Shanghai

Yangtze Boutique Hotel

740 Hankou Road, Shanghai
+86 21 6080 0800

Boutique hotels have been opening all around the world recently, and even a hotel group with as long a history as the langham has followed suit with the opening of The langhm Yangtze Boutique. located in a 70-year-old building right by nanjing Road Pedestrian street, its 96 rooms and suites have a nostalgic art-deco design flavour. The restrooms are one-third of the size of the rooms and equipped with a TV and a stereo system. From now until 31 August, guests can stay at the hotel for RMB1,900, with free breakfast, cocktails and broadband internet.

Seoul

Prada Transformer

1-126 Sinmunno-2ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul (next to Gyeonghui Palace)
www.prada-transformer.com

The long-anticipated Prada Transformer has made its grand debut in seoul. The shape-shifting exhibition centre’s first few shows include: Waist Down – Skirts by Miuccia Prada (ended 24 May), Cinema (from 26 june), which sees Babel director Alejandro gonzález iñárritu hand-picking movies, and Beyond Control, where contemporary artists will display their work (from 30 july).

Beijing

The Meat & Wine Co

23 Qian Men Dong Da Jie, Beijing
+86 10 6512 1761

The south African-based steakhouse The Meat & Wine Co has finally entered Asia recently with the opening of an Asian flagship restaurant in Ch’ien Men 23, one of the trendiest sectors in Beijing. The premium quality meat has been carefully selected and matured according to the company’s own in-house standards – which includes using only cows that are bred naturally with no preservatives. While the meat is aged to perfection, the seafood is kept fresh – nothing stays in for over 24 hours. Throw in the gorgeous wine gallery hallway, and this is a dazzling dining experience.

Bangkok weekender

By Chanchana Bhiboolnakrin
Solution Architect, SAP Thailand

On Friday evenings i stay close to my office to shake off the working week. sortel (narathiwas Road, between soi 15 and 17) is a favourite for its tasty food and mellow tunes. Otherwise, i head to the street beneath the Ekkamai-Ram-intra Expressway where the karaoke restaurants are to be found. saturday might be spent catching new flicks or shopping at either siam Paragon or Chatuchak. The first is a department store selling brand names; the latter is the so-called weekend market for foreigners. in the afternoon, if i have foreign friends visiting we’ll go to an eatery along the Chao Phraya River. i like the River Bar next to the Krung Thon Bridge. The Kaeng som Cha Om prawn and spicy soup is fantastic; raise a glass and settle back to enjoy the view. sunday is a family day, so we might journey to Banglumpoo, a local market, to buy food to offer to the monks of the nearby Wat Borvornnivek and Wat Chanasongkram temples. alternatively, we might go for brunch at the Landmark Hotel (138 sukhumvit Road, +66 (0) 2254 0404), which is known for its chocolate fountain. Often there’s a ‘Come 4, Pay 2’ promotion on.

Xiamen afterhours

By Adele Kirkby-Clark from Wox Team
www.whatsonxiamen.com

If you are in the mood for Western cuisine it does not come any better than JJ’s Bar and Grill (3 storefront, Houhai Hall, Haiwan Park). Located on the seafront of Haiwan Park, the outdoor dining area has a view to die for. To indulge in up-market Chinese cuisine, follow the hordes of locals heading to Jiali seafood Restaurant (625 Xianyue Road, +86 592 8069 420). The combination of the freshest seafood and impeccable service makes it a dining experience not to be forgotten.

Stroll along Xiamen’s famous Coffee street by the bank of Yundang Lake, where Geo Geo (3 Yuandang Rd, +86 592 532 3111) and The Coffee Club (Jixiang Jiayuan, 1-10 Jianye Lu, +86 592 531 2246) offer a great relaxing atmosphere for both indoor and outdoor drinks. Guanrenlu Bar street is the place to enjoy a quiet evening drink with a cosy ambience. This secluded back alley situated behind the Marco Polo Hotel has the enchanting feel of a European bar street, and is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of Xiamen.

The Key (Xiang Xie Li she 2 Qi, Haiwan Park, Hu Bin Xi Rd, +86 592 220 4000) is a cultural melting pot . The high energy atmosphere and communal seating make it a great place to meet new people. Or, if you want to party Chinese-style, 1801 (473 storefront, Hu Bin nan Rd) is the place for you.

Bangkok we love

The best places to tuck in to afternoon tea in the Thai capital

By Helen Dalley Photography by Nana Chen

From the gleaming white rattan furniture to the dark sepia prints, the author’s lounge in the Mandarin Oriental provides a traditional backdrop for afternoon tea (2–6pm, from THB880 per person, 48 Oriental avenue, +66 2 659 9000). The menu includes smoked salmon on caraway whole wheat, marbled butter cake, plus plain or raisin scones. Diet-conscious travellers should consider the Banyan Tree’s light High Tea (1-5pm, from THB350 per person, 21/100 south sathon Road, +66 2 679 1200). Diners can feast on sweet delights such as fruit tartlets, muesli cookies and low-fat chocolate brownies without feeling too guilty. Book the Peninsula’s Traditional afternoon Tea in advance to bag a window seat which affords fantastic views out to the Chao Phraya River (3-6pm, from THB880 per person, 333 Charoennakorn Road, Klongsan, +66 2 861 2888 ext 6402).

Asia three of a kind

Art/gallery cafés beloved by art lovers in Asia

Manila

604 CAFE GALLERY

604 Remidios Street, Manila
+63 2 303 7355

A funky little place with pillows on the floor and local art on the walls, its relaxing and bohemian atmostphere is a long-time favourite of Filipino writers, musicians and artists.

Taipei

Somebody gallery cafe

2/F, 131 Xining South Road
+886 02 2311 2371

No matter if you want to buy a couple of designers’ work and browse the latest exhibition on the second floor, or just enjoy a cup of coffee on a lazy afternoon on the third floor, you can always find something interesting in somebody Gallery Cafe. They also hold small-scale live gigs and other stage performances from time to time.

Beijing

At cafe

Art Factory 798, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Dashanzi
+86 10 5978 9942

This cosy modern coffee house owned by artist Huang Rui is situated in the cultivated surroundings of art Factory 798. serving excellent illy coffee, cakes and with wireless internet, it’s a great place for art lovers to hang out.

Space

The National Art Center, Tokyo

Covering 48,000 square metres, Japan’s largest museum features a striking curved glass frontage by architect Kisho Kurokawa