SG Block Index
1 dayBalanced pace6 stops~6 km on the ground

Crazy Rich Asians: A One-Day Film-Location Glamour Trail

Chasing the movie's most dazzling Singapore backdrops in a single glittering day, from Marina Bay to the river.

Told by Rina, ticking off film locations from Los Angeles. Transport, timing and stay tips are from live Singapore data; visitor quotes are real Google reviews.

The route on the map

6 locations
Loading map…
Stops on this planLocations: Tourism board + OneMap

I flew in from Los Angeles with one mission: to walk into the frames that made me fall for this city on screen. The film sold me a Singapore of infinity pools, colonial verandahs and skylines that look computer-generated but are real. I wanted the whole glamorous fantasy, so I gave myself a day to chase it.

This is a glossy, camera-first loop built for the movie-tourist. I dressed a little better than usual, charged my phone twice, and let the light do the heavy lifting. Expect luxury, expect crowds, and expect at least one moment where the skyline makes you gasp exactly like the trailer promised.

Your day, stop by stopMarina Bay Sands · Gardens by the Bay · Raffles Hotel · Chinatown · Merlion Park · Clarke Quay
  1. 01
    Late morning start

    Marina Bay Sands

    Bayfront MRT Station MRT · 3.3 min walkStay 2–3 hoursBest Evening for the light show

    Nothing says the film like those three towers and the ship balanced on top. I began at Marina Bay Sands because it is the postcard everyone recognises. The rooftop SkyPark Observation Deck gives sweeping views over the bay, and downstairs The Shoppes has its own indoor canal with sampan rides, which felt suitably over-the-top for a glamour trail.

    The infinity pool is reserved for hotel guests, so I admired it from the deck and the internet instead. Even without a room key, standing under the sheer scale of the place is a proper cinematic opening scene.

    The light show over the bay runs in the evening, so consider circling back after dark for a second look.

    Marina Bay Sands: photos, reviews, hours & how to get there →
  2. From Marina Bay Sands it's about 379 m to Gardens by the Bay — alight at Gardens By the Bay MRT Station MRT and it's a 8-min walk from there.

    02
    Early afternoon

    Gardens by the Bay

    Gardens By the Bay MRT Station MRT · 8 min walkStay 3–4 hoursBest Late afternoon into the evening

    A short walk from the towers, Gardens by the Bay delivers the film's fantasy-garden energy. The Supertree Grove looks engineered for a movie set, and the OCBC Skyway threads you between the giant vertical gardens. Inside, the Cloud Forest wraps a 35-metre indoor waterfall around a towering green mountain.

    The Flower Dome, billed as the world's largest glass greenhouse, is a cool, calm contrast to the humidity outside. I lingered here well into late afternoon, which the park handles beautifully as the light softens.

    The Supertrees are magical after dark, so if you can flex your timing, an evening loop rewards you.

    Gardens by the Bay: photos, reviews, hours & how to get there →
  3. From Gardens by the Bay it's about 1.8 km to Raffles Hotel — alight at Esplanade MRT Station MRT and it's a 3.3-min walk from there.

    03
    Mid-afternoon

    Raffles Hotel

    Esplanade MRT Station MRT · 3.3 min walkStay 1–2 hoursBest Afternoon

    For old-money glamour I crossed to Raffles Hotel, the colonial grande dame restored to its 1887 grandeur. That white façade and grand lobby are pure period-drama, and the Long Bar is the birthplace of the Singapore Sling. I wandered the lush courtyard gardens and verandahs feeling thoroughly transported.

    It is the kind of place where staff remember your name, and even just strolling the grounds feels like a scene change from all the glass and steel of the bay.

    There is a smart dress code in parts of the property, so leave the flip-flops and gym wear at the hotel.

    Raffles Hotel: photos, reviews, hours & how to get there →
  4. From Raffles Hotel it's about 1.8 km to Chinatown — alight at Maxwell MRT Station MRT and it's a 2.8-min walk from there.

    04
    Late afternoon into evening

    Chinatown

    Maxwell MRT Station MRT · 2.8 min walkStay 2–3 hoursBest Late afternoon into evening

    To balance the champagne with some real-world texture, I dropped into Chinatown as the afternoon cooled. The heritage shophouses, medicine halls and the bustling Street Market bring the city's older story to life, and the historic Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore's oldest Hindu temple.

    It is a change of pace and price point after all the luxury, and the food streets around Pagoda and Smith Street are a lovely place to graze while the lanterns switch on.

    Late afternoon into evening is the sweet spot here, when the market fills up and the lanterns glow.

    Chinatown: photos, reviews, hours & how to get there →
  5. From Chinatown it's about 1.2 km to Merlion Park — alight at Raffles Place MRT Station MRT and it's a 7.8-min walk from there.

    05
    Golden hour

    Merlion Park

    Raffles Place MRT Station MRT · 7.8 min walkStay 30–45 minutesBest Early morning or evening

    No Singapore film trail is complete without the Merlion. The 8.6-metre statue spouts water into Marina Bay, with the little Merlion cub tucked behind it, and the view across to Marina Bay Sands is the shot the whole city is known for.

    I timed this for golden hour and the skyline lit up on cue. It is compact, it is busy, and it is absolutely worth elbowing gently past the Instagram crowd for.

    Come early morning or golden hour for the calmest light; midday tends to be harsh and packed.

    Merlion Park: photos, reviews, hours & how to get there →
  6. From Merlion Park it's about 985 m to Clarke Quay — alight at Fort Canning MRT Station MRT and it's a 4-min walk from there.

    06
    Evening into night

    Clarke Quay

    Fort Canning MRT Station MRT · 4 min walkStay 2–3 hoursBest Evening into night

    I finished at Clarke Quay, where restored warehouses glow in neon along the Singapore River. The colourful shophouses, riverside bars and traditional bumboat cruises make it the natural after-dark scene, and it earns its reputation as one of the most energetic corners of the city.

    After a day of high glamour, a riverside table with the lights reflecting on the water was the perfect closing frame.

    The atmosphere really builds in the evening, so this works best as a night-time finale rather than a daytime stop.

    Clarke Quay: photos, reviews, hours & how to get there →

Where to stay near this route

If you're turning this into an overnight, these stays sit closest to the route — live Google ratings, refreshed monthly.

Browse all Singapore stays →

The verdict

The film's Singapore is real, and you can walk most of it in a day. From the towers to the temple to the river, this loop swings between champagne glamour and everyday texture, and it is the contrast that makes it sing. Wear good shoes, keep the camera ready, and let the skyline do its trailer moment.

Reviews

What real visitors say about every stop on this itinerary — verbatim from Google, most relevant first.

Marina Bay Sands

4.764,053 Google reviews
★★★★★Anuradha Perera· a month agoWe would like to express our sincere appreciation to JIAYU😍… for the excellent housekeeping service during our stay at Marina Bay, Singapore. Jiayu is a very kind, friendly, and professional person who always greeted us with a warm smile. Our room was consistently spotless, well-organized, and refreshed to a high standard every day. His attention to detail, positive attitude, and dedication to his work made our stay even more comfortable and enjoyable. Thank you, JIAYU, for your outstanding service and hospitality. You truly made a difference to our experience, and we are very grateful.
★★★★★David Glanzrock· a month agoEvery other luxury hotel I’ve stayed at left me questioning whether it was worth the price — Marina Bay Sands answered that question definitively. Worth every penny. The service was exceptional, the hotel immaculately clean, everything well-appointed and intentional. And the infinity pool? Quite simply, it’s worth the visit on its own.
★★★★HoHo Yang· a month agoThis is a review for the overall development including the mall side. Nice landmark with some scenic views around the area. Iconic architecture with good natural lighting. Well maintained and upkeeping at a very high level. Good to take photos if you are bringing friends and family that have never been to SG. But even the food court is quite costly. Can't say my review is complete as I have never stayed in the hotel before
★★★★★Nicky Tong· 2 months agoOur recent stay at Marina Bay Sands was a fantastic experience overall. We had a beautiful room with a balcony overlooking the gardens, which gave us the perfect view of the nightly light show. It was such a great way to end each evening. The staff on the hotel side truly bend over backwards to make your stay enjoyable. They are constantly checking to make sure you have everything you need and always do so with warmth and professionalism. The amenities in the room and the gifts were really special. As expected, this is an incredibly popular and iconic hotel, which does mean there are quite a few procedures in place to manage access to the facilities. Non-hotel guests are mostly unable to access the pool and restaurants, which is understandable, but we did find the rooftop bar experience a little over the top. Even as hotel guests, we needed a wrist stamp, wristband, and had to hand over our credit card for the duration of our visit. The infinity pool really is as amazing as it looks online. However, it’s worth noting that there are no umbrellas, and the cabanas are both difficult to secure and surprisingly hot due to the lack of airflow. One fantastic touch was the complimentary sunscreen available at the pool, which saved us as we hadn’t brought any. The hotel is attached to a casino, and it definitely carries that atmosphere throughout parts of the property. That said, the location is exceptional. It's directly connected to a high-end shopping mall, a great food court, and with easy access to the gardens and surrounding attractions. Overall, despite a few small frustrations with the bar, it’s an impressive hotel experience and absolutely worth staying at least once for the experience.
★★★★★Aashini Moddi· 5 months agoAbsolutely outstanding stay at Marina Bay Sands! From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. Our baggage was delivered to the room super fast, which made check-in smooth and stress-free. A special shoutout to the WhatsApp chat concierge — this service is next-level. Every time we requested something while we were out, the items were already waiting in our room when we returned. That level of efficiency and thoughtfulness is truly impressive. Housekeeping deserves huge praise for their attention to detail. They didn’t just clean the room — they neatly organized our phone and laptop cables, left cups exactly where we needed them, and made sure extra bedsheets we requested were already placed in the room. The room was also restocked daily without us having to ask. Breakfast was excellent with a wide variety, and the breakfast staff were very friendly and attentive, making mornings even more enjoyable. The infinity pool is absolutely amazing, and the SkyBridge walk is fantastic and wheelchair-friendly, which we truly appreciated. The view from the room is stunning — waking up and ending the day with that skyline view felt unreal. This hotel truly spoils you with both luxury and service and sets the bar extremely high for what a hotel stay should be. After staying here, your expectations for hotel standards will definitely be raised. A flawless experience and highly recommended. We would absolutely stay here again!

Raffles Hotel

4.66,800 Google reviews
★★★★★James Harrison· a month agoBest Hotel Ever A stunning hotel where the staff are so attentive and professional. Everyone made us feel very special, small things like remembering your name and where we had preferred to sit the last time you were in the bar. Just walking around the gardens is a delight. We had seen quite a few videos and images of the hotel before we arrived but the reality was even better. The gardens are beautiful and seem to be maintained to the highest standard. On arrival we were greeted by the iconic doorman and then by a manager who led us to the check-in area. Once we had checked-in we were led to our room where the manager ran through all the room's features. Our butler also introduced himself and explained how the butler service worked. A bit later he also brought us some complimentary chocolates and an accompanying Singapore Sling. The Courtyard restaurant food was very nice but breakfast at the pool bar was our favourite. We went every morning just after it had opened and we usually had the pool to ourselves. The writers bar staff were very friendly. Even the very busy long bar staff took time to speak to us. In fact all the staff made us feel very special.
★★★★★Paul Klaver· 4 months agoMy wife and I recently had the privilege of staying at Raffles Hotel Singapore, and it was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, we were immersed in the hotel’s beautifully preserved colonial architecture — pristine, elegant, and meticulously maintained. Every corridor, courtyard, and suite reflects timeless grace and quiet luxury. What truly elevated our stay was the exceptional personal butler service. The attention to detail, warmth, and genuine care made us feel not just like guests, but like honored friends. Every request was anticipated, every moment thoughtfully handled. A special and heartfelt thank-you goes to Mr. Roslee Sukar, the hotel’s resident historian and former personal butler to Michael Jackson and Queen Elizabeth II. Mr. Sukar graciously gave us a private historical tour of Raffles, sharing mesmerizing stories from his decades of service. His passion, humor, and deep knowledge brought the hotel’s rich legacy vividly to life — a truly rare and personal experience we will treasure. Raffles is not simply a hotel — it is living history, wrapped in elegance and delivered with heartfelt hospitality. We left with full hearts, beautiful memories, and deep gratitude. If you ever have the opportunity to stay here, take it. This is hospitality at its finest. — Paul
★★★★★Nadine Raes· a month agoMy stay at Raffles Singapore was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I arrived, the service was warm, elegant, and genuinely attentive in a way that made us feel completely looked after without ever feeling intrusive. The hotel itself is absolutely stunning — timeless, luxurious, and filled with history, yet maintained to the highest modern standard. Every detail, from the beautifully restored colonial architecture to the peaceful courtyards and refined interiors, creates an atmosphere that feels both grand and incredibly relaxing. The suite was immaculate, spacious, and beautifully designed, with every comfort thoughtfully provided. Housekeeping was exceptional, and the attention to detail throughout the stay was truly world-class. What makes Raffles Singapore truly special, however, is the feeling it gives you. It is not simply a luxury hotel — it is an experience. There is a sense of calm, elegance, and heritage that is very difficult to find elsewhere. Without question, one of the finest hotels I have ever stayed in. Absolutely deserving of its iconic reputation, and we cannot wait to return.
★★★★Sangeetha Thulasi Jaya Raman· 7 months agoI had a really nice stay at Raffles Hotel Singapore. The hotel has such a beautiful, historic charm and the staff were polite and attentive. The room was comfortable and well-maintained. The location is great for exploring nearby attractions, and the atmosphere inside the hotel is calm and elegant. I really enjoyed the dining options, though I felt a few things could be improved for a more modern touch. I took so many beautiful pictures at that place. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience and I’d consider staying here again.
★★★★★Prawnsalad1991· a month agoNicely decorated hotel with a long history. The location is excellent (exactly in the centre of the city). Famous Singapore sling cocktail drink comes from here, but they free pour it these days so not sure if the taste would be the same.

Merlion Park

4.752,159 Google reviews
★★★★Mohit Verma· a month agoIt's a great place but the hype gets shattered if you go in the day or evening time, the best time to visit is early morning which is close to 6 am and then you will have serene scenic moments to capture
★★★★★Yulianto Nugroho· 2 months agoA very nice place to chills out in the afternoon and to catch sunset. There is some food stalls near the area. Good place to take a memorable photo of Singapore
★★★★★SB· 5 months agoGreat view of some of the buildings of the CBD from here once you get rid of all the instagram heroes. Come early, that’s the best time for the sun anyway
★★★★★Carpe Diem Pirate· 9 months agoGreat nightlife spot in Singapore — easily one of the best things to do after dark. It’s not hot, the atmosphere is buzzing, and the vibes are just right for a chill, memorable night out.
★★★★★Kent Bettisworth· 2 months agoIconic symbol of Singapore in all its magnificence and glory! Easy to access. Lots of nearby restaurants. Fun location for families and young adults and teens. Directly across from the also legendary Marina Bay Sands hotel.

Clarke Quay

4.545,952 Google reviews
★★★★★Andy Rodriguez· 4 months agoClarke Quay is one of the most energetic and colorful areas in Singapore, especially in the evening. The riverside setting, combined with the bright neon lights and lively atmosphere, makes it a fantastic place to walk around and enjoy the city at night. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and entertainment options, ranging from casual dining to upscale spots with beautiful waterfront views. The colorful canopy overhead adds a unique architectural touch and helps keep the area comfortable even in warmer weather. Whether you're looking for a relaxed dinner by the river, live music, or just a scenic stroll along the Singapore River, Clarke Quay delivers. It’s clean, well organized, and feels safe — perfect for couples, friends, or even families earlier in the evening. Highly recommended if you want to experience Singapore’s nightlife in a vibrant and picturesque setting.
★★★★Nathalya Musa· 2 months agoI visited Clarke Quay during the day and found it to be a really charming place. It offers a wide variety of restaurants, making it a great spot to explore different dining options all in one area. The colorful buildings and riverside setting give it a very cute and vibrant atmosphere. Although I went during the daytime, I can imagine it becomes even more lively and visually appealing at night, when all the venues are open and the lights reflect beautifully along the river. Definitely a place worth visiting, especially in the evening for the full experience.
★★★★Julius Tan· 3 months agoClarke Quay is a vibrant riverside destination that’s very popular with tourists, offering a huge selection of bars and restaurants for nightlife and dining. The atmosphere really picks up in the evening with the music and light. It is a great spot whether you're looking for light bites or a full night out. As a local, I appreciate that it’s well maintained and clean. It is a good place for an evening stroll or leisurely walk. While it feels touristy and the prices are definitely on the higher side, it’s still a solid spot to soak in the city’s energy and enjoy a wide variety of food and drink in one location.
★★★★★Rajeev Jha· 5 months agoClarke Quay is one of those places in Singapore that truly comes alive after sunset. Set along the river, the area buzzes with neon lights, upbeat music, and a constant flow of people soaking in the atmosphere. Lined with a wide mix of bars, pubs, clubs, and restaurants, it offers something for everyone—whether you’re in the mood for a relaxed drink by the water or a high-energy night out with loud beats and dancing crowds. The riverside setting adds a charming touch, making evening walks especially enjoyable. You can stroll along the promenade, watch boats glide past, and take in the colorful reflections dancing on the water. There’s always something happening—live music spilling out of venues, street performers adding flair, and groups of friends laughing their way from one spot to another. Yes, it does feel a little touristy, with busy crowds and popular chains, but that’s part of its appeal. The energy is infectious, the vibe is festive, and the options are endless. If you’re looking for nightlife, people-watching, and a fun place to unwind after dark, Clarke Quay delivers the experience with style and spirit
★★★★Nathan Collins· 4 months agoNice area to wander under canopy, shelter from the sun, socialise, have light / western food. A great way of spending a few hours in the afternoon. Especially from the bars at the river edge.

Reviews are unedited excerpts from Google. Ratings refresh with each monthly rebuild.

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