7 Best Things To Do In & Around Changi Village

Mention Changi and most people will immediately think of Changi Airport. However, a short jaunt away lies Changi Village, celebrated for its laid-back vibe, rich historical sites, and scenic beachfront. It’s also a popular spot for hawker food, and the gateway to Pulau Ubin, a rustic island located just off the northeastern corner of Singapore.

We share seven best things to do in and around Changi Village.

1. Discover stories of courage and resilience at Changi Chapel and Museum

The museum tells the personal stories of prisoners of war and civilians interned in Changi prison camp during the Japanese Occupation.

Spread across eight galleries are 114 artefacts, including a never-before-seen 400-page diary, a dinner menu and a toothbrush fashioned from scratch, which shed light on the daily lives of the internees, their responses to the challenges they faced, and their eventual liberation. Step into a re-created Changi Gaol cell where the internees were housed to get a sense of the cramped living confines of the internees.

The museum offers a free English guided tour every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 11am, while the Mandarin guided tour is conducted on Saturdays and Sundays at 11.30am. The tour lasts about an hour and must be booked in advance online.

There’s also a Temi guided tour, led by an interactive robot, which lets you explore the museum through the eyes of a soldier who was interned at the Changi prison camp.

2. Learn about Changi’s crucial role in Singapore’s defence during WWII at Johore Battery

Go round the bend to Upper Changi Road North and into Cosford Road, and you’ll see Johore Battery looming ahead. It is a full-sized replica built in 2002, based on the main British coastal artillery defence network on the northeastern coast of Singapore. 

Each gun is positioned 500 metres from each other in a row and has a 16.5-metre-long barrel to target both land and sea objects. The vertical shafts lead to a network of tunnels that are connected to a bunker housing the ammunition.

The battery was named in honour of Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim who had contributed £500,000 for the British war campaign and also as a Silver Jubilee gift for King George V.

3. Soak up scenic views and spot wildlife on Changi Boardwalk

Enjoy a scenic stroll along the coastline on the 2.2-kilometre-long Changi Boardwalk.

There are six distinct sections on the boardwalk: Creek Walk, Beach Walk, Sailing Point Walk, Cliff Walk, Kelong Walk and Sunset Walk. 

The well-lit boardwalk starts from Changi Creek in the east and stretches to the western rocky coast near Changi Beach Club, before finally linking up to Changi Point or Loyang Park Connector at Netheravon Road. 

Catch glimpses of boats ferrying people to nearby offshore islands, anchored yachts, and sunset views during the golden hour. Look out for thriving wildlife along the mangrove coasts such as mudskippers, starfish and crabs, and make sure you have a spare memory card for your camera to capture all the wildlife action!

4. Feast on local hawker favourites at Changi Village Hawker Centre

Tuck into a range of local dishes at Changi Village Hawker Centre. A must-eat is nasi lemak (coconut rice served with a variety of side dishes) from International Muslim Food Stall Nasi Lemak (#01-03), known for its fluffy coconut rice and highly raved sambal chilli, or Mizzy Corner Nasi Lemak (#01-23/26), known for its fragrant rice and crispy fried chicken.

Be sure to dig into some sweet and crunchy pisang goreng (fried banana fritters) at Traditional Million Star Fried Banana (#01-35). 

Also not to be missed is the chicken hor fun (rice noodles) from Weng Kee Original Taste Ipoh Hor Fun (#01-19), a plate of silky rice noodles, topped with succulent fried chicken and laced with gravy.

5. Enjoy a range of water sports activities at Adventure Paddlers  

Fans of water sports can swing by Adventure Paddlers at Ohana Beach House, off Changi Village, to rent equipment like stand-up paddle boards, kayaks and water trikes, and water trampoline for kids for a fun day out at sea.

Kayaking enthusiasts can sign up for “A Trail of Nature”, a four-hour eco-tour that will cover a distance of 10km to 22km across Pulau Ubin, along a secured route where very few have ventured. Among the mangroves, be amused by the wildlife and the serenity. Cruise along the waterway and experience the tranquility within untouched surroundings.

6. Take a bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal to Pulau Ubin

For more outdoor fun and adventure, board a bumboat ($4 per person) at Changi Point Ferry Terminal, a stone’s throw from Changi Village Hawker Centre, to the rustic island of Pulau Ubin. Just a 10-minute boat ride away, Pulau Ubin is a popular spot for cycling, kayaking, birdwatching, hiking and camping (a permit is required to set up tents at campsites).

To explore the island on a two wheels, simply pick up a bicycle from the many rental shops dotted near the jetty at Pulau Ubin. Full-day bike rentals starting from $15. 

Hiking fans can hike up Puaka Hill, the highest peak in Pulau Ubin at 74 metres high. It is fairly steep and rocky, with makeshift ropes as railings providing extra support. At the top, soak up sweeping views of Pekan Quarry, Johor Strait and beyond.  

Nature lovers must explore the Chek Jawa wetlands, one of Singapore’s richest ecosystems. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk and head up the 20-metre-tall Jejawi Tower for an amazing view of the sea, above the towering tree canopies. 

7. Eat your fresh catch at Smith Marine Floating Restaurant

There is no better place to enjoy the freshest seafood than at a kelong (an offshore platform built predominantly with wood). At Smith Marine, Singapore’s first floating kelong dining destination, you can enjoy the ultimate farm-to-table seafood dining experience.

Take a 15-minute bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal and catch your own snapper or sea bass at the “sure-catch” pond. You can choose how you’d like your seafood to be cooked and the restaurant will take care of it. The restaurant offers several set menus to satisfy your seafood cravings.

Smith Marine was built in 2006 with a focus on breeding sea bass, tiger grouper, flower crab, mussels, lobsters and other live seafood. Besides eating your heart out, you can also take a short walk on the decks to see how the fish is farmed. 

Advance booking is required as the restaurant does not accept walk-ins. The restaurant will help to arrange a chartered bumboat from Changi Village Ferry Terminal. The boat ride costs $100 for 12 persons for the two-way trip, and payment is to be made directly to the boatman upon embarkation.

Getting To Changi Village

• Nearest MRT Stations: Tanah Merah and Tampines
• Bus Routes: Changi Village Bus Terminal is located in the heart of Changi Village. Direct bus routes to Changi Village include bus numbers 2, 9, 19, 29, 59, 89, 89A, and 109. CSC Shuttle also provides service to the area.

This article has been edited and adapted from Now Boarding by Changi Airport’s “Changi Village: A hidden gem tucked away from the bustling city”