Get to know Hong Kong's neighborhoods

Hong Kong is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Asia, and each of its neighborhoods contributes to this rich mosaic. Whether the nightclubs of Lan Kwai Fong take your fancy or the markets of Mong Kok are more your thing, there’s always something to see and do here.

Central

Graham Street Market in Central

Take a quick glance at Central’s glittering skyscrapers and it would be easy to dismiss Hong Kong’s financial hub as boring. But beneath the canopy of this concrete jungle lies some of the city’s most exciting (and exclusive) bars, restaurants and modern-art galleries. Perched on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, the district’s transport links are as good as you’d expect from a place named ‘Central’ – this is where you’ll find the Victoria Peak Tram, the Mid-Levels Escalator and the Star Ferry.

Sheung Wan

If suits own Central, then hipsters control Sheung Wan. Sitting in the shadow of Central’s high-rises just west of Hong Kong’s towering business district, Sheung Wan was a typical residential neighborhood until it began to modernise rapidly in recent years, welcoming a wave of trendy coffee shops, bohemian vintage stores and cutting-edge eateries to its streets. Here, you can shop for antiques on Hollywood Road; visit Man Ho Temple, one of the oldest in Hong Kong; and take photos of the street art in PoHo, the area around Po Hing Fong and Tai Ping Shan Street.

Lan Kwai Fong

Welcome to Hong Kong’s party central. Home to more than 100 bars, Lan Kwai Fong has a venue for everyone. Young professionals, expats, backpackers, cashed-up locals, yuppies and anyone else thirsty for a drink or three converge on this part of town on the weekend, flooding legendary nightspots like Club Qing, Levels and Cé La Vi.

Tsim Sha Tsui

Jump on the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour to reach one of Hong Kong’s liveliest neighborhoods on the southern tip of the Kowloon Peninsula. Tsim Sha Tsui is one stop that every visitor should add to their Hong Kong itinerary. Take in Nathan Road’s neon-lit Golden Mile, the Avenue of Stars – China’s answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame – and gargantuan shopping malls such as K11 and Harbour City. This neighborhood has a veritable smorgasbord of upmarket dining options: visitors can choose from Michelin-star fine dining, traditional Cantonese cuisine and international fare from pretty much everywhere around the world.

Read more: Must-try Cantonese dishes when visiting Hong Kong

Mong Kok

Mong Kok is all about one thing: markets, and lots of them. The air here is filled with the smells of food wafting from the stalls on Sai Yeung Choi, Dundas, Fa Yuen and Soy Streets – perfect for satisfying your hunger after a long day exploring the Ladies’ Market or the district’s specialist markets dedicated to birds, flowers and even goldfish. Hipsters should venture further north to Sham Shui Po, an up-and-coming food and shopping hub.

Source The Culture Trip

Best street arts destinations in Singapore

Did you know that despite Singapore’s reputation for clean streets and strict rules, there is a flourishing street art scene? Here are the spots where you can find the best street art in Singapore.

Victoria Street

Fans of Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic‘s works don’t have to go to Penang to see his art – he has several works, featuring his trademark images of local children playing, scattered along this stretch of road between Arab Street and Jalan Sultan. The piece with an actual supermarket shopping cart is especially popular. Also of note is the giant camera-shaped building that houses the Vintage Cameras Museum, with a mural by Singaporean artist Ceno2 on its side.

Haji Lane

Hipsters love Haji Lane for its many indie boutique retail outlets – but what attracts the photographers are the Insta-worthy murals that cover the walls of the shophouses near the Beach Road junction. Colombian artist Didier Jaba Mathieu’s futuristic pop-colour characters feature prominently, but don’t miss the alleyway that connects to Arab Street which features works by Ceno2, Yok & Sheryo and local crew ZincNiteCrew.

Aliwal Street

Pop into the alleyway behind the Aliwal Arts Centre and you’ll find an ever-changing canvas of works on the back walls. This is thanks mostly to local crew RSCLS, who have a studio space in Aliwal Arts Centre alongside many of Singapore’s prominent performing arts groups. Pop over to Sultan Arts Centre across the street to find graffiti shop The Blackbook Studio and you may even chance upon the artists at work on the long panels in its yard.

Tekka Centre

A popular market and hawker food spot in Singapore, there are several murals to be found around the market complex. This is thanks to the annual ARTWALK Little India, an outdoor arts festival that commissions local and international artists to create works celebrating the culture of this Indian heritage district. Check out Buffalo Road, Race Course Road and Bellilos Lane for various murals that pay tribute to past landmarks and customs unique to Little India.

222 Queen Street

Art is in abundance in this district with the Singapore Art Museum, National Museum and various private galleries within a stone’s throw – but of biggest note to street art lovers is the long wall on the side of 222 Queen Street that connects to Waterloo Street. This long wall is an outdoor gallery for various street art projects, the latest being a collaborative project between Singaporean and Thai street artists.

See more: Reasons why Singapore is a worth-visiting destination once

Where to enjoy autumn season in Jeju

Each little corner of Jeju Island has its own unique characteristics. Whether you’re walking on the 1,950-meter-tall Hallasan Mountain, trekking over one of the 360 oreum (volcanic cones), or strolling along its extensive network of walking trails ... you’ll encounter a variety of distinct island charms. Where would you like to go first this autumn?

Jeju in autumn

Gapmajang Road

The mid-mountain region of Jeju Island was formed when lava flowing from the top of Hallasan Mountain at Baengnokdam crater down to the ocean hardened at locations along the way and ultimately formed a plain. This plain is known for its suitability for raising horses, and during the 100 years or so between 1794 and 1899, Jeju's horse culture developed substantially. This is especially the case for the region of Gasi-ri, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo. It is also an area with an Olle walking trail and plenty of beautiful fields of spring wildflowers and autumn pampas grass.

The area around the 2nd Sanrok Road south of Hallasan Mountain was appropriately named on the “100 Most Beautiful Roads in Korea” by the Ministry of Construction and Transportation. But you don’t have to see it only from a car. There are plenty of spots to hike and admire the mountain and ocean views. Bring friends, family, your significant other, and take pictures of the pristine scenery and majesty of Jeju’s natural environment.

Address: 3149-33beonji, Gasi-ri, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo

Geumbaekjo Road

Here you can see magnificent vistas of pampas grass that wave high and low on the slopes of Jeju Island. This is a famous 10-kilometer-long highway leading northeast from Seogwipo City though to Susan-ri, Seongsan-eup. Along the way by car you will pass through pristine mid-mountain plains that by all accounts inspire a romantic mood in those who are fortunate enough to experience its winding roads and wonderful scenery.

If you need to stop along Geumbaekjo Road, please look for a parking area or observation deck. This is the safest place to view the volcanic cones, coastline and forest of the south side of the island.

Address: Susan Eco Experience & Information Center, Susan-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo

Dalkmeoreu Coastal Path

The pampas grass growing along the northern coast at Sinchon-ri, Jocheon-eup, covers a hidden place with an unusual name. Dalkmeoreu Coastal Path gets its name from the shape of a geological formation that some say looks like a chicken sitting on the ground when viewed from a certain angle. The area is a well-known fishing spot and there is an eco-learning experience center on site. The coastal path has been designated an official “Korean Coast Stroll Pathway” by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and the Korea Ocean Foundation. It was recognized as a natural, not artificial, creation which is both beautiful and full of marine culture and history.

The path covers some 1.6 kilometers from Sinchon Port to Sinchon Village Diving Women Changing Area. The course is just a 30-minute walk, but during that short time you can take in the fullness of the autumn sky, sea, and sunset. Its panoramas and ocean waves crashing on the rocks make it one of the best date spots on the island. Naturally, since Jeju is an island it’s possible to view the ocean from every part of it, but it’s these sorts of quaint walking paths that offer visitors a distinctly local experience. How about giving this Dalkmeoreu Coastal Path a try?

Address: 2408-1 Sinchon-ri, Jocheon-eup, Jeju City

Ttarabi Oreum

Before you ascend this oreum in October or November, you’ll notice just how Ttarabi’s thick, swaying pampas grass has turned a beautiful, golden brown. Known as “the queen of Jeju oreum” its shape is delicate and graceful, giving off an aura of royalty. And not unlike a queen, it’s rather popular, so if you’d like to enjoy the view from the top in peace, it’s best to visit either early in the morning or at sunset.

Sunset in Ttarabi Oreum

Ttarabi has a horseshoe shape and is made up of three circular craters and six large and small connected peaks. It is thickly covered with grass and trees and if you walk the circumference you’ll need about an hour to do so. From the top you’ll see in the distance wind turbines generating clean energy, as well as the verdant rural landscape of the region, its distinctive Jeju stone walls, or batdam, and Gasi-ri village.

Address: San 62 Gasi-ri, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo

Akkeundarangswi Oreum

Compared to Darangswi volcanic cone, the 10-minute climb to the summit of Akkeundarangswi is much easier (“akkeun” means “something that comes close”, or “small” in the Jeju language). Still, it affords hikers a remarkably beautiful view. The top of the oreum is devoid of trees and other structures, so it’s just you, the pampas grass, and the sky up there. You’ll be the recipient of the gift of a genuine Jeju autumn experience.

Walking through the thick, golden-brown pampas grass, there are plenty of great photo ops. But be sure to wear long sleeved shirts, pants, and appropriate footwear for optimal comfort and safety. It can get quite cool and the path slippery if it rains. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying the charms of this volcanic cone. Pack a bottle of water and some snacks and head out for a beautiful day in Jeju’s great outdoors!

Address: 2593 Sehwa-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju City

Read more: Where to find the best delicacies in Jeju

Source Visit Jeju