Hidden Cities

Beginner

People are always searching for new places, moments or angles to capture. Travel to 'hidden' places within your city and capture these locations in your own unique style with the help of the Canon EOS camera series.

Snapshot

Published on February 01, 2018 Updated On February 01, 2018

Reading Time

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

 

People are always searching for new places, moments or angles to capture. Travel to 'hidden' places within your city and capture these locations in your own unique style with the help of the Canon EOS camera series.

Captured by Canon. Unlocked by Uber.

CANON

Uncovering the different views of the hidden

With Canon, tell the tale of the city and capture the hidden with your own unique style.

UBER

Unlocking the meaning of places

Uber provides the means to uncover places & understands that each place has a unique meaning to each person.

How well do you know your city

  • City name

     
  •  

    Serani row

    Along the bustling Jalan Raja Chulan in Bukit Nanas, there is a row of 8 abandoned colonial houses hidden in plain sight called the Serani Row.

    When it was first built in 1931, it housed elite members of the Eurasian community. This historical building stands at the foot of the iconic KL Tower, making it a perfect reflection of the city – an urban city peppered with traces of the olden days.

     

    Lorong panggung

    Chinatown may have become a popular tourist spot in recent years, but there are hidden nooks and crannies where reminders of the old world quietly live on.

    Take a stroll along Lorong Panggung where you can find the 60-year-old Hor Kao Kopitiam – a real hidden local gem in that area. Enjoy a traditional breakfast of coffee, eggs, toast and a generous helping of nostalgia.

     

    KL ECO park

    KL Eco Park, formerly known as Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, is a natural respite from KL’s urban sprawl.

    9 hectares large, the forest is home to a wide array of age-old trees, different species of birds and small mammals. There are paved footpaths as well as more natural trails if you prefer more adventure in your photography journey. Or, make your way to the top of the 200m-tall canopy walk to get a bird’s eye view of the last remaining stretch of KL’s rainforest.

     
     next
    previous 

    Featured in the videos

    Ida

    Ida is a part-time photographer. Her work tend to focus on capturing the busyness of the streets in urban city, as well as interesting architecture and designs all around us.

     View Instagram  

    Patrick

    Patrick started his journey as a travel photographer a decade ago. While he has expanded his portfolio to include portraits and architectural shoots, he continues to find passion in capturing the colorful urbanscapes around him.

     View Instagram  

    Jane Chuck

    Jane is a social media superstar in the region who blogs mostly about travel and fashion. Similar to her impeccable sense of style, Jane’s photos look elegant, sophisticated and effortlessly chic at the same time

     View Instagram  
     
     next
    previous 
  •  

    Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle

    This is a family pottery business where you can find the oldest "dragon kiln" in Singapore. Built in 1940, the kiln is 36 metres long, two metres wide and can hold up to 5,000 ceramic pieces inside. It also has a labyrinth of rooms that house hundreds of beautiful, brightly coloured ceramics.

     

    Kranji Marshes

    Kranji Marshes is a unique freshwater marshland that’s home to an incredible range of biodiversity comprising all sorts of wildlife, reptiles, amphibians and plants.

    The Marshes have also become a favourite spot among birdwatchers who come to catch a glimpse of the over 170 species of birds living here. If you prefer a bird’s eye view, the 10.65m tall Raptor Tower offers a beautiful one as well.

     

    Kebun Baru Bird-Singing Club

    Located at the foot of a hill at Ang Mo Kio Garden West, the Kebun Baru Bird-Singing Club is a place that looks as beautiful as it sounds. As early as 6am every morning, birds are hoisted up 20-foot poles. At its peak, the arena can accommodate more than 1000 cages at a time, creating a spectacular view.

    Here, you’ll also find many senior citizens who spend their time socializing or just enjoying nature’s music at the club, which is their well-kept secret.

     
     next
    previous 

    Featured in the videos

    Yik Keat

    Yik Keat is a self taught urban photographer who started his photography journey on Instagram using an iPhone. His specialty is shooting cityscapes with interesting angles and light interactions.

     View Instagram  

    Julian Cheong

    Julian is a freelance photographer who focuses on both travel and portrait photography. He captures moments through his lens in hope to inspire people through his works as others have inspired him.

     View Instagram  

    Melody

    Melody is a travel & fashion influencer with a keen eye for aesthetic, reflected through her photographs and style. She is also a frequent traveller who loves to explore exotic places and meeting people from all walks of life.

     View Instagram  
     
     next
    previous 
  •  

    Puerta Real Gardens

    Surrounded by 18th century stone walls, the Puerta Real Gardens was a royal garden used exclusively by the Governor General for state occasions during the Spanish colonial era when their version of an HD photograph was a fine oil painting.

    The well-maintained garden even retained its drawbridges and intricate walkways from the past making it look like a castle out of a fairytale. Surrounded by tropical plants, flowers and coconut palms, you will truly feel like a royalty while taking a walk in the garden.

     

    Bahay Nakpil-Bautista

    Bahay Nakpil-Bautista is a 100-year-old house named after its famous residents, Dr. Ariston Bautista, who built this house with his wife Petrona Nakpil. The house is built in an architecture style rarely found in Manila with Viennse Secesssion influences seen in its clean lines, symmetry, geometry, and hardwood.

    It’s now a museum to showcase paintings and furniture from the Katipunan revolutionary society, which was founded to help The Philippines achieve independence.

     

    Manila Central Post Office

    The Manila Central Post Office is a grand reminder of Old Manila. Few people visit this majestic building which was originally built along the Pasig River for easy water transportation of mail. The post office was rebuilt in the same neoclassical style after World War II and today stands as a a riverside reminder of Manila’s grand old days.

     
     next
    previous 

    Featured in the videos

    Aaron

    Aaron’s day job is an architect and his side passion is to capture interesting street and architectural sites through unique angles. His photos tend to look dark and he is also a fan of night time photography

     View Instagram  

    Benj Ramos

    Benj is an avid travel photographer and blogger who photographs as beautifully as he writes. He tells visual stories of nature, architecture, humans, style and art wherever his travel brings him to.

     View Instagram  

    Kryz Uy

    Kryz is one of the top bloggers in Philippines. She posts about lifestyle, fashion, travel and anything that inspires her. Her style and photographs follows the “effortlessly put together look”, making it relatable for all

     View Instagram  
     
     next
    previous 
  •  

    Arthayasa stable

    The Arthayasa stable was established in 1992 as a private horse riding facility.

    Over the years, it’s been developed into one of the best horseback riding facilities in Southeast Asia. However, located in the outskirts of South Jakarta, in Limo-Cinere, it’s not well known to members of the public in Jakarta. There’s a cafe on the premises, so even if one doesn’t ride, it’s a beautiful place to enjoy a meal away from the urban hustle and bustle while watching these beautiful horses in action.

     

    Kampung 99 Pepohonan

    This place is like the lost village, as far away from Jakarta’s city center as one can get. Almost all the buildings are made from wood and it’s untouched by urbanisation, so the air is fresh and natural. There’s lodging for the adventurous traveller who prefers to wander off the beaten path and experience life outside of their comfort zone.

     

    Taman Wisata Alam Mangrove Angke Kapuk

    This is the second mangrove swamp built to protect the city from the sea. It’s lush greenery makes it a cool respite from Jakarta’s humid weather. You can also stay overnight in the on-site tent-houses to rest and relax away from bustling urban life.

    For just a small fee, you can also plant a mangrove in the swamp and name it after anything you’d like. It’s a nice way to leave a personal mark without disturbing nature.

     
     next
    previous 

    Featured in the videos

    Tino Renato

    Tino is self-taught travel, food, portrait and still life photographer. His photos are soulful and elegant. He loves to capture rich landscapes with human subjects to highlight the magnitude of the landscape.

     View Instagram  

    Fen Soong

    Fen is a photographer who has a flair for beauty, as well as telling stories and conveying emotions through her well-thought out photographs. She dreams to keep the magical moments through her work.

     View Instagram  

    Mutiara Dewi

    Mutiara, more commonly known as Muti, is a member of an Indonesian girl band Cherrybelle. Her photos feature interesting subjects, and are subtle and simple, using both bright colors and pastels.

     View Instagram  
     
     next
    previous 
  •  

    Phu An Bamboo Village

    Located in Binh Duong province, 35km north of the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, is the Phu An Bamboo Village. It is a stunning sight to behold with lush bamboo clusters made up of over 130 bamboo species. You can also explore the hidden village inside the forest and the creative ways they use this sustainable resource to make a living.

     

    Thanh Da Island

    Just 8 kilometres from Saigon District 1, you will find a charming island within Saigon- Thanh Da Island. Dotted with lush gardens, rice paddies, rural market gardens and cosy family-run restaurants, this little oasis is largely untouched by the rapid urbanisation of the city.

    You may even make a friend of the geese, chickens and pigs wandering about the island as you explore the winding paths.

     

    Civil House No. 107A/4, Hamlet 1, An Phu Tay

    In modern day Saigon, there are only a few houses like this one in An Phu Tay left as the city rapidly modernises itself.

    First built in 1895 and completed in 1900, this house is considered an ancient monument, filled with antiques and intricate woodwork from a time that even our grandparents wouldn’t remember. You can also see an authentic traditional Buddhist altar where multiple generations of family members come together to pay respect to their ancestors once a year.

     
     next
    previous 

    Featured in the videos

    Maika Elan

    Maika is a well-known and respected photographer for her award winning project, The Pink Choice. Her work tend to showcase authentic daily style of locals living in the city.

     View Instagram  

    Hai An

    Hai An is a photojournalist at Zing.vn, an e-newspaper. He travels around the world to capture worthy stories to share through his photographs and interesting commentary

     View Instagram  

    Stu Max

    Stu is a designer and film editor. She is also a fashion and travel influencer who composes interesting and creative photographs with her family members as the subject in various locations.

     View Instagram  
     
     next
    previous 

CANON x UBER

Exclusive Content

Hand-picked especially for you, these curated articles are created to further ignite your passion for storytelling through travel, exploration and photography.

Go out and unlock the Hidden.

View content 

Capture your hidden cities with these tips

Use the proper equipment to improve the quality of your photo gallery

A mirrorless camera is packed with features that will get you amazing quality photographs, and helps make photography easier to learn and more fun to play with. Here are four reasons why shooting with a mirrorless camera is great for your Instagram.

Read more 

Frame your photos to create a stronger visual impact

Framing, a simple but sometimes overlooked composition technique, helps to direct the viewer’s eye to your subject and adds depth and dimension to your photos. Add emphasises to your subject by adding a focal point so that your viewer knows exactly where to look.

Read more 

Apply the rule of space to compose more engaging photos

Rule of Space, or sometimes known as the Rule fo Gaze, looks at how space should be organised relative to the subject in the photograph. It makes use of negative space to let your subject stand out and automatically draws your viewer’s attention to it.

Read more 

Incorporate the natural lines or patterns to create dynamic photos

Consider using lines and patterns, elements that you see everywhere but sometimes overlook. Lines and patterns can help you create dramatic and eye-catching photos.

Read more 

Include food in your shot to create eye-catching visuals

Coffeetography is a technique that captures artisanal coffee pictures in a cafe or coffee shop. Some shots focus on coffee in cups, but it's the act of brewing and crafting that perfect cuppa that truly embodies the art of the barista. Pick up techniques to produce excellent coffee images.

Read more 
 
 next
previous 

Share Your Story & Stand A Chance To Be Featured

Unlock the hidden cities

  • 1

    Sign-up or login
    to SNAPSHOT

  • 2

    Write your own “Uncover The Hidden City” story

  • 3

    Upload your photo and “SUBMIT”

  • 4

    Submissions will be visible on the gallery once Canon has approved your story. Please allow up to 1-2 working days  for Canon to review your submission.

Share your story View all stories 

Canon mirrorless cameras to help you unlock the cities

  • CANON EOS M5

    A dependable camera for the professional photographer who is always on the go.

    Find out more  

  • CANON EOS M6

    A compact camera for the street smart photographer to capture life’s every moment

    Find out more  

  • CANON EOS M100

    A trendy camera for the budding lifestyle influencer to snap those in-vogue moments.

    Find out more  

Unlock the hidden e-Book.

A collection of stories and photographs about each of the Hidden Cities showcased.

Captured by Canon. Unlocked by Uber.

Share Your Story & Stand A
Chance To Be Featured

Share your story 

Related Reads

5 Key Features of the EOS M6
March 03, 2017
Useful EOS M5 Techniques: In-camera RAW Image Post-Processing
March 16, 2017
EOS M5: A Closer Look at 4 Core Internal Features
March 31, 2017