Top things to do in Guilin, China

Guilin has some of the most beautiful karst landscape in the world. From taking a relaxing cruise along the Li River to hiking or biking in Yangshuo's countryside, there are so many things to do and to see that cater for different travel styles. 

Catch a show

With over 100 performers, the Dreamlike Lijiang show features a large range of performances including ballet dancers, acrobats and contortionists. The show is accompanied by high-tech lighting and sound effects, which add to the drama of the storytelling.

Though the show is not as prominent as the more famous Impression Light Show in the nearby town of Yangshuo, viewers will not be disappointed in the quality of entertainment. For travelers wishing to watch an ethnic show, Fantastic Guilin features performances from four nationalities such as Yao, Dong, Zhuang, and Miao. The show tells love stories and legends through folk singing and dance.

Visit the Rice Terraces

Guilin's rice terraces look like great chains or ribbons as they wind around the contours in tiered bands. The ethnic minority villages are also worth exploring.

An authentic travel experience goes beyond visiting the must-see attractions, and includes genuinely connecting with the locals and their customs. When you visit the rice terraces, you should visit a local ethnic family and let them share with you their stories while cooking bamboo tube rice.

Eat rice noodles

Guilin’s rice noodles are well-known throughout China as a cheap and delicious dish fit for any time of day. Soft and flavorful, the noodles are served in broth and commonly topped with gravy, pickled vegetables, peanuts, and various types of meat. For a bit of spice, pepper oil or chili flakes can be added.

These popular noodles can easily be found at numerous eateries in and around Guilin. Do not be surprised if the noodles from different eateries do not taste the same, though, as there is no standard recipe. This means that each restaurant has its own unique take on the noodles, making each bowl a new experience, and giving you the perfect excuse to eat them every day.

Visit Tianxin Village

At 30 kilometers away from Guilin City, this quaint little countryside village definitely holds its own in terms of awesomeness and 100 percent deserves a spot on this list. If you are looking to get off the beaten path, experience rural farm life, see some beautiful scenery, and take absolutely epic photos, than Tianxian Village is the spot for you.

The best way to get here is to hire a driver as it is a bit hard to find on your own. China does not make it easy as there are 3 villages all named Tianxin Village around Guilin and you have to know the right one to go to. It is about an hour drive to get here, but it is oh so worth the drive. It is best to go early in the morning to catch the farmers heading out to the fields with their buffalo walking over ancient arched stone bridges over the rivers and through endless rice fields. It is an incredibly picturesque place that will make you feel like you have gone back in time.

Visit a Tea Plantation

Tea lovers should definitely visit the Guilin Tea Science and Research Institute located just north-east of Guilin. Covering over 100 acres, the institute was founded in 1965 and is home to 250 different tea plants. According to the institute’s website, the land used for the tea plantation was originally the tea garden for royalty during the Ming dynasty. Visitors can watch a demonstration showing how tea is picked, processed and brewed. The institute produces an impressive 42 tons of tea each year and is the largest of its kind in the Guangxi region.

Read more: Visit Guilin's top natural sceneries

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6 famous Indian foods to try in Malaysia

You might not think of Malaysia as a hotbed for Indian cuisine, but any respectable foodie will love the Malaysian take on the subcontinent’s dishes. Malaysian Indian food make up the most popular restaurant choices in Penang and Kuala Lumpur, enhancing the local food scene with their liberal use of fragrant spices and curries along with healthy vegetarian options.

Nasi Kandar

Perhaps the most common Malaysian Indian food, nasi kandar is simple and delicious. You get a choice of meat, fried chicken, vegetables, or seafood on white rice; several small scoops of different rich curries are then added on top. A green vegetable can be added on the side. The most popular choices found in Mamak stalls are chicken, fish, prawns, squid, beef, and mutton; pork is never served.

Mee Goreng

The Malaysian Indian food answer for noodles, mee goreng is simply stir-fried yellow noodles served with diced potatoes, bean sprouts, and chilies. The gravy is made from tomato puree with a squeeze of lime to balance the sweetness. Some places add crushed peanuts on top.

Murtabak

Murtabak is a small, delicious sandwich of curried meat or vegetables between two pieces of chewy roti canai. Like all bread snacks, murtabak is served with rich lentil and dhall dipping sauces.

Nasi Biryani

Offered as a pricier upgrade from white rice, nasi biryani is a yellow rice packed with complex flavors. Cumin, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves, and a staggering arsenal of other pungent spices create a unique taste that will have you hooked on the first bite.

Chapati

Much like a Mexican tortilla, chapati is a thin wrap made from whole wheat flour cooked on a flat surface. Chapati is usually made to order and is stuffed with your choice of meat or vegetables in curry sauce. Chapati is a delicious, healthy choice for vegetarians.

Dosa

Sometimes spelled as "thosai", dosa is a South Indian dish thought to be over 900 years old. A thin crepe made from pounded rice and lentils is fried golden-brown on one side only, then folded around meat or vegetables. Dosa is a good Malaysian Indian food choice for people with wheat allergies.

See more: Nasi Lemak, a Malaysia's national dish

Source: Internet

Top classic Singaporean desserts you should try

Desserts in Singapore are a melting pot of diverse influences. They come together in a colorful smorgasbord of food that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. From icy cool dishes to jellies and cakes, here are the most popular delicious local desserts you’ve got to try when traveling to the sunny island.

Ice Kachang

This list would not be complete without what might be the mother of all Singapore desserts, Ice Kachang. There are red beans, jelly, chendol and attap chee (palm seed) hidden under a mountain of shaved ice, then soaked in the rainbow and doused with evaporated milk. A hit of Ice Kachang is sublime in the hot and humid weather. At many stalls, you can also add extra toppings like sweet corn, mango, durian or chopped peanuts.

Durian Pengat

The durian pengat is a stinky-fruit lover’s decadent delight, though non-durian lovers may also be converted if they only dare to give it a try. The dessert has its roots in Malay and Peranakan communities, where pengat refers to fruits or root vegetables cooked in a concoction of coconut milk and sugar. In the case of the durian pengat, the durian is cooked to a silky smooth mousse-like consistency, topped with extra durian for a double helping. Some innovative versions have it topped with butter croutons and dollops of palm sugar syrup, which only makes this well-loved dessert all the more flavourful.

Cheng Tng

Served hot or cold, this golden colored soup typically contains dried longans, white fungus, barley, gingko nuts and sweet syrup. Ingredients can vary. Some vendors may add other yummy additions like dried persimmon, sweet potato or lotus seeds. As a hot dessert, cheng tng is a warming and comforting treat – simply satisfying. If the weather is just too hot, have the dessert icy cold instead. So sweet and cooling.

Pulut Hitam

This dessert of Indonesian origin has all the typical Southeast Asian ingredients: coconut milk, pandan leaves and palm sugar. Black glutinous rice is painstakingly boiled until soft and creamy, then simmered with palm sugar and pandan leaves and served with swirls of coconut milk. Also a fixture of many dessert stalls in Singapore’s hawker centres, pulut hitam is both a filling snack and dessert of choice for many locals.

Ice Cream Sandwich

Ice cream carts can often be found in Singapore’s city centre, offering ice cream sandwiches instead of conventional cones or cups. These colourful carts are helmed by ice cream uncles or aunties (the endearing term Singaporeans give to these traditional vendors), delighting both kids and adults. They play a vital role in preserving an old-school Singaporean way of eating ice cream: sandwiched in fluffy pandan-flavoured bread, or crispy wafer slices. Flavours are typically chocolate, vanilla or strawberry, but if you are lucky, you can also find durian, sweetcorn or red bean varieties for a truly Singaporean take.

Read more: Taste the traditional sweets from Asia

Source Internet