Osaka is a fun-loving, vibrant sister as compared to the pricey and posh capital city of Tokyo. The city is not only famous for its gastronomy but also its historic sights and dynamic culture. Osaka’s bar/restaurant culture is legendary and it is the perfect place in the country to let your hair down and enjoy…
Age-old Kyoto is Japan’s spiritual heart and brims with a rich culture, whether it is geisha culture, zen gardens, traditional teahouses, or ancient shrines and temples. The city’s Japanese culture is a dizzying old-and-modern blend of onsens, tea ceremonies, matcha (powdered green tea), and manga! To experience the city at its best, it’s important to…
Beijing is not only China’s capital, but it’s also its cultural powerhouse. It went from being a timeworn walled city to a thriving megalopolis in less than 100 years. Having been ruled by three dynasties, the city has some jaw-dropping architectural wonders. Think the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, and even Buddhist monasteries.…
The eclectic capital of Taiwan, Taipei is an alluring city with a history of more than 300 years. The predominantly Chinese city also has curious Japanese, Asian, and Western influences. Straddling the Tamsui River, it’s also one of the most unique cities in Southeast Asia. Taipei is chock-full of Taoist temples, Japanese-era mansions, and heirloom…
There’s no place on earth like mesmerizing Macau. With a scintillating skyline and gambling aplenty, the moniker of the “Las Vegas of Asia” suits it. Indeed, it’s the center of all that is decadent on this side of the world. But, that’s not all that this Special Administrative Region of China is known for. It’s…
Established in 710 AD as the “Citadel of Peace” (Heijo-Kyo), Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital. It’s also the capital of the Nara Prefecture in Honshu’s Kansai region in central Japan. The city lies less than an hour’s drive from Osaka and Kyoto, and roughly 500 km (311 miles) southwest of Tokyo. There are plenty…
Scintillating Seoul is as traditional as it’s technology- and fashion-forward. It’s impossible to not be swept up by the Hallyu that is Seoul. Hallyu refers to the ‘wave’ of South Korean culture, and the capital city is living testament to that. Seoul is the mashup of dazzling skylines and great outdoors with ancient sights, all…
Hong Kong is one rare glass-and-steel city of our times; over 70% of the city is lush country parks and mountains. The captivating and culture-rich city is home to world-class food, historical and cultural gems, dizzying markets, picturesque hikes, and beautiful beaches. However, the vertical city is most known for its iconic, skyscraper-filled skyline and…
Sprawling, dynamic Tokyo overlooking Tokyo Bay is more than just Japan’s capital city; it’s a place where no two experiences are the same. Travelers to the enthralling city can experience the entire range of Japanese culture in one place. Jaw-dropping heritage architectural marvels, newer swanky structures, pop culture like manga and anime, sublime cuisine, and…
Good food is what defines spirited Osaka on the island of Honshu in Japan. In fact, this foodie city has an unofficial motto ‘Eat till you drop.’ Apart from this lip-smacking cuisine, Osaka is also known for the 16th-century Osaka Castle and the Sumiyoshi-Taisha, one of Japan’s oldest shrines. However, Osaka is also known for…
Nara is Japan’s 1300-year-old, deer-loving first capital centered around the incredible Nara-kōen park. Located just 45km south of Kyoto, the 7th-century AD-founded city was established as the ‘Citadel of Peace’. And while most itineraries might dismiss it as a day trip, it has so much for travelers to explore. In fact, the city houses the…
With its ancient Buddhist temples, traditional teahouses, and one of the world’s most unique forests, it’s no wonder that Kyoto is known as Japan’s spiritual heart. At the same time, the city is crazy ahead in its tech game, like the mixed-reality experience at Kenninji, Japan’s oldest Zen temple. So, it’s no wonder that the…
Few cities evoke as much history, mystique, and glamour as exotic Shanghai does. Its vertigo-inducing skyline is peppered with a smattering of modernist and art-deco structures that include everything from Buddhist temples to shopping malls. In fact, Shanghai’s skyline famously has some of the most skyscrapers in the world! What’s more, the city promises to…
The island of Hokkaido is famous for its gorgeous outdoors, hot springs, skiing areas, and beer! So naturally, its buzzing hub of a capital Sapporo makes for a great starting point. The city is all about a rich, thriving culture, fabulous cuisine, neon-lit, electric nightlife, and an amazing and famous Snow Festival. In fact, Sapporo…
Kobe is perched on a hillside facing the sea, while nestled in the shadows of Mountain Rokko and overlooking the Osaka Bay. The former maritime gateway is located just 30 minutes west of Osaka and is one of the most beautiful cities in Japan. Apart from a picturesque harbor, Kobe also teems with a great…
Hiroshima is like a phoenix that has risen from the ashes of the horrors of World War II. The historic city overlooking the Hiroshima Bay and the Seto Inland Sea is a fascinating destination. Today, Hiroshima is the city of peace, with its wide, leafy boulevards dispelling any darkness that you might expect from it. Moreover,…
‘Heaven on earth’ Hangzhou straddling the Qiantang River has the repute of being China’s most romantic city, and why not? The city is most known for the lush forests-fringed dreamy West Lake and its willow-lined banks and the mist-swathed hills. However, Hangzhou is also famous for its shíkùmén (stone-gate) architecture, quiet, serene temples, and ornate and…
The glittering maritime city of Guangzhou, formerly Canton, is also one of China’s wealthiest cities. The dazzling city straddles the lovely waters of the Pearl River and is a heady mix of old-world China and its 21st-century variant. Guangzhou is best known for being home to some of the world’s most skyscrapers and its delicious…
Hong Kong boasts of a glorious harbor, lush neighborhoods, and one of the most iconic glass-and-steel skylines in the world. And even though it doesn’t recognize same-sex marriages, Hong Kong’s denizens are extremely supportive of LGBTQ+ rights. Over the decades, Hong Kong has become a modern, tolerant city with an accepting attitude towards LGBTQ people.…
The capital of Japan is home to one of Asia’s biggest LGBT communities. So it’s hardly any surprise that there are plenty of gay hotels in Tokyo. Many are within easy reach of Shinjuku Ni-Chome, arguably the most popular Tokyo gay district. Lively enough by day, it’s more exuberant at night when the clubs and…
Are you looking for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city? Do you enjoy traditional and regional cuisine, events, attractions, and beaches? Then the harbor city of Fukuoka might just be the destination you’re seeking. Here, you’ll get to experience both old-school Japanese charm and the sights and sounds of an ever-growing…
One of the oldest cities in China and the oldest of the Four Great Ancient capitals of this ancient civilization is Xi’an, also known as Sian. Xi’an was where the Silk Road began and so the city was once a hotbed of activity and a melting point of cultures. However, although the city’s importance on…
Mongolia’s largest city, Ulaanbaatar, is rated as the coldest capital city in the world with temperatures plummeting to between -30 to -40 degrees Celcius in January. The city which was founded in 1693 was initially a yurt monastery located about 230kms from its current location. The ‘mobile town’ shifted continuously until between 1733 to 1778…
For most people, the name Hiroshima instantly conjures up the horrific events of 6 August 1945, when the city became the target of the world’s first atom bomb. Poignant reminders of that tragic time are visible in different parts of the city that has risen from the ashes like a phoenix. Today one can hardly…