Beihai-Park

Dating back to over 1,000 years, Beihai-Park is located in the Xicheng District and has been built up through five dynasties, the Qing, the Ming, the Yuan, the Jin and the Liao. Located to the northwest of Beijing’s Forbidden City, it ranks among the country’s largest gardens and consists of numerous structures of historical significance including temples and palaces. Overall, the park is made up of four scenic areas: the northern bank area, the eastern bank area, Circular City, and Qionghua Islet (Jade Flower Islet).

At the centre of the park is the Qionghua Islet which features pavilions, rockeries and halls. The largest building complex is the Yong’an Temple which consists of several halls, a drum tower and a bell tower. In the past the temple was a place of worship for emperors. The park’s main symbol, a white pagoda is found on the top of the islet.

This Lamaist pagoda is also a special place of interest within the park. The pavilions and halls where Qing Dynasty emperors used to hold business discussions and rest can be found to the west of the temple. Those interested in enjoying some panoramic vistas should head over to the two-storey corridor found to the north of the islet.

The Circular City is located in the southeast of the park, encircled by a wall. It is an exquisite garden where the Chengguang Hall featuring green glazed eaves and yellow glazed tiles can be found. It is said that Ming Dynasty emperors used to arrive here to watch fireworks. However, during the Qing Dynasty the hall was transformed into a Buddhist chapel. Its main hall houses a Buddha statue carved out of a piece of white jade. The Nine-Dragon Wall and the Five-Dragon Pavilions on the northern bank area are ‘must-see’ sites for visitors.

Travellers who seek to stay at ideally located serviced apartments in Beijing should not look beyond Ascott Raffles City Beijing. With some of the finest serviced apartments Beijing has to offer, the residence remains one of the most desirable choices of accommodation for the ardent traveller visiting this magnificent city. It also makes a great base from which to set off on your many adventures.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Indoor Rock Climbing; add adventure to your vacation

The Langham, Xintiandi, Shanghai is located conveniently providing access to all the hotspots in the city. This Luxury Hotel Shanghai provides its guests with elegant accommodation opportunities and modern facilities offering maximum comfort and relaxation. As a result the rooms in this hotel are much preferred by tourists compared to the other Shanghai 5 Star Hotel.

Shanghai has a number of attractions which range from temples, museums, shopping places to clubs. Apart from all these normal routine tourist activities indoor rock climbing is available for the adventure minded tourists. Apart from the adventurous part the visitors will be able to burn some calories that they gained throughout their holiday. The best place to go for indoor rock climbing is the Shanghai Stadium Sports Center. Being new to the activity won’t be a problem because there will be instructors to guide you throughout the process. Open throughout the year this is a must visit place to enjoy a different experience in Shanghai.

Samui Island Safari; add a personal touch of Thailand to your holiday

Located within a naturally blessed land Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa Koh Samui is an exceptional Koh Samui resort. Apart from all the extra entertainment activities offered by the hotel guests from all Chaweng Hotel tend to go on a safari to enjoy the natural beauty of the island.

Being the third largest archipelago, Samui Island has a wide range of attractions. The primary attraction is considered to be the beaches which are the best among the beaches of the entire Thailand. Apart from that visitors can take safaris where they will come across large numbers of elephants and monkeys. Tourists have the opportunity to take elephant rides, where the rider would be transported back to the royal era where he kings traveled on these huge majestic creatures. If interested to view the rural life in the island an Ox-cart ride can be arranged to get the feel of it.

Sea Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay

Known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse marine life, Phang Nga Bay provides countless hours of exploration which can be enjoyed while kayaking! This famous Thai attraction can be found near the island of Phuket and those in search of a luxurious Phuket resort which to base themselves at can stay at Millennium Resort Patong Phuket. One of the best Patong resorts on the island, it also has its own spa where one can unwind in after a long day of sea kayaking. Named as a National Park, Phang Nga Bay is known for its towering limestone cliffs as well as its mysterious ‘hongs’. Best explored by kayak, these ‘hongs’ are limestone caves home to their own ecosystems of both flora and fauna. As you paddle your way through these caves it is easy to get lost in thought as you enter a truly fascinating world.

Day Tour To The Lowest Spot On Earth

While not a traditional holiday spot, the Middle East has become quite popular among tourists in recent times. The region offers some unique experiences that cannot be found anywhere else. From dune bashing to camel racing to camping in the desert, there are a variety of activities that one can enjoy. However, the region’s appeal does not end there. Instead, after indulging in the various activities, tourists have plenty of interesting natural, cultural and historical sights to explore.

The Dead Sea, also called the Salt Sea, is the lowest spot on land, and is situated roughly four hundred metres below sea level. The sea is over fifty kilometres long, measures almost twenty kilometres at its widest point and reaches a depth of around four hundred metres. It is among the saltiest water bodies on the planet and is has salinity levels that are over eight times greater than the ocean. The body of water was given its name as the high salinity levels does not allow fish or aquatic life to grow. It has received visitors from all parts of the world for well over a millennia, with many people coming here for health reasons.

It is possible to take a day trip to the Dead Sea via the cities of Aqaba and Amman in Jordan. There are buses that run through the area but the most convenient way is to hire a taxi, which is relatively inexpensive from Amman. The Amman Beach, which fronts the Dead Sea, is not well developed and one can find only a few beachside stalls. There are a few other attractions found in the region. These include the Dead Sea Panoramic Complex, the Mujib Reserve, and the Baptism Site.

Travellers planning on touring the Middle East should consider getting accommodation with a hotel chain like the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Middle East. Guests can expect the same quality of service from their chain of Middle East hotels. With a range of Kuwait, Oman, Jordan and UAE hotels, one will be able to explore the entire region without having to worry about accommodation.

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The White Sand Dunes of Mui Ne- A Desert in a Jungle

The lush forests of Vietnam are symbolic of South East Asia, and the warm beaches of Mui Ne are your typical sand and swaying trees. But hidden beyond the seafaring town are several hectares of sand dunes, a surprise for any traveller to the region.

The Mui Ne cape lay a long five hours to the south of Ho Chi Ming City, largely undiscovered and unspoiled by tourists. However, the recent years have seen development projects creating a 15 km stretch of coast for visitors to enjoy. The generally windy conditions of the area make rather rough seas but also great conditions for windsurfing. The constant wind shifting sands may be the source of the desert landscape about forty-five minutes from the city.

Locally known as Bao Trang, the dunes are around 10 meters in height. You can climb up the hills and slide down using the readily available plastic slides. There will be plenty of local boys along to help and instruct you for a small payment, but it isn’t wise to trust your valuables with them. The reddish sands provide a striking backdrop to the blue skies and the distant view of the sea. It’s a calm and peaceful place when the tourists and tour buses are gone. New additions to the area are the dune buggies- a noisy, yet exciting way to get around the desert. Hire a motorbike from the city for a half-day tour to Bao Trang and if you time it right, you can catch the sunset over the dunes as the sun dips into the sand. The temperatures may be hot and the sand even hotter, so be prepared for the climate.

Nearby is a small lagoon filled lotus flowers, surrounded by a small pine forest. Take your own time to discover such hidden gems and fishing heritage of the Mui Ne region, and you will not be disappointed. Opt for a resort in Mui Ne to allow yourself an early start and late end to a day of sightseeing. Along with its beach side location, the Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa adopts a relaxing yet elegant style. Mixing traditional spa elements with modern amenities, this South Vietnam hotel has captured the essence of the areas.

Wadi Bani Khalid, a wonderland for the adventurous

Located at the very tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Wadi Bani Khalid is a picturesque valle, or a wadi, in the Arabian language, located in the Sharqiyah region. Covering a large area of low land mountains, this area known for its scenic beauty is fully equipped with a large number of caves and springs of water. Exploring this piece of land takes days and it is always wise to book an Oman Muscat hotel to lodge in during the excursion. Millennium Resort Mussanah is a popular Muscat hotel that is known to enhance this amazing experience, serenading the senses of the travellers with all the comforts and amenities that the luxury seeking traveller would yearn for.

Low sandy walls of the wadi enclose tranquil turquoise pools glistening invitingly in the sunlight in this valley of serenity. The numerous caves that hide among the wilderness are quite a feature and are the perfect places to explore for the adventure seekers. Among these is also the Kahf Maqal, one of Sultanate’s underground chambers, a cave that must simply be visited regardless of the difficulty in reaching it. The geography here is dramatic and therefore exciting. One never knows what one may run into when exploring this enchanting place known for the many delightful surprises that it harbours within.

Camels to the fore!

The sight of these awkward creatures huffing and puffing towards the finish line, stirring up clouds of dust is truly a sight to behold. Held during the winter season, camel racing is a popular sport among Abu Dhabi citizens. In order not to miss it, it is important that the ideal Abu Dhabi resort is booked in advance. Among the many Abu Dhabi beach hotels, a much preferred place of lodging among many is the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara conveniently located in the middle of all the activities.

Camel racing had been part and parcel of the country’s culture and history for a very long time. Held twice a year, special tracks specifically made for camel racing have been constructed all over the city to facilitate this rather queer and exciting past time of the people. These magnificent creatures are much cherished by the Emiratis as over the years they have become the very symbols of protection, food, heat and friendship in the harsh desert life. It is also a queer sight to see small robot figures kept on the camels’ back to replace jockeys, a fine melange between tradition and technology perfectly mingling within the races.

Private Cruises in Bangkok; a relaxing tour away from the city

There are many Bangkok Cruises available for all those who need a different experience during the vacation. Among all cruise providers Anantara Cruises Thailand is one of the best that is offered to both locals and foreigners. The Bangkok Cruise Tour provided by them is unique and exciting.

Private and unique cruises can be organized according to the guests’ preference. During these cruises which lasts around three days, visitors get the chance explore the historical sites and cultural places of Thailand. Floating down the rivers is a onetime experience too. Enjoy the beauties of the nature and absorb and relax in its tranquilities.

Xtreme Skate Park

Providing skating and biking thrills for beginners and pros alike, Xtreme Skate Park in Singapore offers plenty of fun and recreation. Those wanting to enjoy the very best the city has to offer including visits to such attractions should look to stay at a Singapore city hotel that is centrally located such as M Hotel Singapore. This 4 star hotel Singapore offers easy access to such sites of interest as Clarke Quay and Resorts World Sentosa and is well suited for business and leisure travellers. Located at East Coast Park, Xtreme Skate Park features international competition standard designs and covers an area of around 1.4 hectares. At the park you will find a Streetcourse with a variety of obstacles such as ledges and stairs, a Combo Bowl with a varying degree of depths and the Vertical Bowl that caters to advanced skating and biking enthusiasts.