Photographs by Howard James Fyvie & Aqeelah Harron
Hong Kong
With a throbbing heart based around Kowloon and Hong Kong island, this city blends Asian and Western influences with ease. Start your day in an international hotel and finish it in a local Cantonese restaurant. Shopping is big here but when you’re tired of the malls, head out to discover the territories’ enchanting beaches, islands and waterfronts.
Don’t miss...
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Dusk at Victoria Peak, the highest mountain on the island, and watching the city lights come on
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Taking the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour, is a trip worth putting on your bucket list for a magical view of the city, especially at night
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Eating street food at Temple Street night market, from noodles to hotpot.
Photographs by Nina & Vincent Michaelsen
Singapore
While Singapore feels like the more sensible sister to Hong Kong, it still packs a glamourous punch. Well-dressed locals fill the city’s many malls, restaurants, cinemas and bars and even the most reluctant shopper will be enticed by great deals on electronics. Take a breather in the sublime Botanical Gardens, a lush oasis amid this thriving city-state.
Don’t miss...
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A traditional Chinese acupressure massage in Singapore’s Chinatown
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Eating chilli crabs while wearing a plastic bib, a messy but worthwhile culinary experience
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A side trip to the Indonesian island of Bintan and its 30-km long beach. Just one hour by ferry.
Photographs by Tim Hiorns
Tokyo
Trend-setting, boundary-pushing, quirky and chaotic, Tokyo has many labels and lives up fantastically to all of them. From cutting-edge gadgets to extreme fashions and crowded pavements, this city is a blast on your senses. But the city has a quieter, more traditional side to be found in shrines, parks and small local eateries.
Don’t miss...
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The live tuna auctions at the Tsukiji Fish Market, perfect for jet-lagged early risers
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Cherry blossom season in March and April at the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
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Hiring a private booth for a karaoke session, a Japanese national pastime.
With acknowledgement to SPAR Savour Magazine