https://www.scmp.com/rss/34189/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Almost overnight, the coronavirus pandemic upended most of our lives. While travel for many rightly remains an afterthought, as the world cautiously begins to reopen, many are looking to escape the months of confinement with some much-needed holiday time. But have the past few months changed the way we’ll travel forever? Ethical tourism, particularly that involving animals and their welfare, was already a growing trend and the disruption that the travel industry is currently facing presents a... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3089189/could-coronavirus-usher-era-ethical-wildlife-tourism-5?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3089189/could-coronavirus-usher-era-ethical-wildlife-tourism-5?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Jun 2020 12:00:05 +0000 If museums were the sole measure of refinement, Mexico’s capital would be the most cultured place in the world. With more than 150 institutions, including some housing truly world-class collections, Mexico City’s museums offer something for everyone. From the highbrow such as the world-famous National Museum of Anthropology, the city’s largest and most-visited, to tiny, obscure collections, the city has no shortage of curious cultural venues. Let’s take a look at some of the most... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3075405/torture-toys-chocolate-5-museums-mexico-are-far?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3075405/torture-toys-chocolate-5-museums-mexico-are-far?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2020 18:00:24 +0000 As the holiday season approaches, STYLE looks at five less well-known locations where travellers can kick back and enjoy a host of cultural and tourist attractions. Mexico City, Mexico The sprawling Mexican capital can seem daunting at first, but contains absolutely idyllic pockets among its 16 boroughs, spread across the city’s 1,479 sq km. The tree-lined, cafe-culture-rich neighbourhoods of La Condesa and Roma – the latter of which was made famous by Alfonso Cuarón’s Oscar-nominated film of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3064732/mexico-city-cape-town-lisbon-and-2-other-great-summer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3064732/mexico-city-cape-town-lisbon-and-2-other-great-summer?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2020 06:24:58 +0000 Promising speeds that are up to 100 times faster than its predecessor, 5G networking is gradually rolling out around the world. Its arrival is expected to spark a huge take-up of cloud services, which are now becoming more affordable, better and faster, and will encourage more companies to begin their transition to remote computing. The cloud has a raft of benefits – including making collaboration and business analysis easier – which can be accessed from anywhere with an internet... https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/enterprises/topics/cloud/article/3027383/hybrid-cloud-promises-scalability-and-hong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/enterprises/topics/cloud/article/3027383/hybrid-cloud-promises-scalability-and-hong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Sep 2019 08:29:33 +0000 What made you decide to become a sommelier? How long have you been one? I have been doing the sommelier job for around 10 years, and I chose to do this simply because I love sake and I love Japanese cuisine. I lived in New York from 1998 to 2010, and moving abroad at such a young age - I was 19 or 20 - [gave me] a very different view of Japanese cuisine and sake. I don't think I would be doing this if I'd stayed in Japan. Did you study formally? Yes, I'm a certified sake sommelier and... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/good-eating/article/1446155/sake-sensei?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/good-eating/article/1446155/sake-sensei?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Mar 2014 14:32:07 +0000 For many visitors, especially those coming directly from China's smoggy cities, Canada is literally a breath of fresh air. From the snowy peaks of British Columbia and the vast central plains to the thousand islands of Lake Ontario and the wild coasts of Newfoundland, Canada offers overseas visitors nature at its best. For those of a more urban persuasion, the country's cities offer colourful sights and culture. Visitors from Asia are on the increase, and none more so than from China. Since... https://www.scmp.com/article/1434117/where-wild-beauty-meets-city-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1434117/where-wild-beauty-meets-city-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Feb 2014 08:31:08 +0000 As one of Hong Kong's leading composers and producers over the past 20 years, Mark Lui has seen a lot of change in his profession. He's worked with some of the city's biggest names in pop, including Leon Lai, Kelly Chen, Justin Lo and Janice Vidal. With more than 900 song credits over the course of his career, Lui is a busy man - and no more so than today, when he juggles the needs of his family, his staff and the artists whom he collaborates with. Given his hectic schedule, he's come to... https://www.scmp.com/article/1344397/mark-lui-prefers-live-moment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1344397/mark-lui-prefers-live-moment?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Nov 2013 12:48:06 +0000 Change over time is inevitable, but if one truly develops and improves, this change becomes something entirely more purposeful - an evolution. Pinky Lai left Hong Kong for Europe over four decades ago, taking the first step of his evolutionary journey. From his first days as a trainee interior designer in Hong Kong to design school in Italy and London, and on to work with some of the world's most recognisable automotive brands, Lai's aesthetic, work ethic and outlook have developed in ways that... https://www.scmp.com/article/1344405/working-strict-timeframes-helps-says-automotive-designer-pinky-lai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1344405/working-strict-timeframes-helps-says-automotive-designer-pinky-lai?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Nov 2013 12:45:00 +0000 Thailand and Hong Kong's trade and commerce relationship goes back centuries, and trade between the two is evolving, according to a Thai consulate spokesman. Given its small domestic market, Thailand is dependent on exports, which make up about two-thirds of its gross domestic product. It is the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia, and membership in international and regional bodies, such as the World Trade Organisation and Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum, has... https://www.scmp.com/article/1350950/renewed-commitment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1350950/renewed-commitment?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Nov 2013 09:49:50 +0000 There are likely only a scant few Hongkongers who, office-bound on a rainy afternoon, have not daydreamed their way to the bustle of Bangkok, the culturally rich north or the idyllic palm-fringed beaches that frame the Land of Smiles. As Thailand's greatest source of foreign exchange revenue, the importance of tourism in the country has not diminished. It has long been a tourist hot spot, developing in the early 1970s, as shoestring backpackers first discovered its charm, then evolving into the... https://www.scmp.com/article/1350949/surgery-service-theres-something-every-tourist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1350949/surgery-service-theres-something-every-tourist?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Nov 2013 09:47:11 +0000 Hongkongers have a reputation for enjoying the finer things in life, and high quality chocolates are no exception. Even a price rise of up to 40 per cent this year for the raw materials for chocolate failed to dent local demand for the luxury product. High-end brands Godiva and Jean-Paul Hévin have been wooing local consumers for years. And now an Italian company, Amedei, is hoping to join them. Amedei, based in Tuscany, recently launched a pop-up counter in City'super at Harbour City. The... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1349868/italian-luxury-chocolate-brand-amedei-tests-market-pop-store?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1349868/italian-luxury-chocolate-brand-amedei-tests-market-pop-store?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:15:15 +0000 Across the Taiwan Strait, there is a real appetite for growth, largely fuelled by the tech sector - something that is having a knock-on effect on social enterprises (SEs) that have the potential to fill the gap left by a sluggish public sector. However, despite a burgeoning economy - bolstered by the ever-improving trade environment with the mainland - social issues in Taiwan remain. The island has a social insurance system that provides medical, disability, old-age, survivor and other benefits... https://www.scmp.com/article/1339624/time-spread-islands-wealth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1339624/time-spread-islands-wealth?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Oct 2013 06:53:39 +0000 Sharing deep cultural and political links, Taiwan and Hong Kong are, in many ways, more closely connected than other parts of Greater China. While their relationship has often strayed into economic rivalry, the two places continue to recognise each other's importance - and hopes are high that there will be a new era of co-operation. Last summer, Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou applauded Hong Kong, lauding significant improvements in relations and saying Taiwan has much to learn from the... https://www.scmp.com/article/1339621/business-and-leisure-travel-increase?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1339621/business-and-leisure-travel-increase?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Oct 2013 06:47:24 +0000 It is unlikely that the first Europeans to reach California had complex, layered and characterful pinot noirs from small, boutique wineries on their minds. But some of the early settlers' frontier spirit remains in Sonoma county, the larger, more geographically diverse wine-producing cousin of neighbouring Napa. While the latter makes up the bulk of California's wine exports, Sonoma's reputation - forged over a century and refined over the past 30 years - is held in equal, if not higher, esteem... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1323623/californias-sonoma-county-emerges-premium-wine-growing-region?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1323623/californias-sonoma-county-emerges-premium-wine-growing-region?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Oct 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Italian wine heiress Gaia Gaja has been coming to Hong Kong for at least 15 years, shuttling in and out on official family business. She not only checks in with her friends, but also makes the rounds of the upscale bars and restaurants that carry the distinctive Gaja black-and-white labels. There have been bottles with the legend "Gaja" on them for four generations, a legacy started by her great-grandfather and, like so many of Italy's most famous brands, entrusted only to blood. Decisions... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1313061/keeping-it-family-gaja-wine-feels-love-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1313061/keeping-it-family-gaja-wine-feels-love-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Sep 2013 16:00:00 +0000 On the whole, men aren't in the dark ages any longer when it comes to skincare - especially here in Asia, where men have a more balanced and open-minded approach towards grooming. Men are far more willing to try new products and more likely to have a multistep skincare system that includes cleansing as the crucial first step. For those still scrubbing away at their delicate faces with hand soap, however, it's important to know that choosing the right product can make a world of difference, to... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/faces/article/1158380/rinse-and-repeat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/faces/article/1158380/rinse-and-repeat?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000 If you do anything often enough, it becomes mundane. Such is the central problem with shaving - what is for most men a daily routine, something that long ago had the novelty and fun drained out of it. "Men usually refer to daily shaving as a curse and this is often because guys aren't educated from their first shave as teenagers," says Sarah Chung, general manager of men's grooming centre Gentlemen's Tonic. "Following the correct steps ensures the beard is being prepped and shaved in the most... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/faces/article/1080806/brush-elegance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/faces/article/1080806/brush-elegance?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Nov 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Following the post-war years that saw the creation of South Korea, diplomatic and trade relations with Hong Kong were quickly established, heralding the beginning of a new, mutually beneficial relationship. Since those diplomatic links were forged in May 1949 - less than a year after the country established itself independent from a United States military government following the second world war - Hong Kong and South Korea have grown ever closer. Now, Hong Kong is South Korea's fourth largest... https://www.scmp.com/article/1062477/strong-relationship-grows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1062477/strong-relationship-grows?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:11:50 +0000 In the past few weeks, you would have had to have been hiding under a rock, or at least avoiding all encounters with the media, to have missed South Korean rapper Psy's hugely popular hit, Gangnam Style. Approaching 400 million hits on YouTube, around six times South Korea's population, this ultracatchy tune has wormed its way into the hearts of tens of millions of fans worldwide. The rest of the world's love-affair with Korean pop (K-Pop) culture had its roots in the 1990s, when TV output from... https://www.scmp.com/article/1062476/rappers-monster-hit-puts-k-pop-world-spotlight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1062476/rappers-monster-hit-puts-k-pop-world-spotlight?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:09:12 +0000 If there ever was an ideal city for a restaurant and bar expo, Hong Kong could stake a good claim for being one. With more than 11,000 bars and restaurants packed into the city, it is arguably Asia's gourmet capital. This month sees the 10th anniversary edition of Restaurant and Bar Hong Kong, the annual get-together for suppliers and restaurateurs in Hong Kong's food and drink trade. More than 80 per cent of the expo's attendees are from Hong Kong, says Stuart Bailey, general manager of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1031684/raise-glass-anniversary?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1031684/raise-glass-anniversary?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Sep 2012 16:00:00 +0000 In one of Hong Kong's premier furniture malls, often too little attention is paid to carpets - with one major exception. CarpetBuyer owner Nadeem Butt has put together an Aladdin's cave of carpets, the perfect finishing touch to an interior project and one of the few soft furnishings that can truly express an individual's personality. CarpetBuyer, which occupies more than 3,000 sq ft on Horizon Plaza's 17th floor, stands out for its dedication to carpets. Butt also departed from the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030755/enter-cave-surprises?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030755/enter-cave-surprises?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:00:00 +0000 While summer has drawn to a close, Hong Kong is blessed with a climate that means the season for huddling indoors is mercifully short. It is with a love of everything alfresco that Everything Under the Sun offers some of the city's finest outdoor furnishings. The shop, which opened in 1996, stocks an array of products for retail clients, architects, designers and property developers. It has already worked on more than 500 commercial projects. It aims to bring customers the latest... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030785/store-makes-outdoor-life-so-accessible?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030785/store-makes-outdoor-life-so-accessible?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Space is a luxury that few in Hong Kong can truly afford, which is why a trip to Horizon Plaza's top floor - and TREE's spacious, airy showroom - is such a pleasure. At about 25,000 sq ft, the shop really is an antidote to Hong Kong's cramped, crowded showrooms. In 2005, founder Nicole Wakley took the problems created by a lack of high-quality, sustainable home furnishings in Hong Kong into her own hands and opened TREE's first showroom in Horizon Plaza. The company is now located on the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030756/eco-friendly-furniture-reclaimed-recycled-reloved?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030756/eco-friendly-furniture-reclaimed-recycled-reloved?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:00:00 +0000 As one of Horizon Plaza's original tenants, Shambala's Andy Robbins believes his eclectic emporium helped put the shopping centre on the map. Shambala opened its doors in the pioneer days of 1996 when Horizon Plaza was largely empty or still being used for warehousing. Offering some of the centre's most unique items, the store is a treasure trove of quirky, antique and conversation-starting pieces, from some small enough to fit in your hand to those that could fill a room. At 25,000 sq ft,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030754/quirky-emporium-still-thriving?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030754/quirky-emporium-still-thriving?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:00:00 +0000 For the past eight years, Horizon Plaza has been home to Indigo Living - one of the most comprehensive stores in the home shopping market. With a generous, 12,600 sq ft shop located on the sixth floor, the showroom offers a huge range of furnishings and, as a handy convenience, customers can drive up to Indigo's level and park right outside. "Our product mix - everything from living and bedroom to dining room and children's furniture - creates a one-stop shopping solution for our... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030767/indigo-living-offers-rich-mix-designs-suit-all-tastes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030767/indigo-living-offers-rich-mix-designs-suit-all-tastes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Tapping into more than three decades of European furniture and interior know-how, German brand Fink - The Art of Living brings a slice of overseas sophistication to Horizon Plaza. For more than six years, the company has showcased collections of exclusive and original designs, valuable materials and superior craftsmanship across Hong Kong. The brand set up in Horizon Plaza in 2010, choosing the location primarily because its spaciousness allows for a huge amount of stock to be displayed. ... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030753/german-lifestyle-brand-focuses-its-unique-style?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/1030753/german-lifestyle-brand-focuses-its-unique-style?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Back in the day, all a man needed when he stepped in the bathroom was a bar of carbolic soap and some no-nonsense shampoo. But the past decade has seen a remarkable change in men’s attitudes towards taking care of their skin, hair and general appearance – and nowhere more so than in Asia. The term “metrosexual” goes back to the early part of the 2000s and ushered in a new era of grooming care for men.  Famous faces – including metrosexuality’s unofficial ambassador and soccer icon David Beckham... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/faces/article/1021049/face-change?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/faces/article/1021049/face-change?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Aug 2012 10:13:37 +0000 The Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition), which runs from today until Saturday, provides a huge opportunity for the market. Exhibitors come from all major categories of the lighting industry, featuring commercial, LED lighting, green and outdoor lighting, technical lighting, along with lighting management, design and technology. It promises to be one of the industry's most important events. Richardson Associates Manufacturing, a Hong Kong-based manufacturer, is exhibiting at... https://www.scmp.com/article/964922/spotlight-latest-trends-innovations-and-products?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/964922/spotlight-latest-trends-innovations-and-products?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:00:00 +0000 This week sees the confluence of three important fairs, as the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) capitalises on its reputation for hosting some of the world's most respected trade shows for a huge range of industries. The eighth edition of the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition), running from today until Saturday, is one of the key events for the industry, regionally and globally. More than ever, the electronics industry is at the forefront of consumer trends. From the... https://www.scmp.com/article/964924/city-gets-ready-enjoy-hi-tech-feast?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/964924/city-gets-ready-enjoy-hi-tech-feast?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:00:00 +0000 The trade fair allows information, communications and technology companies to showcase their state-of-the-art software solutions and services. The event also provides the perfect international platform for participants - on both sides of the trading divide - to extend their business reach and make valuable new contacts. This year should prove to be especially fruitful, with the sector in excellent health. 'Fortunately, the state of the industry is quite healthy as IT has been a hot [sector]... https://www.scmp.com/article/964923/technology-firms-unveil-industrys-hottest-trends?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/964923/technology-firms-unveil-industrys-hottest-trends?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:00:00 +0000