The 10 Best Hotels Near Shanghai’s Former French Concession

20 Must-Visit Attractions in Hong Kong

The 15 Must-Visit Attractions in Beijing

China, Asia travel guide

Education

Culture & Arts

Food

Attractions

Entertainment

Drink

Transport

Outdoors

Adventure

Wellness

Picture Hong Kong and the first thing that springs to mind is its skyline: a condensed sprawl of skyscrapers soaring over Victoria Harbour, backdropped by verdant hills. Behind its urban exterior, however, is a region that remains deeply connected to and proud of its distinctive culture, which blends Chinese, British and indigenous influences.

Each of Hong Kong’s neighbourhoods, districts and islands has a personality of its own. Kowloon serves up sprawling markets and fascinating museums, while high-end Hong Kong Island offers endless options for shopping, drinking and dining. The outlying islands of Lamma and Cheung Chau give off a more laid-back, artsy vibe, and those craving nature should look no further than the hiking hotspot of Tung Lung Chau Island.

Introducing Hong Kong

With everything from top-notch restaurants to delicious street food, Hong Kong’s renowned cuisine is reason enough to visit. To eat as the locals do, tuck into Cantonese noodles and roast meat, or stack up dim sum dishes and wash them down with fragrant tea. 

There are some must-dos on any Hong Kong trip: riding the historic Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour; practising the ancient art of tai chi; browsing the Mong Kok markets; visiting the region’s temples and monasteries; watching horse racing in Happy Valley; and experiencing traditional Cantonese opera at Sunbeam Theatre. Vibrant festivities take place year-round, from the Mid-Autumn Festival (also known as the Mooncake Festival) to the Lunar New Year.

The best of Hong Kong culture

Hong Kong neighbourhoods

Beijing, China’s sprawling capital city, is where the country’s long history of dynastic rule meets its ambition to become a high-tech giant. This dynamic plays out in the city’s architecture; ultra-modern structures built for the 2008 Olympics jar with the temples, palaces and hutongs (narrow alleyways) that have defined Beijing for centuries.

With six UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Temple of Heaven and the enormous complex of palaces that make up the Forbidden City, Beijing thrums with imperial history. Many visitors use it as a base from which to explore the Great Wall of China; Badaling, the most frequented and best-known section of the wall, is within easy reach of the city.

Introducing Beijing

It might be the epicentre of Chinese history, but today Beijing is the country’s capital of cool. Former brothels are now stylish coffee shops, traditional hutongs house tiki bars and microbreweries, and a revolving carousel of works at the achingly trendy 798 Art Zone places the city comfortably at the forefront of modern Chinese art. 

While new restaurants routinely pop up all over, the best of Beijing’s cuisine can be sampled at its old-school hotpot and Peking-duck restaurants. As China’s cultural capital, Beijing also serves up a superb showcase of traditional entertainment, including Peking-opera playhouses and breathtaking acrobatic shows at Chaoyang Theatre.

Beijing culture

Beijing neighbourhoods

China’s business and financial centre, Shanghai appears to be throwing itself headfirst into the future, with soaring superstructures, opulent shopping malls and the world’s fastest commercial train zipping back and forth from Shanghai Pudong International. Peel your eyes away from the skyline, though, and you’ll see a different side to the city.

To experience real Shanghainese culture, take a stroll along traditional longtang, narrow residential lanes peculiar to Shanghai; tuck in to skewered quail in Qibao Town; watch elderly local residents play cards in Fuxing Park or practise tai chi as the sun rises; and attend a marriage market in People’s Square.

Introducing Shanghai

Visiting Shanghai is a true East-meets-West experience. Buddhist temples, classical gardens and the Old City offer a taste of traditional Chinese culture, while periods of European and American occupation have transformed China’s ‘City on the Sea’ into an international metropolis. The Bund, Shanghai’s busy waterfront on the Huangpu River, is lined with historic buildings of numerous architectural styles that include Art Deco, Renaissance Revival and Neo-Classical. Western influence is apparent in areas such as the former French Concession (FFC), whose tree-lined boulevards, bijou bistros and hip boutiques give the area a distinctly Parisian character.

Shanghai culture

Shanghai neighbourhoods

Things to do

Food & Drink

Places to stay

Small Belgium is jam-packed with traveler musts, ranging from urban explorer havens to a plethora of medieval landmarks.

Europe

Belgium

20 Must-Visit Attractions in Belgium

Explore three of the most significant and historically representative urban ruins in Belgium.

The Most Captivating Historical Sites in Belgium

The Belgian capital may be best known for its beer and bureaucracy, but the city has also played a central role in much of Europe’s history

Brussels

Uncover the Hidden History of Brussels

We take you through the very best of Belgium's jam-packed festival calendar, month by month, season by season.

The Ultimate Guide to Belgium’s Music Festivals

From trenches to cemeteries, discover the five best places to explore Ypres’s brutal World War I past.

The Top World War I Sites in Ypres, Belgium

Wars come and go, but the Abbaye de Forest is still standing, or at least a part of it is. Find out all there is to know with our guide.

Germany

Cologne

The History of Belgium’s Abbaye de Forest in One Minute

Historic rulers, leading intellectuals and silver-screen stars: we cover 13 notable cultural and historic figures with Belgian roots.

13 Famous People From Belgium You Should Know

From 'bomma' (grandmother) to 'goesting' (feeling the urge to do something), Flemish has some top-notch words you should definitely know about.

11 Beautiful Words to Make You Fall in Love with the Flemish Language

Home to a famed World War II battlefield and the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, the Ardennes has riveting stories to tell at these noteworthy museums.

A Guide to the Museums of the Ardennes Region, Belgium

A curated pick of the top 10 quick escapes from the city of Brussels!

10 Quick Escapes From Brussels

Read about the brief history of the Koekelberg Basilica, and how this record breaking church is an outstanding architectural gem in Brussels.

The History of Belgium’s Koekelberg Basilica in One Minute

Read our guide to the most picturesque towns in Belgium, beyond Brussels and Brugges

The 10 Most Picturesque Towns In Belgium

A look at the Belgian capital's standout architectural accomplishments, from Victor Horta's Art Nouveau mansions to a glazed arcade ahead of its time.

An Architecture Lover’s Guide to Brussels

Explore the top ten most interesting facts about Belgian frites and the secrets behind this famed national dish.

10 Things You Didn't Know About Belgian Fries

We highlight 20 must-visit attractions in Antwerp, Belgium's second-biggest city that smoothly blends the old with the new.

19 Must-Visit Attractions in Antwerp

Headed to Shanghai’s Former French Concession? Check out these top hotels in the area, all bookable with Culture Trip.

From the roller coasters of Disneyland to thousands of Buddhas, these are the 20 things that every visitor must see in Hong Kong.

Wondering what to do Beijing? Have a look at our guide to the best that the city has to offer.

The Best Travel, Food and Culture Guides for China, Asia - Local News & Top Things to Do

China

Places to Stay

The 10 Best Hotels Near Shanghai’s Former French Concession

Headed to Shanghai’s Former French Concession? Check out these top hotels in the area, all bookable with Culture Trip.

See & Do

20 Must-Visit Attractions in Hong Kong

See & Do

The 15 Must-Visit Attractions in Beijing