Kerala: A Paradise of Rich Culture, Breathtaking Landscapes, and Unique Experiences

Welcome to Kerala, a magical land tucked away in the southwestern corner of India. Known as "God's Own Country," Kerala is a mesmerizing destination that captivates travelers with its diverse culture, lush landscapes, and unforgettable experiences. From serene backwaters and pristine beaches to lush hill stations and vibrant festivals, this state offers a harmonious blend of natural beauty and traditional charm.

A Tapestry of Culture and Traditions:

Kerala is a melting pot of cultures and traditions, where ancient rituals and customs coexist with modernity. The state's rich history is evident in its impressive architecture, religious festivals, and art forms like Kathakali and Mohiniyattam. Visitors can delve into the local way of life by exploring the bustling markets, savoring traditional cuisine, and experiencing the warmth of Keralites' hospitality.

Backwaters: Nature's Serenade

No trip to Kerala is complete without a serene cruise along its famous backwaters. The intricate network of canals, lagoons, and rivers offers a unique and tranquil experience. A houseboat ride through the backwaters presents a chance to witness the rural charm, picturesque landscapes, and observe traditional fishing and farming practices.

Breathtaking Hill Stations:

Escape the heat and venture into Kerala's cool hill stations, nestled amid lush greenery and misty clouds. Places like Munnar, Wayanad, and Thekkady provide an idyllic setting for trekking, wildlife spotting, and rejuvenating amidst nature's bounty. The aroma of tea and spice plantations further enhances the charm of these hill retreats.

Pristine Beaches:

Kerala boasts a coastline that stretches for miles, offering some of the most pristine and scenic beaches in India. Whether it's the bustling Kovalam Beach or the tranquil Varkala Beach with its cliffside views, each beach offers a unique experience. From sunbathing and water sports to mesmerizing sunsets, the beaches of Kerala cater to every traveler's taste.

Ayurveda: Healing for the Mind and Body:

Kerala is renowned for its traditional Ayurvedic practices, which offer a holistic approach to health and wellness. Many visitors come here seeking rejuvenation through Ayurvedic massages, therapies, and yoga sessions. The state's abundance of Ayurvedic centers and resorts ensures that travelers can find solace and relaxation during their stay.

Kerala is a treasure trove of experiences that leave an indelible mark on every traveler's heart. From its vibrant festivals and cultural heritage to its scenic landscapes and serene backwaters, Kerala promises a truly unique and unforgettable journey. Whether you're a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or a culture enthusiast, this remarkable destination has something special to offer to all who set foot on its enchanting soil. So, pack your bags and embark on an incredible journey to Kerala, where the colors of tradition, nature, and warmth blend to create an unforgettable travel experience.

Frank Lloyd Wright buildings to be nominated to World Heritage List

A collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings will be nominated by the U.S. to the United Nations for inclusion on the World Heritage List, a prestigious honor that recognizes the most significant cultural and natural treasures in the world, places such as the Taj Mahal and the pyramids at Giza.

If the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, selects the Wright structures for inclusion, it would be the first time a modern building from the U.S. was chosen, the Department of the Interior announced Thursday.

There are 936 World Heritage sites in 153 countries, though only 21 exist in the U.S. In order to be included on the list, sites must meet rigorous criteria, including National Landmark status and a systematic plan for the maintenance and upkeep of the site. Other U.S. landmarks on the list include the Statue of Liberty and Independence Hall.

“The buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright are a testament to one of the world’s foremost architectural geniuses,” stated Ken Salazar, secretary of the Interior, who made the announcement. “They deserve to be recognized as World Heritage sites.”

A taskforce of scholars reviewed approximately 400 existing Wright buildings to select those that best represent outstanding, universal value and a lasting contribution to architecture. Four of the buildings selected for the group nomination are in Wisconsin. They are Taliesin, near Spring Green; the S.C. Johnson and Son. Inc. Administration Building and Research Tower in Racine; and the Herbert and Katherine Jacobs First House, in Madison.

The remaining buildings include Unity Temple in Oak Park, Ill; the Frederick C. Robie House, in Chicago; Hollyhock (Barnsdall) House in Los Angeles; Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennsylvania; Taliesin West, in Scottsdale, Ariz.; Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael, Calif.

“Each of the Wright buildings represents a separate and outstanding creative contribution to modern architecture and to the history of architecture as a whole,” stated Neil Levine, an architectural historian from Harvard, Wright scholar and member of the selection taskforce. “Each is given a powerful symbolic form directly expressive of the institution it houses, be it the family, the workplace, the place of worship or a cultural or civic activity.”

Along with the Wright nomination, the prehistoric earthworks site of Poverty Point in Louisiana was named as the next prospective U.S. nomination. The U.S. may nominate two sites per year.

During the coming months, the Chicago-based Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy will develop extensive documentation, consulting with the Office of International Affairs of the National Park Service, the principal government agency responsible for implementing U.S. participation in the World Heritage Convention.

After the formal application is filed, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee could decide in June 2013 or June 2014 to admit the Wright buildings to the international list.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and S.C. Johnson and Son Inc. also announced Thursday a long-term agreement for the company to display a collection of Wright artifacts that highlight the famed architect's influence on families and the home.

The company will begin exhibiting a collection of Wright objects, including drawings, models, furniture, fixtures, photos and personal effects in the spring of next year. The exhibit will be fee, open to the public and on view in Fortaleza Hall, a recent addition to the company's campus, designed by world-renowned architectural firm Foster + Partners. A Frank Lloyd Wright library and reading room already exists in the hall.

Four natural wonders added to UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage list grew by four with the additon of new natural wonders. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, also known as UNESCO, has added four new locations to its list of World Heritage sites. The destinations fall under the category of "natural wonders," and were cited for their spectacular beauty, biodiversity, and importance to the surrounding ecosystems.

Newly added to the list was Japan's Ogasawara Islands, which are home to more than 200 endangered bird species, as well as a "critically endangered" bat. Much like the Galapagos Islands, this remote archipelago has a number of unique plants and animals, some of which can only be found there. The islands are also viewed as a living laboratory where the process of evolution can be studied in a self-contained environment that mixes influences from both northeast and southeast Asia in unusual ways.

The Ningaloo Coast, located along Australia's lonely western shores, was also given the nod thanks in no small part to its outstanding biodiversity. Just off the coast is one of the world's largest near-shore coral reef systems, which stretches for miles and is home to sea turtles, whale sharks, and other exotic sealife. An intricate network of underwater caves spiderwebs across the region as well, creating a distinct ecosystem all its own, that boasts even more unusual and unique wildlife. Back on dry land, the Ningaloo Coast also provides spectacular scenery along rugged hiking trails.

Jordan's Wadi Rum received World Heritage status thanks to its blend of both nature and culture. The towering rock walls and maze-like canyons, surrounded by a breathtakingly beautiful desert, is only part of the reason this destination was recognized by UNESCO. It is also home to several distinct Bedouin tribes who have inhabited the region for thousands of years, leaving traces of their culture that date back to before the pyramids were built. There are reportedly more than 25,000 rock carvings and an additional 20,000 inscriptions, found throughout the area, some of which show the earliest examples of what would eventually evolve into the earliest alphabet.

The fourth location added to the list is the Lake System in Kenya. Consisting of three interconnected bodies of water, all located inside the Great Rift Valley, the region is home to one of the most biologically diverse avian populations in the world. UNESCO notes that there are no less than 13 species of threatened birds that live in the Lake System, some of which exclusively breed and nest there. The region also plays host to plenty of other wildlife as well, including giraffes, lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, and black rhinos.

Any one of these locations would make an amazing destination for adventurous travelers. These are fragile ecosystems however, so if you do go, be sure it is with a reputable guide service that believes in sustainable travel and ecotourism. After all, these places have been designated as World Heritage sites for a reason, and UNESCO isn't the only one that wants to see them stick around for future travelers to enjoy as well.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan

In Japan, UNESCO World Heritage Sites are extremely popular and there is even a weekly travel show dedicated to showcasing sites from all over the world. The United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) aims (among an incredibly long list of other duties) to designate and help to protect cultural or natural sites that show “outstanding universal value.” “Sekai isan” or World Heritage Sites, are so popular that Japanese tour companies do a steady business developing mass tours all around the world as well as within Japan itself.

While many people of heard about World Heritage Sites, I was shocked to discover while researching for this article that despite the large sums of money invested to win World Heritage status, and then the vasts amounts of sums needed to protect and maintain those sites (with of course some funds made available from UNESCO) that there is very little interest on the internet for Heritage Sites in Japan.

As little as 170 people per month, GLOBALLY, actively search for information in English on Japan’s World Heritage Sites. While the marketing value of making the list seems to be quite high, there does not seem to be a subsequent push by the ordinary tourist to find information on them over the internet. Compare this low search level with “Japan Sex” which comes in at 201,000/month and you see what the heritage of the world is up against. Yes, I somehow was able to weave “sex” into a World Heritage post ;)

Despite the lack of knowledge on World Heritage Sites, Japan is filled with them (relative to other countries) and boasts some impressive and incredibly preserved sites.

Travel to Japan’s World Heritage Sites

If you are planning a visit to Japan, you can hardly go wrong by including a few of Japan’s 16 World Heritage Sites in your itinerary. To help you out, and because I know you are not going to search for them on your own, here they are. I have been to over half of these and can’t wait to visit the rest. They are grouped by region starting north to south and include the 2 new additions that were just added in June 2011!

Cultural UNESCO Sites

Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land

Winter at Chuson-ji Temple Japan: New to the list in 2011, Hiraizumi, in Iwate Prefecture boasts a long history of beautiful temples that rivaled the size of Kyoto back in the 12th Century. The area comprises five sites, including the sacred Mount Kinkeisan. The sites boast the remnants of government offices dating from the 11th and 12th centuries when Hiraizumi was the administrative center of the northern realm of Japan. The realm was based on the cosmology of Pure Land Buddhism, which spread to Japan in the 8th century. It represented the pure land of Buddha that people aspire to after death, a type of enlightened realm. The highlights of the area include Chuson-ji Temple, with its spectacular Konjikido golden hall, Motsu-ji Temple, and the former garden of Kanjizaio-in Temple which is representative of a combination of indigenous Japanese nature worship and Shintoism and Pure Land Buddhism that developed a type of garden design unique to Japan.

Shrines and Temples of Nikko

Changing leaves in Nikko Japan: The shrines and temples of Nikko have long been associated with the wealth and power of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and together with the beautiful surrounding nature illustrate the architectural style of the Edo period. The mountains of Nikko were first worshiped as a sacred Shinto area and in the 8th century the first Buddhist building was built. The area highlights the unique nature of Japanese religious centers blending nature worship with adapted Buddhist principles. One of the main highlights is Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu’s grand, elaborately (gaudy?) decorated mausoleum – the Toshogu – that was built in the mid 17th century. Watch out for the monkeys that are known to terrorize the town and the visitors alike.

Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama

Autumn colors at Shirakawa-go in Japan: Located in a mountainous regions in Gifu Prefecture (Shirakawa-go) and Toyama Prefecture (Gokayama) are cut off from the rest of Japan. These villages have Gassho-style houses with their steeply pitched thatched roofs that were designed to protect from the massive amounts of snow dumped on the area each winter by moisture extending from the Sea of Japan and are the only examples of their kind in Japan. The resident lived off of the cultivation of mulberry trees and the rearing of silkworms. It is difficult to find a more rural traditional lifestyle in Japan.

Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)

Yes, this is three cities in one and the monuments are shared between Kyoto Prefecture and my former home Shiga Prefecture. With so many amazing historical temples and shrines in the area it would have been impossible to grant them all UNESCO status individually. If you manage to hit all of these temples and shrines then you are way ahead of the most tourists who spend a few days seeing just a few of these sites. The full list includes:

Kinkakuji Golden Temple in winterKamigamo Shrine (Kamowakeikazuchi-jinja)
Shimogamo Shrine (Kamomioya-jinja)
To-ji Temple (Kyouougokoku-ji), Minami-ku Kyoto-city
Kiyomizu Temple (Kiyomizu-dera)
Enryaku-ji Temple, Otsu-city
Daigo-ji Temple, Fushimi-ku Kyoto-city
Ninna-ji Temple, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-city
Byodoin Temple, Uji-city
Ujigami-jinja Shrine, Uji-city
Kozan-ji Temple, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-city
Saiho-ji Temple, Sakyo-ku Kyoto-city
Tenryu-ji Temple, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-city
Kinkaku-ji Temple (Rokuon-ji), Kita-ku Kyoto-city
Ginkaku-ji Temple (Jisho-ji), Sakyo-ku Kyoto-city
Ryouan-ji Temple, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-city
Hongan-ji Temple, Shimogyo-ku Kyoto-city
Nijojo Castle, Kyoto-city

Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area, Nara Prefecture

Horyu-ji Temple in NaraWith around 48 Buddhist monuments in the Horyu-ji area, in Nara Prefecture, you could spend a whole day taking photographs. A number of them date from the late 7th or early 8th century, including the Hyoru-ji gate, main hall and pagoda, making them the oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world. These masterpieces of wooden architecture illustrate the adaptation of Chinese Buddhist architecture and layout to Japanese culture, as well as the with the introduction of Buddhism to Japan from China through the Korean peninsula.

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara

todaiji great BuddhaLike Kyoto, there are so many sites in Ancient Nara that one can spend a few days trying to discover all of the UNESCO sites. Japan’s capital from 710-784, it is a classic site that every visitor should see. Stop to pet the free roaming deer located throughout the city and the park, visit Todai-ji the world’s largest wooden building housing Japan’s largest statue of the Buddha, or marvel at Kofuku-ji’s 5 story pagoda. Don’t forget to walk along the paths in the surrounding hills and discover centuries of stone statues and Buddhist symbols.

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range

Set in the remote and dense forests of the Kii Mountains three ancient sacred sites- Yoshino and Omine, Kumano Sanzan, and Koyasan, reflect the inter-linkages between the native nature based worship of Shinto, and Buddhism which arrived from China and Korea. The sites are linked to the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto along pilgrimage routes that are still used today for hiking and ascetic disciple. The natural landscapes and the sites themselves have a long and well documented tradition of use and pilgrimage for over 1,200 years. The rugged mountains raising from 1,000-2,000 meters and the natural beauty of the area, which was once thought to have been the origin of the Japanese Shinto Gods, are still visited by millions of people each year. Each of the sites are worth a visit but are spread out quite a bit. Koyasan is the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism, a form of esoteric Buddhism and its founder Kobodaishi is one of the great Japanese historical figures. He is also the founder of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Kumano Sanzan on Kii Peninsula in Japan

Approaching a small Shinto Shrine in the Kii Mountains

Yoshino and Omine is the northern-most site near to Nara. The Yoshino or northern part of the site was the most important sacred mountain in Japan by the 10th century and was the object of mountain worship, Shinto, in the 7th and 8th centuries. Later in the 8th century it became one of the prime sacred places for the Shugen sect of ascetic Buddhism, and the Omine in the southern part of the site was also known for its harsh mountain ascetic rituals and particular fusion of Shinto and Buddhism.

Kumano Sanzan is the furthest south and has three main shrines, and two temples, connected by a pilgrims’ route. The site also reflects the Shinto and Shugen sect of Shinto-Buddhism and the wooden architecture is considered some of the best in Japan.

Himeji-jo

Himeji Castle, Japan: This is possibly Japan’s best preserved and most beautiful castle. The castle site includes 83 buildings with highly developed systems of defense and and creative means of protection dating from the beginning of the Shogun period. The original castle was built in the 14th century and the existing castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1580. It was further enlarged 30 years later by Ikeda Terumasa. This is one of those sites that is a must see for any visitor to Japan.

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape

Inside Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine: The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine in Shimane Prefecture in the south east of Japan’s main island, Honshu, is a mountainous area reaching 600 meters cut through by deep river valleys featuring the archaeological remains of large-scale mines, smelting and refining sites and mining settlements worked between the 16th and 20th centuries. The mines produced most of silver and gold in south-east Asia in the 16th and 17th centuries with shipping routes to China and the Korean peninsula. The site includes fortresses, a number of temples that catered to the short life expectancy of silver miners of the time, and three port towns Tomogaura, Okidomari and Yunotsu, from where the ore was shipped.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)

Hiroshima Genbaku Dome: This used to be the Industrial Promotion Hall, but after being at the hypocenter of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945 the partially standing remains are now a reminder of the world’s first atomic attack. It was the only building in the area to survive the blast and has been kept in its original state by the city of Hiroshima. Each year on August 6th, services are held at the dome in remembrance and a moment of silence is observed. The Dome stands opposite of the Peace Memorial Park.

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine

Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine: The island of Itsukushima, in the Seto inland sea, has been a sacred place for Shintoism since the earliest times. The shrines main torii gates, better know as the “floating shrine,” rises out of the the ocean during high tide and is one of the enduring images of Japan. The first shrine buildings were around the 6th century with the present shrine being erected in the 12th century. The shrine plays on the contrasts in color and form between mountains and sea and is a remarkable illustration of Japan’s sense of beauty which highlights the balance between nature and humans.

Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, Okinawa Prefecture

The Ryukyu Kingdom in Okinawa served as the economic and cultural hub between Japan, China, Korea and the rest of south-east Asia for several centuries. The area is dotted with fortresses and castles with the main attraction being Shuri-jo a castle with a particularly Chinese flavor to it. The castle was the seat of power in the area from the 15th century to 1879 when Okinawa was taken under full control by the Japanese government. Unfortunately the castle was almost fully destroyed during WWII and the current building is a reconstruction.

Natural UNESCO Sites

Shiretoko

Shiretoko Hokkaido's Oshinkoshin Waterfall: If Hokkaido is often refereed to as the most American area in Japan with it’s wide open spaces then Shiretoko must be the Alaska of Japan.The Shiretoko Peninsula in north eastern Hokkaido is a remote, untouched wilderness accessible only by boat or a long trekking expedition. The Peninsula is 65 km long and 25 km wide, houses a number of rare plant and animal life and is home to the world’s highest number of brown bears. The site is globally important for threatened seabirds and migratory birds and for marine mammals including Steller’s sea lion. Good luck getting there!

Shirakami-Sanchi

Lake in Shirakami Beech Forest : Located in Akita Prefecture in northern Honshu the area consists mainly of virgin Siebold’s beech forests that once spread all over Northern Japan. Black bears inhabit the area and a traditional faith ceremony and traditional bear hunting still takes place from time to time. The beech forest is almost entirely undisturbed with few access trails or man-made facilities. There is occasional use by bear hunters but in general the area is protected and has a buffer zone around it.

Ogasawara Islands

Ogasawara Isands Japan: One of two new Heritage sites listed in 2011 the beautiful topical islands of Ogasawara are technically a part of Tokyo but are located over 1,000 km to the south and consist of over 30 islands. Often call the Galapagos of Asia the islands have never physically been attached to any other part of Japan leaving the flora and fauna millions of the years to evolve into distinct species, including the Bonin Flying Fox. About 2,500 residents live on the islands which can only be reach by a 25 1/2 hour ferry ride from Tokyo. The surrounding ocean is home to an abundance of sea life and is an ideal place to watch Humpback and Sperm whales.

Yakushima

Yakushima Island Japan : This island located just to the South of Kyushu, Japan’s southern most main island, is a wonderland of ancient cedar trees and an abundance of plant species with over 1,900 recorded. The massive Yaku-sugi, are endemic to the island transforming the island into enchanting land. Combined with the monkeys, and sparking blue waters around the island it is impossible not feel in awe of the natural wonders.

Explore beautiful Cape Town

Explore beautiful Cape Town and its surrounding attractions and scenery onboard the Blue Train

Cape Town in South Africa is one of the most beautiful cities on the continent and, indeed, the world. If you really want to see this gorgeous destination in style, there is nowhere better to do it than from onboard Africa train journeys.



As the second most populated city in the country, this destination in Western Cape is not only bursting with culture but is also home to some gorgeous vistas for you to enjoy as you journey down the rail tracks.

Being one of the world's most iconic cities to visit, it is no wonder Cape Town is becoming an increasingly popular destination with tourists from across the globe, who flock here to see sights such as the striking Table Mountain.

Luckily, as your tour with Great Rail Journeys will begin in the city, you will have plenty of opportunity to explore this fascinating landmark. Standing at one side of the city centre, the flattened top of this peak stretches some two miles, which makes for an unusual sight.

Sharp cliffs edge the mound and it is frequently topped with cloud cover that, according to local legend, is the result of a smoking contest between a pirate and the devil.

You may be happy to hear that you will not have to don your hiking and climbing gear to enjoy the magnificent views from the summit, as you can instead take a cable car to the top of the mountain. Make sure you pack your camera as this is a sight you will not want to miss.

During your time in Cape Town you can also take a guided tour and discover some more about this fascinating city. You will find yourself staying in luxury surroundings on the waterfront, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean.

The Victoria and Albert Waterfront in particular is popular with tourists and is packed with great shops and restaurants to visit, while there are also museums and other attractions to be found here.



Your next daytrip will take you to the Cape of Good Hope on Cape Point. This is a rocky headland that has an interesting seafaring past and was the area where Dutch settlers arrived way back in the mid 17th century.

From here you will take the train to Boulders Bay where you can enjoy seeing a thriving penguin colony - the perfect end to an ideal day in South Africa.

Of course there is so much more to see in this destination and you will be able to experience it all, including a tour of the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch valleys. These lie within the country's famous wine producing region so you must make sure you sample a glass or two of the tipple.

There is lots to see and do in Cape Town you are likely to be spoilt for choice but you will have an entire day to spend at your leisure here so make sure you choose wisely.

Popular attractions include Robben Island. Situated just off the coast, this isle has become infamous as the place where political prisoners were held during the apartheid era, including Nelson Mandela. You can find out more about its dark former days from the tour guides, some of whom were themselves political inmates. As a Unesco World Heritage site, this is a place that is definitely worth taking some time out to explore.

Other places of interest include the Two Oceans Aquarium where you can watch the sharks being fed, the Bo-Kaap Museum, which offers an insight into the city's Muslim community, and the gorgeous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

You are sure to be sad to leave Cape Town but boarding the Blue Train for the rest of your tour will help to make up for it.

This is the ultimate luxurious way to travel and you are sure to have an experience that lasts you a lifetime. Onboard there is a well-stocked library, bar, a lounge car - perfect for relaxing in - and even a boutique where you can purchase traditional African jewellery.

Your meals will be truly sumptuous - prepared using local ingredients and accompanied with, of course, South African wines. And your cabin is the perfect spot for you to enjoy those amazing views from, as during the day your bed folds up to transform the room into an elegant lounge.

You can be certain this is a holiday you will remember for the rest of your life.

1 trip, 3 Chinas: Beijing, Hong Kong, Macau

In booming Beijing, remnants of ancient China are tangible in the Forbidden City. In Hong Kong, skyscrapers symbolize one of the world's most successful economies. And in Macau, across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong, gambling generates more revenue than in Las Vegas.

In one trip, I visited all three places -- sampling history on the mainland, the fruits of capitalism in Hong Kong and the glitzy casinos of Macau -- and experienced three very different Chinas.

For me, it was a personal journey as well as a vacation. My family left China in 1949, first for Taiwan and then the Philippines. I'm Chinese, but I act like a foreigner culturally. Despite this, I was surprised at how much I felt at home in China, and I felt proud of the country's economic development. This, I felt, was the future for our people.

But like most visitors, I wanted to see the country's history, too. I spent my first full day in China at the Great Wall's Badaling section. The wall resembles the writhing body of a dragon hugging China's hills, mountains and grasslands. Parts of the wall date back to the first century B.C., and it was built and rebuilt over two millennia to keep out invaders. At 3,500 miles long, it's longer than the United States is wide.

The Great Wall is in the mountains, an hour outside Beijing. I joined a tour group to see it, reserving ahead online for about $30 ($20 less than reserving through a hotel). The tour included lunch, but the guide detoured us to jade and silk factories where prices gouge unwary tourists -- a common practice among local operators. An alternative is to take a cab, but make sure to negotiate a price with the driver before leaving.

The Forbidden City is located in the middle of Beijing, surrounded by concentric circles of roads, across from Tiananmen Square, easily accessible by subway.

Built in the early 1400s, the Forbidden City was home to 24 emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The imperial dynasty ended with Puyi, who ruled from 1909 to 1911 and was portrayed in the movie "The Last Emperor." It is called the Forbidden City because commoners weren't allowed in until 1925.

As the world's largest palace complex, it spans 7.8 million square feet, or about 135 football fields, with over 8,700 rooms. The Forbidden City is divided into the southern Outer Court, where emperors conducted state affairs and elaborate ceremonies, and the smaller Inner Court where they lived. It is believed that in the Inner Court heaven and earth met, and yin and yang -- opposing yet linked cosmic forces such as dark and light, male and female -- are united.

You can rent your own audio guides at the Forbidden City, and they even have built-in GPS that automatically triggers commentary when you're near a historic attraction. But the audio and the sites aren't always in sync, and the commentary only plays once. Too bad if you didn't pay attention the first time. The entrance fee is about $6 to $9 depending on the season; audio guide rentals are about $6.

Window to the west

Before leaving mainland China, I visited one additional historic site, taking an overnight train from Beijing to Xi'an to see the terracotta warriors. I booked a sleeper compartment, sharing it with a college student and young engineer who were eager to practice English. The first look of bewilderment on their faces after they found out I couldn't speak Mandarin soon gave way to an easy acceptance that while we're now culturally different, we do share the same heritage. They saw me as their window to the West, with the added bonus that I can see the world through the prism of the Chinese culture as well.

We talked for hours about politics, culture, the West and families. It gave me a deeper understanding of the country my parents had left. But I committed a cultural faux pas by asking how many siblings they had. "None," they said. I had forgotten about the one-child policy.

At Xi'an, I bypassed tour groups and for $1 took a local bus, No. 306, from the train station to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses museum, an hourlong ride. About 8,000 life-size terracotta warriors stand or kneel in pits at the site, along with their horses. Each warrior is unique, with variations in mustaches, top knots, armor and stance. China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, ordered these soldiers made around 246 B.C. to accompany him to the afterlife.

One country, two systems

My next stop was Hong Kong, which I have visited many times. Both Hong Kong and Macau are former colonies. Hong Kong was returned to China by Britain in 1997, and Macau was returned by Portugal in 1999. China designated them as Special Administrative Regions, giving them a degree of autonomy, using the catch phrase "one country, two systems." Each has its own chief executive and economic and political system. Hong Kong is more than 1,000 miles from Beijing, but the two former colonies are just a ferry ride from each other.

Compared to Beijing, English is more widely spoken in Hong Kong, and Western customs are more common. After Beijing's prices, Hong Kong is also a shock to the wallet.

This has long been considered Asia's Wall Street but for visitors, the main pastimes are shopping and eating. Hong Kong Island, one of two main regions there, is home to the financial district, gardens, malls and Victoria Peak, its highest hill, known for great views. Kowloon Island has the biggest concentration of shops, along with museums, hotels and restaurants. Hong Kong Disneyland is on nearby Lantau island.

Kowloon's Tsim Sha Tsui district is famous for its shopping, especially along bustling Nathan Road. Chains include Marks & Spencer department stores, kind of like a British Macy's. But if you're looking for bargains, better head back to the mainland.

Kowloon also is good for jet-lagged shoppers. The Temple Street Night Market is open from sundown to 10 p.m., and bargains can still be found. But the quality of goods is inconsistent, so buyer beware. At the very least, it's an exotic contrast to American suburban malls: Here jewelry, clothes and toys hang from booths crowded next to each other, hawkers yell on the streets and locals and tourists jostle for the best deals.

Gambling mecca

Macau is one of the world's biggest gambling destinations and an easy jaunt from Hong Kong. It's accessible by inexpensive ferries, with free shuttle buses to take you to your hotel.

I'm not much of a gambler, but I wanted to see the Venetian hotel in Macau. I had been to the one in Las Vegas when it first opened in 1999, built at a then-staggering cost of $1.5 billion. The $2.4 billion Venetian Macau hotel boasts 3,000 suites, a million square feet of retail space and a casino floor with 870 gaming tables and more than 3,400 slot machines.

The Venetian Macau, themed on Venice, Italy, is as glitzy and over the top as the Vegas version. Singing gondoliers ply a man-made waterway inside the hotel as tourists snap pictures. Elaborate murals decorate the lobby corridor ceilings, and there is a re-creation of a Venice landmark, the bell tower of St. Mark's Basilica.

But the action is in the casinos, where gamblers sit transfixed in front of rows of slot machines or pray for a windfall at the blackjack tables. On the ferry going from Hong Kong to Macau, I sat next to a tourist snapping pictures from his seat, eagerly looking forward to his gambling vacation. Like so many of the visitors here, he was from the mainland, come to sample another side of China.

Article contributed by :Deborah Yao