Set to be the biggest blockbuster of the summer, the movie Crazy Rich Asians puts the uber-chic city of Singapore firmly into the spotlight. But there is so much more than ‘Crazy Rich’ Asians in the cultural hothouse of Singapore… Yes, it may boast one of the highest densities of millionaires on the face of the planet, but this world-class city also has a ‘Crazy Rich’ cultural scene at its heart. So come with us as we take a deeper look at the movie locations that have so much more to offer than money and millionaires!
The Merlion
With Crazy Rich Asians set to hit the silver screen in mid-August, the film’s glittering trailer gives us the biggest hints about the Singapore landmarks that will grace the big screen. The trailer showcases the city’s famous Merlion Park and—of course—its unique Merlion statue.
The mythical Merlion statue is one of the most recognizable sights in Singapore; a national icon that features the body of a fish and the head of a lion. The body symbolizes the city’s humble roots as a fishing village, while the head represents Singapore’s original name, ‘Singapura’, which means ‘lion city’ in Malay. Spouting water and standing tall at 8.6 meters high, the Merlion truly is a sight to behold.
Marina Bay Sands
The city’s monumental Marina Bay Sands is another highlight of the movie trailer. Its three iconic sloping towers soar some 200 meters into the sky, dominating the city’s Bayfront area.
A feat of modern engineering, this mammoth complex is one of the city’s greatest architectural triumphs. It houses luxury accommodations, a convention center, a theatre, a museum, an event plaza, a casino, a selection of celebrity restaurants, and plenty of shops. And it’s no stranger to the screen, having already starred in its very own episode of National Geographic’s Megastructures.
In the evening, make sure you don’t miss the Spectra light and water show. This visual spectacle tells the story of Singapore’s history with a beautiful 15-minute display of music, water, and light—and it’s completely free.
ArtScience Museum
When you take a look at the trailer for Crazy Rich Asians, you may well wonder what that futuristic building nestled on the water beside the Marina Bay Sands is. It’s the city’s ArtScience Museum, and it’s so striking because it was designed to look like a lotus flower. The tip of each of the building’s petals filters natural sunlight into the exhibits in order to display them in their best possible light.
There are 21 galleries to explore, including the fascinating ‘Future World’ exhibit, a permanent interactive display where you can immerse yourself in a 1,500-square-meter digital universe of art installations.
SkyPark
Floating some 200-meters in the air on the roof of the Marina Bay Sands, you’ll find SkyPark, with its infinity pool, observation deck, gardens, and restaurants. SkyPark’s sky-high pool makes a welcome appearance in the movie’s trailer, proving that this pool—which is the world’s largest elevated body of water outdoors—is a pool like no other. It was even designed with a vanishing edge, so swimmers feel like there is nothing between them and the skyscrapers in front of them.
Supertrees
The impressive Supertree Grove in the city’s Gardens by the Bay provides the location for the wedding reception scene in Crazy Rich Asians. These cleverly-designed trees stand between nine and 16-storeys-high and collect rainwater and generate solar power. They also act as venting ducts for the park’s many conservatories. Make sure you’re there in the evening, because when night falls there’s a dazzling ‘Garden Rhapsody’ light and sound show.
CHIJMES Hall
Once a Catholic girls’ school, the dining and nightlife CHIJMES complex takes center stage in the movie as the location for the wedding of Colin and Araminta. With its green lawns, waterfalls, courtyards, and neoclassical buildings, this exquisite complex harks back to the grace of the city’s bygone days. It’s a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city—despite the fact that it’s jam-packed with bars and restaurants!
SINGAPORE WITH INDUS TRAVELS
Do you dream of seeing the sites of Crazy Rich Asians in Singapore? Of coming face-to-face with the mythical Merlion? Of taking a dip in SuperPark’s incredible infinity pool? Of immersing yourself in the digital world at the ArtScience Museum? Or partying late into the evening at CHIJMES? Yes? Then come with us to Singapore. Not only will you have the experience of a lifetime, but you will have a sophisticated itinerary that has been lovingly created by Indus’ Singapore experts. To find out more about our Singapore tours, please feel free to contact us at any time.
About the Writer: Vickie Sam Paget
Vickie is a freelance writer and editor based in Vancouver, BC. When she’s not creating dynamic travel or tech content, globetrotting or gazing at the North Shore Mountains, you can usually find her curled up with a good book or sipping a pint of the good stuff in her local Irish bar.
Toll Free (USA & Canada) +1 866 978 2997
