Hiking on Jinshanling and Simatai Great Wall

China’s Great Wall offers the most scenic opportunities for capturing a unique slice of East Asian splendour to take home. Visitors to Beijing looking for quality serviced apartments Beijing offers will be delighted with the Ascott Raffles City Beijing. This fine example of serviced apartments in Beijing offers spacious, comfortable accommodation with stylish amenities that cater to both leisure travellers and business professionals. When you want a welcome break from the concrete jungle, take a hike on the Great Wall, from Jinshanling to Simatai, which is one of the most popular wall walks one can embark on. Be treated to gorgeous scenery and the walking workout of your life as you navigate steps that both wind up and down, so a workout is certainly guaranteed! Visitors can walk from Jinshangling to Simatai or vice versa, although Jingshanling-Simatai is the most popular way to go, since once in Simatai, you can decide if you want to tackle the Simatai ridge, depending on your fitness levels. The hike will take four-six hours one way, as well as some extra time if you want to spend exploring both areas once you get to them. No matter which direction you hike, make sure to stop at Xiwuyanlou, which is located just past Jinshanling, for a world-famous photo-op when you look east towards Simatai. Hikers should bring food and plenty water, in addition to appropriate shoes, and dress to handle the weather. Also bring a hat and wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. Don’t forget your camera and some extra money for tickets and some other minor expenses. To avoid the crowds, try and go during the week and earlier during the day, if possible. It is truly a unique experience to hike the wall, and this is one of the most popular trails avid hikers can take, so get walking today!

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.

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Beijing World Park

Beijing World Park is a theme park set in 46.7 hectares, where many of the world’s iconic sites have been carefully replicated so that visitors get a chance to see the world virtually at a glance without having to spend too much money, and all in one day. To get around five continents, visitors can either take the ‘ocean’ option where they get to visit the landmark of their choice in a speed boat or use the monorail or a battery-powered car. Divided into seventeen themed sections, the park represents landmarks from fifty countries spanning the continents of Europe, the Americas, Africa, Oceania and Asia. The ‘continents’ are surrounded by four ‘oceans’ appropriate to the continent. The park displays a mix of natural and manmade wonders, old and new ranging from the Pyramids of Egypt to the Eiffel Tower in France to the Grand Canyon in the USA and the Taj Mahal in India. Replicas of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Kennedy Space Centre and Manhattan with the Empire State Building and the Twin Towers attract many visitors.

Iconic objects such as the Statue of Liberty and the Little Mermaid in Denmark are among the host of attractions that are still in existence, some of them in ruins and others found only in ancient documents. The most scenic area of the park is where some world famous types of gardens have been replicated such as an Italian terraced garden, the gardens of Japan’s Katsura Imperial Villa and traditional Chinese gardens. Except for the size, the landmarks replicated here are really close copies of the original. In the case of buildings the material they are made of and even ornamentation is faithfully reproduced.

A separate area offers souvenir shopping, dining and entertainment options including an IMAX theater, an American ‘cowboy’ roller coaster, and a children’s entertainment world among others. Daily entertainment is also offered in the form of parades with floats and performances of traditional dances from various parts of the world. In spring and summer, the park hosts festivals from countries represented in the park such as Songkran the Thai New Year, the tea ceremony from Japan and spring festivals of various countries.

Located in one of the most vibrant areas, Ascott Raffles City Beijing provides well-positioned Serviced Apartments in Beijing with easy access to shopping streets and supermarkets for easy self-catering, business and entertainment areas, and city attractions. This Serviced Apartment in Beijing comprising of expansive one to three-bedroom, well-appointed units, is not only equipped with excellent amenities, but a range of high-end business and leisure facilities that makes a stay here convenient for business and leisure visitors.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

Baiyun Mountain

Baiyun Mountain literally provides a breath of fresh air over the city of Guanzhou, China, as a layer of viresence that hovers above the city enables it to absorb 2800 tonnes of carbon dioxide and release 2100 tonnes of oxygen per day. Breath in the sights of the beautiful city from one of many excellent serviced apartments Guangzhou offers its visitors. The Ascott Guangzhou boasts stylish modern interiors and a central location, and it is an example of one of the best service apartments in Guangzhou that caters to business or leisure visitors. When staying in the city, take the time to take in the natural splendour of Baiyun Mountain, which has nurtured a claim to scenic fame for centuries. Its name is rather poetic, as it refers to the view of the mist-covered peaks seen in late Spring, or after the sky has cleared after rainfall. The mountain is a wellspring of lush verdure, with various parks, hills and lakes gracing the 30-peak mountain range, and makes it ideal for sightseeing during the summer period, especially. With a development history of over 1,000 years, it boasts six splendid sight-seeing zones: Mingzhu Tower, Moxing Ridge (star-scraping ridge), Santai Ridge, Luhu Lake, Mingchun Valley and Fei’e Ridge. In addition, the past ten years have see the addition of more spectacular scenic spots such as the Baiyun Cableway, the Forest of Steles, Xinghai Garden, Yuntai garden and Nengren temple. Any visitor to Guangzhu should definitely take a break from the trappings of the concrete jungle and witness the serenity afforded by the scenic Baiyun Mountain.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Golf Vacations in Vietnam

Declared as the Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, Vietnam is a wonder waiting to be discovered. A land with a fascinating history dating hundreds of years back, a climate that can only be marvelled at all year along and a breathtaking natural splendour, this amazing location is nothing but perfect for a holiday. The country now offers its visitors championship courses that successfully put most western golf grounds to shame.

Popularly known as the ‘Next Thailand’ in relation to golfing, this amazing country is home to many beautiful golfing locations. The formation of the Ho Chi Minh Golf Trail in 2008 saw the Vietnam golf courses gaining global recognition. In total there are about 16 courses operating successfully within the country and around 30 under construction.

Golf courses singled out as the best here include the Dalat Palace Golf Club, the Montgomerie and the Ocean Dunes Golf Club. The growth in the number of tourist arrivals in the country and the high rising golf tours have also been due to the reasonable cost of these holidays, the far stretching coast line admired by many westerners and the tropical climate guaranteeing a great experience all year around. Consequently the number of tourist arrivals has seen an immense increase from around 250000 to 4.5 million a year.

If you are on the lookout for a beautiful Vietnam Hotel to spend your days at ease while holidaying in this beautiful country, consider a Resort in Mui Ne that believes in creating a truly authentic experience. Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa is a gorgeous hotel ideally located in the heart of Mui Ne that boasts of well-appointed rooms, world class service standards and a traditional Vietnamese touch in its hospitality.

Head over to Vietnam where there is so much to experience and savour. From traditional Vietnamese culture to ancient historic monuments that resonate architectural splendour of the good old east, mouthwatering Vietnamese cuisine and amazing golf locations. Experience the east like never before when you choose Vietnam as your next holiday destination.

Experience Mountain Trekking in Bali

Home to thick jungles, traditional villages and not forgetting stunning mountains, Bali is a great place for exciting adventure treks. Mountain trekking in Bali is particularly popular and those planning to embark on such activities should first look into finding a suitable base for their travels. Staying at a Bali luxury resort makes an ideal choice since it lets you enjoy the very best the island has to offer. Located by Sanur golden beach, Regent Bali is just one such 5 star hotel Bali that also has a spa which provides plenty of holistic healing after a long day of trekking.

Adventure travellers have two main mountains on the island worth exploring; the Batur and Agung mountains. It is best to start your trek as early in the morning as possible. This not only lets you avoid the burning noon day sun, but also gives you an opportunity to witness some truly spectacular sunrises. Making your way across rugged slopes with nothing but the stunning panoramic vistas unfolding around you, it is easy to get lost in thought and be overawed by Mother Nature decked out in all her glory.

Phuket Cable Jungle Adventure

A bird flies carefree from tree to tree; the wind crushes across its face as it spans views that we can only imagine. You watch Tarzan and envy his artistic skill of flying from mountain to mountain and enjoying the experience of a bird even for an instance. In Phuket the ecstatic fantasy of feeling like a bird actually becomes reality in its very famous cable jungle adventures. While you are safely strapped to a cable you are actually able to ‘fly’ through the jungle enjoying sceneries you have never seen before and a taste of this world like you have never experienced before.

The cable jungle adventure is a highlight in the city that brings to you a package of fun and excitement. It is edgy enough to give you that full blown adrenaline kick yet safe enough to sail through this activity without even the slightest fear of dropping down. There are 15 stations in total each with a different level of intensity. Heights vary from 6 to 1200 meters and you can choose the drop depending on your threshold for heights. The entire setting is seated in the heart of the forest; the most perfect lay out to watch the world from the eyes of the bird. The technique behind the Jungle Cable Adventure is just as interesting as the adventure itself. The participant is actually strapped in harnesses as you glide with the aid of a pulley attached to cables that are connected from tree to tree. The best part about the cable Jungle Adventure is that it is open for the whole family. Seven years of age is old enough to enjoy this activity that is nothing but pure fun. You don’t need a training course to soar through the jungles of Phuket; just an introductory briefing where you can practice a few brake techniques from a test cable and then you are good to go.

For all you adventure lovers, a sports hotel Thailand has, is your place to stay and who wouldn’t like a sports hotel touched with luxury. In Thanyapura, you can enjoy the best of both worlds as it is a renowned luxury boutique hotel in Phuket.

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+

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

An attempt taken by a group of birdwatchers, upon discovering this ecologically rich location, later saw the incorporation of this site as a nature park in 1989. It was later developed in to a much larger conservatory of wetland nature with the help of experts in the field such as the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and the World Wide Fund for Nature. It was gazetted the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve much later in 2002, when it was also deemed a site of immense international importance for migratory birds.

A diverse variety of flora and fauna can be observed here at the park from worms to mollusks. Birds such as whimbrels, common redshank Mongolian plover and yellow bittern are common here. There is also a resident family of smooth otters, a favourite among visitors to the park. There are observation areas within the reserve that allow visitors to observe the beautiful flora and fauna around them from a tranquil spot without getting too close to these animals. Occasionally saltwater crocodiles are visible at the reserve.

On the 15th anniversary of the reserve in 2008, plans to develop the reserve were unveiled as designed by a team that represented National Boards and Societies in Singapore. According to these plans the park will be expanded to include recreational activity for the visitors. Four activity areas with specific programmes will be developed to cater to the various types of visitors. These zones will have different difficulty levels to choose from, with the 4th Zone dedicated to research and conservation activity.

There are concessions for group visits and various demonstrations and workshops to keep everyone engaged in exploring this amazing ecological jewel. You are able to conveniently get to the park via public transport, by getting to Kranji MRT Station and taking a 15 minute walk to the park. Alternatively visitors could drive to the beautiful northwest of Singapore.

Looking for a place to reside in while you discover beautiful Singapore? Choose a Singapore city hotel that puts you within easy reach of many of the attractions. M Hotel Singapore is a 4 star hotel Singapore that provides comfortable and chic accommodation at an affordable price.

Happy Valley

Among the diverse attractions in Shenzhen, there is Happy Valley. It is in fact a chain of amusement parks around China and the initial setting was in Shenzhen which was opened in 2002. Ever since then there have been four similar establishments set up with the latest set up to be opened in 2013.

Happy Valley at Shenzhen spans a massive area of more than 86 acres, and there are nine themed areas in the park. They range from Gold Mine Town, Cartoon City, Typhoon Bay, Playa Maya Water Park , Mt. Adventure, Shangri-la Woods, Happy Times, Spanish Square and Sunshine Beach. As the diverse names suggest, the attractions in these various parks are vastly different from one another providing a wide variety of adventure and fun activities for the visitors to choose from.

One of the biggest attractions here is The Playa Maya Water Park. It is open for five months of the year and there are a number of popular rides. They include, Snow Mountain Flying Dragon, Mine Coaster, Wild Elfin, Bullet Coaster and Baby Coaster. While some of these rides were there from 2002 itself, some were added in 2008 and in 2012 giving more great experiences to the visitors to this place.

It is truly a fun place to be with so many happy people screaming and shouting in joy and pure happiness. Whether one is in this part of the world with family or friends it is a great way to have a wonderful and a memorable time during a holiday.
There are lots of residential areas around the park, thus making it possible to visit this place for a fun filled weekend getaway for both the locals and the tourists alike. It is also well connected by public transport too.

Therefore, even those tourists who are in this city on for a longer period and staying at various Shenzhen serviced residence, can come here for some family time with the kids. Since there are several residential areas which are located close by to the park, many who live in diverse Shenzhen serviced apartment collections visit here. For those who are looking for a similar place with all the comforts of home away from home, there is Somerset Garden City Shenzhen.

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+

Trekking In Oman

Tourists with a love for the outdoors will definitely enjoy trekking around Oman. The country contains many interesting trails and trekking is the best way to explore the country’s rugged landscapes which are otherwise inaccessible. The trekking period runs from November to May, with the best time being from October to April. The climate is a lot cooler during this time. However, those who want to explore trails at higher altitudes should be able to do so anytime of the year without too much trouble from the heat.

During most trails, one is likely to come across diverse landscapes so one need not worry about scenic monotony. With trekking becoming a popular tourist activity in Oman, the government has taken several steps to ensure that it is easier and safer to do. Recently, trekking routes were marked with signposts and graded according to difficulty. Not only can trekkers decide on a route based on how easy it is to complete, the signposts will be very useful in navigating these routes.

Grade 1 routes are easy, Grade 2 routes are for those in good shape, while the Grade 3 routes are for seasoned trekkers. To make the activity easier, one should wear comfortable clothing, shoes and a hat. Bring along some food and plenty of water. Camera buffs should not leave their cameras behind. Some of the most popular spots for trekking include the Grand Canyon, the Jabal Shams, Samhan Mountain, the Bandar Khayran Reserve, the Jabal Hareem Fossils, and the Snake Canyon.

Tourists who do not want to miss any of the action should try to stay at a hotel in Oman that provides a lot of facilities. The Desert Nights Camp offers a myriad of activities such as desert trekking, sand boarding, dune bashing, and even camel safaris. It is one of those Oman hotels that is completely surrounding by desert giving it a secluded feel.

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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Guests will get to sleep in tents fashioned after those used by the Bedouins. Although the tents look pretty simple from the outside, they contain all the amenities one would expect of a top hotel and guests can live in style and comfort.

Skiing and Snowboarding in Queenstown

Winter sport junkies have a host of excitement to look forward to in New Zealand’s adventure capital of Queenstown. It is one of the country’s best locations for skiing and snowboarding and adrenaline-seekers looking for a quality Queenstown hotel have a thrilling array of choices. To relax and unwind after an exciting day of pounding the powder, the Millennium Hotel Queenstown offers stylish modern comfort that is a prime example of the best luxury hotel Queenstown features. Skiiers of all abilities will love the snow at Coronet Peak, which features a variety of slopes from the gentle bunny slopes for beginners to the rolling backcountry runs, and long, groomed ski trails. The Remarkables ski area offers a fun environment for family-friendly skiing, as 30% of the slopes are rated beginner-level, and ensure soft, dry and cold snow, ideal for shredding. Djs and live bands are also featured, and families can enjoy some fun inner tubing in between time on the slopes. Adrenaline junkies will find their nirvana in the form of heli skiing, perfect for those who are chasing the ultimate alpine adventure in the New Zealand wilderness, available through Alpine Heli Ski, true professionals in the field of winter sports. Snow Chaser is another great resource to tap into for those wanting the ultimate guided snowboard/ski experience. They know the terrain well and employ experienced local guides who know the New Zealand ski landscape like the back of their hand for that ultimate personal touch in snow adventuring. They arrange everything, from equipment rental and ski passes to heli skiing, cat skiing and snow mobile tours. No matter what your passion, visit New Zealand’s adventure capital for the best experience in some fine kiwi powder – bar none!

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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