HSBC Rain Vortex: Changi’s Centripetal Waterfall | Singapore Purple Travel Guide

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The HSBC Rain Vortex is the breathtaking centerpiece of the Jewel Changi Airport complex. Standing at a height of 131 feet (40 meters), it holds the world record as the tallest indoor waterfall. Cascading from a wide oculus in the glass-domed roof, the water falls through seven stories of the building, creating an incredible feat of engineering and kinetic art that is surrounded by the lush greenery of the Shiseido Forest Valley.

Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the GuruWalk and Viator tours below.

Why You Should Visit

The Rain Vortex is a spectacular natural phenomenon channeled by human ingenuity. It offers a stunning visual and auditory experience, providing a dramatic backdrop of mist and thunder for the entire Jewel complex. It serves as the ultimate statement on the commitment of Singapore to blending nature and architecture, turning an airport transit area into a global destination. Whether you view it from the forest trails or the dining terraces, it is an essential experience for any visitor to Singapore.

What is Special About It?

• The Volume of Water: During peak flow, approximately 10,000 gallons (37,850 liters) of water per minute cascade through the oculus. This massive volume creates a powerful cooling effect that naturally regulates the temperature of the surrounding forest valley.
• Engineering Precision: The waterfall is designed with a slight offset to avoid interfering with the Skytrain track that runs through the building. At the base, an acrylic funnel prevents splashing and dampens the sound, ensuring that the water drains away perfectly into a basement-level pool without wetting the public areas.
• The Night Transformation: Every evening, the waterfall becomes a 360-degree screen for the HSBC Light and Sound Show. High-powered projectors cast intricate animations and light patterns directly onto the falling sheet of water, synchronized to a dramatic musical score.

Architecture and Facts

• Sustainable Rain Harvesting: The waterfall is not just decorative; it is a functional part of the sustainable water management system of the building. It channels natural rainwater collected from the massive 1,460,000 square-foot (135,700 square-meter) dome. This water is filtered and recirculated, with the excess used for landscape irrigation.
• The Oculus Design: The central circular oculus acts as the ‘mouth’ of the waterfall. Its sloped design ensures that even during the frequent tropical thunderstorms of Singapore, the rain is funneled efficiently into the vortex rather than accumulating on the roof.
• Acrylic Funnel: In the basement levels (B1 and B2), the waterfall is contained within a giant transparent acrylic tube. This allow visitors to stand just inches away from the rushing water, providing a unique perspective of the force and clarity of the cascade.

Self-Guided Information

Traveler Tip

You should try to time your visit for sunset. This allows you to see the waterfall in the natural daylight before watching it transform during the first Light and Sound show at 7:30 PM. For an ‘exclusive’ view, you should take the Skytrain between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3; the train moves slowly as it passes through the Jewel dome, giving you a front-row seat to the vortex as you glide past the trees.

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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.

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