TAIPEI, ROOTED IN CHINESE CULTURE

From Towering Plazas to Taoist Temples, Taipei has much to offer to visitors of all stripes – from those seeking ultra-modern gadgets to those seeking a respite from the bustle of modern life.

If you’re looking for the juxtaposition of old and new then you won’t want to miss out on Taipei’s many temples, where ancient ways live on beneath the shadows of skyscrapers. If the pursuit of the latest high-tech gadget is your cup of Oolong tea, then a visit to the Kuanghua Computer Market or indeed any one of the many computer markets that are popping up like mushrooms in the city may well be in order. Whether you’re shopping for the latest fashion or just looking to see and be seen, then a trip to the ultra-fashionable Hsimending will be necessary.

From high-tech shopping areas to low-tech night markets to traditional Chinese art, music and culture, today’s Taipei has a lot to offer visitors of all stripes. And being a modern metropolis surrounded on all sides by natural beauty, getting out of Taipei is as simple as catching a bus or train heading in nearly any direction. (more…)

Macau’s mixture of East and West brings together an eclectic mix of Old World Europe and the Orient in one beautiful package.

Portuguese traders leased Macau from the Guangzhou Mandarins in 1557. Portugal governed Macau for more than 440 years until returning it back to China in 1999. Macau still maintains its Portuguese-style and coupled with the numerous Mediterranean buildings, it feels as European as it does Chinese.

Senado Square, surrounded by bright colored Portuguese buildings and cobbled stone alleys; this is the best place to get a feel for what Macau has to offer. Surrounding Senado Square you will find some of the best shopping in Macau, everything from antique Chinese furniture to the latest in designer fashion. The beautiful St. Dominic Church, which has been standing for the past 400 years, east of Senado Square, holds mass on the weekends in Cantonese. Farther down the cobbled stone street is the Ruins of the Church of St. Paul. Built in the 1602 by Jesuit priests, the church was destroyed by fire in 1835, and only the massive stone façade survived. Today the ruins of St. Paul are the official symbol of Macau and offer great photo ops. Next to the ruins is Monte Fortress, the largest fortress remaining from Macau’s imperial past. Inside the fort is the Macau Museum, an interesting museum with artifacts and a detailed history of Macau from the early days to the present. (more…)

Hong Kong will draw you in, dazzle your senses and have you begging for more. It’s fast, vibrant and cutting edge.

Hong Kong is a metropolis in the truest sense of the word. Of the 7 million people inhabiting this city most are Chinese but many Pakistanis, Indians, Filipinos, Europeans and many other nationalities call Hong Kong their home – and they’ve all managed to add their own flavor to the Hong Kong milieu.

In 1997 the British returned Hong Kong to China under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework in which Hong Kong is guaranteed a high level of autonomy for 50 years. As an Oriental city governed by Occidentals, its history has given it a distinctive mix of East and West. The past and the present are side by side in the incense-filled temples, the towering skyscrapers and the densely populated urban areas while in the outlying islands nature continues her hold over a slower pace of life. (more…)