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Railway Cafe, Hanoi, Vietnam
The cafes along the railway tracks in Hanoi are particularly popular with foreign tourists, who frequently share check-in photos on social media. However, this is a destination that has sparked much debate regarding safety. By mid-September 2022, local authorities officially announced the closure of these cafes and the revocation of licenses for businesses violating railway safety regulations.
In 2022, all shops on the railway street had their business licenses revoked, and barriers were erected to prevent people from entering.
This Old Quarter area has a railway line just centimeters away from the shops and restaurants on either side, creating a lot of excitement for tourists who enjoy taking souvenir photos with their coffee while the train runs right next to them. Hanoi authorities ordered the closure of some shops in the area in 2019, but the street remains bustling.
Instead of walking along the railway line, CNN suggests that tourists begin their Hanoi tour from the area around the Grand Cathedral. While there are no trains rumbling from behind, there is the noise of numerous motorbikes.
Underground Museum, Los Angeles, USA
Located in the Bernal Heights neighborhood, the Underground Museum was the creation of artist couple Noah and Karon Davis, renowned for preserving the works of Black artists. However, due to the impact of the pandemic, this art space could not continue to operate despite receiving support from many celebrities such as Beyoncé, Tracee Ellis Ross, and John Legend.
This museum also serves as a bookstore, an event space, and a community center.
As an alternative, the African American Museum in California is a worthwhile option for tourists wishing to appreciate the artwork of Black artists.
Jurong Bird Park, Singapore
Asia's largest bird park announced its closure in August 2022 after more than 50 years of operation in Singapore. However, there is good news for visitors: all of Jurong's creatures will be merged into the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, as well as the new Banyan Tree luxury resort, to form an ecotourism hub in northern Singapore.
Asia's largest bird park announced its closure in August 2022 after more than 50 years of operation in Singapore.
For now, visitors can explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Singapore Botanic Gardens, or visit the Turtle Museum in Yishun if they are animal lovers.
Dublin Writers Museum, Ireland
Wilde, Beckett, and Yeats were writers who made significant contributions to English-language literature; all three hailed from Ireland, and the Dublin Writers Museum celebrates this valuable literary legacy. Like many other popular tourist destinations around the world, the Dublin Writers Museum was temporarily closed from March 2020 due to the pandemic.
This Irish museum closed in 2022 when its owner decided that it "no longer met the expectations of contemporary museum visitors".
However, in August 2022, Failte Ireland, Ireland's national tourism authority and the owner and operator of the museum, announced that the museum would close permanently because it "no longer met the expectations of contemporary museum visitors regarding accessibility, presentation and interpretation".
Jumbo Kingdom floating restaurant, Hong Kong (China)
Once the world's largest floating restaurant, featured in dozens of films and television shows, and visited by Queen Elizabeth II, Jumbo Kingdom has now met a rather unfortunate end.
Jumbo Kingdom floating restaurant, Hong Kong (China)
The cost of maintaining this floating restaurant was too high amidst Hong Kong's tourism industry plummeting due to the pandemic. After failed attempts to sell it, Jumbo embarked on a voyage to a port in Southeast Asia but unfortunately sank in the South China Sea.
Although Jumbo is no longer operating, other tourist attractions in Hong Kong are still doing well, such as the Peak Tram, which was renovated in 2022.
9/11 Memorial Museum, New York City, USA
The museum, opened in 2006 by relatives of victims who died in the 2001 World Trade Center attacks, predates the opening of the 9/11 National Memorial and Museum. It housed personal belongings of both survivors and deceased victims. Due to financial difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic, the museum closed in the summer of 2022.
The museum opened in 2006 by relatives of the victims who died in the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.
The museum no longer exists, but most of the artifacts have been moved to the New York State Museum in Albany, more than 240 km from New York City. Alternatively, visitors can also visit the New York National 9/11 Memorial and Museum at Ground Zero.
Edo-Tokyo Museum, Tokyo, Japan
The museum provides an overview of Japanese history, traditions, and culture during the Edo period. Located on the riverside in the Ryogoku district, it opened in 1993. A museum representative stated that it will close for at least three years for renovations, with a planned reopening in late 2025 or early 2026.
This history museum is undergoing upgrades and renovations over the next three years.
Another renowned museum in Tokyo, TeamLab Borderless, has also announced its closure for relocation. The reopening date has not yet been announced. This museum showcases digital art, creating a world without borders. TeamLab Borderless holds the Guinness World Record for the most visited museum in the world, with nearly 2.2 million visitors in 2019.
TeamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan
This is a place that offers digital experiences created by "super scientists." It is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the most visited museum in the world.
The museum will be moving from its main headquarters in Odaiba to a new facility, scheduled for completion in 2023. However, the reopening date has not yet been announced.
TeamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan
Museums in London, England
This museum of history and culture was founded in 1912. It has now moved from its current location on the London Wall to the nearby General Market. The renovation, transformation, and reconstruction process took four years and is expected to reopen in 2026. Therefore, visitors to London next year will not be able to visit this site.
This renowned museum of history and culture was founded in 1912.
Alternatives: See Shakespeare plays at the Globe Theatre, explore the underground Churchill War Room, or visit the Tower of London.
The Queen Mary ship, Long Beach, California, USA
After its glorious voyages, the ship officially retired off the southern California coast in 1967. It was subsequently decorated in an artistic style, serving as a restaurant and hotel, and becoming a popular tourist attraction on Long Beach. After a long period of use, the Queen Mary is now in dire need of refurbishment. The estimated cost of the restoration is at least $5 million.
Queen Mary has no plans to reopen to guests in 2023.
Besides the Queen Mary, whose successor is still in active service, the city of Long Beach also has many other worthwhile attractions, such as the Museum of Latin American Art.
