SINGAPORE - It is unusual to see anyone other than students, teachers and parents in the vicinity of the Anglo-Chinese School in Barker Road.

So passers-by would have been somewhat surprised to see a minibus with 16 passengers - from countries including Britain, Norway and Australia - slowing down so the foreigners could take a look at its red brick facade earlier this month, as a guide spoke of the tough competition that parents face to get their children into the school. They were there because the school is the alma mater of Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan - a fact which has turned it into one of Singapore's more unlikely tourist destinations.