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Survival guides, insider secrets, top things to do, eco-tours, independent hotel reviews, family-friendly itineraries: fire your imagination with the South China Morning Post’s travel guides and must-see lists for holiday destinations across China and the rest of Asia.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM
A picture of a young Teresa Teng in Bangkok from The Story of Teresa Teng by Billy. A former employee of the Chiang Mai hotel where she lived and died reveals what happened on the day she died in 1995. Photo: The Story of Teresa Teng by Billy

The day Teresa Teng died in Thailand – what the butler saw

Teresa Teng’s untimely death in 1995 sparked many a conspiracy theory. A former employee of the Chiang Mai hotel where the singer lived and died recalls what happened on that fateful day 29 years ago.

Reading Time:12 minutes
A still from the video of Mirror’s “12”, which was released in 2021. Photo: handout

How Cantopop created Hong Kong’s own Christmas soundtrack

Reading Time:3 minutes
Yau Yiu-wai, owner of Sun Nga Shing Umbrella Store in Hong Kong, which he plans to close after five generations. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

A fifth-gen shop owner on closing the business despite his umbrella obsession

Reading Time:5 minutes
A dessert of durian espuma, blackberry and jasmine by Miko Calo. 06NOV25 SCMP / Jocelyn Tam

Michelin Guide’s arrival in Philippines brings distinction for country’s top chefs

Reading Time:6 minutes
Christmas decorations in Landmark in Central, Hong Kong, in 1988. Photo: SCMP Archives

In pictures: Hong Kong’s Christmas festivities, from the 1970s to 90s

Reading Time:1 minute
Hong Kong debutantes pose for the press in 1959. Photo: SCMP Archives

Cheongsams, mohair pants and a bridal finale at Hong Kong’s 1959 debutante show

Reading Time:2 minutes
MORE IN POSTMAG
Content from SCMP's Specialist Publications
The Edison George Town is housed in a 1906 heritage colonial building in the heart of George Town, capital of the Malaysian island of Penang. Photo: Handout
Luxury Hotels

Old-world charm meets modern refinement at The Edison George Town, Penang

Set in a heritage colonial building dating back to 1906, the hotel underwent a 4-year restoration to bring it up to contemporary standards of luxury.

Malaysia

‘Warm hospitality’: Chinese tourists eye return trips for Visit Malaysia 2026

Tourism

Asian travellers brace for ‘chilling’ US social media scrutiny

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Malaysia

‘Less than friendly’: Malaysia’s tourism minister flags visitor complaints

Authorities have also called for a major clean-up ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 in response to reports of dirtiness in tourist areas.

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

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

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

Tourism

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

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

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Locals' Guide

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

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

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

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

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

Food and Drinks

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

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

India

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

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

Aircrafts queue up on the tarmac before taking off at Mumbai airport. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

‘Nothing has changed’: safety gaps, old facilities hobble Malaysian tourism

‘We must clean this up. Tourists must feel safe and happy so they leave with good memories of Malaysia,’ Tourism Minister Tiong says.

People look at Kuala Lumpur’s skyline from an observation deck in the Malaysian capital. Photo: Reuters
China-Latin America relations

Brazil weighs visa-free entry for Chinese tourists and business travellers

Brazil saw nearly 80 per cent growth in Chinese tourists in 2024 and would join only two neighbours offering visa-free entry.

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Kim Jong-un

Video | Kim Jong-un visits new resort with daughter

The new facilities feature indoor and outdoor baths, as well as barbecue restaurants.

Tourism

Best things to do in Nara, Japanese city that’s more than an Osaka side trip

Widely regarded as the birthplace of Japanese culture, Nara offers everything from Unesco World Heritage sites to ryokans and bars.

Free-roaming deer mingle with visitors at a temple in Nara. As Japan’s first permanent capital, Nara is home to an array of ancient religious sites. But there is also a modern side to this city on the doorstep of Osaka and Kyoto. Photo: Shutterstock
Luxury Hotels

6 of the best hotels in Chengdu from which to explore the city or mountains

Whether you’re going there for the pandas and city vibes, or the mountains and teahouses, these are the best places to check into in Chengdu.

The Shangri-La Chengdu stands by the city’s river. Photo: Handout
Nepal

Nepal’s plan to tackle uphill task on Mount Everest: clean up waste

Over the years, the authorities have removed a mountain pile of trash and the bodies of climbers on the world’s highest peak.

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China-Japan relations

China-Japan tension hits holiday travel as flights cancelled on 46 routes

All cancelled flights are operated by Chinese carriers and involve most of the country’s major airlines.

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Wellness

How this luxury Cambodian resort offers a yoga experience few others can match

Knai Bang Chatt, an eco-friendly seaside resort in Kep, left stressed-out Cathy Hilborn Feng feeling realigned from the inside out.

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Lana Yang (left), wellness manager at Knai Bang Chatt, and her friend and fellow yoga instructor Aimee Ortagus lead a class during a three-day yoga retreat at the seaside resort. Photo: Cathy Hilborn Feng
China travel

China eases visa rules for India, tapping into US$21.6 billion travel market

Indian nationals will now be able to apply for Chinese visas online as Beijing and New Delhi gradually move to normalise economic ties.

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Thailand

Thailand’s tourism crown slips as troubles in paradise mount

Border clashes with Cambodia, fierce competition from Malaysia, deadly floods and a strong baht threaten the kingdom’s holiday appeal.

Japan

‘Limits’ to hospitality: 10 times Asia overtourism became a problem in 2025

From Japan to Indonesia, excessive tourism has created issues in some of Asia’s travel hubs this year.

Foreign tourists relax on Kuta Beach on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali in November 2023. Photo: AFP
Luxury travel

Review | A luxurious stay in Phuket at Trisara, away from the hustle and bustle

Phuket is one of Southeast Asia’s most popular beach destinations, but at Trisara, one doesn’t have to compromise on privacy and luxury.

The main pool at Trisara in Phuket overlooks a quiet and pristine beach. Photo: Handout
China-Japan relations

Chinese tourist arrivals to Japan lose momentum amid tensions: official data

Mainland visitor numbers rose just 3% in November after flight cuts and travel warnings took effect as diplomatic strains escalated.

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Food and Drinks

‘Crazy cocktail menu’ at Macau bar honours bartender’s travels in Asia

At Wynn Palace’s Wing Lei Bar, Scottish cocktail maestro Mark Lloyd pours his spirit into tipples inspired by places from Seoul to Singapore.

China travel

Why South Korea is becoming China’s new bargain travel hotspot amid Japan spat

A slump in the won is making South Korea increasingly affordable for mainland tourists just as China warns against travel to Japan.

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A large crowd of tourists walks through a street in Seoul. South Korea is expected to receive an uptick in Chinese tourism over the coming months. Photo: Reuters
Asian cinema: Japanese films

Review | Two Seasons, Two Strangers: a hypnotic ode to writing and travel

Starring Shim Eun-kyung and Yuumi Kawai, Japanese drama Two Seasons, Two Strangers is both fascinating and beautiful.

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Yuumi Kawai in a still from Two Seasons, Two Strangers
Mainland China

China-led Asia-Pacific lifts global aviation outlook as profits set to soar

Passenger demand from China and India, eased visa rules and freight resilience drive growth as IATA forecasts record airline profits in 2026.

Trip Inspiration

What the festive season looks like across Asia’s most vibrant cities

Christmas markets, fireworks and giant lanterns are all in store if you’re seeing in the season elsewhere in Asia.

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