Asia

Bao’en Temple was by far my favourite temple I visited while living in mainland China. And, by all accounts, it was the most unusual. I arrived on a breezy spring day and while there were two school tour groups visiting at the same time, the place felt nearly empty; a rarity in China. The entrance fee wasn’t outrageous and the history mixed with strange statue homages to Hans Christian Andersen made Bao’en as odd as it did beautiful to me.

If you look close, you will stumble upon jewels hidden among the grimy skyscrapers and black pavement of Nanjing. History, modern art, and beautiful vantage points are around every corner if you're willing to take the time to look.

If you’re contemplating a move to China {more specifically, Nanjing}, this one’s for you! I’ve put together a list of pros and cons {as balanced as I could honestly make it} for those looking to shake things up and venture to the mainland.

I headed to Yuejiang Temple, a USD$1.75 cab ride from my flat. Sitting high on the top of a hill, I braved the many sets of stone stairs in the middle of a 38C day to see what Yuejiang had to offer. I was impressed. Here’s what you should know before you visit!

Temple experiences in China have been the complete opposite to temple experiences in Laos and quite different from those I've visited in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Now a veteran of Chinese temple visits, I've compiled this guide so that your expectations can be set appropriately for the Confucian Temple in Nanjing.

Cafes often provide unique places to grab delicious food in a space I feel happy to curl up in. I have mentioned that, while not nearly as wonderful or as easy to find as the coffee culture that exists in Australia or New Zealand, there are cafes worth visiting in Nanjing.

There is so much I've learned in my first 90 days in mainland China. Here are 50 facts about life here as observed by me and my foreign friends. 

Buckle up, guys. This is one to read over coffee...or tequila. And probably when you have a lot of time. 

Vegan and vegetarian travelers looking for the best food in Hoi An, Vietnam, need to look no further. This post outlines the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Hoi An!

This comprehensive 3-day itinerary includes all the details you need to plan the ultimate trip to Hanoi. It includes information about where to stay, where to eat, and what to do in Hanoi.

Hanoi runs on coffee. From third-wave coffee houses to French colonial cafés, Hanoi is a city brimming with fantastic espresso options. Consider this your ultimate guide to Hanoi for coffee lovers with all the varieties you need to try the 17 best cafés in the city.

Explore the best of Hoi An’s coffee culture with my curated list of the best coffee and 17 cutest cafés in this enchanting Vietnamese town, offering a blend of rich flavors, cozy atmospheres, and a taste of local charm.

A Ha Long Bay cruise needs to be on your northern Vietnam bucket list! However, this New World Wonder and UNESCO Heritage Site is a delicate ecosystem that needs to be visited responsibly, with sustainable tourism in mind. This post outlines a staple itinerary and all the details of a Ha Long Bay cruise.

Ho Chi Minh runs on coffee and brunch, and this complete guide is proof! Read to find the best coffee and brunch in Saigon.

Planning a trip to Ho Chi Minh? This 3-day Ho Chi Minh itinerary includes the city’s main attractions, hidden gems, and insider travel tips. Read on for the most comprehensive guide to Vietnam’s biggest city!

This post serves as a complete visitor’s guide to Hanoi’s famous Train Street, including getting there, train times, where to stay, and safety tips.

Discover the 14 best vegetarian restaurants to try in Hanoi, Vietnam with this comprehensive guide. From delicious Vietnamese food to international eateries, you'll find plenty of options for plant-based dining in this vibrant city.

Modern travel trends are heavily influenced by the images people see online; something I feel two ways about {but I'll save that for another post}. Hoi An is an incredibly photogenic town that often gets skipped over in favour of Hanoi or Saigon {Ho Chi Minh City}. Here are my favourite places for photos in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Wondering whether to visit Sigiriya or Pidurangala while in Sri Lanka? In this post, I detail share everything you need to know about both famous viewpoint hikes.

This guide is filled with everything you need to know before visiting Galle, a southern cultural hub on Sri Lanka’s coast. From where to eat, where to stay, and the best things to do, this article covers it all so that you can plan your perfect trip to Galle.

Searching for the best things to do in Kandy? This comprehensive guide details all the highlights + hidden gems of Sri Lanka’s cultural capital.

Looking for an affordable hotel with every luxury amenity you could hope for in Ahangama, Sri Lanka? I’ve found it in the PALM Hotel, a hidden gem that embodies the relaxing atmosphere of the southern coast.

Discover how to visit Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. I’ve created this guide filled with all the information you need to plan your own trip, including things to do, transportation, accommodation, and essential tips for visitors.

Looking for the perfect luxury stay in Ahungalla, Sri Lanka? I’ve found it in Ahu Bay, a beachside resort that epitomizes the relaxation Sri Lanka’s southern coast is known for. 

You can’t go to Sri Lanka and not go on safari. That’s exactly why I created this in-depth guide for Udawalawe National Park. It’s the third most visited national park in Sri Lanka, offering safaris for tourists looking to catch a glimpse of exotic wildlife in its natural habitat.

Find the best things to do in Colombo in my detailed guide to Sri Lanka’s capital. Fill your time discovering Colombo’s highlights and hidden gems with the help of this comprehensive guide.

Jaffna has plenty of unique things to see and do to keep travelers busy during their time in northern Sri Lanka! From spicy local food to colorful Hindu temples, Jaffna is an off-the-beaten-path destination not to be missed.

From hiking to stunning viewpoints and exploring tea plantations to discovering the wonders of Sri Lankan cuisine, I've rounded up the 12 best hikes, activities, and waterfalls to add to your Ella itinerary.

If you’re headed to Vientiane, Laos, you’re in luck! I’ve compiled the 15 very best things to do in Vientiane and created this guide to lead you around the city so that you can have the best time while you’re there.

Luang Prabang is a must for any Laos itinerary. The UNESCO town is absolutely buzzing with things to do. You won’t find a more thorough guide to Luang Prabang, Laos— I promise. I’ve compiled years of adventure in Luang Prabang into this comprehensive guide of unique things to do.

Planning a trip to Laos and wondering what to do there? Read on for an extensive guide to Laos, complete with 1-week and 2-week itinerary options, as well as practical tips.

The Festival of Lights in Luang Prabang is a magical time for visitors, but what actually is the Festival of Light? And when is it? All that vital information and more can be found in this comprehensive guide.

Foodies visiting Luang Prabang need look no further for a comprehensive list of the best places to eat in town for every palette. Here are the 27 best places to eat in Luang Prabang, Laos!

With 123 rooms, suites, and villas for guests to choose from, Pullman Luang Prabang is a spacious, stylish complex of world-class facilities. The 16-hectare resort features three pools, a gym, a wellness spa, and a restaurant serving a bevvy of both local and international cuisines. Put simply: Pullman is a tranquil stay in timeless Luang Prabang you will want to splurge on.

Trying to book a unique stay in Luang Prabang? The eco-focused glamping at the Nam Khan Ecolodge might just be the accommodation of your dreams.

Tucked away in a (relatively) quiet corner of Luang Prabang is Le Sen Boutique Hotel, an oasis of zen. Sustainability and hospitality meet at Le Sen, a 100% Laotian-owned and managed accommodation not far from the heart of the city. If you’re in search of affordable, luxury accommodation in Luang Prabang, then Le Sen Boutique Hotel might be the perfect stay for you.

Luang Prabang may be a small town, but it has more than its fair share of cafés dotted throughout. Whether you’re looking for something super vibey or a place to work, Luang Prabang has a wealth of wonderful café options to keep you caffeinated.

In Luang Prabang, there are more social enterprises, non-profits, and giveback-businesses than you might believe for such a small town, and that number only seems to be growing. Cafés like Saffron, textile shops like Ock Pop Tok, and tours like Orange Robe Tours all add to the Luang Prabang community.

Looking for the best brunch and breakfast spots in Kuala Lumpur? Look no further than this guide, featuring 22 of my top recommendations for every taste and budget.

Kuala Lumpur is a culturally diverse capital city with fantastic food, stunning houses of worship, and a bevy of things to see and do. Here is my epic 3-day itinerary for Kuala Lumpur including where to stay, what to see, and where to eat in this vibrant Malaysian city.

Discover the beauty of Kek Lok Si, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia located in Penang. This article will guide you through the temple's history, architecture, and provide tips for a memorable visit.

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Penang, this post is for you. It contains 18 unique, cultural, and appetizing activities that you won’t want to miss while you’re travelling through Penang, Malaysia.

Not sure if Malaysia is worth a visit? I promise, you want it on your bucket list. It’s well, well, well worth a visit. Malaysia was a surprise to me the first time I visited. Wow-ed by their breakfasts, dazzled by the detailed architecture, but thrown off by all the staring, Malaysia had me puzzled from my very first visit. Now, after multiple returns to the beautiful country, I can truly say I am a lover of all the country offers its guests. If you’re on the fence about whether to make the trip to Malaysia or not, I’ve got a list of reasons to book your plane ticket today!

I love exploring new cities. That being said, what I miss most when I’m hitting the pavement of a cosmopolitan locale is nature. Ya girl likes her greenery! So, when I found out via Travel Dream Seekers Instagram account that there was a park where you could get aerial views of Kuala Lumpur with a dose of Mother Nature, I was more than a little eager to visit!

Gardens tend to be popular attractions in big cities— Auckland, Sydney, and New York City all have their respective botanic gardens, London has Kew and Sky Garden, and let’s not over look the Cloud Forest in Singapore. Kuala Lumpur, like other great cities, has gardens for its visitors and residents to enjoy— the Perdana Botanical Gardens.

I found Kuala Lumpur full of hidden treasures, easy to navigate, and oozing with art. Instagram, Culture Trip, Pinterest, and stumbling onto the right streets lead me to amazing photo opportunities. Now, I’m here to pass on my favourite places for pictures in Malaysia’s capital city. To keep things fun, I thought I’d include some of the outtake photos from my most recent stay in Kuala Lumpur, including a picture with my eyes closed in Perdana Gardens and a picture with me and everyone else in front of the Petronas Towers.

Arriving at the DoubleTree Resort in Penang after a 4 AM wake up in Kuala Lumpur for a 5 AM flight, I was more than a little ready to devour pancakes and down copious amounts of coffee. I walked through the stunning front lobby where I was given a warm welcome cookie by the smiling staff. The concierge grabbed my carry-on to escort it to my room and kindly pointed me in the direction of caffeine and carbs. Here’s the skinny on my stay!

This 1-week itinerary serves as the ultimate guide to Seoul, including where to stay, what to eat, and all the best things to see and do in the city.

Looking for an offbeat adventure in Seoul? Look no further than Yongma Land, an abandoned amusement park turned photographer backdrop waiting for you to explore the weathered rides and rusted props.

Seoul might not be the most vegetarian-friendly city but I’ve created this guide with 25 of the best spots for vegetarian food in Seoul, and included some information about South Korean cuisine at large.

Wondering how to spend 4 days in Bangkok? Look no further. This guide serves as your ultimate guide for spending four days in Thailand’s capital, including where to eat and 21 things to do!

Searching for the best cafés and coffee in Bangkok? Look no further. This post serves as your ultimate guide to the very best and most aesthetic cafés in Bangkok, Thailand.

Every year across Thailand, locals and visitors are drenched in water for the traditional New Year celebration. This festival is known as Songkran, and it’s one of the most electrifying festivals a traveler in Thailand can experience. If you’re a first-timer at Songkran, this guide will guarantee you have the best time celebrating in Bangkok.

Discover how to reach Wat Samphran, also known as the Dragon Temple, a unique and fascinating Buddhist temple located just outside of Bangkok. In this article, I’ll provide you with all the information you need to travel to this hidden gem, including transportation options and what to expect upon arrival.

Bangkok is home to a world of hidden treasures and off-beat delights. Perhaps one of the best kept secrets in Thailand’s capital, and in a world continually exposed by Instagram, is the airplane graveyard that sits right along a main road.

What’s the worst part of a long, late night layover? Finding accommodation that’s in close proximity to the airport and affordable. Luckily, passengers flying in and out of Don Muang Airport in need of a place to sleep and shower need look no further than Sloth Hostel Don Muang.

Thailand offers a lot of Western comforts, famous Thai hospitality and food, and glorious, glorious temples. Today, I’m sharing my favourite temples in Bangkok and everything you need to know about them before visiting!

It’s true. The architecture of the city lends itself fully to the hard-line, concrete-crazed aesthetics urban photographers pine for. However, it’s not all residential basketball courts and contemporary views in HK. Oh, not at all. Hong Kong offers something for everyone to visually feast on.

There is heaps of food finds in Hong Kong. This list could have been seemingly endless. I’ve put together a list of 5 foods every first-time visitor to Hong Kong should try. I have also listed the exact establishments where I tried each of these, so that you can either find somewhere better or give it a go in the same place I did!