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Three Southeast Asian Routes to Explore During the Dragon Boat Festival Holiday

Published: 2026-09-25 👁 100 views
Last updated 2026-09-25 — The three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday is just around the corner. Have you planned your trip yet? To avoid the crowds at popular domestic attractions during these three days off, why not look overseas and arrange an independent trip around Asia? With the special offers on Southeast Asian routes launched by various airlines...

Text / Reported by REN Xiang, MOOK Editorial Department
 
The three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday is just around the corner. Have you planned your trip yet? To avoid the crowds at popular domestic attractions during these three days off, why not look overseas and arrange an independent trip around Asia? With the special offers on Southeast Asian routes launched by various airlines, you can not only save time but also money.

A three-day, two-night trip to Asia — Singapore is one of the best options. (Image provided by MOOK Editorial Department)

A Three-Day Trip to Singapore
 
Singapore’s MRT network is very dense — just hop on a train, and you can reach most of the famous attractions. It’s perfect for independent travel. From buying tickets to entering the station and boarding, there are plenty of Chinese signs along the way, ensuring a fun and worry-free journey.
 
Day 1After arriving in Singapore in the morning, head to Little India to visit an Indian temple. Not far from the temple is the Tekka Market, where you can try a variety of Indian snacks. Recommended dishes include yellow turmeric rice and Indian roti, paired with teh tarik or yogurt for a unique flavor. Then take the MRT to Chinatown to admire three different temple styles — Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic — and explore shops selling herbs, pastries, and antiques, immersing yourself in the nostalgic charm of southern China. Speaking of pastries, don’t forget Singapore’s famous nyonya kuih. Blue Ginger specializes in traditional Peranakan cuisine; be sure to try their signature dishes like spicy sour shrimp, sambal squid, and ondeh-ondeh. In the afternoon, visit the area around Keong Saik Road and Ann Siang Road, lined with shophouse-style buildings, featuring trendy restaurants, bars, and boutique shops — a perfect blend of old and new. End the day with a drink at a bar.
 

Bring the “Singapore Complete Self-Guided” APP to enhance your travel convenience. (Image provided by MOOK Editorial Department)

Day 2Head to the Marina Bay area, home to the currently hottest Gardens by the Bay, the must-visit Marina Bay Sands integrated resort, and the ArtScience Museum. You could spend the whole day here without getting bored. The architecture here is full of surprises — from the iconic Skyway at Gardens by the Bay and the world’s first double helix bridge to the Singapore Flyer, all are popular spots. At night, visit the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, which looks like two durians from afar, and enjoy local street performances. Finally, end the evening with a ride on the Singapore River Cruise.

Day 3Step into an Arabian fantasy land. Start your morning at Telok Ayer Street, where you’ll feel like you’ve entered an open-air religious museum: temples such as the Thian Hock Keng Temple, a mosque, and the Kuan Im Tng are lined up along the street — a remarkable sight. You can go inside the Sultan Mosque for a visit or just take photos outside. Then stroll through nearby streets like Baghdad Street and Arab Street.
When you’re in this area, be sure to stop by Ya Kun Kaya Toast, a longstanding local favorite, whether you’re hungry or not. Order a piece of toasted bread with kaya and a cup of local coffee to experience everyday life in Singapore. If you have time in the afternoon, head to Bugis Junction, a shopping mall under a transparent glass canopy, to leisurely shop for souvenirs before ending your three-day, two-night trip.
 
Bonus Day
For those who aren’t pressed for time, consider staying an extra day. On the fourth day, you can visit Universal Studios Singapore and the Fullerton Heritage area.
 

From the observation deck of the Singapore Flyer, you can take in the territories of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore all at once. (Image provided by TRAVELER Luxe)

Explore Bangkok by MRT

 
If you only have three days in Bangkok, how can you make the most of it? The MRT is definitely your best helper. Shopping, spa treatments, visiting iconic temples, and tasting authentic Thai food are all essentials.
 
Day 1Upon arriving in Bangkok, start with Pratunam Market, Bangkok’s largest garment export hub. The most famous spot here is the long-established Hainanese chicken rice eatery, Zheng Zhuang Ah Ji Chicken Rice, tucked away in a small alley. Its simple meal box contains tender chicken and rice soaked in flavorful broth — just looking at it will make you hungry. After your meal, head to CentralWorld, Southeast Asia’s largest multi-purpose mall, which has every brand imaginable. Just a five-minute walk from the mall is Bangkok’s most famous Erawan Shrine, where piles of fresh flowers surround the gleaming golden Buddha statue, attracting worshippers throughout the day. Next to the shrine, don’t miss Erawan Tea Room, a must-try spot for afternoon tea. In addition to classic Western afternoon tea items, you can also sample traditional Thai sweets at reasonable prices.
In the afternoon, you can either walk or take the MRT to the Siam shopping district, where you’ll find a variety of unique boutiques in its alleys — everyone can find something to suit their style. In the evening, take the MRT and then a river ferry to Asiatique The Riverfront, Bangkok’s largest and newest riverside night market. There, you can enjoy delicious food, ride a Ferris wheel, or catch a ladyboy show.
 

The “Bangkok & Chiang Mai Ultimate Guide” APP features over 1,300 major tourist attractions in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, allowing users to check them anytime. (Image provided by MOOK Editorial Department)

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