‘Heaven on earth’ Hangzhou straddling the Qiantang River has the repute of being China’s most romantic city, and why not? The city is most known for the lush forests-fringed dreamy West Lake and its willow-lined banks and the mist-swathed hills. However, Hangzhou is also famous for its shíkùmén (stone-gate) architecture, quiet, serene temples, and ornate and…
The glittering maritime city of Guangzhou, formerly Canton, is also one of China’s wealthiest cities. The dazzling city straddles the lovely waters of the Pearl River and is a heady mix of old-world China and its 21st-century variant. Guangzhou is best known for being home to some of the world’s most skyscrapers and its delicious…
Hong Kong boasts of a glorious harbor, lush neighborhoods, and one of the most iconic glass-and-steel skylines in the world. And even though it doesn’t recognize same-sex marriages, Hong Kong’s denizens are extremely supportive of LGBTQ+ rights. Over the decades, Hong Kong has become a modern, tolerant city with an accepting attitude towards LGBTQ people.…
The capital of Japan is home to one of Asia’s biggest LGBT communities. So it’s hardly any surprise that there are plenty of gay hotels in Tokyo. Many are within easy reach of Shinjuku Ni-Chome, arguably the most popular Tokyo gay district. Lively enough by day, it’s more exuberant at night when the clubs and…
Are you looking for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city? Do you enjoy traditional and regional cuisine, events, attractions, and beaches? Then the harbor city of Fukuoka might just be the destination you’re seeking. Here, you’ll get to experience both old-school Japanese charm and the sights and sounds of an ever-growing…
One of the oldest cities in China and the oldest of the Four Great Ancient capitals of this ancient civilization is Xi’an, also known as Sian. Xi’an was where the Silk Road began and so the city was once a hotbed of activity and a melting point of cultures. However, although the city’s importance on…
Mongolia’s largest city, Ulaanbaatar, is rated as the coldest capital city in the world with temperatures plummeting to between -30 to -40 degrees Celcius in January. The city which was founded in 1693 was initially a yurt monastery located about 230kms from its current location. The ‘mobile town’ shifted continuously until between 1733 to 1778…
For most people, the name Hiroshima instantly conjures up the horrific events of 6 August 1945, when the city became the target of the world’s first atom bomb. Poignant reminders of that tragic time are visible in different parts of the city that has risen from the ashes like a phoenix. Today one can hardly…
Nestled among the mighty Himalayas, to the north of India, lays the mystical land of Tibet. It is the highest habitable place on the face of this earth lying at an average elevation of 5000 m above the level of the sea. A place where you can touch the sky, if anybody is asked what…
Japan is one of the most vibrant Asian countries, thanks to the thriving technological ambiance and dazzling natural beauty. Even though Japan is critically located within the Ring of Fire and there are high chances of some devastating natural calamities, the country is becoming a superpower since the World Wars. And in this country, one…
Hangzhou, the city of China is considered as one of the most prosperous places in the country. This place is a rich town that embraces a number of ancient architectural as well as heritage sites. Even today, all of these sites are maintained very properly which further makes this city one of the most traveled…
While you are exploring the beautiful island of Hokkaido, your visit to the capital city of Sapporo is a must. This part of the island is considered to be one of the most gorgeous sights of the island and also permits you to perform a number of activities. This is the place where you can…
Mongolia lies in central Asia between Siberia and China, at an average of 1,500 meters (5,800 ft) above sea level. It is the least densely populated country on the planet, a vast country with endless grassland, evergreen trees and rugged mountains. However, 45% of the Mongolian population lives in the busy capital, Ulaanbaatar, where life is a lot…
Standing in stately contrast to the neon-lit adrenaline of Tokyo, Kyoto is quieter, quainter and the perfect place to experience authentic Japanese culture with a plethora of cultural sights. From ancient palaces to hidden temples. Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868, Kyoto, is famous for its Geisha district and is an important city in Japan’s history. With…
A 40-minute ferry ride from Ishinomaki, near Sendai, will get you to a small island named Tashirojima. This is the only island in the world where cats outnumber humans. You will find here a population of 100 people and several hundred cats. Tashirojima is located in the Pacific Ocean off the Oshika Peninsula.Cats were first…
Okunoshima is a tiny island, located off the coast of Hiroshima, that was used as a secret army base and the site of Japan’s secret chemical-weapons-production factory during World War II. From 1929 to 1945, more than 7,000 tons of poison gas were manufactured on the remote island, and the program was shrouded in secrecy.…
We have seen a couple of impressive architectural works of art in China, yet we didn’t see this one coming. The Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort joins these high tech, eye-catching architectural achievements and achieved international wow-coverage for its extraordinary ring-shaped design, which has been compared to both a horseshoe and a donut, and which loops…
Located on the Pearl River, about 120 km (75 miles) north-northwest of Hong Kong and 145 km (90 miles) north of Macau, Guangzhou offers all the hustle, bustle, culture and commerce of other major Asian metropolises minus the massive tourist crowds. Guangzhou provides a combination of ancient structures and traditional cultural heritage with modern buildings, art galleries, natural…
Shenzhen, a modern and beautiful metropolis located in southern China just across the border from Hong Kong, is the world’s largest manufacturing center and China’s richest and most booming Special Economic Zone. Once a small fishing village, Shenzen was chosen as the first of five Special Economic Zones in China by Deng Xiaoping in 1979 as an experiment in…
There are cities in the world never sleep, Shanghai doesn’t even sit down. This Asian metropolis is a multi-cultural and fascinating place, a mix of modern and traditional Chinese traditions. It is the largest city in China by population and it is one of the most important industrial, technological, commercial and financial center in the…