White Cloud Mountain

Guangzhou is China’s third-largest city and visitors will find a diverse world of culture, comfort and great shopping in this 12-million-strong modern metropolis. Travellers looking for places to stay will not go wrong with a conveniently located Service Apartment in Guangzhou, an excellent base from which to explore and sample the city’s various delights. One excellent Guangzhou Serviced Apartment complex with modern amenities is the Ascott IFC Guangzhou. Located in the city’s central business district with a luxury shopping mall and international conference centre onsite, this well-appointed property is an ideal choice for business travellers and pleasure seekers alike.

White Cloud Mountain is Guangzhou’s most breathtaking natural landmark. Set in the midst of a quiet valley, it is a peaceful haven away from the chaos of one of China’s largest cities. The mountain boasts panoramic views of the nearby Pearl River and Guangzhou’s impressive sky line. It is one of the Guangdong province’s famous mountains for good reason, as it consists of more than 30 peaks and covers an area of 28 kilometres. There are three scenic spots that visitors should check out: Shanding, Shanbei, and Lihu. Lihu offers plenty of welcome shade and is the ideal spot to catch magnificent views of the lake. Shanbei presents the famous “Baiyun Songtao”, a breathtaking sight of Mount Baiyun’s pine waves caused by mountain wind. Take a cable car to Shanding, which opens up beautiful views of Shanding Park, Mingchun Valley, Nengren Temple and Jiulong Spring. A scenic oasis in the midst of China’s countryside, White Cloud Mountain offers soothing verdure when visitors seek a welcome break from the concrete jungle.

Victoria Peak

Sometimes the best holiday experiences come from the simplest of things; this is very true for those who get a chance to view the most breathtaking vistas of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak. Before heading to this famous point, make sure to find centrally located Hong Kong serviced apartments from which to set off on your tours of the city. Citadines Ashley Hong Kong is one such serviced accommodation Hong Kong has to offer and provides an ideal base in the Tsim Sha Tsui area where you can enjoy the very best the city is known for.

 

Hong Kong Island’s highest point, Victoria Peak is also an exclusive neighbourhood set amidst spectacular views of Victoria Harbour, the New Territories and not forgetting the glittering skyscrapers. For a truly fantastic sight visit during night, when the lights come on and the cityscape takes on a whole new aura! For one of the best vantage points head to the viewing platform known as Sky Terrace 428 which can be found at The Peak Tower. The Peak Galleria and the Lions View Point Pavilion are also great spots in which to enjoy the views. One of the best ways up Victoria Peak is by way of the Peak Tram which is a funicular railway that offers stunning panoramas on your way to the top!

Wahiba Sands

The Wahiba Sands area stretches across 180km from north to south and around 80km from east to west. It is an area of geographical significance and scientific interest, and is a definite must see for tourists in the area. The name ‘Wahiba Sands’ was coined from the Bedouin al-Wahiba tribe who are the inhabitants of the area. The way of life of these inhabitants provide an interesting glimpse into a nomadic way of life that is fast disappearing under the wheels of modernity.

The landscape boasts a rich biodiversity of both plants and animals in the area, ranging from 200 species of flora (plants) to over 15,000 invertebrates. At the edge of the desert is an oasis named ‘Al Huyawah,’ which is an intriguing site for tourists. Also, close to the oasis, Bedouins can be seen harvesting and farming dates, which are sold to local markets and are a delicacy in the region. The desert landscape also opens up an opportunity to interact with Bedouin women, whose lifestyle affords them with more social and economical mobility as they often come to the rescue of lost tourists, and are skilled crafters who will offer a range of homemade product for sale.

If one is adventurous, there is a rugged path that can be used for trekking. Tourists can hire a local guide for 80 OMR or use one of their own cars with fuel which will cost 30 OMR for the trip. If one wishes to travel with real Middle Eastern authenticity they can make the journey on came back. This will take 7 days in total to complete the journey, and car support will be necessary. The price ranges from 20 – 30 OMR for a camel ride per day. Also it must be kept in mind that a fee must be paid for the camels’ return journey home.

In order for one to begin their odyssey at Wahiba Sands, it is highly recommended that visitors to Oman seek accommodation at a quality Oman Hotels such as the exclusive Sur Plaza Hotel. This elegant Hotel Sur Oman combines modern amenities with spacious rooms to cater to an ideal stay for both business and leisure visitors.

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+

Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden

The Philippines is home to the impressive Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden, a 14-acre site that opened its doors to the general public in 1959. Visitors looking for accommodation close to the site should invest in a hotel in Manila to fully immerse themselves in the vibrancy of local and international wild life and horticulture. One such Manila hotel is the Heritage Hotel Manila, which boasts modern amenities coupled with a central location, making it easy to roam around the city while sightseeing.

The zoo currently houses over 800 animals including various species of reptiles, mammals, birds, among others as of the last count in 2007. Noteworthy of special mention is the Wildlife Rescue Centre, which functions as a halfway house for animals who are sick, injured or have been abandoned, performing the double duty of a humane society and a zoo. The zoo also boasts two magnificent aviaries, space for crocodiles to frolic and an India elephant donated as a calf from Sri Lanka, and who is the zoo’s most famous animal fixture. Additional, there is a goose section, a tiger enclave, an African Veldt enclosure and a domed area that houses storks, peafowl and herons. The complex also boasts the botanical garden, home to an extensive plant collection collected from the plant-rich Philippines islands and the South Pacific area, where visitors can learn more about the rich array of plants on display. In addition, boats can be rented in the nearby lagoon. Both educational and entertaining, the Manila zoo complex will be enjoyed by the whole family. If bringing the children, visitors can take advantage of all the rest stops and play areas scattered through the complex. In addition, souvenir shops and various eating places add more zing to the visit. The zoo is open from 7am to 6pm daily, and admission will cost visitors the nominal fee of PHP 10. So bring the entire family down for a fun, entertaining day of communing with nature in the city!

I-City in Shah Alam

A fun water park by day and an electrifying LED based lights spectacular by night, I-City in Shah Alam provides an exciting time out for the entire family. This site can be found around an hour away from the Malaysian capital and if you are in search of Kuala Lumpur serviced apartments from which to set off on your excursions then Ascott Kuala Lumpur makes an ideal option. This modern short stay apartment in Kuala Lumpur is ideally situated in the Central Business District making it well suited for both business and leisure travellers.

A great place to beat the heat, I-City in Shah Alam is home to Waterworld where you can enjoy some watery thrills and spills. Not to be missed is a chance to try the 160-foot long water slide known as the Tornado which will take your breath away! The site’s SnoWalk which has artificial snow also offers a cooling respite, while the Ferris Wheel and Trick Art Museum also provide plenty of family fun. It is at night however, that I-City really comes into its own; artificial trees, plastic figures of giraffes, flamingos, peacocks and more all come alight as countless LED lights light up the area in an array of colour.

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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Emerald Pool in Krabi

Although Thailand may be well known for its numerous cultural and historical attractions, there are several lesser known attractions, more like well kept secrets that any traveller will be thrilled to explore and one such place is Emerald Pool in Krabi. Be sure to book a Trang resort close to regional attractions and Krabi resorts such as Anantara Si Kao Thailand are ideal in this regard. As an interesting Eco-tourism place, Emerald Pool in Krabi can be reached by taking a drive from Ao Nang in Krabi. With its beautiful green aquamarine waters, the pool and its surroundings are bound to be a treat for nature lovers and Bird Watchers.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Surfing in Kuala Lumpur- Strengthen your skills in the man- made wave pool

Being the vibrant capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is a city with many fascinating attractions and exciting things to do. A convenient Kuala Lumpur hotel would always let you make the most of your trip while you try out adventurous outdoor activities in the city. Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur is one such luxury hotel in Bukit Bintang where you can reside while you enjoy and grasp every fun-filled activity in the city. Surfing in Kuala Lumpur is one of the thrilling outdoor activities you get to experience while you are in the city. The outstanding feature of surfing in KL is that you do not get to surf in the sea but in a grand man-made wave pool. This wave pool is an ideal place to learn surfing and strengthen your skills as it lets you release your tension. One of the places which offers this modern facility is Sunway Lagoon Theme Park in Kuala Lumpur. Even the best surfers in the world have visited this man-made wave pool and performed amazing stunts in these artificial pools.

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry. Google+

Bird watching in Abu Dhabi

Though bird watching might not top your list among attractions in Abu Dhabi, it is indeed a good way to spend the day and you will be surprised by the numbers and different species found in Abu Dhabi. Situated on the route of migrating birds on their way to southern or central Asia for breeding and wintering in Arabia and Eastern Africa with the coastline facing the northwest, it attracts hundreds of species of birds annually. The cultivated gardens, tidal creek and watered central reservations of Abu Dhabi create a haven for birds flying across large expanse of desert lands in search of their breeding and resting grounds further east. Although with rapid development the numbers have decreased in the past years, the hope is that with the increased gardens and greenery, more birds will continue to rest at Abu Dhabi despite the busy city.

There are a number of vantage points to watch bird migrations in Abu Dhabi but one can simply watch from anywhere green and still count a considerable number of birds and species during certain peak periods. There are a number of scattered islands along the Arabian Gulf where colonies of seabirds breed and their migrations can be viewed from the spit running northwest. The best place would be right at the northwesterly edge of the spit from May to August and also though autumn and winter till April when birds arrive in large numbers from their northern breeding grounds. Species seen here include reef heron, great blackheaded gull, lesser sand plover, slenderbilled gull, small waders and a number of other seabirds.

Along the Batin are patches of greenery and deserted beaches as well as areas of reclamation where birds such as masked shrike, redstart, isabelline shrike, hoopoe and many others have been seen. Great numbers can be seen at dawn and dusk during April behind some of the quieter roads where well watered central reservations can be found. Most impressive place to see waders are at the sewage outfall at the tidal creek on the east side of the island. Birds such as great white egret, purple heron, greyleg goose, and many others who come to feed near the creek including male black francolin and baillon crake can be seen if you are lucky.

Abu Dhabi beach hotels along the coast with little clusters of green are sure to attract migrating birds as well as those on their way to the islands on the gulf. After a busy day of sightseeing and shopping in the city come relax at a spa in the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara with the sounds of the twittering birds to soothe your mind. It is an Abu Dhabi Resort that ensures a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

Jordanian Plateau

With its outstanding geographical features, Jordan boasts of many attractive places to go on sightseeing. A conveniently located hotel in Amman Jordan would always be a great choice if you are planning to explore the area during your visit. Millennium Hotel Amman is a luxury Amman hotel that would let the travellers make the most of their journey by exploring all the top attractions around the city. For a thrill-seeking vacationer in Amman, Jordanian Plateau is a perfect site. Bordering from the Jordan Valley and Great Syrian Desert, Jordanian Plateau rises up to 3000 feet in certain parts. There are various rock formations in the area and this picturesque plateau is popular among the film producers as a breathtaking location for movies. Apart from many other tourist attractions and adventurous excursions, an exciting visit to the Jordanian Plateau would leave you with many unforgettable memories.

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry. Google+

Exploring Nan Luo Gu Xiang in Beijing

One of the oldest hutongs in the Chinese capital, Nan Luo Gu Xiang has both an old world charm and a rich heritage set amidst a lively atmosphere. Those wanting to truly experience life amidst the city’s traditional hutongs should look to stay at luxury hotels in Beijing such as Regent Beijing. Centrally located in the midst of these charming alleyways, it is one of the best placed 5 star hotels Beijing has to offer in the historic quarter. Make sure to make your way to Nan Luo Gu Xiang in the downtown area of the city where you can explore this area that has become a popular night time haunt. As you walk along the alleys you will come across quaint cafés, shops and galleries. A perfect place for some people watching as well, Nan Luo Gu Xiang also has several restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a relaxed meal or drink while watching the world go slowly by.