Among them was Jiangxi native Liu Mei Feng, a 25-year-old content creator better known as Wanzi on social media, waiting for her chance to pose for photos at the spiral staircase.
Here for the first time, she followed the recommendations on the popular Chinese app Xiaohongshu, or "Little Red Book", to the picture-perfect spot.
Xiaohongshu, which has more than 300 million monthly active users, has turned less-sought-after locations all over the world into must-visit attractions for Chinese tourists.
Such user-generated travel advice and itineraries are taking them off the beaten track to places such as Dusseldorf, Germany, for Chinese food; Ijen volcano in eastern Java, Indonesia, for crater rim pictures; and Kennedy Town in Hong Kong for romantic neighbourhood vibes.
Da ka, or "punching the card" tourism, a trend popularised by social media, involves planning an itinerary around photogenic attractions and showing off the pictures on the platforms.
The app's algorithm will then push the posts to other users with shared interests, who will repeat the process.
The Fort Canning tree tunnel is known to some nature shutterbugs, but otherwise not promoted as a tourist destination like Sentosa, Gardens by the Bay or Marina Bay Sands, which are also perennial favourites on Xiaohongshu.
Ms Liu said Xiaohongshu is her go-to travel resource as it features photogenic locales.
She went up to the best vantage spot at the staircase recommended by the app, and struck different poses in her floral dress for her photos.
Her travel companion, Miss Shi Jin Shan, a 20-year-old student, took multiple shots to share with others on social media.
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin October 20, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin October 20, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
NO SNOW, BUT SANTA'S STILL AT WORK
With a month to go until Christmas, Santa Claus is busy preparing, but he is worried about the warming climate and lack of snow in his Arctic home town.
My Chemical Romance ex-drummer Bob Bryar was active in dog rescue
Bob Bryar, the former drummer of pop-punk band My Chemical Romance, who was with the group from 2004 to 2010, has died at the age of 44.
Lady Gaga to hold free gig at Rio's Copacabana Beach: Sources
Pop star Lady Gaga is set to hold a free concert at Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach in May 2025, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, a show expected to draw hundreds of thousands of fans.
Taylor Swift fans turn out on Black Friday for vinyl album, new Eras Tour book
Young Taylor Swift fans and their parents lined up outside some of Target's nearly 2,000 stores in America early on Nov 29 - Black Friday - to buy copies of her new Eras Tour book and vinyl album.
K-drama actor Jung Woo-sung apologises after scandal on love child
One of South Korea's top actors apologized after it was revealed he fathered a child with a woman he is not married to, sparking nationwide scrutiny in a country where births outside marriage are still seen as taboo.
Festive vibes with Vivaldi at SSO's choral concert
CONCERT GLORIA!
An exploration of personal identities through dance
As one stepped into the theatre, a dancer was already on stage, performing a short series of movements.
BoA's first solo show harks back to K-pop's roots
The South Korean singer-songwriter's Singapore show was the last stop of her first Asia tour
The myth of an equal marriage
Research has shown that married women continue to do more at home compared with their husbands, so it is time for men to step up
What to do if your child is targeted by a bully
Following recent incidents of school bullying, several parents wrote in to ST to ask for advice on how they can help their children if they are targeted by a bully or bullying someone.
