To kick off the new year (and get excited about adventures ahead), we’ve reached out to a selection of inspiring individuals to hear their plans for journeys to come.
Zing Tsjeng, journalist, documentary host and podcaster, is best known for her critically acclaimed book series Forgotten Women, which uncovers the histories of remarkable yet overlooked individuals. As she sets her sights on exciting travels and new creative projects, we caught up with her to discover the destinations she's most eager to explore, the trends that are on her radar and the personal goals she’s aiming to achieve. From hiking in Madeira to exploring Africa’s breadth, these are Tsjeng's 2025 plans.
Zing Tsjeng, journalist, documentary host and podcaster, is best known for her critically acclaimed book series Forgotten Women, which uncovers the histories of remarkable yet overlooked individuals. As she sets her sights on exciting travels and new creative projects, we caught up with her to discover the destinations she's most eager to explore, the trends that are on her radar and the personal goals she’s aiming to achieve. From hiking in Madeira to exploring Africa’s breadth, these are Tsjeng's 2025 plans.
Happy New Year! How did you celebrate the start of 2025?
I was in Hackney Wick, London, dancing into 2025 at my friend's queer club night, Knickerbocker.What destinations are on your calendar for 2025?
I'm in Madeira at the start of the year for work, but I'll be taking a few extra days there to do some hiking. Then, I'm off to Cape Town in South Africa for a holiday with friends – a group of them are working out there and have invited me to come crash at their place. I've always wanted to explore more countries in Africa – I went to Kenya in 2024 and loved it – so I'm keen to travel around. I'm also heading to Barcelona in the summer for Primavera festival. I haven't been for years and I'm very excited, especially to see Chappell Roan!
Cape Town architecture, left, and the surrounding mountains
Any travel trends on your radar right now?
I've become obsessed with the one-bag packing trend, where you attempt to pack only a single bag that will last you your whole trip. There are whole Reddit forums dedicated to nailing the art of minimal packing. I'm not quite there yet, but I have bought quite a few packing cubes to make a good go of it.What destinations are your crowd talking about?
Everyone I know is heading to Sri Lanka – for the food, surfing and hiking. I went last year for the first time and I must have sent out my email list of recommendations to at least four separate friends.Are there any creatives you think we should keep an eye on?
In pop music, Lola Young and Rose Gray are going to be absolutely huge this year. Both are young Londoners who have a really unique spin on quite nostalgic sounds – Lola reminds me of a young Amy Winehouse and Rose sounds like “Can't Get You Out of My Head”-era Kylie.
Zing Tsjeng, left, says everyone is heading to Sri Lanka, right, in 2025
What do you hope to take away from your travels in 2025?
I love using travel to broaden my understanding of politics and history and bring current affairs to life. For instance, I'm currently in Xiamen, China, which is within touching distance of Taiwan. That's really helped me understand the current tensions in the region a lot better.If 2025 were to have a theme, what would it be?
I'm looking for knowledge and adventure – and to build connections old and new.Anything exciting on the horizon?
Putting this here so I stay accountable: I'm slowly but surely working on my first novel. Now I just need to finish it...