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Monitor lizards are often drawn to the water, where they search for food, cool off or find shelter. In places like Thailand’s capital Bangkok, these impressive reptiles thrive in urban green spaces such as Lumphini Park and can be found in canals and waterways throughout the bustling city. Photo: dpa
Tourism

Want to see Bangkok’s ‘little Godzillas’ up close? Where and when is best

Hundreds of Asian monitor lizards live in the Thai capital’s Lumphini Park and early morning is one of the best times to see them.

Tourism

Paying for a ‘head orgasm’: ASMR spas are taking off in the United States

Tourism

Gripping samurai exhibition explores Japan’s warrior class, cuts through myths

Art

Saudi Arabia’s cultural ambitions on show at 2026 Diriyah biennale

The event brings together the work of 70 international artists as part of Saudi Arabia’s push to develop a self-sustaining art infrastructure.

Visitors to the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026 walk beside British-Filipino artist Pio Abad’s “Vanwa”, consisting of 99 letters made from locally sourced mud. Photo: courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation
Visitors to the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026 walk beside British-Filipino artist Pio Abad’s “Vanwa”, consisting of 99 letters made from locally sourced mud. Photo: courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation
Chinese culture

What is the Lantern Festival? Plus 6 ways to celebrate it in Hong Kong in 2026

Marking the last day of Chinese New Year celebrations, the Lantern Festival has roots that stretch back more than 2,000 years.

Travel news and advice

Do you feel fatigued when flying? Expert tips to avoid mid-flight slumps

Doctors break down key reasons why flying can leave you feeling so bloated and exhausted and give advice on how to stay feeling productive.

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Tourism

What to do in China’s Zhongshan, a food paradise on Hong Kong’s doorstep

From restaurants serving top Cantonese food to shopping streets and Sun Yat-sen’s former home, Zhongshan provides a feast for the senses.

Zhongshan, in China’s Guangdong province, has developed rapidly in recent years, going from having not a lot to do to being a vibrant epicurean and cultural hub. Photo: Xinhua
Zhongshan, in China’s Guangdong province, has developed rapidly in recent years, going from having not a lot to do to being a vibrant epicurean and cultural hub. Photo: Xinhua
Tourism

How ‘French Banksy’ JR plans to turn a famous Paris bridge into a massive cave

Known for his large-scale installations, JR will turn Paris’ Pont Neuf into a giant walk-through cave for his Pont Neuf Cavern project.

Tourism

How Chongqing in China offers an enthralling ‘8D’ experience like nothing else

With its vertical landscape, vibrant food scene and captivating chaos, the Chinese city of Chongqing is certain to catch you unprepared.

Tourism

The Shiba Inu story: where does the popular Japanese hunting dog come from?

One woman’s research has sparked interest in the heritage of Shiba Inus and local revitalisation in the city where the first one lived.

Mayumi Kawabe smiles in front of the stone statue of Ishi Go, an early ancestor of today’s Shiba Inu breed, in Masuda, Shimane, Japan. At the end of 2016, she welcomed Sunny, a two-month-old puppy, into her home. Photo: Kyodo
Art

Qatar is making a bold new cultural play, from Art Basel to museums

All eyes are on the growing cultural scene in the Middle East, thanks in no small part to the inaugural Art Basel Qatar, held in Doha.

Palestinian artist Hazem Harb’s artwork on show at Art Basel Qatar, presented by Tabari Artspace, in February 2026. The debut of Art Basel Qatar signals Doha’s ambition to become the Middle East’s leading art hub. Photo: Art Basel
Palestinian artist Hazem Harb’s artwork on show at Art Basel Qatar, presented by Tabari Artspace, in February 2026. The debut of Art Basel Qatar signals Doha’s ambition to become the Middle East’s leading art hub. Photo: Art Basel
Tourism

The Instagram effect: an Italian village is paying the price for being too pretty

Santa Maddalena, a photogenic village in the Italian Dolomites, has to endure hordes of unruly visitors showing up just to take a photo.

Art

In London, a Singaporean artist reimagines St Sebastian, the LGBTQ icon

A film by Ming Wong, artist in residence at London’s National Gallery, recasts St Sebastian with Asian actors and questions identity.

Tourism

In Milan, you can adopt a centuries-old statue and give it a new life

The building of Milan’s Duomo started in 1386 and ended in 1965. Now, some of its centuries-old statues are being restored under an adoption scheme.

Bearded Saint with Book, which once stood outside the Duomo, needed a deep clean to remove a black crust caused by air pollution. Photo: AP
Tourism

Ponyo exhibition invites visitors into Hayao ⁠Miyazaki’s ocean world

The ‘Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo’ exhibition at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles includes rare artwork and production sketches.

A visitor interacts with a Ponyo exhibit at “Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo”, a new exhibition at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, on February 12, 2026. Photo: AFP
A visitor interacts with a Ponyo exhibit at “Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo”, a new exhibition at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, on February 12, 2026. Photo: AFP
Tourism

Chinese tourists flock to Korea for beauty treatments ahead of Lunar New Year

Korean dermatology clinics have seen a surge in Chinese customers of late and are courting them via Chinese social media.

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Tourism

Land ahoy! Cruise ships now come with their own ‘private’ islands

Norwegian to MSC are investing millions in grand resorts on Caribbean islands. Here are some where you can find relaxation, if not solitude.

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TV shows and streaming video

Ascents of drama: why Taipei 101 climber Alex Honnold loves free soloing

Honnold, whose recent scaling of Taipei 101 features in Netflix’s Skyscraper Live, reflects on live audiences, young climbers and his limits.

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Climber Alex Honnold free solos the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan, on January 25, 2026. Photo: Reuters
Climber Alex Honnold free solos the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan, on January 25, 2026. Photo: Reuters
Chinese culture

It takes a village (or two) to revive the Hakka way of life in Hong Kong

In the Hakka villages of Lai Chi Wo and Chuen Lung, art, cooking classes and tours shed light on the culture of early Hong Kong settlers.

Asia travel

Amazing detox at 5-star Desa Potato Head – from both wellness and Bali belly

Glorious beachfront dinners and sunrise meditations kicked off this reporter’s stay at Desa Potato Head before the dreaded Bali belly struck.

Tourism

Women-only travel tour to Vietnam sparks adventure and sisterhood

Amid growing demand for safe, small-group female travel, 17 women travelled with US-based AdventureWomen to explore Vietnam’s treasures.

A member of an AdventureWomen tour poses for a photo with women working in rice paddies in northern Vietnam. Photo: TNS
Tourism

6 easy ways to make your 2026 holiday more sustainable and eco-friendly

Earth reached a ‘climate tipping point’ in 2025 and we all need to act to prevent more disasters. Here are six tips to travel sustainably.

As the Earth reaches a “climate tipping point”, we all need to think about how our holidays affect the environment. Photo: TNS
As the Earth reaches a “climate tipping point”, we all need to think about how our holidays affect the environment. Photo: TNS
Tourism

Simply magical! Sailor Moon shines on in a new permanent theatre in Tokyo

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon’s legacy continues to thrive with a new, permanent Tokyo theatre, which will feature an original story.

Tourism

Sit still and listen: inside Renaissance, a musical time capsule in Seoul

Renaissance, the classical music salon at the Arts Council Korea Artist House is packed with vintage vibes and digitised classical records.

Hong Kong

2016 trends from Pokemon Go to poke bowls amid viral internet nostalgia

Looking back at 2016 is viral online, but what was hot back then? We look at food, travel, health and pop culture trends from a decade ago.

People play Pokemon Go in Hong Kong on July 25, 2016, the day it was released in the city. The online game was one of the hottest trends in the city 10 years ago. Photo: Nora Tam
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