There are a lot of films that are associated with certain destinations — when it comes to Singapore, though there have been many films about it before, the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Crazy Rich Asians‘, released in 2018, quickly became a global hit and put many of Singapore’s most iconic locations in the spotlight!
Based on the 2013 novel by Kevin Kwan, the movie follows Rachel Chu and her boyfriend, Nick Young, as they travel to Singapore for his best friend’s wedding. Rachel soon discovers that Nick comes from one of Singapore’s wealthiest families — something she knew little about before their trip. This whole storyline has been a hit for a lot of people, so if you have the burning desire to see the places that were shot in the movie, I hope this guide can be of help to you.
After all, you don’t have to be crazy, rich, or Asian to visit the following Instagrammable film locations on ‘Crazy Rich Asians’!
Instagrammable Locations in Crazy Rich Asians
» Changi Airport
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Right from the moment that you land in Singapore, you’ll be greeted by the ‘World’s Best Airport’: Changi. Rachel’s reaction in the movie is much like any other visitor who has set foot in its expanse; after all, the airport can be a whole destination in itself!
With sprawling indoor gardens, countless shops and restaurants, a rooftop swimming pool, and even a FREE movie theatre in Terminal 3, you can easily spend hours exploring Changi Airport. If you want a detailed guide for this, come check out my ‘Singapore Layover‘ post.
» Gardens by the Bay
This futuristic garden served as the location for the ostentatious wedding after-party of Collin and Araminta in the ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ movie. With its spectacular conservatories, waterfront gardens and towering futuristic Supertrees, this attraction could surely take anyone’s breath away! It has its charm in the day, but if you want to escape the heat and see the Supertrees in all their glory, it’s best to come after the sun sets.
To book entrance tickets for this as a part of your Singapore layover, go here. Take note that there are a LOT of attractions here, but notable among them are the following…
- SuperTree Grove: These futuristic Supertrees come alive at night during Garden Rhapsody, a spectacular light and music show at 7:45PM and 8:45PM daily! It’s even possible to have your dinner inside this SuperTree and feel like a modern Tarzan and Jane (or Jake Sully and Neytiri, in line with the Avatar feel).
- Cloud Forest: This features a tall indoor waterfall at 35 meters as well as a scenic mist-filled Treetop and Cloud Walk!
- Flower Dome: This massive glass conservatory holds a Guinness World Record as the world’s largest glass greenhouse and showcases plants and flowers from Mediterranean and semi-arid regions around the world.
- OCBC Skyway: Placed 22 meters above the ground, this is an amazing stroll that goes through the Gardens and gives you a great view over the Marina Bay skyline as well.
» Merlion Park
Located at One Fullerton, you will find here the iconic Merlion, a mythical creature with a lion’s head and the body of fish — a widely used mascot of Singapore. Rightly so, this location has been extensively shown in the ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ movie.
The Merlion and Marina Bay waterfront also appear in the movie during an important conversation between Nick and Rachel, making this area a fun stop for fans retracing the film’s Singapore locations.
» Newton Food Centre
Singaporeans are passionate about food and you will find some of the best delicacies in its hawker centres!
NOTE: A ‘hawker centre’ is typically an open-air complex that houses a variety of stalls that sell inexpensive local food.
In the ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ movie, they featured the well-publicized Newton Food Centre which has a medley of Asian cuisines that the city is known for. Some of the stalls that you need to check out are Kee Fried Oyster Omelette (for the oyster omelet), Soon Wah Fishball Kway Teow Mee (for fishball noodles), and Chong Pang Huat (for chicken wings).
Other famous hawker centres worth checking out include Lau Pa Sat, Old Airport Road Food Centre and Maxwell Food Centre.
» Chijmes
Photo by: Shutterstock
Formerly a convent and a school, this 19th century structure now houses an array of bars and restaurants.
CHIJMES Hall, the beautifully restored former chapel at the heart of the complex, served as the setting for Colin and Araminta’s extravagant wedding ceremony in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’. Today, it still remains to be a popular spot for wedding photoshoots and celebrations especially with its white architecture.
TIP: While you’re here, CHIJMES also has plenty of restaurants and bars to explore, including the Michelin-starred Whitegrass.
» Sentosa Island
Although Sentosa is one of Singapore’s best-known island getaways, it was not the filming location for Colin’s wild bachelor party in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ (although a lot of people thought so). That sequence was filmed in Malaysia. Nonetheless, this still serves as an amazing way to experience that scene!
Here are just some of the many things you can do here…
- Universal Studios Theme Park = Go beyond the world of cinematic entertainment to enjoy the seven themed lands here in Singapore’s very own Universal Studios! (Book your tickets here).
- Skyline Luge: Ride this fun half go-kart and half toboggan-like sled through two different trails. This is the only Asian site of New Zealand’s famous luge activity. (Book your tickets here).
- Adventure Cove Waterpark: Escape the summer heat and visit this must-see attraction in Resorts World! Your young ones will love the Riptide Rocket and Rainbow Reef! (Book your tickets here).
» Marina Bay Sands
This is an iconic resort complex that faces Marina Bay in Singapore, and it features The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands mall, a museum, two large theatres, restaurants, Crystal Pavilions, art-science exhibits, casinos and so much more!
It’s no wonder that this landmark has been featured several times in the movie, ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ — it’s absolutely Instagram-worthy! In fact, one of the movie’s most memorable locations is the rooftop of Marina Bay Sands, where Nick and Rachel celebrate their engagement during the film’s lavish final party.
- SkyPark Observation Deck = Head up to the SkyPark Observation Deck for panoramic views over Singapore and Marina Bay. The famous rooftop Infinity Pool is located nearby on Level 57, but take note: the pool is exclusively for registered Marina Bay Sands hotel guests and cannot be accessed with an observation deck ticket. Still and the same, this is a great spot to be in, and you can buy entry tickets through this link.
- Spectra Light Show = This is an amazing outdoor light and water show that’s displayed along the promenade. The free Spectra light and water show takes place nightly along the waterfront promenade. Check the official Marina Bay Sands schedule before visiting, as showtimes can change. (If you ask me, it’s better to watch this show from the other side of Marina Bay Sands).
» Humpback
This is the place where Rachel and her best friend had a conversation about the former’s ‘mother-in-law’, and you will love not only the seafood fare from this restaurant (which is called Humpback) but also its picturesque location along Bukit Pasoh Road.
Found within Chinatown, this Instagrammable stretch is lined with beautiful Peranakan shophouses that have been preserved over time. While you’re here, you can also drop by ‘The Reading Room’ which is just across the road (a coffee house by day and a bar by night).
» Raffles Singapore
As you will see in the ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ movie, Nick and Rachel were checked in to this luxurious accommodation, which serves as a reminder of Singapore’s past colonial heritage.
Raffles Singapore has since completed its major restoration and reopened in 2019. Even if you’re not staying overnight, this historic hotel remains one of Singapore’s most recognizable landmarks and is well worth admiring for its elegant colonial-era architecture. Though, if you want a hotel that’s more affordable yet not skimping on comfort and style, check out Citadines Mount Sophia!
» Ann Siang Hill
Photo by: Shutterstock
This is the beautiful street that Eleanor from the ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ was passing through while she was on her way to meet Rachel at a mahjong parlor.
As a visitor, I’m sure you will love its scenic street that’s filled with refurbished bars, shophouses, and restaurants. If you’ve got the time, explore the surrounding Ann Siang Hill and Club Street area, which is known for its colorful shophouses, restaurants, bars, and boutiques.
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Overall
I hope this list will inspire you to have your own ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ inspired tour in Singapore! Let me know how it goes for you!
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