Yuyuan Lantern Festival Lights Up ICONSIAM to Celebrate 50 Years of Thai–Chinese Friendship

Yuyuan Lantern Festival Lights Up ICONSIAM to Celebrate 50 Years of Thai–Chinese Friendship

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 2, 2025

Bangkok’s ICONSIAM, in a groundbreaking cultural collaboration with Shanghai Yuyuan Tourist Mart Group, has brought China’s most iconic lantern festival to Thailand for the very first time. The “Spirit of Mountains and Seas · Yuyuan Lantern Festival and 2025 China–Thailand Culture Month” is lighting up the Chao Phraya River until 15 August 2025, offering visitors a magical, light-filled experience that blends ancient Chinese folklore with modern artistic innovation.

Running daily from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM at River Park, G Floor, ICONSIAM, the event is open to the public free of charge, welcoming all to enjoy a visual and cultural spectacle unlike any other.

This historic debut in Thailand marks a significant milestone in cultural diplomacy, celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China. More than just a festival, this event underscores the growing bond between the two nations, using art and culture as a universal language to foster friendship and unity.

image

With a legacy of over a century, the Yuyuan Lantern Festival is one of China’s most cherished intangible cultural heritages. This year’s theme, “Spirit of Mountains and Seas”, draws inspiration from the ancient Chinese text Shan Hai Jing (Classic of Mountains and Seas), creating a fantastical realm called “Chao Phraya Island.” This imaginary floating island is brought to life through immersive lantern installations that combine light, shadow, and interactive technologies, portraying mythical creatures and landscapes that enchant visitors of all ages.

Guests can expect more than just mesmerising visuals. The festival also features:

  • Traditional performances

  • Local products market

  • Themed cultural weeks

  • An art exhibition

These activities aim to deepen cross-cultural exchange in art, food, and commerce, strengthening the bridge of collaboration between Thailand and China.

ICONSIAM, already a global destination on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, further cements its position as a hub for international arts and cultural exchange with this iconic event.

“This festival isn’t just about lanterns; it’s about lighting up connections,” remarked organisers from ICONSIAM. “It symbolises the warmth and depth of Thai–Chinese relations, and welcomes all communities to partake in this extraordinary celebration of friendship.”

Visitors are encouraged to explore the luminous wonders of Yuyuan Lantern Festival 2025, soaking in a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience right in the heart of Bangkok.


Dusit Thani Bangkok Earns Michelin Key, Joining Dusit Thani Kyoto Among the World’s Finest Hotels

Dusit Thani Bangkok Earns Michelin Key, Joining Dusit Thani Kyoto Among the World’s Finest Hotels

By Hariharan U

Published on October 13, 2025

One year after its grand reopening, Dusit Thani Bangkok, the reimagined flagship of Dusit Hotels and Resorts, has been awarded a prestigious Michelin Key, recognising its excellence in delivering exceptional stays and world-class hospitality.

The accolade, announced on 8 October 2025 on the official Michelin Guide website, places Dusit Thani Bangkok among the most distinguished hotels in Thailand. It celebrates the brand’s continued commitment to refined design, service excellence, and Thai-inspired graciousness that has made Dusit a global name in hospitality.

A Legacy Reimagined in the Heart of Bangkok

First opened in 1970, the original Dusit Thani Bangkok was one of Thailand’s earliest luxury hotels and a beloved city landmark, admired for its distinctive architecture and warm service. After a five-year transformation as part of the Dusit Central Park development near Lumpini Park, the new property reopened in 2024, blending the charm of its heritage with contemporary design and innovative experiences.

  • Top Honours (Guestrooms Category) – AHEAD Asia Awards 2025

  • Top New Hotel – Smart Travel Asia, Best in Travel 2025

  • Best New Hotel – TTG Asia Travel Awards 2025

  • Best Opening – Skift Global Innovators Round-up (Winter 2025)

  • Best Hotels in Bangkok – Condé Nast Traveller

  • Best New City Hotel in Thailand – Tatler Best Awards

  • Best Luxury Hotel (Asia) – Travel Weekly Asia Readers’ Choice Awards 2025

Global Recognition for Dusit Thani Kyoto

Located in Kyoto’s Hongwanji Monzen-machi district, just minutes from Kyoto Station, Dusit Thani Kyoto blends Thai-inspired graciousness with Japan’s tradition of omotenashi (wholehearted guest care). Its architecture harmonises Kyoto’s calm aesthetic with subtle Thai touches — from chedi-inspired motifs to a serene natural palette. The hotel’s 147 rooms balance elegance with comfort, reflecting the same meticulous design philosophy that defines the brand.Dusit Hotels and Resorts: A Global Standard for Thai Hospitality

Across its global portfolio, Dusit Hotels and Resorts continues to earn international acclaim. At the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, seven Dusit properties were listed among the best in their categories, including:

  • Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu – #1 | The Philippines’ Best Beach & Island Resorts

  • Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore – #4 | Singapore’s Best Hotel Pools

  • Dusit Thani Manila – #4 | The Philippines’ Best Hotel Pools

  • Dusit Thani Maldives – #7 | The Maldives’ Best Resort Pools

  • Dusit Thani Bangkok – #9 | Thailand’s Best City Hotels

  • Dusit Thani Kyoto – #8 | Japan’s Best City Hotels

  • Devarana Wellness, Dusit Thani Maldives – #9 | The Maldives’ Best Resort Spas

Additionally, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi ranked #6 in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 under the Top 20 Hotels in the Middle East category.

About Dusit Hotels and Resorts:

Dusit Hotels and Resorts, a division of Dusit International, is one of Thailand’s leading hospitality groups. With a vision to introduce Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the world, its portfolio includes nearly 300 properties under nine brands—Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, Dusit Hotels, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens—across 18 countries.
Visit: dusit.com


Luke Donald’s Winning Mindset Reflects at Ba Na Hills Golf Club

Luke Donald’s Winning Mindset Reflects at Ba Na Hills Golf Club

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 10, 2025

The spotlight may have been on Bethpage Black, where Luke Donald secured his place among Europe’s finest Ryder Cup captains, but the echoes of his triumph reached far beyond the greens of New York, all the way to the Vietnam Golf Coast, home to his very first golf course design, Ba Na Hills Golf Club.

Donald’s back-to-back Ryder Cup victories have only reinforced his image as a leader defined by careful planning, quiet confidence, and sharp tactical sense, the same qualities that shape every contour and bunker at Ba Na Hills.

“I’ve always believed that strategy is the heart of golf, whether you’re leading a team or designing a course,” said Donald. “At Ba Na Hills, the goal was to create a layout that rewards patience, creativity, and precision. It’s not about power; it’s about smart decisions.”

image

Located in the scenic foothills west of Danang, Ba Na Hills Golf Club is a masterpiece that mirrors Donald’s thoughtful playing style. Designed in collaboration with IMG, the 18-hole course embraces the region’s natural beauty, with mountains, ravines, and streams shaping its layout. Each hole carries a distinct personality, offering players both challenge and reward.

Donald describes Vietnam’s landscape as “unbelievable,” noting how “you’ve got mountains, forests, and the ocean all within reach, the land gives you so much to work with.” The result is a course that feels like a journey, where every round tells its own story.

image

Highlights include the par-3 8th, a serene short hole surrounded by forest, and a dramatic finish with an island-green 16th and a water-guarded 17th, providing a thrilling end against the backdrop of Vietnam’s highlands.

Simon Mees, General Manager at Ba Na Hills Golf Club, said, “Luke’s design philosophy is about intelligence and restraint. Like his Ryder Cup leadership, it’s about smart choices and the long game. You can sense that same calm control in his design.”

Since its opening, Ba Na Hills Golf Club has been a key highlight of Central Vietnam’s rise as a premier golf destination, drawing players from across Asia and beyond. Together with other courses along the Vietnam Golf Coast, it continues to strengthen the region’s position as one of the world’s most exciting golf and leisure destinations.

Reflecting on the project, Donald said, “There’s something special about Ba Na Hills. When I see players from around the world enjoying the course, testing their patience and creativity, it feels like a reflection of everything I love about golf.”


Atmosphere Core to Debut in Sri Lanka’s Southern Coast with AMAGI SECRET by Atmosphere Tangalle

Atmosphere Core to Debut in Sri Lanka’s Southern Coast with AMAGI SECRET by Atmosphere Tangalle

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 8, 2025

Atmosphere Core, a fast-growing international hospitality company, in partnership with the Amagi Group, is set to make its debut in Sri Lanka with a new boutique resort in Tangalle. A part of the award-winning Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand, AMAGI SECRET by Atmosphere Tangalle is scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2026, blending soulful Sri Lankan heritage with crafted indulgence.

“Sri Lanka is a land of stories, rhythms and rich heritage, and with AMAGI SECRET by Atmosphere Tangalle we intend to honour and celebrate those stories,” said Salil Panigrahi, Cofounder and Managing Director of Atmosphere Core. “This resort is not simply a destination, it is an immersion. With our expansion across India, the Maldives, and Italy, and now this important step into Sri Lanka, we are placing thoughtfully curated, distinctive landscapes on the global tourism map.”

Spread across 11 acres around a serene natural lake and located near Sri Lanka’s golden southern coastline, the resort will feature 33 private pool villas, including six 40 sqm lake view villas perched over the water, 23 one-bedroom pool villas of 60 sqm, and four two-bedroom family villas spanning 111 sqm.

Designed with mud-plastered walls, clay-tiled roofs, and locally inspired landscaping, the property immerses guests in the island’s natural rhythm. Curated comforts provide a seamless blend of tradition and elegance, offering a setting that reflects the spirit of Sri Lanka.

The resort will house an all-day dining restaurant, a poolside bar, and a signature restaurant celebrating Sri Lankan flavours. Guests can also rejuvenate through ayurvedic treatments, yoga, and meditation at the ELE│NA Ayur Spa and Wellness Centre.

Mr. S. Ganeshanathan, Chairman of the Amagi Group, shared,

“From our early days in seafood export we have always regarded Sri Lanka’s natural resources and human craftsmanship as our foundation. With a hospitality background myself, I have long valued the art of service and the pursuit of excellence in guest experience. Partnering with the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand enables us to bring forward a property that respects and elevates those foundations, where sustainability, culture, and community are as central as international luxury hospitality standards.”

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is witnessing a strong revival, with rising international arrivals and increased visitor spending. Simplified visa access and renewed global interest are contributing to its position as one of Asia’s leading experiential travel destinations.

Set against this vibrant backdrop, AMAGI SECRET by Atmosphere Tangalle will invite travellers to slow down and connect deeply with the island’s culture and nature. By blending luxury with authenticity, the resort aims to set a new benchmark for immersive, sustainable hospitality in Sri Lanka.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.