Travel
Monday, 03 August 2009 09:08
Written by Urbanatomy

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Summer Sonic Festival By Claudia Alder
It’s the tenth Summer Sonic Festival in Japan this month. The annual festival boasts a mega line-up of over 100 local and international artists, so there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone, with headliners including Beyoncé, Ne-Yo, Linkin Park, Kasabian, Soulwax, Lady Gaga and Placebo, among many others. The event is held simultaneously in Osaka and Tokyo, with acts shared between the two cities. Full weekend tickets cost around RMB2,800, and individual day-passes range from RMB924 to RMB1,066. Rock on.

For more information and full line-up, visit www.summersonic.com.

 

The Yi Torch Festival By Jade Bremner
You’ll get a cultural feast on a trip to certain parts of China and Asia this month. The Yi people are an ethnic group found in Thailand, Vietnam and China, and reside in Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi. The Torch Festival is their most important celebration and falls this year on August 12-14. Torches burn for three days and nights to banish insects from the crops and locals celebrate by sacrificing pigs and cows during memorial ceremonies for their ancestors and singing, dancing and playing musical instruments around bonfires. Strangely The Torch Festival doubles up as a kind of Valentine’s Day as well and young people can select their partners during the celebration. The women will offer the lucky guy a bottle of alcohol and then eat sweets while he drinks.

 

Fairmont Gold, Beijing By Sarah WainmanThe Fairmont chain has finally turned their exceptional 5-star eye to China. Their newly opened Beijing hotel offers 222 contemporary Chinese guestrooms, including 24 suites, complete with striking floor-to-ceiling windows giving punters a ‘wow factor’ upon entrance. The architecture forms a gate to Beijing’s Central Business district, and acts as a beacon on the drab skyline; ideal for professionals looking for somewhere impressive to stay. Roof-gardens, chic restaurants and bars, plus a three-floor spa including a fitness center and yoga studio … hmmm, should do the trick.

www.fairmont.com/beijing

Kempinski Sanya By Dorothy Wang
This could be a luxury vacation that won’t break the bank. The Family Getaway package at Kempinski Sanya is RMB1,480 per room per night and includes all the perks of a tropical paradise resort and spa. Stay in a Deluxe Ocean View room; get round-trip airport transfers, complimentary breakfast and a Paulaner BBQ dinner, plus a 20 percent discount on watersports activities, 30 percent off spa treatments, and all day activities for the children. Oh … did we mention the private beach?

www.kempinski-sanya.com

Review – JW Marriot Hong Kong By Phil Boyle
After 20 years, JW Marriott in Hong Kong has finally refitted its rooms and reestablished itself as one of the slickest hotels in Central Hong Kong. The first Marriott hotel to open in Asia, it's situated right above Pacific Place shopping mall, with views across the Harbor. After you hit up the huge breakfast at Marriott Café, take a 10-minute walk to The Peak tram or swing by the Fish Bar near their outdoor pool (with underwater music!) It's all about the finer details.

For more information visit: www.jwmarriotthk.com or call 852 2810 8366

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