People who have been in some parts of China would most probably have come across the magnificent Pearl River which is located down South.  The Pearl River is also referred to as the Guangdong River and freely flows between Macau and Hong Kong as it joins the South China Sea.  This river ranks third in the list of longest rivers given that it is about 2, 200 kilometers long.  It follows after the equally famous Yangtze River and the Yellow River.

Based on available readings, the Pearl River got its name from a huge rock island that used to be found in the middle of the river and was always enveloped by water.  Because of its constant contact with the ravaging water, the rock became extra smooth and shiny similar to the polished and lustrous look of a pearl.  Because of this likeness with a pearl, the rock was then called the Haizhu Rock or Sea Pearl Rock and the river was consequentially referred to as the Pearl River – the river where the Pearl Rock can be found!

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Posted in Attractions, China

Red Cliff is a 2009 film by John Woo that has already become a massive box-office hit in China. It focuses on the decisive battle during the Three Kingdoms era, a period of China’s long history that was romanticized in Romance of the The Kingdoms. This epic tale is one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature, and nearly every Chinese home possesses a copy. For those who want to visit the locations that are relevant to the story, here is a short guide.

Wuhou Memorial Temple - a site in Chengdu that commemorates Zhuge Liang, the virtuous wuhou (premier) of the Kingdom of Shu, one of the three aforementioned kingdoms. Like many Chinese temples, this memorial is constructed along the north-south axis, with the main entrance facing south. 5 main buildings cover a huge area of around 37,000 square meters: the Front Gate, Second Gate, Zhuge Liang’s Hall,  Liu Bei’s Hall (Liu Bei was the emperor of Shu) and Liu Bei’s Tomb. There is also the Three Wonders Tablet, so-named because of its fine examples of calligraphy, carving and poetry. Visitors can fly to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, then take Bus No. 11 from Renmin Nan Lu.

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Posted in Attractions, China

Bangkok is one of the busiest and most popular cities in all of Thailand. Bustling with old world culture and modern technology, the blend of incredible people and spectacular landmarks is truly amazing.

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Posted in Thailand

I love road trips.  Road trips can bring you to far-off places and can inspire spontaneity in anyone.  In these trips, people can discover a lot of things about themselves and realize traveling off the beaten path has its own advantages and thrills.

In one of my previous articles, I mentioned that a lot of people in the Philippines enjoy going on a road trip to Tagaytay given that it is very accessible to the country’s capital – Manila.  For just a little under two hours, one can enjoy serene surroundings, cascading green landscapes and a refreshingly cool breeze high up on elevated ground.  But some of those who have been to Tagaytay multiple times opt to go the further mile and travel for a bit more to yet another fantastic road trip destination called CALERUEGA!

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Posted in Attractions, Philippines

Every October, tens of thousands of spectators gather in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture for the largest tug-of-war in the world. It is the highlight of the annual Ryukyu Kingdom Festival Tsunahiki (rope-pulling ritual) and has even made it to the Guinness Book of World Records for its sizable feat of rope pulling.

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Posted in Events, Japan

Langkawi, formally known as Palau Langkawi, is one of 99 islands that make up the stunning Lakgkawi archipelago.

Often referred to as the “Legendary Island,” there are dozens of incredible myths surrounding the formation of the island and the way it drifts in the ocean alongside the mainland of Malaysia. Langkawi is a stunning place to visit and you should be prepared for the adventure of a lifetime. read the rest of Visiting Langkawi: A Guide for Tourists

Posted in Malaysia

I have been forced to wait around at the Chek Lap Kok Airport numerous times in the past for different reasons.  I had to roam around the airport while waiting for my connecting flights or worse – to wait for extremely delayed planes.

But, I would have to admit that staying at the Chek Lap Kok Airport is not entirely a pain.  In fact, this airport would have to be one of my ultimate favorites.  I do not mind being stranded there for a couple of hours because that just gives me reason to explore and check if there is anything new to see or experience.  It is an understatement to say that this airport continues to surprise me!

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Posted in Hong Kong, Things to do

If you are a pig or water buffalo, it’s a bad decision to visit the highlands of Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi. In this Indonesian province, despite the rapid encroachment of modernization, the locals cling to many traditional ways as exemplified in their funeral rites. In a ceremony that takes days or even months to complete, the family of the deceased organize a large party to bid their final farewells to the departed. And that includes feasting on large quantities of pork and native beef.

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Posted in Events, Indonesia

The city of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam is one of the largest in the country. What was once the city of Saigon, Ho Chi Minh is a fast paced city full of economical change and cultural attractions.

You will, of course, need a great place to stay in between excursions into the city and we’re prepared to uncover some of the most popular hotels in Ho Chi Minh. read the rest of 9 Incredible Hotels in Ho Chi Minh

Posted in Vietnam

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — I had no idea that my travel adventures would start so soon this 2010.  My past year was overflowing with a lot of trips that truly blew me away when I thought that my budget would keep me from setting foot on foreign land.  I promised myself that I must make it a point to outdo my travel list for 2009.  I have to keep my fingers crossed as I know that it would be a challenging promise to keep for myself.

But surprise…surprise… I found myself traveling out-of-town so early in the year!  My family decided to do a road trip to make the most of what was left of the holidays.  So, we agreed to just ride our car and don’t plan on a specific destination and just go where the wind would lead us, so to speak.  After driving for a few minutes, we figured that maybe we can visit a famous theme park south of the Manila.  We changed our minds at the last minute when we noticed the long line of cars making a beeline to the park’s parking lot.  We turned the car around and decided to go the other way and head to TAGAYTAY CITY.

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Posted in Attractions, Philippines