https://www.scmp.com/rss/318648/feed 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. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com The Korea Times The Korea Times On game days, queues outside a rice cake shop near Gwangju Songjeong Station can stretch more than 50 metres (164ft), a familiar scene that even local taxi drivers anticipate, often naming the destination before passengers finish asking. “In my whole life, it is my first time seeing people line up like this at a rice cake shop,” one taxi driver says. The draw is pumpkin injeolmi, a sticky rice cake from the bakery Changeok Tteok that has become a viral sensation, drawing crowds rivalling the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3350101/best-things-do-gwangju-south-korea-viral-food-trends-architecture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3350101/best-things-do-gwangju-south-korea-viral-food-trends-architecture?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:15:08 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Jet fuel shortages and surging prices are forcing flight cancellations across the Asia-Pacific, a squeeze that could intensify after the United States began controlling oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz following failed peace talks with Iran. Tehran’s effective closure of the strait – a chokepoint for about 20 per cent of global oil supply – is hitting regional airlines, particularly in countries without strategic energy reserves, analysts said. Jet fuel reached nearly US$198 in the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3349928/asia-air-travel-faces-turbulence-iran-war-exposes-jet-fuel-vulnerability?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3349928/asia-air-travel-faces-turbulence-iran-war-exposes-jet-fuel-vulnerability?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:00:31 +0000 Shamilee Vellu Shamilee Vellu Every time chef André Chiang calls it a day, something big follows. In 2018, he closed his two-Michelin-star Restaurant André in Singapore, to focus on Raw in Taipei – soon after, that restaurant gained its second Michelin star. In 2024, he “retired” again, recasting Raw as a culinary academy for young Asian chefs, and returned to Singapore to make his next moves. In the Lion City, he co-curated the dining programme for luxury train operator Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express route, which... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3349643/andre-chiang-why-his-raffles-singapore-restaurant-love-letter-hotels-past?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3349643/andre-chiang-why-his-raffles-singapore-restaurant-love-letter-hotels-past?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:15:07 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre After an extensive renovation that took almost two years, Park Hyatt Tokyo – arguably the Japanese capital’s most iconic hotel – has changed very little, at least on the surface. That’s a very good thing, especially for those who over the years have had the privilege to call it their home away from home while visiting Tokyo. Famously immortalised in the Academy Award-winning film Lost in Translation (2003), in which it played as significant a role as its two main characters – an American actor... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3349585/park-hyatt-tokyos-reopening-brings-back-memories-lost-translation-and-bygone-era?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3349585/park-hyatt-tokyos-reopening-brings-back-memories-lost-translation-and-bygone-era?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:00:13 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The trouble started with a beautiful photo. Social media was soon awash with the lovely view of Japan’s snow-capped Mount Fuji looming over a red pagoda and the short-lived cherry blossoms that herald the approach of spring. Tourists wanting a similar shot started to pack this peaceful town at the foot of the mountain. The complaints were not far behind: chronic traffic jams; piles of litter; ill-mannered foreigners knocking on doors of private homes to borrow toilets; tourists relieving... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3349536/cherry-blossoms-and-mount-fuji-draw-tourists-japanese-town-locals-are-not-happy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3349536/cherry-blossoms-and-mount-fuji-draw-tourists-japanese-town-locals-are-not-happy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 07:15:07 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre As a long-time fan of 1 Hotels – the US-based, sustainability-minded brand – I have been very much looking forward to the opening of 1 Hotel Tokyo, the chain’s only property in Asia-Pacific. Operated by Starwood, 1 Hotels has very little presence beyond the US – 1 Hotel Mayfair in London, 1 Hotel Copenhagen and 1 Hotel Melbourne are its only outposts outside the country – but it has already built a loyal following among luxury lovers who like to travel responsibly and stylishly. Located in... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3349531/1-hotel-tokyo-offers-green-focused-retreat-japanese-capital-bamford-spa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3349531/1-hotel-tokyo-offers-green-focused-retreat-japanese-capital-bamford-spa?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:00:09 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall Japan’s famed cherry blossom season has become the latest battleground in a broader debate over overtourism, etiquette and how foreign visitors are portrayed when trouble flares. That debate sharpened this week after the conservative Sankei newspaper ran a report accusing “unruly crowds” of foreigners of misbehaving during hanami – or cherry blossom viewing parties – across Japan, prompting renewed calls for visitors to show greater respect for local customs. In an echo of wider demands to rein... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3349441/cultural-clashes-unruly-crowds-japans-cherry-blossom-parties-stir-overtourism-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3349441/cultural-clashes-unruly-crowds-japans-cherry-blossom-parties-stir-overtourism-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 01:30:12 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Chances are, the Hainanese chicken rice served at your local restaurant is not the real deal. In the same way that champagne must come from Champagne, Hainanese chicken rice must technically be made with Wenchang chicken from Hainan, an island province of China in the South China Sea. These birds are small, free-range and famous for being fed a diet of fallen banyan seeds, coconut pulp and peanut bran. The breed was shaped by the region’s natural environment, which gives the meat natural... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3349320/origins-hainanese-chicken-rice-and-its-versions-singapore-malaysia-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3349320/origins-hainanese-chicken-rice-and-its-versions-singapore-malaysia-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 23:15:07 +0000 David Frazier David Frazier Doi Chiang Dao is one of Thailand’s most stunning mountains, a 2,175-metre limestone peak that rises like a behemoth from flat farmland. Every February, it becomes the backdrop to a 10-day festival called Shambhala in Your Heart. Organised by a group of silver-haired, 1960s purist Japanese hippies, the event is set in an Edenic campsite in northern Thailand, where shade trees flank a cool running stream and open-air hot springs are just a 10-minute walk away. In recent years, Shambhala has... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3349356/chinese-youths-find-freedom-thailands-shambhala-festival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3349356/chinese-youths-find-freedom-thailands-shambhala-festival?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:15:40 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak When it comes to making sake, terroir matters. And where could be more impressive than Mount Fuji, the highest peak in Japan and the second-highest volcano on any Asian island? The mountain straddles two prefectures: Shizuoka in the south and Yamanashi to the north. The latter, a landlocked prefecture in central Japan where 78 per cent of the total area is covered by lush forest, is home to several national parks. It is also the home of the Fuji Five Lakes region, or Fujigoko: five bodies of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3349202/how-sake-breweries-near-japans-mount-fuji-are-taking-drink-new-heights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3349202/how-sake-breweries-near-japans-mount-fuji-are-taking-drink-new-heights?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:15:07 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre In recent years, the popular beach enclave of Canggu has become Bali’s trendiest spot, dethroning places such as Ubud and Seminyak as the island’s most popular destination, at least if social media is any indication. A former fishing village, Canggu offers beautiful black-sand beaches, a lively night scene and cute independent boutiques, not to mention a Sunday market that’s hands down one of the best in Southeast Asia. The town – which attracts an eclectic crowd of surfers, digital nomads,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3348749/regent-bali-canggu-brings-coastal-luxury-islands-trendiest-beach-enclave?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3348749/regent-bali-canggu-brings-coastal-luxury-islands-trendiest-beach-enclave?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:00:08 +0000 Yeon Woo Lee Yeon Woo Lee Repeat short-haul visits by Chinese travellers to South Korea are expected to rise after Seoul eased multiple-entry visa rules, but analysts say the immediate impact may be limited because of growing competition from Southeast Asia and higher airfares linked to the US-Israeli war in Iran. The South Korean embassy in Beijing announced that Chinese nationals who had previously visited South Korea would now be eligible for a five-year multiple-entry visa. Those holding residency status in 14 major... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3348904/south-korea-eases-chinese-travel-visas-southeast-asia-rivals-iran-war-cloud-outlook?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3348904/south-korea-eases-chinese-travel-visas-southeast-asia-rivals-iran-war-cloud-outlook?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 01:00:12 +0000 Aisyah Llewellyn Aisyah Llewellyn Bali’s reputation as a carefree tropical escape has been shaken by a string of brutal crimes, including the kidnapping and dismemberment of a Ukrainian man and the fatal stabbing of a Dutch visitor. The cases – some involving foreign suspects and bearing the hallmarks of organised or premeditated violence – have fuelled growing alarm, prompting residents and visitors to the Indonesian holiday island to ask: Is Bali becoming a stage for international crime? Observers say the cases do not indicate... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3348805/bali-rocked-spate-murder-cases-indonesian-island-more-dangerous-now?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3348805/bali-rocked-spate-murder-cases-indonesian-island-more-dangerous-now?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:30:07 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall Tokyo’s Shibuya ward – home to the famous scramble crossing and one of the Japanese capital’s busiest shopping and nightlife districts – is abandoning its long-standing policy of asking people to take their rubbish home. Instead, it is turning to on-the-spot fines as visitor numbers surge and litter piles up. Under a new campaign branded “If you throw trash, you lose cash”, anyone caught dropping rubbish will be fined 2,000 yen (US$12.50), with enforcement starting on June 1 after a grace... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3348562/japans-shibuya-fine-litterbugs-spot-june-visitor-numbers-surge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3348562/japans-shibuya-fine-litterbugs-spot-june-visitor-numbers-surge?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 01:00:16 +0000 Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar The firing of an Indonesian immigration officer at a Batam seaport, following reports of extortion of foreign tourists, has raised questions about the prevalence of such practices across the country’s entry points. Batam, in Indonesia’s Riau Islands province, is a popular destination for visitors from nearby Singapore as it boasts scenic beaches an hour’s ferry ride from the city state. The island’s appeal has recently been marred by allegations of extortion by immigration officers at Batam... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3348544/extortion-widespread-indonesias-entry-points-officers-firing-sparks-concern?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3348544/extortion-widespread-indonesias-entry-points-officers-firing-sparks-concern?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:40:54 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Flight bookings in China have grown 20 per cent year on year ahead of the annual Ching Ming Festival holiday that starts this weekend and follows public school breaks in much of the country – despite higher airfares on account of rising fuel prices. Holiday bookings had reached 2.04 million flight tickets as of Thursday, state broadcaster CCTV said, citing figures from data provider TravelSky Technology. CCTV’s Sunday report said cross-border holiday flight bookings inbound and outbound stood at... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3348367/chinese-flight-bookings-rise-20-ahead-april-holiday-break-despite-soaring-airfares?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3348367/chinese-flight-bookings-rise-20-ahead-april-holiday-break-despite-soaring-airfares?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 02:00:13 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre The Bund – the waterfront area facing the Huangpu River – is home to some of Shanghai’s most prestigious hotels, including Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, housed in a heritage Renaissance-style structure dating back to the early 20th century. With its sweeping views of Shanghai’s futuristic skyline across the river and colonial buildings dotting its charming streets, the area is a popular place to stay, especially for first-time visitors to the city. It is also relatively close to the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3347788/waldorf-astoria-shanghai-qiantan-introduces-you-another-side-city-new-bund?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3347788/waldorf-astoria-shanghai-qiantan-introduces-you-another-side-city-new-bund?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 04:00:12 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall The sacred deer that have been a fixture of the ancient Japanese capital of Nara for centuries are beginning to wander far from the city’s famous park, where they have been fed and adored by millions of tourists and locals over the years. A male deer was recently spotted in the Zengenji district of Osaka, around 40km (25 miles) from its normal habitat and 3km from the city’s bustling main station. The appearance of wild deer in one of the most urban areas in Japan has attracted crowds of curious... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3347736/oh-deer-famous-hoofed-residents-japans-nara-wander-far-osaka?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3347736/oh-deer-famous-hoofed-residents-japans-nara-wander-far-osaka?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 01:30:15 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Niseko, a ski resort on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, exists at the intersection of international energy brought by visiting skiers and Japanese tradition. But this convergence creates friction. Western expectations, Japanese protocols and a hyper-seasonal environment are third-culture problems that require third-culture solutions. This is where Patrick Ohtani comes in. As chief operating officer of luxury holiday rental management company The Luxe Nomad, he moves between worlds. He... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3347685/culture-clash-niseko-how-third-culture-coo-navigates-japan-resorts-complex-terrain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3347685/culture-clash-niseko-how-third-culture-coo-navigates-japan-resorts-complex-terrain?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 23:15:08 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times By Pyo Kyung-min Now that K-pop juggernaut BTS have officially made their comeback – having just staged a free performance at the Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21 and with three more dates at Goyang Stadium on April 9, 11 and 12 – fans from around the world are once again planning journeys that extend far beyond a single night of music. For many members of Army, BTS’ official fandom, travelling to South Korea is also about stepping into the physical landscapes that shaped the group’s... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3347533/10-bts-pilgrimage-spots-south-korea-every-army-fan-should-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3347533/10-bts-pilgrimage-spots-south-korea-every-army-fan-should-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 03:15:08 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat As China undergoes a sweeping economic transition, its regions are also in the process of embracing change. The powerhouses of yesteryear must adapt or risk falling behind, as traditional industries become less reliable growth drivers and new sectors take prominence. In this series, we explore three representative areas of the country as they attempt to navigate this rapidly changing environment. After Joyce Wu moved from Hainan province to Hong Kong in 2013, she marvelled for years at the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347581/chinas-hainan-wants-more-beach-tourism-will-new-customs-rules-cause-sea-change?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347581/chinas-hainan-wants-more-beach-tourism-will-new-customs-rules-cause-sea-change?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 22:00:10 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof Julia had a plan: spring break, Kuala Lumpur’s skyline, then a long-overdue reunion in the jungles of Sarawak. What she got instead was a travel booking screen showing €3,000 (US$3,440) flights and a cascade of cancellation alerts. “I just can’t afford that,” the 22-year-old Romanian told This Week in Asia. Her original Emirates itinerary had her transiting through Dubai or Abu Dhabi, but the US-Israel war on Iran upended her plans after the carrier warned of disruptions and two-week... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3347358/visit-malaysia-2026-meets-iran-war-crisis-it-never-planned?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3347358/visit-malaysia-2026-meets-iran-war-crisis-it-never-planned?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:08 +0000 https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/series/3347341/more-travel-series-scmp?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/series/3347341/more-travel-series-scmp?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 10:57:39 +0000 The Star The Star Flights are cancelled, schedules are in chaos and scores of European tourists are still waiting to go home, three weeks after the United States and Israeli attack on Iran. Some of them, like retiree John Williams, 61, and his wife Gillian, 60, from the United Kingdom, are making good use of their “extended” time in Malaysia. “We’re sort of stranded, but frankly we are in no hurry. We are spending a few days in Penang and will explore other ways to get home later,” Williams said. “We saw that... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3347253/some-tourists-malaysia-make-most-mideast-flight-mess-others-scramble-get-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3347253/some-tourists-malaysia-make-most-mideast-flight-mess-others-scramble-get-home?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 04:36:07 +0000 Xiong Yang Xiong Yang The construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway by the Russian Empire at the turn of the 20th century gave birth to modern-day Harbin, the northeastern Chinese city known for its annual ice festival. For a time, the city served as the railway’s construction hub and administrative centre. Though the railways have long receded in importance, Harbin is still full of Russian architectural influence. This, paired with abundant snow and ice, has transformed the capital of Heilongjiang, China’s... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3347019/best-things-do-harbin-chinas-ice-festival-mecca-russian-accent?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3347019/best-things-do-harbin-chinas-ice-festival-mecca-russian-accent?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 23:15:16 +0000 Mavis Teo Mavis Teo Despite the high crime rates that dogged Johor Bahru from the 1980s to the 2000s, the closest Malaysian city kept luring Singaporeans with its cheap seafood and groceries – and even petrol. The crowds still descend, but these days the capital of Johor state draws visitors for a variety of other reasons. Even in-the-know foreign tourists to Singapore slip across the 1km-long causeway for a change of scene – undeterred by the traffic jams. The five-minute ride on the KTM Shuttle Tebrau train,... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3347037/insiders-guide-johor-bahru-malaysia-hipster-fashion-desserts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3347037/insiders-guide-johor-bahru-malaysia-hipster-fashion-desserts?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:00:37 +0000 Jayson Albano Jayson Albano Chiharu Numata had a lot to celebrate when his store turned 100 in 2024. Masatoyo Knives had been in his family for four generations and had spent decades in the same location on the second floor of a commercial building in downtown Shizuoka. “Japanese kitchen knives are truly excellent products with high quality,” he says. “But in Shizuoka, there are no other speciality shops like ours left any more.” Unlike Japan’s world-renowned draws like Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto, Shizuoka’s economy is largely... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3346701/shizuoka-japan-needs-more-tourists-how-does-it-attract-them-and-boost-its-economy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3346701/shizuoka-japan-needs-more-tourists-how-does-it-attract-them-and-boost-its-economy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:15:09 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Hawaii-based Christine Kim was an early participant in the KPop Demon Hunters travel trend. In fairness, her trip to Seoul with her husband and children was already booked before the Netflix film came out in June 2025. The plan, initially at least, was to visit grandparents. But then Rumi, Zoey and Mira, the movie’s protagonists, became her five-year-old daughter’s idols, and the itinerary got rewritten. They visited a jjimjilbang (Korean spa) and the Namsan Tower – the setting for the rival... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3346455/how-kpop-demon-hunters-travel-trend-shaking-korean-wave-tourism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3346455/how-kpop-demon-hunters-travel-trend-shaking-korean-wave-tourism?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 11:15:07 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China announced visa-free entry for Canadian and British nationals on February 17, allowing citizens of the two countries to cross the border and stay for up to 30 days with no more than a passport. The move was just the latest expansion of China’s visa-free policies, which have eased entry rules for citizens of dozens of nations over the past few years as part of an effort to boost tourism. Immigration officials now allow travellers from dozens of countries to stay without a visa for up to 10... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346504/here-are-5-ways-enter-china-without-visa-land-sea-or-air?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346504/here-are-5-ways-enter-china-without-visa-land-sea-or-air?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Mar 2026 08:00:09 +0000 Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar Powerful waves have chewed away large sections of Bali’s iconic Kuta Beach, raising fresh concern about the future of the Indonesian island’s most famous stretch of sand. Officials say the latest damage, driven by recent rough seas, has intensified a long-running problem of coastal erosion that experts warn is being worsened by extreme weather and decades of coastal development on the resort island. Abrasion along Kuta’s shoreline is not new, but officials say this year’s extreme weather has... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3346510/balis-kuta-beach-disappearing-coastal-erosion-crisis-threatens-famed-shoreline?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3346510/balis-kuta-beach-disappearing-coastal-erosion-crisis-threatens-famed-shoreline?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:35:38 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre Bangkok, Thailand’s vibrant capital city, is now also home to a world-class museum of contemporary art. Late last year, Dib Bangkok opened in a three-storey converted warehouse in Khlong Toei, in an area between Bangkok’s main throughway Rama IV Road and Soi Sukhumvit 40. Dating back to the 1980s, the original building was redesigned by Kulapat Yantrasast of Why Architecture in collaboration with Thailand-based international architectural design firm Architects 49 (A49). The exhibition space... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3346293/why-modern-art-museum-dib-bangkok-must-visit-destination-thailand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3346293/why-modern-art-museum-dib-bangkok-must-visit-destination-thailand?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 04:00:08 +0000 Cameron Dueck Cameron Dueck We approach from the east, leaving the main islands of Japan behind. The late afternoon sun bounces off the sea in a blinding glare as our anchor chain rattles out of its locker and slides into a small bay off Tairajima Island. All is still as our sailing boat, the Teng Hoi, gracefully pirouettes in the currents, searching for her point of balance, where she’ll rest for the night. Below the sinking sun stretch the Goto Islands, or Goto Retto, literally “five-island chain”, an archipelago of 140... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3345546/remote-villages-surprise-cocktail-bars-and-hilltop-churches-nagasakis-goto-islands?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3345546/remote-villages-surprise-cocktail-bars-and-hilltop-churches-nagasakis-goto-islands?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 03:00:07 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso Significantly underrated compared with its Southeast Asian neighbours Vietnam and Thailand, Cambodia is a culture vulture’s paradise. Though the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap still attract millions of visitors every year, the city surroundings – as well as the country’s capital, Phnom Penh – are considerably less overrun with tourists than nearby megacities like Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City. Here are some destinations worth checking out on your next visit to Cambodia, if you choose... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3346288/beyond-angkor-wats-allure-discovering-cambodias-hidden-gems-siem-reap-and-phnom-penh?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3346288/beyond-angkor-wats-allure-discovering-cambodias-hidden-gems-siem-reap-and-phnom-penh?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 04:00:14 +0000 Cheung Hok-hang Cheung Hok-hang Huizhou is a city in mainland China’s southern Guangdong province just 90 minutes from Hong Kong on the high-speed rail that offers budget-friendly stays and activities like leisurely strolls around its West Lake’s Lingnan-style pavilions. But venture out of the city and you can discover how the wider Huizhou region is quietly transforming into a “scenic sweat” destination for those seeking physical activities among picturesque surroundings infused with culture. An hour’s drive northwest leads... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3345983/5-top-china-instagram-spots-huizhous-highway-218-blend-nature-and-architecture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3345983/5-top-china-instagram-spots-huizhous-highway-218-blend-nature-and-architecture?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 04:15:08 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times “Your hips need to push outward while your solar plexus goes down. You do a slight jump in this movement,” a professional dance instructor says to a room of struggling students. About 20 foreigners are gathered at 1Million Dance Studio in Seoul’s Seongdong district on a recent Sunday to learn the introductory choreography for the girl group Katseye’s track “Gameboy”. The studio draws a diverse crowd of international visitors. “I have loved dancing since I was young, but it is too expensive in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3345976/how-gen-z-k-pop-fans-are-reshaping-south-korean-tourism-through-cultural-immersion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3345976/how-gen-z-k-pop-fans-are-reshaping-south-korean-tourism-through-cultural-immersion?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:15:07 +0000 Cat Nelson Cat Nelson Strong women run throughout this issue. It is International Women’s Day today, after all. In our cover story, Salomé Grouard meets filmmaker Elizabeth Lo, whose documentary Mistress Dispeller was shortlisted in December for the Best Documentary Feature Oscar – a first in the category for a Hong Kong director. The film explores China’s strange and little-known industry of “mistress dispellers”, professionals hired to end extramarital affairs. What I found extraordinary was the sensitivity with... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3345750/week-postmag-celebration-women-film-sport-science-and-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3345750/week-postmag-celebration-women-film-sport-science-and-life?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Mar 2026 04:45:11 +0000 The Star The Star With the escalating tensions in the Middle East, there have been flight cancellations, closures of several airports and an increasing fear of flying abroad. Malaysia’s tourism industry, however, is confident the country’s diversified visitor base will help cushion any potential impact on the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign. The conflict has disrupted thousands of flights, prompting travellers to adopt a “wait-and-see” approach, said Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents president Nigel... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3345643/us-israel-war-iran-will-malaysias-tourism-thrive-amid-mideast-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3345643/us-israel-war-iran-will-malaysias-tourism-thrive-amid-mideast-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 02:30:09 +0000 dpa dpa Bangkok, nine o’clock in the morning. The tropical heat is slowly settling over Thailand’s capital like a damp towel. The last sweaty joggers and tai chi practitioners are just leaving Lumphini Park – the green lungs of the metropolis. Suddenly, a tourist’s scream slices through the calm atmosphere. With eyes widened in fear, he stares at a creature that looks as if it has stepped straight out of prehistoric times. A two-metre-long (6½ foot) lizard known as an Asian water monitor is slowly... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3345213/how-see-bangkoks-famous-monitor-lizards-close-and-why-you-shouldnt-be-scared?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3345213/how-see-bangkoks-famous-monitor-lizards-close-and-why-you-shouldnt-be-scared?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:15:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Passengers stranded on the Indonesian resort island of Bali clamoured for flight news on Tuesday as the outbreak of war in the Middle East grounded planes and turned a tropical holiday dream into an ordeal for many. Hundreds were crowded at Ngurah Rai International Airport, many dressed in shorts, flip-flops and summer dresses, their expressions dour. Many sat on the floor, exhausted, and one man repeatedly hit a wall in frustration. “I just kind of want to see my family … right now it’s a bit... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3345332/thousands-passengers-stuck-indonesias-bali-after-war-grounds-planes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3345332/thousands-passengers-stuck-indonesias-bali-after-war-grounds-planes?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 01:08:25 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter Galaxy Macau, the resort complex in the Cotai district of the city, recently added another hotel to its portfolio: Capella at Galaxy Macau. The Singapore-based chain is known for its ultra-luxurious properties in cities such as Sydney and Bangkok. One of the highlights of the Macau outpost is Pony & Plume, its whisky bar. We recently checked out the bar and also got to experience the newly renovated suites at another Galaxy hotel: Hotel Okura Macau. Here’s what you need to know about both before... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3345209/whats-new-galaxy-macau-whisky-wonders-japanese-elegance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3345209/whats-new-galaxy-macau-whisky-wonders-japanese-elegance?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 04:00:14 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft The head of Cambodia’s tourism body is looking to build partnerships with Hong Kong travel agencies as part of a drive to get visitors returning to his country, which has been plagued by safety concerns in recent years. Cambodia Tourism Board CEO Kim Minea also told the South China Morning Post that the government was “determined” to eliminate the notorious scam compounds that had trapped thousands of people, including Hongkongers, in recent years. But Hong Kong tour operators said safety was... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344979/scam-hit-cambodia-tries-woo-hong-kong-travel-agencies-have-doubts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3344979/scam-hit-cambodia-tries-woo-hong-kong-travel-agencies-have-doubts?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 10:56:52 +0000 Aidan Jones Aidan Jones Thailand is eyeing a billion-dollar tourist bounce over the next five years from hosting Tomorrowland, which makes its Asia debut in December 2026. Some 150,000 young ravers are expected to flood the resort city of Pattaya for the world’s largest electronic music festival. Long a touchstone of global tourism, the country has seen its popularity wane in recent years as a strong baht deters some travellers while regional rivals Vietnam and Malaysia eat into its market share. To reverse the trend,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3344827/thailand-eyes-us1-billion-bounce-tomorrowland-music-festival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3344827/thailand-eyes-us1-billion-bounce-tomorrowland-music-festival?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Feb 2026 05:22:14 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times South Korea unveiled an ambitious package of tourism measures on Wednesday, including looser visa rules, expanded regional airport routes and a crackdown on price gouging, as part of a government effort to attract 30 million inbound visitors. The plan, which includes granting visa-free entry to Indonesian travellers and expanding automated entry processing to nationals from European Union member states, was announced at the 11th National Tourism Strategy Meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Kim... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3344576/south-korea-axes-visa-barriers-indonesians-30-million-visitor-drive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3344576/south-korea-axes-visa-barriers-indonesians-30-million-visitor-drive?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2026 07:47:41 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre The Anantara story didn’t begin in Phuket, Bangkok or Koh Samui – three of the most famous places in Thailand – but in the more low-key coastal town of Hua Hin. It was in Hua Hin that the Anantara brand was born in 2001 with the opening of Anantara Hua Hin Resort. Known as Thailand’s first beach holiday destination, Hua Hin became a popular vacation spot among well-to-do locals after King Rama VII chose it as the location of his summer palace in the 1920s. While its beaches are not comparable... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3344530/anantara-hua-hin-resort-celebrates-25-years-upgrades-blend-luxury-and-heritage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3344530/anantara-hua-hin-resort-celebrates-25-years-upgrades-blend-luxury-and-heritage?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2026 04:00:09 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun In the early 2000s, many Hongkongers invested in spacious houses in Zhongshan, in mainland China’s Guangdong province, for use as weekend getaways. These houses were bigger than anything buyers could have afforded at home, allowing them to feel like they owned an actual mansion. On the downside, Zhongshan was kind of boring. Outside the gated communities, there was not much to see or do, so people primarily stayed in, caught up on TV series and played mahjong. How times have changed. Cities in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344339/what-do-chinas-zhongshan-food-and-shopping-paradise-hong-kongs-doorstep?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344339/what-do-chinas-zhongshan-food-and-shopping-paradise-hong-kongs-doorstep?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Aidan Jones Aidan Jones The deaths of 72 captive tigers at a private park popular with tourists in northern Thailand have renewed scrutiny of a lucrative industry that campaigners warn treats wild animals as “entertainment”. The outbreak at Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai began in early February, with authorities initially attributing the deaths to canine distemper – a virus carried by dogs but often fatal to big cats. A deeper investigation is under way, with some medical experts suspecting contaminated food may have been... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3344470/why-did-72-tigers-die-thailand-tourist-park-under-2-weeks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3344470/why-did-72-tigers-die-thailand-tourist-park-under-2-weeks?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:58:22 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Thailand led the list of destinations for Chinese tourists travelling overseas during this year’s extended Lunar New Year holiday, as former favourite Japan saw arrivals plummet amid a political dispute with China over Taiwan. The Southeast Asian nation saw roughly 250,000 arrivals from China during the holiday, which ran from February 15 to 23, according to the travel marketing and technology firm China Trading Desk. This year’s Lunar New Year holiday was expected to be a key period for global... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344421/chinese-tourism-japan-plunges-50-over-lunar-new-year-thailand-cashes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344421/chinese-tourism-japan-plunges-50-over-lunar-new-year-thailand-cashes?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:00:14 +0000 Yeon Woo Lee,Alice Li Yeon Woo Lee,Alice Li For his family’s first overseas trip together, Tang Junjie carefully planned a holiday to Japan during China’s longest Lunar New Year break on record. Flights were booked months in advance by the 22-year-old from Sichuan province, who had already made three solo visits to the neighbouring country that has long been a draw for Chinese tourists. But a sudden deterioration in Sino-Japanese relations changed everything. “The original plan was to transit through Seoul on our way to Japan,” Tang said.... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3344356/seoul-gains-tokyos-pain-over-lunar-new-year-politics-reshapes-chinas-tourism-map?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3344356/seoul-gains-tokyos-pain-over-lunar-new-year-politics-reshapes-chinas-tourism-map?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 03:00:11 +0000 Evian Yu Evian Yu As someone who grew up in Hong Kong’s concrete jungle and spent years navigating London’s streets, I thought I understood cities. Yet nothing prepared me for Chongqing. Locals call this the “8D city”, a metropolis of overlapping levels where the ground floor of one building might simultaneously be the 10th floor of another building. After five days, I understood why. Chongqing defies conventional city planning, shaped instead by mountains and rivers. As I stepped out of Chongqing Jiangbei... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344328/how-chongqing-china-offers-enthralling-8d-experience-nothing-else?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344328/how-chongqing-china-offers-enthralling-8d-experience-nothing-else?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Chinese travellers are outspending their Asian peers at the region’s airports in search of gifts, food and luxury purchases, a trade association has found. Passengers from China have led the recovery in Asia’s airport retail since the Covid-19 pandemic, spending twice the regional average on luxury goods, according to a study by the Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific and Middle East released earlier this month. China’s travellers have logged the “highest spend per passenger of any... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344297/chinese-shoppers-are-asias-biggest-airport-spenders-study-finds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344297/chinese-shoppers-are-asias-biggest-airport-spenders-study-finds?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 06:00:12 +0000