Thursday, 14 November 2019

Top 5 best beaches in Hong Kong

Top 5 best beaches in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s lengthy and winding natural coastline is home to the best beaches in East Asia. With some accessible within a few minutes, others are completely secluded from the clamoring noise of the city. Whatever you’re looking for, check out our handy guide to find the best spot for your trip.

Shek O Beach

Shek O Beach
Although most popular on weekends and holidays with local families, Shek O Beach will win the hearts of beach fanatics on any day with its golden sand and rustic charm. Just a bus-ride away from Shau Kei Wan Station, it is one of the most accessible beaches on Hong Kong Island. There are plenty of stores and local barbecue restaurants for amazing food and an authentic laid-back experience.

Big Wave Bay Beach

Big Wave Bay Beach
Kiosks of lockers and surfboard rentals line the street towards Big Wave Bay. As the name suggests, the beach is celebrated for its towering waves and excellent wind conditions; it is also Hong Kong’s only officially recognized surfing beach. It’s nestled in the lush hills of Shek O Country Park and the bay’s fine white sand is perfect for lounging under the warm sun. It makes a great alternative to Shek O Beach, which is only a one-kilometer walk away.

Stanley Main Beach

Stanley Main Beach
Although it’s not the longest stretch of white sand in Hong Kong, it is still quite famous for its relaxed vibe and the numerous water sports activities available. The town is a one-stop tourist destination; you can learn about Hong Kong’s history by wandering around the colonial buildings, or get lost in the myriad of handmade souvenirs in Stanley Market. Stanley Main Street is home to brightly colored buildings, international restaurants and pubs, all of which enjoy a view of the southern waters of Hong Kong.

Repulse Bay

Repulse Bay
Although recognized for its prestigous residential dwellings, Repulse Bay is a 300-meter stretch of golden sand – the main attraction for all beach goers. Repulse Bay is located on the southern coast of Hong Kong Island, amidst Violet Hill and The Twins Hill, and holds one of the most amazing sea views. With boutique shops and fine dining on offer, Repulse Bay provides a whole new level of seashore experience with a touch of luxury. Plus, you’re not too far from Stanley if you fancy checking out the local market stalls to find a bargain.

Tai Long Wan Beach

Tai Long Wan Beach
Only accessible by boat from the Sai Kung Pier, Tai Long Wan is a three-kilometer bay located on the east coast of the Sai Kung Peninsula in Hong Kong and is complete with four beaches – Sai Wan, Ham Tin, Tai Wan and Tung Wan – all of which are separated by headlands and short trails. This location is perfect for those that want to embrace the untainted wilderness and pure tranquility that surrounds the area. Although toilets are accessible and there are a handful of cafés and restaurants, there are no lifeguards, waste bins or shark nets compared to other gazetted beaches in Hong Kong. Surfboard rental shops can be found by those brave enough to explore the stronger current of Tai Long Wan.

See more: The best beaches to visit in Oman

Wednesday, 13 November 2019

Top 7 biggest shopping malls in Asia

Top 7 biggest shopping malls in Asia
If you like to shop when you travel, the world’s biggest shopping capitals are probably top of your travel bucket list. New York, Paris, Milan, London and Hong Kong are all world-renowned for their shopping facilities and huge numbers of tourists flock to each city year-on-year, credit cards at the ready.

Whether it is shoes, bags, clothes or jewellery, everyone has their weakness, the thing they make a beeline for when spending. These record-breaking shopping malls cater to all of them. Here is a look at some of the largest, most famous shopping centres around Asia.

Central World, Thailand

Central World, Thailand
Photo Panatfoto
Opened in 1990, the eight-story Central World in Bangkok is the largest shopping mall in Thailand. It marketed itself as a middle class shopping center, opposed to the upper class-marketed Siam Paragon. Central World was one of the many properties set on fire by anti-government protestors. The fire raged for two days and the Zen department store collapsed in the fire.

Mid Valley Megamall, Malaysia

Mid Valley Megamall, Malaysia
The Mid Valley Mall is one of Malaysia’s largest shopping centre, with 5 floors of shops and a parking area that can house up to 11,000 vehicles. The complex comprises of the shopping mall, an office tower and two hotels. This mall is also the first to house the four major anchor tenants- Carrefour, Golden Screen Cinemas, AEON and Metrojaya. With all the fashion houses and luxury brands the mall is a treat for whoever visits it.

Istanbul Cevahir, Turkey

Istanbul Cevahir, Turkey
Located on the European side of Istanbul in Turkey, the Cevahir Shopping and Entertainment Centre opened its doors in 2005. It is the largest shopping mall in Europe. There are 343 shops, 34 fast food restaurants and 14 exclusive restaurants in the shopping centre. Other facilities include a large stage for events, 12 cinemas, a bowling hall, a small roller coaster and several other entertainment facilities.

Berjaya Times Square, Malaysia

Berjaya Times Square, Malaysia
Covering 7.5 million square feet of floor area, Berjaya Times Square is the fifth largest building in the world. The Kuala Lumpur mall has over 1,000 shops, 65 eateries and a huge offering of entertainment attractions, including Asia’s largest indoor theme park, Cosmo’s World, and Malaysia’s first-ever IMAX 2D & 3D theatre.

SM Mall of Asia, Philippines

SM Mall of Asia, Philippines
The SM Mall of Asia in Metro Manila, the Philippines, opened in 2006, consists of four buildings interconnected by walkways. It features a 20-seater tram which takes shoppers around the mall grounds. One of the mall’s main attractions is an IMAX theater with one of the world’s biggest 3D screens. The mall also features an Olympic-sized ice skating rink. It can accommodate both recreational and competitive figure skating, as well as ice hockey.

Read more: Top best shopping malls in Manila, Philippines

Golden Resources Mall, China

Golden Resources Mall, China
Nicknamed the “Great Mall of China,” the Golden Resources Mall covers an area of 6 million square feet. It is located near Fourth Ring Road in Beijing, China. The mall is 1.5 times bigger than the famous Mall of America which is the second largest in North America. In spite of the large size of the Golden Resources Mall, its major drawback is its location. It is inaccessible to most foreign visitors. Furthermore, the goods sold at the shopping centers are too expensive for the Chinese to buy.

Dubai Mall, UAE

Dubai Mall, UAE
This sprawling mall in the glamour capital of the world is easy to get lost in. At over 12 million square feet (equivalent to more than 50 soccer fields), the Dubai Mall is the largest shopping mall in the world based on total area. The mall contains more than 1,200 shops, an ice rink, a SEGA game centre, a five-star hotel, 22 cinema screens and 120 restaurants and cafes. It also boasts the largest indoor aquarium in the world and it is the gateway to the Burj Khalifa, tallest building in the world. Yeah, Dubai likes to break records!

Source Internet

The best art galleries in South Korea

The best art galleries in South Korea
With an ever-evolving art scene, South Korea is home to a number of world-renowned galleries that feature works spanning multiple genres and mediums. From Seoul to Busan and everywhere in between, the following galleries showcase some of the best art the country has to offer.

Gana Art Center 

Gana Art Center
Pyeongchang in northern Seoul is home to some of Korea’s oldest and most influential galleries. Among them is Gana Art, a modern complex designed by celebrated architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Founded in 1983, Gana Art has presented over 400 exhibitions of Korean and international art over its lengthy history, including prominent artists such as Pierre Alechinsky, Roy Lichtenstein and Joan Miro.

Jeju Museum of Art 

Jeju Museum of Art
Surrounded by the beautiful and pristine nature of Jeju Island, the Jeju Museum of Art is the epicenter of the region’s art. The building itself reflects the local culture, colors and sounds of the island, while its historical and contemporary works are sure to inspire art enthusiasts. Of particular interest is the Chang Ree-suok Hall, which displays more than 100 artworks created by the well-known Korean artist Chang Ree-suok.

Gallery Yeh 

Gallery Yeh
With its striking modernist architectural shell, Gallery Yeh is an iconic landmark in Seoul’s ritzy Gangnam district. Established in 1978 and reopened in 1982, it led to the transformation of the Sinsa-dong neighborhood into a dynamic cultural center. The gallery has also played a significant role in bridging the gap between Korea’s capital and the wider art world, featuring the works of celebrated artists such as Raphael Soto and Alberto Giacometti, as well as representing Korean masters such as Ku Pon-ung, Kwon Ok-yeon and Kim Hwan-gi around the globe.

Johyun Gallery 

Johyun Gallery
Founded in 1990, the Johyun Gallery (formerly known as Gallery World) is one of Busan’s premier art galleries. Johyun represents many well-known Korean and international contemporary artists such as Nam June Paik, Julian Opie and Georges Rousse. With its carefully curated exhibitions of sculptures, paintings, and installations, Johyun is guaranteed to satisfy the most discerning of art lovers.

Artside Gallery 

Artside Gallery
Notable for its focus on contemporary Chinese art, Artside Gallery has been a leader in the artistic exchange between Korea and China, and has garnered international attention for hosting the first solo exhibition of artist Zhang Xiaogang in the country. In 2007, Artside opened a gallery space in Beijing, and in 2010 relocated its Seoul gallery to Hyoja-dong. Despite its expansion, the gallery’s vision remains the same – to present the best in Chinese and Asian avant-garde as a way to encourage understanding and creativity across Asian art.

Gallery FACTORY 

Gallery FACTORY
Situated in Hyoja-dong to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace, is Gallery FACTORY, a small but punchy avant-garde space that has established itself as a steadfast presence in Seoul’s evolving art scene. The gallery encourages community participation through workshops and lectures, as well as by engaging in art consultation, public art projects, publications and international exchange programs. If you’re looking to discover the experimental work of up-and-coming artists based in Korea, Gallery FACTORY is certainly the place to do it.

Ungno Lee Museum of Art 

Ungno Lee Museum of Art
Designed by French architect Laurent Beaudouin, the quaint white structure that is the Ungno Lee Museum of Art was built to commemorate the work of the artist Goam Ungno Lee (1904-1989), who devoted his life to the modernization and globalization of Korean tradition through architecture. Goam’s work, which epitomizes the harmony between East and West, is distributed throughout four halls, which seem to flow together in one continual, unified space.

See more: Changwon, the city of art in South Korea
Source: Internet