https://www.scmp.com/rss/324817/feed Stories about leisure travel in Hong Kong, China, Asia, and around the world. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Dubai has completed its first flying taxi station, with commercial operations expected to begin by the end of the year, authorities in the Gulf emirate announced on Thursday. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, crown prince of Dubai and United Arab Emirates deputy prime minister, visited Dubai’s “first purpose-built electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) Air Taxi Station”, the emirate’s media office said in a statement. The facility, described by the emirate’s authorities as the “first of its... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3350378/first-its-kind-flying-taxi-station-completed-dubai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3350378/first-its-kind-flying-taxi-station-completed-dubai?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:34:26 +0000 Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar Indonesia’s push to bring thousands of unlicensed tourist stays into the legal fold is running into a familiar administrative obstacle in Bali, with operators saying the government wants faster compliance than the bureaucracy could allow. In December, the Ministry of Tourism said unlicensed accommodation providers in Bali, Yogyakarta, West Nusa Tenggara and West Java had until March 31 to register their hotels, guest houses, villas and homestays, in a move meant to improve service quality,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3350328/indonesias-bali-wants-illegal-rentals-be-legitimate-operators-flag-red-tape?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3350328/indonesias-bali-wants-illegal-rentals-be-legitimate-operators-flag-red-tape?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:48:22 +0000 Reuters Reuters South Korea welcomed a record 2.06 million foreign visitors in March, led by Chinese arrivals, government data showed on Thursday, with tourism spending lifted ‌by the comeback tour of K-pop supergroup BTS after a years-long hiatus. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the monthly record helped lift first-quarter arrivals by 23 per cent from a year ago to 4.76 million, also a record for a first quarter. It attributed the trend to the “worldwide popularity of [Korean] culture”,... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3350291/bts-comeback-drives-record-206-million-tourists-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3350291/bts-comeback-drives-record-206-million-tourists-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:37:01 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk Thai police arrested seven French tourists after a viral Songkran confrontation in Phuket in which revellers surrounded a van, sprayed its driver with water and later ignored police orders to disperse. The incident came during Thailand’s annual new year festival, whose street water fights draw huge crowds across the country but have also sparked complaints this year about more aggressive behaviour in some tourist hotspots. Video shared on social media showed a crowd in Patong, a beach town on... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3350285/7-french-tourists-arrested-after-viral-songkran-spray-clash-van-driver-phuket?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3350285/7-french-tourists-arrested-after-viral-songkran-spray-clash-van-driver-phuket?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:20:55 +0000 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 Bibek Bhandari Bibek Bhandari Nepal’s tourism industry is scrambling to offset a sharp fall in Western visitors during the peak spring trekking season, with operators and officials turning their attention to Asia-Pacific markets as conflict-linked travel disruptions ripple through the Middle East. Arrivals from the Americas and Europe, which account for a sizeable share of Nepal’s higher-spending long-haul tourism business, dropped by nearly 25 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively, during March compared with the same... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3349945/nepals-trekking-trade-looks-east-iran-war-disrupts-western-tourist-flow?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3349945/nepals-trekking-trade-looks-east-iran-war-disrupts-western-tourist-flow?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:00:09 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Worsening wildfires, soaring heatwaves and rising water levels have prompted Greek officials to take a closer look at protecting priceless archaeological sites that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The monuments, scattered across the country, earn Greece millions of dollars in tourism revenue. But many of the sites are in rural areas and officials believe better planning is needed in case large crowds of tourists need to be evacuated in an emergency. After a three-year study by... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3350008/greece-moves-protect-19-ancient-sites-olympia-wildfires-and-heatwaves?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3350008/greece-moves-protect-19-ancient-sites-olympia-wildfires-and-heatwaves?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:15:50 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong’s tram operator has launched a new mobile app that provides real-time arrival information and pledged not to raise fares this year. Hong Kong Tramways on Tuesday announced the new app which would use location data to inform commuters of the arrival times and destinations of the next three trams at their stop. Paul Tirvaudey, managing director of Hong Kong Tramways, said the operator had installed more than 400 radio frequency identification (RFID) sensors along the 30km route, as well... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350009/hong-kong-tram-operator-launches-real-time-app-pledges-no-fare-rise-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3350009/hong-kong-tram-operator-launches-real-time-app-pledges-no-fare-rise-year?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:39:56 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Wynna Wong Matthew Cheng,Wynna Wong Unreasonably low prices offered by some mainland Chinese tourist groups visiting Hong Kong are a major factor behind coerced shopping, industry leaders have said, urging authorities to step up random inspections during the coming Labour Day “golden week” holiday. The Travel Industry Authority announced on Monday that it had previously revoked the licence of Star Link Travel in connection with four suspected cases of coercing inbound mainland tourists to shop. Sara Leung Fong-yuen, a consultant... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349985/cheap-tours-blamed-coerced-shopping-hong-kong-tourism-experts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3349985/cheap-tours-blamed-coerced-shopping-hong-kong-tourism-experts?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:58:37 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service By Marlise Kast-Myers My husband Benjamin and I land in Yerevan, the capital and largest city in Armenia, at 1am and, despite the arrival time, jet lag has us wired, chatting up our driver about everything from politics to population. Nodding, he asks ChatGPT for answers. Armenia has a population of roughly 3 million, of which Yerevan is home to roughly a third. As we roll into our hotel, it seems most Yerevanites are out that night. Even in the lobby of The Alexander, the bellman explains that... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3349854/5-days-armenia-exploring-other-side-through-food-hikes-and-historical-sites?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3349854/5-days-armenia-exploring-other-side-through-food-hikes-and-historical-sites?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:15:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A stampede at a mountaintop fortress popular with tourists in northern Haiti has killed at least 25 people and injured dozens of others, authorities said, revising an earlier, higher number of fatalities. Municipal authorities in the city of Cap-Haitien in a statement said that Saturday’s stampede in Milot “resulted in numerous cases of asphyxiation, trampling and loss of consciousness”. Authorities said dozens of people who attended traditional festivities at the historical site were taken to... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3349818/stampede-historical-fort-haiti-kills-least-30-culture-minister-confirms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3349818/stampede-historical-fort-haiti-kills-least-30-culture-minister-confirms?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:30:53 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng When Su Shaojun launched an audacious plan to build a life-size replica of the Titanic, he felt he was on to a sure-fire winner. After all, James Cameron’s iconic 1997 film had been a worldwide hit – including in China, where it had grossed over US$200 million. At a press event to unveil the project in 2014, Su invited the actor Bernard Hill – who played the captain of the Titanic in the film – to appear alongside him as he told the assembled reporters in Hong Kong that his company aimed to... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349667/how-chinas-fake-titanic-sank-stone-and-became-symbol-local-excess?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349667/how-chinas-fake-titanic-sank-stone-and-became-symbol-local-excess?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 08:00:11 +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 Alice Yan Alice Yan Foreign visitors have been flocking to spa centres in China to try a unique cultural experience at an affordable price. Many foreigners have been amazed by the bathhouses in the country because they operate on a 24-hour basis. Not only can people take a bath at hot springs, but they can also enjoy everything from fruit, drinks, ice cream and a buffet, to singing Karaoke, playing with game machines, billiards and mahjong. Some places also provide libraries and mini cinemas, the China News... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3349269/foreigners-flock-china-spas-enjoy-unique-cultural-baths-amid-rise-wellness-tourism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3349269/foreigners-flock-china-spas-enjoy-unique-cultural-baths-amid-rise-wellness-tourism?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:00:10 +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 Kee Foong Kee Foong On a windswept afternoon on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, I’m standing with arms outstretched on a stone platform beside the sea. A woman circles slowly, swirling a smoking chalice of fragrant copal resin as waves crash onto the shore just feet away from me. Incantations are offered to the four elements of air, water, earth and fire as we turn to face their cardinal directions. A drum beats. A conch shell sounds. Prayers are chanted to Father Sky, Mother Earth and the world in between. This... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3349461/wellness-retreats-mexicos-yucatan-peninsula-connect-cultural-traditions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3349461/wellness-retreats-mexicos-yucatan-peninsula-connect-cultural-traditions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:00:08 +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 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s authorities are finally getting serious about enforcement against reckless behaviour threatening our precious countryside. While there is no shortage of laws for protection in this respect, our natural assets are left at the mercy of visitors with little awareness of wildlife conservation or respect for the environment. The 18 enforcement actions taken at Sai Kung East Country Park over the first four days of the Easter break may appear too little, too late, but they signal a turning... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349359/site-patrols-good-start-better-protection-hong-kongs-countryside?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349359/site-patrols-good-start-better-protection-hong-kongs-countryside?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:45:07 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Travel trends in 2026 include immersive, experiential, mindful and off-peak travel, and a strong focus on authenticity, nature and cultural engagement. Add one more to the mix: the skillcation. Skillcations blend skill and vacation. While a regular holiday tends to focus on relaxation or sightseeing, a skillcation adds some structured learning or practice to the equation. The “why” of this type of holiday has to do with travellers looking for personal growth and relaxation combined, where they... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3349116/latest-skillcation-travel-trend-blends-relaxation-self-improvement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3349116/latest-skillcation-travel-trend-blends-relaxation-self-improvement?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:15:07 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Notwithstanding the unsettling global environment, the Easter holidays remain a top travel season in many parts of the world. As Hongkongers took advantage of the consecutive Ching Ming Festival this year to head north and overseas, the city was also trying to attract more high-spending foreign visitors. The extended holidays are as much a test of our strategic shift towards high-value tourism as our ability to adapt to changing cross-border integration. Immigration data showed the number of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349214/hong-kong-must-diversify-and-adapt-changing-tourism-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3349214/hong-kong-must-diversify-and-adapt-changing-tourism-market?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 23:15:08 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Las Vegas is – by definition and mission statement – an immersive experience. It wants all of you – your eyes, your ears, your stomach, your imagination and, of course, your wallet. It offers giant resorts with so many amenities and attractions that, once inside one of these complexes, you never really need to leave for the length of your stay. It is the type of place that comes at you the moment you enter the city limits. And then it just keeps right on coming – with concerts, roulette tables,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3349135/5-las-vegas-best-immersive-hi-tech-attractions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3349135/5-las-vegas-best-immersive-hi-tech-attractions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:15:08 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Residents made more than 2 million outbound passenger trips over the first four days of the Easter break, while the number of motorists using the city’s border checkpoint for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge hit a single-day record on Monday. Immigration Department figures published on Tuesday showed that the number of outgoing Hong Kong residents rose by 14.34 per cent year on year to 2.12 million over the period. This year’s Easter holiday runs from Friday to Tuesday, while the break in 2025... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349222/slump-fb-sector-over-easter-break-28-hongkongers-leave-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349222/slump-fb-sector-over-easter-break-28-hongkongers-leave-city?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:55:06 +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 Ambrose Li,Wynna Wong Ambrose Li,Wynna Wong Hong Kong traveller Mr Lau is among those turning to high-speed rail trips or flights to mainland China after being deterred from international air travel by rising costs, particularly fuel surcharges, as war in the Middle East rages. The 34-year-old, who was travelling to neighbouring Guangzhou with his wife for a three-day trip on a high-speed train on Friday, said he had done some calculations since airlines’ fuel surcharges rose, noting that a return train trip between the two cities cost... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349064/hong-kong-tourists-choose-safety-affordability-trips-mainland-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3349064/hong-kong-tourists-choose-safety-affordability-trips-mainland-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 04:32:30 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong More Hongkongers are expected to travel elsewhere during the five-day Easter weekend from Friday despite a sharp jump in fuel surcharges, according to industry leaders. They also expect more visitors from mainland China during an overlapping Ching Ming Festival holiday, but doubt the influx will deliver any significant boost to the city’s tourism revenue. Some noted that the Easter break might have encouraged travel to the Middle East, but many tour groups have been cancelled until October due... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348849/more-hongkongers-travel-over-long-easter-break-despite-higher-costs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348849/more-hongkongers-travel-over-long-easter-break-despite-higher-costs?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 01:00:12 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Hong Kong begins a five-day long weekend break for the Easter and Ching Ming Festival holidays on Friday, with authorities expecting busy inbound and outbound travel during the period. Mainland China marks the festival, also known as tomb-sweeping day, between Saturday and Monday. For Hongkongers remaining in the city and visitors from the mainland and elsewhere, the South China Morning Post lists key activities open to the public. Coffee festival The popular coffee festival returns to the West... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348841/looking-easter-holiday-inspiration-heres-whats-happening-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348841/looking-easter-holiday-inspiration-heres-whats-happening-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:03:18 +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 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang In recent years, a new “city bus” trend has been gathering pace in southern China. It offers a fresh spin on the “city walk” craze and sees buses transformed into roving venues for karaoke, film screenings and even yum cha. In Guangdong province, some young people are embracing what they see as the most local way to explore the region: using themed public buses to take in the slow rhythms of everyday life. While eating is banned on public transport in most mainland cities, passengers on... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348487/china-immersive-fun-buses-see-rise-mobile-venues-karaoke-films-dim-sum-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348487/china-immersive-fun-buses-see-rise-mobile-venues-karaoke-films-dim-sum-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:00:08 +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 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Los Angeles will debut four new major arts complexes this year, with three more likely to open in advance of the 2028 Summer Olympics. Immerse yourself in a psychedelic explosion at Meow Wolf, plan an afternoon liaison with Van Gogh at the new David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Lacma), inhale the scent of nature inside Refik Anadol’s AI arts museum Dataland, or simply geek out over George Lucas’ jaw-dropping collection of Star Wars memorabilia. Whatever your arts... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3348359/7-new-major-los-angeles-arts-complexes-set-open-2028-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3348359/7-new-major-los-angeles-arts-complexes-set-open-2028-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:15:08 +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 Associated Press Associated Press The Reverend Paolo Venturelli never gets too close when he visits Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. The Dominican friar prefers to stand away from the wall where it was painted, on the opposite side of the room that was once used by members of his order for meals. “From there, the painting looks as though it were painted in the middle of the refectory,” says Venturelli of the masterpiece depicting the story of Jesus’ final meal with his apostles. “It unleashes all kinds of human and spiritual... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3348074/where-last-supper-housed-convent-where-dominican-friars-still-live?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3348074/where-last-supper-housed-convent-where-dominican-friars-still-live?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:15:08 +0000 Alice Wu Alice Wu Last week, a friend and I chatted about our children’s favourite art pieces after happening upon an auction house’s exhibition in a building in the heart of Hong Kong’s business district. We both recalled stopping to look at Yayoi Kusama’s Mount Fuji prints. “I pass by the space twice every day,” my friend said. She told me that my son’s pick – a piece by Sam Francis – was a new installation, replacing what had been a display of handbags. How often do we pause to notice art, or enjoy life in... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3348095/hong-kong-can-draw-art-marchs-success-keeping-it-authentic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3348095/hong-kong-can-draw-art-marchs-success-keeping-it-authentic?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:30:11 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Marina development is finally making headway in Hong Kong after decades of being largely dead in the water. The plan to revamp an area in Aberdeen should be welcomed, as long as public access remains part of efforts to chart a course for the city to become a premier maritime gateway in Asia. The goal is to convert a section of the southwest coast of Hong Kong Island into a new marina with 200 berths, a clubhouse and about 250 private flats by 2032. On Wednesday, the Development Bureau said it... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348132/hong-kong-must-factor-community-needs-marina-development?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348132/hong-kong-must-factor-community-needs-marina-development?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 22:45:14 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall A proposal to scrap a ban on tall buildings in Kyoto to make way for towers and tourism infrastructure has drawn criticism that the move would fundamentally damage the skyline of Japan’s historic capital. A panel advising the city government suggested revising the existing height restriction – which limits buildings near Kyoto Station to a maximum of 31 metres – to 60 metres. The panel claimed on Wednesday the change would “revitalise” the area around the station that served as the gateway to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3348197/kyoto-eyeing-taller-buildings-critics-warn-it-will-look-every-other-city-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3348197/kyoto-eyeing-taller-buildings-critics-warn-it-will-look-every-other-city-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:14 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong lawmakers have expressed concern over the lack of a car park at the upgraded Huanggang border crossing, saying that providing a shuttle bus service for tour groups or motorists to reach the checkpoint building will not be convenient. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Friday that the revamped building – which is on the mainland Chinese side of the border in Shenzhen – would not have a public car park or bays for coaches. The Transport and Logistics Bureau would decide... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348211/lawmakers-concerned-over-lack-parking-huanggang-border-checkpoint?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348211/lawmakers-concerned-over-lack-parking-huanggang-border-checkpoint?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:04:56 +0000 Aidan Jones Aidan Jones A cornucopia of bargains is lighting up booking sites for Thailand, where five-star luxury hotel rooms are going for huge discounts during the peak holiday season – the unplanned spin-off from the Iran war which threatens to hit international tourist arrivals at a crucial time of the year. At the same time, the surge in diesel costs caused by the choking of the Strait of Hormuz has forced many Thais to pause or scrap domestic travel plans, fearing such expenses will continue to rise during the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3348162/thai-luxury-hotels-offer-huge-discounts-save-tourist-season-battered-iran-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3348162/thai-luxury-hotels-offer-huge-discounts-save-tourist-season-battered-iran-war?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:42:29 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong authorities have extended the tender deadline to find new operators for Kai Tak Cruise Terminal by a month, after bidders requested more time to prepare for new management requirements and key performance indicators (KPIs). The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said on Friday that the tender’s closing date would be extended from May 22 to June 26. “[The bureau] has decided to extend the tender closing date in response to prospective tenderers’ requests to the government for more time... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348088/hong-kong-kai-tak-cruise-terminal-tender-deadline-extended-1-month?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348088/hong-kong-kai-tak-cruise-terminal-tender-deadline-extended-1-month?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 05:01:48 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China’s airlines are expected to add nearly 2,900 more China-Europe flights to their summer schedules compared with last year, analysts said, as the US-Israel war on Iran hands them an even greater competitive advantage over other global carriers. Unlike many Western airlines, Chinese carriers can fly directly through Russian airspace to Europe rather than taking a lengthy detour, allowing them to offer quicker flights, save on fuel and avoid sending planes over the Middle East. The number of... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347994/chinas-airlines-add-2900-flights-europe-russia-access-pays-dividends?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347994/chinas-airlines-add-2900-flights-europe-russia-access-pays-dividends?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 02:00:11 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall Japan’s cherry trees are in full bloom, heralding the arrival of spring and the beginning of hanami picnics filled with food, festivities and fun. But stubborn inflation, the economic fallout from the war in Iran and looming unsettled weather have muted excitement for this year’s gatherings – a time-honoured tradition that is also popular with tourists. A survey by Intage found that 38 per cent of Japanese were planning to attend a cherry blossom viewing event with family, friends or colleagues,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3347965/japans-cherry-blossom-parties-could-wilt-inflation-strains-wallets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3347965/japans-cherry-blossom-parties-could-wilt-inflation-strains-wallets?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:55 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin A section of Hong Kong Island’s southwest coast at Aberdeen will be revamped into a new marina with 200 berths, a clubhouse and about 250 private flats by 2032 as part of government efforts to boost yacht tourism. The Development Bureau said on Wednesday that it aimed to launch a tender in the first half of next year – the first for a marina in nearly 40 years. It also noted there was strong market interest in the project. To clear the 1.16-hectare (2.8-acre) seaside site near Po Chong Wan, the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347892/new-200-berth-marina-clubhouse-planned-hong-kong-revamp-aberdeen-site?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347892/new-200-berth-marina-clubhouse-planned-hong-kong-revamp-aberdeen-site?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:51:23 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian China’s luxury hotel sector has unlocked new avenues for business growth, fuelled by a boom in inbound tourism and a growing number of foreign business travellers and holidaymakers who favour high-end accommodation. International tourists generally spend more than domestic ones, except for wealthy Chinese travellers. Most visa-free visitors to China are from developed countries with much higher living costs. Even spending at their usual levels, they would generate considerable revenue for... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347704/visa-free-travel-rising-foreign-visitors-boost-luxury-hotel-growth-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347704/visa-free-travel-rising-foreign-visitors-boost-luxury-hotel-growth-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 04:30:08 +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 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong More than 60 new brands, mostly luxury labels, will move into K11 Musea as part of a revamp to boost the shopping centre’s offerings, but an analyst has warned of a complicated external environment weighing on the retail sector’s prospects. These brands are set to join the Tsim Sha Tsui mall in a tenant overhaul covering about 30 per cent of its retail space, with operators expecting rents for the revamped stores to rise by double digits. New or expanded flagship stores include Audemars Piguet,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347486/luxury-brands-bet-growth-well-heeled-tourists-flock-hong-kong-events?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347486/luxury-brands-bet-growth-well-heeled-tourists-flock-hong-kong-events?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 02:30:13 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Chinese engineers have designed the country’s first tourist submersible equipped to venture as deep as 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) below the ocean surface, giving eventual new momentum to the luxury travel industry. Engineers at the China Ship Scientific Research Centre in Wuxi, a city west of Shanghai, plan to build a prototype before the end of the year and enter commercial operation by 2030 for as many as four passengers per trip, state-run media outlets said this week. Key components including... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346863/china-developing-first-tourist-submersible-trips-1000-metres-under-sea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346863/china-developing-first-tourist-submersible-trips-1000-metres-under-sea?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 02:00:09 +0000