South East Asia Archives

Asia for beginners: why Singapore offers the perfect introduction

Singapore is often described as “Asia for beginners”, thanks to its accessibility, cleanliness and family-friendly attractions. But beyond the modern cityscape lies a fascinating cultural mix that reflects influences from across the region. A modern city with global influences Singapore is a clean, unthreatening modern…

An interactive map at the Singapore City Gallery.

Personal recommendations for a short break in Singapore

Feast on world-class hawker and Peranakan cuisine, explore the charming Katong area, and discover WWII history at the Battle Box on your Singapore break. Why visit Singapore Singapore is arguably the greatest food city on earth, and a time-honoured stopover on routes between Australia and…

The Thian Hock Keng Temple in Singapore's Chinatown.

Singapore’s Chinese heritage: migration, myth and modern Chinatown

The Chinatown Heritage Centre, Haw Par Villa and Thian Hock Keng Temple reveal the struggles and successes of Chinese migrants in Singapore. Singapore’s Chinatown Heritage Centre It’s the words of Loh Ah Kwai that stick in the head for weeks later. “When we first came…

A king cobra at the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute Snake Farm in Bangkok, Thailand.

Up close with king cobras at Bangkok’s snake farm

The Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute Snake Farm in Bangkok farms king cobras for antivenom - and puts on demonstrations for visitors. Too close to king cobras in Bangkok Ugh. His last films may have been cinematic travesties, but Indiana Jones certainly has the right idea…

Why plastic seats are the sign of a great Bangkok bar

Thailand’s capital is at its best when it’s cheap and international – and the best bars in Bangkok have plastic seats. People-watching in Bangkok’s bars The posh type on the next table is braying about how he used to be his school’s top dope dealer.…

Singapore City Gallery review: Urban planning gets interesting

Review of the Singapore City Gallery. See how the museum uses interactive displays and models to detail the city's extreme urban planning challenges. This review was expanded and updated in January 2026. The planning challenge of Singapore For those of us who spent abnormal amounts…

Visiting the Changi Chapel and Museum in Singapore: Transport, tickets and tips

The Changi Chapel and Museum tells the story of civilian and military life during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. This guide, updated in January 2026, explains how to get there by public transport, opening hours, ticket costs, and how to plan a meaningful visit. A…

A routine dose of torturing in Haw Par Villa's Ten Courts of Hell.

How to visit Haw Par Villa in Singapore — transport, tickets and tips

Haw Par Villa is one of Singapore’s most unusual attractions, a park filled with colourful statues and gruesome dioramas of Chinese folklore. This guide focuses on how to reach it by public transport, when to go, what it costs, and how to make the most…

Why Melaka is so much better by day than by night

Is Melaka better by day? I explore the historic architecture and culture that make daylight hours the best time for a visit. The colourful trishaws of Melaka The trishaw weaves through the narrow streets, adorned with as many flowers and spinning windmill contraptions as the…

6 lessons about tackling a tropical city learned in Kuala Lumpur

A stopover in Kuala Lumpur provides lessons for travelling to other tropical cities. There’s an argument for Kuala Lumpur being rather underrated. The Malaysian capital has a surprising amount to do in a 48 hour stopover – Bird Park, caves, big towers to clamber up…