Asia
You’ve probably heard all kinds of words that describe Asia, from “enchanting” to “mind-blowing,” but from a travel perspective, we prefer “ever-changing.” Elements of Tokyo from the 2000s or Hong Kong from the 1990s may remain, but go several years between trips to the continent and you’ll feel major differences at the city, country, and continent levels. The culprit for this change is the growing influence of younger generations, many of whom have been exposed to Western lifestyles while in school or via American pop culture. In this culturally rich section of the world, their penchant for more open lifestyles than the generations preceding them has yielded vast changes in social norms – while also making their cities and countries more attractive to foreigners. From the growing economic influence of China to the growing popularity of countries like Singapore and Thailand, Asia stands to continue benefiting from global intrigue as a travel destination.
Tokyo
A mega-city if ever there was one, the 38 million people living in Tokyo can attest to its enormity. But what makes Tokyo unique isn’t its sheer size, but its surprising ability to make the world seem small; walk down that alleyway, go up (or down) those stairs, or set foot inside that door. You’ll know what we’re talking about when you visit.
Singapore
The city-state ranks as one of the most visited places in the world – second in Asia, behind Hong Kong – and there are enough sights, shops, and English speakers to ensure that Singapore’s prominence among global travel destinations will only continue to rise.
Shanghai
If you’d like to better understand modern China, Shanghai may be your best bet. Here’s a short list of what to expect: a diverse economy where both a major port and a major tech boom exist, an incredible skyline that seems to grow larger and taller by the season, a robust public transit system, electric motorbikes aplenty, malls packed with both shops and many of the city’s best restaurants, and, of course, cameras keeping a close eye on all the comings and goings. Shanghai isn’t just a look at China, but a glimpse of the future.
Featured Localeurs in Asia
Eugene Kan, Hong Kong
Christina Chintanaphol, Bangkok
