art Archives - Asian Itinerary https://asianitinerary.com/tag/art/ Travel, Holiday, Adventure Wed, 14 Oct 2026 13:28:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 The GALLERY at Meliá Pattaya Hotel Supports Thai Artisans https://asianitinerary.com/melia-pattaya-the-gallery-boutique-thai-artisans/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=melia-pattaya-the-gallery-boutique-thai-artisans Wed, 14 Oct 2026 13:28:30 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=72424

Meliá Pattaya Hotel in Thailand has opened a new boutique to showcase the wares of talented Thai designers, artists and craftspeople in support of artistic development for children and youth. Organized as a social enterprise, The GALLERY connects local artisans with a wider audience through a thoughtful collection of Thai-made gifts, handicrafts, home décor, wellness products and souvenirs. All profits from The GALLERY boutique at the hotel are reinvested to support artistic development for children and youth by helping to create opportunities for a new generation to foster Thai creativity and preserve local craftsmanship. “We’d like our guests to have an opportunity to discover meaningful products carrying stories that celebrate Thailand’s communities and their fascinating traditions and creativity,” said Meliá Pattaya Hotel’s general manager Alexander Lopez. Among The GALLERY’s diverse offerings are products by DAWOOD Voyage Travel Souvenirs, whose craftspeople create intricate tuk-tuk souvenirs from sustainable wood that evoke one of Thailand’s most recognisable modes of transport. The collection also encompasses wellness and aromatic products from Mesook Farm (Agarwood Farmer Group), including jasmine and lemongrass-scented massage body oils and aroma wood, along with ceramics, decorative pieces and other locally crafted gifts. Also represented is Maison Craft in Thailand, which experiments with weaving materials and techniques as part of efforts to keep distinctive folk crafts and traditional skills relevant for generations to come. “It is rewarding for our team to provide a platform for Thai artisans and contribute to opportunities for children and young people to develop their artistic potential and continue craftsmanship handed down the generations,” said Lopez. “Together, the products illustrate The GALLERY’s focus on items with purpose and provenance, giving hotel guests the opportunity to take home a tangible connection to Thailand and support the people and skills behind each piece.” Based on the mission of “Building a Better Future”, The GALLERY was established by Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), the owner of Meliá Pattaya Hotel, to promote Thai artisans’ work and foster positive social impact. Based on the concept “Giving Art, Art of Giving”, the initiative stems from AWC’s commitment to creating long-term value for communities through responsible and sustainable development. The GALLERY forms part of a growing network of social enterprises at AWC hotels across Thailand, including Meliá Chiang Mai and INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit. For more information or to make a booking, visit melia.com, email info.pattaya@melia.com or call +66 33 168 555.

The post The GALLERY at Meliá Pattaya Hotel Supports Thai Artisans appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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Meliá Pattaya Hotel in Thailand has opened a new boutique to showcase the wares of talented Thai designers, artists and craftspeople in support of artistic development for children and youth. Organized as a social enterprise, The GALLERY connects local artisans with a wider audience through a thoughtful collection of Thai-made gifts, handicrafts, home décor, wellness products and souvenirs.

All profits from The GALLERY boutique at the hotel are reinvested to support artistic development for children and youth by helping to create opportunities for a new generation to foster Thai creativity and preserve local craftsmanship.

Organized as a social enterprise, The GALLERY connects local artisans with a wider audience through a thoughtful collection of Thai-made gifts, handicrafts, home décor, wellness products and souvenirs

“We’d like our guests to have an opportunity to discover meaningful products carrying stories that celebrate Thailand’s communities and their fascinating traditions and creativity,” said Meliá Pattaya Hotel’s general manager Alexander Lopez.

Among The GALLERY’s diverse offerings are products by DAWOOD Voyage Travel Souvenirs, whose craftspeople create intricate tuk-tuk souvenirs from sustainable wood that evoke one of Thailand’s most recognisable modes of transport.

The collection also encompasses wellness and aromatic products from Mesook Farm (Agarwood Farmer Group), including jasmine and lemongrass-scented massage body oils and aroma wood, along with ceramics, decorative pieces and other locally crafted gifts.

Also represented is Maison Craft in Thailand, which experiments with weaving materials and techniques as part of efforts to keep distinctive folk crafts and traditional skills relevant for generations to come.

“It is rewarding for our team to provide a platform for Thai artisans and contribute to opportunities for children and young people to develop their artistic potential and continue craftsmanship handed down the generations,” said Lopez. “Together, the products illustrate The GALLERY’s focus on items with purpose and provenance, giving hotel guests the opportunity to take home a tangible connection to Thailand and support the people and skills behind each piece.”

The GALLERY was established by Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), the owner of Meliá Pattaya Hotel, to promote Thai artisans’ work and foster positive social impact

Based on the mission of “Building a Better Future”, The GALLERY was established by Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), the owner of Meliá Pattaya Hotel, to promote Thai artisans’ work and foster positive social impact. Based on the concept “Giving Art, Art of Giving”, the initiative stems from AWC’s commitment to creating long-term value for communities through responsible and sustainable development.

The GALLERY forms part of a growing network of social enterprises at AWC hotels across Thailand, including Meliá Chiang Mai and INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit.

For more information or to make a booking, visit melia.com, email info.pattaya@melia.com or call +66 33 168 555.

The post The GALLERY at Meliá Pattaya Hotel Supports Thai Artisans appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

]]> Hokusai: The Old Man Mad About Painting https://asianitinerary.com/hokusai-japan-travel-art-legacy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hokusai-japan-travel-art-legacy Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:53:29 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=72234

If you close your eyes and picture Japan, what do you see? Likely, it is a vision created by a man who died over 170 years ago. You see the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji, standing stark against a red sky. You see the terrifying, claw-like foam of a great wave threatening to swallow boats near Kanagawa. You see the quiet elegance of geishas or the surprising scurry of urban life in Edo. This is the Japan of Katsushika Hokusai. But as any traveler knows, the reality behind the postcard is always more complex, more chaotic, and infinitely more interesting than the image. The Man Who Couldn’t Sit Still When you travel through Japan today, you might meet artisans who have spent decades perfecting a single craft in a single studio. Hokusai was the opposite. If he were alive today, he’d likely be the type of traveler with a worn-out passport and a dozen SIM cards. According to curators and historians, Hokusai changed his name at least 30 times during his life—roughly once a decade. He wasn’t just reinventing his brand; he was reinventing his soul. He moved house over 90 times. Imagine the logistics of that! But for Hokusai, movement was life. He once wrote, “From the time I was six, I was in the habit of sketching things I saw around me.” He didn’t just observe Japan; he devoured it. A Rebel with a Brush For a traveler interested in the counter-culture of the Edo period, Hokusai is your guy. He was a rebel. At 14, he was apprenticed to a wood carver, and later joined the Katsukawa school. But he was too curious for their rigid traditions. At a time when Japan was isolationist, Hokusai was secretly studying Western art—specifically French and Dutch engravings that had been smuggled into the country. He incorporated Western perspective and shading into traditional ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world), revolutionizing the art form. His rebellion cost him. He was eventually expelled from the Katsukawa school by his master’s successor. But, as he later reflected, “What really motivated the development of my artistic style was the embarrassment I suffered at Shunko’s hands.” The “Old Man Mad About Painting” If you visit the museums of Tokyo or the prints shops of Kyoto, you will inevitably stumble upon his most famous work: Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. Created when he was in his 70s, this series gave the world “Red Fuji” and, of course, “The Great Wave.” But to understand the traveler’s spirit of Hokusai, you have to understand his obsession with time. He wasn’t afraid of getting old; he was impatient for it. In a quote that reads like a manifesto for lifelong learning, Hokusai said: “When I was 50 I had published a universe of designs, but all I have done before the age of 70 is not worth bothering with. At 75, I’ll have learned something of the pattern of nature… At 100 I shall be a marvellous artist. At 110, everything I create — a dot, a line — will jump to life as never before.” He died at 88, reportedly on his deathbed sighing, “If only Heaven will give me just another 10 years… Just another five more years, then I could become a real painter.” The Graphic Novel Perspective As noted in the recent graphic novel Hokusai – a graphic biography, there is a powerful myth surrounding the artist. The book reflects on how Hokusai transformed his existence into an “immortal work.” The text asks a poignant question: Who is Hokusai? Is he the sum of the legends—the man who painted a giant Daruma with a broom, or chased a chicken with red feet across paper to create a “maple leaf” river? Or is he simply the man who fled a fire, not caring about his possessions, but clutching his brushes tightly to his chest? The text suggests that while many anecdotes might be invented or embellished, they serve a purpose: they illustrate a man who protected his art above all else. Even when his studio burned down in 1839, destroying much of his work, he didn’t stop. He picked up a brush and kept going. The Takeaway for the Traveler When you travel to Japan, you are walking through the landscape that Hokusai sketched 200 years ago. The cities have changed, the buildings are taller, but the spirit of the “Floating World” remains. Hokusai teaches us that travel isn’t just about the places we go, but the curiosity we bring to them. He teaches us that it is never too late to start, and never too early to move. As the graphic novel puts it, “Maybe we don’t know many things about Hokusai… but even if they were completely invented, perhaps this is a good reason not to stop telling them.” So, go to Kanagawa. Look at the sea. And remember the Old Man who was never satisfied, who moved 90 times, changed his name 30 times, and still believed his best work was just five years away.

The post Hokusai: The Old Man Mad About Painting appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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If you close your eyes and picture Japan, what do you see? Likely, it is a vision created by a man who died over 170 years ago. You see the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji, standing stark against a red sky. You see the terrifying, claw-like foam of a great wave threatening to swallow boats near Kanagawa. You see the quiet elegance of geishas or the surprising scurry of urban life in Edo.

This is the Japan of Katsushika Hokusai. But as any traveler knows, the reality behind the postcard is always more complex, more chaotic, and infinitely more interesting than the image.

The Man Who Couldn’t Sit Still

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), Kanagawa oki nami ura (Under the well of the Great Wave off Kanagawa)

When you travel through Japan today, you might meet artisans who have spent decades perfecting a single craft in a single studio. Hokusai was the opposite. If he were alive today, he’d likely be the type of traveler with a worn-out passport and a dozen SIM cards. According to curators and historians, Hokusai changed his name at least 30 times during his life—roughly once a decade. He wasn’t just reinventing his brand; he was reinventing his soul. He moved house over 90 times.

Imagine the logistics of that! But for Hokusai, movement was life. He once wrote, “From the time I was six, I was in the habit of sketching things I saw around me.” He didn’t just observe Japan; he devoured it.

A Rebel with a Brush

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), Kisokaido Ono no bakufu (The waterfall at Ono on the Kisokaido Road).

For a traveler interested in the counter-culture of the Edo period, Hokusai is your guy. He was a rebel. At 14, he was apprenticed to a wood carver, and later joined the Katsukawa school. But he was too curious for their rigid traditions.

At a time when Japan was isolationist, Hokusai was secretly studying Western art—specifically French and Dutch engravings that had been smuggled into the country. He incorporated Western perspective and shading into traditional ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world), revolutionizing the art form.

His rebellion cost him. He was eventually expelled from the Katsukawa school by his master’s successor. But, as he later reflected, “What really motivated the development of my artistic style was the embarrassment I suffered at Shunko’s hands.”

The “Old Man Mad About Painting”

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), Kinoe no Komatsu (Pining for love).

If you visit the museums of Tokyo or the prints shops of Kyoto, you will inevitably stumble upon his most famous work: Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. Created when he was in his 70s, this series gave the world “Red Fuji” and, of course, “The Great Wave.”

But to understand the traveler’s spirit of Hokusai, you have to understand his obsession with time. He wasn’t afraid of getting old; he was impatient for it.

In a quote that reads like a manifesto for lifelong learning, Hokusai said:

“When I was 50 I had published a universe of designs, but all I have done before the age of 70 is not worth bothering with. At 75, I’ll have learned something of the pattern of nature… At 100 I shall be a marvellous artist. At 110, everything I create — a dot, a line — will jump to life as never before.”

He died at 88, reportedly on his deathbed sighing, “If only Heaven will give me just another 10 years… Just another five more years, then I could become a real painter.”

The Graphic Novel Perspective

As noted in the recent graphic novel Hokusai – a graphic biography, there is a powerful myth surrounding the artist. The book reflects on how Hokusai transformed his existence into an “immortal work.”

The text asks a poignant question: Who is Hokusai? Is he the sum of the legends—the man who painted a giant Daruma with a broom, or chased a chicken with red feet across paper to create a “maple leaf” river? Or is he simply the man who fled a fire, not caring about his possessions, but clutching his brushes tightly to his chest?

The text suggests that while many anecdotes might be invented or embellished, they serve a purpose: they illustrate a man who protected his art above all else. Even when his studio burned down in 1839, destroying much of his work, he didn’t stop. He picked up a brush and kept going.

The Takeaway for the Traveler

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), Fugaku sanjurokkei (Thirty-six views of Mount Fuji). A set of prints

When you travel to Japan, you are walking through the landscape that Hokusai sketched 200 years ago. The cities have changed, the buildings are taller, but the spirit of the “Floating World” remains.

Hokusai teaches us that travel isn’t just about the places we go, but the curiosity we bring to them. He teaches us that it is never too late to start, and never too early to move. As the graphic novel puts it, “Maybe we don’t know many things about Hokusai… but even if they were completely invented, perhaps this is a good reason not to stop telling them.”

So, go to Kanagawa. Look at the sea. And remember the Old Man who was never satisfied, who moved 90 times, changed his name 30 times, and still believed his best work was just five years away.

The post Hokusai: The Old Man Mad About Painting appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

]]> The Girl with the Pearl Earring Returns to Japan https://asianitinerary.com/girl-with-a-pearl-earring-osaka-exhibition-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=girl-with-a-pearl-earring-osaka-exhibition-2026 Wed, 19 Aug 2026 14:48:40 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=71996

Johannes Vermeer‘s masterpiece will be on display at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art for a limited time this summer. For the first time in fourteen years, and quite possibly for the very last time, Johannes Vermeer’s most famous painting is coming to Japan. Girl with a Pearl Earring will be the centerpiece of a special exhibition at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka, running from 21 August to 27 September 2026. The exhibition is organized by the museum in collaboration with The Asahi Shimbun and Asahi Television Broadcasting Corp. A Rare and Historic Loan The painting’s journey to Japan is a significant event in the art world. Owned by the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, the Netherlands, Girl with a Pearl Earring is rarely permitted to travel. In 2014, the museum officially declared the painting a permanent fixture of its collection, essentially banning it from future loans due to its status as a star attraction. This summer’s exhibition is a highly exceptional circumstance, made possible because the Mauritshuis will be temporarily closed for renovations. The last time the painting travelled abroad was as part of a 2012-2014 world tour, which attracted millions of visitors in Japan and the United States. According to Martine Gosselink, general director of the Mauritshuis, “We welcome thousands of Japanese tourists every year who love Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring.’ For the Mauritshuis, the Girl’s journey is therefore a special opportunity to share her with the Japanese public, perhaps for the very last time.” This statement underscores the significance of the exhibition as a potentially final chance to view the work in Japan. More Than Just the Girl While Vermeer’s masterpiece is the star, the exhibition, titled “Vermeer, Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring: Dutch masterpieces of the 17th century,” offers a much broader experience. The show will feature a carefully curated selection of twelve masterpieces from the Mauritshuis collection. This includes a second, lesser-known painting by Vermeer, Diana and her Nymphs, which is his only work with a mythological subject. Painted when Vermeer was in his early twenties, it is considered a rare departure from the domestic interiors for which he is most famous. The exhibition will also showcase works by other masters of the Dutch Golden Age, such as Rembrandt van Rijn, whose character study The Laughing Man will be on display. Other highlights include Jan Steen’s lively and moralizing genre scene As the Old Sing, so Pipe the Young, and Cows Reflected in the Water by Paulus Potter, a significant work in the development of Dutch animal painting. The exhibition also features a piece by the female painter Maria van Oosterwyck, Flowers in an Ornamental Vase, whose work is currently being re-evaluated by art historians. The presence of these works offers visitors a complete picture of seventeenth-century Dutch painting, from the quiet mystery of Vermeer to the boisterous scenes of Jan Steen and the technical precision of Van Oosterwyck. The Masterpiece and Its Fame Girl with a Pearl Earring is a “tronie,” a Dutch Golden Age genre depicting an imaginary figure with an exaggerated expression or in exotic costume. Painted around 1665, the work is celebrated for Vermeer’s masterful rendering of light on the girl’s face and the famous luminous pearl itself. The striking blue and yellow turban was painted using ultramarine, a pigment made from the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli, which was more valuable than gold in the seventeenth century. Often referred to as the “Mona Lisa of the North,” the painting achieved global fame and recognition after inspiring a best-selling novel and a Hollywood film. Planning Your Visit Given the immense popularity of Vermeer’s work, the exhibition is expected to be a major attraction. The Nakanoshima Museum of Art is located in Osaka’s Kita Ward, approximately five minutes on foot from Watanabebashi Station on the Keihan Nakanoshima Line. The museum is open from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, with last entry at 4:30 pm. On select days — 28 August, 4 September, 11 September, and from 18 to 27 September — the museum will extend its hours to 8:00 pm. Ticket Information and Important Purchase Requirements Admission: General ¥3,000, University and High School Students ¥1,500, Junior High and Elementary School Students ¥500. Preschoolers are free. Location: Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka (NAKKA) (5F Galleries), just a short walk from Watanabebashi Station Reservations: Timed-entry only with advance reservations required through the https://vermeer2026.exhibit.jp/en/  Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM); with extended evening hours until 8:00 PM on select dates Important: This is a timed-entry exhibition, and organizers have confirmed that no tickets will be sold at the door on any day of the run. You must secure a ticket for a specific date and time slot in advance. Due to high demand and issues with scalping, a lottery system through Ticket Pia will be used for ticket sales. Book your ticket as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

The post The Girl with the Pearl Earring Returns to Japan appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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Johannes Vermeer‘s masterpiece will be on display at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art for a limited time this summer. For the first time in fourteen years, and quite possibly for the very last time, Johannes Vermeer’s most famous painting is coming to Japan. Girl with a Pearl Earring will be the centerpiece of a special exhibition at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka, running from 21 August to 27 September 2026. The exhibition is organized by the museum in collaboration with The Asahi Shimbun and Asahi Television Broadcasting Corp.

A Rare and Historic Loan

The painting’s journey to Japan is a significant event in the art world. Owned by the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, the Netherlands, Girl with a Pearl Earring is rarely permitted to travel. In 2014, the museum officially declared the painting a permanent fixture of its collection, essentially banning it from future loans due to its status as a star attraction. This summer’s exhibition is a highly exceptional circumstance, made possible because the Mauritshuis will be temporarily closed for renovations. The last time the painting travelled abroad was as part of a 2012-2014 world tour, which attracted millions of visitors in Japan and the United States.

According to Martine Gosselink, general director of the Mauritshuis, “We welcome thousands of Japanese tourists every year who love Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring.’ For the Mauritshuis, the Girl’s journey is therefore a special opportunity to share her with the Japanese public, perhaps for the very last time.” This statement underscores the significance of the exhibition as a potentially final chance to view the work in Japan.

More Than Just the Girl

Diana and her Nymphs by Johannes Vermeer

While Vermeer’s masterpiece is the star, the exhibition, titled “Vermeer, Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring: Dutch masterpieces of the 17th century,” offers a much broader experience. The show will feature a carefully curated selection of twelve masterpieces from the Mauritshuis collection. This includes a second, lesser-known painting by Vermeer, Diana and her Nymphs, which is his only work with a mythological subject. Painted when Vermeer was in his early twenties, it is considered a rare departure from the domestic interiors for which he is most famous.

The exhibition will also showcase works by other masters of the Dutch Golden Age, such as Rembrandt van Rijn, whose character study The Laughing Man will be on display. Other highlights include Jan Steen’s lively and moralizing genre scene As the Old Sing, so Pipe the Young, and Cows Reflected in the Water by Paulus Potter, a significant work in the development of Dutch animal painting. The exhibition also features a piece by the female painter Maria van Oosterwyck, Flowers in an Ornamental Vase, whose work is currently being re-evaluated by art historians.

The presence of these works offers visitors a complete picture of seventeenth-century Dutch painting, from the quiet mystery of Vermeer to the boisterous scenes of Jan Steen and the technical precision of Van Oosterwyck.

The Masterpiece and Its Fame

Girl with a Pearl Earring is a “tronie,” a Dutch Golden Age genre depicting an imaginary figure with an exaggerated expression or in exotic costume. Painted around 1665, the work is celebrated for Vermeer’s masterful rendering of light on the girl’s face and the famous luminous pearl itself. The striking blue and yellow turban was painted using ultramarine, a pigment made from the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli, which was more valuable than gold in the seventeenth century. Often referred to as the “Mona Lisa of the North,” the painting achieved global fame and recognition after inspiring a best-selling novel and a Hollywood film.

Planning Your Visit

Given the immense popularity of Vermeer’s work, the exhibition is expected to be a major attraction. The Nakanoshima Museum of Art is located in Osaka’s Kita Ward, approximately five minutes on foot from Watanabebashi Station on the Keihan Nakanoshima Line.

Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka

The museum is open from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, with last entry at 4:30 pm. On select days — 28 August, 4 September, 11 September, and from 18 to 27 September — the museum will extend its hours to 8:00 pm.

Ticket Information and Important Purchase Requirements

  • Admission: General ¥3,000, University and High School Students ¥1,500, Junior High and Elementary School Students ¥500. Preschoolers are free.

  • Location: Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka (NAKKA) (5F Galleries), just a short walk from Watanabebashi Station
  • Reservations: Timed-entry only with advance reservations required through the https://vermeer2026.exhibit.jp/en/ 
  • Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM); with extended evening hours until 8:00 PM on select dates

Important: This is a timed-entry exhibition, and organizers have confirmed that no tickets will be sold at the door on any day of the run. You must secure a ticket for a specific date and time slot in advance. Due to high demand and issues with scalping, a lottery system through Ticket Pia will be used for ticket sales. Book your ticket as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

The post The Girl with the Pearl Earring Returns to Japan appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

]]> 5 Highly-Recommended Music and Art Festivals in Chiang Mai – 2027 Guide https://asianitinerary.com/recommended-music-and-art-festivals-chiang-mai/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=recommended-music-and-art-festivals-chiang-mai Wed, 24 Jun 2026 17:18:12 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=71642

This guide is written for travellers across Asia who treat Chiang Mai as the region’s easiest creative getaway. If you are flying in from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City for a long weekend, the festival you pick shapes the whole trip. It is also for the city’s own community of expats, digital nomads, and northern Thais who plan their cool-season calendar around music and art. Chiang Mai hosts five music and art festivals worth building a trip around in 2027: Gaia Beats Festival, Imagine Music & Arts Festival Thailand, Thantawan Festival, the Chiang Mai International Music, Art and Culture Festival and the Chiang Mai Performing Arts Festival. Gaia Beats leads the list as a social-enterprise festival set in a natural hot spring, where the money you spend stays in northern Thailand. The northern capital earns this reputation honestly. Chiang Mai became a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art in 2017, a recognition rooted in the craft tradition the city has carried since its founding in 1296 [1]. That creative backbone is why a small mountain city now stages festivals that pull travellers from across the region. What Makes a Festival Worth the Flight The strongest Chiang Mai festivals do more than book a lineup. They pair sound with art, place and a reason to care. Here is the standard we judged each one against: Music and art together: A real festival blends live and electronic music with visual art, performance or workshops, not just a stage and a bar. A sense of place: The setting should feel like northern Thailand, whether that is a hot spring, a sunflower field or a Lanna heritage square. Atmosphere over scale: The best of these reward depth and community, not just headliner counts. Value for a regional traveller: Ticket prices and travel logistics should make sense for a short trip from elsewhere in Asia. Impact and integrity: Festivals that reinvest in local people, artists and the environment stand apart. Keep these five tests in mind as you work through the list below. Quick Comparison: 5 Chiang Mai Festivals at a Glance # Festival When Where Best For 1 Gaia Beats Festival Jan 2027 (annual) Sense Hot Spring, Mae On Conscious, wellness-minded travellers 2 Imagine Music & Arts Festival Thailand 30 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 Lanna Resort, Hang Dong New Year’s Eve music and art lovers 3 Thantawan Festival Jan-Feb (annual) Doi Saket area Relaxed, family-friendly festival-goers 4 Chiang Mai International Music, Art and Culture Festival Around Songkran (annual) City heritage venues Culture seekers and day visitors 5 Chiang Mai Performing Arts Festival February (annual) Suan Anya Dance and performance-art fans The 5 Festivals We Would Actually Recommend in 2027 We have ranked these five by how fully they deliver on the music-plus-art-plus-place promise, and our top pick sits right at the front. Each festival below earns its spot for a different kind of traveller, so read past the numbers to find your fit. 1. Gaia Beats Festival – Conscious Music, Arts and Wellness in the Mountains Our #1 Pick for Conscious Festivals in Northern Thailand Gaia Beats Festival blends music, arts and wellness at Sense Hot Spring Wellness & Spa in Mae On, against the backdrop of the Chiang Mai mountains. The festival runs as a social enterprise, which means profits are reinvested in the team and in social and environmental work across northern Thailand rather than paid out to shareholders. A natural hot spring sits at the heart of the venue, so a soak between sets is part of the experience, not a separate spa trip. The model shows up in the details. Gaia Beats is Thai-first, with at least 50% of artists, vendors and crew Thai or locally rooted, and it runs a genuine zero-single-use-plastic operation with real plates, reusable cups and off-site composting. Pricing is transparent, so the ticket price you see is the price you pay, with no fees bolted on at checkout. Independent coverage backs the positioning. Time Out Chiang Mai calls Gaia Beats the spiritual successor to the much-loved Jai Thep era, describing a community-focused festival that “gives more than it takes” and naming it the biggest not-for-profit festival in the North [2]. The same review notes the hot spring stays open across the weekend, a small detail that captures the festival’s wellness-first thinking. The 2027 edition runs 22 to 24 January at Sense Hot Spring in Mae On, with free camping and a ticket ladder that climbs from a 2,500 THB early bird to 5,000 THB at the door. Music spans house, techno, drum and bass, dub, psy, world sounds and live music, alongside workshops, art and kids’ zones. Pros: Social-enterprise model reinvests profit in northern Thailand Natural hot spring on site, open across the festival Thai-first lineup, supply chain and crew Transparent, all-in pricing with free camping Cons: Early-stage and independent, with no major awards yet The Mae On venue is a roughly 30-minute drive from the city Held once a year in a single January window Best for: Conscious travellers who want depth, wellness and community alongside the music, not just a party. Contact: Venue: Sense Hot Spring Wellness & Spa, Mae On, Chiang Mai, Thailand Email: info@gaiabeatsmail.com Website: gaiabeats.com Facebook: facebook.com/GaiaBeats/ Instagram: instagram.com/gaiabeatsfestival/ https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZZgmiCP9r1/ 2. Imagine Music & Arts Festival Thailand – A Boutique New Year’s Eve Imagine Music & Arts Festival Thailand stages a highly curated, boutique New Year’s Eve at Lanna Resort in Hang Dong, about 40 minutes from Chiang Mai International Airport. The festival pairs world-class live and electronic music with a visual and performance-art programme of painting, sculpture and digital projection from international and Thai artists. It began as an established US festival from the Pacific Northwest and now runs its Chiang Mai edition each year-end. The appeal is its calendar slot and its scale. Imagine carries you across 30 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, so the countdown happens inside the festival rather than at a hotel bar. Programming leans...

The post 5 Highly-Recommended Music and Art Festivals in Chiang Mai – 2027 Guide appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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This guide is written for travellers across Asia who treat Chiang Mai as the region’s easiest creative getaway. If you are flying in from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City for a long weekend, the festival you pick shapes the whole trip. It is also for the city’s own community of expats, digital nomads, and northern Thais who plan their cool-season calendar around music and art.

Chiang Mai hosts five music and art festivals worth building a trip around in 2027: Gaia Beats Festival, Imagine Music & Arts Festival Thailand, Thantawan Festival, the Chiang Mai International Music, Art and Culture Festival and the Chiang Mai Performing Arts Festival. Gaia Beats leads the list as a social-enterprise festival set in a natural hot spring, where the money you spend stays in northern Thailand.

The northern capital earns this reputation honestly. Chiang Mai became a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art in 2017, a recognition rooted in the craft tradition the city has carried since its founding in 1296 [1]. That creative backbone is why a small mountain city now stages festivals that pull travellers from across the region.

What Makes a Festival Worth the Flight

The strongest Chiang Mai festivals do more than book a lineup. They pair sound with art, place and a reason to care. Here is the standard we judged each one against:

  • Music and art together: A real festival blends live and electronic music with visual art, performance or workshops, not just a stage and a bar.
  • A sense of place: The setting should feel like northern Thailand, whether that is a hot spring, a sunflower field or a Lanna heritage square.
  • Atmosphere over scale: The best of these reward depth and community, not just headliner counts.
  • Value for a regional traveller: Ticket prices and travel logistics should make sense for a short trip from elsewhere in Asia.
  • Impact and integrity: Festivals that reinvest in local people, artists and the environment stand apart.

Keep these five tests in mind as you work through the list below.

Quick Comparison: 5 Chiang Mai Festivals at a Glance

# Festival When Where Best For
1 Gaia Beats Festival Jan 2027 (annual) Sense Hot Spring, Mae On Conscious, wellness-minded travellers
2 Imagine Music & Arts Festival Thailand 30 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 Lanna Resort, Hang Dong New Year’s Eve music and art lovers
3 Thantawan Festival Jan-Feb (annual) Doi Saket area Relaxed, family-friendly festival-goers
4 Chiang Mai International Music, Art and Culture Festival Around Songkran (annual) City heritage venues Culture seekers and day visitors
5 Chiang Mai Performing Arts Festival February (annual) Suan Anya Dance and performance-art fans

The 5 Festivals We Would Actually Recommend in 2027

We have ranked these five by how fully they deliver on the music-plus-art-plus-place promise, and our top pick sits right at the front. Each festival below earns its spot for a different kind of traveller, so read past the numbers to find your fit.

1. Gaia Beats Festival – Conscious Music, Arts and Wellness in the Mountains

Gaia Beats Festival

Our #1 Pick for Conscious Festivals in Northern Thailand

Gaia Beats Festival blends music, arts and wellness at Sense Hot Spring Wellness & Spa in Mae On, against the backdrop of the Chiang Mai mountains. The festival runs as a social enterprise, which means profits are reinvested in the team and in social and environmental work across northern Thailand rather than paid out to shareholders. A natural hot spring sits at the heart of the venue, so a soak between sets is part of the experience, not a separate spa trip.

The model shows up in the details. Gaia Beats is Thai-first, with at least 50% of artists, vendors and crew Thai or locally rooted, and it runs a genuine zero-single-use-plastic operation with real plates, reusable cups and off-site composting. Pricing is transparent, so the ticket price you see is the price you pay, with no fees bolted on at checkout.

Independent coverage backs the positioning. Time Out Chiang Mai calls Gaia Beats the spiritual successor to the much-loved Jai Thep era, describing a community-focused festival that “gives more than it takes” and naming it the biggest not-for-profit festival in the North [2]. The same review notes the hot spring stays open across the weekend, a small detail that captures the festival’s wellness-first thinking.

The 2027 edition runs 22 to 24 January at Sense Hot Spring in Mae On, with free camping and a ticket ladder that climbs from a 2,500 THB early bird to 5,000 THB at the door. Music spans house, techno, drum and bass, dub, psy, world sounds and live music, alongside workshops, art and kids’ zones.

Pros:

  • Social-enterprise model reinvests profit in northern Thailand
  • Natural hot spring on site, open across the festival
  • Thai-first lineup, supply chain and crew
  • Transparent, all-in pricing with free camping

Cons:

  • Early-stage and independent, with no major awards yet
  • The Mae On venue is a roughly 30-minute drive from the city
  • Held once a year in a single January window

Best for: Conscious travellers who want depth, wellness and community alongside the music, not just a party.

Contact:

Venue: Sense Hot Spring Wellness & Spa, Mae On, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Email: info@gaiabeatsmail.com

Website: gaiabeats.com

Facebook: facebook.com/GaiaBeats/

Instagram: instagram.com/gaiabeatsfestival/

https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZZgmiCP9r1/

2. Imagine Music & Arts Festival Thailand – A Boutique New Year’s Eve

Imagine Music & Arts Festival Thailand stages a highly curated, boutique New Year’s Eve at Lanna Resort in Hang Dong, about 40 minutes from Chiang Mai International Airport. The festival pairs world-class live and electronic music with a visual and performance-art programme of painting, sculpture and digital projection from international and Thai artists. It began as an established US festival from the Pacific Northwest and now runs its Chiang Mai edition each year-end.

The appeal is its calendar slot and its scale. Imagine carries you across 30 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, so the countdown happens inside the festival rather than at a hotel bar. Programming leans toward the eclectic and collaborative, with interactive workshops and jam sessions rather than a single mega-stage.

Camping is included with every ticket, and the site provides drinking water, showers and restrooms, with homestays and a shuttle-served town hotel as alternatives. For a regional visitor, that bundles your New Year’s Eve, your accommodation and your art trail into one ticket.

Pros:

  • Genuine New Year’s Eve countdown inside the festival
  • Strong visual and performance-art programming
  • Curated, boutique scale with high-caliber performances
  • Camping included with every ticket

Cons:

  • Year-end timing only, so dates are fixed
  • Curated niche programming will not suit mainstream festival-goers
  • Relatively new to Chiang Mai with a short local track record

Best for: Well-travelled lovers of live and electronic music, performance and visual art who want a high-caliber New Year’s Eve.

Contact:

Address: Lanna Resort, 1 Moo 9, Ban Pong, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand

Phone: +66-061-410-3357

Email: info@imaginefestival.co.th

Website: imaginefestival.co.th

Facebook: facebook.com/imaginefestivalthailand/

Instagram: instagram.com/imaginefestthailand/

https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZnYX36q4Uq/

Worth noting: Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 and named a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art in 2017, one reason its festivals lean so heavily on visual art, craft and performance rather than music alone [1].

3. Thantawan Festival – Music and Lifestyle in the Sunflowers

Thantawan Festival is an intimate music and lifestyle gathering set against blooming sunflower fields in the Doi Saket countryside outside Chiang Mai. The festival blends international DJs with Thai-led live music, art, wellness and family-friendly programming under a Peace, Love, Unity and Respect ethos. Recent editions ran a “Groovy Bloom” theme heavy on flower-power nostalgia with a modern twist.

The draw is its range packed into a small footprint. A single weekend covers breathing and yoga workshops, live and static art, fire shows, drumming circles, and a food fair, alongside a stage featuring folk and electronic acts. It returns to the northern cool season each January to February, when Chiang Mai’s weather is at its kindest.

Pricing keeps it accessible for visitors flying in, with camping passes that have started around 990 THB for an early bird and climbed to glamping at the top end. For families and first-time festival travellers, it is one of the softer landings on this list.

Pros:

  • Relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere
  • Diverse program of music, wellness and art
  • Affordable entry for regional travellers

Cons:

  • Smaller stages and lineup than the headline acts elsewhere
  • Rural setting needs a planned transfer
  • Dates shift year to year, so confirm before booking flights

Best for: Travellers and families who want a gentle, creative festival in a striking natural setting.

Contact:

Venue: Doi Saket area, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Website: thantawanfestival.com

Facebook: facebook.com/thantawanfestival/

Instagram: instagram.com/thantawan.festival/

4. Chiang Mai International Music, Art and Culture Festival – Heritage on the Streets

The Chiang Mai International Music, Art and Culture Festival is a city-run celebration that fills heritage venues with global performances, cultural showcases and art markets. The festival spreads across landmark spots such as the Tha Phae Gate event ground and the Three Kings Monument, turning the old city into an open-air stage. It marks Chiang Mai’s more than 700-year history with live international music, exhibitions, and hands-on workshops.

The value here is access and atmosphere rather than a curated camping experience. Entry is free and family-friendly, and the program leans into the city’s craft and folk-art identity. It typically lands around the cool-to-hot season transition near the Songkran period, so it pairs naturally with a temple-and-markets trip.

A short-stay visitor can taste Chiang Mai’s creative scene here without a ticket or a transfer out of town. That makes it the lowest-commitment entry on this list for anyone passing through the city. 

Pros:

  • Free entry in walkable heritage venues
  • Strong cultural and craft programming
  • Easy to combine with city sightseeing

Cons:

  • Less of an immersive, single-site festival
  • Programming and exact dates vary by edition
  • Crowds concentrate in the old city

Best for: Culture seekers and day visitors who want music and art woven into the city itself.

Contact:

Venue: Old city heritage venues, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Info: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chiang Mai office

Facebook: facebook.com/tatchiangmai/

5. Chiang Mai Performing Arts Festival – Dance and Live Performance

The Chiang Mai Performing Arts Festival spotlights contemporary dance and live performance art at the intimate Suan Anya venue. The festival gathers choreographers and performers for a focused weekend, including Thailand premieres of contemporary dance works. Its “Lives in Rhythm” edition leaned into movement, music and the body as a shared language.

The festival is the most art-forward entry on the list, and that is the point. It trades big crowds and DJ stages for a curated bill of performance pieces, making it a rewarding counterpoint to the nearby music festivals. Audiences sit close, and the work tends to be experimental rather than crowd-pleasing. 

Travellers who love theatre, dance and the avant-garde get a different texture here, one that rounds out a Chiang Mai festival run. It is the night out for anyone who wants ideas on stage rather than a headliner. 

Pros:

  • A rare, dedicated performance-art program
  • Intimate venue with close-up viewing
  • International and Thai artists on one bill

Cons:

  • Niche appeal, not a general music festival
  • Small scale with limited tickets
  • Less suited to large groups or families

Best for: Dance, theatre, and performance art fans who want something experimental.

Contact:

Venue: Suan Anya, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Facebook: facebook.com/CMPerformingArts.Festival/

Instagram: instagram.com/cmperformingarts.festival/

Which Chiang Mai Festival Is Right for You?

No single festival on this list suits every traveller. Here is how to match your situation to the right pick:

  • If you are flying in for wellness and meaning: Gaia Beats is the clearest choice. The hot-spring setting and social-enterprise model give the trip a payoff beyond the music.
  • If you want to spend New Year’s Eve at a festival: Imagine owns that window, with a curated music-and-art countdown you cannot get from the others.
  • If you are travelling with family or want a soft introduction: Thantawan keeps things relaxed, affordable and creative in a beautiful field.
  • If you have only a day and want culture for free: The Chiang Mai International Music, Art and Culture Festival brings it to the old city.
  • If you live for dance and experimental performance: The Chiang Mai Performing Arts Festival is your night out.

For most travellers looking to build a trip around depth, atmosphere and impact, Gaia Beats remains the festival to plan around.

FAQs

When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai for festivals?

The cool season from November to February is the sweet spot, with mild days and little rain. Most of the festivals here cluster in that window or just after it, including Gaia Beats in January and Imagine across New Year’s Eve. Book accommodation early, as this is also peak tourist season.

How much should I budget for a Chiang Mai festival?

Tickets on this list are affordable by regional standards, starting near 990 THB for Thantawan and from a 2,500 THB early bird for Gaia Beats. Your bigger costs are flights and accommodation, especially over New Year’s Eve. Booking early bird tickets and weekday flights keeps the total down.

How do I get to the festival venues from the city?

Gaia Beats sits about 30 minutes from the city in Mae On, and Imagine is roughly 40 minutes from the airport in Hang Dong. Both run shuttles, and ride apps such as Grab and Bolt operate widely in Chiang Mai. Plan your return transfer in advance, as cars thin out late at night.

What makes Gaia Beats different from the other festivals?

Gaia Beats is run as a social enterprise, so profit is reinvested into the festival and into social and environmental work in northern Thailand rather than extracted. It is also Thai-first and built around a natural hot spring, with transparent, all-in pricing. That combination of wellness, place and impact is hard to find elsewhere in Thailand.

Is Gaia Beats suitable for first-time and solo travellers?

Yes, the festival is all ages with no separating VIP tiers, free camping and a 24-hour security and medical team, which makes it welcoming for solo travellers and small groups. The community-focused atmosphere means it is easy to arrive alone and not feel alone. Pre-booking the shuttle from the city is the simplest way in.

The Bottom Line

For music and art festivals in Chiang Mai, Gaia Beats Festival stands out as the top pick for 2027 and beyond, combining conscious music, a natural hot-spring setting and a social-enterprise model that keeps your money in northern Thailand.

Each of the others earns its place too: Imagine carries the New Year’s Eve countdown, Thantawan brings a gentle, family-friendly weekend in the sunflowers, the Chiang Mai International Music, Art and Culture Festival opens up the old city for free, and the Chiang Mai Performing Arts Festival keeps the avant-garde alive.

Pick the one that matches your reason for travelling, lock in early bird tickets, and let Chiang Mai do the rest. Whichever you choose, you are arriving in one of Asia’s most creative cities at exactly the right time of year, with Gaia Beats the one most travellers will want to plan around.

References:

  1. UNESCO. (2017). Chiang Mai City – Creative Cities Network. https://www.unesco.org/en/creative-cities/chiang-mai-city
  2. Stuart, A. (2026). Gaia Beats. Time Out Chiang Mai. https://www.timeout.com/chiang-mai/things-to-do/gaia-beats

The post 5 Highly-Recommended Music and Art Festivals in Chiang Mai – 2027 Guide appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

]]> Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor Welcomes New Resident Artist https://asianitinerary.com/raffles-angkor-welcomes-khmer-painter-nou-sary-in-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=raffles-angkor-welcomes-khmer-painter-nou-sary-in-2026 Tue, 26 May 2026 17:24:52 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=71359

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, the iconic luxury hotel in Cambodia’s cultural heartland, has welcomed renowned contemporary Khmer painter Nou Sary as its new Resident Artist. A master of form and sentiment, Sary began his formal training at the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh. He later refined his vision in France at the Saint-Étienne School of Art and Design, earning his postgraduate degree in 2006. He was awarded a Bronze Medal from the Society of French Artists in Paris in 2005, selected from among 2,000 artists around the world. Sary’s impressionist paintings frequently portray Cambodia’s traditional rural life—rice fields, farmers, monks and village scenes—capturing the deep connection between people and the land. His expressive brushstrokes and use of vibrant colour bring the countryside to life. Many of his most recent works adopt a bird’s-eye perspective, offering fresh viewpoints on familiar landscapes and inviting reflection on humanity’s relationship with nature. A selection of Sary’s acrylic-on-canvas paintings is now on display at the hotel and available for purchase. Hotel guests and local visitors are invited to experience this remarkable collection firsthand with an on-site hotel art tour, which can be arranged in advance through the Raffles’ Resort Programme. “We are delighted to welcome Nou Sary,” said Joseph Colina, General Manager of Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor. “Sary is one of Cambodia’s most respected contemporary painters, and his presence here reflects our deep commitment to championing Cambodian artistic excellence. We are honoured to provide a platform for an artist of his calibre and look forward to the unique perspective and inspiration he will bring to our guests and the wider community.” This announcement builds on several recent developments for the hotel. Earlier this month, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor was named one of the world’s ‘500 Best Hotels’ by Travel + Leisure for the fifth consecutive year. In March, the hotel unveiled the immersive new ‘Grand Path of History’ tour featuring rare photographs, video footage, architectural drawings and more. This permanent exhibition is complemented by the new book, A Tale of Two Hotels – Raffles in Cambodia, which showcases the property alongside Raffles Hotel Le Royal, its sister property in Phnom Penh. Originally opened in 1932 as a rest stop for archaeologists and adventurers exploring the ancient kingdom of Angkor Wat, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor remains a timeless landmark. The hotel masterfully blends 1930s French Art Deco design with refined Cambodian influences and contemporary touches across its 119 elegant rooms, suites and villas. Guests can further immerse themselves through the hotel’s ‘Curated Journeys’ programme, which includes a candlelit ‘Bespoke Temple Dinner’ within the Angkor temple complex, the ‘Lost Civilisations of Angkor by Vespa’ tour, and the ‘Siem Reap Art Tour’. For more information on Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, or to make a booking, please call +855 23 982 598 or visit www.raffles.com/siem-reap/.

The post Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor Welcomes New Resident Artist appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, the iconic luxury hotel in Cambodia’s cultural heartland, has welcomed renowned contemporary Khmer painter Nou Sary as its new Resident Artist. A master of form and sentiment, Sary began his formal training at the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh. He later refined his vision in France at the Saint-Étienne School of Art and Design, earning his postgraduate degree in 2006. He was awarded a Bronze Medal from the Society of French Artists in Paris in 2005, selected from among 2,000 artists around the world.

Nou Sary is Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor new Resident Artist

Sary’s impressionist paintings frequently portray Cambodia’s traditional rural life—rice fields, farmers, monks and village scenes—capturing the deep connection between people and the land. His expressive brushstrokes and use of vibrant colour bring the countryside to life. Many of his most recent works adopt a bird’s-eye perspective, offering fresh viewpoints on familiar landscapes and inviting reflection on humanity’s relationship with nature.

A selection of Sary’s acrylic-on-canvas paintings is now on display at the hotel and available for purchase. Hotel guests and local visitors are invited to experience this remarkable collection firsthand with an on-site hotel art tour, which can be arranged in advance through the Raffles’ Resort Programme.

“We are delighted to welcome Nou Sary,” said Joseph Colina, General Manager of Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor. “Sary is one of Cambodia’s most respected contemporary painters, and his presence here reflects our deep commitment to championing Cambodian artistic excellence. We are honoured to provide a platform for an artist of his calibre and look forward to the unique perspective and inspiration he will bring to our guests and the wider community.”

This announcement builds on several recent developments for the hotel. Earlier this month, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor was named one of the world’s ‘500 Best Hotels’ by Travel + Leisure for the fifth consecutive year.

In March, the hotel unveiled the immersive new ‘Grand Path of History’ tour featuring rare photographs, video footage, architectural drawings and more. This permanent exhibition is complemented by the new book, A Tale of Two Hotels – Raffles in Cambodia, which showcases the property alongside Raffles Hotel Le Royal, its sister property in Phnom Penh.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor remains a timeless landmark.

Originally opened in 1932 as a rest stop for archaeologists and adventurers exploring the ancient kingdom of Angkor Wat, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor remains a timeless landmark. The hotel masterfully blends 1930s French Art Deco design with refined Cambodian influences and contemporary touches across its 119 elegant rooms, suites and villas.

Guests can further immerse themselves through the hotel’s ‘Curated Journeys’ programme, which includes a candlelit ‘Bespoke Temple Dinner’ within the Angkor temple complex, the ‘Lost Civilisations of Angkor by Vespa’ tour, and the ‘Siem Reap Art Tour’.

For more information on Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, or to make a booking, please call +855 23 982 598 or visit www.raffles.com/siem-reap/.

The post Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor Welcomes New Resident Artist appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

]]> The GALLERY at INNSiDE Bangkok https://asianitinerary.com/the-gallery-innside-bangkok-supporting-thai-art/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-gallery-innside-bangkok-supporting-thai-art Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:42:03 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=70653

Promoting Local Artisans and Sustainable Travel in Asia INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit has launched ‘The GALLERY,’ a vibrant showcase dedicated to supporting talented Thai designers, artists, and craftspeople. Situated on the 32nd floor of the hotel, adjacent to the reception, this social enterprise celebrates Thailand’s rich cultural heritage while promoting sustainable livelihoods. A Space Where Creativity Meets Conscience Rooted in the philosophy of “Giving Art, Art of Giving,” The GALLERY connects local artisans with a global audience. All profits are directed towards scholarships for art and design students, helping communities in need and preserving traditional crafts that are vital to Thailand’s cultural identity. This initiative aligns with Thailand’s broader efforts to safeguard indigenous skills across over 302 communities nationwide, many of which surround properties owned by Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), the parent company of INNSiDE. Unique Artisanal Products Supporting Thai Communities The GALLERY offers a curated selection of meaningful products including handwoven textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and children’s toys. Many items come with “Meet the Artist” stories, providing insight into the craftsmanship and cultural significance behind each piece. For example, DAWOOD Voyage Travel Souvenirs crafts intricate tuk-tuk models and Grand Palace fridge magnets using sustainable wood, offering authentic keepsakes of Thailand’s iconic landmarks. Meanwhile, Ruen Klin produces eco-friendly, durable woven flower garlands from dried water hyacinth—an innovative and environmentally responsible alternative to plastic. A Mission for a Better Future in Travel and Asia Established by AWC, The GALLERY embodies the vision of “Building a Better Future,” supporting Thailand’s artisans and aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8. This goal promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full employment, and decent work for all. In addition to Bangkok, AWC has expanded The GALLERY to 18 other hotels, including Meliá Chiang Mai, further amplifying the positive impact of this initiative across Asia’s vibrant hospitality landscape. Experience Bangkok’s Premier Lifestyle Hotel The INNSiDE Bangkok Sukhumvit hotel itself offers a modern, stylish stay in Bangkok’s emerging On Nut neighborhood. With 208 rooms inspired by the city’s landmarks, guests can enjoy facilities such as a rooftop transparent swimming pool, a rooftop tapas bar, co-working spaces, and versatile meeting rooms—perfect for travelers seeking a blend of leisure and productivity. Book Your Stay and Support Thai Art To experience the cultural richness of Thailand and support local artisans through The GALLERY, visit Melia.com, email reservation.innside.sukhumvit@melia.com, or call +66 2 340 5499. Embark on a journey that combines luxury travel with meaningful cultural preservation in Asia.

The post The GALLERY at INNSiDE Bangkok appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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Promoting Local Artisans and Sustainable Travel in Asia

INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit has launched ‘The GALLERY,’ a vibrant showcase dedicated to supporting talented Thai designers, artists, and craftspeople. Situated on the 32nd floor of the hotel, adjacent to the reception, this social enterprise celebrates Thailand’s rich cultural heritage while promoting sustainable livelihoods.

A Space Where Creativity Meets Conscience

All profits support scholarships for art and design students, helping communities and preserving Thai culture and skills from over 302 communities nationwide

Rooted in the philosophy of “Giving Art, Art of Giving,” The GALLERY connects local artisans with a global audience. All profits are directed towards scholarships for art and design students, helping communities in need and preserving traditional crafts that are vital to Thailand’s cultural identity. This initiative aligns with Thailand’s broader efforts to safeguard indigenous skills across over 302 communities nationwide, many of which surround properties owned by Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), the parent company of INNSiDE.

Unique Artisanal Products Supporting Thai Communities

The GALLERY offers a curated selection of meaningful products including handwoven textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and children’s toys. Many items come with “Meet the Artist” stories, providing insight into the craftsmanship and cultural significance behind each piece.

Centered on the idea of Giving Art, Art of Giving, this social enterprise is located on the 32nd floor of the hotel, next to the reception

For example, DAWOOD Voyage Travel Souvenirs crafts intricate tuk-tuk models and Grand Palace fridge magnets using sustainable wood, offering authentic keepsakes of Thailand’s iconic landmarks. Meanwhile, Ruen Klin produces eco-friendly, durable woven flower garlands from dried water hyacinth—an innovative and environmentally responsible alternative to plastic.

A Mission for a Better Future in Travel and Asia

Established by AWC, The GALLERY embodies the vision of “Building a Better Future,” supporting Thailand’s artisans and aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8. This goal promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full employment, and decent work for all.

In addition to Bangkok, AWC has expanded The GALLERY to 18 other hotels, including Meliá Chiang Mai, further amplifying the positive impact of this initiative across Asia’s vibrant hospitality landscape.

Experience Bangkok’s Premier Lifestyle Hotel

The GALLERY was created by AWC, the owner of INNSiDE Bangkok Sukhumvit, to highlight the work of Thai artisans

The INNSiDE Bangkok Sukhumvit hotel itself offers a modern, stylish stay in Bangkok’s emerging On Nut neighborhood. With 208 rooms inspired by the city’s landmarks, guests can enjoy facilities such as a rooftop transparent swimming pool, a rooftop tapas bar, co-working spaces, and versatile meeting rooms—perfect for travelers seeking a blend of leisure and productivity.

Book Your Stay and Support Thai Art

To experience the cultural richness of Thailand and support local artisans through The GALLERY, visit Melia.com, email reservation.innside.sukhumvit@melia.com, or call +66 2 340 5499. Embark on a journey that combines luxury travel with meaningful cultural preservation in Asia.

The post The GALLERY at INNSiDE Bangkok appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

]]> Kathmandu Valley: A UNESCO World Heritage Site https://asianitinerary.com/kathmandu-valley-a-unesco-world-heritage-site/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kathmandu-valley-a-unesco-world-heritage-site Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:36:34 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=70237

Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, the Kathmandu Valley stands as a testament to centuries of rich cultural, religious, and architectural development. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage property, the valley is inscribed as seven distinct Monument Zones, each representing a vital aspect of its historical urban and religious fabric. These zones include the historic Durbar squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, along with prominent religious ensembles such as Swayambhu, Boudhanath, Pashupati, and Changu Narayan. The Monument Zones and Their Significance The Durbar squares serve as the heart of each city, featuring palaces, temples, and bustling public spaces that reflect the political and cultural grandeur of Nepal’s historic kingdoms. Meanwhile, the religious ensembles are crucial for understanding the spiritual landscape of the valley. Swayambhu: Home to the oldest Buddhist monument in the valley, a venerable stupa that symbolizes the enduring Buddhist tradition in Nepal. Bauddhanath: Contains the largest stupa in Nepal, a major pilgrimage site and a hub of Tibetan Buddhism. Pashupati: Encompasses an extensive Hindu temple precinct dedicated to Lord Shiva, highlighting the importance of Hindu worship in the region. Changu Narayan: Features a traditional Newari settlement and one of the earliest inscriptions from the 5th century AD, along with a Hindu temple complex that exemplifies Nepalese temple architecture. Architectural Features and Craftsmanship The monuments are characterized by their distinctive architectural typologies, primarily constructed from fired brick, mud mortar, and timber. Their roofs are adorned with small overlapping terracotta tiles and gilded brass ornamentation, showcasing the high level of craftsmanship of the Newar people—the indigenous inhabitants of the valley. Richly carved windows, doorways, and roof struts further exemplify their artistic mastery. Stupas—symbolic Buddhist monuments—are notable for their simple yet powerful forms, with massive whitewashed hemispheres supporting gilded cubes bearing the all-seeing Buddha eyes. These architectural elements reflect both spiritual symbolism and artistic excellence. Cultural Fusion and Artistic Heritage The development of Buddhism and Hinduism in Nepal is marked by a remarkable fusion of religious practices and artistic traditions, especially between 1500 and 1800 AD. This period saw the emergence of intricate and highly developed craftsmanship in brick, stone, timber, and bronze, manifesting in palace complexes, temples, and stupas. The unique urban settlements of the Newars, with their detailed ornamentation and traditional construction techniques, stand as some of the most advanced in the world. Outstanding Universal Value The Kathmandu Valley’s monuments embody several UNESCO criteria: Criterion (iii): They are an exceptional testimony to the traditional civilization of the valley, reflecting a multi-ethnic society with distinct cultural traditions. The Newars’ craftsmanship and urban development are unparalleled, and the coexistence of Hinduism, Buddhism, animist rituals, and Tantrism is uniquely manifested here. Criterion (iv): The region’s architecture exemplifies highly developed cultural expressions, with palace complexes, temples, and stupas that are unique to the valley and represent a pinnacle of Nepalese artistry. Criterion (vi): The sites are directly associated with legends, rituals, and festivals that are integral to the spiritual and cultural life of the local communities, illustrating the tangible connection between religious practice and architectural expression. Preservation, Integrity, and Management The Kathmandu Valley’s attributes are well-preserved within the boundaries established by the World Heritage designation, with most buildings remaining in good condition. An Integrated Management Plan, adopted in 2007, coordinates efforts among various levels of government and non-governmental organizations to protect these monuments from urban encroachment and development pressures. While urbanization continues, the authenticity of the historical ensembles is maintained through their traditional forms, materials, and setting. The protection measures are reinforced by national legislation, including the Ancient Monument Preservation Act of 1956, which affords the highest level of protection to these sites. Furthermore, disaster risk management is a critical component of ongoing preservation efforts, ensuring that the valley’s monuments are safeguarded against natural calamities and future threats. Conclusion The Kathmandu Valley’s seven Monument Zones stand as a vivid reflection of Nepal’s rich cultural tapestry, architectural ingenuity, and religious diversity. Recognized for their outstanding universal value, these sites exemplify a unique blend of artistic excellence and spiritual tradition that continues to inspire and attract visitors from around the world. Through sustained management and preservation efforts, the enduring legacy of the Kathmandu Valley remains safeguarded for future generations.

The post Kathmandu Valley: A UNESCO World Heritage Site appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, the Kathmandu Valley stands as a testament to centuries of rich cultural, religious, and architectural development. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage property, the valley is inscribed as seven distinct Monument Zones, each representing a vital aspect of its historical urban and religious fabric. These zones include the historic Durbar squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, along with prominent religious ensembles such as Swayambhu, Boudhanath, Pashupati, and Changu Narayan.

The Monument Zones and Their Significance

The Durbar squares serve as the heart of each city, featuring palaces, temples, and bustling public spaces that reflect the political and cultural grandeur of Nepal’s historic kingdoms. Meanwhile, the religious ensembles are crucial for understanding the spiritual landscape of the valley.

  • Swayambhu: Home to the oldest Buddhist monument in the valley, a venerable stupa that symbolizes the enduring Buddhist tradition in Nepal.
  • Bauddhanath: Contains the largest stupa in Nepal, a major pilgrimage site and a hub of Tibetan Buddhism.
  • Pashupati: Encompasses an extensive Hindu temple precinct dedicated to Lord Shiva, highlighting the importance of Hindu worship in the region.
  • Changu Narayan: Features a traditional Newari settlement and one of the earliest inscriptions from the 5th century AD, along with a Hindu temple complex that exemplifies Nepalese temple architecture.

Architectural Features and Craftsmanship

Kathmandu Valley UNESCO Heritage

The monuments are characterized by their distinctive architectural typologies, primarily constructed from fired brick, mud mortar, and timber. Their roofs are adorned with small overlapping terracotta tiles and gilded brass ornamentation, showcasing the high level of craftsmanship of the Newar people—the indigenous inhabitants of the valley. Richly carved windows, doorways, and roof struts further exemplify their artistic mastery.

Stupas—symbolic Buddhist monuments—are notable for their simple yet powerful forms, with massive whitewashed hemispheres supporting gilded cubes bearing the all-seeing Buddha eyes. These architectural elements reflect both spiritual symbolism and artistic excellence.

Cultural Fusion and Artistic Heritage

The development of Buddhism and Hinduism in Nepal is marked by a remarkable fusion of religious practices and artistic traditions, especially between 1500 and 1800 AD. This period saw the emergence of intricate and highly developed craftsmanship in brick, stone, timber, and bronze, manifesting in palace complexes, temples, and stupas. The unique urban settlements of the Newars, with their detailed ornamentation and traditional construction techniques, stand as some of the most advanced in the world.

Outstanding Universal Value

The Newar People- Old Inhabitants of Kathmandu

The Kathmandu Valley’s monuments embody several UNESCO criteria:

  • Criterion (iii): They are an exceptional testimony to the traditional civilization of the valley, reflecting a multi-ethnic society with distinct cultural traditions. The Newars’ craftsmanship and urban development are unparalleled, and the coexistence of Hinduism, Buddhism, animist rituals, and Tantrism is uniquely manifested here.
  • Criterion (iv): The region’s architecture exemplifies highly developed cultural expressions, with palace complexes, temples, and stupas that are unique to the valley and represent a pinnacle of Nepalese artistry.
  • Criterion (vi): The sites are directly associated with legends, rituals, and festivals that are integral to the spiritual and cultural life of the local communities, illustrating the tangible connection between religious practice and architectural expression.

Preservation, Integrity, and Management

Buddhism and Hinduism in Nepal

The Kathmandu Valley’s attributes are well-preserved within the boundaries established by the World Heritage designation, with most buildings remaining in good condition. An Integrated Management Plan, adopted in 2007, coordinates efforts among various levels of government and non-governmental organizations to protect these monuments from urban encroachment and development pressures.

While urbanization continues, the authenticity of the historical ensembles is maintained through their traditional forms, materials, and setting. The protection measures are reinforced by national legislation, including the Ancient Monument Preservation Act of 1956, which affords the highest level of protection to these sites.

Boudhanath Stupa

Furthermore, disaster risk management is a critical component of ongoing preservation efforts, ensuring that the valley’s monuments are safeguarded against natural calamities and future threats.

Conclusion

The Kathmandu Valley’s seven Monument Zones stand as a vivid reflection of Nepal’s rich cultural tapestry, architectural ingenuity, and religious diversity. Recognized for their outstanding universal value, these sites exemplify a unique blend of artistic excellence and spiritual tradition that continues to inspire and attract visitors from around the world. Through sustained management and preservation efforts, the enduring legacy of the Kathmandu Valley remains safeguarded for future generations.

The post Kathmandu Valley: A UNESCO World Heritage Site appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

]]> Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 now open through April 2026 https://asianitinerary.com/thailand-biennale-phuket-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thailand-biennale-phuket-2025 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 22:54:43 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=70050

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) invites local and international travellers to experience Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025, a five-month celebration of contemporary art running from now until April 2026. The Biennale brings creative works from around the world to Phuket’s historic neighbourhoods, cultural landmarks, and scenic outdoor locations. Now in its fourth edition, the Biennale highlights Thailand’s growing creative economy and strengthens Phuket’s position as a destination for arts and culture. This year’s theme, “Eternal Kalpa”, encourages visitors to reflect on time, change, and the connection between people and nature. The artworks explore how memories, communities, and the environment continue to shape Phuket as it looks to the future. A total of 65 artists and collectives from 25 countries are participating. Their works are displayed across 19 venues in Mueang, Kathu, and Thalang districts, including the former Pearl Theatre, Phuket Contemporary Art Gallery, repurposed community buildings, and outdoor sites such as Saphan Hin and Promthep Cape. Each location has been transformed to offer a different perspective on Phuket’s culture and landscape. Alongside the main exhibition, visitors can explore 13 “Sala” created by artist groups and organisations from Thailand and abroad. Spread across the island, these Sala present additional artworks, workshops, and community activities. Each space offers its own interpretation of Phuket’s stories, traditions, and natural surroundings. Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 aims to make contemporary art more accessible to the public while supporting Phuket’s development as a sustainable, creative city. The event encourages visitors to discover the island through art, engaging with its architecture, heritage, and people in a fresh and meaningful way. A series of collateral activities will take place until April 2026, including talks, guided programmes, and community-led events. These activities are designed to help visitors and residents enjoy the Biennale more deeply and understand the inspirations behind the artworks. With installations set in both urban and coastal areas, Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 offers a unique way to explore the island, inviting travellers to experience art in unexpected and memorable settings. The event strengthens Phuket’s international profile and supports Thailand’s appeal as a destination for cultural and creative experiences. More information is available at www.thailandbiennale.org, facebook.com/thailandbiennale, and the Ministry of Culture Hotline 1765.

The post Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 now open through April 2026 appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) invites local and international travellers to experience Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025, a five-month celebration of contemporary art running from now until April 2026. The Biennale brings creative works from around the world to Phuket’s historic neighbourhoods, cultural landmarks, and scenic outdoor locations.

Now in its fourth edition, the Biennale highlights Thailand’s growing creative economy and strengthens Phuket’s position as a destination for arts and culture. This year’s theme, “Eternal Kalpa”, encourages visitors to reflect on time, change, and the connection between people and nature. The artworks explore how memories, communities, and the environment continue to shape Phuket as it looks to the future.

A total of 65 artists and collectives from 25 countries are participating. Their works are displayed across 19 venues in Mueang, Kathu, and Thalang districts, including the former Pearl Theatre, Phuket Contemporary Art Gallery, repurposed community buildings, and outdoor sites such as Saphan Hin and Promthep Cape. Each location has been transformed to offer a different perspective on Phuket’s culture and landscape.

Alongside the main exhibition, visitors can explore 13 “Sala” created by artist groups and organisations from Thailand and abroad. Spread across the island, these Sala present additional artworks, workshops, and community activities. Each space offers its own interpretation of Phuket’s stories, traditions, and natural surroundings.

Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 aims to make contemporary art more accessible to the public while supporting Phuket’s development as a sustainable, creative city. The event encourages visitors to discover the island through art, engaging with its architecture, heritage, and people in a fresh and meaningful way.

A series of collateral activities will take place until April 2026, including talks, guided programmes, and community-led events. These activities are designed to help visitors and residents enjoy the Biennale more deeply and understand the inspirations behind the artworks.

With installations set in both urban and coastal areas, Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 offers a unique way to explore the island, inviting travellers to experience art in unexpected and memorable settings. The event strengthens Phuket’s international profile and supports Thailand’s appeal as a destination for cultural and creative experiences.

More information is available at www.thailandbiennale.org, facebook.com/thailandbiennale, and the Ministry of Culture Hotline 1765.

The post Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 now open through April 2026 appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

]]> the 15th Edition of Tokyo Art Book Fair 2025 https://asianitinerary.com/tokyo-art-book-fair-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tokyo-art-book-fair-2025 Wed, 10 Dec 2025 14:06:14 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=69894

The Tokyo Art Book Fair (TABF) returns in its 15th edition, expanding to two separate weeks for the first time, showcasing a diverse lineup of global art publishers and independent presses. This dynamic event is a must-visit platform celebrating the evolving landscape of art publishing. This year, the “GUEST COUNTRY” program spotlights Italy, exploring its rich publishing culture through exhibitions like YES YES YES Revolutionary Press in Italy 1966–1977 and OUT OF THE GRID: Italian Zine 1978–2006. Highlights include showcases by Corraini, an Italian publisher renowned for its innovative picture books by Bruno Munari, Enzo Mari, and Ettore Sottsass. Other features include a photography exhibition by Takashi Homma focusing on refugees worldwide, an archival presentation from Pace Gallery, and a festive “BOOK WRAPPING CORNER” with special wrapping papers designed by Bruno Munari, Norio Nakamura, and David Horvitz. The fair offers a packed schedule of talks, workshops, book signings, live performances, a kids’ area called “PLAYGROUND,” and community initiatives like “NEIGHBORS.” Visitors can also explore booths from brands like Sigma, New Balance, Bang & Olufsen, and more. Join us at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo from December 11–14 and December 19–21, 2025, to celebrate creativity, culture, and the future of art publishing. Tickets go on sale November 20th at 12:00 PM. Learn more at tokyoartbookfair.com. Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo – Address: 4-1-1 Miyoshi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0022 Admission: Online ticket (date and time designated) — General: ¥1,000 + ¥165 online booking fee (tax included) *Free for elementary school students and younger. ※Same-day ticket: ¥1,200 (available until 16:00 each day; sales end once sold out). A limited number of same-day tickets will be available. Dates: Week 1 Dates: 12:00-19:00, December 11 (Thu),  2025 Last Admission: 18:30 11:00-18:00, December 12 (Fri) -14 (Sun), 2025 Last Admission: 17:30 Week 2 Dates: 12:00-19:00, December 19 (Fri),  2025 Last Admission: 18:30 11:00-18:00, December 20 (Sat) – 21 (Sun), 2025 Last Admission: 17:30 About TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR started in 2009; the first book fair in Japan to specialize in art publications.Held annually, it gathers independent publishers, gallery presses, bookshops as well as individual artists and groups. The fair has seen constant growth in its scale and content over the years, and the event now gathers more than 350 participants from Japan and abroad and attracts more than 20,000 visitors every year.At the fair, visitors can communicate with and buy publications directly from hundreds of publishers and artists who create unique and innovative art publications; they can also enjoy various events including special exhibitions, talks/panel discussions and film screenings.As the biggest of its kind in Asia, TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR aims to champion and lead art publishing culture in the region, and create the ideal opportunity for visitors to experience the ever evolving, vibrant arena of arts publishing. Photos by Henry Anim Del Rio 

The post the 15th Edition of Tokyo Art Book Fair 2025 appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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The Tokyo Art Book Fair (TABF) returns in its 15th edition, expanding to two separate weeks for the first time, showcasing a diverse lineup of global art publishers and independent presses. This dynamic event is a must-visit platform celebrating the evolving landscape of art publishing.

This year, the “GUEST COUNTRY” program spotlights Italy, exploring its rich publishing culture through exhibitions like YES YES YES Revolutionary Press in Italy 1966–1977 and OUT OF THE GRID: Italian Zine 1978–2006. Highlights include showcases by Corraini, an Italian publisher renowned for its innovative picture books by Bruno Munari, Enzo Mari, and Ettore Sottsass.

Henry (right) representing Asian Itinerary at the TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR

Other features include a photography exhibition by Takashi Homma focusing on refugees worldwide, an archival presentation from Pace Gallery, and a festive “BOOK WRAPPING CORNER” with special wrapping papers designed by Bruno Munari, Norio Nakamura, and David Horvitz.

The fair offers a packed schedule of talks, workshops, book signings, live performances, a kids’ area called “PLAYGROUND,” and community initiatives like “NEIGHBORS.” Visitors can also explore booths from brands like Sigma, New Balance, Bang & Olufsen, and more.

Join us at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo from December 11–14 and December 19–21, 2025, to celebrate creativity, culture, and the future of art publishing.

A huge success in this 2025 edition

Tickets go on sale November 20th at 12:00 PM. Learn more at tokyoartbookfair.com. Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo – Address: 4-1-1 Miyoshi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0022

Admission: Online ticket (date and time designated) — General: ¥1,000 + ¥165 online booking fee (tax included) *Free for elementary school students and younger. ※Same-day ticket: ¥1,200 (available until 16:00 each day; sales end once sold out). A limited number of same-day tickets will be available.

Dates:

Week 1

Dates: 12:00-19:00, December 11 (Thu),  2025 Last Admission: 18:30

11:00-18:00, December 12 (Fri) -14 (Sun), 2025 Last Admission: 17:30

The crowd at Tokyo Art Book Fair 2025

Week 2

Dates: 12:00-19:00, December 19 (Fri),  2025 Last Admission: 18:30

11:00-18:00, December 20 (Sat) – 21 (Sun), 2025 Last Admission: 17:30

About TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR

TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR started in 2009; the first book fair in Japan to specialize in art publications.Held annually, it gathers independent publishers, gallery presses, bookshops as well as individual artists and groups. The fair has seen constant growth in its scale and content over the years, and the event now gathers more than 350 participants from Japan and abroad and attracts more than 20,000 visitors every year.At the fair, visitors can communicate with and buy publications directly from hundreds of publishers and artists who create unique and innovative art publications; they can also enjoy various events including special exhibitions, talks/panel discussions and film screenings.As the biggest of its kind in Asia, TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR aims to champion and lead art publishing culture in the region, and create the ideal opportunity for visitors to experience the ever evolving, vibrant arena of arts publishing.
Photos by Henry Anim Del Rio 

The post the 15th Edition of Tokyo Art Book Fair 2025 appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

]]> Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor New Artist in Residence https://asianitinerary.com/raffles-grand-hotel-dangkor-new-artist-in-residence/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=raffles-grand-hotel-dangkor-new-artist-in-residence Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:58:14 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=69880

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor has welcomed a new artist in residence ahead of the launch of a new exhibition of artworks, as the iconic 93-year-old luxury hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia continues to spotlight talented Khmer creatives. Teang Borin, popularly known as ‘DinArt’, is an audacious, self-taught artist whose work captures and exalts the essence of Cambodia’s rich religious and societal heritage. His latest exhibition, inspired by the majesty of Khmer royalty and the distinguished colour palette of the Raffles Royal Doorman, features vivid, brilliant hues often set against a stark backdrop. “The central concept revives the historical tradition of Khmer royalty, specifically focussing on the Royal Guards’ pantaloons. Historically, the colour of a king’s attire would change to correspond with the day of the week—a vibrant, visual reminder of the calendar and its spiritual significance,” said curator Nat Di Maggio of the local Tribe Art Gallery. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor will host DinArt for a ‘meet-the-artist’ event on Dec. 18 (starting at 6 p.m.) that includes a gin and canape pairing priced at $25. The exhibition of DinArt’s works can also be experienced on a private guided tour led by the resident artist or by Di Maggio. “Raffles remains committed to highlighting the remarkable artists of Cambodia, and we are pleased to present this Raffles Curated Collection featuring the remarkable works of DinArt,” said Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor General Manager Joseph Colina. The exhibition is the latest in Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor’s ongoing art and cultural series, and follows a two-artist show that concluded in October and a display earlier this year of notable works by another celebrated Khmer painter. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor originally opened in 1932 as a rest stop for archeologists and adventurers exploring the kingdom of Angkor Wat, which is today one of the world’s most popular UNESCO World Heritage sites. The hotel’s exclusive ‘Curated Journeys,’ introduced in 2024, offer guests new ways to experience Siem Reap’s rich culture and history, while its on-site ‘Resort Programme’ showcases heritage and traditions at the hotel. Last month, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor landed on Fodor’s list of ‘The 100 Most Incredible Hotels in the World’. It was the only hotel in Cambodia to be recognised. Travel + Leisure magazine also honoured Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor as one of the world’s ‘500 Best Hotels’ for a fourth-consecutive year in May. For more information on Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, or to make a booking, please call +855 23 982 598 or visit www.raffles.com/siem-reap/.

The post Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor New Artist in Residence appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor has welcomed a new artist in residence ahead of the launch of a new exhibition of artworks, as the iconic 93-year-old luxury hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia continues to spotlight talented Khmer creatives. Teang Borin, popularly known as ‘DinArt’, is an audacious, self-taught artist whose work captures and exalts the essence of Cambodia’s rich religious and societal heritage.

His latest exhibition, inspired by the majesty of Khmer royalty and the distinguished colour palette of the Raffles Royal Doorman, features vivid, brilliant hues often set against a stark backdrop.

Khmer artist DinArt Raffles Angkor exhibition

“The central concept revives the historical tradition of Khmer royalty, specifically focussing on the Royal Guards’ pantaloons. Historically, the colour of a king’s attire would change to correspond with the day of the week—a vibrant, visual reminder of the calendar and its spiritual significance,” said curator Nat Di Maggio of the local Tribe Art Gallery.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor will host DinArt for a ‘meet-the-artist’ event on Dec. 18 (starting at 6 p.m.) that includes a gin and canape pairing priced at $25. The exhibition of DinArt’s works can also be experienced on a private guided tour led by the resident artist or by Di Maggio.

“Raffles remains committed to highlighting the remarkable artists of Cambodia, and we are pleased to present this Raffles Curated Collection featuring the remarkable works of DinArt,” said Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor General Manager Joseph Colina.

The exhibition is the latest in Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor’s ongoing art and cultural series, and follows a two-artist show that concluded in October and a display earlier this year of notable works by another celebrated Khmer painter.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor originally opened in 1932 as a rest stop for archeologists and adventurers exploring the kingdom of Angkor Wat, which is today one of the world’s most popular UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor

The hotel’s exclusive ‘Curated Journeys,’ introduced in 2024, offer guests new ways to experience Siem Reap’s rich culture and history, while its on-site ‘Resort Programme’ showcases heritage and traditions at the hotel.

Last month, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor landed on Fodor’s list of ‘The 100 Most Incredible Hotels in the World’. It was the only hotel in Cambodia to be recognised. Travel + Leisure magazine also honoured Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor as one of the world’s ‘500 Best Hotels’ for a fourth-consecutive year in May.

For more information on Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, or to make a booking, please call +855 23 982 598 or visit www.raffles.com/siem-reap/.

The post Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor New Artist in Residence appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

]]> The Hari Hong Kong Partners with White Cube https://asianitinerary.com/thresholds-indonesian-art-cuisine-hong-kong/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thresholds-indonesian-art-cuisine-hong-kong Sun, 30 Nov 2025 18:27:39 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=69729

The Hari Hong Kong has partnered with White Cube Hong Kong, to share a selection of works from ‘Thresholds,’ a group exhibition featuring the work of contemporary artists whose practices are rooted in or connected to Indonesia. Through a diverse range of mediums, the temporary exhibition explores the interwoven cycles of life, death and transformation, with a focus on themes of ritual, spirituality, and reincarnation. Artworks will be on display at the hotel until 31 March 2026. To celebrate the exhibition, The Hari Hong Kong is offering menu specials inspired by Indonesian cuisine. At The Lounge, one of the public spaces where ‘Thresholds’ adorns the walls, visitors can enjoy dishes such as chicken karaage wrapped in pandan leaf, or pandan coconut panna cotta. These can be enjoyed alongside the Threshold Special, a pandan-flavoured cocktail or mocktail. The pandan leaf, a staple in Indonesian cooking, adds a sweet aroma and vibrant green colour to the limited-time dishes and drinks. The pandan leaf also holds spiritual significance. Known as a symbol of purity, the leaf is often used for the woven basket of Canang Sari, daily offerings. Curated by Galuh Sukardi, an independent curator based in Indonesia, ‘Thresholds’ brings together painting, sculpture, textile, drawing and silverware by multigenerational artists: Galuh Anindita, Arahmaiani, Christine Ay Tjoe, Nadiah Bamadhaj, Kei Imazu, Ines Katamso, I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih (Murni), Citra Sasmita and Jennifer Tee. Each artist charts their own individual journey of transformation: spiritual, political, physical or mythological. Forming a chorus of unique experiences, each shaped by the crossing of a ‘threshold’, the works selected reflect an understanding of the coexistence of light and dark; a dynamic whereby opposite forces are not at odds but held in balance. Rooted in Indonesian traditions, and amid contemporary ecological, spiritual and social fractures, the exhibition takes the concept of the black-and-white Balinese poleng cloth as a point of a departure. Traditionally used to adorn statues, shrines and sacred trees, the cloth’s bold, criss-crossing pattern symbolises a harmony of opposites. ‘Thresholds’ at The Hari Hong Kong extends White Cube’s collaboration with the hotel through their annual The Hari Art Prize, which originated in The Hari London, with Irene Bradbury, Global Director, Artist Liaison at White Cube, serving on the judging panel for the London prize. In 2023, The Hari Hong Kong introduced this event, now in its third year.  Wendy Xu, Managing Director, Asia at White Cube, is part of the judging panel for The Hari Art Prize 2026 in Hong Kong. ‘Thresholds, curated by Galuh Sukardi’ is on view at White Cube Hong Kong until 10 January 2026. Concurrently, the exhibition extends to The Hari Hong Kong until 31 March 2026.

The post The Hari Hong Kong Partners with White Cube appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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The Hari Hong Kong has partnered with White Cube Hong Kong, to share a selection of works from ‘Thresholds,’ a group exhibition featuring the work of contemporary artists whose practices are rooted in or connected to Indonesia. Through a diverse range of mediums, the temporary exhibition explores the interwoven cycles of life, death and transformation, with a focus on themes of ritual, spirituality, and reincarnation. Artworks will be on display at the hotel until 31 March 2026.

The Lounge at The Hari Hong Kong

To celebrate the exhibition, The Hari Hong Kong is offering menu specials inspired by Indonesian cuisine. At The Lounge, one of the public spaces where ‘Thresholds’ adorns the walls, visitors can enjoy dishes such as chicken karaage wrapped in pandan leaf, or pandan coconut panna cotta. These can be enjoyed alongside the Threshold Special, a pandan-flavoured cocktail or mocktail. The pandan leaf, a staple in Indonesian cooking, adds a sweet aroma and vibrant green colour to the limited-time dishes and drinks. The pandan leaf also holds spiritual significance. Known as a symbol of purity, the leaf is often used for the woven basket of Canang Sari, daily offerings.

Christine Ay Tjoe – Always Floating In A Constant Distance

Curated by Galuh Sukardi, an independent curator based in Indonesia, ‘Thresholds’ brings together painting, sculpture, textile, drawing and silverware by multigenerational artists: Galuh Anindita, Arahmaiani, Christine Ay Tjoe, Nadiah Bamadhaj, Kei Imazu, Ines Katamso, I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih (Murni), Citra Sasmita and Jennifer Tee.

Each artist charts their own individual journey of transformation: spiritual, political, physical or mythological. Forming a chorus of unique experiences, each shaped by the crossing of a ‘threshold’, the works selected reflect an understanding of the coexistence of light and dark; a dynamic whereby opposite forces are not at odds but held in balance.

Pandan-flavoured drinks and chicken karaage wrapped in pandan leaf

Rooted in Indonesian traditions, and amid contemporary ecological, spiritual and social fractures, the exhibition takes the concept of the black-and-white Balinese poleng cloth as a point of a departure. Traditionally used to adorn statues, shrines and sacred trees, the cloth’s bold, criss-crossing pattern symbolises a harmony of opposites.

‘Thresholds’ at The Hari Hong Kong extends White Cube’s collaboration with the hotel through their annual The Hari Art Prize, which originated in The Hari London, with Irene Bradbury, Global Director, Artist Liaison at White Cube, serving on the judging panel for the London prize. In 2023, The Hari Hong Kong introduced this event, now in its third year.  Wendy Xu, Managing Director, Asia at White Cube, is part of the judging panel for The Hari Art Prize 2026 in Hong Kong.

‘Thresholds, curated by Galuh Sukardi’ is on view at White Cube Hong Kong until 10 January 2026. Concurrently, the exhibition extends to The Hari Hong Kong until 31 March 2026.

The post The Hari Hong Kong Partners with White Cube appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

]]> Raffles Hotel Le Royal Celebrates 96 Years https://asianitinerary.com/raffles-hotel-le-royal-96th-anniversary-charity-gala/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=raffles-hotel-le-royal-96th-anniversary-charity-gala Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:03:27 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=69509

Raffles Hotel Le Royal, one of Southeast Asia’s most renowned luxury heritage hotels located in Phnom Penh, is marking its 96th anniversary this month with a charity gala and the launch of a new art exhibition spotlighting talented young Cambodian artists. The hotel will host a charity gala dinner and art auction on Friday, Nov. 24 at its award-winning Restaurant Le Royal. The evening will feature a three-course gourmet dinner with fine wines, accompanied by a live auction of artworks created by the children of Sunrise Cambodia, a local non-profit charitable organisation. All proceeds from the dinner and auction will directly support the care and education of underprivileged children through Sunrise Cambodia’s various programs. Tickets are priced at $96 for two persons and the evening begins at 6 p.m. Earlier this month, Raffles Hotel Le Royal launched a heartfelt art exhibition titled ‘I Spy – The Magic of Raffles’, which invites guests to look closer at unique details of the storied hotel, a longstanding cultural landmark with a strong commitment to community, education and the arts. The children’s artworks from the exhibition will be part of the auction on Nov. 24. “Through the eyes of Cambodia’s youth, this unique art project captures not just the beauty of our historic hotel, but also the essence of heritage, imagination and hope,” Raffles Hotel Le Royal General Manager Dagmar Lyons said. As part of the project, Raffles Hotel Le Royal organised an art competition for 25 children from Sunrise Cambodia. Guided by renowned Cambodian artist Chhim Sothy and supported by fellow artists Li Ming Hang and Emmeline Mulder, the children were invited to artistically interpret ‘The Magic of Raffles’ in their own way. On Children’s Day, five outstanding artworks were selected and transformed into limited-edition postcards, now available at the Raffles Boutique, with proceeds benefiting Sunrise Cambodia’s creative education programs. Green Globe Certification The 96th anniversary celebrations come as Raffles Hotel Le Royal was also recently recognised for a second-straight year with an industry-leading Green Globe Certification highlighting the hotel’s commitment to sustainable practices. The designation was awarded based on the hotel’s efficient resource management, its innovative and engaging community programmes, unique environmental initiatives and other best practices. The Green Globe programme traces its roots back to the United Nations Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992, where 182 heads of state from around the world endorsed the Agenda 21 principles of sustainable development. Today, Green Globe has grown to become the world’s leading certification for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism worldwide. The Green Globe Certification Standard includes 44 criteria in four groups and supported by over 380 compliance indicators. The standard has been developed over three decades and guarantees the highest level of sustainable operations and management. For more information on the gala dinner and auction, or to make a booking at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, please contact +855 23 981 888 or visit www.raffles.com/phnom-penh.

The post Raffles Hotel Le Royal Celebrates 96 Years appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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Raffles Hotel Le Royal, one of Southeast Asia’s most renowned luxury heritage hotels located in Phnom Penh, is marking its 96th anniversary this month with a charity gala and the launch of a new art exhibition spotlighting talented young Cambodian artists. The hotel will host a charity gala dinner and art auction on Friday, Nov. 24 at its award-winning Restaurant Le Royal. The evening will feature a three-course gourmet dinner with fine wines, accompanied by a live auction of artworks created by the children of Sunrise Cambodia, a local non-profit charitable organisation.

All proceeds from the dinner and auction will directly support the care and education of underprivileged children through Sunrise Cambodia’s various programs. Tickets are priced at $96 for two persons and the evening begins at 6 p.m.

Earlier this month, Raffles Hotel Le Royal launched a heartfelt art exhibition titled ‘I Spy – The Magic of Raffles’, which invites guests to look closer at unique details of the storied hotel, a longstanding cultural landmark with a strong commitment to community, education and the arts. The children’s artworks from the exhibition will be part of the auction on Nov. 24.

“Through the eyes of Cambodia’s youth, this unique art project captures not just the beauty of our historic hotel, but also the essence of heritage, imagination and hope,” Raffles Hotel Le Royal General Manager Dagmar Lyons said.

Raffles Hotel Le Royal 96th anniversary charity event will include art projects

As part of the project, Raffles Hotel Le Royal organised an art competition for 25 children from Sunrise Cambodia. Guided by renowned Cambodian artist Chhim Sothy and supported by fellow artists Li Ming Hang and Emmeline Mulder, the children were invited to artistically interpret ‘The Magic of Raffles’ in their own way.

On Children’s Day, five outstanding artworks were selected and transformed into limited-edition postcards, now available at the Raffles Boutique, with proceeds benefiting Sunrise Cambodia’s creative education programs.

Green Globe Certification

The 96th anniversary celebrations come as Raffles Hotel Le Royal was also recently recognised for a second-straight year with an industry-leading Green Globe Certification highlighting the hotel’s commitment to sustainable practices.

The designation was awarded based on the hotel’s efficient resource management, its innovative and engaging community programmes, unique environmental initiatives and other best practices.

The Green Globe programme traces its roots back to the United Nations Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992, where 182 heads of state from around the world endorsed the Agenda 21 principles of sustainable development. Today, Green Globe has grown to become the world’s leading certification for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism worldwide.

The Green Globe Certification Standard includes 44 criteria in four groups and supported by over 380 compliance indicators. The standard has been developed over three decades and guarantees the highest level of sustainable operations and management.

For more information on the gala dinner and auction, or to make a booking at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, please contact +855 23 981 888 or visit www.raffles.com/phnom-penh.

The post Raffles Hotel Le Royal Celebrates 96 Years appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

]]> 1664 / Camille Walala: Art Collaboration 2025 https://asianitinerary.com/1664-camille-walala-art-collaboration-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=1664-camille-walala-art-collaboration-2025 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:27:48 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=69195

As the holiday season approaches, 1664, the iconic French beer brand, is making waves across Asia with its first-ever artist collaboration featuring renowned French artist Camille Walala. This exciting partnership spans markets including Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, bringing a fresh, colorful twist to traditional celebrations like Christmas and Lunar New Year. Starting from October2025, consumers can look forward to limited-edition packaging, immersive experiences, and exclusive merchandise that blend artistic innovation with cultural traditions. A Colorful Fusion of Art and Festivity Camille Walala is celebrated worldwide for her striking use of color, geometric patterns, and immersive installations that breathe new life into any space. Her partnership with 1664 aims to fuse her contemporary artistic style with the rich cultural tapestry of Asian festivities. Imagine bottles of 1664 Blanc, Rosé, and Brut adorned with Walala’s playful, bold designs—an eye-catching fusion that captures the exuberant spirit of the season. Beyond packaging, the collaboration introduces a series of co-branded merchandise and collectibles, such as red envelopes, tote bags, glasses, and umbrellas. Each item is thoughtfully designed to reflect cultural nuances across Asia, elevating 1664’s premium portfolio while celebrating local traditions. These collectibles serve as both functional items and cherished keepsakes, perfect for gifting or personal enjoyment during the festivities. Art, Culture, and Community Engagement This collaboration is more than just eye-catching design; it’s part of Carlsberg Group’s broader vision under the Accelerate SAIL strategy, launched in early 2024. This strategy emphasizes bold growth, innovative branding, and cultural relevance. By partnering with an artist like Camille Walala, 1664 aims to deepen its connection to local communities and showcase the brand’s commitment to creativity and cultural resonance. Throughout the festive season, from mid-October to Lunar New Year, the campaign will feature on-ground activations across key cities. Expect striking installations, engaging events, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into Walala’s creative process. A highlight will be a captivating installation in Kuala Lumpur this December, with further activations planned in major Chinese cities, Singapore, and Vietnam in the coming months. Rommel P. Fuentebella, Senior Director of Premium and Execution at Carlsberg Asia, shared, “Our collaboration with Camille Walala creates a space where art and celebration collide—bringing joy and color into everyday moments. It’s a reflection of our desire to blend French elegance with local creativity, making each festivity unique and memorable.” Embracing Traditions with a Modern Touch One of the most exciting aspects of this partnership is how it reimagines longstanding traditions. From fireworks lighting up the night sky to the glow of lanterns and the aroma of festive delicacies, Walala’s vibrant artwork adds a contemporary layer to these cherished rituals. It’s a celebration of cultural diversity, designed to inspire shared joy and community connection. Travelers and festival-goers alike can look forward to immersive experiences that showcase Camile Walala’s creative vision—offering a unique opportunity to see art, culture, and celebration come alive in unexpected ways. Whether exploring Kuala Lumpur’s upcoming installation or participating in lively activations across Asia’s bustling cities, this collaboration promises to elevate the holiday experience.

The post 1664 / Camille Walala: Art Collaboration 2025 appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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As the holiday season approaches, 1664, the iconic French beer brand, is making waves across Asia with its first-ever artist collaboration featuring renowned French artist Camille Walala. This exciting partnership spans markets including Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, bringing a fresh, colorful twist to traditional celebrations like Christmas and Lunar New Year. Starting from October2025, consumers can look forward to limited-edition packaging, immersive experiences, and exclusive merchandise that blend artistic innovation with cultural traditions.

A Colorful Fusion of Art and Festivity

1664 artist collaboration Asia 2025

Camille Walala is celebrated worldwide for her striking use of color, geometric patterns, and immersive installations that breathe new life into any space. Her partnership with 1664 aims to fuse her contemporary artistic style with the rich cultural tapestry of Asian festivities. Imagine bottles of 1664 Blanc, Rosé, and Brut adorned with Walala’s playful, bold designs—an eye-catching fusion that captures the exuberant spirit of the season.

Beyond packaging, the collaboration introduces a series of co-branded merchandise and collectibles, such as red envelopes, tote bags, glasses, and umbrellas. Each item is thoughtfully designed to reflect cultural nuances across Asia, elevating 1664’s premium portfolio while celebrating local traditions. These collectibles serve as both functional items and cherished keepsakes, perfect for gifting or personal enjoyment during the festivities.

Art, Culture, and Community Engagement

This collaboration is more than just eye-catching design; it’s part of Carlsberg Group’s broader vision under the Accelerate SAIL strategy, launched in early 2024. This strategy emphasizes bold growth, innovative branding, and cultural relevance. By partnering with an artist like Camille Walala, 1664 aims to deepen its connection to local communities and showcase the brand’s commitment to creativity and cultural resonance.

Throughout the festive season, from mid-October to Lunar New Year, the campaign will feature on-ground activations across key cities. Expect striking installations, engaging events, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into Walala’s creative process. A highlight will be a captivating installation in Kuala Lumpur this December, with further activations planned in major Chinese cities, Singapore, and Vietnam in the coming months.

Rommel P. Fuentebella, Senior Director of Premium and Execution at Carlsberg Asia, shared, “Our collaboration with Camille Walala creates a space where art and celebration collide—bringing joy and color into everyday moments. It’s a reflection of our desire to blend French elegance with local creativity, making each festivity unique and memorable.”

Embracing Traditions with a Modern Touch

Camille Walala

One of the most exciting aspects of this partnership is how it reimagines longstanding traditions. From fireworks lighting up the night sky to the glow of lanterns and the aroma of festive delicacies, Walala’s vibrant artwork adds a contemporary layer to these cherished rituals. It’s a celebration of cultural diversity, designed to inspire shared joy and community connection.

Travelers and festival-goers alike can look forward to immersive experiences that showcase Camile Walala’s creative vision—offering a unique opportunity to see art, culture, and celebration come alive in unexpected ways. Whether exploring Kuala Lumpur’s upcoming installation or participating in lively activations across Asia’s bustling cities, this collaboration promises to elevate the holiday experience.

The post 1664 / Camille Walala: Art Collaboration 2025 appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

]]> Wing Shya: Hong Kong’s Creative Visionary https://asianitinerary.com/wing-shya-hong-kong-artist/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wing-shya-hong-kong-artist Mon, 08 Sep 2025 07:45:51 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=68262

A Star in Hong Kong’s Creative Scene Over the last 25 years, Wing Shya has become one of Hong Kong’s most influential creative forces. Known globally for his bold photography and artistic vision, he has built a reputation that spans fashion, cinema, and contemporary art. From high-gloss magazine covers to film collaborations with director Wong Kar-wai, his work embodies the restless and experimental spirit of Hong Kong. From Designer to Multi-Hyphenate Artist Wing began his career as a graphic designer before moving into photography. His style—vivid, saturated, and emotionally layered—quickly earned him attention across Asia. His images have graced the pages of Vogue, Tatler, Numero, and Visionnaire, while his projects have been showcased in international galleries and museums. But photography is only one part of his creative journey. Wing has also directed films, commercials, and music videos, making him a true multi-hyphenate artist. In Hong Kong, where entertainers often wear many hats, Wing has mirrored that same versatility in the visual arts. The Wong Kar-wai Connection Wing’s career took a turning point in the mid-1990s when he met filmmaker Wong Kar-wai, known for the visually poetic Chungking Express and In the Mood for Love. Wong invited Wing to document his films, giving him freedom to capture not just scenes but the feeling of the set. In Buenos Aires, during the filming of Happy Together, Wing shot stills of actors Tony Leung and Leslie Cheung in raw, candid moments. His images later became the basis for a photobook and striking promotional posters, extending Wong’s cinematic universe into a visual diary. This collaboration positioned Wing as an essential creative voice in Hong Kong cinema. Fashion, Photography, and Storytelling Wing treats every assignment like a mini-film. Instead of static portraits, his fashion and commercial photography captures moments within a story, creating an emotional resonance for viewers. He has worked with global brands such as Nike, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Swarovski, and Maison Martin Margiela, while continuing to collaborate with Asia’s biggest stars. His approach—spontaneous, cinematic, and narrative-driven—blurs the line between commercial photography and fine art. Beyond Fame: A Shift in Vision As Wing entered his 50s, he began shifting focus from fame to personal expression. Projects like Sweet Sorrow, an eerie visual exploration of Hong Kong youth, reflect his growing interest in spirituality and social commentary. This self-funded project, involving over 100 collaborators, became a love letter to his city and a critique of its materialistic culture. Wing has also explored environmental issues, most recently through #EnoughPlastic, a public campaign featuring some of Hong Kong’s top creative personalities. His ability to merge art with activism demonstrates his evolving role as both an artist and social commentator. A Lasting Legacy in Hong Kong Art With decades of groundbreaking work, Wing Shya continues to be a defining figure in Hong Kong’s creative landscape. Whether behind the camera, directing films, or staging art installations, his projects are united by a distinctive style that is both emotional and visually daring. He may describe himself simply as “just a photographer,” but his influence extends far beyond a single medium. Wing embodies the spirit of Hong Kong—dynamic, cross-disciplinary, and constantly reinventing itself. For more information, visit the Shanghai Center of Photography.

The post Wing Shya: Hong Kong’s Creative Visionary appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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A Star in Hong Kong’s Creative Scene

Over the last 25 years, Wing Shya has become one of Hong Kong’s most influential creative forces. Known globally for his bold photography and artistic vision, he has built a reputation that spans fashion, cinema, and contemporary art. From high-gloss magazine covers to film collaborations with director Wong Kar-wai, his work embodies the restless and experimental spirit of Hong Kong.

From Designer to Multi-Hyphenate Artist

Wing Shya Hong Kong

Wing began his career as a graphic designer before moving into photography. His style—vivid, saturated, and emotionally layered—quickly earned him attention across Asia. His images have graced the pages of Vogue, Tatler, Numero, and Visionnaire, while his projects have been showcased in international galleries and museums.

But photography is only one part of his creative journey. Wing has also directed films, commercials, and music videos, making him a true multi-hyphenate artist. In Hong Kong, where entertainers often wear many hats, Wing has mirrored that same versatility in the visual arts.

The Wong Kar-wai Connection

Wing’s career took a turning point in the mid-1990s when he met filmmaker Wong Kar-wai, known for the visually poetic Chungking Express and In the Mood for Love. Wong invited Wing to document his films, giving him freedom to capture not just scenes but the feeling of the set.

In Buenos Aires, during the filming of Happy Together, Wing shot stills of actors Tony Leung and Leslie Cheung in raw, candid moments. His images later became the basis for a photobook and striking promotional posters, extending Wong’s cinematic universe into a visual diary. This collaboration positioned Wing as an essential creative voice in Hong Kong cinema.

Fashion, Photography, and Storytelling

Wing treats every assignment like a mini-film. Instead of static portraits, his fashion and commercial photography captures moments within a story, creating an emotional resonance for viewers.

He has worked with global brands such as Nike, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Swarovski, and Maison Martin Margiela, while continuing to collaborate with Asia’s biggest stars. His approach—spontaneous, cinematic, and narrative-driven—blurs the line between commercial photography and fine art.

Beyond Fame: A Shift in Vision

As Wing entered his 50s, he began shifting focus from fame to personal expression. Projects like Sweet Sorrow, an eerie visual exploration of Hong Kong youth, reflect his growing interest in spirituality and social commentary. This self-funded project, involving over 100 collaborators, became a love letter to his city and a critique of its materialistic culture.

Wing has also explored environmental issues, most recently through #EnoughPlastic, a public campaign featuring some of Hong Kong’s top creative personalities. His ability to merge art with activism demonstrates his evolving role as both an artist and social commentator.

A Lasting Legacy in Hong Kong Art

With decades of groundbreaking work, Wing Shya continues to be a defining figure in Hong Kong’s creative landscape. Whether behind the camera, directing films, or staging art installations, his projects are united by a distinctive style that is both emotional and visually daring.

He may describe himself simply as “just a photographer,” but his influence extends far beyond a single medium. Wing embodies the spirit of Hong Kong—dynamic, cross-disciplinary, and constantly reinventing itself.

For more information, visit the Shanghai Center of Photography.

The post Wing Shya: Hong Kong’s Creative Visionary appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

]]> Kamishibai: The Forgotten Japanese Street Theater Tradition https://asianitinerary.com/kamishibai-the-forgotten-japanese-street-theater-tradition/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kamishibai-the-forgotten-japanese-street-theater-tradition Fri, 29 Aug 2025 16:38:35 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=67873

A Window Into Japan’s Storytelling Past Japan has always been a land of stories—told through calligraphy, poetry, puppetry, and theater. Among its many traditions, Kamishibai Japanese street theater holds a special place. Once a popular form of entertainment in the early 20th century, Kamishibai combined illustrated picture cards with the skill of a storyteller who narrated tales in public spaces. Though it faded with the rise of television, Kamishibai remains a cultural treasure and a fascinating glimpse into Japan’s history. What is Kamishibai? The word Kamishibai translates to “paper play.” A performer, often on a bicycle equipped with a small wooden stage, would stop in parks or street corners. Using a series of illustrated cards inserted into the stage, the storyteller narrated folk tales, legends, or even moral lessons to children and adults gathered around. This form of storytelling wasn’t just entertainment—it was also interactive and community-driven. Listeners bought small sweets or snacks from the Kamishibai performer, making the event both a show and a livelihood. The Golden Age of Kamishibai Kamishibai rose to fame during the 1920s and 1930s, especially in urban neighborhoods. For children growing up in Japan’s pre- and post-war years, it was their equivalent of cinema or television. Episodes of popular stories unfolded week by week, and audiences eagerly returned to find out what happened next. During wartime, Kamishibai was even used as a tool for propaganda, proving its power to influence and engage. Later, its visual storytelling techniques inspired Japanese manga and anime, which today are among Japan’s biggest cultural exports. Why Did Kamishibai Disappear? With the spread of television in the 1950s, Kamishibai lost much of its audience. Families began gathering around TV screens instead of street corners, and the once-vibrant art form declined. Performers faded away, and by the late 20th century, Kamishibai was nearly forgotten. Yet, it never fully disappeared. Schools, libraries, and cultural institutions in Japan and abroad have revived Kamishibai as an educational tool. Its simplicity—pictures, words, and human connection—still captivates both children and adults. Kamishibai in Modern Japan Today, you can still experience Kamishibai in certain cultural festivals, children’s libraries, or dedicated theaters across Japan. Some storytellers keep the tradition alive, while others experiment by blending it with digital media, theater, or even tourism experiences. For travelers interested in Japanese culture, catching a Kamishibai performance is like stepping back in time. It offers a chance to understand how storytelling shaped everyday life in Japan long before Netflix and social media. Why Kamishibai Matters for Travelers Exploring Kamishibai gives visitors more than just an entertaining story—it provides insight into Japan’s social history and community spirit. The art of Kamishibai is about slowing down, gathering together, and sharing a narrative that sparks imagination. When visiting Japan, travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences beyond the usual shrines and sushi tours should look out for Kamishibai workshops or performances. They are often small, intimate, and deeply rewarding. Final Thoughts Kamishibai may no longer be the main stage of Japanese entertainment, but its influence is still felt in today’s manga, anime, and storytelling traditions. More importantly, it reminds us that the best journeys often start with a story shared among strangers. For travelers exploring Japan, experiencing Kamishibai is a chance to connect with a timeless cultural practice—one that celebrates art, imagination, and community spirit. For a deeper dive into Kamishibai’s history and educational uses, visit the International Kamishibai Association of Japan (IKAJA).

The post Kamishibai: The Forgotten Japanese Street Theater Tradition appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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A Window Into Japan’s Storytelling Past

Japan has always been a land of stories—told through calligraphy, poetry, puppetry, and theater. Among its many traditions, Kamishibai Japanese street theater holds a special place. Once a popular form of entertainment in the early 20th century, Kamishibai combined illustrated picture cards with the skill of a storyteller who narrated tales in public spaces. Though it faded with the rise of television, Kamishibai remains a cultural treasure and a fascinating glimpse into Japan’s history.

What is Kamishibai?

The word Kamishibai translates to “paper play.” A performer, often on a bicycle equipped with a small wooden stage, would stop in parks or street corners. Using a series of illustrated cards inserted into the stage, the storyteller narrated folk tales, legends, or even moral lessons to children and adults gathered around.

This form of storytelling wasn’t just entertainment—it was also interactive and community-driven. Listeners bought small sweets or snacks from the Kamishibai performer, making the event both a show and a livelihood.

The Golden Age of Kamishibai

Kamishibai rose to fame during the 1920s and 1930s, especially in urban neighborhoods. For children growing up in Japan’s pre- and post-war years, it was their equivalent of cinema or television. Episodes of popular stories unfolded week by week, and audiences eagerly returned to find out what happened next.

During wartime, Kamishibai was even used as a tool for propaganda, proving its power to influence and engage. Later, its visual storytelling techniques inspired Japanese manga and anime, which today are among Japan’s biggest cultural exports.

Why Did Kamishibai Disappear?

With the spread of television in the 1950s, Kamishibai lost much of its audience. Families began gathering around TV screens instead of street corners, and the once-vibrant art form declined. Performers faded away, and by the late 20th century, Kamishibai was nearly forgotten.

Yet, it never fully disappeared. Schools, libraries, and cultural institutions in Japan and abroad have revived Kamishibai as an educational tool. Its simplicity—pictures, words, and human connection—still captivates both children and adults.

Kamishibai in Modern Japan

Today, you can still experience Kamishibai in certain cultural festivals

Today, you can still experience Kamishibai in certain cultural festivals, children’s libraries, or dedicated theaters across Japan. Some storytellers keep the tradition alive, while others experiment by blending it with digital media, theater, or even tourism experiences.

For travelers interested in Japanese culture, catching a Kamishibai performance is like stepping back in time. It offers a chance to understand how storytelling shaped everyday life in Japan long before Netflix and social media.

Why Kamishibai Matters for Travelers

Exploring Kamishibai gives visitors more than just an entertaining story—it provides insight into Japan’s social history and community spirit. The art of Kamishibai is about slowing down, gathering together, and sharing a narrative that sparks imagination.

When visiting Japan, travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences beyond the usual shrines and sushi tours should look out for Kamishibai workshops or performances. They are often small, intimate, and deeply rewarding.

Final Thoughts

Kamishibai may no longer be the main stage of Japanese entertainment, but its influence is still felt in today’s manga, anime, and storytelling traditions. More importantly, it reminds us that the best journeys often start with a story shared among strangers.

For travelers exploring Japan, experiencing Kamishibai is a chance to connect with a timeless cultural practice—one that celebrates art, imagination, and community spirit.

For a deeper dive into Kamishibai’s history and educational uses, visit the International Kamishibai Association of Japan (IKAJA).

The post Kamishibai: The Forgotten Japanese Street Theater Tradition appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

]]> Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor Exhibition of Khmer Artists https://asianitinerary.com/raffles-grand-hotel-dangkor-exhibition-of-khmer-artists/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=raffles-grand-hotel-dangkor-exhibition-of-khmer-artists Tue, 05 Aug 2025 16:21:02 +0000 https://asianitinerary.com/?p=67380

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, the 93-year-old luxury hotel on the doorstep of ancient Khmer archeological sites in Cambodia, has introduced a new art exhibition spotlighting works by two of the country’s most influential contemporary painters. The show, titled “Harmony,” is an artistic homage to the delicate balance of Cambodia’s natural world, featuring vibrant new works by Morn Chear and Nak Noy, who were both born and raised in Siem Reap. The exhibition, which opened last month and runs until September, was curated by Nat Di Maggio from Tribe Art Gallery. The birds, fish, elephants and other creatures in the paintings symbolize not only Cambodia’s rich biodiversity, but they are also integral to Khmer culture, folklore and the livelihoods of modern Cambodians. As the world faces mounting pressures from global environmental changes, the exhibition serves as both a visual reminder and a call for taking shared responsibility to protect our natural wonders for future generations. The exhibition is part of Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor’s ongoing art and cultural series, and follows a display of notable works by Khmer painter Channy Chhoeun that opened in January. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor originally opened in 1932 as a rest stop for archeologists and adventurers exploring the kingdom of Angkor Wat, which is today one of the world’s most popular UNESCO World Heritage sites. The hotel’s exclusive ‘Curated Journeys,’ introduced last year, offer guests new ways to experience Siem Reap’s rich culture and history, while its on-site ‘Resort Programme’ showcases heritage and traditions at the hotel. Travel + Leisure magazine honoured Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor as one of the world’s ‘500 Best Hotels’ for a fourth-consecutive year in May. For more information on Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, or to make a booking, please call +855 23 982 598 or visit www.raffles.com/siem-reap/. ABOUT RAFFLES Raffles Hotels & Resorts boasts an illustrious history and some of the most prestigious hotel addresses worldwide. In 1887, Raffles Singapore set the standard for luxury hospitality, introducing the world to private butlers, the Singapore Sling and its enduring, legendary service. Today, Raffles continues this tradition in leading cities and lavish resort locales, enchanting travellers with meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive. Connoisseurs of life choose Raffles, not merely for its aura of culture, beauty and gentility, but for the extraordinary way they feel when in residence with Raffles. Each Raffles, be it Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Warsaw, Jakarta or the Seychelles, serves as a venerated oasis where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family. Raffles is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,100 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

The post Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor Exhibition of Khmer Artists appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, the 93-year-old luxury hotel on the doorstep of ancient Khmer archeological sites in Cambodia, has introduced a new art exhibition spotlighting works by two of the country’s most influential contemporary painters. The show, titled “Harmony,” is an artistic homage to the delicate balance of Cambodia’s natural world, featuring vibrant new works by Morn Chear and Nak Noy, who were both born and raised in Siem Reap. The exhibition, which opened last month and runs until September, was curated by Nat Di Maggio from Tribe Art Gallery.

The birds, fish, elephants and other creatures in the paintings symbolize not only Cambodia’s rich biodiversity, but they are also integral to Khmer culture, folklore and the livelihoods of modern Cambodians. As the world faces mounting pressures from global environmental changes, the exhibition serves as both a visual reminder and a call for taking shared responsibility to protect our natural wonders for future generations.

The exhibition is part of Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor’s ongoing art and cultural series, and follows a display of notable works by Khmer painter Channy Chhoeun that opened in January.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor originally opened in 1932 as a rest stop for archeologists and adventurers exploring the kingdom of Angkor Wat, which is today one of the world’s most popular UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The hotel’s exclusive ‘Curated Journeys,’ introduced last year, offer guests new ways to experience Siem Reap’s rich culture and history, while its on-site ‘Resort Programme’ showcases heritage and traditions at the hotel.

Travel + Leisure magazine honoured Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor as one of the world’s ‘500 Best Hotels’ for a fourth-consecutive year in May.

For more information on Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, or to make a booking, please call +855 23 982 598 or visit www.raffles.com/siem-reap/.

ABOUT RAFFLES

Raffles Hotels & Resorts boasts an illustrious history and some of the most prestigious hotel addresses worldwide. In 1887, Raffles Singapore set the standard for luxury hospitality, introducing the world to private butlers, the Singapore Sling and its enduring, legendary service. Today, Raffles continues this tradition in leading cities and lavish resort locales, enchanting travellers with meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive. Connoisseurs of life choose Raffles, not merely for its aura of culture, beauty and gentility, but for the extraordinary way they feel when in residence with Raffles. Each Raffles, be it Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Warsaw, Jakarta or the Seychelles, serves as a venerated oasis where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family. Raffles is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,100 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

The post Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor Exhibition of Khmer Artists appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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