Travel Archives - The A List

Giant pandas are one of my favorite animals. I mean, how could they not be? They’re fluffy, have adorable eyes, play like silly children, and are basically a global icon. Chengdu is known as the panda capital in China, with two large conservation projects devoted to giant panda research and breeding (thanks to these efforts, the species is no longer listed as “endangered” but still “vulnerable”). Pandas are an essential part of tourism to Chengdu, and Chengdu is not afraid to show off its love for its favorite black and white creatures. You’ll find panda statues, panda logos, panda memorabilia, and panda toys practically on every corner of the whole city. But what else is there to do in Chengdu besides see pandas?

September 3, 2026

China

chengdu

What To See in Chengdu Besides Pandas

When you think about China, usually the first thought that comes to your mind is sky-high skyscrapers and big cities. While China has many of those, that’s not what I think of when I think of China. I dream about the gorgeous green mountains nestled amongst the clouds, the quiet streets filled with historical buildings and little street cart vendors selling hot street snacks, and the peaceful temples providing quiet sanctuary within the hustle and bustle of any town. I found my dream come to life in the mountainside city of Chengdu in Sichuan, China, and I found my home away from home in the city at none other than Upper House Chengdu.

August 10, 2026

China

chengdu

Welcome Home // Upper House Chengdu

Gorgeous blue waters envelop beaches of warm white sand. Pigmented pink and fuschia flowers wrapped around greenery look out onto the warm ocean waves. The sky is a watercolor mixture of shades of blues, pinks, and oranges. The crushing sounds of waves greeting the beach is a welcome ASMR. In your hand is a fresh coconut, cold and refreshing on a hot, tropical day. This is heaven. This is paradise - “Paraiso” in Tagalog. This is Cebu, Philippines and our new favorite spot in Cebu is the Shangri-La Mactan.

June 12, 2026

Philippines

Cebu

Paraiso // Shangri-La Mactan

Sometimes a girl just wants a bit of a break right? I love travel. I love what I do. But sometimes even I need to be reminded to slow down and treat myself once in a while. I run two businesses where both involve long hours, I am a mom to a very energetic 3-year old, I'm a wife to a pilot which means I'm solo parenting about 85% of the month, and I have four animals at home with three of them enduring health conditions. I love it all and would never change any of it in a million years, but after a bit of time I do start to feel rundown. So when I need a break, where do I go? The answer is simple - Bangkok.

June 5, 2026

Thailand

bangkok

How I Treat Myself in Bangkok / My List

Bangkok is a fast-paced, loud, busy, bustling city thriving with residents and tourists alike. There’s never a dull moment in Bangkok, or even a dull area. Every district is rich in history, gastronomy, shopping, and the occasional neighborhood cat. Lumpini Park is essentially in the heart of Bangkok, although less than 100 years ago it was considered on the outskirts of the city when it was gifted to the people by the king after being the site of the royal rice fields for so long. Now it’s a modern vibrant park full of joggers, cyclists, and the park’s notorious residents - monitor lizards. And on the eastern side of it overlooking the park is the brand new Andaz One Bangkok.

June 4, 2026

Thailand

bangkok

Modern Luxury // Andaz One Bangkok

Flash. Lights. Sparkle.. Shanghai’s skyline is one of the most iconic city skylines in the world, with skyscrapers dominating your view across the horizon. At night, this view comes alive as the riverfront lights up in numerous colors for dazzling light shows that serenade the city until the clock strikes 11. Think red, blue, yellow - rain or shine, Shanghai comes alive at night. While most tourists flock to The Bund for the perfect view of the city’s skyline, we decided to stay inside the view itself at Pudong Shangri-La.

May 5, 2026

Shanghai

china

Relaxing Within The Skyline // Pudong Shangri-La

Hangzhou has been on my bucket list for over 8 years, since I first heard about the historical West Lake. As soon as our plane landed in Hangzhou, I instantly felt like I had been here before and yet I had never physically been here. There was something familiar about Hangzhou from the moment we arrived. Was it the dreamy clouds? The soft mist? The picturesque lake that is renowned for so many romantic poems and literary works that span centuries? It almost felt like I had been here before in my dreams. It didn’t feel like a strange place to me, and when we arrived at our hotel - the Silk Lakehouse - it felt like coming home.

April 17, 2026

Hangzhou

china

Lakeside Retreat // The Silk Lakehouse Hangzhou

Imagine a place that feels too much like a dream to actually be reality. Picture a large, dreamy lake set amongst the greenest hills and tall forested mountains. Now envision those mountains draped in low-laying clouds that seem too thin to be clouds. A gentle, misty rain falls on the long, long lines of tea leaves. The trees are still bare after the winter season, but there are pops of white flowers and the beginning of cherry blossoms slowly announcing their arrival. Pagodas and temples tower over the lake, as small boats quietly make their way through the water. Time has seemingly stood still, because this isn’t real life. This is a dream, right?

April 16, 2026

Hangzhou

Why You Need to Visit West Lake in Hangzhou

Shanghai had always been very high on my wish list since I moved to Hong Kong in 2019. There are many similarities between Shanghai and Hong Kong, with the most notable being how the city preserves and highlights its history while not shying away from giving us a glimpse into the future. Skyscrapers tower over centuries-old temples and food stalls that go back generations. The city is essentially influencing you with fashion trends and yet is also encouraging you to step into history with costumes from some of China's most famous dynasties.

April 15, 2026

Shanghai

Snapshots from Shanghai

The busy streets of Shanghai zip past us in our hotel car as we make our way between history and modernity to get to our destination. Tucked behind the busy main roads in the vibrant Jing’an district, we have come to our private oasis inside the largest city in China. Past the welcoming bamboo, we have found ourselves at our home for a few nights - our family sanctuary at Upper House Shanghai.

April 10, 2026

China

china

Family Sanctuary in Shanghai // Upper House

In between naps and watching my show, I couldn't stop admiring the view all around us. The road between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh is long, but for someone who is used to the insanity and absurdity of multi-lane California freeways, the mostly two-lane smooth road through rice paddies, picturesque villages, and the occasional water buffalo was incredibly peaceful even with the occasional passing of some Vespas zipping through. After six hours, a few bathroom breaks, and some coffee stops, I could see the fast-growing skyline of downtown Phnom Penh emerge on the horizon. A few years ago, there were not as many skyscrapers as there are now. I can't help but smile seeing the growth of Phnom Penh each time I return. Just a few minutes after crossing the Mekong River, we pulled into our next home for the upcoming few days - Raffles Hotel Le Royal.

January 20, 2026

Cambodia

Cambodia

A Tale of Two Cities // Raffles Hotel Le Royal Phnom Penh

There are some places that just really touch your heart, a place that makes you stop and wonder so much more about the world, and makes you feel truly alive. The memories of the warm sun linger on my skin along with the sensation of refreshing, cooling raindrops. The scents of incense, lemongrass, and jasmine linger around my nose. The taste of coconut, tamarind, and chili linger on my tongue. The sound of percussions, flutes, and fiddles playing traditional Khmer music echo softly in my ears. The smiles of the people eager to welcome me back every single time remain permanent in my mind. Cambodia is one of those places for that essentially speaks to my soul.

January 12, 2026

Cambodia

Cambodia

A Tale of Two Cities // Raffles Grand Hotel d Angkor Siem Reap