I studied in North Korea for a month. The isolation shocked me the most.

Sri Lanka is set to launch a six-month pilot program on October 1, offering free 30-day tourist visas on arrival to citizens from 35 countries, including the U.S., UK, Russia, India and China. The initiative, which temporarily waives the typical $50 visa fee, aligns with the island nation’s peak travel season, lasting from December to mid-April. This move is part of a broader strategy to revitalize tourism, a sector crucial to Sri Lanka’s economy.

Ukraine's military says it used high-precision US glide bombs for strikes in Russia's Kursk region and that is has recaptured some territory in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv that has been under a Russian offensive since spring.

Between Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO world heritage sites, its thriving wildlife, and pristine white sand beaches, the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” has enough glimmer for everyone—and now, visiting the South Asia island nation, located off the coast of India, is about to get easier (and cheaper) for travelers from 35 countries.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Simon Cockerell, a manager at the travel agency Koryo Tours. It has been edited for length and clarity.

International Geological Congress Returns after 8 Years as an In-person Event The 37th International Geological Congress (IGC 2024) will be held at BEXCO in Busan from August 25 to 31, under the theme “Great Voyagers: Sailing Toward a Unified Earth.” As the “Olympics of Geological Sciences,” IGC 2024 is a global event for geologists and Earth scientists who explore the secrets of the Earth and study planetary geology. The 36th IGC in 2020 was conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year’s congress will return as a large-scale, in-person event for the first time in eight years.

For so many, Siem Reap, Cambodia, is synonymous with its famed UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat, one of Southeast Asia’s most significant archaeological grounds. But beyond these iconic ruins is a city brimming with riverside cafés, festive bar scenes, cultural experiences, and French-style colonial streets. Siem Reap is also a culinary hotspot, boasting everything from expertly crafted street food to contemporary cuisine, with several restaurants earning spots on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. And outside the urban hustle lies exciting cultural experiences in the province’s rural villages and countryside.

It’s official. Global air traffic has not only reached pre-pandemic levels but is now tracking above 2019 figures. With more passengers flying, many airlines have restored their international route network to full strength. 

As I stood on South Korea's Hangang Bridge, cars whizzing by, I wondered: who thought putting a hotel suite here was a good idea?

New business-class seats seemingly pop up every few months.

In Sha He, a densely populated slice of Chengdu, the narrow streets are lined with teahouses, restaurants, and diners seated around rickety bamboo tables playing mahjong, gossiping, and drinking baijiu. I’m at Dong Zi Kou, a chipped-countertops-but-clean-plates sort of eatery whose name literally translates to “hole in the wall.” There’s a mad dash for the old-school specialties, like spicy mung bean noodles and stir-fried intestines, and the place is packed to the gills at 1:00 pm on a Friday.

If you're a regular TPG reader, you know that collecting and redeeming travel rewards can be the most powerful strategy to deeply discount your upcoming travels.

American Airlines has just released new flight deals to Japan, and round-trip tickets can be booked for less than $1,000 round-trip.