Tsuruoka, JapaN
Candice Chan
I’m not a religious person, but Mount Haguro in Tsuruoka—the first of the three holy mountains of Dewa—is probably the most spiritual place I’ve visited. Over the centuries, both Shinto pilgrims and followers of the ancient religion of Shugendo have faithfully traversed this sacred route. Time stands still the second you walk through the large Zuishinmon Gate. With its 2,446 stone steps, Mount Haguro offers a 1.7-km trek through a mystical cedar forest lined with temples and shrines. Walking among these 1,000-year-old cedar trees is incredibly humbling.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Farhan Shah
I still vividly remember my first visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, which chronicles Pol Pot’s genocide. At its worst, the place was used as Security Prison 21 by the Khmer Rouge regime. The sun shone, but the air was heavy with melancholy and the ground was filled with slow, shuffling feet unable to comprehend how evil humans can be. The compound had barbed wire and boards describing the atrocities committed there in English. I believe it’s important that we learn from our past so that we never repeat acts of ugliness, yet I also sensed in that depressive environment the quiet hope and silence of those who refused to be cowed by their oppressors and remained unmoved by their physical and mental torture. Tuol Sleng shows both our depravity and our unbreakable spirit.
paris, france
Asri Jasman
In Paris, you’ll find everything from small fashion-focused museums to famous establishments such as the Louvre, Les Art Décoratifs, and Musée d’Orsay. The Centre Pompidou, however, stands out from the rest. Its postmodern architecture contrasts greatly against the city’s Haussmann buildings, further enhanced by the four bold colours adorning its facade. Featuring a diverse selection of media, The Centre Pompidou’s art collection focuses more on contemporary and modern art dating back to 1905. This is the beauty of The Centre Pompidou: you can exit an exhibition of surrealist paintings and then enter another with an exhibition of modern interior design. For one of the best sunset views in Paris, I like to take a break from the galleries and linger on the top level.
Bangkok, Thailand
Chia Wei Choong
The oldest road in Bangkok, Chaoenkrung is home to the city’s trendiest restaurants, cafés and shops. Billed as Bangkok’s creative hub, this charming district boasts street art at every corner and a host of galleries featuring emergent artists from Thailand and the region. Restaurants like Charmgang Curry Shop, where I had some of the best curry dishes, are scattered throughout the neighbourhood in revived shophouses. Conceptual Thai perfumery Copenn’s concept store features brutalist-inspired interiors rendered in earthy materials that enhance the scent experience of its distinctive fragrances. Furthermore, you’ll find good vibes and innovative rum-based cocktails at Tropic City, which was ranked #24 on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 list. On any given night, you could be dancing to reggae or raving to techno while sipping a tiki-style cocktail.
