On one of my recent visits to Beijing I decided to stay at the Hutong area near Confucius Temple. It was a wonderful area, filled with local alley magic and temple shops, but it wasn’t all Confucian. In that area
Shibuya Crossing – Tobacco and Salt Museum : Tokyo
In one of my favorite movies of all time – Lost in Translation – the Shibuya Crossing represents all that’s different and overwhelming about the Tokyo experience. The neon lights, the gigantic rail station in the back, and the hordes
Meigetsuin Temple : Kamakura Japan
The last temple in my Kamakura temple run on my daytrip away from Tokyo is the Meigetsuin Zen Temple dating back to the 12th century. A very tranquil temple surrounded by green forest trees in what feels like a true
Beijing Hutongs : Fangjia, Nanluoguxiang and Wudaoying
The Beijing Hutongs are alley-ways all across Beijing that represent a traditional disappearing way of life. During my first visit to Beijing I stayed in a five star hotel near Tiananmen square completely disconnected from local life, so for the
Engakuji Temple : Kamakura Japan
One of the largest Zen Buddhist temples in Japan and situated in a gorgeous forested area in the lovely Kamakura, a day trip from Tokyo, is the Engaku-ji Temple. The temple dates back to the 13th century and is a
Tianning Temple Pagoda : Beijing
A couple of blocks south from the White Cloud Temple in Beijing is the Tainning Temple which is most famous for its huge 12th century pagoda, which at the time would have enabled visitors to see very far away into
White Cloud Temple : Beijing
Lots of religious worship sites around Beijing. I previously visited a Confucian temple and a large Buddhist temple next to it – Yonghegong. While Cloud Temple is a good example of a Daoist temple in Beijing. Dating back to the
Design in Motion : Hong Kong Design Institute
The Hong Kong Design Institute is one of the most interesting buildings I’ve seen in Hong Kong, and just next to my apartment complex at Tiu Keng Leng at the Tseun Kwan O area in eastern Hong Kong. It’s devoted
Tin Hau & Lin Fa Kung Temples : Tai Hang
Down in the back alleys of Tai Hang area near Tin Hau MTR station are a few temples, dedicated to some of the most popular Gods in Hong Kong. Tin Hau needs no introduction, definitely – by far – the
He Xiangning Art Museum : Shenzhen
Shenzhen is trying hard to push for more art with dedicated art zones throughout the city. OCT Loft Contemporary Art Terminal is one fine example. But that’s relatively new, prior to that, not too far away also in the Overseas