Christmas in Asia: the must-visit destinations in Singapore

Christmas vacations have become a trend now. And there are many destinations around the world that celebrate this festival with all glit-and-glam. If you are planning to visit Singapore during Christmas holidays, you will be glad to know that this country has some wonderful celebrations hosted on various venues. Check out some of the stunning places to visit where you can witness celebrations of Christmas in Singapore, at its best.

Orchard Road

Hands down, the best place to marvel at pretty Christmas lights and take selfies with reindeer in Singapore is Orchard Road. Sporting a new theme every year, Singapore’s busiest shopping street is also its most dressed out at the holidays.

The best-decorated portions of the road stretch from the forum on the west side of Orchard to Orchard Gateway in the east. Make a night of it by walking the full length of the road, admiring the creative Christmas displays, and dropping inside the malls to see who gets bragging rights for the biggest and best Christmas tree!

Christmas Village

This glitzy European-inspired Christmas Village makes its debut this year alluding to the theme of “Endless Wonders”. There are more than 25 pop-up stores with exclusive brands such as Haagen Dazs, Starbucks, SK-II, Tiffany & Co. Live bands and carollers will also stage daily gigs, boosting the festive spirit as you indulge in retail therapy and a slew of amusement rides. After feasting on delicious Yuletide treats and shopping for artisanal gifts, swing by Hitachi’s Santa House and snap a selfie or two with Santa. This is one of the best Christmas celebration in Singapore.

The Season of Joy 

Located at the Capitol Kempinski Hotel on Stamford Road, The Season of Joy is open 6-24 December 2019. Admission is free. Expect all sorts of festive fun with an 8-metre tall Christmas tree, a skating rink, photos with Santa, and 50+ booths offering up Christmas goodies, mulled wine, and holiday gifts and games. While you are out this way, pop on over to CHIJMES where you will find an Instagram Wonderland, perfect for keeping your holiday selfie game going strong.

Christmas Wonderland

Foodies, this one is dedicated to you! Savour, in partnership with Christmas Wonderland, is hosting Singapore’s premier gourmet festival that will delight even the most sophisticated of gourmands. With delectable cheese tasting and a decadent selection of specially selected hams and turkey to whet your appetite, you can certainly have a sampler of what Christmas is going to taste like. Acclaimed celebrity chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants will be present to showcase their culinary masterpieces for an elevated dining experience. Wine and dine until you are absolutely full and contented!

See more: Do not miss these beautiful islands when visiting Singapore

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Visit the best neighborhoods of Taipei

Visitors to Taipei often find themselves confined to their hotel’s neighborhood or the city’s most famous attractions. But Taipei is so much more than amazing temples, museums, and the one-time tallest building in the world. Here are five of the coolest neighborhoods to spend an afternoon away from the tourist masses.

Tianmu

Formerly home to United States Armed Forces personnel, Tianmu is one of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods and has the largest expatriate population in the region. It’s in this neighborhood that Taipei’s most famous international schools have their campuses and despite the high rents and house prices, it remains one of the most sought-after addresses in the city. Close to Beitou and Yangmingshan National Park, the area is also a melting pot of both local and foreign cultures.

Ximending

The weekend haunt of many of the city’s teenagers, Ximending is a shopping area and an interesting cultural experience rolled into one. Home to a huge number of shops catering to the fashion requirements of Taiwan’s younger generation, it’s not uncommon to see outfits that look like something from a cosplay convention on the neighborhood’s many pedestrianized streets.The area is full of restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels, cinemas, and even Karaoke clubs. There’s so much to do and see in Ximending that it’s a neighborhood well worth visiting.

Shida

Once home to one of the city’s busiest and most famous night markets, Shida neighborhood has quietened down in recent years due to complaints from the locals that live there. It is still a great place to find something to eat or take a walk through, visiting the small boutiques and stores that line the narrow alleyways.The proximity of the university and student halls of residence mean it’s a predominantly student crowd that visits the neighborhood and gives the area a multicultural vibe.

Gongguan

Just a short walk from Shida lies the neighborhood of Gongguan. It’s another student area but is much more vibrant than its quieter neighbor. Countless food stalls and hole-in-the-wall restaurants line the network of tiny streets and lanes in the local nightmarket. Like Xinmending, there are also plenty of places to eat out, a few bars (there’s even an Irish bar here), and two cinemas. Like Shida, the proximity of the main campus of NTU (National Taiwan University) lends the neighborhood a feeling of diversity.

Daan

Home to the city’s largest park, Daan is a district that has a reputation for housing some of Taipei’s best and most interesting restaurants. It’s here that the many locals and expats spend their Saturday and Sunday afternoons relaxing in one of the many cafés and restaurants on Yongkang Street.

The district is also home to a number of trendy bars serving the latest craft beers. But it’s quite possibly the many sights and sounds of Daan Park that makes this one of the most pleasant areas in the city.

See more: Things to do when traveling to Taipei, Taiwan

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Where to go shopping in Cebu, Philippines

Cebu, being a historic center of trade, can also be considered as a shopper’s paradise. The city offers a variety of shopping, from upscale malls with international brands to small stalls offering the best local products the island has to offer. And since it is almost the holidays, what perfect timing to know where to go to find the best bargain and shopping in Cebu.

Robinsons Galleria Cebu

One of the largest Robinsons shopping malls outside of Manila, Robinsons Galleria Cebu contains over 300 stores across 6 floors. While exploring the mammoth shopping complex, you will find boutiques, stores, restaurants and bars, including international brand-name stores such as True Value.
Naturally, there is also the Robinsons Department Store and Robinsons Appliances. The entertainment section of the complex is no less impressive, containing a 6-screen cinema. All of this is conveniently found just a stroll away from the Port of Cebu.

Ayala Centre Cebu

The six-storey complex, Ayala Centre, is an up-market mall with international street-fashion brands like Armani Exchange, Guess, Lacoste, Esprit. This is one of the major spot for clothes shopping in Philippines. The mall has two supermarkets, a modern department store, cinemas, health spas, restaurants and other stores.

Unitop

Unitop Enterprises Inc. is a store that sells almost everything and anything under the sun (except for grocery and food items). There are three branches here in Cebu, one in Osmeña Blvd., in Mandaue, and in Lapulapu. The store sells household essentials, kitchen items, electrical appliances, small furniture, decorations, clothing and other fashion items, toys, gadgets, and a whole lot more. Although some would question the quality of the products being sold here, it really is a one-stop-shop for all your needs, sold at a low price.

SM City Cebu

SM City Cebu is a huge shopping mall, easily among the biggest in the city in Philippines. The 4-storey complex comprises a large department store, a supermarket, over 500 shops and restaurants, cinemas (including an IMAX theatre) and a fully computerised bowling centre.

Many people come here to buy electronic items such as digital cameras, smartphones because of the unusually low prices. Even so, you will also find plenty of fashion, fragrances, healthcare items and food, among other items. The stores and brands tend to be around the mid-range, with a few big-name standouts also available.

Carbon Market

The Carbon Market has been operating for over 100 years and still offers great prices on a staggering range of goods. The wares available at this local market range from fresh meat and vegetables to clothing, home décor and religious items.

The market is relatively big, though you can hire a horse carriage to take you around. Also, there are food stalls and restaurants serving inexpensive local dishes until late afternoon. Large parts of the market are under metal roofing and, with little air circulation, it can get very stuffy and sweaty, especially in the midday heat – make sure you keep well hydrated!

See more: How to spend 2 days in Cebu, Philippines

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