NEWS

HutongsSpiralling out like a spider’s web from the old city of Beijing are the hutongs - a tangled warren of alleyways and dungeons built after Genghis Khan’s Mongol army razed Beijing to rubble in 1215. The hutongs are now lined with family-owned shops and siheyuan (traditional courtyard homes). Rickshaws and scooters rattle past while women gossip in the gateways and men play the popular Chinese tile game mahjong (viptourasia_china)

A spectacular Taoist festivalTaoist festivals don't get much bigger, brighter or more spectacular than Taiwan's Burning of the Wang Yeh Boats. Every three years in October or November, the southern port town of Donggang feasts and fetes a handful of Chinese gods for nine days before sending them off to heaven in a fiery blaze aboard a Chinese junk. (viptourasia_taiwan)

The KL Tower International JumpBrave or bonkers, base jumpers from 19 countries have parachuted into Malaysia to spend four days leaping 300m from the open deck outside Menara, Kuala Lumpur's 421m-tall communication tower.

From 27 to 30 September, nearly 100 jumpers with at least 100 previous jumps and a minimum of two years experience are taking part in the city's 12th annual KL Tower International Jump, where the art of launching yourself off tall things for kicks -- BASE -- stands for building, antenna, span (ie bridges) and earth (ie cliffs), with the use of a parachute. (viptourasia_malaysia)

The undiscovered jewel of the Philippines

The diving paradise of Apo Reefand the neighbouring town of Sablayan may just be the next big thing in Philippine tourism.(viptourasia_philippines)

Angkor’s Phnom Bakheng temple is a prime spot for sunset viewing, which results in tourists congregating on ancient sculptures and platforms.

Located in central Vietnam’s rugged Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Hang Son Doong might be the world’s largest subterranean cavern.

Thai city of temples, tuk tuks and temptations through the eyes of locals, visiting an authentic market, a restaurant with no menu, and more.

Vietnam might have been late to Southeast Asia’s beach party, but it was worth the wait.

The country has more than 3,400km of coastline, with infinite stretches of powdery sand, hidden coves, lovely lagoons, impossible boulder formations and tropical islands ringed with yet more beaches. Help! Too many choices!

Nha Trang

The heavyweight champion of Vietnam, Nha Trang has been knocking out visitors for years. True, the town is brazen and brash, but the beach is bold and beautiful and a gateway to a cluster of quieter islands.

Mui Ne

Set on a seductive swathe of sand, Mui Ne is an absolute charmer with swaying palms and towering dunes. Get pummelled on the beach by a masseur or pummelled by the waves with some water sports - this place blends action and inertia to perfection.

Phu Quoc

Simply the most beautiful island in Vietnam, Phu Quoc is liberally sprinkled with picture-perfect white-sand beaches and cloaked in dense, impenetrable jungle. Long Beach is sophisticated, Ong Lan Beach is romantic, and Bai Sao is simply irresistible.

Danang beach

OK, so we are using artistic licence with the name, but whether you call it My Khe to the north or Cua Dai to the south, it is all just one long, luscious stretch of sand. Try surfing off the shores of Danang or just pamper yourself at the resorts near Hoi An.

Con Dao

The Con Dao Islands have been protected from over-exposure by their isolated location off the coast. Enjoy it while it lasts, with their smattering of resorts and an overdose of idyllic beaches, as this is sure to be the next big thing in Vietnamese beaches.

Doc Let

While the rest of the world is sunning itself in Nha Trang, slip up the coast to this little teaser, home to some atmospheric resorts and some squeaky white sand; a place to get away from it all.

Ho Coc

Vung Tau to Phan Thiet is almost one long beach, but much of it remains mercifully inaccessible to the masses. Sample its potential with a retreat to Ho Coc, a glorious sandbar about midway along this stretch.