Fiona Mai

Affectionately known as ‘Ha Long Bay on Land’, Ninh Binh or – more specifically the small riverside town of Tam Coc – is a jewel in Vietnam’s already crowded travel crown. Enjoying a Coffee and Pastry at the Famous Metropole Hotel in Hanoi Suggested by Julie from The Red Headed Traveler Anyone who’s read Graham Greene’s The Quiet American knows that a pilgrimage to the Sofitel Metropole, a legendary grand dame of hotel royalty if there ever was one, is a requisite stop during a visit to Hanoi, especially since for most travelers, having enough đồng to stay there is out of their reach (at least that’s how it was for me when planning my time in the Vietnamese capital). One of my best travel experiences in Vietnam is definitely reaching Lung Cu Flag Tower, which is the country’s northern-most point.

Unlike other love markets in Asia where young people look for dating partners, marriage markets in China are dominated by parents who gather to find potential spouses for their children. Traditionally, there are unofficial “milestones” in life that people expect you to reach, like getting married at 25 years old, having children by the age of 27, and buying a house before reaching 30. Furthermore, marriage markets in China nowadays allow people to maintain the age-old customs of match-making and arranged marriages. Now that you’ve understood the reasons people take part in marriage markets in China, you may also guess why the Shanghai Marriage Market is one of the country

While Shanghai is renowned for its mesmerizing skyscrapers and modern buildings, it’s the narrow alleys with decrepit old houses that nourish the city’s soul. I could look inside a local butcher’s home for instance, notice traditional Chinese decorations on people’s doors, or simply watch the locals going about their daily life. Learn more about Shanghai’s culture and history at Duolun Road Dubbed as the Cultural Celebrities Street of Shanghai, Duolun Road is where some of China’s most well-known cultural figures, including Lu Xun, Ding Ling and Qu Qiubai, used to dwell over 100 years ago. Stephanie’s local insights came in handy as she recommended where to visit and what to see based on our requests to explore local life in Shanghai.

If you’re looking for a Seoul Free Walking Tour with enthusiastic local guides who take you out for lunch, chat with you excitingly like a long-lost friend and eagerly help you take photos while ensuring you’ve got the best pose, READ ON! SeoulMate offers cool & offbeat tours you can find nowhere else Most Seoul free walking tours take you to as many major attractions as possible with little time spent at each place. During my Seoul free walking tour with SeoulMate, the guides took us to the Gwangjang market in Jongno – one of the best alternative Seoul attractions for curious travellers. Taking a Seoul free walking tour with them is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture, discover hidden gems not found in travel guidebooks as well as enjoy mouth-watering Korean food the way locals do.