It’s that time of year when I update some of my belongings and find replacements for them. One item that already needs replacing is my running shoes. Since I enjoy going for walks, my most-used pair of shoes is my running shoes. Because of this, they tend to wear out quickly, especially the soles and the foam padding inside. About a month ago, I started noticing that my shoes were no longer as comfortable as they used to be, so I began thinking about going to the shop to buy a new pair. However, I knew there would be more promotional sales during the holiday season, so I decided to wait until the shops offered good discounts or promotions, which usually happens as we approach Christmas or the end of the year.
This Sunday, I decided to visit one of my favorite shopping malls for buying shoes: Changi City Point. This mall is located in the Expo district.
I arrived there by bus. It had been a while since my last visit, so I got a bit confused and alighted one stop too early, which was just one stop away from my correct destination. It wasn’t so bad, though—actually, I enjoy walking, so I didn’t really mind this small mistake.
On my way to the mall, I took some photos of the surroundings and the office buildings near the mall. I was impressed by the design of the buildings, which clearly showed that thought had been put into making them look appealing from the ground level.
The shopping mall looked great, but what caught my attention was the ultra-modern design of the nearby MRT station.
One section of the station had a roof that looked like a UFO hovering above the building. It was so striking that I couldn’t help but wonder why they designed it that way. Looking at it from the ground, it truly resembled a UFO, and I imagine that from above, it would look the same.
After walking around the mall’s surroundings, I decided to grab something to eat and ended up dining at a Japanese restaurant.
I ordered a bowl of gyudon, a salad, and some miso soup. This meal was just enough to refuel my energy for another round of photography. After eating, I explored the mini gardens and koi pond within the shopping mall. This is something I really appreciate about this mall—it doesn’t just focus on the shops but also includes small gardens that add to the atmosphere.
Walking along the mall’s corridors, I noticed some pocket gardens. Even though they were small spaces, they were beautifully maintained. One of these pocket gardens had a pond that visitors seemed to treat as a wishing well, as there were plenty of coins scattered inside.
I don’t think it was intended as a wishing well, but it seems the visitors decided to use it as one. Interestingly, the mall management didn’t put up any signs forbidding it, so I assume they’ve simply accepted this practice.
I also visited the koi and turtle pond, located between the shopping area and the pubs. I think it’s a great way to separate the two areas.
The turtles were surprisingly friendly and didn’t seem to mind when I pointed my camera at them. It was fascinating to see how well they coexisted with the koi fish in the same pond. I didn’t know turtles and koi could live together harmoniously, but it seemed to work well in this space. I truly enjoyed watching them swim around the pond.
After eating and taking photos, I went inside the mall to check out the promotional items.
I don’t visit this place often because it’s quite far from my house, and I only come here when I need something specific, like shoes. Fortunately, I arrived at the perfect time. One of my favorite shoe brands was offering a great promotion, so I picked out a few pairs of running shoes.
I ended up bringing home four pairs! While this might seem excessive, two of the pairs were free, so I consider them a bonus.
At around 7 PM, the mall turned on the snow machine at the entrance. Even though the "snow" was artificial, the kids seemed to be having a great time playing around it. It has become the highlight of the mall, and it’s wonderful that they offer it for free.
In conclusion, my visit to Changi City Point was both enjoyable and productive. From exploring the beautifully designed surroundings and pocket gardens to taking advantage of great promotions, it was a memorable experience. I’m glad I could make the most of the day, and I look forward to my next visit to this unique shopping destination!
