Changi Experience Studio is a journey of fun and discovery through the exciting virtual world of Changi Airport!With a collection of ten content zones and over 20 different touch points, visitors can see a different slice of the Changi Airport story. They can learn about Changi Airport history, participate in fun games simulating different functions at the airport, and more. There are highlights including a garden that sings, an adrenaline-pumping runway race, and a quest to collect airport trolleys etc.

Entering the studios, we had to scan our activity booklet at the automated gates. It is probably embedded with bluetooth technology or RFID such that the booklet can be used for the various stations. We were given a brief video introduction about how Changi Airport was conceptualised and built. With the activity booklet armed in hand, the kids dashed excitedly to more of the interactive exhibits.

Inside, it feels like a garden without a garden. This station is called the Hanging Garden. You get to explore 7 different stations which are the terminals that each narrate a different story. It showcases the various operational aspects at Changi Airport, from airside operations to horticulture to the creation of the Changi Experience.

As you can see, visitors just need to flap open their travel guides and put it above the station’s surface in order for the digital screen to be displayed. The interactive digital screen consists of videos and audio that will engage the visitor.

The next zone is the Amazing Runway. It is like going for spin class as you have to pedal hard on the stationary bikes as people compete against each other. This station aims to mimic the Changi Airport Race that occurred in 2009,w which was between a Porsche 911 GT3 Carrera Cup car and a Boeing 747. In a bid to outrun the other racers, I actually pedalled real fast and after which my calves were aching. This is indeed a good exercise for anyone interested to try.

Singapore Changi, an eight-time winner of the World’s Best Airport title was named the World’s Best Airport in the 10 to 15 million Passenger category and took the awards for the World’s Best Airport Staff and the Best Airport Staff in Asia. It has won several awards and accolades, upholding high service standards in the industry.

At the Sky Deck, it has been designed like an airport control room, with several screens projecting various flight paths and the routes that are being flown out of Singapore. Looking at the various destinations served by Changi Airport, it made me yearn to travel again soon. In view of the steep decline in passenger traffic and the likelihood that air travel demand will not return to pre-Covid-19 levels in the near term, terminal operations at Changi Airport have been consolidated. This includes the suspension of operations in Terminals 2 and 4. It is really sad that from so many millions of passenger arrivals before 2020, the number of daily flight departures has trickled to a minimum or even then, many flights are flying at half capacity or even lesser.

At the Smile Challenge, visitors can challenge each other or compete with the professional service staff to smile at the camera. After having the photo taken, a score is given to each smile, out of 100 points. The top 100 visitors whose smiles make it are even displayed on a digital screen. The top 10 best smiles are immortalised by the wall in the hall of fame. This was me and my niece trying to compete each other in terms of how well we smile.

Moving on to the Arena, it has a series of interactive mini games. The Airport Trolley game is quite entertaining as you have to make use of a real airport trolley handle when manoeuvring the various obstacles in the game. The aim is to try to collect as many trolleys as possible and to deposit them at various intervals.

The other game is the Taxi Allocation game, which is challenging but also amusing. Being in charge of directing traffic, you have to swipe your fingers on the screen to allocate taxis to the respective bays so that passengers can board the taxi.

The last game in the arena is to use your booklet and flap it to the left or right, while collecting falling candy at the same time. Hitting into obstacles will see your points getting deducted, while getting as many candies as possible will boost your score.

The penultimate zone is the Garden of Harmony. It has been inspired by the various garden setups in Changi Airport. Here, visitors can take a stroll around a virtual meadow and follow butterflies through a field of petals. For the active children, I saw them dancing to the beats of the music and even tapping vigorously on the lotus leaves. The material is quite sturdy so thankfully, they don’t get spoilt that easily after being handled rough by many participants everyday.

The booklet is needed here to unlock some cool digital features such as the playing of musical instruments for an audio and visual spectacle, which lasts for about 3 minutes. It was a really amazing spectacle that captivated even the adults.

Potterheads will gladly enjoy this replica of Hogwarts, which is a gift to the airport and is currently on display in the Changi Studio.

Last but not least, the Finale is a multimedia room with a video of how Changi Airport started and what it’s like in the present day. It also provides glimpses into the future with a vision of a garden in space. Given the current restrictions, only maximum 10 people can enter the mini auditorium at any one time. The show lasts for about 10 minutes, before the doors open and after which you can proceed to the exit. That’s a wrap for the Changi Studio Experience! It is highly recommended, with its range of interactive displays, as well as the numerous audio and visual treats for the first time visitor.