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    5 quick weekend trips from Hong Kong
    Looking to make a quick getaway? Here are a few ideas for your next trip...
    Tree house at Diamond Beach on Nusa Penida Island, Bali, Indonesia
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    Hong Kong will always be home, but it’s also a fantastic springboard for exploring the rest of the world. With Southeast Asia on your doorstep, you could be temple-hopping through Bali or slurping down authentic pho noodles in Vietnam in just a few hours.

    If you’re itching for a quick getaway, we’ve put together a list of the best places you can fly to from Hong Kong in under five hours. We’ve also thrown in some sightseeing suggestions and a selection of beautiful hotels you’ll be able to redeem with your miles through Cathay Holidays.

    A water puppet show. Credit: Getty Images

    Credit: Getty Images

    Bowls of hot pho. Credit: Getty Images

    Credit: Getty Images

    A piece of furniture depicting a golden dragon at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. Credit: Getty Images

    Credit: Getty Images

    Hanoi

    Flight time: 2 hours

    Steeped in history and peppered with French colonial architecture, Hanoi is a fantastic introduction to Vietnam – and just a two-hour flight from Hong Kong. Skyscrapers stand alongside ornate temples and grand old mansions in this city, which balances a heaving metropolis with easy-to-reach countryside areas.

    The Old Quarter is the beating heart of the tourist circuit, lined with French-style buildings and street stalls touting banh mi, pho and more. Hire a local guide to take you on a tasty food tour of the area, before delving into the country’s rich culture at a Water Puppet show or one of the city’s numerous museums.

    Where to stay

    For old-world glamour in the French Quarter: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.
    For boutique charm in the Old Quarter: La Siesta Classic Ma May.

    A shopping street in Myeong-dong, Seoul. Credit: Getty Images

    Credit: Getty Images

    Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul. Credit: Getty Images

    Credit: Getty Images

    Chopped fresh Atrina pectinata are cooked by a flamethrower in Korea. Credit: Getty Images

    Credit: Getty Images

    Seoul

    Flight time: 3-4 hours

    Live out your K-Drama fantasies in South Korea’s capital, where cool kids mingle with crisply dressed businesspeople in streets suffused with history. A visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace should be at the top of your list of things to do in Seoul, and it’s worth looking into a private tour to really appreciate its rich heritage.

    Meanwhile, you’ll be able to grab all your skincare and beauty bits at shopping district Myeongdong, as well as Instagrammable street snacks like gigantic spiral-cut potatoes and sky-high ice cream cones. For a taste of young Seoul, head to Hongdae, where artsy types and university students typically hang out among the district’s barbecue joints and bars. To get more out of your visit, try following a self-guided Hongdae audio tour that will better acquaint you with Seoul's alternative side.

    Where to stay

    For a chic base in the Hongdae neighbourhood: L7 Hongdae.
    For Gangnam-style digs: InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas.

    Colourful spiral staircases on traditional shophouses in Bugis Village, Singapore. Credit: Getty Images

    Credit: Getty Images

    The Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore. Credit: Getty Images

    Credit: Getty Images

    Singapore

    Flight time: 3-4 hours

    If you love Hong Kong’s blend of old and new, quirky and cosmopolitan, you’ll love Singapore, a city that celebrates Southeast Asian culture while embracing modernity. Snap a picture underneath the futuristic supertrees at Gardens by the Bay before venturing into the tropical Cloud Forest to see one of the tallest indoor waterfalls in the world.

    You’ll be drawn to Little India by its Crayola-coloured buildings, but you’ll stay for the temples and restaurants – we recommend tuning into an audio walking tour to really soak it all in. And when you’re hungry, seek out one of the city’s numerous hawker centres for steaming platters of chilli crab, oyster omelette and char kway teow.

    Where to stay

    For luxurious views over Marina Bay: The Fullerton Bay Hotel.
    For infinity pool snaps near Little India: Andaz Singapore .

    A ride on a long-tailed boat at Koh Phi Phi island, Phuket, Thailand. Credit: Getty Images

    Credit: Getty Images

    Phuket's Bangla Road, known for its raunchy nightlife. Credit: Getty Images

    Credit: Getty Images

    Aerial view of bamboo island (Koh Pai), Ko Phi Phi, Thailand. Credit: Getty Images

    Credit: Getty Images

    Phuket

    Flight time: 3-4 hours

    Need to de-stress? The ultimate remedy is to flop on a white sand beach in Phuket, a destination famed for its luxurious seaside resorts and extravagant villas. Once you’ve maxed out on cocktails by the pool, it’s time to start exploring. From boat tours to the gorgeous Phi Phi and Khai Islands to beginners’ Muay Thai classes, there are activities to suit every type of traveller.

    Spas and hotels offering massage treatments abound across the city, as do restaurants well versed in the art of pad Thai and spicy coconut curry. If you’re travelling in a group, a night out on the lively Bangla Street will have you dancing all night long – and retreating to its many late-night fast-food joints for a post-club meal.

    Where to stay

    For remote pool villas hidden among lush jungle: Keemala.
    For all-inclusive Thai luxury: Banyan Tree Phuket.

    A pool at a resort in Bali. Credit: Getty Images

    Credit: Getty Images

    The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Credit: Getty Images

    Credit: Getty Images

    A healthy Thai dish. Credit: Getty Images

    Credit: Getty Images

    Bali

    Flight time: 5 hours

    Teeming with yoga havens, meditation retreats and incredible food, Bali is virtually synonymous with rejuvenation – perfect if you’re looking for a mental and physical reset over a long weekend. Ubud, home to the popular Monkey Forest and lined with cool cafes and restaurants, is packed with things to do – and it’s worth investing in a private tour if you have a full day to spare.

    Head further south and you’ll discover the coastal cliffs of Uluwatu, where ultra-luxe resorts promise sprawling ocean views. Join the crowds congregating at Uluwatu Temple to see the sun set over its spire before settling down to watch a traditional Kecak Fire Dance. You’ll be able to tick off both experiences in one go if you join a temple tour , which will further enlighten you about the site’s deep history.

    Where to stay

    For secluded jungle luxury: Mandapa, A Ritz Carlton-Reserve.
    For beachside glamour and Balinese barbecues: Movenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali.

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