Asia Pacific

• Beijing

  Think Beijing and you can be forgiven for thinking of the 2008 Olympic Games, its sporting endeavour and its breathtaking opening and closing ceremonies. But its Beijing’s fascinating past that makes it such a captivating capital city.

  
  

  Wonder at the Great Wall, be awed by the magnificent Forbidden City, drink in the scenery from a boat on the Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace, or lose yourself down a narrow hutong. Beijing has been the political and cultural heart of China for centuries and has the monuments, parks and palaces to prove it. But it is also a cash-rich, modern city that has gone shopping mad, with new retail complexes springing up so fast it’s almost impossible to keep track of them all.  A true combining of old and new.

• Hong Kong

  Hong Kong is a city with an energetic, vibrant and contrasting culture full of idiosyncrasies. On the one hand you’ll encounter towering urbanity, electric streetscapes and bustling markets; on the other you can experience the wonderment and serenity of a visit to one of its ancient and enigmatic temples.

  
  

  Away from the fervent commercial arena, there are country parks with their hiking trails and BBQ areas. Outlying islands like Lamma and Lantau have a different pace of life and their own characters. Kowloon provides a 24-hour shopping and gourmet experience, while some of the villages in the New Territories are a throwback to yesteryear. With beaches as delightful as any found in the Asian tourist guides, waterborne tours and more, Hong Kong has to be seen to be believed.

• Shanghai

  Shanghai is the largest city in China in terms of population, with over 20 million people in its extended metropolitan area. Shanghai is the hotspot of modern China, a cosmopolitan city buzzing with the ‘lifestyle revolution’, showcased in amazing architectural temples of art, fine dining and contemporary urban living on the Bund.

  
  

  The city is fast emerging as a tourist destination – drawing travellers with its impressive Pudong skyline, including the Oriental Pearl Tower. But it has also grown in importance as a centre of commerce and finance and is often referred to as the showpiece of the world’s fastest growing economy.

• Singapore

  Singapore is one of South East Asia's most vibrant and memorable cities and is a gateway to the rest of Asia.  Journey through Singapore's Ethnic Quarters, shop on Orchard Road, visit the Singapore Zoo or try wonderful local cuisine at a Hawker Centre. 

  
  

  A real feast for the senses, why not cap it all off with a Singapore Sling at the iconic Raffles Hotel.