The Mango Road

Putting the life back into lifestyle

  • More Travel Features
    • China
      • All along the Watchtowers
      • Dapeng Ancient City
      • A journey to Nantou Ancient City
      • The Fire Carts of Xishi
      • Walking the Line
    • Cambodia
      • Silk islands of Koh Dach
    • Hong Kong
      • The New Territories
        • Oysters by the Bay
        • Hiking: Ghost Brides and Haunted Villages
        • On the Trail of Two Monasteries
        • Ping Shan Heritage Trail
        • Salt, fish and the Battle of Tai O Bay
        • Lunch in the officer’s mess
        • Veggies and Rebellion
      • Tai Ping Shan and Sheung Wan
      • On the Waterfront
      • The waterways of Tai Tam
      • The Tai Tam West catchwater
      • Violet Hill and The Twins
    • India
      • Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: The little blue train
      • War, subterfuge and a nice cup of tea
    • Indonesia
      • Botanical Gradens, Bogor
      • The sweet smell of steam
      • Sunrise over Gunung Bromo
    • Laos
      • Watching the river flow
    • Malaysia
      • The Jungle Line
      • Penang’s Living Art Gallery
      • Climbing Mt Kinabalu
      • North Borneo Railway
    • Nepal
      • High as a Kite
    • Thailand
      • Bangkok on foot
      • Historic towns of the Sukhothai Kingdom
      • Sukhothai, The Cradle of Thai Civilisation
      • Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam
      • Simian City
      • Ko Kret: Potters Island
      • Wat Pariwat aka Wat David Beckham
  • A Postcard from …
    • Bagan
    • Cambodia
      • Angkor
    • Darjeeling
    • Hanoi
    • Hong Kong
      • An abandoned Hakka mansion
      • Devil beating in Causeway Bay
      • Nong Ping and Big Buddha
    • Kolkata
    • Krakatau
    • Singapore
    • Thong Pha Phum
  • Airports
    • Cambodia – Phnom Penh
    • Hong Kong – Chek Lap Kok
    • Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur, KLIA2
    • Thailand – Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi
    • Thailand – Bangkok, Don Mueang
    • Vietnam – Noi Bai, Hanoi
    • Vietnam – Da Nang
  • Food
    • Tai O Lookout – Hong Kong
    • Beer Republic – Bangkok
    • Glenary’s – Darjeeling
    • Shanak’s – Phnom Penh
    • Som Tam – Some Like it Hotter
    • Chops – Hanoi
    • 80/20 – Bangkok
    • Coliseum Cafe & Bar – Kuala Lumpur
    • Guppy’s – Bangkok
    • Kunga – Darjeeling
  • Newsletter
  • About
  • Contact

Stories

Peng Chau and the Secret Garden
• Arts • Hong Kong 

Peng Chau and the Secret Garden

29th September 202629th September 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments slider, Stories

From a hive of industry to a quirky arts hub on Hong Kong’s smallest island Peng Chau and the Secret

Read more
What Apps - navigating China
• Features • China 

What Apps?

22nd September 202628th September 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments slider, Stories

Navigating China can seem intimidating, but with a few apps, it is a breeze. What Apps?Navigating China can seem intimidating,

Read more
Robo Shop Snackbots are setting up stores in Hong Kong
• Features • Hong Kong 

Robo Shop

15th September 202615th September 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments slider, Stories

Snackbots are setting up stores in Hong Kong Robo ShopSnackbots are setting up stores in Hong Kong I asked it

Read more
Grey skies over South Lantau
• Features • Hong Kong 

Grey skies over South Lantau

1st September 202630th September 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

Rainy season revitalises the wetlands Grey skies over South LantauRainy season revitalises the wetlands I don’t care for the summer

Read more
Hakka history and Han chic
•Photo Story• China 

Hakka history and Han chic

18th August 202631st August 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

Bringing a touch of colour to the ancient village Hakka history and Han chicBringing a touch of colour to the

Read more
Stairway to heaven?
•Photo Story• China 

Stairway to heaven?

30th July 20264th August 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

The main focal point is a 64-metre-long escalator that rises 30 metres directly to the sixth floor through a vortex in a giant LCD screen

Read more
A long and winding road
• Features • China 

A long and winding road

21st July 202621st July 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments slider, Stories

Sunwen West was named to honour the father of modern China. A long and winding roadSunwen West was named to

Read more
Pigeons, raised and braised at Shi Qi Lao Restaurant
• Food • China 

Pigeons, raised and braised

7th July 202617th July 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments air_eat, slider, Stories

The evolution and preparation of Zhongshan’s favourite delicacy Pigeons, raised and braisedThe evolution and preparation of Zhongshan’s favourite delicacy I

Read more
Enter the Dragon Kiln
• Arts • China 

Enter the Dragon Kiln

9th June 202617th July 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments slider, Stories

A visit to the historic potteries of Shiwan Enter the Dragon KilnA visit to the historic potteries of Shiwan Standing

Read more
High Times in Macau - bungy jump
• A Postcard From ... • Macau 

High Times in Macau

5th June 202617th July 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments slider, Stories

Buffets and bungy jumps High Times in MacauBuffets, bungy jumps and more The Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre is

Read more
  • ← Previous

INSTAGRAM FEED
Feel free to follow

Ruishi Lou towers over the village of Jinjiangli a Ruishi Lou towers over the village of Jinjiangli about 12 kilometres southwest of Chikan town, Kaiping in southern China. The towers, collectively known as diaolou, were built mostly during the late 19th and early 20th century, though there are a few that date back as far as the 16th.
.
The older diaolou were built specifically as watchtowers to guard against invading bandits and to give refuge during floods. The more recent ones still served that function but also served as family homes. These were built by returning emigrants who had made their fortunes in other parts of the world. The designs reflected the newly acquired cosmopolitan tastes of their owners combined with traditional Chinese elements.
.
Ruishi was built in 1926 by Huang Bixiu, a villager who had left and made his fortune in Hong Kong as a merchant. It has nine floors each with it's own living space kitchen and bedrooms.
.
The Jinjiangli village and it's diaolou along with several other clusters in the region were made UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2007
.
.
.
#chikantowm #kaiping #diaolou #oldbuildings #building #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #heritage #unesco #unescoworldheritagesite #history #watchtower #village #oldvillage #villagelife #bygoneera #ig_china #chinalife #china #ig_asia #seetheworld #doyoutravel #travelgram #mytinyatlas #beautifuldestinations #traveldeeper #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld
Wat Suthat, Bangkok #WatSuthat #Bangkok #temple # Wat Suthat, Bangkok

#WatSuthat #Bangkok #temple #religion #faith #bangkok #thailand #buddha #travel #travelphotography #photography
The Eiffel Tower and the Big Ben tower. There's a The Eiffel Tower and the Big Ben tower. There's a photo essay at: https://www.smarttravelasia.com/Special/CotaiPhotoEssay.htm

#bigben #eiffel #macau #cotai #cotaistrip
The little rural hamlet of Muk Wu is dwarfed by th The little rural hamlet of Muk Wu is dwarfed by the towers of Shenzhen. Between them, though not visible, is the river that separates the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from the rest of China.
.
Muk Wu used to be in what was known as the closed area, a stretch of land that was set up in the 1950s, firstly to prevent gun smuggling during the Korean War, but was later expanded to stem the tide of illegal border crossings. Previously only residents and their families were allowed in but the restrictions have since been rolled back so that now only the river banks and border crossing areas are closed.
.
.
#exploringhongkongsnewterritories
Gunung Sumbing a 3,371 metre volcano in Central Ja Gunung Sumbing a 3,371 metre volcano in Central Java. Although the volcano is still active the only recorded eruptions date from 1730.
.
.
#gunungsumbing #volcano #geology  #offthebeatenpath #landscape
A tourist browses colourful silk lampshades in Hoi A tourist browses colourful silk lampshades in Hoi An, Vietnam
.
.
.
#lamp lampshade #tourist #tourism #nightmarket #silk #traditional #shopping#hoiantown #hoian #discovervietnam #ig_vietnam #vietnamtravel #vietnam🇻🇳 #vietnamtravelers #igvietnam #vietnamese #vietnam #loves_united_vietnam #asiatravel #unlimitedasia #ecotourism #seetheworld #traveldeeper #doyoutravel #traveltheworld #traveladdict #borntotravel #traveltheworld #travelenthusiast
Ganxia North Metro Station, Shenzhen, China. #amaz Ganxia North Metro Station, Shenzhen, China.
#amazingarchitecture #china🇨🇳 #metrostation
Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis)

#beetle #insectworld #insect
Coracle racing in Hoi An, Vietnam. #tourism #trav Coracle racing in Hoi An, Vietnam.

#tourism #travel #vietnam
A hefty strand of spider silk stretched across the A hefty strand of spider silk stretched across the footpath slammed into my face as I set off on my walk this morning. A reminder that Summer is just around the corner and that soon the trees in my neck of the woods will be festooned with nephila pelipes or golden orb weavers. Their name comes from the yellow sheen on the webs of mature spiders.
.
They are quite majestic beasts but for those unfamiliar, they are the stuff of nightmares. Fully grown the body is about the size of my thumb with a leg span a little wider than my outstretched hand. The webs are commonly about a metre across, though I have seen some that were easily 1.5 metres, and are spun from some of the strongest silk known. Though they do look very pretty when caught in the sunlight. Multiple spinnerets at the blunt end of the spider mean they are quite capable of making spider rope and they are also able adjust the composition of the silk according to their environment. 
.
These huge spiders are always female. The males are a rusty brown color and little bigger than a fingernail. They hang about on the edges of the web waiting, presumably until she has a meal large enough to hold her attention so that he can dart in, do the business and retreat without becoming a light snack himself. I’ve read that a bite can be quite painful but the venom itself is not considered dangerous. I have no plans to put it to the test.
.
.
.
#spider #spiders #spidersofinstagram #spidersoftheworld #spiderlove #instaspider #bigspider #orbspider #spiderweb #arachnid #arachnidsofinstagram #arachnidsoftheworld #goldenorbweaver #nephilapilipes #nephila #wildlife_perfection #wildlifephotos #wildlifelovers #naturelovers #nature #naturalworld #naturephotography #earthfocus #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #creepycrawly #lifeonearth #wildasia #asia #hongkong
#hongkong #discoverhongkong #hongkongphotography # #hongkong #discoverhongkong #hongkongphotography #hkig #amazinghongkong #explorehongkong #newterritories #china #asia #asiatravelguide #asiatravel
Say cheese! . . . #trainmarket #railwaymarket #tra Say cheese!
.
.
.
#trainmarket #railwaymarket #train #market #mahachai #vegetables #wetmarket #spicylife #chilies #lifestyle #dayatwork #thailand #amazingthailand #ig_thailand #loves_united_thailand #loves_thailand #loves_united_asia #ig_asia #super_asia_channel #unlimitedasia #travel #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #CreateExplore #stayandwander #passionpassport
Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino, Macau #macau #hote Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino, Macau

#macau #hotel #casino #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #travel #travelphotography #travelgram
Happy Halloween, may all your nightmares come true Happy Halloween, may all your nightmares come true.

I found these gentlemen cavorting in the primeval forests near Lai Chi Wo in Hong Kong's New Territories.
.
.
.
#trees #forest #jungle #plants #trees #unitedbytrees #global_nature_trees #ig_shotz_trees #flora #buttressroots #spooky #halloween #laichiwo #hongkong #newterritories #hongkongphotography #explorehk #visualhongkong #discoverhongkong #amazinghongkong #hongkongphoto #hkig #discoverhongkong #picsofhk #exploringhongkongsnewterritories #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict #travellife #lensbible
The imposing outer walls of San Wai, a walled vill The imposing outer walls of San Wai, a walled village in Lung Yuek Tau which was founded in 1744. The houses within have all since been rebuilt to modern standards with electricity and plumbing, but the village still retains its original layout. 
.
A central lane leads from the gatehouse to a communal shrine on the rear wall. The houses on either side are tightly packed into narrow alleys but along the inner walls at the back and sides, there is still room for trees, garden areas and small vegetable plots. The moat, which once surrounded the village, has since been filled in to create space for villagers to park their cars.
.
.
.
#sanwai #walledvillage #exploringhksnewterritories #taifutaimansion #architecture #architectureporn #archıtecturelovers #building #buildingporn #historicbuildings #historicalplace #hongkonghistory #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #newterritories #letsgosomewhere #exploringhongkongsnewterritories
There is not too much at the western end of Lantau There is not too much at the western end of Lantau save for mountains, forests and monasteries. This one is dedicated to Kwun Yum, the goddess of mercy, or Guanyin as she is known outside of Hong Kong. The monastery itself dates back more than a hundred years though the impressive red buildings were added in 1992. From the terrace, which is the flat roof of the earlier buildings, there is a spectacular view across the surrounding mountains
.
.
.
#guanyin #kwunyum #kuanyin #Lantau #temple #monastery #chinesetemple #shrine #buddhism #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk  #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict #exploringhongkonkgsnewterritories
Locomotive 779, Himalayan Bird, chuffs out of Darj Locomotive 779, Himalayan Bird, chuffs out of Darjeeling station with a train load of joyriders towards Ghum. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway opened in 1881 to bring tea down from the hills and essential supplies for plantation workers up. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

.
These days regular services are diesel hauled with the steam locos being used only for tourist trips.
.
.
.
#train #steamtrain #toytrain #railway #nostalgia #railwayphotography #railways_worldwide #railways_of_our_world #railsupremacy #steamtrains #indianrailways #darjeelinghimalayanrailway #oldtrains #unesco #unescoworldheritage #heritage #travel #wanderlust #darjeeling #incredibleindia #travelrealindia #travelblogger #travelbloggerlife #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict #travellife #lensbible #travelenthusiast
Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan, Ayutthaya, Thailand. Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan, Ayutthaya, Thailand. The 19-metre-high Buddha statue, known as Luang Pho Tho, dates back to 1334 although it has been renovated numerous times since then.
.
.
.
#watphananchoengworawihan #ayutthaya #buddha #buddhism #temple #thaitemples #faith #religion #thailand #ayutthayathailand #amazingthailand #ig_thailand #loves_united_thailand #loves_thailand #ig_asia #loves_united_asia #super_asia_channel #unlimitedasia #unesco #unescoworldheritage #history #culture #statue #smartphone #igmoment #travel #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #CreateExplore #stayandwander
Overlooking Stonecutters Bridge with the Hong Kong Overlooking Stonecutters Bridge with the Hong Kong island skyline in the distance.

.
.
.
#stonecuttersbridge #bridges #bridge #bridgesofinstagram #bridgeporn #civilengineering #cityscape #urbanlandscape #cityview #citiesoftheworld #architecturelovers #skyline #asiancities #asiatravel #china #hongkong #tsingyi #hkig #hkiger #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #visualhongkong #hongkongphotography #postcardplaces #seetheworld #doyoutravel #traveldeeper #exploringhongkongsnewterritories
My latest project is now available in bookshops ac My latest project is now available in bookshops across Hong Kong.

Unlike most guidebooks on Hong Kong, this one delves deep into a region that is often ignored yet is replete with ancient monuments and temples, picturesque monasteries, abandoned villages and a network of excellent, well-maintained hiking trails.

Most of the attractions are free or very inexpensive and can be easily accessed using Hong Kong’s excellent public transport systems, details of which are included.
.
.
.
#hongkong #discoverhk #newterritories #hongkongheritage #hkheritage #discoverhongkong #awesomehongkong #ilovehongkong #hongkongphoto #ig_hongkong #heritage #historicbuilding #historicarchitecture #historicalbuildings #historicplace #pingshan #pingshanheritagetrail #ancestralhall #temple #lungyuektau #hongkonggeopark #hongkongcountryside #picsofhk #utravelhk #instahk #hongkonginsta  #hongkonger #lantau #lamma #cheungchau
The throne hall at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, The throne hall at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Its official name is Preah Barom Reacheaveang Chaktomuk Serey Mongkol and was built between 1866 and 1870 after the capital was relocated to Phnom Penh and, except during the Khmer Rouge period, has been the residence of Khmer monarchs ever since.
.
.
.
#preahbaromreacheaveangchacktomuk #royalpalace #thronehall #phnompenh #phnompenhlife #phnompenhcity #cambodia #cambodiatravel #travelcambodia #beautifulcambodia #visitcambodia #royalpalacephnompenh #instacambodia #cambodge #goldenroof #aroundtheworld #globetrotter #welltravelled #seetheworld #worldnomads #alwaysexploring #adventuretime #travelmemories #traveller #ontheroad #welltravelled #letsgo #travelphotography #traveller #travelling
Tian Tan Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Pin Tian Tan Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping
.
.
.
#tiantanbuddha #bigbuddha #天壇大佛 #天坛大佛 #lantau #polinmonastery #ngongping #昂坪 #hongkon
Potter wasp (Phimenes flavopictus). #wasp #potter Potter wasp (Phimenes flavopictus).

#wasp #potterwasp #Phimenesflavopictus #waspsofinstagram #bugs #insectsofinstagram #bug #insectphotography #insect #insect_perfection #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #creepycrawly #abugslife #nature #insectworld #bugsofinstagram #insectstagram #insectlicious #beautiful_insects #insectguru #fulgoromorpha #earthcapture #inmygardentoday #colorfulbug #insects_of_our_world #insectlovers #insectlover🐞 #insectlovers🌿
Villages in the Tengger Highlands in West Java are Villages in the Tengger Highlands in West Java are often just a single street strung out along the top of a ridge while fields growing carrots, potatoes, onions, cabbages and more tumble down the hillsides nourished by the fertile volcanic soils.
.
.
.
#tengger #nature #agriculture #terracedfields #offthebeatenpath #earthpix #landscape #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #landscapephotography #loves_united_indonesia #icu_indonesia #travelblogger #travelbloggerlife #traveller #naturelover #bromotenggersemeru #bromo #volcano #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict #travellife
The train to Kalka departing Howrah station, just The train to Kalka departing Howrah station, just across the river from Kolkata. The total journey time is about 28-30 hours, sitting on that step is going to become uncomfortable well before then.
.
.
.

#train #rail #howra #howrahstation #howrahrailwaystation #railway #indiantrain #indiantrainjourney #indianrailways #indianrailway #indianrail #trainpassengers #passengers #kolkataphotography #kolkatadiaries #streetsofcalcutta #streetsofkolkata #thisiskolkata #ohkolkata #oldcalcutta #india #great_captures_people #ig_captures_people #travelportrait #splendid_people #portrait #portrait_mood #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld
The prows of pinisi rear up along the old harbour The prows of pinisi rear up along the old harbour front at Sunda Kelapa in north Jakarta, Indonesia. Pinisi are a type of two-masted schooner built by the Bugis of South Sulawesi. Most of them are motorised now but they are still used to transport cargo around the Indonesian archipelago. In previous times that included bringing timber from the forests of Sulawesi and Borneo to Jakarta and returning with everything from bags of cement to bottled water and anything else that is not readily available on the islands.
.
The art of building Pinisi was recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in December 7, 2017.
.
.
.
#pinisi #ship #boat #traditionalboat #sundakelapa #schooner #oldboat #harbour #jakarta #icu_jakarta #indonesia #loves_united_indonesia #icu_indonesia travelphotography #travelblogger #travelbloggerlife #traveller #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict #travellife #total_asia #lensbible
New Lucky House on the corner of Nathan Road and J New Lucky House on the corner of Nathan Road and Jordan Road, Yau Ma Tei. Built in 1964 its 16 floors boast 200 units and 35 guesthouses.
.
.
.
#citynights #addicted_to_nights #nightphotography #nightimages #nightlights #nightphoto #dusk #cityscape #urbanlandscape #urbanromantix #buildings #buildingporn #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #travel #travelhk #華豐大廈
Canton tower, Guangzhou #chinatravel #architectur Canton tower, Guangzhou
#chinatravel  #architecture #nightview #nightphotography
Lantau Peak looking dramatic. At 934 metres (3,064 Lantau Peak looking dramatic. At 934 metres (3,064 ft) above sea level the mountain is the highest point on Lantau island and the second highest in Hong Kong.
.
.
.
#lantaupeak #鳳凰山 #lantau #lantauisland #southlantau #landscape #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #landscapephotography #naturelover #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #hongkongphotography #countrypark #wonderful_places #peacefulplace #bythisriver #estuary #seetheworld #doyoutravel #traveldeeper #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere
Winter solstice over the Pui O River, Lantau Islan Winter solstice over the Pui O River, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
.
.
.
#landscape #sunset  #wetlands #awesomehongkong
Follow on Instagram

Picture Licensing

Privacy Policy

Contact

Smart Travel Asia
Asian Conversations

David Sutton Photo
RUSSELL LINEY- Writer & Producer

Copyright © 2026 The Mango Road. All rights reserved.