Asakusa & Sumida River
If you’re in town when a tournament is on, don't miss the chance to catch the big boys of Japanese wrestling in action at the country's largest sumo…
Must-see entertainment in Asia
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
Japan's most important theatre for traditional performing arts stages kabuki, gagaku (music of the imperial court), kyōmai (Kyoto-style traditional dance)…
Kōrakuen & Akihabara
Tokyo Dome (aka ‘The Big Egg’) is home to the Yomiuri Giants. They're the most consistently successful team in Japanese baseball.
Kuala Lumpur
Large-scale drama and dance shows are staged here, as well as music performances by the National Symphony Orchestra and National Choir. The building's…
Southern Higashiyama
This theatre in Gion is the oldest kabuki theatre in Japan. The major event of the year is the Kaomise festival in December, which features Japan’s finest…
Mandalay
This classic a-nyeint group became world famous in the 1990s when their jokes and rants against the Myanmar government brought them a string of prison…
Manila
Nonprofit VivaManila is an arts-and-culture organisation run by passionate locals who are on a mission to revive downtown Manila to its pre-war glory…
Macau
In addition to a sprawling gaming floor, this colossal hotel-casino-mall complex is home to four sleek hotels, several restaurants (that include award…
Delhi
An entertainment extravaganza, Kingdom of Dreams offers live Bollywood-style shows that are out-and-out sensory assaults. Performances are supported by…
Macau
Said to be one of the 10 largest buildings in the world, the Venetian is 980,000 sq metres of what might be described as Casino Gothic architecture,…
South Jakarta
Nautilus is a bold, classic European-versus-Asian-bling drinking lounge at the Four Seasons hotel. Upon entering, you're drawn to the striking mural of…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
The neoclassical Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall is home to Singapore's well-respected flagship orchestra, which makes its performing home at the 1800…
The Bund & People's Square
Shanghai’s most famous hotel features Shanghai’s most famous jazz band (starts at 7pm), a septuagenarian sextet that’s been churning out nostalgic covers…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
Using traditional instruments such as the liuqin, ruan and sanxian, the SCO treats listeners to classical Chinese concerts throughout the year. Concerts…
The Bund & People's Square
Fittingly dark and divey, this vintage jazz and blues bar exudes plenty of class with its polished heavy wood decor. The house band delivers live jazz or…
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai's most eye-catching show is this nightly so-called 'ladyboy cabaret' in which cross-dresser and transgender performers wear carnival-style…
Kathmandu
This beery bar is the best place in Kathmandu to listen to original Nepali rock, reggae and R ’n’ B music, mostly on Friday and Saturday. It’s in northern…
Phnom Penh
Cambodia's first gay dance company infuses Khmer classics with a contemporary (and LGBTQ+) spirit at its evocative performances in the Counterspace…
Busan
The Lotte Giants baseball experience inside Sajik stadium neatly captures the essence of Busan: boisterous, fun-loving and occasionally naughty …
Siem Reap
There are countless apsara dance shows around Siem Reap, but only the Sacred Dancers of Angkor can claim royal patronage from HRH Princess Norodom Bopha…
South Jakarta
Walk through the Aksara bookshop, then rub shoulders with Jakarta's artistic community at this hidden cinema, which hosts independent short and fringe…
Hongkou & North Shanghai
Mid-sized live venue with excellent sound quality, run by the Modern Sky record label. It's a top place to catch touring bands: previous acts include…
Southern Higashiyama
This 45-minute dance is a wonderful geisha performance. It’s a real stunner and the colourful images are mesmerising. It’s held throughout April, usually…
Downtown Kyoto
One of Kyoto’s most atmospheric live-music venues, with a long history of hosting some great local and international acts. Check the Kyoto Visitor's Guide…
Southern Higashiyama
Put on by the Miyagawa-chō geisha district, this wonderful geisha dance is among the most picturesque performances of the Kyoto year. It’s held from the…
Kandy
The modest Asgiriya Stadium, north of the town centre, hosts crowds of up to 10,000 cheering fans at international one-day and test matches. The compact…
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
New Delhi
A hub of cultural and artsy seminars, exhibitions and performances housed in a well-located, landscaped sprawl not far from India Gate. Frequented by…
Jaffna
Wow! India has gifted Jaffna a huge new cultural centre due for completion by 2019. It will include a large theatre, museum, art galleries and much more…
Jakarta
If you've never had a VIP cinema experience, this is the place to do it. Gold class has a premium lounge, reclining chairs and waiter service (you can buy…
Busan
An important venue for the Busan International Film Festival, this complex plays a mix of Korean and foreign films in its smaller venues. The magnificent…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
After 30 years, Saxophone remains Bangkok’s premier live-music venue – a dark, intimate space where you can pull up a chair just a few metres away from…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
This nightclub has been steadily promoting live music in Kolkata since the mid-1990s. Acts perform nightly, although you'll have to be lucky to catch some…
Kathmandu
It’s worth schlepping out to Lazimpat on a Wednesday and Saturday night (from 8pm) to catch the live jazz in this tiny upstairs bar, recently relocated to…
Cultural Center of the Philippines
Manila
Manila’s major cultural guns perform here, including Ballet Philippines, the nation’s premiere dance troupe; Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the nation…
Manila
A fantastic and intimate jazz lounge hidden off the grid in Quezon City. They put on top local musicians plus the occasional imported guest, and their…
Manila
The best of the city’s drag stage shows take place at the opulent Club Mwah!, an incredibly shiny, sparkly and simply fabulous place with obvious Las…
Kuala Lumpur
Don’t miss the chance to attend a show at this gorgeous concert hall. The polished Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra plays here (usually Friday and…
Udaipur
The beautiful Bagore-ki-Haveli hosts the best (and most convenient) opportunity to see Rajasthani folk dancing, with nightly shows of colourful, energetic…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
This state-run cultural melting pot is a large, multilevel operation that regularly hosts exhibitions, dance shows, recitals and lectures in its many…
Jakarta
Jakarta's premier cultural centre has a great selection of cinemas, theatres and exhibition spaces. Performances (such as Sundanese dance and gamelan…
