Bangkok lights up for the first-ever Yuyuan Lantern Festival
From June 27 to August 15 at Iconsiam, this large-scale illuminated display celebrates 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand. Originally held at the historic Yuyuan Garden Malls in Shanghai, the festival also celebrates the friendship between Shanghai and Bangkok, which became sister cities in 2016.
The capital's edition carries the theme 'Spirit of Mountains and Sea', inspired by the ancient Chinese text Shan Hai Jing (The Classic of Mountains and Seas). This book is a collection of myths, geography and folklore that shares stories of mysterious mountains, vast seas and legendary creatures. For centuries, it has captured the imagination and wonder of generations. Now, the event brings these tales to life through lantern displays and creative installations.
One of the highlights is the space itself, designed to reflect Eastern culture and lifestyle. The riverside venue will be transformed into a magical wonderland along the Chao Phraya River, resembling a floating island illuminated with dazzling colours. Each cluster of lanterns represents a mysterious isle, scattered across the 'Island of Chao Phraya' and waiting to be explored.
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Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘It's my new favourite city' – the beautiful stopover holiday with world's tallest bar and Hawaii-like beaches
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OUR new column gives you the lowdown on what to see and do in your favourite holiday hotspots. This week it's all about the captivating city of Hong Kong, a great layover destination for anyone travelling to Australia or New Zealand. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The city skyline of Hong Kong is stunning and backed with luscious greenery Credit: Alamy 5 The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey recently visited the city The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey recently visited on a whirlwind two-day trip of the city. She explained: "It's one one of my new favourite cities, having everything from amazing food and nightlife as well as beautiful nature parts. "If staying in the city, head to the 18th floor of the Ritz Carlton Hotel, which is where you will find Ozone, the highest rooftop bar in the world. "Or there is The Majestic Garden, a beautiful outdoor bar tucked behind a shopping mall restaurant, as well as the Quinary, named one of the best bars in Asia. "But my favourite spot was Sai Kung, a short taxi from the main city where I found empty beaches more like the Philippines or Hawaii. "If you want to splash out, a stay at The Peninsular is really something special, with Rolls-Royce pick ups and beautiful views over the river (although if you just want to explore the hotel itself, you can book a much more affordable and just as popular afternoon tea there instead)." Here are some other top tips of ours when visiting Hong Kong. Must see and do It would be silly to pass through Hong Kong without visiting the Tian Tan Buddha (or Big Buddha), a giant bronze statue in Ngong Ping. It's a pretty spectacular sight, perched atop the lush and leafy Mount Muk Yue. If you're into theme parks, Disneyland Resort Hong Kong is celebrating its 20th anniversary this summer, and there'll be a full year of celebrations taking place. Noah's Ark Hotel and Resort is one of Hong Kong's most quirky and unusual spots Visitors will get to watch the largest-ever parade along Main Street, a special night-time fireworks display and a show exclusive to the anniversary celebrations. Best view Ask anyone where to find the best view in Hong Kong and they'll undoubtedly say The Peak, or Victoria Peak, the highest hill on the island. Tick off a bucket list experience by riding the historic Peak Tram, one of the oldest trams in the world, to the top where a viewing platform (Sky Terrace 428) awaits. It was built in 1888 to serve the British governor and The Peak's residents and continues to run today as a popular tourist attraction. Pack your hiking boots to take advantage of one of the many scenic walking trails. Rated restaurant Luk Yu Tea House is a dining institution in Hong Kong - and the food is so good, we're not surprised it's made it into the Michelin Guide. Spread across colonial-era three floors, you can expect to tuck into classic Chinese flavours including crispy deep-fried chicken and sliced beef brisket noodles. Don't leave without trying the dim sum, though, which are delicately hand-folded. 5 Dim sum at Luk Yu Tea House - what a treat! Credit: Google Best bar As the World's 50 Best Bars heads to Hong Kong for 2025 at the revamped Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Bar Leone is looking to beat off the competition to retain its title from 2024. This casual Italian-themed bar, founded by an awardwinning Italian mixologist, is famed for having mastered the classic cocktails, all of which come at a reasonable price. Make sure to try the bar snacks while you're here, from mortadella foccacia to smoked olives. Hotel pick If you're after something a little different, look no further than Noah's Ark Hotel and Resort. The quirky hotel was built as a full-scale replica of Noah's Ark, complete with animals walking two-by-two from the dock on to dry land. The rooms inside are less funky, kitted out with comfy bedding and simple wooden-panelled walls. It's a great spot for families or groups, too, with four-person bunk rooms as well as rooms with two queen-sized beds. Double bedrooms start from £74 per night based on two adults sharing and including breakfast. See For more information about Hong Kong, see 5 The Noah's Ark Hotel and Resort is a truly unique place to stay with the whole family Credit: Google
Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Trainspotting star blasts trigger warning for Irvine Welsh's new book
Welsh's follow-up to his best-seller has been branded 'juvenile' and 'embarrassing' after women characters were described using phrases 'posh f***y' and 'chunky bird' and a slur for Chinese was printed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TRAINSPOTTING star has hit out at a trigger warning being included on Irvine Welsh's new book. Actor Simon Weir, 52, has defended the writer after he was slammed for using racist and misogynistic terms in Men In Love. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Irvine Welsh has released his latest novel, Men in Love 2 Trainspotting star Simon Weir has hit out over a trigger warning Credit: Andrew Barr Welsh's follow-up to his best-seller has been branded 'juvenile' and 'embarrassing' after women characters were described using phrases 'posh f***y' and 'chunky bird' and a slur for Chinese was printed. Fears over the book's content saw publishers force him to include a disclaimer. Simon — who played Jailhouse in film T2 — has been helping Welsh promote Men In Love across the country. He told The Scottish Sun on Sunday: 'The trigger warning is an unnecessary nonsense. 'What do you expect from an Irvine Welsh book? 'People would be disappointed if there wasn't offensive language. 'But the point that Irvine was making on tour repeatedly is these are the words of fictional characters. 'They are not the views of the author.' Men In Love picks up where 1993's Trainspotting left off, with protagonist Mark Renton on the run after ripping off pals Sick Boy, Spud and Begbie following a drug deal. Chapters are told from the point of view of the characters as they attempt to kick their heroin and alcohol addictions to pursue romance. Huge blaze breaks out at Scots church as fire crews race to tackle flames Potential partners are described as 'willowy' and 'toothsome', while women 'must' have 'mental health issues' which are 'best to err on the side of anorexia, rather than obesity'. Another character is called a 'specky shaftoid' for wearing glasses. Welsh, 66, grew up in Leith, Edinburgh, the working-class son of a dock worker and a waitress. He says the language used is an accurate portrayal of attitudes the late 80s in the capital's council estates where Men In Love is set. An 'author's note' inserted against his will says the work 'aims to replicate the speech patterns commonly used by many people' and is 'not an endorsement (or even condemnation) of such behaviours'. Simon, from Hardgate, near Glasgow, added: 'Language evolves all the time and phrases that were used 30 or 40 years ago are not used now. 'I am worried about any censorship of this sort because it could change dramatic scenes and storylines if you can't use the language of a character or of that era. 'But if you really are easily offended then you probably should not be reading an Irvine Welsh novel.' Simon had to film his own offensive scene when he went full-frontal for his role in Trainspotting 2. That's after his character goes 'mental' when he realises he is being secretly filmed while having sex with a prostitute by Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller) who blackmails her clients. He recalls: 'When I went for the audition Danny Boyle just held up a pair of boots and went, 'That's your costume'. So I knew it was full on from the start.' However, Oscar-winning director Danny was so impressed by the Scot's performance he gave his uncredited character a name. Simon adds: 'The part was originally just called Punter Two. But Danny had asked me to just ad-lib some dialogue so I came up with this horrific line, where I shout 'Give it to me Jailhouse-style doll.' 'I was expecting that to get cut, but Danny said he loved it and told me 'You're no longer Punter Two, I'm going to call you jailhouse'. So I got a credit at the end of the film too.' Fraser Hudghton, director of Freedom Speech Union Scotland, said: 'Irvine Welsh's work is a rip-roaring ride through Scottish working class life. It is fearless fiction. "You're not reading the Trainspotting sequel and mistaking it for Woman's Weekly. New writers are forced to self-censor just to be published - cutting off the creative juice at source. "Just think of all the brilliant working class Scottish writers who can't get a book deal today just in case they upset someone with blue hair. It's a sin; publishers should quit deferring to DEI voodoo-meisters and get on with the job of letting everyone be heard.' Publisher Jonathan Cape has been approached for comment.
North Wales Live
a day ago
- North Wales Live
I visited the bakery with queues out the door and it was worth the wait
Apparently, bakery tourism has become quite the trend with people planning excursions across the country in pursuit of the ideal honey bun, loaf or croissant. I can definitely understand the appeal, particularly as we gazed at a counter overflowing with delectable-looking cakes. Read about another award winning North Wales bakery with long queues here. Popty'r Dref Barmouth serves as the smaller sibling to the acclaimed Dolgellau establishment, which earned recognition as one of the world's finest following La Liste's 2024 Pastry Awards. After that triumph, they launched this considerably more compact bakery on Jubilee Road in the bustling seaside town of Barmouth. The coastal resort of Barmouth in North West Wales is reportedly "bouncing back" as a holiday hotspot. House prices have soared dramatically and numerous fresh eateries and shops have emerged in the beloved seaside destination. You can easily understand why the location is thriving when you witness the spectacular coastal panoramas as you navigate the winding road into the charming town. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The expansive beach is flanked by palm trees and there's ample car parking available close to the seafront promenade. The bakery may be compact but it's simple to locate, as you'll spot a line of eager tourists gathering outside, reports North Wales Live. We queued patiently and observed an array of magnificent baked treats displayed enticingly in glass cases and across shelves. This isn't merely any ordinary bakery, as they also offer an extensive selection of hot and cold dishes. Salad boxes for scorching weather or hearty comfort fare like Bala butchered foot-long hot dogs or their renowned Chinese chicken curry. You can order a slice of pizza or enjoy a Sunday lunch option of ham or turkey, served in a giant Yorkshire pudding with all the trimmings. Nonetheless, we had come here for the baked goods and boy, what a choice they had. The bakery featured millionaire profiterole pots, filled with cream, caramel and chocolate sauce along with brownies, flapjacks and almond tarts. There were buns galore with Chelsea, Belgium, Custard, Blueberry or even Biscoff variations up for grabs. There were Sourdough bloomers, baguettes or just plain fresh bread trying win your attention in the middle of a sensory overload of crumbs and carbs. We weren't too sure where to start but then I saw an old school classic. I remembered cornflake cakes from the seventies and this delightful cake combined the classic flavors of rich, gooey syrup with the irresistible crispiness of cornflakes. There was a layer of strawberry jam underneath the crunchy flakes and on top of the crumbly pastry casing. One nostalgic bite is all it took for me to fall in love once again. I also picked a 'Pwdin Bara" as it looked a little different to what I have had before. Bread pudding is a traditional cake, and was called "poor man's pudding" at one pint of time, as it was an inexpensive easy way to use left over bread. Kind of perfect for a bakery. The bread pudding was packed with spice, fruit, ginger and cherries. It tasted a bit like a cross between bara brith and a Parkin cake. It was very moist and very morish. One of the bakery's top sellers and a draw for bakery tourists is their renowned honey bun. Honey buns are crafted from a yeast-based dough that is fried, giving it a unique texture. It's essentially an iced bun, but with a sweet honey glaze instead. It was pleasant, but I'm not certain about journeying halfway across the country for one. Finally, we couldn't resist the mint aero tray bake. I'm fairly certain it gave me a cheeky wink. The cake was a massive chunk of chocolate, crushed biscuits and mint bubbles. It had a satisfying bite and crunch with a zingy aftertaste of mint chocolate. The thick and fudgy filling was divine and I proclaimed that I would likely travel across the country for this chocolate mint slice of heaven. That's the beauty of cakes; we all have our favourite. We all have our preferred bakery as well. We enjoyed our delicious baked goods by the seafront, with the blue and green hues of the sea glistening in the distance. You may scoff at the concept of bakery tourism, but at this moment, I can't think of a better place to enjoy my cakes. The Facts Price: Cornflake Cake £3, Honey Bun £1.50, Mint aero chocolate slice £3.50, Pwdin Bara £3.50, total £11.50. Atmosphere: Bun appetite! Car Parking: Ample car parking spaces available in the large car park near the beach. Disabled Access: Takeaway only. Service: Plenty of patience from the staff, as we deliberated over which sweet treat to choose. In summary: The prize-winning bakery that's causing a stir with its buns, sparking the latest 'bakery tourism' trend.
