Top attractions in Guilin, China

According to the Chinese, Guilin has “the finest landscape under heaven” and the surrounding scenery has inspired Chinese landscape paintings for centuries. It even features on the Chinese 20 Yuan banknote. If you are having plan to Guilin, here are 6 attractions for you.

Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces

In May, the still-unplanted terraces of water will mirror the white clouds and color of the sky above, yielding some of the best opportunities for photographers to shoot the sunrise. As harvest season approaches in early fall, venturing out onto the mountain slopes gives travelers the chance to witness Zhuang farmers covering the slopes, bending down into the harvest and tending to the intricate bamboo and earthen irrigation systems which give life to the mountainside.

Li River

Cruising from Guilin to Yangshuo, a water way around 80 km (50 miles), is also called Li River Essence Tour. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Guilin. Along the way, the blue sky, green mountains with strange rocks and the clear water compose a beautiful painting. Boarding on a comfortable cruise to appreciate the attractions like Yellow Cloth Shoal which was printed on the note CNY 20 will really be an unforgettable experience.

Bamboo Rafting Yangshuo

Bamboo rafting along the Yulong River was definitely one of the highlights of our Guilin trip. This Yangshuo River is a small tributary of the great Li River and bamboo rafting along here is one of the most popular things to do in Yangshuo.

You can cycle through the countryside to reach the bamboo rafting launch site, but be aware that you first need to navigate the city traffic and so you will need to decide if you are comfortable doing this with your kids on board.

Elephant Trunk Hill

Elephant Trunk Hill is located in the center of Guilin City and it is one of the most famous landmark sceneries. The shape of the hill is like a giant elephant sucking the water from Li River with its nose. That is why its name is Elephant Trunk Hill. On the hill, there is a brick tower Puxian Pagoda which was built in Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Another good place to see the Hill is Love Island which is to the north of the Hill. You cannot miss the interesting Elephant Trunk Hill and it deserves one of the best places to visit in Guilin.

The Reed Flute Cave

A natural beauty and a must-see if you are looking for more things to do in Guilin. A 15-minute taxi ride away, the Reed Flute cave area offers fantastic views and a fun day out.

You pay a 120RMB entrance fee which is pretty high, but you will probably spend a few hours there so you will get your money’s worth. The caves themselves are situated relatively high up. You will either need to jump on the train and pay 35RMB or walk up the steep stairs. The stair option gives you the chance to view your surroundings, but you will be knackered by the end of it!

Pedestrian Street

Photo Cavinteo

Most cities have these but each will be different. You will always find at least one thing that will interest or shock you. About a ten minute walk from Guihu Lake, the pedestrian street is buzzing with food, clothes and toy stalls.

Lined with shops, bars and restaurants too, you are guaranteed to find somewhere you will want to check out. There are turnings off the main street, wander down here and you will find more authentic restaurants and bars.

Source Internet

Spend a day in Genting Highlands, Malaysia

There are plenty of things to do for 24 hours in Genting Highlands beside the casinos and cool weather, such as making the most of the ornate temples and delicious gastronomy on offer. If you find yourself here on business or a short layover, here is a guide on how to spend 24 hours in Genting Highlands, Malaysia.

Morning

Before taking a cable car ride up to Genting Highlands Resort, visit the Genting Strawberry Leisure Farm to harvest fresh strawberries. Handpick your own strawberries and take them with you as your breakfast for the bargain price of RM8 (less than US$2) for 100g. Take photos of the lavender fields at Lavender Farm, and savour strawberry delicacies at their café. You can see how mushrooms, herbs, and vegetables are cultivated at the farm.

Next head down to the little town of Gohtong Jaya where the Awana Skyway is waiting to take you on a cable car ride. Have your lunch at the restaurants that serve delicious meals at affordable prices. We recommend you to try the Chinese food served at the Yik Kee or Chuan Kie restaurants. Don’t forget to buy some sweet durian tarts and cakes as your snack.

Afternoon

Take the cable car (standard gondola: RM8 (around US$2) per person; glass-floor gondola: RM50 (around US$12) per person) at the Awana Skyway that takes you up to the Genting Highlands Resort. Marvel at the scenic panoramic mountain and rainforest views and soak in the scenery during the cable car ride. Just 10 minutes away from Genting Highlands Resort, visit the Chin Swee Cave Temple (built in 1976 to symbolise Buddhism), climb up the nine-storey pagoda, and learn about Buddhism through the sculptures at the Buddhist Journey to Enlightenment. You can see the whole view of the Genting Highlands from the observation deck.

See how the hardworking bees make honey at the Happy Bee Farm. You will have the chance to buy a wide selection of honey products, including honeycomb, royal jelly, and propolis. Right next to Happy Bee Farm, visit Insect World to learn about the insects’ ecosystem. You will get the chance to learn how to mount dead insects onto boards as displays. Then admire the beautiful butterflies fluttering around in the garden at Butterfly World.

Evening

Enjoy your night by dining and shopping at SkyAvenue. There are more than 70 retail and dining outlets for you to see, eat, and shop at throughout the night. Savour the local delicacies at the Malaysian Food Street. Try the La Fiesta (Spanish food), Burger & Lobster (from London), and Motorino (delicious Brooklyn pizzas) for your dinner. Enjoy French coffee, and other coffee & tea cocktails at Café Richards.

Visit Horizon 50 and The Visitor’s Galleria to find out how the founder of Genting Highlands Resort, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Lim Goh Tong, fulfilled his dreams of building the resort. Take a sneak peek at the forthcoming 20th Century Fox World Malaysia Theme Park, which is due to be launched in late 2017.

Enlighten your evening by having fun at SkyCasino and Genting Casino where there is a wide selection of electronic gaming machines and conventional gaming for you to try your luck and skills. Challenge your friends in a bowling game in the dark, at Glow in the Dark Bowling, Genting Bowl. Or listen to music and dance the night away at Cloud 9.

See more: Places you cannot miss in Genting Highlands

Source: Internet

7 awesome hot springs in Taiwan

When you travel to Taiwan in winter, the hottest thing to do is to take a hot spring. In addition to the well-known Beitou Hot Springs, in fact, all over Taiwan are hot spring hotels, and all kinds of theme hot springs will not get bored even if do it every day. By historical reason, there are many Japanese style buildings, some hot springs can also be boiled eggs while go to hot springs, below will recommend 7 Taiwanese favorite hot springs.

Wulai Hot Springs

A little further from Taipei, you will find the aboriginal village of Wulai which is also home to several hot spring resorts and a public riverside hot spring. The area is a very interesting place to visit even without the hot spring as there are waterfalls, a cable car, and even a mini-train to keep tourists amused. The riverside hot spring is the most popular, and it is pretty easy to find. Walk through the village and cross the bridge and there you will see the public hot spring area down by the river.

Wenshan Hot Spring

Hualien’s Wenshan Hot Spring is something of a hidden gem. As very few locals know about it, bathing in the pool’s shallow cave is intimate and memorable. While it does not feature large resort style facilities like many other hot springs in Taiwan, it is still provides clean and well-maintained showering and toilet facilities. A dip in Wenshan Hot Spring is a lovely end to a day exploring Taroko National Park.

Yangmingshan Hot Spring

Located in the Yangming Mountain area near the outskirts of Taipei City, because of its convenient transportation and beautiful natural scenery, it is ideal for couples dating and family travel. It is a hot spot for northerners to take a vacation. The Yangmingshan Hot Spring is distributed between the six caves and the seven caves of the Shabu Mountain in Shanxi. You can enjoy the cold water pit, the manger, the Gengziping and other places. The special feature of this place is that the spring is different and the functions are very different. A wide variety of options are available.

Kyomoto Onsen

Located in the Chihpen Valley of Taitung City, the Chihpen Hot Springs have been developed for a long time. As early as the Japanese era, it was gradually developed. The Chihhot Hot Springs are weakly alkaline sodium bicarbonate springs, clear and colorless, rich. Containing minerals, it has the effects of whitening, moisturizing and promoting blood circulation. The Chihhot Hot Springs have been developed as early as in the Japanese occupation period. Today's Zhiben Hot Springs is an internationally renowned Taiwan hot spring tourist area. It is a well-known hot spring town in Taiwan and is one of the top eight scenic spots in Taiwan.

Zhaori Saltwater Hot Springs

One of only three saltwater hot springs in the world, a trip to Zhaorion Green Island is a once in a lifetime experience. Fed by a combination of seawater and underground thermal waters of this small volcanic island. There are three pools that face the ocean, and they say that settling in the relaxing waters to enjoy the sunrise is an experience not to be missed.

Baolai Hot Spring

Baolai Hot Spring is located in Kaohsiung Six Turtles, which is located in the northeast of Kaohsiung. So when the Japanese troops came to Taiwan, they found it to be Penglai Wonderland. Baolai Hot Spring is a hot spring formed by geothermal heat. The spring is a sulfurized cyanide spring. The spring color is transparent, clear, colorless and tasteless.

It is said to have the function of strengthening the bones, beauty, and maintaining the immune system. Moreover, the hot spring water of Bora can not only be bathed, but also drinkable. The natural resources of Liugui District can be said to be very rich, and there are many tourist attractions to go around!

Jinshan Governor General Hot Spring

Opened in 1939 by the then Japanese Governor of Taiwan, these hot springs are unique in that due to the location you not only have different varieties of water available but you can also have a view of the ocean while you relax. This hot spring also provides both male and female naked pools, and for those uncomfortable with public nudity, there are private rooms too.

Read more: Top unique and interesting landmarks in Taiwan

Source Internet