5 best places to go for a cycling tour in the Philippines

The Philippines is a country studded with magnificent views suitable for a cycling tour. From the mountains to the shores, it delivers breathtaking sights that cyclists will love. Here are the 5 best places in the country for a visit on your two-wheeler.

Sagada

The town of Sagada in the Mountain Province should be at the top of the cycling list. Not to be underestimated, cycling within the Cordillera Mountains naturally calls for a sturdy mountain bike. Popular trails in the area include Kiltepan and Marlboro Country. Traversing these uphill routes at the right times rewards visitors with surreal views of the sunrise within a sea of clouds. If more relaxed cycling is desired, however, slow riding around town and rice paddies still gives gorgeous views of surrounding mountains. The town’s activities and attractions shouldn’t be missed either. Cyclists can make a side trip to the famous Hanging Coffins of Sagada or take a bike-break for a day of spelunking in Sumaging Cave.

Palawan

Palawan is rarely recognised as the cyclist’s paradise but it undoubtedly is. The main island of Palawan is one long, narrow stretch of land. With the the capital city, Puerto Princesa, at the center of the island, travellers begin here and venture much further up north, normally to the popular tourist destinations of El Nido and Coron. But what many have yet to discover are the places in between. This is good for cyclists since these areas, such as Sabang, Roxas, and San Vicente, aren’t as heavy on the traffic, vehicle- and people-wise. Cyclists are best taking on these long-haul journeys from Puerto Princesa, northward, making multiple stops along the way, to truly appreciate the beauty of Palawan.

Mindoro

Most cyclists' favorite in this island province is the route from Calapan to Puerto Galera. This paved, winding route seems to offer every desired view imaginable, from shimmery coastlines to volcanoes and lush mountains. Cyclists can also enjoy many refreshing nature stops along the way in places like Infinity Farm, Tukuran Falls, and Tamaraw Falls. And at the end of the long journey, the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve-declared town of Puerto Galera awaits with beautiful beaches and flourishing coral reefs.

Corregidor

For a taste of something different, cyclists can take a step back in time with a trip to the island of Corregidor. Because of its strategic location at the gate of Manila Bay, Corregidor was a crucial fortress of defense used to protect the city of Manila. Due to this, it carries centuries of history that are still visible in its sites and ruins. The island is best for leisurely cycling and stopping at the various landmarks for tales of the past. For bike enthusiasts who also happen to be history buffs, this cycling destination should not be missed.

Batanes

Cyclists shouldn’t come to Batanes for difficult trails. Instead, cyclists should visit Batanes to admire the spectacular landscapes that can’t be found in any other part of the Philippines. The green rolling hills and high cliffs overlook views many compare to springtime in countries like Scotland and New Zealand. Cyclists should allot ample time for cycling North Batan, South Batan, and Sabtang Island because each one is truly worth the trip. The difficulty of reaching this island province brought by its remoteness and unpredictable weather is all made worth it by the lovely locals – sworn by visitors as being among the nicest in the country – and sights that are nothing short of spectacular.

See more: Top most beautiful towns in the Philippines

Source: Internet

Get to know Hong Kong's neighborhoods

Hong Kong is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Asia, and each of its neighborhoods contributes to this rich mosaic. Whether the nightclubs of Lan Kwai Fong take your fancy or the markets of Mong Kok are more your thing, there’s always something to see and do here.

Central

Graham Street Market in Central

Take a quick glance at Central’s glittering skyscrapers and it would be easy to dismiss Hong Kong’s financial hub as boring. But beneath the canopy of this concrete jungle lies some of the city’s most exciting (and exclusive) bars, restaurants and modern-art galleries. Perched on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, the district’s transport links are as good as you’d expect from a place named ‘Central’ – this is where you’ll find the Victoria Peak Tram, the Mid-Levels Escalator and the Star Ferry.

Sheung Wan

If suits own Central, then hipsters control Sheung Wan. Sitting in the shadow of Central’s high-rises just west of Hong Kong’s towering business district, Sheung Wan was a typical residential neighborhood until it began to modernise rapidly in recent years, welcoming a wave of trendy coffee shops, bohemian vintage stores and cutting-edge eateries to its streets. Here, you can shop for antiques on Hollywood Road; visit Man Ho Temple, one of the oldest in Hong Kong; and take photos of the street art in PoHo, the area around Po Hing Fong and Tai Ping Shan Street.

Lan Kwai Fong

Welcome to Hong Kong’s party central. Home to more than 100 bars, Lan Kwai Fong has a venue for everyone. Young professionals, expats, backpackers, cashed-up locals, yuppies and anyone else thirsty for a drink or three converge on this part of town on the weekend, flooding legendary nightspots like Club Qing, Levels and Cé La Vi.

Tsim Sha Tsui

Jump on the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour to reach one of Hong Kong’s liveliest neighborhoods on the southern tip of the Kowloon Peninsula. Tsim Sha Tsui is one stop that every visitor should add to their Hong Kong itinerary. Take in Nathan Road’s neon-lit Golden Mile, the Avenue of Stars – China’s answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame – and gargantuan shopping malls such as K11 and Harbour City. This neighborhood has a veritable smorgasbord of upmarket dining options: visitors can choose from Michelin-star fine dining, traditional Cantonese cuisine and international fare from pretty much everywhere around the world.

Read more: Must-try Cantonese dishes when visiting Hong Kong

Mong Kok

Mong Kok is all about one thing: markets, and lots of them. The air here is filled with the smells of food wafting from the stalls on Sai Yeung Choi, Dundas, Fa Yuen and Soy Streets – perfect for satisfying your hunger after a long day exploring the Ladies’ Market or the district’s specialist markets dedicated to birds, flowers and even goldfish. Hipsters should venture further north to Sham Shui Po, an up-and-coming food and shopping hub.

Source The Culture Trip

Best street arts destinations in Singapore

Did you know that despite Singapore’s reputation for clean streets and strict rules, there is a flourishing street art scene? Here are the spots where you can find the best street art in Singapore.

Victoria Street

Fans of Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic‘s works don’t have to go to Penang to see his art – he has several works, featuring his trademark images of local children playing, scattered along this stretch of road between Arab Street and Jalan Sultan. The piece with an actual supermarket shopping cart is especially popular. Also of note is the giant camera-shaped building that houses the Vintage Cameras Museum, with a mural by Singaporean artist Ceno2 on its side.

Haji Lane

Hipsters love Haji Lane for its many indie boutique retail outlets – but what attracts the photographers are the Insta-worthy murals that cover the walls of the shophouses near the Beach Road junction. Colombian artist Didier Jaba Mathieu’s futuristic pop-colour characters feature prominently, but don’t miss the alleyway that connects to Arab Street which features works by Ceno2, Yok & Sheryo and local crew ZincNiteCrew.

Aliwal Street

Pop into the alleyway behind the Aliwal Arts Centre and you’ll find an ever-changing canvas of works on the back walls. This is thanks mostly to local crew RSCLS, who have a studio space in Aliwal Arts Centre alongside many of Singapore’s prominent performing arts groups. Pop over to Sultan Arts Centre across the street to find graffiti shop The Blackbook Studio and you may even chance upon the artists at work on the long panels in its yard.

Tekka Centre

A popular market and hawker food spot in Singapore, there are several murals to be found around the market complex. This is thanks to the annual ARTWALK Little India, an outdoor arts festival that commissions local and international artists to create works celebrating the culture of this Indian heritage district. Check out Buffalo Road, Race Course Road and Bellilos Lane for various murals that pay tribute to past landmarks and customs unique to Little India.

222 Queen Street

Art is in abundance in this district with the Singapore Art Museum, National Museum and various private galleries within a stone’s throw – but of biggest note to street art lovers is the long wall on the side of 222 Queen Street that connects to Waterloo Street. This long wall is an outdoor gallery for various street art projects, the latest being a collaborative project between Singaporean and Thai street artists.

See more: Reasons why Singapore is a worth-visiting destination once