Sentosa’s Butterfly Garden and Insect Kingdom and the best thing is it is FREE! For the nature photography enthusiast, this is the best place to get up close shots of these butterflies especially at the feeding stations where dozens of butterflies gather to feed on the sweet pineapple slices and flowers.

The butterfly garden is designed to be a tropical nature retreat for passengers of Changi Airport Terminal 3’s Departure and Transit Mall to have a quick rest and relax from travelling. It is home to more than 1,000 free flying singapore butterflies, and close to 50 butterfly species native to Singapore and Malaysia were specifically selected to be bred in the butterfly garden.

The two-storey open-air enclosed garden is protected by a curved-shaped roof made out of high quality stainless steel mesh and unique glass windows, facing Changi Airport’s large airfield. It was designed in this manner to keep the butterflies in, maintaining exchange of wind and natural air which is vital to the survival of butterflies while maximising the butterflies’ flight activity.

Visitors walking inside this enclosure can view and enjoy the beautiful scenery of a waterfall which keeps the garden cool even at noon, and traversing a garden on timber walkway, the feeling being close to nature with exotic jungle plants and an unimaginable sight of colourful butterflies.

The Butterfly Garden is located at Terminal 3 Departure Transit Lounge, Level 2

For more info on what you can see and do at Changi Airport as well as the latest promotions, check out http://www.changiairport.com/at-changi/