All by Alan Williams
With its rich history and mix of cultures, Melaka is one of Malaysia’s most popular destinations. Like most cities that rely heavily on tourism, it was hard hit by the Covid pandemic. Although it is well on the road to recovery, now is a good time to visit before the pre-pandemic crowds return. One of the best ways to explore this historic city is on foot.
A first-time visitor to Dhaka is likely to be mesmerised by the huge numbers of cycle rickshaws that ply the streets of Bangladesh’s crowded capital. In an age when rickshaws have largely disappeared from most Asian cities, they remain as popular here as ever. They give Dhaka a distinctive feel and are a vital means of transport for local people.
Kuala Lumpur’s historic Coliseum Café was preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2021. Instead, it announced it was closing permanently – a victim of the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdowns that kept customers away. It’s a sad end for a restaurant built at the height of British rule that retained its quirky colonial charm even as Malaysia changed around it.
Asia is blessed with many of the world’s greatest religious sites, some dating back centuries. While the finest of them enjoy near-universal acclaim, others are less well-known, and many people will have visited sites that mean something special to them. Here are 12 of the best to visit ranging from the famous to some lesser known.
Japan’s distinctive manhole covers are an unusual drawcard for visitors and locals alike. Thousands of decorated covers are found throughout the country. Most of them highlight the attractions of local cities, towns and districts, while others feature geometric designs or portray popular cartoon characters. Many are genuine works of art and well worth watching out for.
Langkawi is a tropical island waiting for the good times to return. The Malaysian resort island in the Andaman Sea has long been popular with international visitors. When foreign tourism resumes, it will have much to offer those keen to get close to nature and enjoy some peace and relaxation.
xyzAsia senior correspondent Alan Williams first visited Asia in 1973 on an overland backpacking trip from South Africa to Kathmandu. It was an era long before the internet or email. He wrote this account soon afterwards, with the trip fresh in his memory. He publishes it now with only minor changes, and without allowing himself the benefit of hindsight. This is the journey as he saw it at the time.
With international air travel still out of bounds for most people, many in Asia are turning to domestic getaways instead. But not all are comfortable with the idea of travelling by air domestically. Safety concerns are still putting some off. So what’s it like to take a domestic flight in Asia in the time of Covid-19? Our senior correspondent Alan Williams, who lives in Kuala Lumpur, decided to find out.
Singapore’s popular Night Safari has reopened after a four-month closure caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. With international tourism yet to resume, it will be a while before foreign travellers can again visit this attraction. But people planning a trip to Singapore at some time in the future may want to add it to their list of things to see. It’s been operating for more than 25 years and remains one of the country’s most popular attractions. It’s a user-friendly experience for older travellers.
Shaggy and hard-working, the yak plays an essential role in the lives of people on the high plateaus of the Himalayas. It’s a pack animal and important provider of milk, food and much else for communities across the far-flung region. Here are some facts about this distinctively Asian animal.
International travel won’t be the same after Covid-19. The attitudes of travellers will change, as will the circumstances they encounter on their journeys. How will older travellers in Asia be affected? We look at some of the changes they’ll face and the decisions they’ll have to make.
The East Malaysian state of Sabah, one of Asia’s great tropical rainforest destinations, is re-opening its domestic tourism industry. It will be a long time before international tourism resumes, but in the meantime the state can reflect on what kind of tourism it wants to promote in future. Should it keep pushing for high visitor numbers? Or should its main focus now be the strict protection of its precious environment?
The novel coronavirus pandemic is causing many older travellers to put on hold their plans to travel in Asia. People over 60 face the highest risk of dying if they contract the virus. But those who choose to stay at home can still find ways of giving rein to their wanderlust. Here are a few ways how.
As tropical Asia hurtles into the future, much of its colonial heritage is being lost. But reminders of those times are being preserved in the form of some fine old hotels that have been renovated and converted into luxury accommodation. They’re likely to appeal to anyone with an interest in Asia’s colonial history. We take a look at six of them. If staying there is beyond your budget, you can always go for a meal or a drink and take a look around.
Tokyo is surely one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting cities. The constant buzz of energy is one of its great attractions for visitors. Older travellers who want to set aside time to relax will be pleased to know that that the city also has many fine parks. They offer a chance to slow down and discover a different side to the Japanese capital. We take a look at three of the best parks in central Tokyo.
The stunning Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon inspires awe in almost anyone who visits it. It lies at the heart of the city, both geographically and spiritually, and its striking presence on the city skyline helps define Yangon in a way that few monuments in other cities can. The city’s rich history and vibrant present provide plenty of interest, not least for older travellers keen to learn more about the country’s distinctive culture and traditions.
