It’s a wonderful month of discovery this March, as springtime in Asia begins to stir. Start somewhere beautiful—Japan’s cherry blossom season begins in Tokyo and is a sight to behold, as Nepal gears up for scenic treks up to Everest Base Camp. Afterward, move toward a wave of fresh new inspirations, as global art fair Art Basel makes its annual arrival in Hong Kong.

Events & Experiences / Visit This

PokéPark Kanto

Tokyo, Japan

The just-launched PokéPark Kanto in Tokyo is a must-visit for anyone who grew up playing Pokémon. The world’s first permanent outdoor Pokémon theme park brings the iconic franchise to life in a sprawling section of over 26,000 square meters in Tokyo’s Yomiuri Land, complete with the quintessential thrills for all ages. Inside, find two rides and over 600 life-sized Pokémon characters in the themed zones of Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town, and subtleties pulled from the Poké Universe. Characters are spotted in their most natural state: Pikachus balancing on their lightning bolt–shaped tails or frolicking in the grass. For a bit of background: Kanto nods to both the real-life location of the park and the virtual setting of the very first Pokémon games in the 1990s.

Newly opened. Tickets are available here.

Vietnam Tour with Thai Dang x Modern Adventure

Vietnam

Of the many food tours that deliciously scratch the surface of Vietnam’s aromatic cuisine, one with star chef Thai Dang is perhaps the most indicative of the region. The Vietnam native, based in Chicago with well-touted concepts of HaiSous and Crying Tiger, returns to his home country for an exploration of his culinary roots. The 12-day itinerary, organized by experiential travel specialist Modern Adventure, traverses the nation from north to south, taking in Hanoi and Hoi An before concluding in Ho Chi Minh City. Delve into the country’s vibrant culture and historic culinary influences that vary between regions, spanning soulful street eats of pho tiu, a dry, broth-less variation of the Vietnamese noodle soup, and ca phe thrung, Hanoi’s signature egg coffee, to refined Michelin fare, served, of course, with a scenic recess of jaw-dropping sights like Ha Long Bay and the old imperial capital of Hue.

Departing March 11th to 21st. Join the waitlist here

Design Shanghai

Shanghai, China

Now in its 13th edition, Design Shanghai, described by organizers as “Asia’s leading international design event,” returns to its original venue of the Shanghai Exhibition Center after six years, with the promise of gathering some of the most “innovative and cutting-edge design emerging from Asia” across four stimulating days. The open showcase will involve over 500 design brands from 20 countries and regions, segmented into four defining themes: Furniture & Lighting, Kitchen, Bathroom & Systems Designs, New Materials & Applications, and Living & Lifestyle, with a key focus on future-proof sustainable design concepts, with supporting exhibitions and showcases. More than just a roster of recognzsed international names, the show is also a platform for both emerging and established Chinese exhibitors, and includes exhibitor highlights such as Shang Xia, which blends contemporary materials with Chinese craftsmanship for purposeful home decor, and the minimalist, Asian-influenced furniture pieces of FNJI.

From March 19 to 22; designshanghai.com

F&B Collaborations & Openings / Eat This

Park Bench Deli Pop-Up, Singapore

Park Bench Deli Pop-Up

Singapore

When Park Bench Deli’s last sandwich was dished out at the popular Telok Ayer flagship, the future of the iconic sandwich spot amounted to only one-off events reserved for those in the know. Three years later, longtime fans will finally get the chance to sink their teeth into the stacked sandwiches once again, this time through a three-month pop-up at Dempsey Hill’s The Pantry. Endlessly enthused about as “Singapore’s best sandwiches”, PBD returns with longtime favorites with the same bold, audacious attitude, loaded generously with moreish fillings—smoked beef brisket pastrami and deep-fried chicken thigh—albeit thoughtfully made (the smoked meats, for example, are prepared with a traditional smoker). For weekday pick-me-ups and then some, sister concept Rosita’s Deluxe takes over the space with smashed burgers from Fridays to Sundays.

Now until April 5th

Gourmet March: A Mastery Collection

Hong Kong

Besides a full month dedicated to the art world’s finest, there’s a creative exhibition of a different cadence at the Island Shangri-La hotel in Hong Kong. Gourmet March is a monthlong calendar of sensorial culinary showcases that use the hotel’s dining tables as a blank canvas for a global roster of visiting chefs and collaborations. Working five distinct gastronomic themes that vary between exploring the world’s most popular fermentation dishes to the delicate art of French patisserie and the exclusivity of Korea’s Hanwoo beef, executive chef Uwe Opocensky, executive sous chef Cary Docherty, and head chef of Ming Pavilion Jack Lam find themselves accompanied by top industry names, including the likes of Andrew Wong of two-Michelin-star A.Wong in London; David Zilber, director of Restaurant Noma’s Fermentation Lab; and Fabrice Rosso, executive chef of IDAM by Alain Ducasse currently in Doha.

Until March 28th. Find more info here.

Hotel News / Stay Here

Capella at Galaxy Macau

Macau

Well-loved for its distinct brand of ultra-luxurious properties, Capella turns to the glittering pull of Macau for its latest 95-key opening, housed within the sprawling grounds of Galaxy Macau. The lush, opulent interiors are the wonderfully transportive work of Parisian interior designer duo Bruno Moinard and Claire Betaille, and lean into an imaginative vision of a “gilded jungle” with artisanal, art-driven details inspired by Macau’s tropical climate (including featured works by Moinard himself). Inside, the stresses of city life are quickly forgotten at any one of the spacious suites—or, for those with the means, multi-bedroom penthouses boasting some of the largest square footage in the region and a private, outdoor infinity lap pool overlooking Cotai.

The F&B offerings are just as impressive: Botanica is an airy all-day dining room awash in warm natural light with international comfort classics by executive chef Stephan Hsu, while Pony & Plume, the stylish equestrian-esque bar, houses one of the world’s largest whisky collections with over 650 bottles of rare, exclusive, and signature labels.

Capella Macau, Galaxy Macau, Estrada da Baia de Nossa Senhora da Esperanca, Cotai, Macau; galaxymacau.com

Fairmont Hanoi

Vietnam

Known for gleaming properties that blend luxury with genuine hospitality, the Fairmont brand is set to debut in the vibrant Vietnamese capital. The 241-room, Perkins Eastman and Aston Design–created property, captures Hanoi’s effervescent charm and heritage in the soft furnishings and beautifully nuanced spaces—from the city’s relationship with the Red River, to the bustle of the nearby Old Quarter, and the historic reverence of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. Besides a comprehensive range of dining options, including reinterpreted Vietnamese flavors by celebrity chef Luke Nguyen, is The Cirua Spa, an expansive 3,300-plus square meter sanctuary for restorative wellness rituals and more.

10 Trần Nguyên Hãn Street, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; fairmont.com

The DestinAsian Guide: Where to Go This March