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Asia travel
Survival guides, insider secrets, top things to do, eco-tours, independent hotel reviews, family-friendly itineraries: fire your imagination with the South China Morning Post’s travel guides and must-see lists for holiday destinations across China and the rest of Asia.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM
Futatsugame Beach, at the north end of Sado Island, Japan. Photo: Cameron Dueck

Sado Island’s cultural renaissance: a Japanese journey from exile to artistic haven

Having initially landed only to rest on a voyage to Hokkaido, a writer was so taken with this magical, welcoming Japanese island that he has been unable to resist repeat visits.

Reading Time:7 minutes
The setting-up of the night market at Drum Tower Square, in Kaifeng, Henan province. Photo: Getty Images

Making tracks through China’s past and present

Reading Time:8 minutes
The skeletons of a family in an ancient sacrifice pit in China.

Reflections | How Ching Ming’s paper offerings evolved from human sacrifice

Reading Time:2 minutes
The living room of Harry Sun's Central flat, designed by Dominic Cheung of Crimson Company. Photo: Elizabeth Au of HHM Studio (hhm-studio.com)

Can a Hong Kong flat blend modernity with vintage charm?

Reading Time:4 minutes
Bird song was a signature feature of Mong Kok's Wan Loy Teahouse, seen here in 1987. Photo: SCMP Archives

In pictures: 50 years of Hong Kong’s yum cha teahouse tradition

Reading Time:1 minute
Morning mist hangs over the tea plantation at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, in the New Territories. Photo: Alexander Mak

Hong Kong’s 1,000-year-old tea heritage is being rediscovered and rehabilitated

Reading Time:11 minutes
MORE IN POSTMAG
Content from SCMP's Specialist Publications
The setting-up of the night market at Drum Tower Square, in Kaifeng, Henan province. Photo: Getty Images
Mainland China

Making tracks through China’s past and present

High-speed rail may have modernised journeys through northern China, but centuries of urban history are still in evidence on a pilgrimage from the capital to the caves used by a strengthening Communist Party.

Japan

Video | Chinese games among growing overseas presence at Comiket in Japan

Mainland China

This week in PostMag: let your mind wander with our autumn travel edition

Japan

Sado Island’s cultural renaissance: a Japanese journey from exile to artistic haven

Having initially landed only to rest on a voyage to Hokkaido, a writer was so taken with this magical, welcoming Japanese island that he has been unable to resist repeat visits.

Futatsugame Beach, at the north end of Sado Island, Japan. Photo: Cameron Dueck
Luxury Hotels

Review | Upper House Chengdu blends Qing dynasty heritage with modern luxury

Formerly known as The Temple House, Swire’s urban sanctuary in Tai Koo Li pairs historic architecture with Michelin-starred teahouse dining.

Sri Lanka

Three-wheeling through Sri Lanka on a family tuk-tuk adventure

Cheap, naturally air-conditioned and undoubtedly a ‘fun-mobile’, a self-driven tuk-tuk provides the ultimate transport for travellers too young to appreciate the spiritual side of the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.

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China travel

Why Ben Fogle thinks he discovered the ‘real’ China in new TV series

In Ben Fogle’s Chinese Adventure, the TV presenter ‘transcends stereotypes’ as he travels from the Great Wall to Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

British presenter Ben Fogle meets a cormorant fisherman in Guilin. Photo: All3Media
China's economic recovery

How China’s Zhangjiajie aims to revive a US$296 million loss-making tourist site

A 150,000-visitor opening offers an early signal, but analysts warn that lasting cash flow will require stronger products, local culture and tighter operations.

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China travel

China tops South Korea’s outbound travel charts as short-haul tourism surges

About 1.7 million South Koreans visited China in the first half of this year, up 16 per cent from the same period last year.

Food and Drinks

These 7 lesser-known Korean snacks are trending among visitors

From pork rice soup to K-pop star Jennie’s favourite banana-flavoured snacks, these foods are trending across TikTok, Instagram and Reddit.

Banana Kick (right) has long been a favourite in Korea, but the puffed corn snack became the focus of attention overseas after Blackpink’s Jennie named it one of her favourites last year. Melon Kick (left) has also become a favourite for some overseas enthusiasts. Photo: Courtesy of Nongshim
Hong Kong property

The Peninsula Hong Kong and Tokyo set for HK$2.1 billion revamp

No timeline has been set, but the operator says it will minimise disruption while preserving the heritage of its iconic Hong Kong hotel.

The Peninsula Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui, which is set to undergo renovation. Photo: Sam Tsang
South Korea

Flying to South Korea? Brace for 80-minute wait at Incheon immigration

Surging foreign visitors and understaffed counters spark chaos and congestion at the airport.

Chinese culture

Why Singapore’s record-breaking giant fire dragon goes up in smoke every 3 years

Unlike other dragon dance traditions, one Singaporean temple’s fire dragon exists within a cycle of creation, sacrifice and renewal.

Tourism

‘Not the typical Bali’: little-known beach to host 5-day annual design fair

With its relatively undiscovered feel, Pengembak Beach is the perfect location for this year’s edition of Jia Curated, one co-founder says.

Pengembak Beach in Bali is a lesser-known beach on the island’s southeastern coast that will play host to Jia Curated 2026, an international design and cultural event, from August 13 to 17. Photo: Christopher Octav
China travel

How international hotel chains are expanding in China’s ‘approachable’ segment

Global hotel groups are expanding into China’s midscale segment as price-sensitive travellers seek value without sacrificing brand trust.

Hilton’s upper-midscale Hampton brand has expanded rapidly in Shenzhen, with a footprint of 17 properties to date. Photo: Handout
Pakistan

Noted Nepali climber Nirmal Purja among 10 dead in Pakistan avalanche

Record-breaking mountaineer Purja and the 9 other climbers – from China, Nepal, Pakistan, Oman and the US – had been missing since Thursday.

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Luxury Hotels

Review | The Standard Pattaya Na Jomtien brings beachside luxury to the party town

The brand’s latest Thai oasis offers a playful, design-led escape to the coast, complete with vibrant interiors, a pine-fringed beach club, and fresh fire-grilled seafood.

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Tourism

Could we see BTS, Blackpink, Exo and Stray Kids at the same Korean festival?

‘Fanomenon’, a South Korean mega-event planned for December 2027, will feature artists from all four of K-pop’s biggest entertainment labels.

Jennie of Blackpink performs with the K-pop girl group at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 22, 2023 in Indio, California. Photo: Getty Images for Coachella
India

Discover India’s ‘last village’: a hub of Balti culture on the Pakistan border

Cut off from the outside world for decades, the Baltis of India are wooing tourists with their unique traditions and quirky, geopolitically complex history.

Tourism

Inside the black-and-white panda-monium in Chengdu, China’s panda capital

Chengdu thrives on panda tourism, with the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding at its heart attracting millions of tourists a year.

Thailand

Thailand monastery added to Unesco heritage list, boosting tourism hopes

The Phra Mahathat monastery, the site has served as a regional Buddhist centre since its founding in the 8th century, according to Unesco.

Visitors walks inside Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, a 13th-century Buddhist temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat city, Thailand, on July 3. Photo: AP
Luxury travel

Review | Zannier Bai San Ho offers European luxury with a Vietnamese twist

The resort on Vietnam’s central coast was founded by French hotelier Arnaud Zannier, whose other properties have played host to celebrities like Angelina Jolie.

Zannier Bai San Ho was founded by French hotelier Arnaud Zannier. Photo: Handout
Food and Drinks

Celebrity chef Vicky Cheng brings his French culinary dream to Estuary

The new restaurant is a blend of French technique, Chinese heritage and sustainable seafood, all within a breathtaking space at Capella Galaxy Macau.

Laos

As Laos’ methanol poisoning case begins, friend of victim slams ‘cover-up’

A British man who was blinded in the incident says he feels sorry for the families of the six victims who died, but is ‘not angry’ any more.

Health & Fitness

Explainer: How to train at a Shaolin kung fu centre, like Victor Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs star and YouTube sensation IShowSpeed have both travelled to China to experience Shaolin martial arts – here is how you can do it too.

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama visited a Shaolin Temple in Zhengzhou, China, last June. Photo: @wemby/Instagram
Food and Drinks

Forget pho: Da Nang food tour spotlights a different Vietnamese noodle dish

Vietnamese food expert Helen Le takes us to her favourite restaurants in Da Nang for mi quang noodles, banh mi, banh xeo and more.

A bowl of mi quang, a Vietnamese noodle dish widely enjoyed in central Vietnam, is served at Mi Quang Nhung in Da Nang. Food influencer Helen Le takes writer Andrew Sun to this joint and others during a food tour of Vietnam’s third city. Photo: Andrew Sun
Tourism

Why are tourists flocking to South Korea’s pharmacies and wellness services?

Beauty and wellness tourism is booming in South Korea, with packages mixing medical technology, beauty services and lifestyle experiences.

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Malaysia

Durians, hidden gems form Malaysia’s new pitch to South Koreans

Last year, about 558,000 South Koreans visited Malaysia, making it the country’s eighth-largest source market for international visitors.

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