Australia [top]
|
| | Sydney [top] |
| | Founded in 1778, Sydney is the capital of the state of New South Wales. To visitors today, Sydney is a lively, friendly, and modern city of over three million, built around a spectacular harbor. For a view of Victorian Sydney, stroll through the Paddington District past row houses with their iron lace balconies. There are more than 100 beaches within its borders, and Sydney is a leisure-loving city. Yet night life and the arts are not ignored. The Sydney Opera House, with its concrete flying sails in the harbor, is surely one of the architectural wonders of the world. Sydney also boasts an astonishing variety of eating places, and is a mecca for shoppers as well. The city definitely offers some of Down Under’s finest attractions. |
| |
| | Philip Island [top] |
| |
Phillip Island Nature Park has it all — stunning surf beaches, spectacular coastal scenery, magical secluded isles, world-renowned wading bird tidal flats, and, of course, Little Penguins, seals, and koalas — it's alive with natural wonders! Enjoy coastal walking at Cape Woolamai, bird watching at Rhyll Inlet, an interactive journey with nature at the Koala Conservation Centre, an idyllic stroll around Churchill Island, and an evening at the Penguin Parade®. Each night at sunset you'll be amazed by Little Penguins returning ashore after a day’s fishing. See the world's smallest penguin in its natural habitat from viewing stands and boardwalks. This experience is sure to be the highlight of your visit. As the sun fades in the sky, Little Penguins waddle up the beach to the safety of their homes in the sand dunes. Witness this magical procession — it is a treat never to be forgotten.
|
| |
| | Melbourne [top] |
| | With a population of nearly three million, Melbourne is Australia’s second largest city. After the first European settlers abandoned the area in 1803, it was resettled in 1835 by a group of Tasmanian entrepreneurs who named the area after Lord Melbourne, the British prime minister. The small town of Melbourne quickly became Australia’s center for the “gold rush period.” This aided immensely in the building of what became known as Marvellous Melbourne — a prosperous, great city. Towards the end of the 1880s, the property market collapsed sending Melbourne into a depression.
Melbourne today is a commercial and financial center as well as a heavy industrial city including shipbuilding and the manufacture of automobiles. Places of interest include the Botanical Gardens (among the finest in the world), St. Paul’s Cathedral, known for its Gothic revivalist architecture, Queen Victoria Market (Tue, Thu, Fri, and Sat mornings) which sells retail produce. On Sunday mornings it’s a general goods market selling everything from jeans to books to produce. |
| |
| | Adelaide [top] |
| |
Home to more than a million people, Adelaide serves as the capital of South Australia — and also the nation’s food and wine center. Here there are more restaurants per capita than can be found anywhere else in Australia, and here chefs from other lands gather to cook up new trends in Australian cuisine.
Laid out by Colonel William Light in 1836, this well-planned city offers several parks and historic walks, plus an eye-pleasing blend of Victorian, Edwardian, and colonial architecture. A stroll on North Terrace reveals an array of museums and galleries, culminating in the lovely Botanic Gardens. Running parallel to it is bustling Rundle Street, featuring restaurants and cafes, as well as prime shopping at the Rundle Mall.
Perhaps Adelaide’s greatest claim to fame is its position as the wine capital of Australia. Some 60% of Australian wine, including many of the country’s finest vintages, is produced within a radius of a few hours’ drive. The exhibition hall and tasting bar at the Australian Wine Centre provide an introduction to local wines (including many of the smaller cellars), as well as education and sampling opportunities.
|
| |
| | Perth [top] |
| | In Western Australia, Perth’s magnificent modern skyline will meet you. Perth is relatively isolated from other Australian cities, giving it its own distinguishing identity, complete with a vivacious art, sports, and music scene. Visit the West Australian Art Gallery to see the state’s premier art collection, or see the iconic His Majesty’s Theatre, which houses music, theater, and ballet performances. Or, you can view the Swan River, named for the black swans who breed mainly in the southern regions of Australia. |
| |
| | Exmouth [top] |
| |
Exmouth is a small town of approximately 2,500 people and is situated about 800 miles north of Perth. It is blessed with a fantastic climate with no wet season; it’s dry and warm all year. The Exmouth coastline offers visitors an endless array of stunning, unspoiled, pristine beaches which cater to everyone’s needs: snorkelling, sunbathing, watersports & fishing. The Town Beach, the closest beach to Exmouth, is ideal for morning walks and beachcombing. Ningaloo Marine Park protects one of Australia’s most important tracts of reef, the Ningaloo Reef. The park stretches from Bundegi Beach near Exmouth for 160 miles along the West Coast to Amherst Point south of Coral Bay. Coral Bay is a perfect destination for people of all ages seeking relaxation, adventure, or simply something refreshingly different. It’s ideal for the independent traveller looking for an enjoyable, safe environment or searching for the excitement of scuba divering, fishing, and snorkelling.
|
| |
Indonesia [top]
|
| | Bali [top] |
| |
Bali, a tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago, is so picturesque and immaculate it could almost be a painted backdrop. It has rice paddies tripping down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, dense tropical jungle, long sandy beaches, warm blue water, crashing surf, and friendly people who don't just have a culture but actually live it. In Bali spirits come out to play in the moonlight; every night is a festival and even a funeral is an opportunity to have a good time.
This tropical paradise has a unique blend of modern tourist facilities combined with wonderful shopping and a rich past and heritage. The Balinese people are proud of having preserved their unique Hindu culture against the advance of Islam, the dominant religion throughout Indonesia. This is still reflected in day to day life and can be seen in the numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals, and magnificent temples and palaces. Some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island, while the eastern side is a wonderful haven for those seeking beautiful white sand beaches and gentle seas.
Bali Island is a shopper's paradise, particularly for casual and tailored clothing, locally made jewellery, handicrafts, antiques, and artifacts. Leather ware is one of the unexpected local bargains with everything from handbags to tailorede leather jackets and coats, all at unbelievable prices. In fact, prices are so inexpensive, you're sure to need more room in your suitcase! Try bargaining at the street markets or shop at a Denpasar department store. Bali has it all.
|
| |
Taiwan [top]
|
| | Taipei [top] |
| |
Taipei, the political and financial center of Taiwan, is the island's most populous city. Taipei originated as a small trading port over 200 years ago before becoming the administrative capital; the last few decades has seen tremendous growth in the city. Now a sprawling metropolis, Taipei is an ideal place to visit for those who love the hustle and bustle of the big city. The city is made up of several distinct districts, a few of which are detailed below.
The Shi Lin (pronounced Shihlin) district of the city covers both banks of the Keelung River and spills into the surrounding mountains. Shi Lin is best known for its Shihlin Night Market, Taipei's largest night market. North of the market is the peaceful Tian Mu area which features a large expatriate community and several of Taipei's international schools. The Chinese Culture and Movie Center and the world-renowned National Palace Museum are also found here.
The Da Tong (pronounced Tatung) District was once home to European merchants who settled to trade with the Taiwanese. Walk through its old lanes and you will find numerous tea companies, a few European-style buildings, and several temples including the famous Confucius Temple and Bao An Temple. Perhaps the most popular attraction here is Di Hua Street, one of Taipei's main trading centers during the 1800s. Today, the street is still lined with traditional shops selling dried goods and herbal medicines. Running through the center of the district is Zhong Shan North Road, which divides the city into east and west. Zhong Shan was once the commercial center for Taipei, but now it is better known for its shops and bars. It also has several cultural offerings including the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Lin An Tai House, the Grand Hotel, Xing Tian Temple, and the Taipei Children's Recreation Center.
The district of Xin Yi (pronounced Hsinyi) is mainly residential and commercial and is home to the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taipei World Trade Center, department stores, and the new Warner Village movie complex. Over the last 100 years, Taipei City has been expanding eastwards towards the mountains and the Xin Yi District marks a new era of the city's development.
|
| |
Japan [top]
|
| | Kobe [top] |
| |
Kobe is Japan’s sixth largest city and an international port city with a population of 1.5 million over an area of 212 square miles. It is one of the largest ports in Japan in terms of the number of ships that call, the total volume of cargoes handled and the volume of container cargoes. The city has a marine climate, which is relatively cool in summer and warm in winter, with a few light snowfalls.
Kobe has strived to recover from the tremendous sorrow and damage the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake caused on January 17th, 1995. The earthquake claimed the lives of 4,571 people and injured over 14,000. Kobe City has accomplished rapid restoration in many areas that were greatly affected by the quake including housing, land readjustment, welfare, the Port of Kobe, and transportation. The city has moved forward with renewed vitality. Heavy industries such as shipbuilding, steel-making, and manufacturing of rubber products, as well as foreign trade, transportation, warehousing, and food processing have been flourishing.
Kobe is one of the most cosmopolitan, modern, and multicultural cities in Japan with foreign residents from over 110 countries. The city offers a high standard of living with many amenities and a pleasant working atmosphere. In conjunction with the opening of the Kobe Universiade in 1985, Kobe declared itself an "international sports city" with a number of sporting facilities being built.
|
| |
| | Kagoshima [top] |
| |
This large city is an excursion base from which to explore the wonders of Kyushu, Japan's third largest island. Mount Sakurajima, an active volcano, can be reached by ferry. To the north, Yaku National Park is a scenic area of smoking volcanoes, craters, and lakes. South of the city, the island's most popular seaside resort of Ibusuki welcomes kimono-clad bathers to its sandy beaches and warm, underwater springs.
|
| |
China [top]
|
| | Shanghai [top] |
| | Shanghai is China’s most populous and sophisticated city. The city’s location at the confluence of the Yangtze and Huangpu Rivers has historically made it a major seaport and an important Asian economic center. While Shanghai’s recorded history dates back to 4,000 bc, the city’s importance blossomed in the 16th century when it became a commercial textile center. In the 19th century, Shanghai earned the nickname “Paris of the East” due to its prosperity and the influx of colonial businessmen. Today, the city continues to serve as the center of Chinese trade and industry.
As one of the world’s largest cities, Shanghai has a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from its Chinese neighbors. The city’s prosperity and sophistication is evident in the bustling cosmopolitan streets and buildings reminiscent of New York, London, Paris, etc. Yet the city has preserved an intriguing mix of old and new, east and west. Historic avenues and beautiful parks and gardens coexist with busy harbors and crowded streets. Pagodas, temples, and museums share the city with specialty shops and major businesses. Some of Shanghai’s best known sites include the Bund, a waterfront promenade located near the old city; the Children’s Palace, a former palatial home converted to a special school where children learn music, dance, and art; and the Shanghai Museum of Art & History, one of the best museums in the country. |
| |
| | Hong Kong [top] |
| | There is little remaining evidence in today’s modern Hong Kong of the older China of walled villages and ancient temples. The first Europeans to sail into the area were the Portuguese navigators whose voyages paved the way for the foundation of Macau, Portugal’s 16th-century port on the Cantonese coast. By the late 17th century the lure of a flourishing trade with the Orient had also attracted the British, whose East India Company maintained a lively commerce throughout the area. However, when opium was introduced to the area’s commerce, Sino-British relations rapidly deteriorated. The famous “Opium Wars” that followed were settled by the Treaty of Nanjing in 1842 which ceded Hong Kong to the British. Kowloon, the New Territories and adjacent islands were added later. On July 1, 1997, the sovereignty of Hong Kong reverted to China.
Today Hong Kong is a modern city with offices, apartment blocks, and factories resting amidst the few remaining evidences of an older, more traditional China. Yet for all its Western-style modernity, Hong Kong remains intrinsically a Chinese city-state. It is bustling with world commerce, with hundreds of international banks, stock companies, and trading organizations. |
| |
|