5 Things You Can’t Miss in Singapore to Live Like ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ 

This year marked a landmark birthday (and no, I didn’t turn 21). When my husband Kevin asked me where I wanted to go this year, I didn’t hesitate and literally shouted Singapore. I gotta admit, we just watched Crazy Rich Asians. I loved the opulence. Plus, the street food looked incredible. And you all know how much I love to eat.

Okay, I’ll admit. Singapore DOES seem a little elaborate (okay, very elaborate). But it’s one of the few places in southeast Asia that we haven’t been to… Or at least that’s how I justified the trip to Kevin!

What are some of the best 40th birthday destinations?

What’s our top recommendations for a special trip? This is a question we hear pretty often. We recommend 3 days in Singapore. Sure, Singapore is more expensive than your typical southeast Asian city. However, you can actually find some inexpensive flights on Singapore Air as low as $400 round trip from Los Angeles. You’ll need to book early to get these deals (umm, we didn’t!). Traveling here couldn’t be easier — nearly everyone speaks English, it’s immaculately clean and the hotels are first class. Let’s face it, when you hit a certain age, you’re probably over the whole hostel situation.

If Asia seems a little far, we would also recommend such memorable destinations like Alaska (where we celebrated Kevin’s 40th birthday) or San Miguel De Allende in Mexico (for glamorous trip that won’t break the bank). And course, there is always Hawaii for some beach and relaxation.

Living Life Like ‘Crazy Rich Asians’

Kevin Kwan’s novel Crazy Rich Asians got the glitzy Hollywood treatment — and was pretty much a 2-hour advertisement for Singapore. Though, clearly it worked. We re-watched the movie upon returning home to West Hollywood and loved reliving our vacation.

Whether Crazy Rich Asians has inspired you to visit Singapore or if you’re just interested in travel, check out our top 5 picks to experience the high life.

5. Burn Some Cash on a Crazy Rich Shopping Spree on Orchard Road

Looking to escape the humidity and drop a few grand? Look no further than Orchard Road. Whether it’s Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Louis Vuitton or Prada, you can pretty much find it inside this sprawling shopping behemoth. Or if you’re like me, head straight to the food court to snag some tasty coconut cakes filled with peanut butter (for about $3). Clearly, you know my priorities.

Orchard Road is almost entirely dedicated to shopping. If you’re looking for a specific store, well, good luck. We spent a good 45 minutes searching for the Japanese department store Takashimaya with zero luck. And let me add, we had a map and asked 5 different people for directions. To put it in perspective, the Far East Plaza shopping center alone has over 800 stores over six floors. And that’s just one complex out of around 30 shopping centers. Now you can see how we got so lost.

This place gives a whole new meaning of shop till you drop. And is the perfect spot to visit to live out your Crazy Rich Asians fashion dreams.

Most of the stores close around 9 PM. But there are several restaurants and markets open 24 hours a day in the area as well as movie theaters that are open late.

4. Stroll Through Chinatown on an Organized Walking Tour

You’ll feel like you walked onto the film set within minutes of arriving in Singapore’s Chinatown. Many of the film’s most iconic scenes were shot in and around this atmospheric neighborhood.

Ann Siang Hill is located in Chinatown and served as the backdrop for several key moments from the movie. The street is lined with historic shophouses and is a popular spot for bars and nightlife. To get the full picture of the city, we recommend taking a walking tour with Sneak Peek Singapore. We joined their all-in-one signature tour that took us inside centuries-old temples and past the glitzy facades of the central business district and the historic core.

Of course, there are specific tours just about Crazy Rich Asians. But Sneak Peek goes so much deeper — covering Singapore’s colorful history, unique eateries and cultural nuances. Plus, did we mention it’s pay what you can? They just suggest $20 USD for the entire 5-hour tour. I’m starting to feel pretty crazy rich with such an affordable tour.

3. Marvel at the Futuristic Gardens by the Bay

It was the wedding party of the year in Crazy Rich Asians. Gardens by the Bay‘s Supertree Grove is over the top. Built in 2012 on 250 acres of reclaimed land, Gardens by the Bay has more than 1.5 million plants, an indoor glass greenhouse complete with a waterfall and  grove of 160-foot-tall “super trees” that look like they’d be more at home in James Cameron’s Avatar. But these trees also serve an environmental purpose. They recycle rainwater and generate enough energy to sustain the adjoining conservatories. How cool is that?

We visited the gardens during the day, but many people suggest coming here at night to watch one of the free light shows. The OCBC Garden Rhapsody happens each night from 7:45 to 8:45 PM. The 15-minute show culminates in a grand finale where the trees sparkle with light.

The Gardens by the Bay conservatories are open from 9 AM to 9 PM daily with the last admission at 8 PM. The price is $28 Singapore Dollars or around $20 US dollars. The outdoor gardens are open until 2 AM and are free.

2. Chow Down at Singapore’s Most Famous Hawker Center

Newton Hawker Centre is outside the main city center, but well worth the journey. We ate at five different hawker centers (food courts with a variety of food) and this spot was my favorite. I could see why Crazy Rich Asians was shot here — based on the energetic atmosphere alone.

One of the major reasons I wanted to visit Singapore, beyond the movie, was to experience the hawker centers. You’ll find Michelin-star food stalls with many displaying rave reviews from places like Time Out Magazine or travel guides. Some locals complain that Newton is way too pricey, but most of the snacks and food options here run no more than $5-$7 dollars. Okay, so not as cheap as some of the other spots, but still quite the deal. Singapore is a melting pot of cuisines,  consisting of Chinese, Indian, Malaysian and Indonesian influences. We went straight for Newton’s Indian food stall since it had a long line (always a good sign). But let’s face it, we could eat garlic naan and chicken curry literally every day of the year.

We were slightly confused at first on how the hawker stalls worked. My recommendation would be to claim your seat first by marking them with packets of napkins. Not every stall provides napkins, so make sure to purchase a pack at a convenience store (or bring it with you from home). Water bottles don’t work (since people might think it’s garbage).

Most locals will recognize you’ve marked your spot by the napkin trick. The other tourists? Not so much. You might just need to tip them off about the unspoken napkin rule. Finally, be sure to note your table number since some stalls will deliver the food to you after ordering.

1. Spend a Few Nights at Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands‘ infinity pool had a starring role in the final moments of Crazy Rich Asians. One look at this place and you can see why. The hotel opened just in 2010 but is considered an icon — with a gigantic boat resting on the 57-story-tall hotel.

You might recognize the hotel’s rooftop swimming pool in the movie — it was used during the aqua aerobics class as well as the final moments of the film. We recommend booking a room here to experience this place. The pool is only open to hotel guests and is accessed by your hotel key card (with at least 1 staffer guarding the gate). The best time to visit the pool is at sunrise, shortly after it opens or around check out. This place gets packed during the day and you’ll want to snap those spectacular shots where you’re looking out over the city’s skyline. Just try not to think about how high up you are!