Following a slower start to the year, April marks a month of high-octane celebrations. Start with the excitement of big-ticket events; many make the annual pilgrimage to the revelrous Hong Kong Rugby Sevens or 2026 Mega Ice Hockey 5’s—but for something of a gentler cadence, the tail end of diving season in the sunny climes of Indonesia and the Philippines offers a more relaxing vibe. Flowers bloom, and with them, a spark of new inspiration—no time like the present than to be knee-deep in a dreamy adventure near to home or far, far away.

Experience This:

Aerial view of Janice Wong's chocolate installation in Paragon, Singapore. — Aerial view of Janice Wong’s chocolate installation in Paragon, Singapore.

Blooming Imagination: Janice Wong x Paragon

Singapore

In what could only be described as a Willy Wonkian fever dream, chef-artist and talented chocolatier Janice Wong presents Singapore’s—and the world’s—largest chocolate art installation in the center of Orchard Road’s Paragon Mall. Blooming Imagination, an 18-square-meter display of over 800 kilograms of chocolate standing 2.4 meters high, is made up of three tunnels, each an imaginative, chocolate-filled wonderland of its own. Encased from top to bottom in chocolate of aromatic swirls, the colorful tunnels are decorated with floral-shaped blossoms, suspended chocolate petals, and Wong’s own signature lollipops shaped like mushrooms scattered on a forest floor, which can be plucked and enjoyed during special tasting sessions.

Until May 8. Find out more here.

Hakka Tung Blossom Festival

Taiwan

Taiwan’s countryside takes on a special beauty during the Hakka Tung Blossom Festival, known by locals as “April Snow” for the snow-white flowers that blanket pathways during the season. It’s a festival of many layers; a harbinger of spring’s arrival, but more importantly, a tender reminder of the land’s cultural past—the home of generations of Taiwanese Hakka people. Planted under Japanese rule in 1895–1945, these 20-meter-tall giants sustained the livelihoods of Hakka settlers who harvested Tung tree seed oils and water-resistant wood. The festival is a tribute to their enduring spirit, with the blossoms visible even from afar upon hiking trails in Taiwan’s northernmost districts, including New Taipei City, Taiyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli.

Now until May.

Eat This:

The interior or Terrace Boulud. — The restful rattan interior.

The terrace is the perfect place to admire the night sky.

The main dining room exudes a restful air.

Terrace Boulud

Hong Kong

In an exciting wave of new openings, Hong Kong has welcomed the much-anticipated arrival of celebrity chef Daniel Boulud’s first Asia outpost with Terrace Boulud, taking over the rooftop space at Central’s Prince’s Building that once belonged to buzzy social hangout Sevva. In this latest iteration, the 164-seater French brasserie sheds the venue’s hyper-glam past in favor of sophisticated Parisian charm; the airy Malherbe Paris–designed interiors draw upon classic themes from the golden age of travel for leisurely afternoons immersed in wraparound views of the city skyline. Here, a refined menu of classic French fare shifts with the hours of the day reflecting Boulud’s Lyonnaise heritage in seasonal dishes, like a meticulously assembled pâté en croûte, a delightfully golden and flaky vol-au-vent, perfectly roasted chicken, and, especially for this East Asian chapter, DB X MO Dim Sum, which lends a decidedly French perspective to the Cantonese delicacy. Enjoy at your own pace—it’s meant to be savored slowly.

Now open.

Ingredients inspired by time, place and tradition a glimpse to the heritage gastronomy of 1887 by André. — Ingredients inspired by time place and tradition a glimpse to the heritage gastronomy of 1887 by André.

1887 by André

Singapore

If the mention of André Chiang calls to mind the collective heave of disappointment that followed the 2018 closure of two-Michelin-star Restaurant Chiang, this bit of news leads with a more optimistic note. The internationally acclaimed chef, who brought a new era of fine dining to Singapore, returns to the city with the grand opening of 1887 by André at Raffles Hotel Singapore. Not so much a personal project, but rather, a tribute to the history and heritage of the storied property, 1887 by André (named after the founding year of the hotel) is defined as “a creative interplay between French culinary philosophies and Singapore’s rich multi-cultures.” Opulent old-world charm is woven into Victorian-inspired interiors, carried onward with curated menus of timeless signatures: Boeuf aux Sept Poivres, served from a restored silver trolley from the hotel’s treasured silverware collection, “Turtle Soup,” following a century-old recipe unearthed from the Raffles archive, and classic black truffle pain perdu.

Now open.

Stay Here:

A Capella suite bedroom, looking out onto the city.

Capella Kyoto

Kyoto

With Capella’s unmistakable stroke of understated luxury, the brand finds a fitting first Japanese home in Kyoto. Tucked within the kagai (geisha district) of Miyagawa-cho, Capella Kyoto weaves together the feel of an unassuming machiya (townhouse) with elegant sophistication. To retain the essence of the culturally rich neighborhood, the hotel absorbs its surrounding history with the meticulous restoration of the Kaburenjo theater, a centuries-old landmark once used as a private training center for Gion’s genko and maiko (geishas and geishas-in-training). Beyond the compact property’s 89 rooms, some equipped with private hot spring baths, others overlooking the Kaburenjo, and all with views of the ancient city, is an excellent F&B program led by SoNoMa by SingleThread, an overseas offshoot of Kyle and Katina Connaughton’s three-Michelin-star California restaurant serving seasonal fare, and Yoi, an innovative twist on Kyoto’s traditional kappo cuisine.

130 Komatsu-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-Japan

Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur

Part of the charm of every Kimpton property is a knack for precisely distilling the unique culture and heritage of the city in which it is located. Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur is the brand’s inaugural outpost in Malaysia, embedded in the mega-development of Tun Razak Exchange (TRX). Naturally, those who decide to stay here will enjoy close proximity to familiar comforts, but that is not the primary appeal of the 466-room property. Inspired by the city’s dynamism, Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur is named after a portmanteau of two Malay words, naluri (instinct) and ria/i> (joy), for to the personal pursuit of self-fulfilling happiness—a job easily done while in cozy accommodations inspired by the city’s lush parklands and nearby rainforests. Local touches find a way into everyday habits, including Malaysian-exclusive snacks and beverages. For other provisions, the property houses four dining destinations, including farm-to-table cooking at Tuai + Till and innovative spice-themed cocktails at Four Siblings.

Lingkaran TRX, Tun Razak Exchange Kuala Lumpur, 55188, Malaysia

Where to Go This April – DestinAsian’s Insider Tips