A small Vegas-style gaming room on the ground floor of the Santa Claus Hotel, with slots, tables, live poker and betting. Finnish gaming proceeds traditionally support charity, and there’s even a risk-free “gaming school” to learn the games without money on the line.
A riverside strip of Western-style bars and pubs on the banks of the Pearl River, with the Canton Tower glowing across the water. A favourite for a night out and a Pearl River cruise – it really gets going after 8pm.
One of Beijing’s most famous hutongs – a lively lane mixing old courtyard homes (some former residences of Chinese celebrities) with handicraft shops and snack bars. Wander off into the side alleys for the real surprises, and try local treats like double-skinned milk and candied fruits.
A Beijing institution for over a century, beloved for traditional pastries and desserts. Locals grab them for breakfast alongside porridge. Point at the counter to pick one of each and find your favourite – try the tao su cookie or the walnut he tao pai.
A narrow, easy-to-miss hutong running parallel to the Confucius Temple approach, now dotted with stylish cafes, tea houses and little craft and jewellery shops. It comes alive late morning – a relaxed, not-too-touristy stroll after visiting the Lama Temple opposite.
A multi-storey market right by the Temple of Heaven, best known for pearls on the lower floors and a sprawling mix of stalls above. It’s tidier than it once was, but still a fun spot for a spot of good-natured haggling.
You don’t need to enter the planetarium – just walk out to the point and face northwest for the single best view of the Chicago skyline. On a calm evening the towers reflect off Lake Michigan; come at sunrise for a quiet, romantic version of the same view. And it’s free.
A small cluster of streets that’s heaven for vintage and second-hand hunters – coats, jeans, furs, ski gear and even the odd vintage wedding dress, all at remarkably low prices. Many shops are run by low-income families, so it’s kind to skip the hard haggling.
Batumi’s big indoor shopping stop, anchored by a Carrefour hypermarket with keen prices and around twenty local and international brand shops, plus places to eat. A bit out from the old town – grab a taxi or microbus if you’re not up for the walk.
Nicknamed Boi Para (“Book Town”), this roughly kilometre-long stretch of Central Kolkata is the largest second-hand book market in the world – hundreds of stalls piled with new and used titles at bargain prices. Browse for rare finds, haggle gently, and soak up the literary heart of the city.