TRAVEL

Mabul is located just 25 kilometers north of Sipadan and is used as a base to dive there. Diving at Mabul offers something different to the usual coral reef environment, it is often refered to as a macro heaven. Muck diving is the rage here, this is a term used to describe limited visibility diving at shallow sites usually with a sandy bottom. Muck diving offers the opportinity to observe rare macro critters close up, a photographers paradise. There are a number of similar sites such as the House Reef and Lobster Wall, we have just covered the more popular ones.

Mabul at a glance

Accommodation : Resort

Highlights : Muck diving, macro life.

Average cost of a dive : $40

Dive Sites : 5+

Dive Operators : 5+

Getting there : Boat from Borneo, 30 minutes.

Off Season : None, diving year round.

Sipadan Island is considered the pinnacle of diving in Malaysia and one of the top diving destinations in the world. Diving here is always good and sometimes it is simply awesome. The tiny rainforrest covered oceanic island forms the top of an ancient volcano that rises up from a 600 meter abyss in the northern Sulawesi Sea. There are several outstanding dive sites dotted around Sipadan's local reef system where you are likely to see sharks, turtles, manta rays and other big pelagics. Diving here is great for walls, drop offs and drift dives, it was only discovered as a dive destination in 1984 and even received an international boost when Jacques Cousteau spent several weeks here filming.

Sipadan Turtles
It is claimed that the waters around Sipadan have the largest turtle population anywhere. Most of them are used to divers and will even allow physical contact though this is rightly discouraged. Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) can be seen on pretty much every dive at Sipadan, there is even a Turtle Cave, a macabre site where the remains of less fortunate animals can be found. While the turtles are protected here they are killed elsewhere for their meat, hide and oil, eggs are also collected for sale on local markets

n order to preserve the rich marine diversity of Sipadan, the island has been declared as a protected national park reserve and as of 1st January 2005, all resorts based on the island of Sipadan itself closed down. The best way to dive Sipadan is from one of the local resorts on the neighbouring islands of Mabul and Kapalai.

Sipadan at a glance

Accommodation : None, resorts on nearby islands are the only option.

Highlights : World class dive sites, marine life and visibility.

Average cost of a dive : $45

Dive Sites : 20+

Dive Operators : 5+

Getting there : Speedboat from Borneo, 45 minutes.

Off Season : None, diving can be done all year round though Jan to March can see some unsettled weather.

The two paradise islands of Perhentian Besar (big) and Perhentian Kecil (small) lie around 21 kilometers off the coast of Kuala Besut on the eastern coast of the Malay Peninsular. They used to be a stop off point for traders and merchants plying the waterways, hence the name "one stop island". The islands now form part of the Terengganu Marine Park and are home to many species of reef fish, coral and other marine creatures. There are several dive sites around the two islands all quickly and easily accessible by local dive boat.

With thanks to Gan from Bubbles Dive Resort who supplied some of the maps for Perhentian dive sites in this section.

Perhentians at a glance

Accommodation : Bungalow

Highlights : Idyllic paradise surroundings, crystal clear waters.

Average cost of a dive : $20

Dive Sites : 10+

Dive Operators : 2+

Getting there : Boat from mainland 1 hour

Off Season : Nov / Feb

Although there are several dive operators on Langkawi most of the diving is done further south at Pulau Payar. There are four islands in this marine park some 30 kilometers south of Langkawi. It boasts the largest number of coral species in the country and the most vividly coloured soft corals. Vizibility isnt as good on average as other areas in Malaysia but this is made up for by the abundance of marine life. There is a large pontoon and underwater observation chamber here where vessels laden with day trippers from Langkawi moor up.

Pulau Payar dive sites
The southwestern tip of Pulau Payar offers a panoramic coral garden with steep canyons and crevices dropping down to around 18 meters. Marine life includes titan triggers, morays, lionfish and pufferfish. A litter further south is "Grouper Farm" named after the large number of resident groupers, viz is usually slightly lower here. Other popular dive sites around Payar are Lobster Garden, Porite Garden and Raaf Beach. There are a couple of spots around Pulau Lembu including Lembu Rocks and Goodyear Reef.

Pulau Kaca dive sites
South of the island is an artificial reef made up of seven sunken confiscated fishing boats. The wrecks are home to a wide variety of fishlife including jacks, mangrove snappers and groupers. Navigation is relatively simple and none of the wrecks lie deeper than 18 meters.

Pulau Segantang dive sites
This small island lies 13 kilometers west of Pulau Payar, it features steep rocky terrain down to 20 meters. Fish life is in abundance with barracuda, jacks, snappers and often nurse sharks. Tyre Reef is the most popular site here, there is also an anemone garden round the northern side of Segantang.

Langkawi/Payar at a glance

Accommodation : Resort/Bungalow (no accom on Pulau Payar)

Depths: 5 to 30 meters

Viz: 5 to 20 meters

Average cost of a dive : $25

Dive Sites : 10+

Dive Operators : 5+

Getting there : Boat from Langkawi 45 mins

Off Season : Nov / Feb

One of the best things about a Manila holiday is that it’s unbelievably easy on the pocket. Here, you can book a luxurious accommodation without breaking the bank. Here are some of the best low-cost Manila hotels.

A short ride away from shopping malls and business centres are the Legend Villas in Mandaluyong. “Tuloy po kayo” (“Welcome”) to this grand yet cosy hotel, where Venetian glass-framed mirrors, wooden staircases, and delicate chandeliers exude old world charm. A private stay in the affordable Premier Suites includes a kitchenette, two queen-sized beds, and a Jacuzzi. Four single beds can be found in the spacious Family Room, as well as a three-way toilet and bath. Try the best Filipino dishes at the Lola Maria Coffee Shop, and indulge in the brightly-coloured halo-halo (“mix-mix”), a sweet treat of shaved ice, milk, sugar, beans, jelly, bananas, custard, tapioca, and sweet potatoes.

Rizal Park commemorates the death by firing squad of Dr. Jose Rizal, the country’s national hero. Across is the legendary Manila Hotel, where American General Douglas MacArthur lived in the suite that now bears his name. Opulence and elegance befitting the country’s capital are found here, its rooms overlooking Manila Bay to the west, and the Walled City to the east, home to remnants of a Spanish colonial past. Guests will enjoy the indoor golf simulator, sauna, and massage services. Lessons in martial arts, swimming, and tennis are also available.

Check out photos of Manila here!

Within a mansion that was built before World War II is the Orchid Garden Suites Manila, one of the top boutique hotels in the Philippines. Visitors can get local and international meals from Café Alicia or Cattleya Restaurant. Chill-out music is provided at Tutso Bar, where they also organize karaoke nights. Standard Rooms have marble bathrooms, two beds, and a desk. The best part of the stay is the famed sunset over the bay, seen from the large windows. One can also swim under the shade of trees in the outdoor pool.

Within walking distance of shopping malls, restaurants, and the lively night scene of Malate, the Bayview Park Hotel has a new offering: the Family Weekend Package. For a reasonable price, a family of four can enjoy an overnight stay in a Superior Room, a buffet breakfast, tickets to the newly-opened Manila Ocean Park, shuttle service all over the city, and use of the swimming pool and gym.

'Selamat Datang' is the traditional Malaysian greeting that welcomes visitors to this vibrant and exotic country. Ethnically diverse cultures share the same lush landscape and create a fusion of cultural styles, cooking and religions that is distinctly Malaysian. Festivals throughout the year mark the Malay, Chinese and Indian holidays, as well as those of the indigenous Orang Asli and the tribes of Sabah and Sarawak.

Malaysia is a country with two distinct parts. Peninsula Malaysia constitutes the long fringe of land, extending down from Asia, which borders Thailand and Singapore. The South China Sea separates the mainland from the less populated East Malaysian provinces of Sabah and Sarawak. The dense jungles of Sabah and Sarawak support abundant plant and wildlife and Mt Kinabalu in Sabah stakes its claim as the highest peak in South East Asia.

It is the Peninsula that seems to attract the most visitors, probably because of the diversity it offers in the way of people, activities and climates. The highland regions offer cool relief from the clinging humidity of the mainland, while Langkawi is the popular choice for sand and surf enthusiasts. The east coast, particularly the northern Kelantan province, offers the chance for an interesting cultural exploration of traditional Malay life. The city of Kota Bharu and its surrounds is possibly the most fascinating part of the peninsula, and the least visited, with a remote beauty and rich culture. The west coast is favoured for historical interest, and is where Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur is to be found, the icon of Asian prosperity and the meeting point for expats and city slickers who enjoy the energy of urban life. The city is a powerful mesh of tradition and technology, vying for equal status.

Tibet (Xizang), the Roof of the World, remained unknown to the world until the beginning of the 20th century. The massive, snowy land has exerted an awesome draw on travelers and adventurers ever since. Its majestic scenery, mysterious and exotic religious culture, and wonderful people, reward every tourist with an indelible life long memory!

Tibet (Tibet Autonomous Region, TAR for short) borders Xinjiang, Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan internally while India, Burma, Bhutan, Sikkim, and Nepal meet its external borders. It covers a massive 1,220,000 square kilometers (470,920 square miles), which is about 12.8 % of the whole of China. With an average height of 4,000 meters above sea level, Tibet is encompassed by some of the world's highest mountains. The Himalayas to the south, the Karakoram to the west, and the Kunlun to the north are the dream lands of all adventurers and mountaineers.

The vast land is also the cradle of several great rivers such as the Yangtze River, the Yellow River, the Nu River (Salween), the Lancang River (Mekong), the Yarlong Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), the Indus, and the Ganges. Tibet also offers awe-inspiring scenery of beautiful lakes and valleys. Over 1,500 lakes including Heavenly Lake Namtso and the holy Lake Manasarova make Tibet the plateau with largest amount of lakes. Without irrigation and nurturance of these rivers and lakes, the surrounding lands may not flourish.

The long history and exotic religion allures more and more tourists every year. Tibetan Buddhism inhabits most Tibetans' hearts. Thus, a great deal of splendid monasteries, vivid murals and sculptures, and solemn stupas were built to worship the unparalleled Buddha. Lhasa and Shigatse, the most important cities of Tibet, feature most of the religious monuments including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Ramoche Monastery, Tashilunpo Monastery and Sakya Monastery. Besides the monasteries, sacred mountains and holy lakes are also great places to show the Tibetan peoples' devotion to Buddha.

Western Tibet, Ngari, is a vast barren plateau and renowned as the Roof of Tibet. As the place where the Holy Lake (Lake Manasarova) joins the Sacred Mountain (Mt.Kailash), Ngari is a holy pilgrimage destination of both Tibetans and Hindus, as well as a popular challenge to trekkers. The ancient Shang Shung Kingdom and Guge Kingdom also exert a pull. As the climate is so inclement few people live in this region. Therefore, Ngari is also the home of wild yak, Tibetan antelope, wild donkey, and many other rare wild animals.

In Tibet, five mountains exceed the altitudes of 8,000 meters (26,240 feet) and many of the mountains exceed the altitudes of 7,000 meters (22,960 feet). Hence, southwestern Tibet has been a popular destination for mountaineers. Mt. Everest towers over the region. Besides, more than 40 snow capped peaks are open to mountain climbing enthusiasts. Each year, thousands of adventurers and mountaineers come to Tibet to challenge both nature and themselves. Southern Tibet also offers primeval forests, running waters, and a relatively mild climate. Yarlong Tsangpo Canyon, the largest canyon in the world, is the home of rare plants and animals, and remains unknown to anyone other than the local people.

Tibetan people are warm and hospitable. Tourists can visit local families and experience the daily life of Tibetan people. Holidays and festivals are the most important days in Tibet. Enjoying the local food and dancing with beautiful Tibetan girls are the most excellent ways to celebrate these joyful times. Buying some typical handicrafts in Barkhor Street or from other authentic vendors may add extra happiness to your visit.

Beside white snow capped mountains, verdant virgin forests, clean running rivers and tranquil beautiful lakes, the devotional pilgrim progress toward their places of worship by prostrating themselves under the sky and along the roads, making people humble and modest. Tibet, the lost paradise under the sky, is undoubtedly a place where the spirit lives!

The already famous Tibet Railway that was completed last October has been officially set for operation from July 1, 2006. This miraculous engineering achievement will make Tibet, the mysterious and amazing sacred land with a thousand-year history, witness many changes leading to prosperity.

Following the opening of the Tibet Railway, 3,000 - 4,000 tourists are expected to travel to Tibet every day. It is anticipated that the railway will enhance tourism to both Qinghai Province as well as the Tibet Autonomous Region, thus bringing prosperity to that part of West China that until now has not enjoyed all the benefits attributable to the tourist industry. The new rail link provides the traveler with a more convenient, comfortable, safer and economical way to go to Tibet. In turn the railway will alleviate the pressure on exiting passenger transport during the peak period of the high season. The Tibet Railway offers the tourist the opportunity to see more of the wonderful landscape that is unique to the 'roof of the world'. By opening up the connection between Lhasa and Qinghai, the railway will not only give outsiders the opportunity to take Tibet tours but will also facilitate economical freight transport for the benefit of the Tibetan people as a whole.

The miraculous railway now closely connects mainland China and remote Tibet, which will speed up economic development. The Tibet Railway will not only bring about a significant change of the mystical view of the outside world to Tibet, but will also create a better cognition of the Tibetan people by the outside world. There is a strong belief that Tibet will welcome a better tomorrow thanks to this widely hailed sa

Las Vegas, NV Hotels, Tourism, Things to Do, Restaurants - Yahoo! Travel

Each of these monsters is much more than a mere hotel, and more too than the casino that invariably lies at its core. They're extraordinary places, self-contained fantasylands of high camp and genuine excitement that can stretch as much as a mile from end to end. Each holds its own flamboyant permutation of showrooms and swimming pools, luxurious guest quarters and restaurants, high-tech rides and attractions.

The casinos want you to gamble, and they'll do almost anything to lure you in; thus the huge moving walkways that pluck you from the Strip sidewalk, almost against your will, and sweep you into places like Caesars Palace. Once you're inside, on the other hand, the last thing they want is for you to leave. Whatever you came in for, you won't be able to do it without crisscrossing the casino floor innumerable times; as for finding your way out, that can be virtually impossible. The action keeps going day and night, and in this windowless – and clock-free – environment you rapidly lose track of which is which.

"Little emphasis is placed on the gambling clubs No cheap and easily parodied slogans have been adopted to publicize Las Vegas, no attempt has been made to introduce pseudo-romantic architectural themes or to give artificial glamour or gaiety."
– WPA Guidebook to Nevada, 1940

Las Vegas never dares to rest on its laurels, so the basic concept of the Strip casino has been endlessly refined since the Western-themed resorts and ranches of the 1940s. In the 1950s and 1960s, when most visitors arrived by car, the casinos presented themselves as lush tropical oases at the end of the long desert drive. Once air travel took over, Las Vegas opted for Disneyesque fantasy, a process that started in the late 1960s with Caesars Palace and culminated with Excalibur and Luxor in the early 1990s.

These days, after six decades of capitalism run riot, the Strip is locked into a hyperactive craving for thrills and glamour. First-time visitors tend to expect Las Vegas to be a repository of kitsch, but the casino owners are far too canny to be sentimental about the old days. Yes, there are a few Elvis impersonators around, but what characterizes the city far more is its endless quest for novelty. Long before they lose their sparkle, yesterday's showpieces are blasted into rubble, to make way for ever more extravagant replacements. The Disney model has now been discarded in favor of more adult themes, and Las Vegas demands nothing less than entire cities. Replicas of New York, Paris, Monte Carlo and Venice now jostle for space on the Strip.

The customer is king in Las Vegas. What the visitor wants, the city provides. If you come in search of the cheapest destination in America, you'll enjoy paying rock-bottom rates for accommodation and hunting out the best buffet bargains. If it's style and opulence you're after, by contrast, you can dine in the finest restaurants, shop in the most chic stores, and watch world-class entertainment; it'll cost you, but not as much as it would anywhere else. The same guidelines apply to gambling. The Strip giants cater to those who want sophisticated high-roller heavens, where tuxedoed James Bond lookalikes toss insouciant bankrolls onto the roulette tables. Others prefer their casinos to be sinful and seedy, inhabited by hard-bitten heavy-smoking low-lifes; there is no shortage of that type of joint either, especially downtown.

On the face of it, the city is supremely democratic. However you may be dressed, however affluent or otherwise you may appear, you'll be welcomed in its stores, restaurants, and above all its casinos. The one thing you almost certainly won't get, however, is the last laugh; all that seductive deference comes at a price. It would be nice to imagine that perhaps half of your fellow visitors are skilful gamblers, raking in the profits at the tables, while the other half are losing, but the bottom line is that almost nobody's winning. In the words of Steve Wynn, who built Bellagio and the Mirage, "The only way to make money in a casino is to own one"; according to the latest figures, 85 percent of visitors gamble, and they lose an average of $665 each. On top of that, most swiftly come to see that virtually any other activity works out cheaper than gambling, so end up spending their money on all sorts of other things as well. What's so clever about Las Vegas is that it makes absolutely certain that you have such a good time that you don't mind losing a bit of money along the way; that's why they don't even call it "gambling" anymore, but "gaming."

Finally, while Las Vegas has certainly cleaned up its act since the early days of Mob domination, there's little truth in the notion that it's become a family destination. In fact, for kids, it's doesn't begin to compare to somewhere like Orlando. Several casinos have added theme parks or fun rides to fill those odd nongambling moments, but only ten percent of visitors bring children, and the crowds that cluster around the exploding volcanoes and pirate battles along the Strip remain almost exclusively adult.

Pushkar Mela This fair is held at Pushkar town, 11 km from Ajmer in Rajasthan for twelve days annually. This cultural and trade cum religious fair is an attractive and lively spectacle with Rajasthani men and women in their colourful traditional attire, saffron-robed and ash smeared Sadhus (holy men) and thousands of bulls, cows, sheep, goats, horses and camels in richly decorated saddles. Perhaps the largest cattle fair in the world, it attracts more than one lakh people, from all over Rajasthan as well as tourists from different parts of India and abroad. Pushkar Mela Trading of cattle, camel races and dazzling displays of bangles, brassware, clothes, camel saddles and halters make the fair colourful. Necklaces of glass beads from Naguar, pottery, printed textiles from Jodhpur and Ajmer are all on sale here. Farmers, cattle traders and breeders buy and sell their animals, leather whips, saddles etc. There are facilities for camel rides also. This livestock fair coincides with the climaxing of a religious celebration. Pushkar is among the five main places of pilgrimage mentioned in the Hindu scriptures. It has a large number of temples including one of the only two temples dedicated to Lord Brahma in India. Hundreds of thousands of devotees take a ritual dip in the holy Pushkar lake on the day of the Kartik Purnima (full moon night of the Kartika month) and worship at the Brahma temple (Jagat Pita Shri Brahma Mandir). Pilgrims flock from all over India to be in Pushkar at this auspicious time. They also believe that all the 330 million Gods and Goddesses are present at Pushkar Lake during the occasion. Apart from the religious rituals and trading, people participate in a number of cultural and sporting events. The sweeping expanse of the desert becomes dotted with thousands of camels, stalls and camping families. The Rajasthan tourism Development Corporation has taken adequate measures to facilitate convenient access of the fair site and to accommodate the fairgoers.

Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, with a history of more than 2400 years, owes its importance to the fact that it was the gateway to the celebrated Silk Road that facilitated trade with Tibet, Sichuan, Myanmar and India. Today the city is the political, economical and cultural center of Yunnan and the provincial center for transport, science and technology and consequently has become the most popular center for tourism in Southwest China.

Kunming enjoys a pleasant climate and does its best to live up to its title of 'the City of Eternal Spring'. Whenever you are planning to go, the temperature is always pleasant. With its convenient transport links in and out of the city, Kunming welcomes and sees off tens of thousands of tourists every day.

For first-time tourists Kunming city center is an attraction with its two squares and five interlaced roads - Jinma Biji Square, Dongfeng Square, Dongfeng Lu, Jinbi Lu, Zhengyi Lu, Renmin Lu and Qingnian Lu, among which Jinbi Square has the most eye-catching architecture. Qingnian Lu, Zhengyi Lu, and Renmin Lu are the main commercial areas in Kunming; the most popular pedestrian streets are Nanping Jie, Jingxing Huaniao Shichang, and Jinma Biji Fang.

Kunming is the focal point of Yunnan minority culture. Some 26 ethnic minorities such as Yi, Bai, Miao, Dai, Hani and more inhabit the region. Each group has its own featured festivals such as the Torch festival of Yi people, the Golden Temple Fair and so on. The hugely successful 1999 International Horticultural Exposition enhanced Kunming's influence in the world resulting in a snowball effect upon tourism as more and more foreigners come to discover this enchanting part of China.

Its alluring highland scenery, bewitching karst landform, varied and exotic habitats and customs and places of historical interest can be found at major scenic spots such as Dianchi Lake, Stone Forest , the Village of Ethnic Culture, Grand View Pavilion, etc.

Kunming has more than one hundred star rated hotels and a variety of a thousand or so guest houses. These provide tourists a wide choice of somewhere to relax after whole day's tour.

Kunming is also renowned for many delicious local dishes; the most famous ones are Across Bridge Rice Noodle and Xuanwei Ham. You can enjoy them both at local famous restaurants or the night market. In the night markets you will find many pubs, bars and cafes that serve good quality meals.

Lastly, do not forget to buy some locally produced souvenirs for your friends or family when you visit Kunming, such as ivory or wood carvings, minority tie dyings. You will find a variety of stores to meet your specified requirements.

Beijing:

1. For Beijing Roast Duck Dinner you are taken to a famous restaurant, where you can be certain of a real treat.
2. As the Great Wall is far from the downtown area, a good restaurant is hard to find, but we have made great endeavour to discover one. Rather than use one or other of the cheap Friendship Store restaurants with pushy sales persons, we will drive you to a nice and decent local Sichuan Cuisine restaurant. This arrangement can effectively avoid mass-produced cheap food and has added advantage that you will not be distracted by being expected to tour some attached shops or showrooms, even though we pay high cost for the food and transfer.
3. For Peking Opera at Liyuan Theatre, premium-ticket row arrangement (different from those back theatre seats) with tea, fruits and cookies enables you to appreciate the fascinating Chinese Peking Opera performance of "civil" pieces characterized by singing, and "martial" ones featuring acrobatics and stunts.
4. For Luxury Series Tours: In Beijing, we would schedule you a perfect chance to dine at the most famous Cantonese cuisine restaurant which is thought to be the biggest and the best one to serve Cantonese cuisine in entire Beijing. It is located on the Wangfujing Street, after the dinner, wandering around the world famous pedestrian street and perhaps picking something on the way to surprise yourselves and your families.

DIFFERENCES CAN BE ONLY MADE BY COMPARISON. Travel China Guide is eager to offer top level services for our valued guests. It is the special attention paid to details that make one tour preferable to another and we suggest you consider the extra benefits and values we offer over and above those on tours available from other operators. We welcome suggestions and comparison as to ways in which we can further improve our tours. Meeting your need is our top priority. Thank you for considering Travel China Guide and we warmly invite you to join us for a truly unforgettable experience!

In China there is a saying that 'Xian has witnessed 2,000 years of history, Beijing has witnessed 1,000 years of history while Shanghai bears witness to the last 100 years.' For anyone who is interested in the history of modern China, Shanghai serves as an ideal starting point. Regarded as the 'Oriental Pearl', the city has a unique and important place in modern China and its rich heritage is worthy of exploration.

Yesterday's Shanghai

Shanghai, Hu for short, is situated on the estuary of Yangtze River, a position that led to frequently unwelcome intervention from foreigners seeking to impose their exports on the Empire during the nineteenth century. However, in the 1920s and the 1930s, Shanghai became an important international trade center. With its advantaged natural conditions, rapid development and splendid oriental culture, Shanghai was famed as the 'Oriental Paris' and attracted many entrepreneurs and established businesses. In addition, many foreign scientists, literary figures and artists chose to live, give lectures or just experience the Chinese charm in Shanghai. They included Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russell, Bernard Shaw and the poet RabindranathTagore, to name but a few. However, by the middle of the 20th century, the glory of the city was in decline.

Today's Shanghai

Having suffered the ravages of war, turmoil and economic crisis, the fortunes of Shanghai have been revived thanks to the great Reform and Opening Up since 1978. A favorable national policy, efficient administration, regular market mechanism and a large number of talents have come together to enhance by leaps and bounds the city's economic development in recent years.

Now over 300 of the world's top 500 enterprises have opened branches in Shanghai, while many have their research and development centers or headquarters there. Pudong New Area has developed in just five years, and Lujiazui in Pudong has become one of the foremost world class financial and trade zones in Asia. Skyscrapers such as Jinmao Tower and Shanghai Global Financial Center dominate the skyline, while landmark constructions like Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Pudong International Airport and Shanghai International Convention Center offer the finest and best of modern facilities.

These economic achievements are due to Shanghai's progress in the fields of politics, finance, trade, culture, science and technology. Various important international events have held in Shanghai, including political conventions, commercial conferences, academic forums, sports events, cultural exhibitions, film festivals and fashion shows.

Shanghai's rapid development has come as a great surprise to many in China and has international recognition. Shanghai has grown from a provincial city into an international metropolis on par with New York and Paris in just ten years. No other city in the world has done this - it is unique!

Hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world throng to Shanghai to see for themselves its great economic impulse, distinctive attractions and to savor its blend of Eastern and Western cultures. In the eyes of westerners, Shanghai has special oriental charm; while in the eyes of Chinese, Shanghai has a fresh western style. The old say that Shanghai is modern and fashionable, while the young say that Shanghai is old and reminiscent. Wherever you come from and whoever you are, you will find Shanghai an ideal tour destination.

Shanghai has many attractions in the downtown area, including Huangpu River, the Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jinmao Tower, Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden, Xin Tian Di and the special old streets and lanes. Besides, there are places well worth a visit in the suburbs such as Qibao Ancient Town, Zhujajiao Water Town and Chongming Island for in addition to its modern facets, the city has a wealth of more ancient Chinese traditions. Dining will be one of the most enjoyable aspects of your Shanghai trip. In addition to Shanghai dishes, restaurants in the city offer a wide variety of foods from other parts of China as well as a number of foreign countries.

Shanghai is a shopper's paradise. There are various bustling commercial streets and shopping centers waiting for you. These include Nanjing Road, Huaihai Road, North Sichuan Road, Xujiahui Shopping Center, Yuyuan Shopping City and Jiali Sleepless City.

The convenient transportation, comfortable accommodation and colorful places of entertainment will enhance your stay in this fascinating city.

Tomorrow's Shanghai

Shanghai continues to develop at an amazing speed. It will host the football preliminary of the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the World Expo in 2010, both of which offer the means to introduce Shanghai to yet more people worldwide. There is every reason to expect Shanghai to continue to surprise the world.