Hiking the Great Wall from Beijing – Jinshanling to Simatai
It has been said that if you haven’t been to Walk the Great Wall of China, then you have not truly been to China. Hiking the Great Wall should be on the “to-do” list of every traveler. It’s a truly rewarding experience that does not disappoint.
One of the best places to explore the Great Wall is from Beijing, as there are many sections of the wall one can easily get to in a day-trip from the city. The most popular section of the wall to visit is Badaling. It was the first section of the wall opened to tourists and is located only 70km from Beijing. However, the section has been heavily restored, and has been reported as being very commercialized and crowded. Regardless of the crowds and commercialization, it’s still the Great Wall.
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China: It’s Not So Foreign
Today’s guest talks about a very interesting country: China. It’s at the top of many lists of places that are “very foreign” yet really, at the end of the day, is any place any more different than the next? Sure, the languages and the sights and sounds change…but at the end of the day, we’re all human. Anyway, Jess has some fantastic tips and ideas for the first (or next) time you head to Asia. Read on…
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Top 10 Things to Do in Macau That Aren’t Casinos
Macau is an awfully strange place. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a very tiny peninsula on the south coast of China. It isn’t China – it is a SAR (special administrative region), just like Hong Kong is. Macau was for a long time a Portuguese territory, and much of this influence remains. So similar to Hong Kong with it’s unique British/Chinese meld, you have the same here in Macau, only Portuguese. I say it is a must-see daytrip from HK, and if you avoid those tawdry casinos, you will have plenty of time. The thing is, this is the biggest casino hot spot in the world – money pours through here 24 hours a day. But I hate casinos. So, here are my top 10 things to do in Macau that aren’t casinos [or even related them].
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20 Things I Learned Traveling In China
Traveling has taught me more about myself and about the world than all my years of institutionalized education. Learning in a box is like seeing the world through a keyhole and living in one is really no life to live. That’s why I decided to study abroad in Shanghai for a semester. While I was taking a language course 4 days a week, I also managed to travel to 12 different cities all over China within a 5 month period.
From my semester abroad, here are 20 things I didn’t learn in the classroom.
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Taiwan, the Other China
As a kid, Taiwan just seemed the “other” China, an island existing in the shadow of monolithic Red China, a sort of big, comfy refuge for Chiang Kai-shek and his cronies, where they could enjoy all the art and goodies shipped out just ahead of Mao’s conquest. The image was of rows of workers turning out electronics and other gadgets we, the West, wanted, and providing a last stand against the Communist threat. Nothing unique enough to travel halfway around the world to see.
A few Taiwanese friends tried to gently suggest I might be mistaken and perhaps I should visit to see for myself. (The Taiwanese are very friendly and polite, even in crowds.) I figured 8 days, not including travel time, would be enough to circle the peanut-shaped country. How much diversity could a country the size of Belgium contain?
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Photo Essay: Statues
Everyone knows about the world’s classic and iconic statues: Mount Rushmore in America, the Statue of Liberty in New York, The Thinking Man in Paris, The Little Mermaid in Denmark, The Terra Cotta Warriors of Xi’an China, or Manneken Pis in Brussels. But how about some of these more off-beat yet still inspiring statues you can find elsewhere?
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World’s Most Inspirational Golf Courses
I fell in love on a golf course. Maybe that’s why they’ve held a special place in my mind and heart ever since. You see, I don’t play golf, but I’ve traipsed around some of the most beautiful and inspiring golf courses in the world, during my former life a touring professional’s wife. I’ve written about golf courses for golf magazines. I love the peace, the designs, the art and architecture — and the land, seas, rivers, deserts, mountains and lakes that often surround the courses. So I went on a search for some of the world’s most inspiring golf courses. These are courses that have an impact, not only on people’s games, but on their spirits. Even if you don’t like golf – these are places that call to anyone.
The Fairmont Southampton Course, Bermuda
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A Good Coffee Doesn’t Mean a Good Cafe
Today’s post is from Cate, the Caffeinated Traveller. So yeah, you can guess what we’re talking about… § Read the rest of this article…
World’s Most Inspirational Honeymoon Destinations
In our recent article about the Personal Recommendations for the Best of Asia, there was some interesting discussion about honeymoons, which got me thinking: Where is the most inspirational honeymoon destination? If I were Mickey Mouse I’m sure it would be going over Niagara Falls in a barrel, but let’s get real folks. I’m not married, so I did what any good journalist would do: I asked people who thought they had *the* most inspirational honeymoon to tell me where and why. The interesting piece is lots of people commented on places they’d have their honeymoon if they’d got married, and there are a few suggestions for places to go even if you’re not married, not on a honeymoon, and just want a little R&R! Enjoy. § Read the rest of this article…
