While there are no mountains to climb in the city of Shanghai, you can have a heightened experience climbing Lupu Bridge. Choose a clear, sunny day and hop in a taxi to the bridge that straddles the Huangpu River. This is longest arch bridge in the world with its 550-meter-long arch span is 32 meters longer. The length of on-site welding totals more than 40,000 meters—comparable to the total length of the inner-city elevated freeway of Shanghai.

In order to complete the climb, you need to be healthy and capable to climb unaided, because the experience includes climbing 367 steps at high altitude and exposing under the weather. All cardiopulmonary diseases (including hypertension), dizziness, and equilibrium disorder may affect your climbing safety.

Hand-carried bags and other stuff are not allowed on the bridge. Climbers will be asked to remove them and leave them at the depost, They also must pass through a metal-detector.

Once you reach the top, take in the vast panoramic view, which now includes a good shot of the future site of the Shanghai World Expo 2010. Remember to bring your camera along and take advantage of the great many snapshot opportunities.

Amanjiwo is located in Central Java, the cultural heartland of Java and modern Indonesia. Amanjiwo resort is located in a natural amphitheatre with the Menoreh rolling hills directly behind and four volcanoes on the horizon. The architecture of Amanjiwo draws from the history, tradition and culture of Central Java. Amanjiwo looks out onto Borobudur, the largest Buddhist sanctuary in the world.

36 expertly crafted suites, some with private swimming pools. Entry to each suite is by sliding glass door that provides a light filled living and sleeping area.

Interiors include a central, four-pillar bed on a raised terrazzo platform, sungkai wood screens, coconut wood and rattan furniture,glass paintings and a large sunken stone outdoor bathtub.

Facilities: Babysitting, Banquet, Beach Front, Beauty Salon, Bicycle Rental, Business Centre, Car Rental, Children Playground, City Centre, Coffee-shop,  Conference Facilities,  Doctor, Kid’s Club, Massage, Medical Service, Nature Lodge, Parking,  Restaurant Service, Shopping, Spa, Swimming Pool.

A 40m infinity swimming pool, lined with green tiles and overlooked by banyan trees, is set into the rice paddies below the resort

Offering panoramic views of the rice fields and the volcanoes, the on-site dining room serves delicious cuisine for you to feast on.

If you’ve been to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) there is no need to see any other mountain. Situated in eastern China’s Anhui Province and popular with its breathtaking sweeping landscapes and misty peaks, the Yellow Mountain offers extraordinary scenes and views from what can look like the edge of the world.

Whether you look there are oddly-shaped pine trees and rock formations. Huangshan is actually an entire range of mountains and valleys, jutting rocks, shimmering pools, gurgling water falls and the ephemeral clouds. As an international ecotourism point of interest, UNESCO listed the mountain as an official World Cultural Heritage Site in 1990.

The trees of Mount Huangshan occupy an especially important place in China’s botanical research. Here you will find century-old pines, firs, ginkgoes, actinidia, Chinese torreyas and camphor woods– remnants of the glacial era. The Huangshan Mountain Range also provides a natural habitat for a wide variety of creatures. Among the mountain-dwellers are monkeys, goats, deer, pangolin and squirrels, in addition to an active bird population. The climate there is mild and humid, and the temperature is agreeable during all four seasons.

Getting there: Huangshan is accessible from Shanghai by overnight train, a five-hour bus ride or one hour by air. Expect expensive accommodation and food in the mountains everything is transported up the mountain by man-power: witness tough workers carrying live chickens or flats of coke cans in buckets hanging from wooden beams over their shoulders, and still making it up the mountain faster than you.

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Abu Darwish Mosque is one of the nice mosques of Amman, Jordan. It was built in 1961 on top of Jebel al-Ashrafiyeh. With unmistakable alternating layers of black and white stone, inside it can pray more than 7000 people. Non-Muslims are generally not permitted inside, but the views on the way up are good. Inside the mosque there is a small Islamic Museum.

Islands, islands everywhere – hundred of them in the Mindanao Island group, of which is the largest by far is ‘big daddy’ Mindanao at 97,500 sq km. Mindanao is the centre of Islam in the Philippines, though it is now the island’s minority religion. Even so the struggle to secure an independent Muslim state on the island has been taking place for centuries and continues to these days. Photo by: frankeys creation

Mindanao is located at the mos southerly and easterly point in the Philippines. The island has a unique character that makes it seem very different from the rest of the Philippines. It is also a land between modern and traditional. Photo by: sweetcaroline?

The thriving industrial centre that is Davao City certainly belongs to the 21st century, as do the many intensive agri-businesses producing commodities like pineapples and meat. But once away from centres of population in the largely unspoiled back country, adventurous visitors will find themselves in a nature – lovers paradise and will be fascinated by the timeless way of life. Rich flora and fauna, astonishing attractions, stunning coastlines and islands, white sand beaches, crystal water, different ethnic communities with colourful festivals – all combine to make Mindanao a popular tourist destination. Photo by: anggebarcelona

There is more than enough of Mindanao to go round, but despite awareness of the importance of eco -tourism, some of the new facilities will seem intrusive to those who prefer things just the way they were. Photo by: rempleo (in a cocoon)

When to go: Any time – there is no significant wet or dry season and the climate is pleasant all year round. Population: 18,134,000. Getting there: Fly in to the recently upgraded Davao City international airport. You should know: Davao City is the world’s largest by area, at the last count sprawling out over 2,450 sq km and still growing. Photo by: Storm Crypt

Pangkor is situated off the west coast of Malaysia, between Kuala Lumpur and Penang and only seven km across from Lumut. It is a small island being only 8 sq km but it has interesting history, having been a major tin producer in the 19th century. The island has some of the best beaches on this side of the Malay Peninsula and these are situated on the west coast. The east coast mainly consists of fishing villages. Photo by: mike’sworld

Fishing, boatbuilding and allied industries employ the majority of the population, with cuttlefish and anchovy being the most common type of catch – their early morning landing at Pangkor town is a bustling, colourful sight. The island is one of the Malaysia’s largest dry fish suppliers and in addition it is credited with the invention of ‘Fish Satay’. Photo by: keshiki

The main beaches are at Teluk Nipah, Pasir Bogak and Teluk Belanga, whilst at Teluk Ketapang (Turtle Bay) if you are lucky, you might spot an increasingly rare giant leatherback turtles, with lay their eggs there from May to July. Jungle trekking in the interiors offers the opportunity to explore many rare orchids and butterflies – there is a four hour trail that crosses the island. For the less energetic, it is possible to follow the road around the island in a day. Photo by: Frank Mertens

There is a two-day Hindu festival of Thaipusam, which take place between February and early March. It starts on the west coast beach of Pasir Bogak and culminates at the Pathirakaliaman Temple on the east coast and is well worth, if you can come. Photo by: mike’sworld

When to go: Year-round. Population: 25,000. Getting there: Fly from Kuala Lumpur or ferries from the mainland and Lumut. Photo by:

Nemrut is a 2,150 meters high mountain in Turkey, located near the province of Adiyaman. At the top of the mountain, King Antiochus I Theos (69-36 B.C.) built his tomb-sanctuary along with huge statues (8-9 m high) – two lions and two eagles, and various Greek and Persian gods. Mt. Nemrut was designated a World Heritage Site in 1987. The nearby town of Ad?yaman is a popular place for car and bus trips to the site, and one can also travel by helicopter. Tourists typically visit Nemrut during June through August.

Chiva-Som, meaning Haven of Life, is located in the south of Hua Hin, Thailand,  is a three-hour drive from Bangkok. The resort  is surrounded by tropical gardens and next to an idyllic beach on the Gulf of Thailand. Chiva-Som provides a comprehensive range of spa, medical and fitness programs that combine the very best of Thai hospitality and Western-style treatments.

The resort offers privacy and seclusion with only 57 elegant Thai-style pavilions, Ocean View rooms and suites.They offer private balconies or terraces for drinking in the fresh air and relaxing atmosphere, and listening to the softly lapping sea.

There are many fitness activities including t’ai chi, pilates, health and beauty workshops and holistic programmes that incorporate forms of traditional Chinese medicine.

Specialty Activities: Xi Gong, Thai Boxing; yoga, aqua aerobic and water fitness classes; physiotherapy services; naturopathic consultation, iridology-diagnosis through the eyes.

Restaurants at the resort include the Emerald Room- an international spa cuisine restaurant and the Taste of Siam – a restaurant by the beach serving Thai spa cuisine. Spa Cuisine- Detoxifying, fat and salt-free cuisine incorporates local herbs and spices.

Outdoor Options: Outdoor pool, Biking, Tennis, Sea Kayaking, outdoor training, golf, sightseeing and guided tours.

Alila Cha-Am is a tropical paradise situated in the charming coastal town of Cha-Am, on the north west coast of the Gulf of Thailand. This luxurious beachside resort is designed to be a sophisticated and contemporary lifestyle destination. From the grand entrance stairway to the rooftop reflecting pool, every detail is understated yet unforgettable. The Horizon rooms, Garden Terrace rooms and Pool Villas are conceived as personal retreats – spacious and elegant.

Originally a fishing village, Cha-Am offers a relaxed pace of life, and a more tranquil atmosphere than neighbouring Hua Hin beach. Its main appeal is its clean, white sand beach, which is thought to be the longest in Thailand, and which is where you will find a choice of excellent seafood restaurants.

The moment you arrived at  Alila Cha-Am, you can almost imagine you have the place to yourself. The innovative architecture includes bold shapes and clean lines softened by the palette of naturally-aged woods, limestone and subtle marble finishes. It’s a stimulating and sensual combination that gives a distinctive contemporary edge to this tropical resort.

Alila Cha-Am offers 72 Horizon Rooms and Garden Terrace Rooms and 7 Private Pool Villas, you can choose how secluded or connected you want to be without even stepping out of your room. The rooms and villas offer both indoor and outdoor privacy that invite you to while away the day, cooled by the gentle sea breezes. Each own-suite has stylish furniture and fabrics beautifully reflect the Thai heritage,  fully integrated wifi capabilities, large flatscreen TV, Apple TV featuring music and film collections, and mood lighting, you can tune in or out to your heart’s content.

The hotel also has a collection of two signature restaurants: Motion and Clouds Loft, Spa Alila (with 2 double treatment rooms, 2 single treatment rooms and 1 double Thai massage room centred around a thermal pool) and a Library with a modern selection of current magazines, novels and reference books.

How to get there: Alila Cha-Am lies on the premier beach resort of Petchabur, 163 km south of Bangkok and 26 km north of Hua Hin. Fly to Bangkok and then a leisurely drive from takes about 2.5 hours. Highlights: the landscape here is characterised by dense jungles and mountain ranges. Activities, there is much variety, from champagne picnics on the beach to energetic pursuits such as water sports and cycling.Take a tour of the ancient temples and pagodas that dot the surrounding area. Or pay a visit to the summer palace of King Rama VI.

This ex-residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur is now a luxury hotel, which was awarded by “Conde Nast Traveller” as one of The Best Hotel in Asia. The interior of the palace was refurbished in keeping with its historical heritage, providing a glimpse into the lifestyle of the royals. The Rambagh Palace is indeed a magnificent palace spread over 47 acres of gardens and offers its guests a taste of royal living – a luxury and extravagance that was once the sole preserve of kings.

There are plenty of activities: tennis and squash courts, golf, horse riding, croquet, swimming pool, fitness centre with a sauna, steam bath and Jacuzzi. Taj Spa offers the best in Indian rejuvenation therapies ranging from Indian aromatherapy massages, time-honored Indian treatments, body scrubs and wraps. Signature Taj Spa experiences offer guests the essence of traditional wellness experiences.
 

Hainan is China’s Hawaii. It’s on the same latitude, with a highly developed agricultural economy, roads and infrastructure. It’s China’s smallest province, divided by a 1.5 km strait from Guangdong, and nestled between the Gulf of Tonkin and South China Sea. Like Hawaii it has the beaches, hills, forests, wildlife, and recreational roster. 

In the central highlands, the descendants of the Li, Miao and Han wear tribal dress in the villages, and ancient Chinese poetry proclaims the beauty of the waterfalls, gorges, lush forests with chattering monkeys – and the same coconut, banana, pepper and fruit fields you can see, if on a different scale. This is where to join the annual Water-Splashing Festival. 

Sanya, Hainan’s second city in the south, is the centre of beach life, and focal point of all tourism. Xiao Dongtian, to the west at Yazhou Bay is spectacularly pretty, with beauty spots alongside regular beach and countryside facilities. 

When to go: Year-round. Population: 8,200,000. How to get there: By air from mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore or Japan, to Haikou or Sanya; by train and rail-ferry, from Guangzhou in Guangdong, to Haikou; by boat from several Chinese ports, to Haikou or Sanya. Photos by: Alfred(??) in Shanghai

Bohol is oval-shaped island and lies to the southern-east of Cebu Island and due north from Mindanao Island. Bohol is the 10th-largest island in the Philippines, with an area of 3,300 sq km and a coastline that is 260 km in length. It has gently rolling landscape and mountainous interior. One must see are the famous Chocolate Hills near Carmen, known as ‘The Jewel of the Philippines’. They are amazing natural wonder – some 1,200 uniform cone-shaped limestone hills. They are grass-covered and turn brown in the summer, which is where the chocolate comes in. There is a good road system on the island, giving access to both the interior and coastal villages. Photo by: WisDoc

The capital city Tagbilaran is located on the south coast, popular with those who like beach holidays on sand. Bohol is surrounded by 70 smaller islands. Many of these can easily be reached by the mainland, and some offer unusual experiences like whale dolphin watching. This activity is conducted by former fishermen who now serves as ’stewards of the sea’. Photo by: reybronx

When to go: November to April is mild, May to July hot and humid. August to October mild but rainy. Population: 1,137,000. How to get there: By sea to the Tagbilaran City Tourist Pier from Cebu, Manila and various other islands. Photo by: Flipped Out

This is the largest island in the Philippines Archipelago, giving its name to the one of the country’s three island group. Lizon itself is the world’s 15th-largest island, with an area of 105,000 sq km and the fifth most populous. The country’s capital Manila is located there, making Luzon the centre of economic influence in the Philippines. Photo by: lehongwang

Mountainous Luzon is home to the country’s second- highest peak (Mount Pulag) and most famous volcano (Mayon). Another natural highlight is the world’s largest lake on an island in a lake on an island – Crater Lake on Vulcano Island in Lake Taal on Luzon. This amazing landmark was once a vast inlet of the sea. As a result, it has many saltwater species that have adapted to fresh water – there were even bull sharks until the locals eliminated them in the 1930s. Photo by: Sekitar

Luzon has the best infrastructure of the Philippines‘ main islands and offers breathtaking contrast between its modern cities, variety of scenery, spectacular coastline and a rural way of life.

When to go: The climate is temperate, allowing year-round visiting, but April to June is the peak of tourist season. Population: 39, 500,000. How to get there: There are commercial flights into Luzon’s international airports, featuring cheap flights fom Hong Kong. Photo by: vicdv888 – (Super Busy)

El Nido Resorts began 20 years ago as a 15-cottage dive camp built in an isolated island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Miniloc Island, with a total land area of 224 hectares, is one of the largest islands in the El Nido Protected Area. The resort is encircled by limestone cliffs and crystal clear waters.  It’s a great place to relax. The island is a part of the still unspoiled chain of 45 limestone island jewels that make up El Nido, Palawan.

Miniloc Island Resort composed of 50 rooms with a variety of accommodation styles. Standard Rooms are 21 sqm, with garden and partial bay views. They are fitted with a queen size bed or 2 single beds. 25 air conditioned seaview room with separate shower and toilet facilities, Hot and cold water, Mini bar, Reception area.

There are water cottages built on stilts over the water. There are also seaview rooms with an adjoining verandah, directly overlooking the sea.

Amenities: Business Center, High-speed Internet, Restaurant and more.

The waters fronting the resort are rich in marine life.

It also has a Marine Sports Center, complete with water sports equipment such as diving and snorkeling, kayak, windsurfer, and hobie cat.

This small archipelago is situated just 20 km off northeastern Malaysian peninsula, made up of two inhabited islands, Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil divided by a fast flowing channel, and a few uninhabited islets. The name in Malay language means ‘stopping point‘, also British translation had them signed on maps as ‘Station Islands‘. Mostly populated by fishermen in the past, tourism is now the islands maintenance. Photo by: ABO Jr

These days the islands are preserved by the government, due to the coral reefs – some of the best on the east coast and the fine sandy beaches plus crystal clear turquoise water. The three main beaches on the west coast of Perhentian Besar are separated by rocky outcrops. Perhentian Kecil has prime resorts at Long Beach and Coral Bay. Photo by: raguqx

Apart from the village of Pasir Hantu on Kecil, where medical and police aid may be sought, the only island buildings are resorts. There is no mains electricity or main telephone network connection and the water is from local wells. The wearing of revealing clothing and the consumption of  alcohol are not encouraged and the only available means of transport, other than walking is boat. There is a dense tropical jungle with no roads and few footpaths. However, walkers may spot flying foxes, macaques and monitor lizards. Photo by: yungyaw

When to go: March to mid- November. Population: 1,100. How to get there: Boats from two fishing villages on the northern Terenggam coast. You should know: Accommodation on the island is limited, advanced booking is strongly advised. Photo by: a r t e n p h o t o c r a f t