News in Asia

Since July, 11, Hong Kong and Tianjin are connected by a new bullet train service. The new high-speed train needs about 10 hours to travel between the two destinations.

If you've run out of ideas where to go for vacation in Asia, look through Smart Travel Asia 'Top 2019 Holiday Destinations' list for inspiration. There is a choice indeed!

The annual Sea Festival will be held in Kampot province, Cambodia, in December, from 20th till 22th, the Ministry of Tourism announced last week.

AirAsia issued travel advisory recommending travellers who fly from Penang International Airport in Malaysia to arrive to the airport earlier to allow extra time for check-in formalities.

In a bid to promote rail tourism, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has recently launched a special luxury Majestic Tourist Train equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities and providing the high level of comfort for travellers.

Historical forts in Pune, India, may be transformed into heritage hotels, according to Maharashtra Tourism Ministry. 

An iconic landmark of Rishikesh, an almost centrury old 137 metre long iron suspension Laxman Jhula bridge will be replaced by a new modern bridge. The old bridge was closed on July, 12.

First ever monsoon festival will be held in Delhi this year. The Jahaz Mahal in Mehrauli area of South Delhi will host the event that will take place between August, 30 and September, 1.

Vietnam Airlines has added one more direct route to the South Korean city of Busan to their portfolio. The airline now flies direct between Danang, Vietnam and Busan, South Korea's second largest city. 

TripAdvisor has just updated their list of Top-25 amusement parks in Asia. Now you know where to head for thrill and fun.

Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism will continue developing eco-tourism and agro-tourism models in the province as they prove successful in boosting both domestic and international tourism in HCMC and around.

Nghe An, a province in north-central Vietnam bordering Laos and the Gulf of Tonkin, is planning to spend VND19 billion (USD818,000) on elephant conservation by 2025.

It's More Fun in the Philippines, the promotional slogan of the country says. Now it is given a deeper sense with the Philippines' focus on sustainable tourism that both attracts more tourists and helps protect amazing natural wonders of the archipelago. 

Thai Airways passengers will soon get an option of selecting preferred seats. Naturally, for a price.

According to the recently published Travel + Leisure's rating of the world's best islands, 5 out of 15 of them are located in Asia with the top–3 totally Asian this year. The list features several newcomers including the world's number 1 island. Can you guess it?

On October, 24, a spectacular Royal Barge Procession will be held on Bangkok's Chao Phraya River as part of the final procedure of the coronation ceremony of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.

Foreign visitors attending the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo the next year will be offered three-day railway passes.

A new flight simulator will be launched tomorrow in Tokyo DisneySea. It will allow visitors to feel as if they were flying over some of the world's most famous landmarks like the Great Wall of China or the Egyptian pyramids. Would you like to try it?

No more disposable toiletry kits for guests – starting from July 1, hotels in Shanghai stopped providing such kits by default. If you need one, you should ask for one – they are still provided for free but by request only.

Last week, Beijing Railway Administration launched Huairou to Miyun train. It is a themed train that will take you around Beijing's most interesting attractions.