I’m a Singaporean travel writer and the person behind The Occasional Traveller. I’ve been writing about independent travel since 2010, covering destinations around the world through practical travel guides and stories about culture, offbeat places and solo travel.
My writing has appeared in The Straits Times, Lonely Planet, Tripadvisor, Culture Trip and other international travel publications. I’m also a contributing author to recent editions of the Lonely Planet Singapore guidebooks.
I write about places from first-hand experience, combining practical insight with stories that help busy travellers better understand a destination and plan their own trips. I especially enjoy documenting lesser-known sides of both familiar and new places, hunting down street art murals, visiting museums and cultural institutions and exploring little islands.
Here you’ll find a selection of my published travel writing.
Jaclynn Seah
Travel writing since 2010 ยท Guidebook author ยท Independent traveller ยท Singapore specialist
Published in: The Straits Times ยท Lonely Planet ยท Tripadvisor ยท Culture Trip ยท and more
Selected Travel Writing
Travelling through Turkmenistan: Of white marble and eternal flames
The Straits Times ยท 2026
A destination feature from my personal trip to Turkmenistan, exploring the surreal capital of Ashgabat, the ancient ruins of Merv and the infamous Darvaza gas craters.
Explore Busan and more in South Koreaโs south-east
The Straits Times ยท 2025
A destination piece from a press trip as a representative of ST Life, exploring the sights, food and culture of Busan, Gyeongsan-nam and Ulsan (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) in southeastern Korea.
Street art in Singapore: the best spots for Instagram photos, and the artists who have learned how to subvert with subtlety
South China Morning Post ยท 2020
A feature exploring Singapore’s vibrant street art scene including interviews with street artists and a look at the historic neighbourhoods that house these walls.
What to eat and drink in Singapore
Lonely Planet ยท 2024
A practical guide to Singapore’s diverse cuisine, covering must-eat local dishes, drinks and the best places to eat them based on my experiences. One of several guides on the Singapore section of the Lonely Planet website
How to Spend a Day in Taipeiโs Oldest Neighborhood
Virtuoso ยท 2023
A neighbourhood guide to Wanhua, Taipei’s oldest district, exploring its historic temples, traditional markets, heritage streets and local food stalls based on my personal experiences. Featured in Virtuoso’s Sep/Oct 2023 print magazine.
The Sumptuous History of the Singapore Sling
The Culture Trip ยท 2024
A look at the history and evolution of Singapore’s classic cocktail and what visitors need to know if they want to try it in Singapore. One of many articles that deep dive into cultural and historical aspects of Singapore.
Lonely Planet Guidebook Author
I’ve contributed to recent editions of three Lonely Planet guidebooks covering Singapore and Malaysia
Lonely Planet Singapore Guidebook (13th + 14th Edition)
One of three contributing authors for the 13th and 14th editions of the Lonely Planet Singapore guidebook.
For the 13th edition I researched and wrote the sections for West/Southwest Singapore, Sentosa and Day trips from Singapore, and three articles about Singapore in the storybook section.
For the 14th edition I researched and wrote the sections for Downtown and Marina Bay, Northern/Central Singapore and Day trips from Singapore.
Lonely Planet Pocket Singapore Guidebook (9th Edition)
One of three contributing authors for the 9th edition of the Lonely Planet Singapore guidebook.
For the 9th edition I researched and wrote the sections for Downtown and Marina Bay, Northern/Central Singapore and Day trips from Singapore.
Lonely Planet Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei
Contributing author for Lonely Planet Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei guidebook (16th Edition).
I researched and wrote the Melaka chapter.
Published Travel Writing
The Straits Times
I’ve written travel features and gone on assignment for the Life section of Singapore’s oldest and most read English newspaper, The Straits Times
A first-time visitorโs guide: Escape Japanโs summer heat in colourful Furano (Hokkaido, Japan) โ Aug 2026
- Read on ST [paywall]
- Related blogpost: WIP
Travelling through Turkmenistan: Of white marble and eternal flames (Turkmenistan) โ Jan 2026
- Read on ST [paywall]
- Related blogpost: How I visited Turkmenistan
- Related blogpost: Ashgabat guide
- Related blogpost: Darvaza Gates of Hell guide
- Related blogpost: Merv guide
Explore Yakushima, the island of ancient trees that inspired Studio Ghibli film Princess Mononoke (Yakushima, Japan) โ Aug 2025
- Read on ST [paywall]
- Related blogpost: Yakushima itinerary: 4 days road trip to see ancient cedars and lush nature
Dive into Labuan Bajo’s underwater paradise (Labuan Bajo, Indonesia) โ Aug 2025
- Read on ST [paywall]
- Related blogpost: Scuba Diving in Labuan Bajo
Explore Busan and more in South Koreaโs south-east (Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongsang-nam, South Korea) โ Mar 2025
- Read on ST [paywall]
- Related blogpost: East Busan Guide – Exploring Haeundae, Gwangan and Dalmaji
How to visit Angkor Archaelogical Park in one day (Siem Reap, Cambodia) โ Dec 2024
- Read on ST [paywall]
- Contribution to Beyond the Angkor Wat on ST [paywall]
- Related blogpost: Angkor Park Highlights in one day
Pearls, camels and dinosaur footprints (Broome, Australia) โ Jul 2024
- Read on ST [paywall]
- Related blogpost: Fly Singapore to Broome direct with Jetstar Asia
- Related blogpost: 9 amazing things to do in Broome
Into the heart of art in Japan (Niigata, Japan) โ May 2024
- Read on ST [paywall]
- Related blogpost: Niigata’s hidden gems
- Related blogpost: Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale
Discover Cha-am’s charms (Cha am, Thailand) โ Apr 2023
- Read on ST [paywall]
- Read on C3A
- Related blogpost: SO Sofitel Hua Hin review
- Related blogpost: Cha Am guide
Sun, sand and plenty to see (Tioman, Malaysia) โ Oct 2022
- Read on ST [paywall]
- Read on The New Paper
- Related blogpost: Berjaya Tioman Resort review
- Related blogpost: Cycling in Tioman
Flamenco, tapas, history (Andalusia, Spain) โ Sep 2022
- Read on ST [paywall]
- Related blogpost: Seville guide
- Related blogpost: Cadiz guide
- Related blogpost: Cordoba guide
Central Laos natural beauty on loop (Laos) โ Aug 2019
- Read on ST [paywall]
- Watch video on youtube
- Related blogpost: Central Laos loop
Taiwan’s green paradise (Green Island, Taiwan) โ Jul 2019
- Read on ST [paywall]
- Related blogpost: Lyudao guide
Etihad โ Atlas Inflight Magazine
South China Morning Post (SCMP)
Street art in Singapore: the best spots for Instagram photos and the artists who learned how to subvert with subtlety (Singapore) โ Jan 2020
- Read on SCMP [paywall]
- Read on PDF
- Related: Street art guides
Virtuoso
Turkish Airlines โ Skylife Inflight Magazine
I wrote several articles that were published in Turkish Airlines inflight magazine Skylife.
The articles used to be found in their online magazine archive but have since been removed.
Moving Kenya (Nairobi + Mombasa) โ Dec 2018
- Read on PDF
- Related blogpost: Animal encounters in Kenya
- Related blogpost: Skydiving over Diani Beach
On top of the world in Zurich (Switzerland) โ Sep 2017
- Read on PDF
- Related blogpost: Zurich from above
Exploring Hongkong’s outer islands (Lamma, Cheung Chau, Peng Chau) โ Aug 2017
- Read on PDF
- Related blogpost: Lamma Island Guide
- Related blogpost: Cheung Chau Island guide
A quick exploration in Singapore โ May 2017
- Read on PDF
- Related blogpost: Exploring Singapore by MRT
