20 ways to get moving in Asia

At Cathay, we love to be the ones to get you moving – to connect you to the people, places and experiences that move you most. Find out more about our new brand campaign called Feels Good to Move, and read on to discover some of the best things to do across Asia. How many of these bucket-list items have you ticked off your list?

1. Run the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon

Each year, thousands of runners race among the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat, a Unesco World Heritage Site, to raise funds for victims of landmines. There’s still time to train: registration closes on 28 October for the race on 3 December.

2. Embark on a spiritual journey in Ubud, Bali

A session with a shaman? Ecstatic dance? Reiki treatment? Pick your avenue to enlightenment in Bali’s spiritual centre. But it’s not all new-age stuff: the Balinese have been performing the melukat water purification ritual at the Tirta Empul Hindu temple for the last millennium.

3. Swim with millions of sardines in Moalboal, Cebu

You only need to venture 20 metres from the shore of Panagsama Beach to witness the mesmerising Moalboal sardine run. Don your snorkel and swim down; you’ll be greeted by gigantic schools of silvery fish moving through the water in fluid, waving unison.

4. Walk and meditate at Tsz Shan Monastery, Hong Kong

Bring your body and mind in sync with a walking meditation at this beautiful monastery . Your guide will set the pace as you move through the gardens under the watchful eye of the 76-metre-tall Guan Yin statue. 

5. Glide down the slopes at Furano 

Powder-seekers, this is where you’ll experience some of the lightest and driest snow in Japan – without the crowds of Niseko.

6. Cycle down Taiwan’s beautiful east coast   

The island’s bike-friendly roads (and generally bike-friendly drivers) make it the perfect destination for a cycling expedition. Shimmy into your lycra and speed down the scenic coastal roads.  

7. Bar hop in Tokyo  

Whether you choose to flit between classic cocktail bars helmed by white-suited barmen or stumble between Golden Gai’s dinky drinking holes, you won’t be short of places to wet your whistle in Tokyo.

8. Toboggan down the Great Wall of China

Walking the Great Wall a little too tame? Head to Mutianyu just 90km north of Beijing, and rattle down a metal track alongside the wall in your own toboggan.

9. Shake your body at some of Asia’s best music festivals  

There’s still time to get tickets for It’s the Ship in Singapore (1-3 November), Clockenflap in Hong Kong (1-3 December), Djakarta Warehouse Project in Bali (8-10 December) and Wonderfruit in Pattaya (14-18 December).

10. Emerge anew from a wellness retreat in India

Here are just a few to bookmark when you need to recharge. Bengaluru’s Shreyas Yoga Retreat offers daily yoga practice and communal eating. Further north, Ananda in the Himalayas offers seven, 14 or 21-night Ayurvedic programmes. And Six Senses Vana , which opened earlier this year, offers a comprehensive stay package including nutrition, daily activities, and wellness consultations and screenings.

11. Traverse Vietnam by train    

The iconic Reunification Express connects Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with a 30-hour journey flanked by dense jungle, verdant rice paddies, lively fishing villages and the show-stopping Hai Van pass. For a more luxe experience, Anantara’s 12-person carriage, The Vietage , takes you from Hoi An to Quy Nhon – with the option of a massage along the way.

12. Speed on a long-tail through Bangkok’s canals

Journey through Thonburi’s narrow khlong canals for a different perspective on the city. It takes just seconds to shift from the city’s hectic waterways to a quiet, green network of temples, wooden stilt homes and floating kitchens.

13. Hike and float in Guilin, China   

While many choose to cruise, hiking along the Li River offers the best perspective of Guilin’s karst mountain landscape. Feet getting tired? Float the rest of the way on a bamboo rafts.

14. Get high over Hong Kong with a helicopter tour  

Our home city looks incredible from the air. The Peninsula’s Fly and Dine package takes you on an 18-minute heli-tour of the city followed by lunch for two at one of the hotel’s restaurants.

15. Spin prayer wheels at Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu   

Every day, hundreds of pilgrims walk clockwise around the Boudhanath stupa, or shrine, one of the largest in the world. Turn a prayer wheel while you’re there – with each rotation, you'll accumulate merit and purify negative karma.

16. Party all night in Singapore

It’s go big or go home in SG. EDM mega-club Marquee features a Ferris wheel and a three-storey slide. Drip channels a subterranean Berlin den. Cherry Discotheque gives groovy ’80s vibes. Cé La Vi has rooftop views. And there’s always Sentosa’s beach clubs for the next-day recovery.

17. Ride the world’s fastest elevator to the top of Shanghai Tower    

Fifty-five seconds, 118 storeys – moving at a speed of 73.8 kilometres per hour, you're going about as fast as a sprinting greyhound. The sweeping vistas at the top are an extra special bonus.

18. Eat your way through Taipei’s night markets     

Oyster omelettes, stinky tofu, scallion pancakes: Taipei's best dinner plan involves hopping stall to stall at one of its best night markets. Before your trip, pin Shilin, Ningxia, Raohe and Nanjichang on your Google Maps.

19. Take an art wander through Georgetown, Penang     

In a city synonymous with street art, you’re bound to discover incredible murals anywhere you turn. Arm yourself with an art map and set out in search of Georgetown’s most famous pieces.

20. Shop ’til you drop in Seoul  

You’ll find endless shopping opportunities across Seoul’s many districts. Make a beeline for Garosu-gil for charming boutiques, vintage stores and K-beauty brands, or hit up Hongdae for indie fashion on a budget.