South Africans needing a break or holiday should look no further than alluring Asia, offering striking scenery, a smorgasbord of unique culinary experiences, and some of the most wonderful travel experiences.
Asia is one of the world’s top tourist destinations and, with direct flights from Johannesburg to Hong Kong resuming onboard Cathay Pacific, now’s the perfect time to visit the world’s largest and most diverse continent.
READ: 13 Asian countries South Africans can visit without a visa
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1. Venture off Thailand’s beaten tracks on a budget
Thailand is loved for its natural and cultural beauty and the facilities that make tourists feel welcomed and right at home. This country offers popular destinations like Bangkok’s cityscapes and Phuket’s popular beach scenes that continue attracting friend groups and honeymooners.
Swop pricey taxi and tuk-tuk rides for self-guided tours on foot for a closer view of local life. You can also shop by boat and bargain with local traders in one of Bangkok’s many floating markets, sample eclectic cuisine in the city’s Chinatown (one of the largest in the world), and sharpen your combat skills with an authentic Muay Thai lesson – Thailand’s national martial art – at a local gym or studio.
Picture: Cathay Pacific Airways
Cathay Pacific’s Regional Head of Trade and Sales for Middle East and Africa, Shanna Docherty, says, ‘Bangkok’s Koh Samui Island and Phuket’s Surin Beach are the ultimate NYE party destinations for travellers looking for a fun night out. For those looking for a quieter celebration, a relaxing and romantic ride along the Chao Phraya River offers all the stunning sights, sounds, and flavours of Thailand at a comfortable pace. Thailand has something for everyone.’
2. Engage all the senses in Hong Kong
Now that Hong Kong has dropped its COVID travel restrictions, travellers can visit at their leisure. Visitors can head to the bustling city of Hong Kong or use this as a gateway to travel to the rest of Asia if they choose.
Hong Kong doesn’t disappoint regarding food, entertainment, art, and other travel experiences. Some of the city’s most authentic cuisine can be found in Kowloon’s Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, and Yau Ma Tei districts. You will find scintillating street good dishes like curry fish balls, egg waffles, and meat skewers there. You may even want to try the notorious Stinky Tofu, a Chinese delicacy that gets its pungent aroma from fermentation.
Picture: Cathay Pacific Airways
Stick around for A Symphony of Lights on the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, a dazzling display of light and sound that takes place at 8 pm every night at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. Families looking for a fun day trip will also enjoy the Ocean Park theme park situated on the southern side of Hong Kong – just be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as there are about 915,000 square meters of the park to cover! Once the little ones’ legs tire out, be sure to check out Ngon Ping 360, an incredible gondola cable car experience and the longest bi-cable ropeway in Asia at 5.7km long. Situated on Lantau Island, the cableway ride offers breathtaking views of the island over 400 metres above sea level.
3. Take a trek through incredible Indonesia
The further travellers venture away from Indonesia’s most popular tourist attractions, the more unique their travel experiences become. Java is often overlooked for its more popular neighbour, Bali, but the Tumpak Sewu Waterfall in Java is widely regarded as the most beautiful in all of Indonesia. Sumatra Island also promises unique experiences like orangutan trekking in the Gunung Leuser National Park.
If Bali is a must in your book, Denpasar’s Pasar Madung Market is an open-air shopping destination that offers groceries, souvenirs, and the chance to mingle with the locals.
Picture: Cathay Pacific Airways
Ubud is another great destination to consider if you enjoy hiking through lush green forests and mountain capes – the Campuhan Ridge Walk is a great example of this. A visit to the sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary while in Ubud is also recommended, allowing animal lovers to experience primates up close and learn about the need to protect this beautiful species.
Visit www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_ZA/destinations.html to explore and book more stunning destinations in Asia and worldwide.
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