Philippines

An archipelago of 7, 107 islands, the Philippines is often an after-thought when one travels in Southeast Asia. Found on the western Pacific Ocean, the Philippines is home to 92 million people. Its closest neighbors include Taiwan to the north, Vietnam across to the west, and Indonesia to the south.

Serving as the capital of the Philippines is Manila. The country is divided into three sections, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The islands enjoy three weather types: warm, hot, and rainy. The wet season begins sometime in June and finds its way all through October. Dictated by southwest and northeast monsoons, weather conditions could change in a moments notice.

For the weary traveler, the Philippines provides a host of conveniences you would otherwise not find in your own hometown. Whether it’s visiting beaches, exploring the sights, eating, or shopping, the Philippines will meet your needs.

Whether you prefer life in the countryside or the city, the Philippines has it. In manila, you will be enamored with the different destinations that will satiate your taste for food, shopping, or entertainment. On the main island of Luzon, cities like Makati, Taguig, Greenhills, Pasay, and Quezon City, promises to outdo you when it comes to shopping.

The Mall of Asia, located in Pasay City is considered the 4th largest shopping mall in the world. It has an approximate floor area of 4.2 million square feet.

You can also step out of the confines of the big city and escape to El Nido, Boracay, or Donsol to the south of Manila. El Nido is found on Palawan, an island treasure that stretches from the Mindoro Strait to the tip of Borneo, and is home to towering limestone karst cliffs, a perfect getaway to roughing it all. Boracay, also to the south, is only nine kilometers long and 1 km wide, offers an escape to sun, sand, and fun. Or in Donsol, where you can meet up with a whale shark and swim side by side with it.

Going north, the Banaue Rice Terraces await you. These Ifugao rice terraces had been etched out of the hillsides using a unique irrigation system. Then a little south of Banaue is Baguio, the summer Capital of the Philippines. A drive from Manila, you cross over seven mountains and you find the hamlet up in the mountains.

Take that much deserved vacation and pamper yourself with a visit to the Philippines, where beauty and culture abound.

Philippines

Shanghai

Shanghai was the largest city in the eastern part of the world during the 1930s, and was also the most prosperous. Today, it is the most populous city of China, and one of the most progressive cities. Even on the world arena, Shanghai is a name to reckon with.

Over the last few years, it has turned into one of the most vibrant and progressive cities in the world. What you want to see in Shanghai depends a lot on which time period interests you the most, from the ancient to the modern, the city has a little bit of everything to offer.

To get a glimpse of Shanghai of the past, you can visit the Yuyuan Gardens. An architectural wonder, it sure is a feast for the eyes. The garden complex also houses a temple inside. Although their construction was commissioned in the year 1559, they were built over a span of 19 years. Both the garden and the temple were destroyed in the Opium Wars, but were restored and opened to the public in the year 1961.

In the Xuhui Distrct of Shanghai, you can get a feel of how the city looked in the 1920s. The area has old regal buildings that really transport you back in time. This area is also fast developing into a shopping haven, what with numerous boutiques coming up everywhere.

But what is definitely hard to miss in this city is the new-age look that Shanghai is now acquiring. The skyline is dotted with high rises, especially in the Pudong area. But not just buildings and gardens, Shanghai also has great museums. The Shanghai Museum, for instance, is the museum in China. The exhibits belonging to the Bronze Age are specially worth seeing.

The Nanjing Street in Shanghai is the best place to shop in the city. But if you are interested in buying Chinese handicrafts or jewelry, you can do that at the Yuyuan Bazaar. Do not leave the city without sampling Chinese food. The city has its own form of cuisine that is mostly sweet and oily in nature. However, the emphasis while preparing food the Shanghai style is always on freshness of ingredients, and maintaining a balance between them. So savor Shanghai, the city, food, and the people. It will be an unforgettable experience.

Shanghai