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Dragon Boat Festival Holiday: Three Routes to Explore Southeast Asia

Published: 2026-11-08 👁 101 views
Last updated 2026-11-08 — The three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday is just around the corner. Have you planned your trip yet? Instead of squeezing into crowded domestic attractions during these three days off, why not look abroad and arrange an independent Asian tour? With the special offers on Southeast Asian routes launched by various airlines, you can save both time and money.

Text / Reported by MOOK Editorial Department Ren Xiang
 
The three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday is just around the corner. Have you planned your trip yet? Instead of squeezing into crowded domestic attractions during these three days off, why not look abroad and arrange an independent Asian tour? With the special offers on Southeast Asian routes launched by various airlines, you can save both time and money.

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

Three-Day Trip to Singapore
 
Singapore’s MRT network is highly dense. Once you hop on, you can reach most major attractions, making it perfect for independent travel. From ticket purchasing to entering the station and boarding, there are plenty of Chinese signs along the way—enjoy a worry-free and delightful journey.
 
Day 1After arriving in Singapore in the morning, head to Little India to visit an Indian temple. Not far from the temple, you’ll find Tekka Market, which offers a variety of Indian snacks. Recommended are turmeric rice and Indian flatbread, paired with teh tarik or yogurt for a unique flavor. Then take the MRT to Chinatown to admire three different styles of temples—Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic—and explore shops selling herbs, pastries, and antiques, immersing yourself in the nostalgic vibe 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 the refreshing cendol. In the afternoon, visit the area around Keong Saik Road and Ann Siang Road, lined with shophouse-style buildings, where trendy restaurants, bars, and boutiques blend old and new perfectly. Wrap up the night with a drink at a local 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 popular Gardens by the Bay, the must-visit Marina Bay Sands integrated resort, and the ArtScience Museum. You could easily 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 attractions. At night, visit the Esplanade—Theatres on the Bay, which from afar looks like two durians. Enjoy a performance or simply stroll along the waterfront. Finally, end your night with a visit to the vibrant Clarke Quay.

Day 3Step into an Arabian fantasy land. Start your morning at Telok Ayer Street, which feels like an open-air religious museum: with temples like the Thian Hock Keng Temple, a mosque, and the Kuan Im Tng Temple standing side by side along the street, it’s quite a sight. You can go inside the Sultan Mosque for a visit or just take photos outside, then explore nearby streets like Bussorah Street and Arab Street.
When you’re in this area, be sure to stop by Ya Kun Kaya Toast, a long-standing local favorite, whether you’re hungry or not. Order a slice of toasted bread with kaya and a cup of local coffee to experience everyday life here. If you have time in the afternoon, head to Bugis Junction, where you can leisurely shop under the transparent glass canopy and pick up some souvenirs for the trip back. This wraps up your three-day, two-night adventure.
 
Bonus Day
If you have no time constraints, 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 Traveler)

Ride the MRT to Explore Bangkok

 
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, and visits to iconic temples are all essentials, as is sampling authentic Thai cuisine.
 
Day 1Upon arriving in Bangkok, start with Pratunam Market, Bangkok’s largest garment export hub. The most famous spot here is Zheng Zhuang An Ji Fan, a long-standing eatery tucked away in a small alley, serving Hainanese chicken rice. The simple meal box contains tender chicken and rice soaked in flavorful broth—it’s mouthwatering just to look at it. After your meal, head to CentralWorld, Southeast Asia’s largest lifestyle mall, which has every brand imaginable. Just a five-minute walk from the mall is Bangkok’s most famous Erawan Shrine, where golden Buddha statues are surrounded by piles of fresh flowers, attracting worshippers all day long. Next to the shrine, don’t miss the Erawan Tea Room for afternoon tea. In addition to classic Western options, you can also try traditional Thai desserts at reasonable prices.
In the afternoon, you can walk or take the MRT to the Siam shopping district, where you’ll find a variety of unique shops in the alleys—everyone can find something they love. In the evening, take the MRT and then a river ferry to Asiatique The Riverfront, Bangkok’s largest and newest night market. Here, you can enjoy delicious food, ride a Ferris wheel, or catch a ladyboy cabaret 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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