Southeast Asia’s Republic of Singapore has long been acclaimed for its legendary street food (including two Michelin-starred hawker stands), swanky shopping centers, copious gardens and intriguing blend of modern affluence and age-old cultures. But the island city-state’s reputation more recently was catapulted to ultra-stardom thanks to the blockbuster 2018 hit “Crazy Rich Asians,” a screen adaptation of author Kevin Kwan’s 2013 best-selling novel of the same name.
The film is a triumph in many ways, including that it is the first Hollywood film with an all-Asian cast since 1993’s “Joy Luck Club.” Raking in $34 million within five days of its opening night, it also proves that diversity sell at the box office. (While details are still sparse, a sequel based on Kwan’s second book, “China Rich Girlfriend,” is expected.)
Last but certainly not least, “Crazy Rich Asians” directly shines the spotlight on Singapore, along with several other filming locations across Southeast Asia. Fans of the uplifting rom-com are itching to pack their bags and follow in protagonist Rachel Chu’s footsteps to discover the good life — an understatement, really — in the tropical and diverse destination.
Following are some of the “Crazy Rich Asians” filming locations worth discovering off the silver screen. (Caution: If you haven’t watched the movie yet, there may be some spoilers ahead.)
Editor's Note: This story was updated on April 8, 2024.
Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore In the Film: Traveling from New York, Rachel and her hunky beau, Nick Young, arrive in Singapore via this remarkable airport.
Changi Airport has consistently placed No. 1 for top airport awards.Credit: 2018 Creative Commons user levoodoo
In Real Life: Consistently earning accolades as a top international airport (including being named World’s Best Airport in 2023 by Skytrax ), Singapore Changi Airport is a worthy destination in and of itself. Not only does it pride itself in high-quality service and efficiency, it’s also extremely aesthetically pleasing.
For example, visitors can marvel at a tropical butterfly habitat , which is home to 1,000-plus butterflies belonging to 40 species, lush foliage and a nearly 20-foot-tall waterfall. They can also walk through a sunflower garden, dip in the rooftop pool or catch a free flick (“Crazy Rich Asians,” perhaps?) at a 24-hour movie theater.
And, in 2019, Jewel Changi Airport opened as an addition to the airport. It features a “Rain Vortex ” (said to be the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, at 131 feet); five stories worth of lush greenery to walk or hike through; “Discovery Slides” set within a mirrored art installation; a 75-foot-high Canopy Bridge with a glass bottom; and much more, including retail shops and restaurants.
Newton Food Center, Singapore In the Film: Rachel and Nick join their soon-to-be-married friends, Colin Khoo and Araminta Lee, on a joyful eating spree through one of Singapore’s celebrated hawker centers. (Basically, it’s a scene that makes the audience really hungry.)
Street food is a vital component of Singapore’s culture.Credit: 2024 Singapore Tourism Board
In Real Life: A trip to Singapore is incomplete without paying a visit (or several) to Singapore’s lively culinary hubs of delicious and affordable food . Visitors will find a wide assortment of cuisines — including Chinese, Malaysian, Indian, Peranakan (locally born Chinese) and more — which also underlines just how multicultural the city-state truly is.
Author Kwan has mentioned in interviews that his favorite street food destination is Newton Food Center , which is also where the mouthwatering “Crazy Rich Asians” scene takes place. Follow Rachel and company’s lead by ordering hokkien mee (stir-fried egg and rice noodles), satay and sambal stingray — to start.
And though Singapore’s renowned street-food scene includes myriad must-try establishments, two stand-out spots have earned a Michelin star each: Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle (which added a brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2016) and Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle . The former is famed for offering the world’s cheapest Michelin-star meal.
Langkawi, Malaysia In the Film: Nick and Colin escape an over-the-top, cringe-inducing bachelor party onboard a container ship in favor of sweet solitude, a cooler full of beers and the gorgeous scenery of “Rawa Island.” Meanwhile, Rachel attends Araminta’s extravagant bachelorette party, which takes place in the bride-to-be’s family-owned private island resort in Indonesia.
The five-star Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia makes an appearance in “Crazy Rich Asians.”Credit: 2024 Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia
In Real Life: Though Rawa Island is indeed an island in Malaysia, both scenes were actually filmed in Langkawi, an archipelago made up of about 99 islands in Malaysia. As for the lavish hotel where Araminta’s friends run amok during an all-expenses-paid shopping spree? It’s the luxe Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia , a five-star hotel that’s tucked into Southeast Asia's first UNESCO Geopark.
The 91-room property features pavilion- and villa-style accommodations, as well as two pools, a stunning thatched-roof spa with floor-to-ceiling windows (the spa has a cameo in “Crazy Rich Asians”) and 48 acres of beachfront tropical gardens.
Gardens by the Bay, Singapore In the Film: After the elaborate affair that is Araminta and Colin’s wedding ceremony, it makes complete sense that they would host their reception at a venue with otherworldly tree-like structures soaring up to 160 feet.
The “Supertrees” in Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay harness solar power and encompass vertical gardens.Credit: 2024 Singapore Tourism Board
In Real Life: An initiative led by Singapore's National Parks Board, the award-winning, fantastical urban oasis of Gardens by the Bay is a must-stop for any itinerary to Singapore. Roughly 250 acres of reclaimed land were transformed into waterfront gardens, which include the abovementioned solar-powered “Supertrees” that are also 18 innovative, vertical gardens.
Don’t miss the light and sound show featuring the Supertrees, held twice-nightly at 7:45 and 8:45 p.m., or the lofty OCBC Skyway , an aerial walkway that offers guests a closer look at these astonishing structures.
Additionally, cooled conservatories (the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest) have won accolades for their energy-efficient sustainability and building technologies, and the Heritage Gardens tell the story of Singapore’s history and culture through four themed gardens.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore In the Film: During the magnificent final scene of “Crazy Rich Asians,” tidy rows of synchronized swimmers dance in the fabulous infinity pool of this Singapore luxury hotel. Nearby, also on the hotel’s observation deck, Rachel, Nick and the rest of the cast are celebrating an incredibly romantic gesture (exact details withheld), and moviegoers are treated to glitz, glamour and a superb view of Singapore’s skyline.
Marina Bay Sands includes the 57th-floor Sands SkyPark, offering panoramic views of Singapore.Credit: 2024 Singapore Tourism Board
In Real Life: More than 2,500 room and suites make up the iconic Marina Bay Sands — the biggest and perhaps most recognizable hotel in town. It spans three sloping towers that are joined at the 23rd floor as well as the 57th-floor Sands SkyPark, a roughly 133,472-square-foot tropical sanctuary (big enough to fit three football fields); here, guests will find the aforesaid infinity pool and observation deck , as well as gardens and restaurants.
But that’s not all: The hotel also features access to Banyan Tree Spa Singapore , Sands Theatre , ArtScience Museum , The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands , Marina Bay Sands Casino , Sands Expo & Convention Centre and more than 80 restaurants in total.
