The World’s Largest Indoor Waterfall Is a 130-Foot Behemoth

Named the best airport in the world by the World Airport Awards in 2023, Singapore’s Changi Airport offers travelers a wealth of activities as they await their flights. 

From a butterfly garden and a hedge maze to world-class shopping or snagging a day pass at the Aerotel Transit Hotel’s rooftop pool, there is something in Singapore’s airport for everyone. But the crowning feature may be the world’s largest indoor waterfall.

 The Jewel Rain Vortex: The World’s Largest Indoor Waterfall

Towering around 130 feet high (40 meters), the Jewel Rain Vortex in Singapore’s Changi Airport is the world’s largest indoor waterfall. The massive attraction uses rain-harvested, recirculated water. It sends the water dropping seven stories down from the toroidal (doughnut-shaped) glass roof into a gorgeous, circular waterfall.

Heard before it can be seen, the thundering sound of the waterfall reaches passengers walking through the Jewel dining and shopping areas. The waterfall is in the center of the Jewel compound, surrounded by a 227,000-square-foot Shisheido Forest Valley. The indoor forest features over 900 trees and over 100,000 shrubs from around the world. Some of the tree species include the Terminalia (native to Madagascar) and the Agathis Robusta (native to Australia.)

Free Sound and Light Show Each Night

Impressive enough during the day, the waterfall even offers a sound and light show every night. Light projects directly onto the water, lighting up the room with colors while music plays. The magical show is free to view. Visitors can see the show from the ground floor or any of the upper levels. 

Construction of the Jewel Rain Vortex

The multi-floored Jewel compound took four years and $1.25 billion to construct. At the center of the dining and shopping area is the Forest Valley, and in the center of the forest, is the spectacular waterfall.

The top floor, called Canopy Park, contains a 165-foot sky bridge, a mirror maze, a hedge maze, bouncing and walking nets, and a giant slide. Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, the building is glass framed by aluminum and steel. The glass allows the entire area to be lit by sunlight. The waterfall itself was designed by the Los Angeles-based design firm, WET. WET is the firm that engineered Las Vegas’s iconic Bellagio Fountain.

What Else Is There to Do at the Changi Airport?

Besides having the world’s largest indoor waterfall, Changi Airport is full of activities. Some of the highlights include the following.

Stay Overnight at a Hotel

You could plan an extended layover at the airport and stay the night at one of the airport hotels. The Aerotel has an outdoor rooftop swimming pool, poolside bar, gym, and library facilities.

Visit a Garden

Throughout the airport are gardens of various themes. The Sunflower Garden in Transit 2 features a patch of sunflowers. The Butterfly Gardens in Transit 3 offers visitors a chance to walk among 1,000 fluttering butterflies, including 40 different species. And Transit 1 offers a rooftop cactus garden home to 100 species of cacti and arid plants from Asia, Africa, and America. Some of the cacti species you will encounter include the golden barrel cactus and the old man cactus.

View a Sculpture

Located throughout the airport are various art sculptures including the Kinetic Rain sculpture in Terminal 1. The moving display was created from 1,216 bronze droplets that can form 16 different shapes. Or check out Birds in Flight in Transit 3 to see a flock of colored steel birds in dynamic motion.

Go Down Singapore’s Tallest Slide

Not only does the airport have the tallest indoor waterfall in the world, but it is also home to Singapore’s tallest slide. The tubular slide is four stories high and can be enjoyed by both kids and kids at heart.

How to See the World’s Largest Indoor Waterfall

If you are passing through the airport and want to see the waterfall for yourself, you will need to enter Singapore. The waterfall is located inside Singapore and can’t be accessed during a quick layover. It would take too long to get through customs and return to your flight. However, if you have enough time to pass through customs and back again, you can head into Singapore and visit the Jewel. 

There is however a way to see the waterfall and gardens even if you don’t have much time. The Skytrain connecting terminals passes right through the Jewel. Travelers can catch a glimpse of the stunning display of the breathtaking waterfall from the tram.

Further, the airport is only about a 30-minute drive from Singapore’s local business district, making it a popular destination for locals looking to take in the sights, shop, dine, or even catch a movie.