People always want to know where the travel editor takes his holidays, so here goes. This Spring Festival I am heading to Chiang Rai in northern Thailand.

Chiang Mai in northern Thailand is over and done, overrun by backpackers, druggies and package tourists. The city gets upwards of a million ... Read more »

If you think you’re totally over the Olympics, think again. For those in the know, the Winter Olympics are the fun, festive and cheap versions of the ones Beijing held a year and a half ago. And, guess what, there are plenty of tickets yet to be had for ... Read more »

Now is prime time to plan your Chinese New Year travel. This year, forget the beach and go for something spiritual and cultural. Something like Losar.

Losar is Tibetan New Year. It’s a two-week celebration which, this year, coincides with Chinese New Year (February 14). It’s a major ... Read more »

The Surfing Hainan Open is back for its second year, Nov. 6-8 at Riyuewan Bay, an hour away from Sanya proper. It’s a legit competition with super pro surfers expected to show the locals how it’s done. The first Open was held in January this year, check the ... Read more »

On August 15, the annual Qingdao Beer Festival kicks open the taps. It may not be quite as raucous as Munich in October, but with Tsingtao Beer, ocean waves, cool breeze, and blue sky, China’s best beer festival is the premier way to celebrate the last days of summer ... Read more »

One thousand kilometers northeast of the Forbidden City sits an elaborate impostor. Though designed along the lines of the original, Changchun’s version has additions not included in Beijing’s, like a bomb shelter dug under a hill, an outdoor swimming pool and surveillance equipment used to spy on the ... Read more »

Ctrip has made a couple of significant moves this year, specifically targeting the English-speaking market. The first, of course, was inclusion of international flight booking on their website. Ctrip has always done international stuff, but only if you phone them. People are lazy; if you make them pick up the ... Read more »

Mention Tianjin and you have to mention our sister city’s plethora of famous snacks. Now with the new express train, wandering Tianjin’s foreign concession hunting down its famous xiaochi makes for a fantastic day trip.

Tianjin snacks are organized around the “three consummate skills,” or the three foods ... Read more »

Weifang, Shandon

Let’s Go Fly a Kite

The annual Weifang International Kite Festival takes place from April 20-25. It’s a favorite trip for kite fans and families alike. The highlight is hundreds of kite lovers taking their winged creations to the beach and sending them into the sky ... Read more »

Myanmar

Gem Country

Myanmar is one of the gem capitals of Asia, renowned for everything from perfect jades to glittering sapphires. As a result of the booming gem trade, the government recently opened a massive gem museum in the new national capital of Nay Pyi Taw. Covering 12 acres and ... Read more »

John McKenna of Travel the Real China reports that Tibet has been closed to tourists for the entire month of March. Seems there is some sensitivity around the 50th anniversary of the failed uprising. Other sources suggest that the ban is less of a ban and more of a passive ... Read more »

Results of a recent travel survey were released, naming the World’s Most Disappointing Tourist Spots. The ignominious top ten run as follows:

• The Eiffel Tower

• The Louvre (Mona Lisa)

• Times Square

• Las Ramblas, Spain

• Statue of Liberty

• Spanish Steps, Rome

• The White House

• The Pyramids, Egypt

• The Brandenburg Gate ... Read more »

Taipei

48 Hours

Start with a visit to National Taipei Democracy Memorial Hall honoring Chiang Kai-shek, then ascend Taipei 101, the world’s tallest building to catch the sunset. For dinner, what else but shaolongbao at the original Ding Tai Fung? Then stroll Yongkang Street and sample cua bing at ... Read more »

School is back in session at The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu and on February 28 (ie this Saturday) this fine dining restaurant will be handing out free mulled wine and hot chocolate to visitors who brave the February chill (limit one per person). Even better, you can relax in front of ... Read more »

Some people insist on coffee with sugar, others on cream, and others straight black. Virtually every coffee-drinker has their go-to preference, just as people do with choosing bunks on Chinese sleeper trains. Some people are avowed top-bunkers, while others are staunch bottom-bunkers. (Middle-bunkers I've never heard of.) But I ... Read more »

Japan

In Bloom

Every spring, Japan blooms. Slopes of mountains, edges of temples and even city parks are covered in an ebullient canopy of sakura, or cherry blossoms. Red, white and shades of pink, the annual arrival of these delicate petals is a time for nation-wide celebration. It’s a ... Read more »

Barcelona

Spring Breeze

How much would you pay to fly to Barcelona on a world-class airline this spring? Well, right now on Air France you can get to one of Europe’s most delightful cities for a mere RMB5,993 (tax included). Situated on the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona is a ... Read more »

The Hong Kong Rugby Sevens take place this year from March 27-29 and now is prime time to book passage to experience this Hong Kong tradition. Twenty-four teams square off over a weekend of jam-packed romping stomping action with one winner emerging. National pride is on the line along with ... Read more »

Kyoto

Hidden Treasures

As the seat of Imperial power for centuries, Kyoto is the place for travelers who are after the essence of pre-modern Japan. The Hei’an shrine and the philosopher’s path, Tetsugako-no-michi, have long been popular draws, but from January 10 to March 18, an additional 12 ... Read more »

Taking your next flight in the Capital Airport should be easier than your last, with rules set to take effect tomorrow that will allow passengers to take liquids and lighters onto planes.

As reported by the Beijing Times, starting on December 20th, passengers will be allowed to board with liquids ... Read more »

Tibet

Tibetan New Year

There are many colorful festivals in Tibet, but none more spectacular than Losar, or Tibetan New Year. Losar occurs on February 28, 2009, and tour groups are forming up now. Losar is the holiest festival for Tibetans. They adorn the monasteries in the finest accoutrements and ... Read more »

Spring Festival is coming quickly, along with a big fat week-long holiday (starts on Jan. 24 if you’re keeping score at home) and the tour companies are slinging package holidays faster than McDonald’s slings Happy Meals. Tour agencies have groups going to the most popular destinations in Asia ... Read more »

Simeon Olle / General Manager of the Park Hyatt Beijing

Park Life

So the first Park Hyatt on the Chinese Mainland! How do you feel?

We have well-established Grand Hyatt hotels in gateway cities like Shanghai and Beijing, so for us to have our premium brand and product in key cities ... Read more »