Insider’s guide to Mumbai, India: What to see, where to eat, what to do

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Next visit the nearby Mani Bhavan, a three- account tower where Mohandas K Gandhi, known as the father of the country, generally stayed, it is now a gallery. The greek bedroom’s spinning wheels and floor seats, which have been preserved, offer a window into his conceit that the country’s independence could only be achieved through discipline and self-reliance. Entry, 20 pounds.

4.30pm: Safari religious pearls

Taking a car to Byculla, the turbulent old quarter of Mumbai. Get a coffee ( Americano, 228 rupees ) at the Craftery by Subko, a new Mumbai cafe and roastery chain bringing hipsters to this part of the city. Next drive through the active, narrow roads to see some of Mumbai’s varied and beautiful religious statues.

Visit the nearby Moghal Masjid, a diamond- like, Persian- type Shiite mosque built in 1860, with elaborate orange tiling adorning a arched entrance. Women never pray inside the dome but may enter the substance, which has a pool for ablution. Get in the wall of Hasnabad Dargah, a immaculate, white- colouredmausoleum, known as Mumbai’s Taj Mahal for its resemblance to the original ( access only for Shia Ismaili Muslims ).

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4 dry gardens in Kyoto where you can find your moment of Zen in the tourist-packed city

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Grey creek stones were cleverly set on edge more than level, giving the flow a stronger sense of direction. Keane installed a driving “river” with this design. The hotel’s “water” appears to fall down like a river from one building to the next, with a wide, smooth steel bridge below, a viewing platform, and a wide, smooth steel bridge that raises the design to life. The bankers on either side are thickly planted with ground-cover moss, woman hands, ferns, and oak trees. Additionally, a huge piece of moss, which Keane interprets as Earth drifting through the cosmos, is carried by a boat-shaped stone.

IF YOU GO, MORE INFO

The flowers at Zuiho- in and the Tofuku- ji Abbot’s Hall yard require reservations. The entrance fee at both is 400 yen ( about S$ 3.60 ) for adults and 300 yen ( about S$ 2.70 ) for children.

General admission to Honen-in is free, with the exception of the spring and fall beginning weeks, which typically occur in the first week of April and the second month of November. They cost 500 yen for the flower and 800 yen for the fall. During those days, the Empty River backyard can be visited.

Visit the free Genji Kyoto resort lawn.

Izusen, a cafe in the Daiji in the Daitoku-ji monastery challenging, offers a variety of local specialties in fixed menus beautifully presented in painted purple bowls that nest when they are full. Start 11am to 4pm by appointment, 4, 370 to 8, 050 renminbi. It is near Zuiho- in.

Even by appointment, Yudofu Kisaki, a cafe between the access to Honen- in and the Philosopher’s Walk, has vegetarians and yogurt specialties. Start 11am to 8pm, previous order at 6pm, 4, 370 to 8, 050 yen.

Nobel Prize-winning author Yasunari Kawabata’s post-World War II book The Rainbow is now available in English as a companion guide for your travels. Some chapters take place in Kyoto, and it can think as if you are travelling along, often in the same landscapes.

Kawabata’s knowledge of plants was fierce, and the convenience of his descriptions both organic and immediate:” On the grass in front of the wall, in the shadows of the oak trees, dandelions and lotuses were in bloom. In front of the bamboo fence, a double-flowered camellia had bloomed.

By Paula Deitz © The New York Times Company

The New York Times published the article at its original publication.

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Exploring Lampang, a charming riverside city in Northern Thailand that’s away from the crowds

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We meandered around the city later that evening. In the mid-’80s, the weather was perfect, and the clouds had clouds puffs printed all over it. We made our way past a three-story wood pillar monument that locals tied with colorful ribbons for a happy 2024 start by strolling through the grassy, tree-shaded town square.

When we stopped at a street rose shop across the street, we noticed that a square-block business tower made of concrete was closing. Reangprakaiy Decha, a man, said hey with a nod before revealing that his family has been selling groups of daisies, chrysanthemums, and wreaths of peach marigolds for church offerings for 50 years.

Reangprakaiy, 39, practices daily meditation to “be sharper, not to steal folks, but to help them,” he said. Why did the city seem so quiet and welcoming, I asked? He explained that it had to do with the strength of a particular Buddha monument.

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Where to find great Vietnamese coffee in Ho Chi Minh City: Egg coffee, the best cafes and more

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No country produces more caffeine than Vietnam, aside from Brazil. The nation’s coffee industry, which was introduced by French colonists in the 19th century, is now a US$ 3 billion ( S$ 4 billion ) industry that accounts for nearly 15 % of the global market, making Vietnam the Southeast Asian java giant.

However, excellent has only recently begun to catch up with amount, primarily as a result of farmers starting to increase Vietnam’s long-standing cultivation of less expensive, easy-to-grow robusta beans with an expert’s beloved, arabica.

Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s largest district, has had a significant impact thanks to the cafe scene.

As more and more independent roasteries and niche coffeehouses sprout up around the city’s European imperial opera house, amid the megamalls and boutiques of popular Dong Khoi Boulevard, and in the shadow of the high-rise towers in District 2, the wholesale business of coffee is booming thanks to lead crop- to- shop supplies.

The town has a eatery for almost every coffee acolyte, from semi-hidden bohemian hangouts like RedDoor to fashionable chains like Laviet&nbsp, which has its own espresso farm close to Dalat in the country’s central highlands&nbsp.

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Aaron Kwok, Supalapa Festival, theme park discounts: How to enjoy a Genting Highlands weekend getaway

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Genting Highlands used to be known predominantly as a casino destination, but that has changed. Now known as Resorts World Genting, the resort atop Mount Ulu Kali in Pahang, Malaysia has become a family-friendly entertainment hub with something for every age group. 

Resorts World Genting houses two theme parks and is also home to Ripley’s Adventureland, with attractions such as the Jurassic Research Centre, an electric go-kart track and a jungle gym.

It’s also a choice destination for music lovers, having hosted numerous concerts featuring some of the biggest names in entertainment such as A-Mei and Aaron Kwok. In fact, it’ll soon host the upcoming Supalapa music festival and an impressive line-up of concerts, including another show by Kwok.

But first: How do you get there? If you’re travelling from Singapore, the easiest way is to drive, a journey that will take about six hours. Or you can let someone else do the driving by taking a direct bus service from operators such as StarMart Express, KKKL Travel & Tours and 707 Inc Travel.

If you’re planning a quick weekend getaway, here’s what you can expect in Genting Highlands.

GENTING SKYWORLDS THEME PARK

Opened in 2022, Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park has nine specially-curated and distinctive themed “worlds”, including Rio and Ice Age. 

Some popular rides include the 4D ride Independence Day: Defiance and the kid-friendly Blue Sky Carousel. For adrenaline junkies, there are also the roller coasters Mad Ramp Peak – Full Throttle Racing and Acorn Adventure.

From now till Jun 30, families and thrill-seekers can enjoy discounted ticket prices to this theme park via the Resorts World Genting’s website and mobile app.

Standard 1-Day ticket prices start at RM126 (US$26.65) per person for low season, which is a savings of RM93. Larger groups can take advantage of the website-exclusive Buy More Save More 1-Day Ticket Combo deal with four tickets for RM454 (a savings of RM422) and nine tickets for just RM873 during low season (a savings of RM1,098). 

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Travel guide to Wuxi, China: Cherry blossoms, ancient waterways, an epic Three Kingdoms TV drama set

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Part of the draw is the city’s close affinity with water, where you can do an early morning stroll around the vast Lake Taihu or take a cruise down the Grand Canal.

But Wuxi’s star attraction is its flower blossoms. Every year, hordes of tourists descend upon the city to catch a glimpse of its famed cherry blossoms, along with verdant lotus blooms, plum blossoms, peach blossoms, lush bamboo groves and even gorgeous lavender fields.

Wuxi shares a surprising number of similarities with Singapore. Locals and residents tell me that Wuxi is a clean, affluent, relatively smaller city that is centrally located which makes it easy to travel around Jiangsu.  

Wuxi may not be one of Singaporeans’ top choices now, but you can be sure that it’s only a matter of time before more people catch wind of it.

1. CHASE THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS AT TURTLE HEAD ISLAND

When it comes to catching cherry blossoms, the first place that immediately comes to mind would be Japan, Korea and Taiwan. But Wuxi still remains a secret, to Singaporeans at least. The best place to view the cherry blossoms is at Yuantouzhu (Turtle Head Island), a peninsular situated at the northwest side of Taihu Lake, the third-largest freshwater lake in China. It gets the name for its huge rocks protruding into the lake, appearing as if a swimming turtle tossing its head.

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How to enjoy a short weekend trip to Hong Kong: What to see, where to eat, what to do

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ITINERARY

Friday

3.30pm: Visit historic shops

Travel back in time in Sheung Wan, a charming neighbourhood where traditional stores sell tea and spices, just as they did more than a century ago, when the city was a colonial trading outpost.

One shop, Cheung Hing Tea Hong, sells a variety of Chinese, European and Ceylon black teas, as well as coffee beans. Its tea master, who has worked there for more than six decades, nimbly folds and tucks the shop’s signature tea variety, tieguanyin (about 160 Hong Kong dollars, or US$20, for 150 grams), into an artful, palm-size paper package, using no tape or string.

Midway down a wide outdoor stairway, Yuan Heng Spice Co offers all manner of spices, including Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon bark and aged citrus peels. The shop’s majestic cats are neighbourhood fixtures. (Check out @hongkonghistoricalshops on Instagram for more gems.)

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Hokkaido for non-skiers: What it’s like to stay at Club Med’s brand new resort with snowy mountain views

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The skiing is the main factor that led most of you to click on the essay. Group riding lessons and the hire of the required gear are made available to guests as part of Club Med’s all-inclusive package at no additional cost. Every ability level has access to lessons, and each session lasts about two hours.

I’ll just say that the teachers below patiently and thoroughly imparted their knowledge.

Unfortunately, I’ve never been a good skier, and this trip did n’t really change that. Sure, I can do a good wedge now, but since I did n’t snow every day to hone my skills, the next time I’m in this place, we’ll probably have to enroll in the Beginner’s class once more.

The beauty of Club Med Kiroro Grand, however, is that it is a destination that has something for everyone, even those who are terrible at riding.

You can choose to learn snowboarding or snowshoeing during the winter or just relax in the beach. For my part, I made the decision to forego all and travel to a mountain’s highest point.
 

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Firecrackers and ice: 4 must-see festivals if you’re travelling to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan this winter

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Purchase plastic fish and a pole on the seafront by the Hwacheon Stream in order to participate. then make your way onto the deep snow and stake out a spot in the hunting area that has been predrilled. It’s time to begin luring trout right away. It’s all in the wrist, pro edge. And if your watery prowess is also lacking, experts are quick to offer fishing advice. Perhaps an editor’s chances of success are fairly good thanks to their suggestions and the presence of fish in the river.

Whether or not you fish, you can also sample the fresh get ( alas, not your own ) close to the fishing area, where a cafe tent sells trout that has been fried, grilled, and prepared in the sashimi fashion. Place an order for each dish, and enjoy a native beer to go along with it.

Warm up with some snow sports after fish. Visitors can use two sticks to steer themselves while skating, sledding, pedaling an snow bike, and yet scooting around while seated or crouched on a wooden plank. It may sound difficult, but once you start gliding, it’s well worth the effort.

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Take a day trip to Taiping from Ipoh or Penang: What to eat, do and shop in this Perak town

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Taiping is one of those places in Malaysia that, unless you are visiting relatives living in this Perak town, would unlikely rank high on Singaporeans’ must-go list.

Situated midway between its more famous Malaysian cousins Penang and Ipoh, which have international airports with direct flights from Singapore, Taiping is only accessible by road or railway. Like Ipoh, Taiping in Perak made its fortune through tin mining, attracting large numbers of Chinese settlers in the 19th century. With the decline of the tin industry, Taiping’s profile also faded.

However, it is an easy hour’s drive from Penang and Ipoh, and offers a small-town charm that deserves a side trip, particularly if you are already visiting either city. We booked a private driver for RM$450 (S$128.85) for eight hours, departing from Ipoh.

Interestingly, Taiping has also won an eclectic range of accolades: Top three sustainable cities in the world; the town of “40 firsts in Malaysia”; and the dubious honour of being the wettest town in Peninsular Malaysia. Pack an umbrella and join us as we eat, play and shop our way through Taiping, Perak.

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