7 Things You Didn't Know About the Holy Chalice of Valencia

The Best Weekend Getaways From Valencia

8 Romantic Spots to Impress a Date in Valencia

The Most Underrated Towns to Visit in Valencia

The History Of The Valencian Jardin Del Turia In 1 Minute

The Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Valencia

How To Attend a Valencia CF Match

10 Things You Didn't Know About Valencia FC

A Brief History of the Valencia Football Stadium

Learn about the city's local customs, traditions and festivals

Know Before You Go

15 Delicious Dishes Worth a Trip to Valencia For

Tasty Facts Behind Horchata, Valencia's Most Famous Drink

7 Books to Read Before a Trip to Valencia

Meet Raquel Rodrigo, the Designer Who Is Using Embroidery to Inject New Life Into Valencia's Streets

A Brief Introduction to Valencia's Thriving Orchestra Scene

An Introduction to Valencian Literature in 7 Writers

Everything You Need To Know About Paella

The 8 Best Museums In Valencia You Should Visit

These 6 Fashion Designers from Valencia Should Be on Your Style Radar

Immerse yourself in the city's lifestyle

Cultural Highlights

The Best Places to Buy a Second Home in Valencia

How to Spend 24 Hours in Valencia

10 Things to Know Before Visiting Valencia

How To Spend 48 Hours in Valencia

Welcome to Benimaclet: Valencia's Hottest Neighbourhood

A Solo Traveller's Guide to Valencia

The Best Boat trips From Valencia

Why You Need to Visit Valencia's Fisherman's Quarter Before it's Too Late

How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Valencia

Things to know before visiting

Travel Tips and Itineraries

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

Planning a vacation in Sin City in the Nevada desert? Here are Culture Trip’s suggestions for some of the top attractions in Las Vegas.

North America

Nevada

Las Vegas

20 Must-See Attractions in Las Vegas

We discover the ten best things you can do for free in one of the most exciting cities in the world – New York.

New York

New York City

The Essential NYC Guide: 10 Free Things To Do And See

We profile seven inspiring artists to emerge from New York City's Harlem Renaissance.

Harlem

7 Prominent Artists Of The Harlem Renaissance In NYC

Austin is home to a host of unique, can’t-miss experiences, from bat-watching boat tours and hipster honky-tonks to secret bars serving mezcal and breakfast tacos galore.

Texas

Austin

The 15 Best Experiences in Austin

Tackling New York City can be tough. That's why, here, we've rounded up the city's top 20 attractions. Consider your itinerary sorted.

19 Must-see Attractions in New York City

From undeveloped pools only accessible by foot to retreat-style commercial soaks, these are the most relaxing hot springs in Oregon.

Oregon

The 10 Most Relaxing Hot Springs in Oregon

San Francisco is full of well-kept secrets and bustling tourist attractions. See all that it has to offer during your next visit to the City by the Bay.

California

20 Must-Visit Attractions in San Francisco

This bite-sized overview of New Orleans' long history of Carnival celebrations demonstrates the city's commitment to keeping traditions alive.

Louisiana

A Brief History of Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Need some more ideas for brunch? Check out these top ten spots in Midtown, Manhattan – a hotspot for brunch food.

Manhattan

10 Brunch Spots in Midtown Manhattan, New York City

Only have a day to spend in Austin? We've got your 24 hours mapped out, including breakfast tacos, live music, and a unique wildlife experience.

How to Spend 24 Hours in Austin, Texas

Check out some of the best films based in the San Francisco Bay Area and you might learn a thing or two.

San Francisco

17 Famous Films Set In San Francisco

Read our guide to discovering the amazing flavours of local cuisine on your next trip to Valencia, Spain.

Where to Eat in Valencia: The Top 5 Food Experiences You Have to Try

It may be worthwhile to take yourself and your camera somewhere unusual and capture the beauty of NYC's hidden gems.

New York City's Most Unique Places to Photograph

Check out our guide for the best cheap hotels to stay in when you visit San Francisco.

The 10 Best Cheap Hotels in San Francisco

Historic, charming or blessed with scenic sunsets, these are the best beach towns to visit in Florida.

Florida

11 Beautiful Beach Towns in Florida That Aren’t Miami

Culture Trip explains everything you need to know about COVID-19, including its symptoms, where it has spread and how to protect yourself from infection.

Coronavirus Outbreak Explained and Travel Advice

From culture to cuisine, discover why China's central capital is the new place to visit.

12 Reasons You Should Visit Wuhan in China

From the rollercoasters of Disneyland to the stilt houses of Tai O, these are the 20 things that every visitor must see in Hong Kong.

20 Must-Visit Attractions in Hong Kong

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

China

Health & Wellness

Coronavirus Outbreak Explained and Travel Advice

Culture Trip explains everything you need to know about COVID-19, including its symptoms, where it has spread and how to protect yourself from infection.

Guides & Tips

12 Reasons You Should Visit Wuhan in China

See & Do

20 Must-Visit Attractions in Hong Kong