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Stories about leisure travel in Hong Kong, China, Asia, and around the world.
Christina Frasco, secretary of the Philippines’ Department of Tourism. Photo: Handout
The Philippines

Philippine tourism chief’s magazine cover draws backlash as visitor numbers slip

Christina Frasco’s cover appearance has drawn accusations from critics that self-promotion is being prioritised over strategy and results.

Hong Kong transport

Seats sell out on Hong Kong’s new high-speed rail routes to mainland China

Accidents and disasters in China

‘Strictly forbidden’: China warns hikers off Aotai Line after 3 die on trail

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China travel

China’s outbound travel set to soar by 10 million trips – but halve in Japan

Chinese tourist flows to Japan could plunge to as low as 4.8 million this year from 9.3 million in 2025 amid political dispute, survey finds.

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Tourists crowd an alley in Seoul’s popular Bukchon Hanok village. Chinese outbound tourism is expected to grow in 2026. Photo: The Korea Times
Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong to offer direct high-speed rail access to 16 more mainland Chinese stops

Sleeper train service from Hong Kong to Shanghai will also be upgraded to daily runs due to strong demand, MTR Corp says.

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International Property

Heightened tensions with China rattle Japan’s property market: analysts

Bilateral friction is expected to impact assets tied to tourism, including hotels and high-street retail shops, CBRE’s Chinatsu Hani says.

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Japan

Meow arriving: Japan railway’s newest cat stationmaster clocks in

Yontama is the third cat to become stationmaster on the Kishigawa Line in Wakayama prefecture after the death of her predecessor last year.

Newly appointed cat stationmaster Yontama is held by Wakayama Electric Railway President Mitsunobu Kojima on Wednesday, in Kinokawa, Wakayama prefecture, Japan. Photo: Kyodo
Malaysia

Chinese tourist accused of harassing turtle, killing sea slugs in Malaysia

A fellow visitor from China called out the man’s actions during a dive in Sabah state’s Semporna.

Indonesia

Bali’s toughest tourism proposal yet: checking foreign visitors’ bank accounts

Bali’s governor says the plan would deter low-spending visitors, though its enforcement would face legal and practical hurdles.

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Asia travel

Inside central Vietnam’s first integrated resort, a stone’s throw from Hoi An

Hoiana Resort & Golf has four properties, more than 20 restaurants and bars, a golf course and a casino, and is close to Hoi An Ancient Town.

Guests at Hoiana Resort & Golf have access to a four-kilometre-long secluded beach, as well as multiple pools. Photo: Hoiana Resort & Golf
Travel news and advice

2026 travel trends: astrotourism, nostalgia trips and even more solo holidays

What does 2026 have in store for travel? Experts talk about dark sky gazing, trips that make us feel like children, solo cruises and more.

Cruise tourists on their way to visit the city of Palma in Mallorca after disembarking at the port. A growing awareness of overtourism is expected to shape holiday decisions in the coming years. Photo: Clara Margais/dpa
Singapore

Singer Henry Lau calls out Singapore concert venue over blocked views

Lau says he is speaking out ‘for the sake of future artistes’ after the venue layout affected his interactions with fans.

Thailand

Thailand tightens cannabis sales as dispensaries face closure ahead of election

Thailand, the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, tightens rules to appeal to conservative voters ahead of pivotal election.

Mainland China

Video | Harbin festival opens with record amount of ice and snow

World’s largest-ever ice show features castles, slides and spectacular light shows.

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Vietnam

Vietnam overtakes Thailand as Chinese tourists' top choice for travel

Chinese visitors to Vietnam jumped 41 per cent to 5.3 million, topping the 4.5 million to Thailand, where safety concerns reduced Chinese travellers.

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The Night Market in Nha Trang, Vietnam, a popular destination for the growing number of mainland Chinese tourists visiting the city. Photo: Roy Issa
Trending in China

China ski resort’s US$700 birthday service, instructors carry women down slope

Backers of ‘tacky’ on-piste activity say it offers guests ‘emotional value’; detractors say ‘close physical contact’ blurs boundaries.

Trending in China

Tourist couple leave babies with China guard; locals play with twins, change nappies

Pakistani couple head off to explore mountain park alone, return a while later with ice creams; cute baby coughs up milk over feeding passer-by.

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China consumption

Travellers hoof it in China as horseback tourism makes strides

As Year of the Horse approaches, tourism operators are saddling up to capture enthusiasm for equestrian activity.

Riders perform at the opening ceremony of the Mongolian Horse Super League in Xiliin Gol, in China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, in July. Photo: Xinhua
Accidents and personal safety

15 left hanging as Hong Kong Ocean Park’s ‘Wild Twister’ ride breaks down again

Thrill-seekers stranded for 19 minutes after signal failure triggers safety system.

Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong a top countdown city as 200,000 visit on New Year’s Eve: minister

Tourism sector representatives underscore need to direct visitors from tourist hotspots to other parts of city.

Japan

Japan snowstorm traps 3,000 vehicles in 23km traffic jam

New Year return rush traps drivers on the Sanyo Expressway in Hiroshima, causing distress and triggering a wave of emergency calls.

Vehicles trapped in traffic on Japan’s Sanyo Expressway due to snow. Photo: Kyodo
Accidents and personal safety

Editorial | Tourists must put safety first in quest for the perfect photo

The tragic death of a visitor in Sai Kung and other fatal accidents should prompt caution among travellers.

Visitors at the Po Pin Chau Viewing Platform during the holidays on December 27, 2025. Photo: Edmond So
Luxury Hotels

Review | Old-world charm meets modern refinement at The Edison George Town, Penang

Set in a heritage colonial building dating back to 1906, the hotel underwent a 4-year restoration to bring it up to contemporary standards of luxury.

Malaysia

‘Warm hospitality’: Chinese tourists eye return trips for Visit Malaysia 2026

Sabah’s natural beauty and events linked to the tourism drive entice travellers as the Malaysian state aims for 4 million arrivals.

Hong Kong tourism

Bars, hotels cash in as Hong Kong welcomes 25% more visitors for New Year’s Eve

Influx recorded despite city forgoing fireworks display in light of deadly Tai Po fire, while departures by locals rose by nearly 21 per cent.

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Travellers pass the Peninsula Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Jelly Tse
Social media

Asian travellers brace for ‘chilling’ US social media scrutiny

The proposal, which requires visa-exempt visitors to provide five years of social media history, comes amid moves to toughen US borders.

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Travellers walk through the arrival hall at La Guardia Airport in New York on December 23, 2025. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

‘Less than friendly’: Malaysia’s tourism minister flags visitor complaints

Authorities have also called for a major clean-up ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 in response to reports of dirtiness in tourist areas.

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Japan

Japan may lose GDP race to India amid weak yen, tourism woes, China row

Japan’s economy is likely to fall behind India’s this year, which analysts say would diminish Tokyo’s global influence.

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