Things to Do in Asia

Less than a half-mile off the south coast of Singapore, Sentosa Island presents itself as an ideal family outing brimming with activities both kid-friendly and adult-approved. Reconstructed for entertainment in the 1970s after a long military past, the island contains enough varied attractions to easily fill a full day. From water parks and miles of beaches to niche museums, with 14 world-class resorts mixed into the fray, it's no wonder the island draws nearly 20 million visitors each year.

Towering over the former city hall building, Seoul's sleek, 13‐story City Hall, the current residence of city government, is an architectural wonder that only opened for business in 2012. A wander through the wave‐shaped building leads past a seven‐story vertical garden, down a spiral staircase and into the basement where an exhibition hall showcases Gungisi artifacts such as arrowheads unearthed during the construction of the new City Hall. Back on the first floor, an art installation representing modern and past Seoul, bubbles up along the building’s glass‐paned front. Several gift shops and cafés also pepper the property.

Shamian Island (literally translated as “Sandbar” Island), a 44-acre sandbank separated from Guangzhou by a canal, was given as a concession to the French and British governments after the First Opium War in 1841. The island quickly grew into a prosperous expat enclave where trading companies from Europe, the United States and Japan came to do business.

The stone mansions, churches, yacht club and sporting venues drew the envy of Guangzhou residents, who didn’t even have paved roads until the early 1900s. Local Chinese authorities restricted traders to the small area and forbade them from learning Chinese or bringing over their children and wives.

Today, many of the colonial mansions have been restored to their former glory, and the island, now partly pedestrianized, is home to a series of bars, cafes and boutique shops. The neo-gothic Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church has reopened for worshippers in recent years and is worth a visit; along with the riverfront area along the Pearl River in the center of the island where locals come to fish or practice tai chi.

Nicknamed “College Street” for Seoul National University, Seoul Daehangno is Seoul’s theater and arts district. The university has since moved, but the neighborhood with its parks and cultural arts centers remains. On weekends, Maronnier Park transforms into a large outdoor performing arts space for Seoul’s youth. Local and international performances of all types are held in the 40 or more theaters in the area.

Notable venues include the Batangol Art Center, Dongsung Art Center and the Literary Arts Hall. Each venue will have posters plastered on the walls outside advertising what’s currently showing, so even if you don’t speak Korean, you’ll be able to get a decent idea of what’s on offer. Before you catch a show, stop in to one of the area’s many small cafes and eateries for some traditional Korean food.

During the early summer months, Seoul Daechangno hosts the Seoul Theater Festival, with the Seoul Performing Arts Festival following in autumn. Both events put on dozens of performances, mostly in Korean, but occasionally in English as well.