United Kingdom
An East Asia travel specialist, Tom covers China and the wider region including Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mongolia. As well as writing guidebooks for Lonely Planet, DK Eyewitness and other publishers, he also reports on travel and hotels for The Telegraph. Tom splits his time between Edinburgh New Town and the old hutong alleyways of Beijing. https://bio.site/tomomalley
Beijing
Buy Lonely Planet Beijing (Travel Guide) 12 by O'Malley, Thomas (ISBN: 9781787014022) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Read our Telegraph Travel expert guide to Beijing, including the best places to stay, eat, drink as well as the top attractions to visit, and all of the information that you need to know before you go.
DK Eyewitness Beijing and Shanghai (Travel Guide) : DK Eyewitness: Amazon.co.uk: Books
Beijing is a thrilling tableau of old and new, where grand vestiges of China’s imperial past vie for space with gleaming modern architecture. An unrivalled bounty of cultural and artistic treasures is waiting to be discovered, along with an agenda-setting food scene.
It's incredible to think that a little over a century ago, Beijing was a kind of low-rise walled fortress, its nine humongous gates locked shut every night.
DK Eyewitness Top 10 Beijing (Pocket Travel Guide) : DK Eyewitness: Amazon.co.uk: Books
Lonely Planet's Pocket Beijing is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you.Explore the astonishing Forbidden ...
It began as a barely audible flicker, a tremble in a Jurassic Park water cup rising slowly to a marching crescendo … crunch, crunch, crunch.
The best things to do & places to stay in Beijing, recommended by China specialist, local resident and leading travel writer Tom O'Malley.
A BLUEPRINT FOR BRILLIANT BUSINESS TRAVEL IN THE CHINESE CAPITAL BY THOMAS O’MALLEY
Tom O'Malley embarks on a journey along Beijing’s central axis, seeking out the historic heart of the capital city.
Written by locals, Fodor's travel guides have been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for 80 years. Fodor's correspondents highlight the best of Beijing, including World Heritage sites, memorable markets, fantastic street food, and world-class nightlife. Our local experts vet...
Read our guide to the best nightlife in Beijing, as recommended by Telegraph Travel. Plan your evening with our expert reviews of the top bars, pubs, clubs and performances.
Beijing's hutong alleys are ripe for exploration, with historical sites, upscale coffee shops and more bringing life to the city.
As Beijing leaps skywards into the 21st century, its history can sometimes get left in the shadows. But despite the new highways and high-rises, China's...
Once a boisterous warren of theatres, opium dens and pleasure houses, the district of Dashilan in central Beijing was thoroughly scrubbed and sanitised by the communist regime in the 1950s. Recently, a reawakening has taken place, with more than a little decadent joie de vivre returning to this increasingly hip ’hood. By Tom O'Malley
This area – known colloquially as Gulou after its traditional drum tower – is an appealing warren of streets. It boasts Beijing’s best preserved hutong alleyways – and more recently, bohemian culture and nightlife. By Tom O'Malley
Heading to China's capital city? Here, we reveal some of the best and most unique shopping experiences in Beijing
One of the city's longest-running luxury hotels, The all-suite Peninsula Beijing has stood witness to more than three decades of breathless change in China.A pair of works by avant-garde ink painter Qin Feng gazes out over fresh acres of pearlescent white marble in the stunning lobby, encircled by d
After a decade of false starts (the first MO burned down before it opened), Mandarin Oriental has finally hit Beijing in a blaze of glorious excess. The capital’s most lavishly appointed guest rooms combine with delicious views of the Forbidden City, a fab rooftop cocktail bar and the most central of locations. By Tom O'MAlley
Read our insider's guide to the best restaurants in Beijing, including the best places to go for dumplings, noodles, Peking duck and stir-fry, as well as spicy beef, pancakes and donkey sandwiches.
It's not all flashy five-star high-rises; Beijing timeworn alleyways are home to secluded boutique boltholes and restored courtyard residences, too. Discover 20 of the best hotels when you visit China's capital.
On the hour, every hour, the clock above Beijing Railway Station chimes 'The East is Red', the de-facto theme song of the Cultural Revolution. At 10pm on a sub-zero January night, this jingle draws...
The Forbidden City. Is there a more evocatively titled tourist site anywhere on earth? It’s a name able to conjure up a closed-off world of antique ritual and political intrigue.
Whether you're carving artfully carved Peking duck, esoteric regional Chinese recipes or top notch global gastronomy, the city has got you covered, and then some.
Capital of China since the Mongol times, today’s hectic Beijing has as many modern marvels as ancient ones, not to mention an unrivalled culinary and cultural scene just waiting to be explored.
China’s capital, rooted in politics, tradition and commerce, makes a fascinating place to explore, says Tom O’Malley
Beijing is where the modern and traditional mix in exciting ways. Insiders share tips on the best dining, hotels and sights in China's capital.
Read our guide to the best attractions in Beijing, as recommended by Telegraph Travel. Plan your trip with our expert reviews of the best things to see and do, including the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.
Xisi (literally 'West Four') is a neighbourhood in western Beijing, so called for its four richly carved paifang (sign gates) that once straddled the...
You've got a day to spare in the world's most populous country. Here's what you do. By Tom O'Malley
The regeneration of Beijing’s old hutong alleyways is ushering in a new wave of drinking venues BY TOM O’MALLEY
Today's launch of a new high-speed rail link between Beijing and Shanghai is yet another example of the country's accelerated development. But you can still get a flavour of old China in both cities, from a Hutong hotel in Beijing to a retro bar in Shanghai's French concession
Mainland China
Lonely Planet China (Travel Guide) : Butler, Stuart, Bremner, Jade, Chapman, Kate, Chen, Piera, Eaves, Megan, Harper, Daisy, Harper, Damian, Holden, Trent, Humphrys, Tess, Lioy, Stephen, Maric, Vesna, Masters, Tom, Mayhew, Bradley, McCrohan, Daniel, O'Malley, Thomas, Parkes, Lorna, Pitts, Christopher, Spurling, Tom, Tang, Phillip: Amazon.co.uk: Books
DK Eyewitness China (Travel Guide) : DK Eyewitness: Amazon.co.uk: Books
Is China's fiery baijiu liquor about to break into the global mainstream? Meet the bar owners and mixologists making it happen
Buy Gardens of the World 1 by DK Eyewitness (ISBN: 9780241559246) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
In a country with a food scene as diverse as mainland Europe, where to even start? Here are a few of the must-try foods and drinks in China.
Architecture, literature and lifestyle collide in China's new breed of showpiece bookstores. What's driving the trend?
Shenzhen, the world’s most ambitious megacity, is coming of age. No longer merely the world’s factory, today it’s a global leader in tech and design, setting the course for China’s future.
A long-term resident of Beijing explains why tourists will be shocked by China's transformation - if indeed they are ever allowed to return
The art of jianzhi , or paper-cut, has been a fixture of Chinese life for centuries. Regionally diverse in style, form and function, it’s both popular folkcraft and high culture.
As the UK hunkers down, puts the kettle on and braces itself for what's to come, in China we're emerging from our burrows and blinking in the spring sunshine. The vibe in the Middle Kingdom is one of guarded optimism; that the worst of the virus is behind us.
Defensive walls are part of China's historic DNA. For as long as there have been towns and cities in China, there have been walls around them. The Chinese...
When a luxury hotel comes along with its own nightclub pre-installed, take it as evidence of Shanghai's re-emergence as Asia's glam party capital. In the...
It's not skyscrapers but vegetables, flowers and an alternative lifestyle that are once again sprouting in Dali, in China's Yunnan province
Former home of the Qing dynasty, boasting royal palaces, ancient tombs and hearty cuisine: here's how to spend 48 hours in the buzzing metropolis of Shenyang, China.
Tom O'Malley looks at the Great Wall's expanding waistline.
Beers flavoured wih everything from Sichuan peppercorns to Chinese green chillies are all part of a burgeoning craft sfene, explains Tom O'Malley.
Harbin is famed for its ice and snow attractions every winter, but a new indoor park means its cold-weather sports last all year long
Following in the footsteps of China’s ancient roving royalty, TOM O’MALLEY discovers how the inspection tours of old helped establish a template for travel in the Middle Kingdom today.
This year, China welcomes the Rooster, crowing in the new year on 28 January 2017. The Rooster is the tenth animal in the Chinese zodiac (between the Monkey...
Danzhai, a quiet little corner of rural Guizhou province, is bubbling with creativity. The local Miao people, one of China's 56 officially recognised ethnic...
China's art museum landscape is booming. We look at four of the hottest avant-garde spaces that are shaping the country's future contemporary art conversation
China’s center was very nearly not in the north, but in the south. Journey back through time in Nanjing, the country’s “southern capital” and a city that wears its history on its sleeve.
China’s most important trading center for centuries, the city once known as Canton remains a gateway between East and West, where temples, mosques and former consulates coexist with the 21st century architectural statements of this thriving metropolis.
A trip to a beach in China, having more in common with the seaside sanatoriums of Soviet Russia than, say, Surfin' USA, can be a fascinating cultural...
The vast and fertile Yangtze River delta has been one of the richest regions in China, both materially and culturally, since the Eastern Han dynasty
Tour operators have welcomed the announcement as the country attempts to lure tourists back to its iconic sights
Harbin, in China's far north, has made a name for itself as a winter hotspot thanks to the Harbin Ice and Snow World, a neon-clad Narnia of frozen fairy-tale...
Cloaked in legend and mystique, the Great Wall of China crosses mountains, grasslands and desert on its tireless course across what used to be China's northern...
At times, the sparkling mountain landscape of Danzhai County in China's Guizhou province does a good impression of the Swiss alps in summer. The sturdy...
When a luxury hotel comes along with its own nightclub pre-installed, take it as evidence of Shanghai's re-emergence as Asia's glam party capital. In the...
Lace up your boots and discover the very best hikes in China, from scenic mountain trails and temple treks to wild Great Wall rambles.
Chicken feet a step too far? Duck tongues got you licked? Stinky tofu not for you? Admittedly, Chinese food can seem a bit scary for the uninitiated.
You think you know Chinese food? Think again. Paid and presented by Xinhuanet
After a lengthy hiatus, mainland China has returned to the global travel arena and is raring to captivate visitors all over again.
As England faces another lockdown, domestic tourism in China is blossoming at around 80 per cent of last year's figures
From its ancient temples and historic mountains to the new wave of coffee shops and arts spaces, Shandong is striving hard to be both ancient and modern
Truly a province of superlatives, one week isn't enough time to experience all of Jiangsu, but, like Huaiyang cuisine, a taste will leave you wanting more.
A lot changed in China during three years of COVID lockdowns. Now that they've been lifted, here are some of the most exciting new things to do.
With its pristine wildernesses, Mother Nature was particularly generous when it came to China's Jiangxi province. But its mountains are revered more than anyth
A sponsored guidebook on Shandong Province, published by Time Out.
Guangzhou, once known to Europeans as Canton, has long been China’s gateway to the world. Buzzing with big-city energy, it’s also surprisingly laidback when you delve into its back streets. Do as the locals do and make time for a dim sum brunch, then stroll to a traditional market below the banyan trees.
In this series, Lonely Planet's team of writers and editors answers your travel problems and provide tips and hacks to help you plan a hassle-free trip. This...
Dispense with all the myths and take the hike of a lifetime along China’s mightiest monument. We reveal the real story behind the Great Wall. Words THOMAS O’MALLEY
Miao villages are to Danzhai what canals are to Venice, or classical ruins are to Athens. The most endearing are set within folds of green hills amid sculpted...
You've heard the one about not sticking your chopsticks straight up in rice, right? (It resembles funerary incense sticks). Honestly? Don't fret. Because let
Embark on a journey of discovery through Jiangsu Province and experience the history and legacy of China's Maritime Silk Road.
Hong Kong
Buy Lonely Planet Hong Kong (Travel Guide) by Parkes, Lorna, Chen, Piera, O'Malley, Thomas (ISBN: 9781786578082) from Amazon's Book Store. Free UK delivery on eligible orders.
Discover Hong Kong's lesser-known neighbourhoods and where to eat while visiting...
Hong Kong is one of the world's great urban playgrounds, but this place has another side to its personality beyond the gleaming skyscrapers and shopping malls.
High-rise Hong Kong has long been a hive of busy worker bees who depend on the city's efficient transport system to whisk them from apartment to office to mall...
It's hard not to fall in love with Hong Kong at first sight, a disarmingly high-rise metropolis in the dreamiest of island settings. Then you start to discover...
Tom O'Malley suggests six ways to crash the Chinese New Year party, from the Hong Kong fireworks at Victoria harbour to the temple fairs in Beijing and Shanghai's Lantern Festival
Taiwan
Lonely Planet Taiwan (Travel Guide) : Chen, Piera, Eaves, Megan, Elliott, Mark, Gardner, Dinah, O'Malley, Thomas: Amazon.co.uk: Books
Taiwan is an island of foodies where snacking is the national pastime, no matter the time of day (or night). The very definition of a melting pot, Taiwan's...
With creative brews that showcase the innovative use of local ingredients, even the most jaded of craft beer drinkers will find something to tickle their taste buds in the capital of Taiwan.
In subtropical Taiwan, hiking is practically a national sport. For a place less than half the size of Scotland, this little island packs in a big topography -...
From the highest mountain pass in northeast Asia to rare saltwater hot springs, Taiwan's national parks and scenic areas have something for everyone.
Read everything you need to know about securing a visa to visit Taiwan, a land of fabulous food, stunning hikes, delightful beaches and much more.
Mongolia
Buy Lonely Planet Mongolia (Travel Guide) 8th ed. by Lonely Planet (ISBN: 9781786575722) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
A land defined by boundless steppes, blue skies and roving nomads, Mongolia is perfectly set up for adventure and cultural immersion. Memorable experiences are...
Imagine bouncing over rolling grasslands in a 4WD, with nothing but rolling green steppe extending in every direction. Mongolia is proof that roads (of the...
A trip to Mongolia isn't cheap, but there are some ways you can reduce your spending. This guide to daily costs with budget tips can help you save money.
Here's some great news for anyone who has been dreaming of Mongolia's boundless grasslands and eternal blue skies - travel into the country has recently become...
Journeying through Mongolia's epic landscapes is a mesmerizing adventure. The sheer scale and emptiness of the steppe has a hypnotic lure that stays with you...
A boundless ocean of grass beneath the eternal blue sky, Mongolia is one of the least densely populated countries on Earth. From the Gobi sands to the Siberian frontier, space and solitude reign. But this apparently primeval emptiness is an illusion, for Mongolia’s landscape has been carved over millennia by nomads and their herds moving between pastures with the seasons — a tradition that endures to this day.
The pounding of hooves, the moan of wind across the grasslands, the ripple of a horse’s mane — the sounds of the morin khuur are the sounds of Mongolia itself, which explains why the instrument is so revered by the country’s people.
One of the last surviving nomadic societies, half of Mongolians live pastoral lifestyles little-changed since the days of Chinggis Khan. The rest mostly live...
True, you can pick up a slice of pizza or an espresso in Ulan Bator, but outside the capital, the flesh and milk of the sheep, goat and cow remains the staple of all but the most upwardly mobile Mongolian.
Mongolia, home to the yurt, is now offering luxury camping in sustainable, nomad-run gers in remote Khan Khentiii, says Tom O'Malley
Luxury stores and expensive cars may be starting to appear on the streets of Ulaanbaatar, but all around Mongolia’s rapidly modernising capital city lies pristine wilderness, where the skies are big and a slow pace of life prevails. Tom O’Malley explores both sides of this beguiling country.
As the antique Russian bus growled up the slope, he rose into view: a horseman, alert and imperious, solemnly surveying miles of empty steppe. It was Chinggis Khan, 40 meters tall and cast from silver steel that dazzled in the sunlight.
Japan, Korea
Lonely Planet Japan (Travel Guide) : Milner, Rebecca, Bartlett, Ray, Bender, Andrew, Forge, Samantha, McLachlan, Craig, Morgan, Kate, O'Malley, Thomas, Richmond, Simon, Tang, Phillip, Walker, Benedict, d'Arc Taylor, Stephanie: Amazon.co.uk: Books
An 18-page walking guide on Tokyo, printed in Wanderlust and as a supplement for World Travel Market 2023.
Discover Japan's New Golden Route by hiking and biking through pristine nature and exploring vibrant cities at stops along the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line.
Shinji Nohara knows Tokyo like no other. A lifelong local, he's the 'Tokyo Fixer', the foodie who fed fugu (puffer fish) to Anthony Bourdain, who consults with...
If you had to make the tough decision to visit either Japan or South Korea, which would it be? Let two expert writers help you decide.
Lonely Planet Seoul (Travel Guide) eBook : O'Malley, Thomas, Ping, Trisha: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
In Korea, food is for the soul as well as for the stomach. Meals are meant for sharing, and eating is seen as a means to better health and well-being. Known...
Lonely Planet Korea (Travel Guide) : Harper, Damian, Morgan, MaSovaida, O'Malley, Thomas, Tang, Phillip, Whyte, Rob: Amazon.co.uk: Books
Like New York suspended in its Art Deco heyday, Tokyo’s street circuitry is hard-wired with an endlessly appealing retro-futurism: the red-and-white Tokyo Tower (stomped on countless times by Godzilla), the monorail built for the '64 Olympics, the chrome-trimmed taxis, sushi conveyer builts, capsule hotels and cone-tipped bullet trains.
China tech scene
How Chinese ride-hailing app Didi Chuxing uses big data to create better cities through improved traffic and happier customers
Raffles City Chongqing, the southwestern Chinese city's newest megaproject, may change how skyscrapers of the future are designed
Building a faster mobile network has the potential to be a multi-industry game changer, and China's 5G rollout is well underway
The Chinese capital's push to become a global innovation centre by 2050 is the latest ambition of a metropolis that recently unseated Silicon Valley as the world's top tech hub
Business is booming in Shanghai. The world's largest city is already China's financial capital, but is now making strides in the world of fintech
Known as a major economic zone in Guangxi, Nanning's lucrative location and efforts in boosting its eco-credentials is attracting start-ups to the tech hub
The capital of China's Guangdong province has been busy setting itself up as one of the Greater Bay Area's hubs for hi-tech innovation
Chosen as the first special economic zone, Shenzhen is home to many multinational technology companies, and it's still growing
Fuzhou, the outward-looking capital of Fujian province, has become a hub for innovations in big data, smart technology and video gaming
From Changsha to Zhengzhou, these are the emerging Chinese innovation hubs that should be on your radar
Southeast Asia
On the hunt with a band of Indonesian whalers.
Whether you’re a temple-hopper, mall-shopper, or unbridled foodie, Malaysia’s capital will soon have you under its spell.
At 7 a.m. the waves were still pummeling the rocks. Hieronymus glumly passed on the news: No hunt today. The sky was slung low and stormy over the village as we prepared for another day aground. Down on the beach, the spotters sat idling, smoking cigarettes rolled in palm leaves and gazing out to sea like they were waiting for a bus. Something bus-sized, at least.
One from the archives. I wrote this web article about a trip I made to Komodo Island for the now defunct travel blog Momentum, from Starwood Hotels.
From balmy beach life to brilliantly bizarre burlesque shows, Tom O’Malley rounds up the best experiences on Phuket, Thailand’s biggest island.
A pair of pantomime effigies, arms limp like dolls, beckon in the living. One is a man, with lips framed into a juicy smile. His suit jacket is rotting away, revealing the warped bamboo frame of his...