Visit the best neighborhoods of Taipei

Visitors to Taipei often find themselves confined to their hotel’s neighborhood or the city’s most famous attractions. But Taipei is so much more than amazing temples, museums, and the one-time tallest building in the world. Here are five of the coolest neighborhoods to spend an afternoon away from the tourist masses.

Tianmu

Formerly home to United States Armed Forces personnel, Tianmu is one of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods and has the largest expatriate population in the region. It’s in this neighborhood that Taipei’s most famous international schools have their campuses and despite the high rents and house prices, it remains one of the most sought-after addresses in the city. Close to Beitou and Yangmingshan National Park, the area is also a melting pot of both local and foreign cultures.

Ximending

The weekend haunt of many of the city’s teenagers, Ximending is a shopping area and an interesting cultural experience rolled into one. Home to a huge number of shops catering to the fashion requirements of Taiwan’s younger generation, it’s not uncommon to see outfits that look like something from a cosplay convention on the neighborhood’s many pedestrianized streets.The area is full of restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels, cinemas, and even Karaoke clubs. There’s so much to do and see in Ximending that it’s a neighborhood well worth visiting.

Shida

Once home to one of the city’s busiest and most famous night markets, Shida neighborhood has quietened down in recent years due to complaints from the locals that live there. It is still a great place to find something to eat or take a walk through, visiting the small boutiques and stores that line the narrow alleyways.The proximity of the university and student halls of residence mean it’s a predominantly student crowd that visits the neighborhood and gives the area a multicultural vibe.

Gongguan

Just a short walk from Shida lies the neighborhood of Gongguan. It’s another student area but is much more vibrant than its quieter neighbor. Countless food stalls and hole-in-the-wall restaurants line the network of tiny streets and lanes in the local nightmarket. Like Xinmending, there are also plenty of places to eat out, a few bars (there’s even an Irish bar here), and two cinemas. Like Shida, the proximity of the main campus of NTU (National Taiwan University) lends the neighborhood a feeling of diversity.

Daan

Home to the city’s largest park, Daan is a district that has a reputation for housing some of Taipei’s best and most interesting restaurants. It’s here that the many locals and expats spend their Saturday and Sunday afternoons relaxing in one of the many cafés and restaurants on Yongkang Street.

The district is also home to a number of trendy bars serving the latest craft beers. But it’s quite possibly the many sights and sounds of Daan Park that makes this one of the most pleasant areas in the city.

See more: Things to do when traveling to Taipei, Taiwan

Source: Internet

Where to go shopping in Cebu, Philippines

Cebu, being a historic center of trade, can also be considered as a shopper’s paradise. The city offers a variety of shopping, from upscale malls with international brands to small stalls offering the best local products the island has to offer. And since it is almost the holidays, what perfect timing to know where to go to find the best bargain and shopping in Cebu.

Robinsons Galleria Cebu

One of the largest Robinsons shopping malls outside of Manila, Robinsons Galleria Cebu contains over 300 stores across 6 floors. While exploring the mammoth shopping complex, you will find boutiques, stores, restaurants and bars, including international brand-name stores such as True Value.
Naturally, there is also the Robinsons Department Store and Robinsons Appliances. The entertainment section of the complex is no less impressive, containing a 6-screen cinema. All of this is conveniently found just a stroll away from the Port of Cebu.

Ayala Centre Cebu

The six-storey complex, Ayala Centre, is an up-market mall with international street-fashion brands like Armani Exchange, Guess, Lacoste, Esprit. This is one of the major spot for clothes shopping in Philippines. The mall has two supermarkets, a modern department store, cinemas, health spas, restaurants and other stores.

Unitop

Unitop Enterprises Inc. is a store that sells almost everything and anything under the sun (except for grocery and food items). There are three branches here in Cebu, one in Osmeña Blvd., in Mandaue, and in Lapulapu. The store sells household essentials, kitchen items, electrical appliances, small furniture, decorations, clothing and other fashion items, toys, gadgets, and a whole lot more. Although some would question the quality of the products being sold here, it really is a one-stop-shop for all your needs, sold at a low price.

SM City Cebu

SM City Cebu is a huge shopping mall, easily among the biggest in the city in Philippines. The 4-storey complex comprises a large department store, a supermarket, over 500 shops and restaurants, cinemas (including an IMAX theatre) and a fully computerised bowling centre.

Many people come here to buy electronic items such as digital cameras, smartphones because of the unusually low prices. Even so, you will also find plenty of fashion, fragrances, healthcare items and food, among other items. The stores and brands tend to be around the mid-range, with a few big-name standouts also available.

Carbon Market

The Carbon Market has been operating for over 100 years and still offers great prices on a staggering range of goods. The wares available at this local market range from fresh meat and vegetables to clothing, home décor and religious items.

The market is relatively big, though you can hire a horse carriage to take you around. Also, there are food stalls and restaurants serving inexpensive local dishes until late afternoon. Large parts of the market are under metal roofing and, with little air circulation, it can get very stuffy and sweaty, especially in the midday heat – make sure you keep well hydrated!

See more: How to spend 2 days in Cebu, Philippines

Source Internet

Reasons why you should visit Dubai during winter

Dubai residents wait for winter all year long. Indeed, those three months of the year are the most anticipated and enjoyed ones, with people talking about winter year-round and counting down the days. After all, Dubai takes on a new face during this season, which makes the entire city one of the best places to visit during winter.

Temperatures are actually bearable

Anyone who lives in Dubai will complain about the weather at least 10 times a day during summer. After all, temperatures rise as high as 50°C (122°F), making it impossible to be outdoors without dehydrating. However, winter in the city has weather that is not only bearable—it’s actually delightful! People will find any excuse to be outside during winter in Dubai and take advantage of the brief period of time when the city has a breeze and comfortable temperatures.

Winter is beach season

Beach season is an exciting time all around the world. People simply love tanning and enjoying the sea water. However, in Dubai, that is done during winter. Since it’s too hot outside during the rest of the year, this is the season to work on the perfect tan. For those who are looking for a winter destination that does not involve coats and gloves, booking a trip to Dubai will guarantee that they’ll only have to pack swimsuits.

New Year’s in Dubai is a blast

Dubai is known worldwide for its New Year’s festivities. There is no shortage of ways to spend New Year’s Eve (NYE) in the city. Whether one wants to spend it on the beach or in a luxurious hotel watching the Burj Khalifa fireworks, one thing is for sure: New Year’s in Dubai is always fun. People start planning their NYE months in advance, picking the perfect dress—yes, the weather is perfect to wear short dresses, with no need for jackets and such—and choosing the best venue from which to view the epic fireworks.

All the best events take place in winter

Dubai is big on events. They can focus on fitness, fashion, music or food, and they are a way that the city keeps its residents and visitors entertained year-round. However, most of the best and biggest events actually take place in winter. Anything from the biggest concerts in town to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship takes place at the beginning of the year when the weather is good enough to be outside.

Winter is camping season

For those looking for any good reason to be outside, camping is a fantastic way in which to enjoy the weather and make the most of the cooler temperatures. People in Dubai will commonly head to the desert in order to camp, where the temperature drops even lower. It gives them a real chance to be cold, something that is very rare in Dubai, with the exception of air conditioning.

See more: Best desserts you should try in Dubai

Source: Internet