Raffles Hotel is more character than edifice, writes Vicki Virtue.

With $1 trillion spent on projects to feed a commodity boom since 2002, the world's mining firms have a lot riding on China.

At a time when commodity producers are enduring a slump in prices for everything, Vietnam's pepper farmers are prospering.

They may have gambling in common, but historic Macau has a genuine heart - and far better cuisine - than its glitzy American desert cousin, writes Jesse Mulligan.

The new Hunger Games Movie has reportedly been banned from a number of cinemas in Thailand after protesters adopted the film's hand gesture as an anti-authority symbol.

In a big blaze of neon lights, Brett Atkinson discovers Tokyo's best watering holes.

About 4000 households face rates increases of 40 per cent or more next year under a "cold turkey" proposal causing deep divisions among city councillors.

When Dr Noel Trustrum landed in the Indonesian province of Aceh in January 2005, the Kiwi scientist struggled to comprehend what he saw around him.

This ancient city teems with magnificent architectural history, writes Nicola Lamb.

Airbus is strengthening its presence in Asia - a market which is shaping up as a key battleground for competition with rival Boeing.

Paula Yeoman has a musical epiphany in the humidity of Borneo.

Helen van Berkel meets a scamster driving a tuk-tuk, but still manages to pack in a stack of sightseeing pleasures that will give her dinner party anecdotes to last into her dotage.

Yngve Slyngstad, Norwegian wealth fund's CEO, says almost all investment decisions are affected by what happens in China.

'Rotting' flowers, turtle hatchlings, sky-high thrills ... this is one cool stopover.

Heather Ramsay takes a ride on a luxury riverboat along the Ganges and experiences many faces of India along the way.

Singapore Airlines is carefully picking its battles as it faces increased competition from Middle Eastern carriers and budget airlines.

Tech is part of everyone's life in Japan, but doesn't appear to have supplanted their livelihood, even for menial tasks.

A Beijing hotpot organ-ises Neil Connor's taste buds.

Kevin Pilley flies on Buddha Air for a close encounter with the Goddess of the Sky. Well, almost ...

Singapore's cocktail bars are hip and their mixologists savvy, writes Paul Harper.

In Bali's hip spot, Katie Furze is torn between watching surfers and protecting her offspring from the local primates.

When confronted with 10 courses, just nibble, David Leggat quickly learns.

KFC owner Yum Brands has taken a major hit in China after reports one of its meat suppliers had sold expired meat.

Graham Reid settles in at a colonial landmark for a cold one on a hot day in Sarawak.

Somerset Maugham and Graham Greene penned works here, writes Wynne Gray.

Watching these mighty beasts splash in the river is an amazing sight, says Alex Robertson.

A museum for the first family of independence is the place to start a post-junta tour of Myanmar, writes Naomi Estall.

John Summers travels to a city devoted to Maoism - a place where Stalin is revered as a hero of the people.

Fonterra has confirmed Sri Lankan officials have suspended the sale of some Anchor milk powder, amid concerns it has made children sick.

Japan's famous train turns 50 this month but it's still streaks ahead of its class. Joanna Symons joins the birthday party.