Political unrest, protests and a pandemic — it’s an understatement to say that Hong Kong has had a difficult time lately. But the city is waiting with open arms: hotels have been gearing up for tourists to return, adding new restaurants and revamping facilities, and there are stacks of new attractions, too, from micro-parks to gigantic museums. Thanks to its excellent and affordable transport system, Hong Kong’s puzzle of scenery and skyscrapers is a breeze to get around, but each neighbourhood has its own distinct identity: financial districts Central and Admiralty are all glitz and glamour, while nearby Wan Chai retains a gritty, urban feel. North Point, meanwhile, feels like the Hong Kong of 40 years ago and is a top spot for food-lovers. Kowloon, too, has no shortage of great places to stay, from five-star sky palaces to art-led hotels with rooftop pools. Venture further to the more peaceful Outlying Islands, and you’ll discover a whole other world again.
Best for social butterflies
MANDARIN ORIENTAL, HONG KONG
There are many reasons the Mandarin Oriental has been topping the world’s best hotels lists for nearly seven decades, but one is its location in Central, where it sits at the heart of the city, both geographically and socially. The lobby is a spectacle: lashings of black marble, opulent chandeliers, magnificent artworks, smart businesspeople brokering deals and others clip-clopping to the superb spa. Rooms exude contemporary Asian luxury — thick Chinese rugs, golden silks, rosewood panelling — and, this year, there’s a slick new club lounge. Also new is The Aubrey, a madly exciting bar with maximalist interiors inspired by the 19thcentury European craze for Japanism.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July - August 2021 من National Geographic Traveller (UK).
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July - August 2021 من National Geographic Traveller (UK).
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Dianne Whelan
THOUGH NOT A SEASONED HIKER TO BEGIN WITH, THE FILMMAKER BECAME THE FIRST PERSON TO COMPLETE THE WORLD'S LONGEST TRAIL NETWORK
NIGERIA
The country's many communities come together over hearty meals with plenty of heat
Katie Hale
A VOYAGE TO THE GREAT WHITE CONTINENT IS BOTH A DREAM COME TRUE AND A CALL TO ARMS, TO PROTECT OUR ICY POLES AND, IN TURN, OUR PLANET
WILTSHIRE
BEYOND THE MAIN ATTRACTION OF STONEHENGE, WILTSHIRE HAS EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE ANCIENT SITES, GIANT CHALK HORSES AND COSY PUBS IN HISTORIC VILLAGES
BATH
Thermal baths and Regency heritage have put this Somerset city firmly on the travel map - and this year the spotlight will be on former resident and literary great Jane Austen, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of her birth
GRANADA
In this Andalucian city, flamenco is an art form as well as a way of life not just for traditional dancers and singers but also for hip-hop stars, classical guitar legends and street artists
India's Golden Triangle
LINKING DELHI, THE TAJ MAHAL AND THE PINK CITY OF JAIPUR, WITH DETOURS FOR TEMPLES AND TIGERS, THIS IS THE PERFECT ROUTE FOR FIRST-TIMERS. WORDS: POOJA NAIK
FORGED BY FIRE
A SUBTROPICAL ISLAND IN THE ATLANTIC, MADEIRA HAS RUGGED VOLCANIC MOUNTAINS THAT RISE ABOVE THE CLOUDS, NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS DOWN AT SEA LEVEL AND MORE THAN 1,900 MILES OF HISTORIC AQUEDUCTS TRACING THE LANDSCAPES IN BETWEEN
ADRIFT IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
A KAYAKING EXPEDITION THROUGH NORWAY'S LOFOTEN ISLANDS OFFERS WHITE-SAND BEACHES, ROYAL ENCOUNTERS AND THE CHANCE TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER VIKING
the RETURN
ON A PRIVATE GAME RESERVE IN SOUTH AFRICA'S KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, AN UNLIKELY CREATURE IS MAKING A TENTATIVE COMEBACK - AND VISITORS ARE OFFERED A GLIMPSE INTO THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS TO SAVE IT AND OTHER NATIVE WILDLIFE
