Are you bored of the hustle and bustle of city life, or want to have a breath of natural fresh air, or are you curious about diverse cultures and exotic flavors in China? Please come to Yangshuo, a small county in southern China full of what you want. In the 1980s, many foreign backpackers were drawn here by the introduction of the county in the ‘Lonely Planet’. Now, the county greets its guests with more charms and attractions.

Yangshuo lies in the northeast of Guangxi Province and to the southeast of Guilin City. The special geography gives it breath-taking beauty while over 1,400 years of history bless it with a deep traditional culture. The diverse ethnic minority groups including Hui, Zhuang, Yao and others, enrich it with special folk cultures represented by their various festivals; while many foreign residents add exotic flavors to its fascination.

The famous Li River traverses the county and brings it the most beautiful scenery. Along the extremely pure river, thousands of hills stand in different poses and with different expressions, such as Moon Hill, Mural Hill and Schoolboy Hill which is the natural stage of the world famous opera ‘Impression on Sanjie Liu’. Sanjie Liu is a fairy singer in the legend of the Zhuang minority group. Big Banyan, a huge tree with a history of over 1,400 years, is said to be the place where her love story happened. The ‘Little Li River’- the Yulong River – is a paradise for a cruise because of its green hills, silky water and ancient bridges. You can also go to Xanadu, a primitive minority village full of folk culture and tranquil rurality.

Streets in Yangshuo are well kept in the original style, presenting the simple and primitive atmosphere of the ancient town. West Street is the most exciting one that locals call the ‘Global Village’. There are not only many foreign tourists, but also quite a number of foreign residents managing cafés and restaurants. The exotic flavor, combined with the traditional culture, make the West Street world famous.

Yangshuo also attracts tourists with its delicious specialty foods, such as Beer Fish, Niang dishes and special snacks including rice noodles and various glutinous rice cakes. You can taste them in most streets of the county. The local specialties such as the Shatian Shaddocks, the kumquats and the Chinese chestnuts are worth tasting as well. If you want to buy some souvenirs, painted fans, embroidered balls, and painted shirts are all good choices. You can buy these articles both in the tourist spots and in the malls of the county.

Scuba diving is a sport in which you swim underwater for extended periods using special equipment. The word Scuba is actually an acronym for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. Scuba diving is an excellent way to see some very beautiful sites: coral diving sites with their colourful sea life are the most famous but other scuba diving attractions include shipwrecks and caverns.

Scuba diving can also be a very relaxing sport and in many places it’s very beginner friendly. Many dive sites are accessible (under the care of an instructor) after a short briefing and training dive. You can learn to dive far more quickly than you can learn snow sports, for example. It’s also suitable for people with a number of physical disabilities. As long as you can use the breathing equipment and are able to successfully propel yourself underwater you may be able to dive.

Destinations
Diving is a major travel activity: dedicated divers plan entire dive holidays, and others may want to include dive sites in their itineraries. Major dive destinations include:

  Africa
Tofo in southern Mozambique — nice coral but known more for its abundance of manta rays, reef sharks, whale sharks and humpback whales
South Africa has sites spread along its coast that are usually famous for sharks and large marine life
Port Elizabeth

Djibouti, New Diving destination. Djibouti is a truly unique ecosystem where the mix of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean means an abundance of marine life. Between the months of September – January Djibouti is home to resting migrating whale sharks. It is common to see many whale sharks including Juvenile’s who stay within the safe confines of the Djibouti coast line. 7 Brothers Islands is also a huge attraction to Djibouti waters. Further north than the Devils Cauldron this reef system (7 islands covering a vast area) is breathtaking. Monumental drop offs with stunning soft corals carpeting the walls, schooling fish and big pelagic’s can all be expected.
  Asia
 
Spotted Moray Eel in Sabang, Philippines.Asia’s best diving is concentrated in South-East Asia:

Boracay in the Philippines — the most popular place in the Philippines to become certified. Quality beginner diving as well as a few good intermediate dive sites.
Ko Tao in south eastern Thailand — great for beginners and almost certainly Asia’s most popular place to get certified
Manado, Sulawesi, Indonesia — intermediate to advanced diving, with occasionally strong currents
Perhentian Islands, Redang Island and Pulau Tioman — home of sea turtles and many species of sharks on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Great diving deals because of fierce competition. For a less touristy but equally good dive spot, try Pulau Dayang, which can be reached by dive boat from Mersing
The Similan Islands in south western Thailand — Widely regarded as Thailand’s best diving. 70 km due west of Phang Nga, best accessed via liveaboard or a lengthy boat ride from Khao Lak. The Krabi region (Ko Lanta, Ko Phi Phi, etc) nearby is similar and rather more accessible.
Sipadan in Malaysian Borneo — reef diving on a wall that descends 600m into the ocean
There are a few spots elsewhere for the adventurous:

Maldives — crystal clear water with over a thousand coral islets to explore
Yaeyama Islands in Japan — manta rays, hammerheads and mysterious underwater ruins
See Scuba diving in Asia for more destinations and One month of Southeast Asian diving and culture for a possible trip.

  Australia and Oceania
 
Diving a wreck off Wake IslandGreat Barrier Reef — large tropical reef system, most operators do sheltered easy diving. The reef is a few hours’ boat ride from most of Far North Queensland. However the area has been over used and is in danger of being damaged beyond recovery
Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia. A few hours drive and boat ride from Adelaide.
South Coast of New South Wales, Montague Island, Narooma.
Scuba Diving in Australia is world class and the South Coast of New South Wales offers diving unmatched by any large city. Australia is undoubtedly unique. With over 35,000km’s of magnificent coastline, we have superb diving in the tropical waters of the world renowned Great Barrier Reef and northern Western Australia, as well as brilliant temperate diving in the southern states. If you are a certified diver or a snorkeller, Australia has some of the best ocean life in the world.

Scuba Diving – Narooma NSW For an informed look at diving sites around Montague Island.

Vanuatu — intermediate level wreck diving, including penetration, on the President Coolidge, blue hole diving with excellent visibility
Micronesia
Palau
Saipan
Chuuk Lagoon — wreck diving, including optional penetration, on a huge number of ship and aircraft wrecks from World War II’s Operation Hailstorm
Fiji
See also Scuba diving in Australia

  North America
Florida Keys
Nanaimo, BC, Canada — Cold water diving among wrecks with large sea life.
California: Monterey, Channel Islands, Farallon Islands.
Mexico
Cabo San Lucas — on the southern tip of the Baja Penninsula is a meeting point of reef and blue water fish. While the number of dive sites are limited the variety of species makes up for it as do the viewing of the sand falls.
Cozumel — has excellent and very accessible diving making it one of the most popular diving destinations in the northern hemispheres. The area is well known for reef, wall and drift diving as well as for a lively top-side scene.
Yucatan — Cancun and Playa del Carmen are well known for cave diving in addition to advanced diving in the labrynth of fresh water cenotes.
  South America
Galapagos Islands – Darwin and Wolf Islands offer the opportunity to see schools of dozens of hammerhead sharks, while whale sharks and other large sea creatures are also frequently sighted.
Colombia – Colombia has some of the cheapest diving in South America. A cheap place to learn it is Taganga. But the islands of Isla Gorgona, San Andrés and Providencia have some really good diving.
A little known but excellent location for large pelagics (i.e hammerhead sharks, whale sharks etc.) is Colombia’s Malpelo Island. It is accessible by live aboard only
Brazil – Many places for diving: Fernando de Noronha marine park (Pernambuco state), famous for marine life but including shipwrecks; the many shipwrecks of Recife (capital of Pernambuco); Arvoredo marine park (Santa Catarina state); cavern diving at Bonito (Mato Grosso do Sul state); cavern and cave diving in mine at Mariana (visiting Mina da Passagem) (Minas Gerais state); Abrolhos marine park and Salvador (Bahia state); Parcel de Manoel Luís {Maranhão state); Fortaleza (Ceará state); Maceió e Paripueira (Alagoas state); Guarapari (Espírito Santo state); Arraial do Cabo, Paraty and Ilha Grande (Rio de Janeiro state); and Ubatuba and Laje de Santos (São Paulo state). There are also liveaboards at Northeastern region.
  Central America and Caribbean
Aruba
Belize
Bonaire
Cayman Islands
Honduras
Saba — this small volcanic island is located south of Saint Martin and differs from other Caribbean islands as it features steep drop offs and submerged pinnacles that are virtually untouched.
Dominica [1] — located in the center of the Caribbean island archipelago, Dominica’s dramatic landscape is as spectacular underwater as it is above. Dominica is one of the top dive destinations in the world, and has been rated in Scuba Diving Magazine #1 for Marine Life, #1 for Healthiest Marine Environment, #1 for Small Creatures, and #3 Dive Destination.
  Europe
Sardinia — The cave sistem in Alghero, with cristal water and astonishing limestone cliffs, is one of the more important cave diving place in Mediterranean Sea. Red coral, lobsters, groupers.
Cyprus the wreck of the Zenobia off Larnaca is among the best and most easily accessed in Europe
Malta — stunning limestone formations, steep dropoffs and good visibility make this possibly the best diving spot in the Mediterranean
Sicily
Iceland — Diving in a crack between the continents in water as clear as it can get, being filtered by lava fields for decades.
  Middle East
The Red Sea, particularly the Sinai Peninsula (Egypt)
Dahab
Sharm el-Sheikh
Oman
Muscat
Daymaniyat
Fahl Island
Salalah — has sea kelp and coral – an unusual combination of cold and warm sea organisms.
Saudi Arabia — famously difficult to visit, but hence very well-preserved, and now open to tourists who can book well in advance
Farasan Islands
Jeddah
Yanbu

It was once said that all roads lead to Rome. Even in the 21st century, that is true. Attempting to write about the city is almost fruitless. It is so enormous and there is such a multitude of things to do in Rome, that is must be seen to be fully comprehended. And even then, it will take days to get even a small glimpse into the past of one of the benchmarks of Western Civilization. A symbol of corruption and epic brutality, of great beauty and unmatched opulence, few cities rival Rome in terms of grandeur or of historical import. Thus, Rome tourism is one the best stocked industries in the entire country.

The Vatican rests safely within city walls, a separate sovereignty, but a vital part of the city that is inseparable from Rome itself. In fact, the symbiotic relationship between Rome and The Vatican goes back for many years – many of the great treasures of the Renaissance were created out of the ruins of the Roman Empire, great chunks of marble looted from the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus to construct baroque masterpieces just a short distance away. This just adds another layer of the many sights and other things to do in Rome.

A staple of Rome tourism is getting around town on just your feet. Taxis and trains will preclude you from glimpsing many of the secrets and treasures of the city, so you’d better be wearing comfortable shoes. Since the city is more than a little overwhelming, many Rome walking tours cover just one section of the city at a time. The northern part of town features the gardens of Villa Borghese and landmarks such as the Spanish steps. Along the eastern side of the Tiber River is where you’ll find attractions such as the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona – easily the busiest square in the entire nation. Further south is ancient Rome, the remains of the Roman forum and Colosseum sitting silent beneath the aged palaces of Palatine Hill. The western side of the Tiber will include Rome walking tours into the confines of the Trastevere district, renowned as home to the finest in dining and nightlife. Further north is Vatican City, the center for the entire Catholic faith, awash in baroque architecture and artwork that helped define the Renaissance.

Rome tourism is one of the safest bets in the world. People will never tire of viewing crumbling emblems of ancient times, of seeing some of the majestic works of the renaissance, of eating at traditional Italian restaurants, of relaxing in the same gardens as European royalty once did. And these are just a few of the things to do in Rome. To get a good feel for the city, you have to be prepared and efficient – like most Romans, you have to be quick on your feet and full of vibrant energy. Otherwise, this is not the place for you. Even the most casual of the many Rome walking tours available will exhaust you. But its beauty is unrivaled, its scenery astounding and nothing should dissuade you from witnessing the charm and vibrancy of one of the birthplaces of civilization.

St Moritz is Switzerland’s most famous ‘exclusive’ winter resort: glitzy, pricey, fashionable and, above all, the place to be seen – it’s the place for an all-round winter holiday with an unrivaled array of different diversions, including such wacky pursuits as polo, golf and cricket on snow and gourmet and music festivals. The slopes on the two main mountains are almost uniformly easy intermediate – we don’t rate it highly for complete beginners, and experts must be prepared to venture off-slope. But for langlaufers, it is superb.

The town of St Moritz doesn’t have the chocolate-box image of the Swiss mountain resort, all wooden huts and cows with bells round their necks. Many of the building are uncompromisingly rectangular and plain.

St Moritz itself may be unattractive to look at, but its setting is spectacular – beside the lowest in a long chain of lakes at the foot of the 4000m Piz Bernina. This is one of those areas where our progress on the mountain is regularly interrupted by the need to stand and gaze. It may not have quite the drama of the Jungfrau massif, or the Matterhorn, or the Dolomites, but its wide and glorious mountain landscapes are equally special. And the langlauf, walking and other activities on the frozen lake give it a real ‘winter wonderland’ feel.

What’s Great
+ Beautiful panoramic scenery

+ Off-slope activities second to none – including the Cresta Run, horse- racing and lots of varied festivals

+ Extensive, largely intermediate slopes

+ Fairly snow sure, thanks to altitude and extensive snowmaking

+ Good après-ski, for all tastes

+ Good mountain restaurants, some with magnificent views

+ Painless rail access via Zurich

What’s Not-So-Great
– Some hideous block buildings

– A sizable town, with little traditional Alpine character

– No proper beginner slopes at resort level – except at Celerina

– Several unlinked mountains, with a bus, train or car needed to most

– Runs on two main mountains all fairly easy and much the same

– Expensive

The continuous history of Xian has apparently resulted in its magnificent culture. Today’s Xian is a world famous tourist city and an inexhaustible treasure house of cultural relics. Now heads of state from many countries and people from all walks of life come to the city to broaden their knowledge of Chinese civilization.

Foremost is the China’s greatest archeological excavation, the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses . Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations symbolically guard the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang , the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (246-209B.C). The State Council authorized the building of a museum on the site in 1975 for the protection of the discovery. So far, altogether over 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, chariots, and even weapons have been unearthed and displayed in the museum. It is cited as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ and was listed by UNESCO in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages.

Spending some time at the Huaqing Hot Springs on the way back from the Terra Cotta Army site is a must for every visitor to Xian. For centuries emperors came here to bathe and enjoy the scenic beauty, and it has been a favorite spa since the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D). The palace complex has also been the scene of political intrigue, so there is plenty of interest to discover during your visit.

Covering an area of about 100,000 square meters, the Banpo Village Remains was a village settlement of the earliest inhabitants of Xian, typical of the Neolithic Yangshao culture. At this site, archaeologists have discovered nearly 10,000 production tools and daily utensils of various kinds and the remains of 45 houses, 200 cellars, 6 pottery kilns, 174 adults’ burial pits and 73 children’s burial jars.

Every Ming city (1368-1644) had a bell tower and a drum tower. The bell was sounded at dawn and the drum at dusk. The two buildings at Xian are the best known in China. The Bell Tower was built in the city center and from the top can enjoy a panoramic view of the whole of Xian. Not far away to the west is the Drum Tower , a large drum inside was for marking the passage of time each night in ancient times. Now, they are outstanding examples of the ancient architecture of Xian.

Housing more than 2,300 famous steles and inscribed memorial tablets of the Han, Wei, Sui, Tang, Yuan, Ming, Qing dynasties and known as the largest ‘stone-book warehouse’in China, the Forest of Stone Steles in Xian is a treasure house of calligraphic art. It is situated on Sanxue Jie, near the south gate of the Xian City Wall . The City Wall in Xian is the most complete city wall to survive in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. It was built first in the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and renovated in recent years. Outside the city wall is a moat. A circular park has now been built along the high wall and the deep moat.

Additional attractions are the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Small Wild Goose Pagoda of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D), while worshipers still frequent the Great Mosque and the famous Famen Temple noted for its collection of Sakyamuni’s relics. These together with the magnificent Shaanxi History Museum are all highly recommended attractions to be visited when you come to Xian.

The capital of Spain, located in the heart of the peninsula and right in the center of the Castillian plain 646 meters above sea level, has a population of over three million. A cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family, Madrid also plays a major role in both the banking and industrial sectors. Most of its industry is located in the Southern fringe of the city, where important textile, food and metal working factories are clustered. Madrid is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife.

Architecture

Although the site of Madrid has been occupied since prehistoric times, the first historical data we have from the city is from the middle of the ninth Century, when Mohamed I ordered the construction of a small palace (site occupied now by the Palacio Real). Around this palace there was built a small citadel (al-Mudaina). The palace was built overlooking the River Manzanares, which the muslims called Mayrit meaning source of water (which in turn became Magerit, and then eventually Madrid). The citadel was conquered in 1085 by Alfonso VI in his advance towards Toledo. He reconsecrated the mosque as the church of the Virgin of Almudena (almudin, the garrison’s granary), now the Catedral de la Almudena. In 1329 the Cortes first assembled in Madrid to advise Fernando IV. Jews and Moors continued to live in the city in their quarter, still known today as the “Moreria”, until they were expelled. The Royal Palace of Madrid and the buildings and monuments of the Paseo del Prado (Salón del Prado and Alcalá Gate) deserve special mention. They were constructed in a sober Baroque international style, often mistaken for neoclassical, by the Bourbon kings Philip V and Charles III. The royal palaces of La Granja de San Ildefonso (in Segovia province) and Aranjuez (south of Madrid), are good examples of baroque integration of architecture and gardening. They have a noticeable French influence (La Granja is known as the “Spanish Versailles”), but with local spatial conceptions which in some ways display the heritage of the Moorish occupation.

Plans for the construction of a new cathedral for Madrid dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena began in the 16th century, but the slow construction did not begin until 1879. Francisco de Cubas, the Marquis of Cubas, was the architect who designed and directed the construction in a Gothic revival style. Construction ceased completely during the Spanish Civil War. The project was abandoned until 1950, when Fernando Chueca Goitia adapted the plans of de Cubas to a neoclassical style exterior to match the grey and white façade of the Palacio Real, which stands directly opposite. and was not completed until 1993, when the cathedral was consecrated by Pope John Paul II.

The financial district in downtown Madrid between the streets Raimundo Fernández Villaverde, Orense, General Perón and Paseo de la Castellana Its original conception (and its name) to the “Plan General de Ordenación Urbana de Madrid”, approved in 1946. The purpose of this plan was to create a huge block of modern office buildings with metro and railway connections in the expansion area of northern Madrid, just in front of Real Madrid stadium (currently named the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium) and beside the brand new government complex of Nuevos Ministerios. A botanical garden, a library and an opera house were also included in the plans, but these were never built. Cuatro Torres Business Area is a business park currently under construction. The area will contain the tallest skyscrapers in Madrid and Spain (Torre Espacio, Torre de Cristal, Torre Sacyr Vallehermoso and Torre Caja Madrid). The buildings are expected to be finished by 2008/2009.

Madrid Barajas International Airport Terminal 4, designed by Antonio Lamela and Richard Rogers (winning them the 2006 Stirling Prize), and TPS Engineers, (winning them the 2006 IStructE Award for Commercial Structures) was inaugurated on February 5, 2006. Terminal 4 is one of the world’s largest terminal area, with an area of 760,000 square meters (8,180,572 square feet) in two separate terminals. Consisting of a main building, T4 (470,000 square meter), and satellite building, T4S (290,000 square meter), which are separated by approximately 2.5 km. Hong Kong International Airport still holds the title for the world’s largest single terminal building (Terminal 1) at 570,000 square meter. The new Terminal 4 is meant to give passengers a stress-free start to their journey. This is managed through careful use of illumination, available by glass panes instead of walls and numerous domes in the roof which allow natural light to pass through. With the new addition, Barajas is designed to handle 70 million passengers annually.
Bullfighting

Madrid hosts the largest Plaza de Toros (bullring) in Spain, Las Ventas, established in 1929. Las Ventas is considered by many to be the world center of bullfighting and has a seating capacity of almost 25,000. Madrid’s bullfighting season begins in March and ends in October. Bullfights are held every day during the festivities of San Isidro (Madrid’s patron saint) from the middle of March to the middle of June, and every Sunday, and public holiday, the rest of the season. The style of the plaza is Neomudéjar. Las Ventas also hosts music concerts and other events outside of the bullfighting season.

Sales are state-regulated in France and are preset at two periods of the year: once in summer, just before the massive exodus toward the sea and sun, and once in the winter, shortly following Christmas. Department stores, boutiques, designer outlets, and even hardware shops clear out items from the previous season, gradually slashing prices over the course of the sales period.

In Paris, biannual sales generally span six weeks, usually falling at the end of June and the beginning of January. 2008 summer sales in Paris begin June 26th at 8:00 a.m. and end August 2nd. Winter 2008 dates for sales in Paris are to be determined.

Tips and Tricks
How do locals “do” the Paris sales? Well, to begin, while everything from shoes to shower curtains are on offer at a discount during the traditional “soldes” in Paris, most Parisians set out to make a steal from clothing racks. If you’ve wondered how so many Parisians manage such seemingly impeccable style, now you know: even price tags on designer items can be slashed down by up to 80%. Use these tips to navigate the labyrinth like a pro:
Catch the worm by arriving early. As anywhere else in the world, the best deals are procured at Paris sales shortly after the floodgates open. But in truth, most Parisians get ready for the sales the day before, perusing around the capital for hot items and occupying fitting rooms, trying on one, two, or ten things for size ahead of the race.
Avoid the frenzy. Braving the sales in Paris requires strategy, patience, and lots of energy! To avoid getting pushed out of the way by impatient fellow shoppers, the best time to hit the soldes is during the week, in the early morning or during lunch hours. One caveat, though: many Parisians take a day off of work to look for deals, so you may be surprised at how full stores are even during the work week.
Dress lightly and comfortably. During both summer and winter sales, Parisians often dress as simply as possible to save time in the fitting room. Avoid endless laces or buttons, and wear comfortable shoes. Remember that you may have to be prepared to run around for several miles to find your dream item, so you may as well put on a good pair of walking shoes for this mini-marathon.
Know when to splurge. Parisians are apt to say that the true magic in soldes is being able to spoil oneself a bit, to indulge in clothes, beauty products, home items, or even rare books that are normally too pricey to consider. This is why the savviest locals have made a science of the sales: it’s all in knowing where the best values can be found, and when to zone in on them. These hotspots for deals range from classic department stores like Galeries Lafayette or Le Bon Marché, to small, up-and-coming boutiques or discount designer shops around Les Halles or the Marais district. To decide what Paris shopping area you’d like to target, make sure to check out our guide to the best Paris shopping districts.
Balance quality and price. Most Parisians wait until the midpoint of sales season to go in for the kill, knowing that it’s usually the second price-markdown that offers the best values. Waiting until the very end of the sales will provide the most substantial discounts, but choice is often limited by that point, and when shopping for clothes, finding the right size becomes a challenge during the last days.
Shop around and read the fine print. Don’t hesitate to compare prices on an item between several stores, and make sure to check the return and exchange policy before making any purchases. During sales in Paris, many stores will not allow for items to be returned.
Can’t make it to the Paris sales in person? Try buying online. Many top Paris stores, including Galeries Lafayette, have online stores offering sale items. If you’re not too daunted by the French, you can also try navigating specialized websites like 1000 Bonnes Affaires or L’internaute, which provide quick overviews of the best deals being offered in hundreds of stores. Remember, though, that not all stores ship outside of France.
Happy hunting!

The national, historical city of Dunhuang is a renowned tourist city famous for the Mogao Caves. It is situated in the common boundary of Gansu Province, Qinghai Province and Xinjiang Province. Dunhuang, long ago referred to as ‘Sha Zhou’ (beautiful desert oasis), was the hub of middle and eastern silk routes in ancient times. The city landmark is an attractive statue, the idea of which comes from the mural in Mogao Caves, a shrine to the culture and arts of Dunhuang. From Mt.Qilian in the south, Mt. Mazong in the north and desert from east to west, the landform of Dunhuang City is a declining basin-plain from west to northeast, high in the north and south, and low in the middle. The western cities of China, especially those in the desert, are known for their sandstorms, so tourists should protect themselves with glasses, hats and gauze kerchiefs, etc.

In ancient times, Dunhuang was the center of trade between China and its western neighbors. At that time, it was the most westerly frontier military garrison in China. With the flourishing of trade along the Silk Road, Dunhuang was prompted to become the most open area in international trade in Chinese history. It provided the only access westward for the Chinese Empire and eastward for western nationalities. Today, as a reminder of this historical area, we are left with the Mogao Caves, Yangguan Pass, Yumenguan Pass and many wonderful Chinese poems depicting the time. Although what remains of the two Passes are crumbling walls, one can still experience the atmosphere of that time while visiting in person.

Today, Dunhuang is a typical tourist city, clean and beautiful. Because of its splendid stone caves, tourism has become an indispensable industry to Dunhuang City. Surrounding establishments include various classes of hotels and restaurants for your choosing. As well, tourism personnel are knowledgeable and well trained these days. For a western city in China, it has become more accesible for people to come and go as they please. Transportation is much more efficient, ensuring that your wonderful trip runs smoothly. May to September is the best time to visit, so be sure to plan your trip during these months. Including Dunhuang City in your tour is a decision you won’t regret!

Dunhuang City, an obvious pearl on the Silk Road, opens her arms to welcome tourists from all over the world.

Istanbul (Turkish: İstanbul) is Turkey’s most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both literally and figuratively. Istanbul’s population is variously estimated between 12 and 19 million people, making it also one of the largest cities in Europe.

Founded by Constantine the Great in 324 AD on the site of ancient Byzantium (going back to 650 BC), Istanbul was the capital, successively, of the Eastern Roman Empire (324-476), the Byzantine Empire (476-1453) and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922) – this almost unrivalled heritage, as well as its dynamic modern existence, makes Istanbul a fantastic destination for many travellers.

The European Side
There are many historical places in Istanbul.

 
Hagia Sofia
Inside Hagia SofiaHagia Sophia (Aya Sofya), Sultanahmet Square (by tram: Sultanahmet), 0212 5221750. Tu-Su 9:00AM-7:30PM. Dating from the sixth century, originally a basilica constructed for the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. A masterwork of Byzantine engineering, the huge 30 m diameter dome covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world. The basilica was looted in 1204 during the fourth Crusade, and became a mosque in the 15th century when the minarets were added. It was turned into a museum in 1930′s. Don’t miss the excellent mosaics, including those in the gallery, reached by a stone ramp to the left of the entrance. 10 YTL (no concessions, no cards accepted). NOTE: the inside is undergoing a major refurbishment and there is a huge amount of scaffolding in a gigantic tower going up to the top of the dome.
Topkapı Palace (Topkapı Sarayı), Bab-i Hümayün Caddesi (by tram: Gülhane/Sultanahmet), 0212 5120480. M,W-Su 9:00AM-5:00PM. The imperial enclave of the Ottoman emperors for three centuries. Lavishly decorated, with four courts of increasing grandeur. In the second court in the entrance to the Harem (admission extra, only by joining a guided tour) and the State Treasury, housing a weaponry display. The third court has the Imperial Treasury. Both Islamic and Christian relics, rugs, china. The views from the Fourth Court over the Bosphorus are spectacular. 10 YTL (no concessions, cards accepted, Harem 10 YTL extra).
Sultanahmet Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii, aka Blue Mosque), At Meydam Sokak 17, Sultanahmet (by tram: Sultanahmet), 0212 5181319. May-Oct 9:00AM-9:00PM, Nov-Apr:9:00AM-7:00PM. With its six minarets and sweeping architecture the Sultanahmet or ‘Blue’ Mosque impresses from the outside. Unlike Haghia Sophia, this is still a working mosque, entry is through the courtyard on the SW side. No shorts or bare shoulders (shawls are provided) and you will need to remove your footwear. Free.
Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici). Yerebatan Cad., Sultanahmet, [7]. It doesn’t sound like much, but this giant underground cistern built by Justinian in 532 to provide water to the city in cases of siege, and later consecrated as a basilica, is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Istanbul. A wooden walkway winds between the pillars, and lights and piped music add to the eerie atmosphere. Bring some type of fish food as you’ll see enormous fish swimming below your feet. 10 YTL (no concessions).
Hippodrome, adjacent to the Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. This was the center of Roman and Byzantine Constantinople, and is a great place to begin one’s tour and to people watch. The building no longer stands, but the obelisks and sculptures that have been collected here since Theodosius’ time in the fourth century remain.
 
Galata Tower from across the Golden HornGalata Whirling Dervish Hall (Galata Mevlevihanesi). Galipdede Caddesi (near Tünel’s Galata station). A dancing hall of the mystical Mevlevi order, shut down in 1925 along with all other ‘reactionary’ movements in Turkey. Today the building houses the Museum of Divan Literature, but the best time to come is Sundays between 3 to 5 pm when sema dervish ceremonies are staged. (Buy tickets in advance, as space is limited.) Also check out the small graveyard next door, where the carved fez perched upon the gravestone indicates the occupant’s rank in the dervish hierarchy.
Ortaköy. A shore line of the Bosphorus beside the Ortaköy mosque. This artsy neighborhood is filled with nice cafes and a perfect view crowded and fun.
The Museum of Archeology, Close to Sultanahmet, [8]. A must see! One of the best, including a great collection of Sumerian tablets, pieces of the wall of Babylon and Roman marble statues! Tickets stop being sold at 4PM. 5 YTL.  edit

Museum of Modern Art, At Karaköy, [9]. 10AM-6PM, Thursday until 8PM, Closed Monday. A nice, organized museum with contemporary installations. Including a cafe with a top notch menu and view. 5 YTL (free on Thursday).  edit

Dolmabahçe Palace. See the Ottoman Palace centered close to Taksim at the Dolmabahçe shore. Build on 110,000 meter square ground with 285 rooms and 43 halls where the Ottoman empire was administered in the last 150 years. Visits only in guided tours (45 min) in major spoken languages. Extra fee for Harem, the part of the palace the residents lived. Ask student reduction.
Galata Tower. Ride an elevator to the top, then walk the parapet for a 360 degree view of Istanbul, including the entire Sultanahmet peninsula: crowned by Topkapı Palace, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. A beautiful spot for using up a lot of film!
Chora Church, at Edirnekapı (open every day except Wednesday). A 1000 year old Byzantine church, with precious mosaic frescoes and a captivating mood inside. The early church frescoes had been covered with plaster for nearly 500 years, as the building had been converted to a mosque, but were uncovered in the mid-twentieth century and have been partially restored.
[edit] The Asian (Anatolian) Side
 
Beylerbeyi Palace
View of Istanbul from Camlica Hill, at nightBeylerbeyi Palace Lying under the legs of the Bosphorus Bridge, the palace was built between 1861-1865 by Sultan Abdulaziz. Guided tours in major spoken languages available.

Camlica Hill. One of the highest hills of Istanbul (268 metres high) and almost all major broadcasting antennas are located on this hill, since the hill dominates a great part of the city. On the top of the hill, a public park with cafes remind the visitors of an Ottoman atmosphere.
The Princes’ Islands. Located just to the southeast of Istanbul, and consists of 8 islands, Büyükada being the largest of them all. All motor vehicles used to be forbidden on the islands. Great place to get away from crowds and noise of the city. Enjoy swimming (water is not that clean though), old wooden villas that have mostly disappeared from other parts of Istanbul, and have a picnic in a scenic spot. Rent a bike or take a horse carriage route around Büyükada or Heybeliada. Büyükada is also the highest island among the others; its peak reaches to 202 metres (Yucetepe) where the ruins of a monastery remains. The rest of the islands are; Heybeliada, Burgazada, Kinaliada, Yassiada, Sivriada, Tavsan Adası and Yassiada. Büyükada and Heybeliada both have a limited range of hotels, some of which serve in a boutique style, preferred by many tourists but not spectacularly clean. Islands and ferries are crowded especially on weekends during summer months.
The Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi), [10]. A Tower in the Üsküdar coast where you can drink tea during day or dine (mid-expensive) inside the tower itself. There is also a tour that tells the legend of the maiden where the tower’s name comes from. edit

Gulangyu Island is located just southwest of Xiamen City. Visitors can reach it by steamship from Xiamen City in about 5 minutes. Gulangyu Island is renowned for its delicate natural beauty, its ancient relics, and its varied architecture. The island is on China’s list of National Scenic Spots and also ranks at the top of the list of the ten most-scenic areas in Fujian Province.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the island was called ‘Yuanshazhou Island’. It got its present name from the huge reef surrounding it. When the tide comes in, the waves pound the reef and it sounds like the beating of a drum. The island came to be named ‘Gulang’. Gu in Chinese means ‘drum’, and Lang, ‘waves’.

During the later Ming Dynasty, the troops of national hero Zheng Chenggong were stationed here. After the Opium War in 1842, 13 countries including Great Britain, France and Japan established consulates, churches, and hospitals, turning the island into a common concession. In 1942, Japan occupied the island until the end of the War of Resistance against Japan.

Gulangyu Island has about 20,000 permanent residents, all of whom enjoy a comfortable, relaxing life. Only electric-powered vehicles are permitted on the island, so the environment is free from the noise and pollution of combustion engines. Breathing the clean air, appreciating the ever-present green trees and lovely flowers, anyone here can feel like they are in heaven. With classical and romantic European-style architecture, the island truly deserves to be called the’Architecture Museum’. It is also known as the ‘Cradle of Musicians’ and ‘Island of Music’ because of its reputation for music appreciation.

The Island Ring Road, which circles the island, allows you to fully enjoy all the sights of this small, charming island.

Among the many scenic spots on the island, the most attractive are Sunlight Rock and the Shuzhuang Garden.

Sunlight Rock

Located in the south-central part of the island, Sunlight Rock is the island’s highest point with an altitude of 92.7 meters (304 feet). Though it may not rank with high mountain peaks, it appears superb and grand when seen from afar. The name comes from a sun-shaped formation in the granite. When the sun rises, the morning light illuminates the granite in Sunlight Temple and the rocks are bathed with sunlight.

At the foot of Sunlight Rock stands the Memorial Hall of Zheng Chenggong, built in honor of the hero’s feats which include expelling the Dutch colonists and re-occupying Taiwan. Wandering up the steep rock path, visitors will see many profound inscriptions left by poets, the oldest of which dates back to over 400 years. This is the main cultural sight on the hill. Continuing on, you will see the preserved training grounds of Zheng Chenggong’s troops. Near the field is a huge rock bridging two cliffs, forming a natural entrance to a cave. This is called ‘Old Summer Cave’ (Gu Bishu Dong) where you can feel a pleasantly cool breeze. It’s the perfect viewing spot to appreciate the scenery of Gulangyu Island. A fantastic panorama of Xiamen City, including Nanputuo Temple, Xiamen University, and Hulishan Battery is within view.

Shuzhuang Garden

First built in 1931 on the southside of the island, Shuzhuang Garden was once a private villa. It became a garden park open to the public in 1955. It is divided into two parts-the Garden of Hiding the Sea (Canghaiyuan) and the Garden of Making-Up Hills (Bushanyuan). It was exquisitely designed to embody three important characteristics in gardening—hiding elements, borrowing from one’s surroundings, and combining movements.

The principle of hiding elements is embodied in the way the ocean remains hidden from view even if you walk right up to the garden gate. However, once you emerge from the bamboo forest, the seascape leaps into view. Climb the Tower of Tide-Viewing to really get a terrific look at the sea.

Borrowing from one’s surroundings refers to cleverly using naturally available scenery. Using the original slopes facing the sea, the reefs in the bay, and the shape of the shoreline, the former garden owner built bridges and pavilions at various levels. The panorama changes from a small bay to a vast ocean as you ascend. Here, visitors can taste the spray of the surging waves and get a bird’s-eye view of other charming islands. Both Sunlight Rock and Hero Hill (Yingxiongshan) are also visible.

The garden also possesses another characteristic – the combining of movements. Its unique arrangement joins a rockwork that includes a maze of connected caves with fine pavilions on the side of the slope. Lovely children chasing and gamboling among the caves represent movement and activity, while people resting in the pavilions give a feeling of tranquility and harmonious contemplation.

As a complex of Chinese traditional gardens, Shuzhuang Gardens entices visitors so much that one cannot help but want to see inside.

Gulangyu Island has other sights worth seeing including the Bright Moon Garden, the Seasight Watch Garden, Yu Park, and Xiamen Museum. The Bright Moon Garden is located in the southeast of the island with an area of over 20,000 square meters (23921 square yards). It is a statuary garden of national hero Zheng Chenggong with enchanting views. The appealing Seasight Watch Garden boasts villas of various styles of both China and the West. It has become a noted resort for visitors.

Admission Fee: CNY 95 (including fees Sunlight Rock and Shuzhuang Garden)
CNY 50 (Electric bus)
Opening Hours: 06:00 to 17:50
Recommended
Time for a Visit: All the day
Bus Route: 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 25 to Ferry, Then transfer to ferryboat