1Mar, 2023

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline. At its foot lies Dubai Fountain, with jets and lights choreographed to music.

Time in Dubai:

Dubai

33°

Fair

Feels like: 33°C
Wind: 21km/h SSE
Humidity: 30%
Pressure: 1013.21mbar
UV index: 8

MonTueWed

28/22°C
24/18°C
22/19°C

Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline. At its foot lies Dubai Fountain, with jets and lights choreographed to music. On artificial islands just offshore is Atlantis, The Palm, a resort with water and marine-animal parks.

Iconic Burj Al Arab, a sail-shaped hotel, is near the public Jumeirah Beach, a popular stretch of sand. Of the many enormous shopping centres, Dubai Mall has an Olympic-size ice-skating rink, while Mall of the Emirates features the indoor slopes of Ski Dubai. Prestigious international restaurants, and outdoor and building-top nightclubs abound. Traditional gold,

spice and textile souks are located around Dubai Creek, where Dubai’s past as a sleepy fishing village is on view in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, a restored quarter of late-1800s houses with wind towers, and at Dubai Museum, housed in the 18th-century Al Fahidi Fort.

When to visit

Most visitors arrive Oct–Apr when the weather is warm and dry. With a desert climate, temperatures soar in the summer (Jun–Sep).

Major events include the Dubai Shopping Festival (Jan–Feb);
Dubai International Jazz Festival,
Dubai Tennis Championships (both Feb–Mar);
The Dubai World Cup horse race (Mar–Apr);
The Dubai International Film Festival (Nov–Dec).
The major religious holidays are Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha (all dates vary) when some restaurants may close temporarily.

1Mar, 2023

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo (東京, Tōkyō) is Japan's capital and the world's most populous metropolis. It is also one of Japan's 47 prefectures, consisting of 23 central city wards and multiple cities, towns and villages west of the city center. The Izu and Ogasawara Islands are also part of Tokyo.

Time in Tokyo:

Tokyo

7°

Mostly Cloudy

Feels like: 7°C
Wind: 5km/h SE
Humidity: 23%
Pressure: 1018.63mbar
UV index: 0

MonTueWed

10/1°C
12/4°C
16/5°C

Tokyo, Japan’s busy capital, mixes the ultramodern and the traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples. The opulent Meiji Shinto Shrine is known for its towering gate and surrounding woods. The Imperial Palace sits amid large public gardens. The city’s many museums offer exhibits ranging from classical art (in the Tokyo National Museum) to a reconstructed kabuki theater (in the Edo-Tokyo Museum).

The old, narrow streets of the Asakusa district contain shops, women in kimono and the 7th-century Sensō-ji Buddhist temple. By contrast, Roppongi has lively nightclubs and karaoke bars, and Akihabara has high-tech electronics stores. Cozy Japanese-style pubs called izakaya are scattered throughout the city. The expansive Toyosu fish market is

known for its morning tuna auction. The Tokyo SkyTree tower offers expansive views of the city from its public observation deck. Tokyo is famed for its vibrant food scene, and its Shibuya and Harajuku districts are the heart of its trendy teen fashion culture.

When to visit

Tokyo is busy year-round. The climate is humid subtropical, with hot summers and mild winters.

Popular events are New Year’s Day, when shrines are quite crowded;
cherry blossom festivals (Apr) throughout the city;
the Sanja Matsuri (May), with parades of portable shrines; the Sumida River
Fireworks Festival (Jul);
the festivals of Obon (Aug),
a Buddhist holiday that celebrates ancestors; and Awa Odori (Aug), with parades around Koenji Station.

1Mar, 2023

Singapore, Singapore

Singapore, an island city-state off southern Malaysia, is a global financial center with a tropical climate and multicultural population. Its colonial core centers on the Padang, a cricket field since the 1830s and now flanked by grand buildings such as City Hall, with its 18 Corinthian columns.

Time in Singapore:

Singapore

26°

Light Rain with Thunder

Feels like: 29°C
Wind: 5km/h S
Humidity: 84%
Pressure: 1011.18mbar
UV index: 5

MonTueWed

31/25°C
30/25°C
30/25°C

Singapore, an island city-state off southern Malaysia, is a global financial center with a tropical climate and multicultural population. Its colonial core centers on the Padang, a cricket field since the 1830s and now flanked by grand buildings such as City Hall, with its 18 Corinthian columns. In Singapore’s circa-1820 Chinatown stands the red-and-gold Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, said to house one of Buddha’s teeth.

Other notable religious buildings include tranquil Lian Shan Shuang Lin Buddhist monastery, colourful Sri Mariamman Hindu temple and the massive Sultan Mosque. The neoclassical National Museum of Singapore contains exhibits on the city’s history and culture. There’s shopping at the giant malls on Orchard Road and stylish boutiques in Kampong

Glam. Sleek Marina Bay Sands SkyPark rises 200m above the water with sweeping city views. Little India offers colourful souvenirs. Arab Street is lined with fabric shops. Singapore is also known for an eclectic street-food scene, served up in Tiong Bahru and Maxwell Road.

When to visit

The weather’s warm and tropical year-round. Rainstorms are possible at any time, but rainfall usually peaks Nov–Dec.

Chinatown comes alive for Chinese New Year (varies Jan/Feb), celebrated with parades, lights and traditional lion dances, including at the large, multicultural Chingay Parade.
The Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix (Sep) is staged at the Marina Bay circuit.
There are music concerts and other events in the run-up to the race.

1Mar, 2023

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. Its modern skyline is dominated by the 451m-tall Petronas Twin Towers, a pair of glass-and-steel-clad skyscrapers with Islamic motifs. The towers also offer a public skybridge and observation deck. The city is also home to British colonial-era landmarks such as the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building.

Time in Kuala Lumpur:

Kuala Lumpur

30°

Fair

Feels like: 35°C
Wind: 14km/h WSW
Humidity: 67%
Pressure: 1009.14mbar
UV index: 6

MonTueWed

33/24°C
32/24°C
33/24°C

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. Its modern skyline is dominated by the 451m-tall Petronas Twin Towers, a pair of glass-and-steel-clad skyscrapers with Islamic motifs. The towers also offer a public skybridge and observation deck. The city is also home to British colonial-era landmarks such as the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building.

Kuala Lumpur is also known for its shopping and dining, with options ranging from large malls and contemporary restaurants to shophouses and food stalls. The Golden Triangle area’s Bukit Bintang district offers designer boutiques, luxury department stores and glitzy retail and entertainment complexes. Small, colorful shops dot Brickfields (Little India)

and Chinatown, whose art deco Central Market houses numerous craft sellers. Malaysian arts and history are on view at the National Museum and the Islamic Arts Museum. At the city’s northern edge is Batu Caves, natural limestone caverns housing Hindu temples.

When to visit

As a major city, Kuala Lumpur is a year-round destination,

It can be extra-busy (and many shops and restaurants close) during Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb, dates vary).
Towards the end of Ramadan (dates vary).
The tropical weather is hot and humid year-round. The rainy monsoon seasons are Apr–May & Oct–Nov, but rain is possible at any time.
Other key holidays include the Hindu festival of Thaipusam (Jan/Feb).

1Mar, 2023

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is a large city known for ornate shrines and vibrant street life. The boat-filled Chao Phraya River feeds its network of canals, flowing past the Rattanakosin royal district, home to opulent Grand Palace and its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple.

Time in Bangkok:

Bangkok

34°

Fair

Feels like: 39°C
Wind: 13km/h ENE
Humidity: 46%
Pressure: 1011.18mbar
UV index: 5

MonTueWed

30/25°C
30/23°C
32/24°C

Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is a large city known for ornate shrines and vibrant street life. The boat-filled Chao Phraya River feeds its network of canals, flowing past the Rattanakosin royal district, home to opulent Grand Palace and its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple. Nearby is Wat Pho Temple with an enormous reclining Buddha and, on the opposite shore, Wat Arun Temple with its steep steps and Khmer-style spire.

Traditional teak buildings like the Jim Thompson House and M.R. Kukrit’s House, both residences turned museums, contrast with the city’s skyline of modern high-rises. Shopping options range from the upscale mega-malls of the Ratchaprasong district to the thousands of tiny stalls at overflowing Chatuchak Weekend Market. The city’s renowned

food scene spans traditional street-cart snacks – spicy, sour, sweet and salty – to upscale international restaurants. Bangkok is also known for its exuberant nightlife, with venues ranging from swanky rooftop lounges to basic backpacker bars and nightclubs of the notorious Patpong district.

When to visit

Bangkok is a year-round destination, though most visitors arrive Nov–Feb when the weather is warm and relatively dry. Temperatures rise Mar–May, with rainy season May–Nov.

Major festivals include the celebrations for Songkran/Thai New Year (Apr),
Loi Krathong (Nov), the “festival of lights” that sees thousands of tiny candles launched in floats along the river.
Dec 5 marks the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Birthday as well as National Day and National Father’s Day.