Tiger Leaping Gorge? “I’ve always wanted to go there!” Any mention of this famous, multi-day hike through one of the world’s deepest ravines elicits wistful sighs from would-be travelers, who consider Yunnan’s northern climes too remote for anything less than a full-on trekking expedition. In truth, Tiger Leaping Gorge isn’t at all hard to get to from Hong Kong, thanks to Sichuan Airlines’ thrice-weekly flights straight into Lijiang—the closest airport to the national park where you’ll begin your trek.
Yunnan’s Tiger Leaping Gorge may have a reputation as a wild, remote corner of China—but Sarah Fung discovers that actually, it can be tackled in a long weekend. Photos by Steve Fung.
To most Hongkongers, Shenzhen’s a destination for shopping, while Guangzhou is pigeonholed as that polluted place you’re dragged to visit relatives during Chinese New Year. But despite misconceptions that it’s all factory smoke and mall mirrors, the city has experienced a renaissance of sorts over the last few years that has resulted in tons of cool activities sure to fill at least a weekend.
Hana R. Alberts braves the smog to venture into the Pearl River Delta, and discovers that our mainland neighbor has more to offer than she thought.
Living in our SAR offers unparalleled access to China. Yet many travelers choose to head elsewhere when granted those precious few days off. But hear us out: Chinese cities, especially those off the international tourist’s radar, have a lot to offer, from historical sights to fabulous food. And let’s face it—they’re cheap, too. A Putonghua speaker—or a tour guide, or at least a phrasebook—will help you navigate them seamlessly.
Been there, done that when it comes to China’s major metropolises? Then give these alternative destinations a whirl. By Hana R. Alberts and Leanne Mirandilla
The general wisdom is to avoid the mainland like the plague during Golden Week, lest you be subjected to miles-long queues, endless delays and throngs of tour groups. But I was pleasantly surprised that the three days I spent in Beijing over the holiday weekend—due to a wedding nearby—were characterized less by crowds and more by clear skies (I know, right?).
Hana R. Alberts heads to the “Hawaii of China” and finds an affordable beach destination with its own endearing quirks.
What I hate most about public holidays is that everybody wants to travel during them, driving up airfare to popular weekend getaways like Bangkok, Singapore and Hanoi. Having been blessed with a multi-entry China visa (when it was granted, I nearly jumped up and down like I’d won the Mark Six but attempted to stay cool for the sake of the stern visa officer), I decided to take a chance on a long-weekend destination not-too-frequently visited by non-Mandarin speakers: Sanya.
More than any other continent, Asia develops at a breakneck pace, with trendy spots popping up and closing down (or, worse, going out of fashion) in a matter of months. So to help you plan your next trip, we’ve tracked down a couple of the coolest—at least for now—hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and arts spaces in locales from China to Indonesia. They’ve all opened their doors in the last year, so the been-there-done-that excuse just won’t fly this time. So what are you waiting for? We recommend requesting some leave ASAP.
Tired of hitting up the same old haunts during your weekend jaunts? We dug up some awesome new destinations across Asia.
