Deal

Hong Kong is a city where East meets West, it is a dynamic metropolis known for its stunning skyline, rich heritage, and world-class dining. The city’s culture is a blend of traditional Chinese customs and modern influences, creating a unique and captivating atmosphere. Visit Victoria Peak for panoramic views of the city skyline and Victoria Harbour; or explore the historic Man Mo Temple, dedicated to the gods of literature and war. Immerse yourself in the bustling streets of neighborhoods like Central and Mong Kok to shop for everything from high-end fashion to traditional Chinese handicrafts. From hiking in the lush mountains surrounding the city to exploring the outlying islands by ferry there are many adventures worth exploring. From humble street food stalls to high-end restaurants, Hong Kong’s food scene offers something for every palate. Hong Kong is renowned for its Cantonese cuisine, which emphasises fresh ingredients and delicate flavours. Enjoy a wide range of dishes, from traditional dim sum to seafood specialties. The city is also home to a number of Michelin-starred restaurants, offering fine dining experiences that showcase the city’s culinary excellence.

Taiwan’s southern port city balances spiritual tradition with contemporary creativity. At Sunfong Temple, rows of glowing red lanterns illuminate carved stone and incense-filled courtyards, while the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas offer a vivid introduction to local symbolism. Along the waterfront, the Pier-2 Art Center transforms former warehouses into a lively district of large-scale art installations, murals, green spaces, and independent boutiques. A short ferry ride away, Cijin Island invites leisurely cycling, fresh seafood by the shore, and more public art set against sweeping harbour views.

From the bustling streets of the city to a quiet lotus pond in the botanical gardens, Taipei is a harmonious blend of natural landscapes and urban jungle. Get a bird’s eye view of Taiwan’s capital from the 89th-floor observatory at Taipei 101 before descending to explore Dihua Street, where you’ll find historic architecture and local shops selling everything from souvenirs to medicinal herbs. The National Palace Museum is home to a vast collection of Chinese artifacts, including the famous jadeite cabbage from the Qing dynasty and carvings dating back to 3000 BC. For a glimpse of the island’s spiritual traditions, visit one of its many ornate temples. Longshan Temple is one of the oldest and most popular; Taipei Confucius Temple honors the great philosopher; and Shandao Temple is one of Taiwan’s largest. Wherever you choose to explore, be sure to take a moment to try some of the city’s famed street food, such as pork belly buns, beef noodle soup and bubble tea.

The island paradise of Miyakojima offers any kind of beach day you could desire, from relaxing on the impossibly soft white sands of Yonaha Maehama Beach to snorkelling the shallow offshore reefs of Yoshino Kaigan Beach or Imugya Marine Garden in search of tropical fish and sea turtles. Certified divers will want to go deeper, as Miyakojima and other nearby islands offer excellent dive sites with underwater caverns, tunnels and coral reefs. For views from above, hike the narrow peninsula of Cape Higashi-Hennazaki to the lighthouse overlooking the rocky cliffs, spectacular shoreline, and waters in the most captivating shades of blue you can imagine. The colours here are so striking that simply crossing a bridge between islands to gaze upon the sea is an enchanting experience. Follow the bridge to the tiny isle of Kurimajima to take in vistas from the Ryugujo Observatory, and then search for a stretch of beach so secluded that it hasn’t been named. One of Japan’s longest toll-free bridges leads to island of Irabu, where you’ll find the Makiyama Observatory, and the views from the bridge itself as you traverse the luminescent waters are equally stunning.

Feel the quiet strength of a proud, island-born Japan in Naha. Located over 950 miles southwest of Tokyo, on Okinawa’s southern coast, Naha is the cultural heart of the Ryukyu Islands, and once the royal seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom. A morning walk will take you to the vermilion gates of Shurijo Castle, originally built in the 14th century and recently restored, then shop for hand-dyed bingata—a textile once reserved for royalty, still used in ceremonial kimono. Traditional izakayas line the streets, so step into their shade to sip awamori, a distilled rice spirit unique to the region. Refreshed and restored, wander to the early 18th-century palace gardens of Shikinaen, where Chinese-style bridges cross koi-filled ponds, then reflect at the Okinawa Peace Memorial, which honours the 200,000 lives lost in the World War II Battle of Okinawa. You’ll taste the past, too—in bowls of Okinawa soba, rich rafute pork, and sea air laced with the sweet scent of hibiscus.

Tucked away in Japan’s subtropical Ryukyu Islands, the beautiful coastline and lush rainforests of the isle of Amami-Oshima are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site valued for its many endemic and rare species and rich biodiversity. The crystal-clear waters of this hidden gem are filled with vibrant coral reefs, and the white sand beaches are so far off the beaten path that you may well find your own private stretch of secluded shoreline. The hiking is exceptional in the island’s interior, dominated by verdant jungles, dramatic mountains and picturesque waterfalls, offering countless vistas that showcase the unspoiled beauty. In the port town of Amami, discover local traditions like shima-uta, a traditional folk music featuring falsetto vocals, and exquisite Oshima Tsumugi silk, a handcrafted textile that has been produced here for centuries. The Amami City Museum focuses on the distinctive history and culture of the island, and the Tanaka Isson Museum northeast of town showcases the art of its namesake Japanese painter and other renowned artists.

This coastal city on the southern tip of Japan’s Kyushu Island, is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, rich history, and unique cultural heritage, deeply rooted in its samurai past. Travellers can visit the historic Senganen Garden, a traditional Japanese garden with stunning views of Kagoshima Bay, and the Shimadzu Satsuma Clan Historic Museum, which showcases the history and culture of the region. The majestic Sakurajima volcano dominates the skyline and offers visitors breathtaking views from its observatories. With opportunities for hiking, hot springs, and scenic cruises around the bay travellers have the opportunity to truly appreciate Kagoshima’s natural beauty. The cities culinary heritage is a chance to immerse your senses in a variety of local cuisine, including kurobuta pork (Berkshire pork), known for its tender and flavourful meat, and Satsuma-age (deep-fried fish cakes), a popular street food. Or explore the city’s unique shochu (distilled spirit) culture, with numerous distilleries offering tours and tastings; Kagoshima has something for everyone.

Known as the “Kitchen of Japan,” Osaka centres its culture around food and the enjoyment of flavour. Head straight to the vibrant, neon-lit district of Dotonbori to indulge in street foods like okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes), sit for a bowl of world-renowned ramen, or dine in Michelin-starred restaurants. Between meals, visit Osaka Castle, a magnificent 16th-century structure surrounded by lush gardens, or the National Museum of Art. Osaka’s short distance from Kyoto also sets the historic sites of the ancient capital within easy reach, or head to Nara for encounters with the town’s population of friendly deer.

The revered peak of Mount Fuji rises as a stately backdrop just northeast of Shimizu, one of Japan’s most beautiful ports. Take in iconic views of the mountain from the beach at Miho no Matsubara, lined by thousands of palm trees including the 200-year-old Hagoromo no Matsu tree that features in ancient legend. The entire area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Fujisan that recognizes the sacred landscapes of Mount Fuji, a pilgrimage destination and source of artistic inspiration for centuries. Witness results of this inspiration in the ukiyo-e prints of renowned artist Utagawa Hiroshige at the Tokaido Hiroshige Museum, or head to the Shizuoka Prefectural Art Museum to see both Japanese and Western masterpieces. Get another perspective on Mount Fuji from the Nihondaira viewpoint, where an aerial cable car leads to the ornate Kunozan Toshogu Shrine. Other striking examples of the city’s Shinto architecture are found at the Shizuoka Shengen Shrine, a historic complex near the gardens of Sumpu Castle Park. If shopping is on your agenda, the S-Pulse Dream Plaza near the port features four stories of shops plus a Ferris wheel, a sushi museum and multiple sushi restaurants.