Lanzhou beef noodle soup topped with spring onions
With such a vast number of takeaways offering their versions of traditional Chinese cuisine, it’s easy to settle with the same-old dish rather than trying something new. Takeaways can tone down flavours and add unhealthy ingredients, losing out on the authenticity for some of China’s lesser-known dishes. However, many of these can easily be made...

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Stunning panorama of Hong Kong's skyline of skyscrapers and mountains

Port in focus: Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a unique meeting place for East and West, blending Chinese heritage, British colonial influences, high-tech modernity and Cantonese gusto. ‘Fragrant Harbour’ - the Chinese translation of Hong Kong - couldn’t be more appropriate for cruise passengers getting their first glimpse of such a frenetic, romantic, almost absurdly beautiful port. Indeed, life centres...

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Lush rainforest canopy stretching out over Malaysia
Trading ships from as far back as the 12th century have plied Oriental waters, but today, floating pleasure palaces are appearing with increasing regularity on the eastern horizon. Revelling in their cultural diversity, Far East nations share a history of commerce due to their geographical proximity. Herein lies the magic for latter-day visitors - for...

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