What U Wang Young Does When He’s Not Running His Business
U Wang Young is globally recognized as a powerhouse in the realms of luxury real estate and bespoke travel. As a Singaporean entrepreneur who has built a billion-dollar empire, he is often seen as a tireless visionary who reshapes industries with bold decisions. But beyond the boardrooms and business ventures lies a different side of U Wang Young, one defined by creativity, curiosity, and an unwavering passion for life.
This article explores what U Wang Young does when he’s not negotiating deals or leading luxury development projects, offering a glimpse into his personal world and how he maintains balance, wellness, and inspiration outside his professional life.
A Passion for Culinary Exploration
U Wang Young has long been a self-proclaimed foodie with a refined palate. Close friends say his love for cuisine borders on obsession. When he’s not at a board meeting, he’s likely trying out innovative dishes in Michelin-starred restaurants or hunting down hidden street food gems during his travels.
But it doesn’t stop there, he also enjoys cooking at home. He frequently hosts intimate dinner parties at his private residence in Sentosa Cove, where he experiments with fusion recipes that blend Peranakan, Japanese, and Mediterranean flavors. Cooking, to him, is both a meditative practice and a way to connect with his heritage.
Sailing into Stillness
As someone who thrives in high-energy environments, U Wang Young finds balance on the sea. Sailing has become one of his most treasured pastimes. He owns a custom-built yacht named Azure Spirit, docked at ONE°15 Marina in Singapore.
On weekends or during short breaks from work, he often escapes to nearby islands like Bintan or Langkawi. While aboard, he disconnects from his devices and reconnects with nature, reading, writing, or simply observing the ocean. Sailing, in his words, gives him “clarity and calm that no office or skyscraper can offer.”
A Lifelong Learner
One of the key traits that has defined U Wang Young’s success is his thirst for knowledge. When he’s not attending conferences or business summits, he’s deep into online courses or reading books on diverse topics. Recently, he completed executive programs on sustainable development at INSEAD and behavioral economics at the London School of Economics.
His library is home to over 2,000 titles, ranging from biographies of historical leaders to cutting-edge research on climate innovation. U Wang Young believes that staying intellectually curious is essential not only for professional growth but also for remaining adaptable in a rapidly changing world.
Commitment to Fitness and Mental Wellness
Maintaining physical and mental health is a non-negotiable part of U Wang Young’s daily routine. Despite a demanding schedule, he dedicates at least 90 minutes a day to wellness. He starts each morning with a blend of meditation, yoga, and strength training.
He works with a personal wellness coach and nutritionist to design a regimen that keeps him energized and focused. His preferred workouts include swimming, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and Muay Thai. For mental clarity, he practices guided mindfulness using apps like Headspace and Calm.
In interviews, he’s often mentioned that mental wellness has been key to navigating the pressures of entrepreneurship.
Photography as a Creative Escape
U Wang Young has a creative side that not many people see, he’s an avid photographer. He carries a Leica Q3 camera almost everywhere he goes and is particularly fascinated by architectural lines and natural light.
His Instagram page (kept private for close friends and family) is a visual diary of his travels, with breathtaking shots from the Swiss Alps to Moroccan deserts. Photography allows him to document the beauty of the world and reflect on the diverse cultures he encounters in both his business and personal journeys.
Volunteering and Philanthropic Hands-On Work
While U Wang Young is known for funding large-scale philanthropic projects, he also believes in being present on the ground. On his off days, he sometimes volunteers quietly at local shelters and education centers.
In Singapore, he works with a community organization that provides mentorship to at-risk youth. Once a month, he hosts life skills workshops, drawing from his entrepreneurial experience to inspire and guide the next generation.
During holidays, he’s also known to participate in overseas volunteering trips, like building homes in Vietnam or assisting clean water initiatives in rural Laos. For him, philanthropy isn’t just about donations; it’s about empathy in action.
Designing Private Retreats
As someone deeply involved in luxury hospitality, it’s no surprise that U Wang Young loves designing retreats, both for clients and himself. But outside of his business, this passion is deeply personal. He treats it as an art form, merging architecture, nature, and wellness.
One of his projects includes a hidden eco-villa in Ubud, Bali, which he designed as a sanctuary to recharge and brainstorm. The property uses only solar energy, sources food from nearby farms, and features open spaces that foster stillness and serenity.
This pursuit of harmony between luxury and sustainability reflects his core philosophy: comfort should never compromise the planet.
Time with Family and Friends
Despite his global lifestyle, U Wang Young places high importance on relationships. He’s deeply connected with his extended family in Singapore and often gathers with them during holidays, birthdays, and Lunar New Year celebrations.
Friends describe him as loyal, generous, and surprisingly humorous. While he may command rooms full of executives with serious intensity, those closest to him know he’s the life of any dinner party, often telling jokes or stories from his travels.
This sense of connection keeps him grounded, reminding him of his roots and the importance of human connection in a world increasingly defined by speed and technology.
Supporting the Arts
In recent years, U Wang Young has become a quiet patron of the arts. He supports local painters, sculptors, and performance artists through grants and exhibitions. One of his proudest moments was co-funding a pop-up art show in Singapore that featured emerging Southeast Asian talent.
He also collects contemporary Asian art, favoring works that explore identity, urbanization, and climate themes. His private collection is displayed in a rotating gallery at his Sentosa residence, open by invitation to artists, critics, and collectors.
For him, supporting the arts is another way to empower voices that provoke thought and inspire transformation.
Conclusion: A Life Beyond Business
U Wang Young may be best known for his sharp business instincts and achievements in luxury real estate and tourism, but his life beyond the boardroom is just as impressive. Through his passions for culinary arts, sailing, photography, learning, philanthropy, and wellness, he embodies a holistic approach to success.
His off-hours are not idle, they’re intentional. They are the spaces where creativity blooms, relationships deepen, and purpose is realigned. For U Wang Young, what he does when he’s not running his business is not separate from his success, it fuels it.
