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Beach clubs in Bali are a dime a dozen, but what makes Luna special is its gorgeous bamboo architecture, which will make you believe that you’ve been transported to James Cameron’s Avatar. Add to that the thumping beats and a soon-to-be-launched otherworldly light show, and you’ve got something spectacular. There’s much to do here, including water slides down to the cave club’s poolside bar, a beer garden and a dessert bar called Jelly Beans – so take your time to explore.
Shangri-La Tokyo’s greatest feat is how it retains a refined calm despite being in the heart of action in Tokyo’s Marunouchi district. Enjoy sweeping views of landmarks like Tokyo Sky Tree tower and the bay, from the comfort of some of the largest rooms available in this metropolis. And in the rooms and across the facilities, keep an eye out for over 2,000 exquisite pieces of artwork that add a touch of poetry to your stay.
This sprawling cliffside resort by Jimbaran Bay is not the newest kid on the block, but at just 12km from Bali’s international airport and with four hotel concepts that appeal to different types of travellers, it’s a good choice for those who seek a conveniently located integrated resort experience. You’ll find 27 dining options, a private beach and 14 swimming pools – yes, even a brand-new cultural museum where you can immerse yourself in Balinese heritage. Whatever you do, don’t miss a trip to the spa’s aquatonic pool, a seawater pool where a succession of water jets will pummel your tension away. For gorgeous villas with ocean-facing private plunge pools, AYANA Villas Bali is the one to pick.
Though not quite as massive as the famed 1920s-inspired bar ATLAS, this gorgeous Art Deco-inspired drinking den certainly makes it worth the detour from the main Orchard Road shopping belt. A bronze-chested fairy nymph presides over your raucous revelry, while ornate motifs and Tiffany-teal tiles glint in the low light. There’s a solid selection of cocktails here, but don’t skip the High Mountain – a buttery, oolong-infused vodka concoction which comes with a delicate milk foam crisp that dissolves like a cloud in your mouth. Just for a moment, you can pretend you’re in wonderland.
Beijing’s rapid modernisation since the 1950s has seen the city gradually encircled by six ring roads at ever greater distances from the centre, like the ripples in water created from a dropped stone. Beijing’s Daxing International Airport, sitting far south of the city, beyond the furthest ring, seems at first an unlikely location for sight-seeing.
But while the airport is well-connected by high-speed rail and metro to the city’s world-famous palaces, temples and monuments, the outlying Beijing districts such as Daxing, Fengtai and Fangshan also contain much to explore. These sights are within two hours’ ride-share or taxi journey from the airport, but few Beijing visitors venture far enough out to see them. Here are underrated experiences you won’t want to miss.
1. Experience local pastimes at Shilihe Tianjiao Market
A forty-minute drive from Daxing International Airport, at the labyrinthine market of Shilihe Tianjiao on the edge of the city’s third ring, you’ll find flowers, fish, birds and insects – everything needed for the four great traditional pastimes of Beijing. Mynahs compete for your attention, schooled to call out: “Come in. Come in. Come in.” Smaller birds such as the black-capped wutong spring skywards to collect blowpipe-blown beads, returning to their trainer’s hand for a reward in flax seed.
A cricket perches on the hand of a prospective buyer at Shilihe Market. Photo: Peter Neville-Hadley
Meanwhile, brilliant slivers of orange – lionhead and celestial eye goldfish, bred for their bulbous heads and skyward gaze respectively – dart around in coloured buckets, and singing crickets pose on the hands of potential buyers. It’s a rousing atmosphere that provides plenty of photo opportunities. Those seeking a souvenir that’ll survive the flight home can also find colourful, handmade ‘sand swallow’ kites and other local crafts.
2. Spot exotic deer in their native habitat at Milu Yuan
At 60 hectares, this remaining fragment of the walled southern hunting ground of the Qing emperors is modest in scale, but one of the best-run animal exhibits in China. Milu Yuan in Daxing district, just 40 minutes away from the airport, is home to endangered Père David’s deer, reintroduced from England in 1985 after the herd here, the last in China, had all been poached. It also functions as an ecological research centre, and plays an important role in conserving this species.
Since the 1980s, Milu Yuan has played a key role in reintroducing this endangered species – the park is home to about 200 deer and there are roughly 3,000 more of them in the wild thanks to conservation efforts. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Colloquially named sibuxiang, or ‘four dissimilarities’, these creatures have the horns of a deer, the face of a horse, the hooves of a cow and the tail of a donkey – according to a traditional saying. Conservation-minded signage introduces other deer, too, and identifies owls, crows, kingfishers and more, while making it clear that you’re only a guest in what is the deer’s space.
3. Visit impressive yet quiet imperial burial sites at the Western Qing Tombs
The Ming Tombs, much closer to Beijing, are on most tourist itineraries. But the Western Qing Tombs in Yi County, Hebei province, almost two hours’ drive from the airport, offer a more extravagant imperial burial site with far more to see and a more tranquil experience. The 18th-century Yongzheng emperor first ordered his tomb to be built here, rather than with his immediate Qing forefathers about 300km to the east. There are multi-courtyard complexes here for four emperors, four empresses, four princes, two princesses and 57 concubines, many with a charmingly timeworn air, along with ornate memorial arches and a semi-circular wall with curious sonic effects – see if you can locate the right spot to stand in where anything you say echoes back to you multi-fold.
If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, venture out to the Western Qing Tombs in Yi County, Hebei province. Photo: Shutterstock
Those buried here include the Pearl Concubine, who was thrown down a well and drowned in 1900, and the very last emperor of China, Puyi, whose remains were moved to a small modern shrine in 1995.
4. Ask the question, “Did Marco Polo really come to this bridge?”
The Luguo Qiao, meaning “reed ditch bridge”, gets its English name from Marco Polo’s account of his travels. Originally built in the late 12th century, the bridge lies about 45 minutes north of Daxing International Airport in Fengtai district and remains little changed since a 1698 restoration.
Its 11 balustraded arches are studded with carved stone lions, and counting these is supposed to make you go mad. Even modern guidebooks give the number as anything between 140 and 501 – so be careful.
This important river bridge, made of stone, remains much as it was when seen by 13th century Persian travellers, and later mentioned by Marco Polo. Photo: ShutterstockThese ornate stone lion carvings are photogenic, but counting them is said to be perilous. Photo: Shutterstock
5. Walk upon historic battlements at Wanping Ancient City
The walls that once surrounded even China’s smaller settlements were torn down in the 20th century, and little Wanping’s charm lies in being one of the few to retain them. This was not due to their 17th-century construction, but rather to their 20th-century significance. Located near the militarily important Fengtai railway junction, about 45 minutes from the airport, this town witnessed the opening battles in the 1937–45 Sino-Japanese war. A half-hour stroll around the battlement walls offers views of the tracks in one direction and of city alleys in the other.
These battlements are unusual in having no north or south gate, and no central drum and bell towers, but the west gate is right by the Marco Polo Bridge, and it is here that the walls may be mounted.
6. Read what’s written in stone at Yunju Temple
This Buddhist temple in the Fangshan district, 70km southwest of Beijing and about an hour’s drive west of Daxing International Airport, was founded in the 7th century. Although its current buildings are much more modern, it is home to more than 10,000 stone tablets on which Buddhist sutras were carved, which date back to the temple’s founding. Known as the Stone Canon of Fangshan, these were discovered inside nearby walled-up caves in 1957, and famed for being the authoritative versions of key Buddhist texts.
Golden ginkgo leaves add a touch of colour to the temple scene. Photo: ShutterstockStone scriptures are Yunju Temple’s claim to fame. Photo: Shutterstock
Some of them are translations by the 7th century expeditionary scholar-monk Xuanzang whose journey to India to obtain authoritative scriptures was mythologised in the classic Chinese Novel, Journey to the West. The temple is full of the sound of people tamping colour onto wetted pieces of paper stuck to the front of these stones in order to take impressions of the scriptures.
7. Admire Daxing Airport’s sleek design even if you don’t have a flight to catch
Recently Beijing has become a major showcase for the most remarkable creations of fashionable foreign architects, and despite the other nearby attractions described here, the airport itself, designed by the late Anglo-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, should not be overlooked.
A Pritzker Prize winner, Hadid left several notable buildings in the city, including the world’s tallest atrium between the sinuous twin towers of Leeza SOHO and the Galaxy SOHO office, residential and retail complex, copied elsewhere in China even before it was completed.
Beijing Daxing International Airport is one of the quickest and easiest to navigate – which gives you time to slow down and admire its picturesque interiors. Photo: Shutterstock
But the 700,000m² terminal at Daxing, the largest in the world, is her greatest achievement. Inside, the easy-to-navigate, starfish-shaped building seems more liquid than solid, pouring itself from one floor to another beneath a dizzying gridwork roof that allows natural light into its vast halls.
From 11 November 2024, Singapore Airlines (SIA) will operate new daily services to Beijing Daxing International Airport, in addition to existing services to Beijing Capital International Airport. Flights between Singapore and Beijing Capital International Airport will also increase from 18 to 21 weekly services from 5 August 2024.For more information on Singapore Airlines flights to Beijing, visit the official website.
For our full list of things to try and places to see in Beijing, check out our Beijing City Guide.
Sitting on the west of Port Philip Bay, a mere hour’s drive southwest of Melbourne, Victoria’s second-largest city tends to fly under the radar. Yet this waterfront city of about 289,000 people is a destination in its own right. With expansive views of Corio Bay to the east and the dramatic granite ridges of You Yangs Regional Park to the north, Geelong is a thriving cosmopolitan coastal town. Here, you can stroll along the historic promenade with the wind in your hair, take a walking tour to immerse in the heritage and local art scene or learn about Aboriginal culture and spiritual connections to the land.
Geelong also marks the start of the Bellarine Peninsula, just a 25-minute drive east. It’s home to some of Victoria’s best vineyards, gourmet offerings and beaches perfect for surfing or swimming with wildlife. Like Singapore, Geelong is Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design – a mark of how both cities use creativity to build more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive communities. Geelong is also a global innovation hub on advanced manufacturing and clean energy, spearheaded by Deakin University, a partner of Singapore Airlines.
Here are seven great ways to experience the vibrant Victorian coast along Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.
1. Walk along Geelong’s eclectic art trails
Geelong is a magnet for artists who are drawn to its sweeping mountain backdrop and expansive seascapes, as well as its small-town community feel. In this vibrant university town, some of the best art is free.
Geelong art trails are a popular way to get to know the town and take in some history and culture. There are 15 trails to choose from, including the First Nations NBN Box Art Trail, the Women’s Street Art Project and the St Leonards Heritage Trail. Each trail ranges from 3–6km, taking between one and three hours from start to finish – although you can jump in and out as you like.
The Geelong Bollard Trail features curious characters dotted along the waterfront. Photo: Tourism Greater Geelong & The Bellarine
Try the quirky Baywalk Bollard Trail, a two-hour walk starting from Rippleside Park through the waterfront to the GeelongBotanic Gardens. Admire more than 100 bollards painted to resemble pivotal characters from Geelong’s history, from its original Indigenous inhabitants to modern day heroes and entertainers.
2. Sample wine from the Bellarine’s finest vineyards
The Bellarine Peninsula is home to more than 30 vineyards, from small boutique growers like Oneday Estate and Oakdene Vineyards to sprawling properties such as Bellarine Estate. Just take a 25-minute drive east from Geelong city centre, along Portarlington Road, and let the wine tour commence. Most of these vineyards specialise in cool climate wines, which are produced from grapes that have a long, cool growing season and thrive in close proximity to the ocean.
Take in wines alongside panoramic views at Jack Rabbit Vineyard. Photo: Tourism Greater Geelong & The BellarinePeter’s Odyssey Tram Bar at Terindah offers a charming way to experience their wines. Photo: Tourism Greater Geelong & The Bellarine
For a vineyard that offers breathtaking views of Port Philip Bay and the You Yangs Regional Park, visit Jack Rabbit Vineyard. Across the road at Terindah Estate, you can sample a variety of wines in a refurbished W Class tram bar – it looks like an old-school Melbourne tram on the outside but has the feel of an intimate country wine bar on the inside.
Finish off with The Whiskery just around the corner, a rustic-chic cellar door for Bellarine Distillery that produces gins and whiskeys, matured in oak barrels from regional Victoria. See if you can identify their notes of orange blossom honey, plum and red berries that make them uniquely Australian.
3. Take a boutique bay cruise and taste freshly caught mussels
In the coastal town of Portarlington, just beyond the vineyards and a 30-minute drive from Geelong, you’ll find a thriving mussel farming settlement known nationwide for the quality of its shellfish, thanks to the coolness and depths of the bay. Dig into fresh catch at Pier St Café, or hop aboard a Portarlington Mussel Tour to learn more about the trade. Mussel farmer Lance Wiffin takes visitors on an intimate cruise – no more than 12 people at a time – of Port Philip Bay on his refurbished 40-year-old mussel trawler.
Get up close to the mussel farming process. Photo: Tourism Greater Geelong & The BellarineEnjoy mussels fresh from the sea. Photo: Tourism Greater Geelong & The Bellarine
Here, you can witness the mussel ropes being pulled from the sea – or even try it yourself. Then watch a live cooking demonstration and taste the day’s catch, cooked in various ways such as classic style mussels Kilpatrick (broiled and topped with cooked bacon, seasoned with Worcestershire sauce and ketchup) or in a cider broth, all with a glass of Bellarine wine in hand.
4. Hop aboard a gourmet train adventure
Another way to sample great Australian produce while on the move is to hop aboard The Q Train at Drysdale Railway Station, a simple 20-minute drive from Geelong or 15 minutes from Portarlington. This luxurious restored train offers guests a gourmet experience while it chugs along the historic Bellarine railway tracks. Over a three-hour journey that takes you from Drysdale to Queenscliff and back, you’ll experience a five-course degustation meal made from locally-produced ingredients. Think dishes like a seasonal vegetable bisque featuring Bellarine oyster mushrooms and Lard Ass Butter, or a cassoulet showcasing sausages created from Otway Ranges Dama Dama venison and Barongarook pork.
The Q Train traverses the Bellarine landscape from Drysdale to Queenscliff. Photo: Tourism Greater Geelong & The Bellarine
Savour your meal as the train gently winds through picturesque olive groves, farmland and dramatic coastal landscapes. For extra thrills, book the steam locomotive which runs on the first two weekends of each month. Its billowing steam and chuffing engine will enchant any train enthusiast.
5. Swim with dolphins and seals
Get up close to Port Philip Bay’s most stunning marine life at Sea All Dolphin Swims, located at Queenscliff Harbour 35 minutes from Geelong. Port Philip Bay houses the larger of only two known resident populations of Burrunan dolphins, and you can swim and snorkel among them, as well as spot wild Australian fur seals. All equipment is provided, and novices are welcome. If you prefer to stay dry, you can also embark on sightseeing boat trips.
Swim with dolphins and seals or enjoy oceanic views onboard. Photo: Sea All Dolphin Swims
While you’re at Queenscliff, wander down to the Observation Deck, where you might be lucky enough to spot stingrays that populate the harbour from September to June.
6. Experience native wildlife in their natural habitat
Around half an hour by car from Geelong is Serendip Sanctuary, a 250-hectare wildlife oasis that teems with kangaroos, wallabies, emus and birdlife. Explore four interconnecting trails that take you across the grassy woodlands and wetlands – each is clearly marked and no longer than a 2 km return journey, making it a family-friendly nature adventure.
7. Catch a wave along the Great Ocean Road
Bellarine Peninsula is also an ideal starting point to experience Australian surfing culture along the Great Ocean Road, renowned for pristine coastlines, rugged cliffs and dense bushland. Start in the seaside town of Ocean Grove on the southern point of the Bellarine Peninsula. Try catching a wave with Great Ocean Road Surf Tours, with their two-hour lessons suitable for the beginner to the advanced.
Drive 30 minutes southwest to Torquay, the birthplace of Australian surf culture. Here you’ll find the iconic Bells Beach, where the annual Rip Curl Pro surfing competition takes place in March. Learn from the patient experts at Go Ride A Wave, who offer lessons for all ages and skill levels.
Learn to surf on the Great Ocean Road beaches. Photo: Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism
Next, head to Anglesea, another iconic surf town 20 minutes southwards. Here, you can experience surfing along the classic Great Ocean Road coast with SeaEarth Adventures or embark on a kayaking trip along Anglesea River. For family-friendly fun, drive 30 minutes down to Lorne, where dense bushland comes right up to the shore. If you need a break from surfing, admire the stunning Erskine Falls, or the nine other waterfalls within 10km of this coastal town.
For more information on Singapore Airlines flights to Melbourne, visit theofficial website.
Boutique bottle shop La Maison Du Whisky (LMDW APAC) is where connoisseurs gather to discover rare Scotches and hard-to-find cognacs. Located in the vibrant Robertson Quay, with a view of the Singapore River, more than 1,000 premium whiskies, rums, brandies, gins and tequilas line the shop’s illuminated shelves.The staff are both friendly and well-versed with their formidable catalogue, so ask away. If you’re contemplating a bottle (or even if you’re not), it’s worth nabbing a seat at the marble counter.
Though compact, the bar has one of most comprehensive by-the-dram menus in the country, ranging from a Thai rum by Chalong Bay to the exceedingly rare Karuizawa 34-year-old Japanese whisky. Try their signature Old Fashioned, made with Blanton’s Original bourbon.
Collectors will want to keep a keen eye out for limited special releases such as the Kavalan 2016 Virgin Oak that’s bottled exclusively for Whisky Live Singapore, a highly anticipated fine spirits show organised annually by LMDW APAC.
The brand’s close working relationships with distilleries mean they have incredible access to absolute rarities, like the Barbados 16-year-old 2006 single cask from their own Transcontinental Rum Line, released in celebration of its 18th anniversary.
For a wellness-centric stay within easy reach of Sentosa’s key attractions and restaurants, Oasia Resort Sentosa is hard to beat. Its award-winning spa serves up satisfying massages and treatments, and there’s a full suite of activities that you can join in during your stay. These include morning yoga, aqua pilates and bath scrub and soap-making workshops. You’ll need to reserve your slot for these activities with the front desk, and do check before the commencement of each activity in case they are cancelled or rescheduled without notice.
As of April 2024, the hotel introduced a new room category – the 19 Courtyard Premier rooms feature spacious al fresco spaces with bean bags that are perfect for lounging in the evenings. Enjoy a sumptuous a la carte breakfast spread at the on-site restaurant, Bedrock Origin. A word to the wise: reserve your table or come early to avoid the long lines that start around 9am, as the restaurant seating is limited.
The first thing you’ll notice about the 48 rooms at this boutique hotel is how every inch is thoughtfully designed and laden with local charm. Art by contemporary Singaporean artists clad the walls, while modern gadgets from Dyson and Bang & Olufsen sit alongside amenities by homegrown brands: think hand-thrown ceramics by Un Studio, repurposed glassware by Soda Lemon SG and bathrobes by IN GOOD COMPANY.
While more compact than most big hotel brands, 21 Carpenter boasts an unparalleled location and a stellar dine-in restaurant called Kee’s. The hotel occupies a former remittance house on the busy New Bridge Road, close to the artsy Civic District as well as the party central of Clarke Quay. When the sun goes down, adjourn to the high-ceilinged al fresco Garden Terrace on the third floor, and have the attentive staff at Kee’s send up your cocktails. The warm lights, cool breeze and chill vibes will make your evening one to remember.
Set along four locations on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Pounamu Pathway is a collection of four experience centres, each charting the history of New Zealand’s Māori peoples. The experience centres are located at Kawatiri, Māwhera, Hokitika and Awarua. In each of these hubs, cultural stories are brought to life by creative partner Wētā Workshop which uses technology to present history in a rich and immersive way.
This luxury Singaporean brand is revolutionising hair care through scientific innovation. Offering holistic, high-performance treatments, its expertly formulated products and services address various hair and scalp concerns using medical-grade ingredients and patented technologies, ensuring vibrant, healthy hair. Standouts include the FEM Fortify Shampoo, its bestselling hair loss prevention solution, and the dual-repair RES series, designed for dry, damaged, and chemically treated hair. For extra care, try the popular H2 Advanced Scalp Repair Treatment, which addresses common scalp issues like dandruff, sensitivity, and oiliness.
