Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is a great alternative to the pricier Hong Kong for a budget-friendly Asia adventure packed with culture. This electrifying city throws sights, smells, and flavours at you from every corner, making it an adventure for all the senses.

Foodies will find their paradise in the open-air kitchens that line the streets, offering everything from pad thai to fresh mango sticky rice. Shopping in Bangkok is an endurance sport with everything from high-end malls to busy street markets like Chatuchak. After sunset, the city switches gears as rooftops come alive and night markets buzz with bargain hunters and foodies alike. It’s a place that never sleeps but definitely always eats.

Here are the top things you can do in Bangkok that mirror Hong Kong’s energy:

• Explore magnificent temples like Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha).
• Visit the Grand Palace, the former home of the Kings of Thailand.
• Shop for souvenirs and local crafts at the Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the largest markets in the world.
• Take a boat ride down the Chao Phraya River, the main waterway of Bangkok.
• Enjoy delicious and affordable street food from vendors throughout the city

If you’re looking to book flights with Avios, off-peak return Premium Economy reward seats are available for 100,000 Avios plus £380, and Business Class for 200,000 Avios plus £550. These rates provide a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a high level of comfort on your journey to one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.

Beijing, China

Often overshadowed by Hong Kong's commercial appeal, Beijing provides a richer taste of China's history and culture. Travellers will find Beijing’s proximity to the Great Wall a significant draw with a tangible link to the vastness of Chinese history just a short drive from the city centre.

The city’s burgeoning art scene rivals that of Hong Kong’s, with modern galleries and colourful street art. Foodies will love Beijing’s famed Peking duck and the myriad flavours available at the city's countless eateries.

Here are some top activities in Beijing with experiences comparable to Hong Kong's:

• Explore China's imperial past at the Forbidden City, a sprawling palace complex which rivals the historical draw of Hong Kong's heritage trails.
• Stroll around the Summer Palace and enjoy its beautiful gardens and lake.
• Walk a section of the Great Wall for a unique historical and physically engaging activity.
• Explore the Temple of Heaven, where emperors performed solemn rituals for bountiful harvests.
• Wander through the 798 Art Zone, an arts community housed in old factory buildings that competes with Hong Kong's Kowloon arts district.

For those looking for BA reward flights, you can find off-peak return Premium Economy reward seats for 95,000 Avios plus £330 and Business Class for 180,000 Avios plus £450. 

Shanghai, China

Often called the "Pearl of the Orient," Shanghai features a futuristic skyline dominated by the towering Oriental Pearl Tower, which sharply contrasts with its historic shikumen lanes tucked away in areas like the French Concession. These quaint, narrow streets provide a glimpse into the city's colonial past and are now hubs of boutique shops and cosy cafés.

Culturally, Shanghai does not disappoint. The city is a hotbed for fashion with influential events like Shanghai Fashion Week, which draws designers and fashionistas from around the world. It showcases its rich theatrical tradition in numerous state-of-the-art theatres playing traditional Chinese opera as well as modern stage productions.

Below are the top things to do in Shanghai:

• Stroll along The Bund to admire the colonial architecture and the modern skyline across the Huangpu River.
• Visit the Yuyuan Garden, an exquisite example of Ming dynasty landscaping.
• Experience the hustle and bustle of Nanjing Road, one of the world's busiest shopping streets.
• Ascend the Shanghai Tower, the second-tallest building in the world, for breathtaking views.
• Explore the dynamic and delicious world of street food in neighbourhoods like Xintiandi and Tianzifang.
• Take a river cruise at night to see the city lights in full splendour.
• Visit the Shanghai Circus World to witness acrobatic shows that blend artistry, history, and culture in a spellbinding spectacle.

If you’re looking to book flights with Avios, off-peak return Premium Economy reward seats are available for 100,000 Avios plus £380, and Business Class for 200,000 Avios plus £550. 

Tokyo, Japan

Ready to feel like you've stepped into a video game? Tokyo presses the fast-forward button on life. The city's neon-lit streets and towering skyscrapers provide a futuristic backdrop, while traditional temples and gardens are peaceful retreats from the urban rush.

Shibuya Crossing is one of the busiest intersections in the world where hundreds of people cross in all directions at once (don’t worry, there's a strange order to the chaos). Zip between skyscrapers on bullet trains, catch the cherry blossoms in a serene park, then plunge into the cacophony of a pachinko parlour — all before lunch.

Here are our top things to do in Tokyo: 

• Explore the historic Asakusa district and visit Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple.
• Take in the fashion and youth culture in Harajuku, known for its colourful street art and fashion boutiques.
• Discover the digital wonderland of Akihabara, famous for its electronics shops and otaku culture.
• Relax in the serene Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, a beautiful blend of traditional Japanese, English, and French garden designs.
• Enjoy panoramic views of the city from the Tokyo Skytree, one of the tallest structures in the world. 

If you’re considering BA reward flights for your trip to Tokyo, off-peak return Premium Economy seats are available for 100,000 Avios plus £380, and Business Class for 200,000 Avios plus £550.

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is a great alternative to the pricier Hong Kong for a budget-friendly Asia adventure packed with culture. This electrifying city throws sights, smells, and flavours at you from every corner, making it an adventure for all the senses.

Foodies will find their paradise in the open-air kitchens that line the streets, offering everything from pad thai to fresh mango sticky rice. Shopping in Bangkok is an endurance sport with everything from high-end malls to busy street markets like Chatuchak. After sunset, the city switches gears as rooftops come alive and night markets buzz with bargain hunters and foodies alike. It’s a place that never sleeps but definitely always eats.

Here are the top things you can do in Bangkok that mirror Hong Kong’s energy:

• Explore magnificent temples like Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha).
• Visit the Grand Palace, the former home of the Kings of Thailand.
• Shop for souvenirs and local crafts at the Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the largest markets in the world.
• Take a boat ride down the Chao Phraya River, the main waterway of Bangkok.
• Enjoy delicious and affordable street food from vendors throughout the city

If you’re looking to book flights with Avios, off-peak return Premium Economy reward seats are available for 100,000 Avios plus £380, and Business Class for 200,000 Avios plus £550. These rates provide a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a high level of comfort on your journey to one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.

Beijing, China

Often overshadowed by Hong Kong's commercial appeal, Beijing provides a richer taste of China's history and culture. Travellers will find Beijing’s proximity to the Great Wall a significant draw with a tangible link to the vastness of Chinese history just a short drive from the city centre.

The city’s burgeoning art scene rivals that of Hong Kong’s, with modern galleries and colourful street art. Foodies will love Beijing’s famed Peking duck and the myriad flavours available at the city's countless eateries.

Here are some top activities in Beijing with experiences comparable to Hong Kong's:

• Explore China's imperial past at the Forbidden City, a sprawling palace complex which rivals the historical draw of Hong Kong's heritage trails.
• Stroll around the Summer Palace and enjoy its beautiful gardens and lake.
• Walk a section of the Great Wall for a unique historical and physically engaging activity.
• Explore the Temple of Heaven, where emperors performed solemn rituals for bountiful harvests.
• Wander through the 798 Art Zone, an arts community housed in old factory buildings that competes with Hong Kong's Kowloon arts district.

For those looking for BA reward flights, you can find off-peak return Premium Economy reward seats for 95,000 Avios plus £330 and Business Class for 180,000 Avios plus £450. 

Shanghai, China

Often called the "Pearl of the Orient," Shanghai features a futuristic skyline dominated by the towering Oriental Pearl Tower, which sharply contrasts with its historic shikumen lanes tucked away in areas like the French Concession. These quaint, narrow streets provide a glimpse into the city's colonial past and are now hubs of boutique shops and cosy cafés.

Culturally, Shanghai does not disappoint. The city is a hotbed for fashion with influential events like Shanghai Fashion Week, which draws designers and fashionistas from around the world. It showcases its rich theatrical tradition in numerous state-of-the-art theatres playing traditional Chinese opera as well as modern stage productions.

Below are the top things to do in Shanghai:

• Stroll along The Bund to admire the colonial architecture and the modern skyline across the Huangpu River.
• Visit the Yuyuan Garden, an exquisite example of Ming dynasty landscaping.
• Experience the hustle and bustle of Nanjing Road, one of the world's busiest shopping streets.
• Ascend the Shanghai Tower, the second-tallest building in the world, for breathtaking views.
• Explore the dynamic and delicious world of street food in neighbourhoods like Xintiandi and Tianzifang.
• Take a river cruise at night to see the city lights in full splendour.
• Visit the Shanghai Circus World to witness acrobatic shows that blend artistry, history, and culture in a spellbinding spectacle.

If you’re looking to book flights with Avios, off-peak return Premium Economy reward seats are available for 100,000 Avios plus £380, and Business Class for 200,000 Avios plus £550. 

Tokyo, Japan

Ready to feel like you've stepped into a video game? Tokyo presses the fast-forward button on life. The city's neon-lit streets and towering skyscrapers provide a futuristic backdrop, while traditional temples and gardens are peaceful retreats from the urban rush.

Shibuya Crossing is one of the busiest intersections in the world where hundreds of people cross in all directions at once (don’t worry, there's a strange order to the chaos). Zip between skyscrapers on bullet trains, catch the cherry blossoms in a serene park, then plunge into the cacophony of a pachinko parlour — all before lunch.

Here are our top things to do in Tokyo: 

• Explore the historic Asakusa district and visit Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple.
• Take in the fashion and youth culture in Harajuku, known for its colourful street art and fashion boutiques.
• Discover the digital wonderland of Akihabara, famous for its electronics shops and otaku culture.
• Relax in the serene Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, a beautiful blend of traditional Japanese, English, and French garden designs.
• Enjoy panoramic views of the city from the Tokyo Skytree, one of the tallest structures in the world. 

If you’re considering BA reward flights for your trip to Tokyo, off-peak return Premium Economy seats are available for 100,000 Avios plus £380, and Business Class for 200,000 Avios plus £550.