https://www.scmp.com/rss/37/feed Travel and leisure news, including tours, guides and hotels. 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 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 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 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse With its grey front door and battered picket fence, No 4 Plaistow Grove in the anonymous London suburb of Bromley is unremarkable in every way except for one. The modest town house – originally built as a cottage for railway workers in the late 19th century – is the childhood home of pop phenomenon David Bowie. An inscription on a small blue plaque to the right of the front door is the only clue to the property’s extraordinary past. “David Bowie Singer and Talented Musician 1955 to 1968”, it... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3349500/david-bowies-former-london-home-where-pop-star-dreamed-fame-open-public?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3349500/david-bowies-former-london-home-where-pop-star-dreamed-fame-open-public?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:15:08 +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 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 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 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 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 Tara Loader Wilkinson Tara Loader Wilkinson The Easter break offers a chance of escape for many Hongkongers, but that holiday joy often comes with a hidden tax: jet lag. Jet lag is the cognitive and physical misalignment that your brain and body experience when arriving in a new time zone. Known more formally as desynchronosis, it is more than a lack of sleep – it is a state of biological confusion. Los Angeles Times journalist Horace Sutton may have been the first person to use the term “jet lag”, in a piece he wrote in 1966. “If you’re... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3348783/how-frequent-fliers-are-beating-jet-lag-using-apps-timeshifter-and-stopjetlag?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3348783/how-frequent-fliers-are-beating-jet-lag-using-apps-timeshifter-and-stopjetlag?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu Which Hong Kong park has the best swing set? Which ones are the most convenient to get to via public transport? Which ones are best for both children and adults? Mr Swing knows. From Sha Tin to Lamma Island, Mr Swing explores Hong Kong’s parks on a quest to find the city’s finest swings. The pseudonymous online creator, who has declined to reveal his real name for privacy reasons, has accumulated more than 11,000 followers across Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. “I enjoyed playing on swings when... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3348489/where-are-hong-kongs-best-swings-man-who-has-tested-over-200-sets-knows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3348489/where-are-hong-kongs-best-swings-man-who-has-tested-over-200-sets-knows?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:15:08 +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 dpa dpa “It was spooky and I died 10,000 deaths,” says musician Carolin Widmann, recalling a flight from Helsinki to Leipzig with a shudder. At the airport in the Finnish capital, on reaching the Lufthansa check-in counter, she was told she could not take her 244-year-old violin, including its case and bows, onto the plane as hand luggage. So she unpacked the valuable instrument, made by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini in 1782, and wound up cradling it on her lap like a baby during the whole flight. The... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3348382/when-eu2-million-244-year-old-violin-flew-her-lap-spooky-flight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3348382/when-eu2-million-244-year-old-violin-flew-her-lap-spooky-flight?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:15:08 +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 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 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 Tara Loader Wilkinson Tara Loader Wilkinson While aeroplane cockpits may be more hi-tech than ever and commercial flying is safer than ever, the fear of flying remains a stubborn hurdle for many. Commercial flying is statistically the safest mode of transport by far and it has become steadily safer each decade since the 1960s, according to research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Yet as many as 40 per cent of people in developed countries grapple with some form of aviophobia – a clinical anxiety that turns a flight into a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3347025/how-overcome-your-fear-flying-flight-anxiety-runs-high?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3347025/how-overcome-your-fear-flying-flight-anxiety-runs-high?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 08:15:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A hidden cloister just a few steps from Rome’s Pantheon temple is a peaceful place for silent meditation – if the millions of tourists who trudge past even know it is there. Behind the large wooden door, its frescoed walls closed to the general public reveal details of the compound’s dramatic history, including papal conclaves and the Roman Inquisition interrogation of Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei. At the centre is a pond with goldfish and turtles surrounded by olive trees, two large palms... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3347268/most-beautiful-cloister-rome-hides-dramatic-and-dark-past?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3347268/most-beautiful-cloister-rome-hides-dramatic-and-dark-past?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2026 09:15:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press With a gut-wrenching wail that rippled from her body, Amber Walcker joined about a dozen screaming people in Seattle, in the US state of Washington, who let their frustrations float away over the water. It was just the start. The two group screams that followed, each one longer and more intense, released the pain from Walcker’s recent job loss. Her added stress from raising two young children dissolved, and a deep sense of calm descended upon her. “I had such a sense of feeling grounded. In that... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3347001/feeling-stressed-let-it-out-literally-scream-clubs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3347001/feeling-stressed-let-it-out-literally-scream-clubs?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 11:15:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang The Greater Bay Area offers a varied cultural calendar this spring, from headline concerts by pop stars and rock bands to recitals by celebrated pianists and a French musical. Read on to find out what exciting things are coming up in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Macau over the next two months. Late March 1. Jane Zhang concert tour (Guangzhou) Known as the “Dolphin Princess” for her signature whistle register, Sichuan-born singer Jane Zhang is bringing her world tour to Guangzhou. Zhang’s list of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3347094/nicholas-tse-exo-among-top-music-and-art-events-coming-shenzhen-macau-and-guangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3347094/nicholas-tse-exo-among-top-music-and-art-events-coming-shenzhen-macau-and-guangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:15:08 +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 dpa dpa Once upon a time, there was a Viking king. He prayed to Thor, Odin and Freya, and ruled over a land that did not have an official name in the year 950. Being imaginative as well as influential, he commissioned a stone ‌to celebrate his centre of power in Jelling. It was inscribed in runes, translating to “King Gorm made these runes in honour of his wife Thyra, the pride of Denmark”. With this sentence on the Great Jelling Stone, he not only gave his deceased queen eternal proof of his love but... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3346702/bluetooth-vikings-and-birth-denmark-showcased-trip-across-country?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3346702/bluetooth-vikings-and-birth-denmark-showcased-trip-across-country?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2026 07:15:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press US and Israeli strikes on Iran have damaged at least four cultural and historical sites, including palaces and an ancient mosque, raising alarms about the impact of the widening war on protected landmarks that are important to Iranian identity and world history. The speed and extent of the damage have so concerned Iran and Lebanon that they sent a request to the United Nations’ cultural agency, Unesco, to add more sites to its enhanced protection list. Unesco confirmed that it has verified... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3346738/damage-irans-historical-sites-raises-alarm-about-impact-war-cultural-heritage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3346738/damage-irans-historical-sites-raises-alarm-about-impact-war-cultural-heritage?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 11:15:07 +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 Associated Press Associated Press Dear tourist: the flowers in the bright-purple lei you received on your Hawaiian holiday almost certainly were not grown in the Aloha State. The vast majority of those odourless orchids are imported from Thailand, where it is cheaper to grow and string them into the garlands synonymous with Hawaiian culture. Some Hawaii lawmakers think the US state should be doing more to help the producers of lei made with locally grown flowers. Ideas include labelling requirements that would identify... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3346343/lei-you-got-hawaii-flowers-probably-came-thailand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3346343/lei-you-got-hawaii-flowers-probably-came-thailand?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 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 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 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 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service I am getting a brain massage – and it is sublime. I am lying on a heated massage bed, cocooned in a soft, weighted blanket, as Kayla Faraji caresses my cheeks with billowy, pink goose feathers. She slides them down the sides of my neck and around my bare shoulders, sending chills up my spine. “Now I’m scratching, scratching your chest,” Faraji whispers into my ear, especially breathy. “These are golden nails.” She drags long, prickly iron nail tips up my arms and along my collarbone, filling my... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3345075/paying-head-orgasm-asmr-spas-are-taking-united-states-heres-why?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3345075/paying-head-orgasm-asmr-spas-are-taking-united-states-heres-why?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Paul French Paul French You could be forgiven for thinking that the UK has gone samurai mad of late. Director Michihito Fujii’s Last Samurai Standing remains high up the Netflix UK chart, Penguin Books is enjoying a massive bestseller in Shotaro Ikenami’s multi-volume The Samurai Detectives, and the FX miniseries retelling of James Clavell’s Shogun (originally a 1975 novel) was a surprise hit and won various awards. The samurai-inspired Assassin’s Creed Shadows was the fastest-selling video game in Britain in 2025,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3345076/gripping-london-samurai-exhibition-explores-japans-warrior-class-and-cuts-through-myths?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3345076/gripping-london-samurai-exhibition-explores-japans-warrior-class-and-cuts-through-myths?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 08:15:07 +0000 Aaina Bhargava Aaina Bhargava The Gulf is teeming with contemporary art. While high-profile arrivals like February’s Art Basel Qatar and the upcoming Frieze Abu Dhabi grab the spotlight, neighbouring Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale – closing on May 2 – has quietly matured into an established, home-grown platform now in its third edition. The biennale in Diriyah, just outside Riyadh, is the result of Vision 2030, a major strategic pivot launched in 2016 by the Saudi government and Crown Prince Mohammed bin... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3345097/saudi-arabias-diriyah-contemporary-art-biennale-2026-shows-kingdoms-cultural-ambitions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3345097/saudi-arabias-diriyah-contemporary-art-biennale-2026-shows-kingdoms-cultural-ambitions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 07:26:12 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Are your loved ones in luck this year? See our predictions for all the zodiac signs in the Year of the Horse. The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the first month in the lunisolar calendar, which is on March 3 this year, and marks the last day of the Chinese New Year celebrations. It is the first night of the new year to see a full moon, thus symbolising the return of spring and family unity. The festival’s roots stretch back more than 2,000 years to the Han dynasty (206BC-AD220),... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-zodiac/article/3344671/what-lantern-festival-plus-6-ways-celebrate-it-hong-kong-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-zodiac/article/3344671/what-lantern-festival-plus-6-ways-celebrate-it-hong-kong-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 23:15:12 +0000 dpa dpa A long flight can feel like the perfect opportunity to power through a backlog of emails or to finally finish a novel. However, this urge to be productive disappears for many of us and feelings of sluggishness begin to creep in. We asked some experts to break down some key reasons why flying can leave us feeling so bloated and exhausted. They also share their top tips on how to prevent a mid-flight slump. First, here is why flying can make us feel lethargic. 1. Routine disruption “When we are... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344575/why-flying-makes-you-feel-fatigued-and-expert-tips-avoid-mid-flight-slumps?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344575/why-flying-makes-you-feel-fatigued-and-expert-tips-avoid-mid-flight-slumps?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2026 23:15:07 +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 Associated Press Associated Press He is known as the French Banksy – or simply JR. Now the artist, popular across France for his large-scale projects ranging from photographs to graffiti and street art, wants Parisians to do something unusual on the city’s arguably most famous bridge: stop. In June, he plans to transform the bustling Pont Neuf, which dates back to the 17th century, into a walk-through “cave”. The temporary, monumental public artwork will cover the stone arches with a rocky illusion and invite visitors to cross... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344412/how-french-banksy-jr-plans-turn-famous-paris-bridge-massive-cave?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344412/how-french-banksy-jr-plans-turn-famous-paris-bridge-massive-cave?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:15:08 +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 Morning Studio editors,Dominic Ngai Morning Studio editors,Dominic Ngai Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the way millions of people experience and connect with the world as computer systems that can copy intelligent human behaviour are growing more accessible, efficient and affordable – and increasingly embedded into our everyday work and leisure activities. Research tracking and interpreting major AI advances, investment surges, regulatory growth and adoption trends in this field has shown that people across China are embracing the potential of this... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/travel-leisure/topics/ai-driven-tourism-tomorrow/article/3343029/how-use-ai-will-help-travel-operators-transform-behaviour-holidaymakers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/travel-leisure/topics/ai-driven-tourism-tomorrow/article/3343029/how-use-ai-will-help-travel-operators-transform-behaviour-holidaymakers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 04:00:09 +0000 Kyodo Kyodo Shibas are popular worldwide as a breed of hunting dog from Japan, but for tourists deplaning at Hagi-Iwami Airport in Masuda, Shimane prefecture, the dozen or so canines greeting them are like little rock stars. “So cute!” the visitors exclaim, smiling while petting and snapping photos of the alert, playful dogs known for their foxlike faces. Their owners explain that the city is the breed’s birthplace. Tracing their pedigrees back reveals that nearly all of these dogs descend from Ishi Go, a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344003/where-does-shiba-inu-hunting-dog-come-learn-about-japanese-breeds-birth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344003/where-does-shiba-inu-hunting-dog-come-learn-about-japanese-breeds-birth?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 03:15:08 +0000 Cheung Hok-hang Cheung Hok-hang Qatar, a gas-powered Gulf state, has long punched well above its weight. The Islamic country is a major diplomatic player on the world stage, mediating conflicts ranging from Gaza ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas to peace negotiations between the Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The Gulf nation’s state-funded broadcaster, Al Jazeera, has wielded huge international influence through its reporting, while its recent hosting of mega-sporting events – headlined by the 2022 Fifa World Cup –... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3343686/doha-middle-easts-next-art-hub-city-aims-high-art-basel-qatar-new-museums?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3343686/doha-middle-easts-next-art-hub-city-aims-high-art-basel-qatar-new-museums?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:15:07 +0000 dpa dpa Santa Maddalena is covered in snow, which ⁠only enhances its picturesque charm. It is drawing a growing number of visitors, something locals describe as a mixed blessing. The village, home to fewer than 400 people, is nestled in the heart of Italy’s Dolomites, with a jagged mountain backdrop highlighting the diminutive church tower. Named the most beautiful village in South Tirol by Geo magazine, Santa Maddalena is located within the Unesco-listed Puez-Geisler Nature Park between Villnoss and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3343892/how-tourists-are-overwhelming-tiny-village-italy-perfect-photo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3343892/how-tourists-are-overwhelming-tiny-village-italy-perfect-photo?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:15:07 +0000 Oliver Giles Oliver Giles When Ming Wong was asked to be the 2025 artist in residence at London’s National Gallery, he felt delighted and shocked. “I was really confounded,” he says. “Why did they invite me?” The National Gallery predominantly shows paintings created before 1900, while Wong works mostly with video and performance, sometimes using futuristic imagery borrowed from science fiction. Wong, who was born in Singapore, often makes art exploring Asian cinema, theatre and pop culture. In contrast, the National... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3343859/singaporean-artist-ming-wong-reimagines-saint-and-lgbtq-icon-london-gallery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3343859/singaporean-artist-ming-wong-reimagines-saint-and-lgbtq-icon-london-gallery?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:15:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A 15th century statue that once stood outside Milan’s iconic Duomo has found a new home. Bearded Saint with Book was recently restored under the “Adopt a Statue” programme, launched in 2020 by the centuries-old institution that oversees the cathedral’s conservation. It is now on display behind a glass window at the headquarters of transport company FNM in central Milan’s Cadorna Square. The programme recruits donors – companies or individuals – to fund the restoration of a statue under a loan... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3343809/how-milan-duomos-old-sculptures-are-getting-new-life-adopt-statue-programme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3343809/how-milan-duomos-old-sculptures-are-getting-new-life-adopt-statue-programme?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:15:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters An immersive new exhibition devoted to Ponyo – Hayao ⁠Miyazaki’s hand-drawn 2008 ⁠fantasy film about a goldfish-like girl yearning ⁠to be human – invites visitors, especially children, into his world through more than 100 original materials and hands-on animation tools. The show, which opened on February 14 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, showcases rare artwork and production sketches from Studio Ghibli, ‌the animation house Miyazaki co-founded, along with an interactive... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3343694/ponyo-exhibition-invites-visitors-hayao-miyazakis-ocean-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3343694/ponyo-exhibition-invites-visitors-hayao-miyazakis-ocean-world?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:15:08 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times With Lunar New Year approaching, Beijing-based Lu Xiao decided to try dermatology treatments for the first time, hoping to look her best for family gatherings during the break. “I’ve seen a lot of posts on social media about the effects of dermatology treatments recently, and they looked quite appealing, so I wanted to try it myself,” Lu says. She flew to South Korea for a three-day trip earlier in February and opted for Thermage and ultrasound-based lifting treatments at a clinic in Seoul’s... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3343397/chinese-tourists-flock-south-korea-beauty-treatments-ahead-lunar-new-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3343397/chinese-tourists-flock-south-korea-beauty-treatments-ahead-lunar-new-year?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 11:15:08 +0000 dpa dpa Turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, sunbeds under swaying palms – and complete privacy. Some celebrities and ultra-wealthy individuals have leased or even bought private islands. For most, however, having their own island will remain a dream. Unless you are a cruise passenger, who can today experience exclusive beaches and resorts as part of their journey. Major cruise lines such as MSC, Norwegian and Carnival have their own islands and operate resorts exclusively for the passengers on their... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3343251/disney-royal-caribbean-cruise-lines-are-spending-big-private-island-escapes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3343251/disney-royal-caribbean-cruise-lines-are-spending-big-private-island-escapes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:15:07 +0000 Reuters Reuters In front of a live audience, rock climber Alex Honnold completed the first ropeless ascent of Taipei 101, Taiwan’s tallest skyscraper. One wrong move would have almost certainly resulted in grave injury or death. But for Honnold, whose decades-long career includes scaling some of the world’s tallest heights – including his ropeless ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan in the Oscar-winning film Free Solo – it was just another climb. Speaking from Los Angeles a week after the release of Netflix’s... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3343131/why-taipei-101-climber-alex-honnold-loves-free-soloing-buildings-and-what-hes-eyeing-next?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3343131/why-taipei-101-climber-alex-honnold-loves-free-soloing-buildings-and-what-hes-eyeing-next?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:15:08 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak The Hakka community is known for its tradition of mass migration; the name literally translates to “guest families”, a poignant reminder of the people’s historical outsider status. In Hong Kong, the Hakka were relatively late arrivals compared with the Tanka and Punti people. They settled in the late 1600s after the Qing dynasty’s “Great Clearance” policy was rescinded and migrants from other parts of China were encouraged to repopulate the sparsely inhabited coastal areas. But their “guest”... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3342904/how-two-remote-hong-kong-villages-are-helping-revive-hakka-way-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3342904/how-two-remote-hong-kong-villages-are-helping-revive-hakka-way-life?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 07:18:32 +0000