Travel to these top Crazy Rich Asians filming locations in Singapore and Malaysia

The Southeast Asian Republic of Singapore has long been known for its legendary street food (including two Michelin-starred street stalls), chic shopping malls, sprawling gardens, and fascinating mix of modern prosperity and centuries-old cultures. But the island city-state's reputation has recently risen to ultra-stardom thanks to the 2018 blockbuster hit “Crazy Rich Asians,” a film adaptation of author Kevin Kwan's 2013 best-selling book of the same name.

The film is a triumph in many ways, including being the first Hollywood film with an all-Asian cast since 1993's “Joy Luck Club.” The film grossed $34 million within five days of its premiere, proving that diversity is well received at the box office. (While details are still sparse, a sequel based on Kwan's second book, “China Rich Girlfriend,” is expected.)

Finally, “Crazy Rich Asians” puts Singapore and several other filming locations in Southeast Asia squarely in the spotlight. Fans of the thrilling romantic comedy can't wait to pack their bags and follow in protagonist Rachel Chu's footsteps to discover the good life – an understatement actually – in the tropical and diverse destination.

Below are some of the “Crazy Rich Asians” filming locations worth exploring off-screen. (Warning: If you haven't seen the film yet, there may be some spoilers.)

Editor's note: This story was updated on April 8, 2024.

Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore

In the movie: From New York, Rachel and her handsome boyfriend Nick Young arrive in Singapore via this remarkable airport.

In real life: Singapore Changi Airport regularly receives awards as one of the best international airports (including being named the best airport in the world in 2023 by Skytrax) and is a worthy destination in its own right. Not only does it pride itself on its quality service and efficiency, but it is also extremely aesthetic.

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For example, visitors can marvel at a tropical butterfly habitat that is home to more than 1,000 butterflies from 40 species, lush vegetation and a nearly 20-foot waterfall. You can also stroll through a sunflower garden, swim in the rooftop pool, or catch a free movie (“Crazy Rich Asians,” perhaps?) at a 24-hour cinema.

And in 2019, Jewel Changi Airport opened as an expansion of the airport. It features a Rain Vortex (at 131 feet, the tallest indoor waterfall in the world); five floors of lush green space for walking or hiking; “Discovery Slides” in a mirrored art installation; a 75-foot-tall glass-bottomed canopy bridge; and much more, including retail stores and restaurants.

Newton Food Centre, Singapore

In the movie: Rachel and Nick join their soon-to-be-married friends Colin Khoo and Araminta Lee on a merry food spree through one of Singapore's famous hawker centers. (Basically, it's a scene that makes the audience really hungry.)

In real life: A trip to Singapore is incomplete without making one or more visits to Singapore's vibrant culinary hubs with delicious and affordable food. Visitors will find a wide range of cuisines – including Chinese, Malaysian, Indian, Peranakan (locally-born Chinese) and more – which also highlights how multicultural the city-state truly is.

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Author Kwan has mentioned in interviews that his favorite street food destination is the Newton Food Center, where the delicious “Crazy Rich Asians” scene also takes place. Follow Rachel and her company's example by ordering hokkien mee (fried egg and rice noodles), satay and sambal stingray – for starters.

And while Singapore's famed street food scene includes countless must-try eateries, two standouts have each received a Michelin star: Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle (which added a brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2016) and Hill Street Tai Hwa pork noodles. The former is known for offering the cheapest Michelin star menu in the world.

Langkawi, Malaysia

In the movie: Nick and Colin escape an over-the-top, harrowing bachelor party aboard a container ship and instead enjoy the sweet solitude, a cooler full of beer, and the beautiful scenery of “Rawa Island.” Meanwhile, Rachel attends Araminta's extravagant bachelorette party, held at the bride-to-be's family-run private island resort in Indonesia.

In real life: Although Rawa Island is actually an island in Malaysia, both scenes were actually filmed in Langkawi, an archipelago consisting of approximately 99 islands in Malaysia. As for the luxurious hotel where Araminta's friends run amok during an all-expenses paid shopping spree? It's the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia, a five-star hotel hidden in Southeast Asia's first UNESCO Geopark.

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The 91-room property features pavilion- and villa-style accommodations, as well as two pools, a stunning spa with a thatched roof and floor-to-ceiling windows (the spa makes a cameo in “Crazy Rich Asians”), and 48 acres of tropical beachfront gardens.

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

In the movie: After Araminta and Colin's lavish wedding ceremony, it makes perfect sense that they would host their reception at a location with unearthly tree-like structures that stand up to 160 feet tall.

In real life: The award-winning, stunning urban oasis of Gardens by the Bay is an initiative of the Singapore National Parks Board and a must-see on any Singapore itinerary. Approximately 250 hectares of reclaimed land have been converted into waterfront gardens, including the aforementioned solar-powered “Supertrees,” which are also 18 innovative, vertical gardens.

Don't miss the Supertrees light and sound show, held twice nightly at 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., or the aerial OCBC Skyway, an aerial walkway that gives guests a closer look at these amazing structures.

In addition, cooled winter gardens (Flower Dome and Cloud Forest) were recognized for their energy-efficient sustainability and building technology, and the Heritage Gardens tell the history and culture of Singapore in four themed gardens.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

In the movie: During the gorgeous final scene of “Crazy Rich Asians,” neat rows of synchronized swimmers dance in the fabulous infinity pool of this luxury Singapore hotel. Nearby, also on the hotel's observation deck, Rachel, Nick and the rest of the cast celebrate an incredibly romantic gesture (exact details are not revealed), and moviegoers are treated to glitz, glamor and magnificent views of the Singapore skyline .

In real life: More than 2,500 rooms and suites make up the iconic Marina Bay Sands – the largest and perhaps best-known hotel in the city. It includes three slanting towers connected on the 23rd floor, as well as the Sands SkyPark on the 57th floor, a 12,000 square meter tropical sanctuary (large enough to fit three football fields); Here guests will find the aforementioned infinity pool and observation deck, as well as gardens and restaurants.

But that's not all: the hotel also offers access to Banyan Tree Spa Singapore, Sands Theatre, ArtScience Museum, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Marina Bay Sands Casino, Sands Expo & Convention Center and more than 80 restaurants.