Guide - LBSB World

A Short Guide to Solo, Indonesia: Palaces, Street Food & Where We Stayed

LiviaAugust 22, 20260134 views

Solo, also known as Surakarta, is a city in Central Java that often gets overlooked by travellers heading to nearby Yogyakarta. We didn’t spend a huge amount of time here, but we had enough time to explore some of the city, visit one of its palaces and, of course, eat plenty of Javanese food.

Solo (or Surakarta) has a very different feel from Indonesia’s bigger tourist destinations. There are fewer international visitors, plenty of street food and a strong connection to traditional Javanese culture. If you’re travelling through Central Java, it’s an easy place to add to your route for a couple of days.

How to Find the Abandoned Kurayoshi Railway Line

SamAugust 1, 20260185 views

The former Taikyuji Station still feels half-forgotten, and the bamboo grove looks like something from a Studio Ghibli scene.

Kurayoshi Travel Guide: Old Town, Pears and Railway Ruins

SamAugust 1, 20260156 views

Kurayoshi has a lovely old town, some excellent coffee, a wonderfully odd pear museum and one of the most atmospheric abandoned railway walks we found in Japan.

How to Visit Zhujiajiao Ancient Town Independently: The Perfect Day Trip from Shanghai

LiviaAugust 1, 20260184 views

Just over an hour from the skyscrapers of central Shanghai, Zhujiajiao Ancient Town feels like stepping into a completely different world. Instead of busy roads and towering buildings, you’ll find quiet canals, centuries-old stone bridges, narrow alleyways and traditional houses lining the water.

Shanghai Travel Guide: What to Do, Where to Stay & Practical Tips

LiviaAugust 1, 20260207 views

Shanghai’s international skyline, European architecture and polished shopping streets made it feel much more familiar. It ended up being our least memorable stop in China, but we also think that’s because we visited it last.

Chongqing Travel Guide: What to See, Where to Stay & Our Honest Tips

LiviaJuly 22, 20260255 views

Chongqing is quite unlike anywhere else we’ve visited. Towering skyscrapers, layered roads, neon lights and incredible food combine to create one of the most fascinating cities in China.

Matsue Travel Guide: Castle, Samurai Streets and Lake Shinji

SamJuly 20, 20260229 views

Matsue is well worth visiting if you like historic cities with a slower pace. It has one of Japan’s few remaining original castles, a moat, old streets, awesome samurai history, lakeside views and a quieter atmosphere than the more famous historic cities.

How to Get to Izumo Taisha: Visit Japan’s Ancient Shrine Without the Crowds

SamJuly 20, 20260324 views

If you are travelling through western Japan, Shimane Prefecture, Matsue or Izumo, we think it is absolutely worth making time for.

Masuda: A Quiet Stop on Japan’s San-In Line

SamJuly 20, 20260241 views

Masuda isn’t a famous destination, and it’s not somewhere we’d suggest going far out of your way for, but it worked well as a pause between Mojiko and Izumo.

Is Mojiko Worth Visiting? A Retro Port Stop Before Honshu

SamJuly 17, 20260254 views

Mojiko, also known as Mojiko Retro, is a small port town at the northern tip of Kyūshū, just across the Kanmon Strait from Honshu.