Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Studio Plaza Immersive Show @ Genting Skyworlds Theme Park (Malaysia)

While window shopping at the souvenir shop at Genting Skyworlds Theme Park, we saw an entrance we don't remember seeing in our past few visits as annual pass holders.

Showcasing the Studio Plaza Immersive Show, it was opened in December 2025 and said to be "a multi-dimensional digital gallery perched at 6,000 feet above sea level". 

Featuring "cutting-edge interactive installations, high definition LED projections and 3D spatial audio", it was an experience I found marvellous, as if we are standing in the middle of everything, starting from the start of universe, to the mountains and in the seas! 

Visually stunning, my eyes were hooked to the surroundings, from the top to the bottom, where each step I took could mean a splattering of colours. 

Towards the end, it felt almost like I was sucked into the world of Avatar, where the night sparkled with colors, and the nocturnal animals treated it like daytime for humans.

Only when the doors open that we were pulled back into reality; it was still daytime. 
p.s. only five shows a day; hence, plan carefully! 

Did you know that guests of Resorts World Genting and Resorts World Awana have early access to Genting Skyworlds Theme Park?! 30 minutes earlier, and you can comfortable conquer two attractions! My recommendations? Sambal Gliders at Rio and either Terraform Tower Challenge at Andromeda Base / Independence Day: Defiance at Central Park.

Video for your viewing pleasure.

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Address
Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park,
Resorts World Genting, 69000 Genting Highlands, 
Pahang, Malaysia

Sunday, August 09, 2026

Kiến Trung Palace @ Hue Historical Citadel [Vietnam]

Standing at odds with the many ancient buildings within Hue Historical Citadel, Kiến Trung Palace was however a refreshing sight with its imposing height, size and contrasting use of red-lacquered windows! 

Located towards the back of Vietnamese last dynastic capital, it was "destroyed by the Viet Minh during the Indochina Wars", and reconstruction took place more than a century later, with completion only in 2023. 

Let's proceed to take a look at the palace said to be the residence for the last two emperors of the Nguyen dynasty, which ruled Vietnam from 1802 till 1945. 

One of two pavilions flanking the palace which was originally built in 1923, and lasted only about 24 years. It was like a Chinese pavilion, yet not like one. Mom looked like one of the noble ladies with that pose; without dressing like one! 

More photographs with the iconic building.

A close-up look of the palace; said to be "designed in the eclectic style, combining elements of Italianate, French Baroque, and traditional Vietnamese architecture". What I found more captivating were the excessive use of ceramic decorations.

As with many historical attractions in China, South Korea, Thailand and even Malaysia, you can also rent the traditional local attire for a fee. This is something you wouldn't see me doing since I get irritated when it is too warm, and I am always worried about hidden fees.

The welcome room, flushed with chandeliers, and decorations that would have not be stranger to most palaces in Europe. Those who know the history of Vietnam would know it was colonized by the French, influencing the culture, the architecture and even the food.

On display behind the glass cabinets would the collection of English porcelains that was more than a century old. Not sure if they were rescued from the palace but they looked too well-preserved, without any chip. 

This pretty lady was Empress Nam Phương; the last empress of dynastic Vietnam, who was dressed in the traditional wedding attire in the portrait. Borned in 1913, she gave birth to two princes and three princess, and died in 1963 in France. 

I wouldn't of think too much about the mix of porcelain and a violin until I took a closure look at the information label. Darn, this was one of only five porcelain violins in the world, and handcrafted by violinist and artisan Nguyen Xuan Huy!

A traditional sedan; honestly, it looked a bit too compact.
I would be surprised if it was used by the emperor / empress.

Portrait of Emperor Khải Định, and his son, and future emperor, Bảo Đại. 

When we were visited the palace back in 2025, there was an exhibition talking about Vietnamese ceramics, some of which were a few centuries old! Although labelled as cultural heritage, they meant little for a non-cultural person like me.

I was curious, however, with the above. Called lime pots, they "are small traditional containers used to hold slaked lime paste (calcium hydroxide), which is a key ingredient for chewing betel quid across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Malay Archipelago.".

The men's ao dai looked so comfortable; I actually wouldn't mind getting one set for the fun of it! So long they are not too expensive! Anyone has recommendation make one in Vietnam?

More porcelain...

Honestly, I thought this was a trophy.
Turned out to be  flower vase! 

A cafe where visitors can take a rest. I would love to do so but as I was on a day trip, the timing wasn't as relaxed and we still have one more item on our itinerary! Definitely an excuse for me to spend a few nights in Hue in the future! 

Well, I would have totally assumed I would sit on these chairs.

This corridor was flushed with information of the last two emperors of the nguyen dynasty, with bios of Emperors Khải Định and Bảo Đại, the abdication of the last emperor (signed in Kiến Trung Palace), some info of the palace and many photographs. 

View of the scene in front of Kiến Trung Palace.
Ahead would be Thai Hoa Palace.

I don't know you but I absolutely adore the million pieces of small ceramic tiles that covered almost the entirety of the palace's facade. They might not seem much from afar and the devil is in the details as you step closer! 

p.s. cannon looked more like a decorative item, than a historical one. 

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Address
Within Hue Historical Citadel, 
Hue City, Vietnam

Map
As above.