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Stuck in the airport? How to kill time in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan

What to do in the terminals if a typhoon strikes again – there’s excitement for kids and adults alike, whether you are in Hong Kong, Singapore or Japan.

Whether it’s a typhoon, a late-night flight or simply a random delay, it sucks to be stuck in an airport. Here’s our guide to fun things you can do to kill time at three of Asia’s largest international airports.

Hong Kong International Airport

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is renowned for its well-designed terminals and advanced infrastructure, but the real attractions are the culinary and entertainment offerings.

Immersive entertainment

Before watching an in-flight film on a tiny screen, movie junkies can catch 3D movies at the UA IMAX Theatre @Airport,which features the largest IMAX screen in Hong Kong.

Tee time

After the disappointing closure of the nine-hole golf course, the airport has replaced it with a state-of-the-art virtual golf simulator in the Game Zone of the Departures Hall. Both 9-hole and 18-hole simulation golf games are available.

Food paradise

Named “The World’s Best Airport for Dining” at the 2017 World Airport Awards, HKIA has a long-established reputation for its range of F&B choices. The airport is home to more than 90 catering outlets, some of which are open 24/7. The impressive selection of restaurants offers cuisines from around the world, ranging from Asian delicacies to Western dishes, and from Michelin-starred gourmet dining to exotic street food.

Changi Airport Singapore

Winning the title of “The World’s Best Airport” for the 5th consecutive year at the 2017 World Airport Awards, Changi Airport Singapore also officially has the “Best Airport Leisure Amenities”. From the world’s first butterfly garden in an airport to a rooftop swimming pool and an indoor slide, there’s enough to keep everyone entertained.

Floral kingdom

Take a walk in the butterfly garden and check out the 1,000 tropical creatures. There are also roof gardens with more than 100 species of cacti and homegrown sunflowers, and an orchid garden featuring more than 30 species, which make for a much better selfie spot than the boarding gate.

Great excitement

Adrenaline junkies can dive into the rooftop pool just across the Transit Hotel, or take on the four-storey slide – the country’s tallest and the world’s tallest slide in an airport. Slide down at a speed of up to six metres per second.

New Chitose Airport, Japan

For passengers travelling with children, the New Chitose Airport in Japan offers much more than a nursery or a stroller rental. Although the airport, located in Hokkaido, has dropped to the fifth busiest airport in the country, it still remains one of the most entertaining.

Hot indulgence

Whether it’s the first or last stop of your journey, a hot spring experience is definitely relaxing.The water in the “Beauty Bath”, with a PH level of 8, will leave your skin soft and smooth while taking your mind off parental duties.

Kids’ fairyland

The famous Japanese cartoon character Doraemon greets children and adults at the Doraemon Waku Waku Sky Park, where attractions are themed around the robotic cat’s “secret gadgets”. On the same floor is another entertainment facility, the Hello Kitty Happy Flight. The highlight is a huge plane in which guests can follow Hello Kitty – incarnated as their cabin attendant – and travel around the world to visit Sanrio characters.

For those stranded or delayed, there’s excellent entertainment on offer at HKIA, Changi or New Chitose Airport