LIST: 5 must-see Singapore spots in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’
SINGAPORE — Whether you are a certified “crazy rich Asian” or simply crazy, rich, or Asian, you can relive the movie and create your own memories in Singapore, home of the Hollywood blockbuster flick that reportedly opened at number one in North America and has been making history worldwide for its all-Asian cast, including Filipinos Nico Santos and Kris Aquino.
Should you be planning a trip to the city-state, here are some locations from the movie that you can include in your itinerary.
International seas
Related video: Peek inside a cruise with a home port in Singapore
Like in a bachelor’s party scene in the movie, one can hop on a cruise from Singapore and have a slice of the “Crazy Rich Asian” life.
A Royal Caribbean cruise ship and one of the region’s largest, Voyager of the Seas, has Singapore for a home port and recently made a maiden call in Manila.
The 15-deck, 4,269-capacity ship offers a plethora of features such as 24/7 food buffets, a mall-like Royal Promenade with duty-free boutiques; an ice-skating rink that features performances from Olympiads; and a full-sized sports court with a FlowRider surf simulator and rock-climbing wall. — Video by Kat Leandicho
Gardens by the Bay
A scene from 'Crazy Rich Asians' shot at the Supertree Grove, featuring Filipino-American actor Nico Santos and Michelle Yeoh (left, Warner Bros. Pictures/Released); the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay playing an opera-themed lights and sounds show. Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo
As featured in a wedding reception scene in the movie, the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay has been listed by Trip Advisor as one of the top five landmarks in Singapore for its iconic tree-like vertical gardens that come alive with light and sound shows at night.
The grove also houses the OCBC Skyway, which gives panoramic views of the gardens and the Marina Bay skyline.
CHIJMES
The famed wedding scene in "Crazy Rich Asians" was reportedly shot at a former Catholic convent, the CHIJMES. Warner Bros. Pictures/Released
The former Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus Middle Education School building complex at the heart of Singapore’s central business district has been the venue of the movie’s highlight, the wedding of Nick Young’s best friend, where Filipino multimedia star Kris Aquino revealed her character, Princess Intan, arguably the only character with a royalty status in the movie.
There are many Catholic and inter-faith churches in Singapore where Christian Filipinos can exercise their faith or get married, "Crazy Rich Asians" style. Among the popular ones among Filipino migrant workers are St. Andrew’s Cathedral and Novena Church, which boast of magnificent architecture and larger-than-life stained glass windows.
Gothic and stained glass interior of the Novena Church, popular among Catholic Filipinos in Singapore and having similar architecture as the CHIJMES. Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo
Marina Bay Sands
The Marina Bay Sands, Artscience Museum, Helix Bridge and boat cruise as shot from the iconic Merlion Park. Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo
Another movie highlight, an engagement party, was held at the famed infinity pool rooftop of the Marina Bay Sands.
Even without a party at the infinity pool, one can enjoy a “Crazy Rich Asians”-like party atmosphere every night through Marina Bay Sands’ nightly lights and sounds shows. While the shows are ongoing, hop on a small boat cruise around Marina Bay to see other incredible sights such as five-star hotels with post-colonial architecture, the lotus-shaped Artscience Museum, the DNA-inspired Helix Bridge, and the iconic Merlion Park.
Nightly lights and sounds shows at the Marina Bay Sands make one feel like a part of the engagement party in "Crazy Rich Asians." Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo
Hawker centers
The mahjong and "swerve like a chicken" scenes in "Crazy Rich Asians" (bottom, Warner Bros. Pictures/Released) were shot in Chinatown, a historic food and shopping district in Singapore that features traditional houses and Chinese temples (top, Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo).
As British-Malaysian actor Henry Golding, who plays the leading man Nick Young, said in the movie, Singapore is the only place in the world where food stalls have Michelin stars.
For those bringing a friend to Singapore for the first time, one can go to hawker centers, just like what Nick did when bringing girlfriend Rachel to Singapore for the first time from New York, as seen in the movie.
There is a diverse food experience to try in the Lion City, such as eating like a local in famous hawker centers like Maxwell Hawker Center and Chinatown Complex or attending fun food festivals like the Michelin Guide Street Food Festival in March, the World Gourmet Festival in April, and the Singapore Food Festival in July.
Filipino actor Mikael Daez recently visited Singapore’s culinary havens and recommend trying the following:
- Rebel chef Bjorn Shen’s Artichoke, one of Singapore’s top restaurants
- boneless chicken rice at the Katong Shopping Centre
- rich shrimp noodles at Beach Road Prawn Mee Eating House
- 328 Katong Laksa in Joo Chiat, home of the creamy coconut-based noodle soup called laksa, one of Singapore’s national delicacies that is both milky and spicy and comes with thick noodles, cockles, prawns and fishcakes. Touted as one of the five best laksa in Singapore, 328 Katong Laksa’s version remains undefeated among competitors both local and international as its special recipe outdid even the laksa creation of famous chef Gordon Ramsay in a cooking showdown back in 2013.
- Fishball Story in Geylang, a simple stall awarded with a well- deserved Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2016. For food enthusiasts, its Fishball Noodles are sure to make one feel like they are dining in a Singaporean home as it reminds even the locals of home-cooked meals. This comes as no surprise because the food stand’s ingredients are handmade and homemade with love, from its bouncy fish balls made with 100 percent yellowtail fish, down to the sambal chilli ,which perfectly complements the noodles when tossed with crunchy fried shrimps.
- Garang Grill — “Garang” means “fierce” or “powerful” which explains the strong smoked dishes one can savor at the neighborhood grill. Their top recommendations include GarangChilli Wings,Chilli Crab Rillet with deep fried mini mantou, and Crispy Pork Jowl, which are grilled on a traditional Spanish Mibrasa charcoal oven to bring out bold flavors and served best with a bowl of spicy Garang rice.
- Ampang NiangTou Fu for its signature tofu
- Indian curries at Zaffron’s Kitchen
- Artisanal coffee at Carver’s & Co.
- Ice cream at Birds of Paradise
Related video: Mikael Daez and Megan Young recreate the 'Crazy Rich Asians' poster at the movie's Philippine premiere
— Video by Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo
Other sites to see
There are a lot of other places to explore in Singapore that are not in the movie, but can also make one feel like a crazy rich Asian. These include:
Universal Studios and Sentosa
Sentosa has white-sand beaches and islands such as one featured in 'Crazy Rich Asians.' Warner Bros. Pictures/Released
Take a breathtaking cable car ride around Sentosa to see half of Singapore from above, including its outlying islands. One of these islands and beaches is where Nick and best friend can be seen having a heart-to-heart talk in the movie after escaping from a wild bachelor’s cruise party.
Express pass tickets, available online through sites like Klook, enable one to avoid long queues, get discounts, and to choose one’s adventures in Sentosa’s many sights, which include unlimited rides to the Sentosa monorail and the famed Universal Studios theme park.
Inside Universal Studios, do not miss director Steven Spielberg’s new signature attraction that gives one the “feels” of a real Hollywood movie. Besides movie-themed rides and shows, the park also features a grand fireworks display reminiscent of a scene in “Crazy Rich Asians.”
Shrek's castle (left) and a grand fireworks display reminiscent of 'Crazy Rich Asians' inside Universal Studios Singapore. Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo
Rainforest Lumina
Left: Filipino actor Nico Santos (center) with other 'Crazy Rich Asians' stars Awkwafina (left) and Constance Wu off to see lotus flowers in bloom. Warner Bros. Pictures/Released. One can also find nocturnal flora and fauna at the Night Safari and Rainforest Lumina in Singapore Zoo (right, Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo).
One does not have to wait to be invited in a mansion to see lotuses in bloom, just like as seen in the movie.
At Singapore Zoo’s Rainforest Lumina, it is possible to see lotuses and other nocturnal flora and fauna, with engaging laser lights and sounds shows as backdrop.
Set in a rainforest environment, Singapore Zoo's world-famous "open concept” offers the opportunity to experience and be inspired by the wonders of nature. Home to more than 2,400 specimens over 300 species, 34 percent of which are threatened. The zoo has attained a strong reputation internationally for its conservation initiatives and breeding programs.
To better meet the healthcare needs of its animals and working towards its aspiration to become a leading global centre of excellence for veterinary healthcare and research, a purpose-built Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre was set up in March 2006. Annually, approximately 1.9 million visitors enjoy experiential learning journeys at the 26-hectare award-winning zoo and its adjacent River and Night Safaris. Part of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, the zoo is a designated rescued wildlife center by the governing authority.
Singapore Zoo, a globally award-winning wildlife attraction, celebrates its 45th year since it first opened in 1973 with Rainforest Lumina, a new, illuminated multimedia night walk believed to be a first in Southeast Asia.
A seasonal attraction that runs between 7:30 to 10.30 p.m. each night, Rainforest Lumina is a one-kilometer stretch within the zoo’s tropical rainforest that has 11 different zones using immersive technology that makes the walk a multi-sensory treat.
Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Trade and Industry, explains in a statement that Rainforest Lumina aims to shed light on how humans, animals, and nature are connected.
Mike Barclay, Group Chief Executive Officer of Mandai Park Holdings, adds in the statement: “Beyond being a multimedia attraction, the deeper message of Rainforest Lumina is a call for everyone to come together to protect and preserve the wildlife we share our planet with.”
