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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
Pete Sabine, aka DJ Fabsabs (right), and Joshua Wolper DJ a Cantomania set at the after party for the Black Eyed Peas’ gig at the AXA x Wonderland, in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District, on November 19 last year. Photo: Alan Yiu Photography

Where Hong Kong’s teens and an 88-year-old share the dance floor

As Leslie Cheung and Faye Wong echo through the nightclub, a love letter to Cantopop gives the city a space for joy and belonging.

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A room painted in Cloud Dancer (white), Pantone’s 2026 colour of the year. Photo: courtesy Pantone

Interior design trends for 2026 reflect a decade of change

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The “Monet – Moment and Memory” section of the “Into the Modern: Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston” exhibition at the National Gallery Singapore Photo: courtesy National Gallery Singapore

Singapore Art Week invites the world to take a closer look at the city’s art scene

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Neville Sarony at his office in Central, Hong Kong. Photo: Tracy Wong

Barrister by day, jazz singer by night – and that’s only half the story

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The outdoor pool at Swim Club at Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui, which boasts impressive harbour views. Photo: Swim Club

The buzziest openings in Hong Kong, from Japanese delights to a new literary museum

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Ship ahoy ... the Sail Training Association of Japan’s full-masted brigantine, the Kaisei, visits Hong Kong to drum up support for an Asian society of novice sailors, in 1994. Photo: SCMP Archives

In Pictures: majestic sailing ships that made Hong Kong a port of call

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MORE IN POSTMAG
Content from SCMP's Specialist Publications
A section of Plantation Bay, an 11-hectare luxury resort in Cebu, in the Philippines. Its owner, Manny Gonzalez, says that his property is for those after “something with personality”. Photo: Andrew Sun
Tourism

Cebu’s quirkiest luxury resort and the former Hong Kong-based banker behind it

Plantation Bay has been a hotspot in Cebu, the Philippines, since 1996. Owner Manny Gonzalez shares why his independent property is special.

Tourism

What is glamping like in Hong Kong? A reluctant camper gives it a try

Indonesia

Indonesia finds 1 body, wreckage from missing surveillance plane

Luxury travel

Looking for a luxury Vietnamese escape with Spanish flair? We know a place

Villa le Corail, A Gran Meliá Hotel is a stunning beachfront retreat with private villas, a Michelin-star chef and even some coral conservation thrown in.

The Villa Le Corail, A Gran Meliá Hotel is nestled on Vietnam’s stunning coastline on a private beach. Photo: Handout
Luxury travel

Review | How the Osaka and Kyoto Ritz-Carltons blend luxury with Japanese tradition

The Ritz-Carlton Osaka in the busy Umeda district is opulent, while the tranquil Kyoto property reflects the vibe of Japan’s cultural capital.

China travel

‘Structurally hurt’: why are Chinese tourists spending less abroad than before?

China’s outbound travel sector has bounced back from the pandemic, but the era of duty-free shopping sprees appears to be over.

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Tourism

What’s fuelling South Korea’s running boom? A look at the fitness obsession

From office workers to ultra-marathoners, South Korea’s running boom is reshaping streets, travel and retail as millions hit the pavement.

Runners set off during the DMZ International Peace Marathon, in the Demilitarized Zone in Gangwon province, in South Korea, on September 21, 2025. Some 10 million South Koreans now identify as runners, according to industry and tourism data, roughly double the figure from 2015. Photo: The Korea Times
Tourism

3 underrated ski resorts that should be on your radar this winter

Ski in sight of Italy’s Mont Blanc, go from piste to onsen in Niigata and Nagano in Japan, or hit the snow at Quebec’s Club Med in Canada.

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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.

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
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
Tourism

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.

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.

Food and Drinks

Unsung Eats: 5 best places to eat – and drink – in Bangkok

Besides Bangkok’s Michelin-starred tables and famed street food are intimate supper clubs and ‘social kitchens’ that are reinterpreting Thai flavours.

Bangkok’s cuisine is vibrant and multifaceted, like the city itself. Photo: Handout
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
Luxury Hotels

Welcome to Ananda, the luxury Indian retreat favoured by celebrities and royalty

India’s first luxury wellness retreat, Ananda offers Ayurvedic medical consultations in addition to yoga, meditation and singing bowl healing.

Luxury Hotels

Review | Mett Singapore is a secluded retreat right in the heart of the city

Set in a beautiful 1926 colonial building, the hotel blends heritage charm with modern luxury, fine dining and a prime city location.

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Luxury Hotels

Review | Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur: a luxurious escape in Asia-Pacific’s tallest building

The luxury hospitality brand’s first hotel in the country is a serene urban retreat blending modern comfort with Malaysian heritage.

Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur occupies the top floors of Merdeka 118, the second tallest building in the world. Photo: Handout
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.

Tourism

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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Tourists take pictures with Malaysia’s Petronas Twin Towers in the background in Kuala Lumpur. The country aims to attract 47 million international visitors during the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign. Photo: AFP
China travel

China’s service sector shines as holidaymakers eye bespoke adventures with pets

While broader consumption remains soft, demand for personalised itineraries and snow sports is growing, offering a boost to the holiday economy.

Tourism

7 travel tips for 2026 – one of them is to play board games with locals

Forget TikTok recommendations and soulless one-star restaurants; focus instead on the experiences you want to taste, drink, and enjoy.

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Locals' Guide

Insider’s guide to Perth, from sun-kissed beaches to local fine wines

Most of the action in one of the world’s most remote major cities is to be found in the suburbs – but don’t forget your swimsuit for the beautiful beaches.

Cottesloe Beach, one of the most popular beaches near Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. Photo: Shutterstock
Crime

Mile-high crime club: theft syndicates target Asia’s airlines

Experts say rising passenger volumes, including an influx of Chinese travellers amid visa-free schemes, have attracted gangs operating in the skies.

A man was jailed for 20 months for stealing luggage on a Singapore Airlines flight from Dubai to the city state. Photo: AFP
Food and Drinks

Travel stories from 2025 that will fuel your wanderlust for the year ahead

We recall 7 travel stories from the past year to inspire you in 2026, covering China food trips to a Hongkonger’s life-changing adventure.

India

Duopoly of Air India, IndiGo to face challenge from 2 new airlines

The approval for Al Hind Air and FlyExpress to operate in India comes amid mounting calls to challenge the dominance of Air India and IndiGo.

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