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Asia travel

Airlines in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia cancel Bali flights due to volcano

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, an active volcano on nearby Flores island, spewed a tower of ash that reached 9km into the sky.

3 hours agovideocam

South Korea slaps travel ban on American live-streamer for ‘causing a commotion’

13 Nov 2024 - 11:57AM

Chef of Singapore’s 2-Michelin-star Jaan opens restaurant in Vietnam

13 Nov 2024 - 11:15AM

Uncovering Hanoi, Vietnam’s rich culture and cuisine

Locals recommend the Vietnamese capital’s best street food, creative spaces and historical sights.

13 Nov 2024 - 3:32AM

Hanoi, Vietnam’s captivating capital blends ancient history with modern energy. Photo: Getty Images

Can a flurry of winter tourism, sports help thaw China’s economy?

As northern temperatures start to plunge, China’s State Council issues guidelines for the enhanced cultivation of a ‘snow and ice economy’.

12 Nov 2024 - 4:00PMvideocam

‘It’s now a 2-player game’: India’s top airlines vie for each other’s customers

Market leader IndiGo is dipping its toe into business-class travel, as Air India completes its merger with Singapore Airlines-owned Vistara.

11 Nov 2024 - 9:20AMvideocam

3 of the best places for solo female travel, including Hong Kong

Two solo women travel experts reveal their favourite destinations to explore, where safety is high and the culture is vibrant.

11 Nov 2024 - 7:15AM

Solo women travel is on the rise, but some countries and cities are more suitable for women travelling on their own than others. Photo: Shutterstock

Balinese hope construction freeze can tame tourism

While Bali’s residents acknowledge the importance of tourism, many worry the influx of travellers is damaging the resort island.

10 Nov 2024 - 12:15PM

‘Huge opportunity for us’: can Nepal cash in on China’s tourism campaign?

Nepal should introduce more incentives and use Chinese social media platforms to promote itself to bring in visitors, industry players say.

9 Nov 2024 - 3:40PM

Editorial | China to feel benefit of more visa-free visitors

Beijing’s extension of scheme to 25 countries aims to create warmer relations and boost struggling economy.

8 Nov 2024 - 11:10PM

Tourists pose for a photo after practicing Tai Chi at the Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park in Beijing. China is making up for its pandemic-related tourism losses by easing restrictions on foreign visitors. Photo: Xinhua

Think Japan isn’t friendly for tourists with disabilities? Think again

Japan has made big steps in accessible travel, one expert says, while bodies like Accessible Japan and TokudAw help those with special needs.

8 Nov 2024 - 1:15PM

Josh Grisdale says he has received assistance everywhere he has travelled in Japan, including from this priest in Kyoto.
Photo: Josh Grisdale

How Japan’s innovative Nakagin Capsule Tower is finding new life

The Tokyo structure’s dismantling in 2022 saw a number of its capsules repurposed globally – even at Hong Kong’s M+ – fulfilling designer Kisho Kurokawa’s vision.

11 Nov 2024 - 2:29PM

Thailand’s tourist arrivals could exceed pre-pandemic levels next year

Agoda said visa waiver schemes and the country’s popularity among repeat visitors to boost the tourism-reliant economy.

7 Nov 2024 - 10:40AM

Singapore’s flag carrier to debut first class seats for ultra-long-haul flights

Singapore Airlines pledge to ‘push the boundaries of comfort, luxury and modernity’, comes as other airlines also up their premium game.

5 Nov 2024 - 9:51AM

First class seating is seen on board a Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 in 2020. Photo: AFP

Explainer | How to enter mainland China visa-free: a traveller’s guide

As mainland China grants a wider list of countries visa-free access, we survey all the ways to enter without fees or lengthy paperwork.

5 Nov 2024 - 9:01AMvideocam

Transiting via one of mainland China’s international airports is one method by which entry to the country can be obtained without a visa. Photo: Xinhua

We skipped Guilin’s karst hills and visited Longzhou in Guangxi, China instead

Guangxi’s little-visited Longzhou is a former French treaty port that offers all the karst peak sights and historic insight of far-more crowded locales.

5 Nov 2024 - 11:20AM

Now is a good time to buy a cheap plane ticket in China, HSBC tells travellers

Carriers adding more routes and economic uncertainty on the mainland will put pressure on airlines to cut prices, HSBC says.

1 Nov 2024 - 4:00PM

Will Seoul hanok village’s new curfew work to curb overtourism?

From November, tourists walking around Seoul’s historical Bukchon Hanok Village from 5pm to 10am will be fined. The move has people divided.

31 Oct 2024 - 4:24PM

Tourists take selfies at Bukchon Hanok Village. Photo: Reuters

Exclusive | Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific in talks to help Saudi carrier expand Asia routes

Talk of a partnership followed the bulk order of 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft, announced this week during the annual FII conference in the Saudi capital.

31 Oct 2024 - 11:05AM

Hidden gems far from Seoul show a peaceful side to Korea

Less visited spots in Korea’s Jeolla region have forests, traditional food and music and a K-drama location, and show country’s quiet side.

30 Oct 2024 - 12:45PM

Why Niigata in Japan deserves to be on every foodie’s radar

Niigata is known for Japan’s best koshihikari rice and sake, but it offers much more. We run the rule over 7 of the best places to eat there.

30 Oct 2024 - 7:46AM

A dish at Uozen in Sanjo city, in Japan’s Niigata prefecture, where chef Kazuhiro Inoue takes a hands-on approach to sourcing ingredients, including cultivating his own vegetables and hunting game in the mountains. Photo: Uozen

How Fukuoka’s yatai street stalls are adding zest to the city’s foodie culture

The best yatai include those that are hipsterish, specialise in mentaiko or are halal-friendly – even one owned by a French chef

30 Oct 2024 - 7:15AM

Unlike the rest of Japan, Fukuoka has kept its yatai street stalls, and they now propel a popular foodie scene. Photo: Shutterstock

Gen Z works to enjoy travel, started investing at a younger age: HSBC

‘Nearly half of our Gen Z respondents prioritise saving for short-term goals, often linked to enjoying life,’ survey shows.

28 Oct 2024 - 8:08PM

Visiting Hangzhou? Take in the lake views, temples and music

Hangzhou’s attractions are many, from West Lake, immortalised by poets centuries ago, to an intimate jazz bar.

28 Oct 2024 - 6:45PM

How a college dropout and ex-racer became one of Asia’s best bartenders

Ace bartender Sandeep Kumar, a two-time winner of the Bacardi Grand Prix National, found success in Hong Kong with The Wise King and The Blind Spot.

28 Oct 2024 - 5:45PM

Sandeep Kumar, founder of Hong Kong bars The Wise King and The Blind Spot. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Australia’s PM flies into storm of controversy over free Qantas flight upgrades

A new book reveals Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s cosy ties to Australia’s flag carrier, raising questions about conflicts of interest.

28 Oct 2024 - 9:08AM

A Qantas plane takes off from Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney. Photo: Reuters

Israelis remain in Sri Lanka surfing town despite terrorism warning

Israel’s national security council called on Israelis to get out of tourist areas in Sri Lanka’s south, claiming a terrorist threat.

26 Oct 2024 - 6:00PM

Japanese woman dies after tour bus smashes into truck in Malaysia

The vehicle, carrying 11 Japanese nationals and two locals, was travelling from Penang to the Cameron Highlands.

25 Oct 2024 - 2:39PM

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Asia travel

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.

last updated:

9 September, 2024

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