This guest post was written by Stephanie A Long.

Apart from a few dolphins that had been keeping pace, the only thing to see since we had passed Green Island was blue meeting blue on the distant horizon. The sunlight’s warmth and the deck chair’s swaying and rocking had made my eyelids heavy.

I hadn’t realized that I’d drifted to sleep, though, or that the 4 hour journey could already be nearly over. And so, when a light touch to the shoulder woke me, it seemed to me that the wild, jungle-covered cliffs filling the world off to port had magically burst up out of the calm waters.

Orchid Island, also called Lanyu, had been on my travel list for nearly 2 years—and finally, I was there!

This volcanic island, with its turquoise waters and unique native culture, might not be as popular a tourist destination as the much closer Green Island, but that isn’t because it lacks anything in beauty or culture. Because of its remoteness—the island lies about 73 miles off the south-east coast of Taiwan—and the relative difficulty of traveling there, fewer people are able to make the trip. If you do brave the little planes or the ferry ride, though, the trip is well worth it!

Soon after climbing down from the boat, we were met by a driver who brought us back to a local home, partially converted into a hostel. Within an hour, we had our rental scooter, a full tank of gas, and an evening to drive, climb around on the volcanic rock, and explore.

A single coastal road wraps around the island, and it only takes 2-3 hours to circumnavigate this small island. You can take your time to stop and admire the dramatic rock formations along the road, and just enjoy the ride between the deep turquoise waters on one side and the dense, wild mountains on the other.

When it came time for a meal, there wasn’t any shortage of delicious things to eat. If you are looking for a quick snack or drink, there are numerous small, independently owned convenience stores along the island’s main road. You may have to drive 10 to 15 minutes to find a snack or a coffee, but that’s all part of the laid-back island adventure. There aren’t any 7-11s on this island, and that’s part of the charm.

There are a few western-style restaurants and bars overlooking the ocean, and plenty of small restaurants serving local food. Make sure to give the island’s specialty, flying fish, a try while you are there!

The stunning, deep blue waters that surround the island are home to some beautiful coral reefs, and Orchid Island has a reputation as being a great place for snorkeling. For only 400NT per person, we rented wetsuits and snorkels, and had a guide from the local village. Drifting above and through the beautiful world of coral reefs that lies just off the coast is the perfect way to spend a few hours here.

For travelers who like trekking, the climb to Orchid Island’s Taling mountain is popular, and offers great views. The weather station, which is just a short drive up the cross-island road. Although there’s nothing particularly spectacular about the weather station itself, the views along the drive, and once you’ve reached the top, are amazing.

One of the biggest draws to Orchid Island, though, is the chance to see its unique culture. This island is home to the Yami people. Culturally distinct from the rest of Taiwan, the Yami have traditions and customs that more closely resemble those of people in the Philippines.

On your trip around the island, make sure to check out the Lanyu museum, which shows a replica of a traditional Yami underground home, as well as tons of traditional crafts, tools, and art.

 Be sure to also keep an eye out for the beautifully painted, hand-made canoes.  Outside of the museum, the gate from the main road is made up to look like two of these canoes.

After an all-too short weekend there, Orchid Island ranks high on my list of favorite places in Taiwan.  It has beautiful oceans, wild mountains, and a laid-back feel that makes it the perfect place to relax and get away from it all.

Travel Tips

•  From the coastal city of Taitung, flights and ferries leave for Orchid Island daily, weather permitting. The flights are run by Daily Air, and cost about $3,000NT round trip. Ferries are only slightly cheaper, at $2,000NT round trip.
•  Bad weather often leaves flights grounded and ferries stuck in the harbor. Be aware that you may be stuck on the island for a day or two more than you had planned, and prepare accordingly. Even when the ferries do run, trip can be quite an adventure. We had calm seas on the way there, but ended up catching the edge of a Typhoon on the way back! I’d recommend the ferry only for people with a strong sense of adventure, and an even stronger stomach.
• Ferries and flights fill up early, especially during holidays. Trains and flights to Taitung are often sold out as well. Book your transportation to Taitung, and to Orchid island, well in advance.
• Not many people on the island speak English. You may have some trouble communicating and booking things if you don’t have someone with you who can speak at least some Mandarin Chinese.
• Renting a scooter is the best way to get around the island. Since the road is windy and often steep, having someone with you who knows how to drive a scooter is a must.

Combine the wonders of this exotic Asian destination with one of the biggest celebrations on earth and you’ve got yourself a trip of epic proportions. No one does Chinese New Year better than Beijing, China.

A celebration filled with color, energy, food, and history, Chinese New Year in Beijing hosts a number of fascinating local events to make your journey truly unique and unforgettable. MSW offers you an essential travel guide to some of the best attractions, activities and restaurants in Beijing during Chinese New Year.

Beijing Chinese New Year Winter Attractions

Fireworks

Each year, Beijing’s skyline erupts in a colorful array of fireworks for nights on end, while daytime hours are filled with noisy fireworks being fired all across the city by residents. The resulting cacophony is deafening and the city literally reverberates for days on end.

The most popular venues for setting off fireworks – and watching the pandemonium that ensues – are around the Drum and Bell Towers in the Houhai Lake district. During the day, this Beijing neighborhood is a perfect place for visitors who want to learn about traditional hutong lifestyles.

Nightlife

Houhai Lake District

If it’s Chinese culture that you’re looking for, start your night off with a rickshaw tour of Houhai Bar Street and its surrounding area. There are an ample number of bars and boutiques situated alongside a picturesque manmade lake; the area is dotted with gardens, ponds, traditional Chinese courtyards and ancient temples.

After you’re finished exploring, warm up with a hot beverage or a nightcap at the nearby Drum & Bell Bar. Overlooking the courtyard between the Drum Tower and Bell Tower, this rooftop bar provides a great view of the lake. In recent years the Drum & Bell Bar have provided a great place to view the fireworks on Chinese New Year’s Eve.

Another local favorite, the East Shore Jazz Café, comes highly recommended as the most authentic jazz in town. The café’s rooftop terrace offers views overlooking Houhai Lake.

Sanlitun Bar Street

Sanlitun Bar Street boasts some of the best nightlife activities in Beijing. Known as THE entertainment district of Beijing, Sanlitun has a wide variety of venues, including nightclubs, sports bars, pubs, coffee houses, and cafes.

As one of the most popular nightclubs in Beijing, Mix Club is the perfect place to dance the night away. The ultra modern 2-story nightclub regularly features international DJs who spin the latest music in a trendy setting that resembles some of the hottest clubs in LA.

The Bird’s Nest

Home to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, hosts several celebrations in honor of Chinese New Year.  During the Spring Festival, visitors can enjoy an artificial Winter Wonderland that includes skating rinks and mini ski slopes.

Skiing and Snowboarding

If you tired of sleepless nights in a city that sounds like it’s under siege, try hitting the slopes for a day or two.

Just 30 minutes outside of Beijing, Nanshan Ski Village has one of the best snowboarding parks in the country with five kickers jumps, a mini half-pipe, and over 12 boxes and rails. This winter wonderland also boasts some of the best man-made snow in the world. Experience it for yourself on any of Nanshan’s 12 ski trails, or try your hand at tobogganing or snowmobiling.

Less than a 4-hour drive from Beijing, Wanlong Ski Resort boasts a snowboarding park and 22 ski trails of man-made snow. As China’s largest ski mountain, Wanlong sees over 1000 skiers every weekend.

Celebrate Chinese New Year in a Traditional Village

This tour, hosted by the China Culture Center, takes visitors into the suburbs of Beijing to experience Chinese New Year in a traditional village, where lively street entertainers, folk dancers, puppet shows, sword swallowers, story tellers and magicians spin their magic and showcase their mesmerizing skills. Visit a traditional Chinese home and learn how fire is used to cook and heat the bed. Guests learn how to make dumplings and steam buns. The tour even includes a visit to local artisan who makes life-size paper replicas of horses and carts for Chinese funerals!

Experience Beijing’s Temple Fairs

Chinese New Year in Beijing is a noisy, colorful and busy occasion. If you’ve never experienced the temple fairs of Beijing, then this should be at the top of your travel itinerary during Chinese New Year.

The first temple fairs in Beijing date back to around 1000 AD. Vendors would often set up shop outside of the temples where pilgrims came to pay tribute to the gods during traditional festival periods such as Chinese New Year.

Today, Beijing’s temple fairs attract thousands of visitors from all over the world. Each year, organizers invite hundreds of performers and artisans from all over China to participate in the Chinese New Year temple fairs that are held near the temples and parks of Beijing.

These lively carnivals offer an opportunity to appreciate traditional artwork and local delicacies, spectacular variety shows from rural areas of China, dragon and lion dances, boys and girls on stilts, life-size puppets, waist drum dancing, lotus blossom fairy dances, Peking opera, acrobatics, and tea culture displays. If all that entertainment makes you hungry, you’re in the right place. You’ll find plenty of snacks and Chinese delicacies to sink your teeth into.

Temple Fair Tour

The China Culture Center offers a temple fair tour in Beijing each Chinese New Year. Visitors learn about the history of Beijing temple fairs and then they are taken to two or three temple fairs where they will get a chance to sample local snacks, purchase traditional handicrafts and view various folk performances and traditional handicrafts.

Eat

Chinese New Year celebrations generally begin with a family feast at home, but many families are breaking away from this traditional custom in lieu of eating out. Hu Zhifu, the secretary general of the Beijing Food and Catering Association, states that having Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner at a restaurant first became fashionable in 2003. The number of families that host their New Year’s dinner at restaurants is growing annually.

Popular Beijing Restaurants

Dumplings – Din Tai Fung

When food is renowned as much for its flavor and appearance as it is for being a true work of art, you know you’ve attained perfection in the culinary world. Din Tai Fung got its start in Taiwan in the 1980s, but since then it has expanded to 42 locations in nine countries worldwide. The Beijing restaurant does a brisk business, and many people say that they offer some of the best dumplings in China.

Visitors come for the paper-thin xiao long bao, (steamed dumplings) which are stuffed with vegetables and meat or mashed red beans. Beijing does not have a high concentration of xiao long bao restaurants, and food critics have claimed that the difficulty of finding good xiao long bao in Beijing makes their high prices worth it.

Weighing in at just five grams, the outer-skin of each dumpling is thin as tissue. Each skin is then stuffed with approximately fifteen grams of meat filling. Served with finely sliced pieces of ginger and a soy-based dipping sauce, the end result is sheer art. The tiny bundles bulging with a delightful combination of flavorful soup broth and meat simply burst with flavor.

Mongolian Hot Pot – Donglaishun

After a evening out in the cold Beijing winter air, warm up with a hearty meal of Mongolian Hot Pot at Beijing’s most popular hot pot restaurant, Donglaishun. This northern style hot pot restaurant has been serving Chinese Muslim fare since 1903, and the restaurant is thought to have some of the best shuanyangrou, (instant-boiled mutton) in town. An integral part of northern Chinese cuisine, hot pot is traditionally served in a copper potfilled with soup broth. Meat, frozen bean curd, vegetables, and noodles are added to fill the broth out. Once cooked, a final dip into a sesame butter sauce gives the meal an extra burst of flavor. As Beijing’s most famous hotpot restaurant, Donglaishun may be a little pricey, but its 40 locations throughout the city attest to its popularity.

Peking Duck – Quanjude

No visit to Beijing is complete without dining on glazed and roasted Peking duck. Crispy skin and tender, juicy duck meat is wrapped in paper-thin pancakes and topped with a thick, sweet hoisin sauce, scallions, and radishes.

Locals may argue vehemently on their picks for the best duck in town, but there’s no denying the popularity of Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant, a seven-story building at #32 Qianmen Dajie. The unique presentation of the food and the traditional interior design at Quanjude has been attracting roast duck lovers for more 146 years.

Shop

Shopping in Beijing is a veritable paradise for bargain hunters. Add Spring Festival fever into the mix and you’ll find yourself looking for deals of the century. Many shops and vendors hold sales to celebrate the New Year, so shop to your heart’s content and don’t forget to bargain!

Hong Qiao Market

One of the best places in China to buy pearls, coral, turquoise and other semi-precious stones lays a short distance from the Temple of Heaven’s main east gate. Prices at Hong Qiao Market are very reasonable owing to a number of vendors selling the same goods, so smile, have fun and bargain hard for your Chinese souvenirs.

GuWanCheng (Curio City)

This four-storey building on the 3^rd Ring Road behind Pan Jia Yuan harbors treasures waiting to be discovered. The store offers upscale Chinese antiques with prices to match. The management makes every effort to avoid selling fakes and low quality goods, but please remember the rule that applies to all antique shopping in China: Let the buyer beware.

A Note About Travel During Chinese New Year

Mainland China sees more interurban trips during the Spring Festival travel season than the total population of China (1.3 billion as of mid-2008). Masses of people begin rushing home in time to have a reunion dinner with their loved ones on Chinese New Year’s Eve, and all modes of public transportation are thrown into chaos every year. It is almost impossible to book any kind of travel tickets during Chinese New Year, and if you do manage to lay your hands on a ticket, beware that it might be a fake and don’t be surprised to learn that you are paying double the price for a ticket that allows standing room only.

The best advice we can give you about travel in China during Chinese New Year is to plan ahead and don’t try to travel by rail outside of Beijing. On a positive note, since most people stay at home with their families during Chinese New Year, you will be able to take advantage of fewer crowds at some of Beijing’s tourist attractions. Just remember to call ahead to make sure that they’re actually open! Furthermore, if you can beat the crowds, it is a great time to observe local Chinese New Year customs and traditions.

Twelve Tips for Enjoying Chinese New Year in Beijing

1. Book your hotel well in advance of Chinese New Year.
2. Avoid traveling by rail during Spring Festival.
3. Find out where the local performances are being held before you set out on your journey.
4. Bring warm clothing. The weather is bitterly cold in Northern China.
5. Call ahead if you’re planning on visiting any major tourist attractions since many places close down for a few days during Chinese New Year.
6. Catch a lion or dragon dance at one of Beijing’s many temple fairs.
7. Firework displays are de rigueur in China during Chinese New Year. Go somewhere special to enjoy the show!
8. Buy some chunlian. These temporary decorations are embossed with happy and hopeful messages for the coming year.
9. Buy a Chinese-style coat, or purchase some rabbit-head hats and shoes for the kids to usher in the Year of the Rabbit.
10. Visit a temple on Chinese New Year’s Eve to pray for a prosperous New Year. Don’t forget to light some incense to send your prayers to the skies.
11. Travel a few days before Chinese New Year to avoid getting stuck among the crushing millions of people who are traveling home to be with their loved ones.
12. Since many popular Beijing restaurants are booked months in advance, many restaurants recommend that customers book a lunchtime meal instead.

Article Resources

NIGHTLIFE - As of this writing, these establishments have not confirmed if they will be open during Chinese New Year’s Eve 2012.

• Drum & Bell Bar: #41 Zhonglouwan Hutong - Telephone: 86-010-8403-3600
• East Shore Live Jazz Café: Houhai, 2^nd Floor, 2 Shichahai Nanya -Telephone: 86-010-8403-2131
• MIX Club: Workers Stadium, North Gate, Chaoyang District, Beijing Open 8pm to 6am. www.mixclub.sohu.com - Telephone 86-010-6530-2889

 ACTIVITIES

• The Bird’s Nest National Stadium: Olympic Green Village, Chaoyang District
• Nanshan Ski Village: Shengshuitou Village, Henanzhai Town - Telephone: 010-8909-1909 www.nanshanski.com
• Wanlong Ski Resort: Honghualiang, Chongli Xian, Hebei Province 031-3478 5111  - www.wiski.com

RESTAURANTS

• Din Tai Fung Beijing: #24, Xinyuan Xili Zhongjie www.dintaifung.com.cn Telephone +86-010-6462-4502
• Donglaishun Dongcheng Branch: Xin Dongan Plaza, 5F, Wangfujing, Dongcheng - Telephone: 010-6528-0932
•  Quanjude Jinsong Branch: #826, Jingsong Eight District, Guangming Bridge - Telephone: 010-67711211
•  Quanjude Hepingmen Branch: #14, Qianmen West Street - Telephone: 010-63023062
•  Quanjude Qianmen Branch: # 32, Qianmen Dajie - Telephone: 010-6701-1379

CHINA CULTURE CENTER
Kent Centre A 101, Anjialou, No.29, Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District  -  info@chinaculturecenter.org  - www.chinaculturecenter.org

Telephone +86–010-6432-9341 
Fax: +86–010-6432-0145

Celebrate Chinese New Year in a Village

February 5, 2011. RMB 350 per person. The bus leaves the China Culture Center at 9am and returns at 4pm. Call 86-10-6432-9431 to reserve your spot. Book early because tickets sell out fast!

February 4, 2011. Tour price (RMB 200 per person) includes admission tickets, lunch, and transportation. The bus leaves from the China Culture Center at 9:30am and returns at 4pm. Call 86-10-6432-9431 to reserve your spot.

This guest post was written by Stephanie Long.

Snow, the weather report said. The faces in the van were a mix of startled excitement, and worry. We hadn’t been expecting snow on the mountain at this time of year, and didn’t have the equipment for it.

Snow Mountain rises to an altitude of 3,886m (12,749ft), making it Taiwan’s second-highest mountain. Well-traveled, popular trails lead to the top, but it’s still a fairly challenging, multi-day trip to reach the peak. For anyone interested in hiking, it’s a destination that can’t be missed.  I had been wanting to climb Snow Mountain since before arriving in Taiwan, and now I was finally on my way there.

As our van weaved its way southward from Taipei towards Shei-Pa National Park, we wondered: Would we go all the way to Snow Mountain only to have to turn back before reaching the peak?

We reached Wuling farm, at the base of Snow Mountain, around dusk. It was a short hike to the first cabin, Qika. With the moon nearly full, we soon realized that our headlamps and flashlights were actually more of a hindrance than a help. Within an hour, we’d made our way through the eerily beautiful, moonlit forest, and were settling in for the night.

The next day’s hike took us from Qika cabin to the East Peak, and finally, to 369 cabin.  With our heavy packs and all of our food, it made for an exhausting day!  From the East Peak, we could see 369 cabin, and the snow  up on the main peak.

This guest blog is by Ava Apollo.

The term “citizen of the world,” or “global citizen,” gets thrown around often in the travel community.  It sometimes seems as though it is used as a rite of passage into the “club” populated by those who fancy themselves part of the jet-setter elite, from nomads who are constantly on the move, to casual travelers who get out once every year or so.

Recently, Andrew Dunkle of GoOverseas posed the open question, “what makes a good global citizen?”

It's not the frequency, it's the metamorphosis

This got me thinking about what the term means to me, having studied International Studies at my university and having lived abroad previously.  To me, the essence of being a citizen of the world is not to be a nomadic globe-trotter who has had to add pages to my passport seven times, but rather, to be someone who has been changed by being abroad.  As someone who went through culture shock, questioning the way things were done abroad, and then experiencing reverse culture shock when back home, I realized that I actually missed the differences.

Ergo, I believe it means to be someone who is willing to grow, and willing to learn when he/she has been wrong.

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges of living and traveling abroad is to accept the cultural differences. Really, this requires a fundamental change in thinking.  It requires understanding that there are other ways of doing things.  This is one of the hardest things to accept: that perhaps doing things the way you’re used to isn’t the best way after all.   Taking it a step further, it requires not only understanding, but appreciation, respect, and even developing a love of the differences.  After all, craving something different is what pushes so many of us to travel in the first place, isn’t it?

As travelers aspiring to be good global citizens, I believe the single most important trait is to stop looking for answers, and instead to ask questions.  After all, life is about questions: What will this journey bring? How do other people in the world lead their lives? Why are these people so happy even though they have nothing?  Why can’t I be happy even though I have so much more? Why do we do things this way?  Why ARE we here?  What does all of it mean?

I’ve heard it said before that it is about the journey rather than the destination.  I hate a silly cliche as much as the next person, but damnit, this one’s true.  More than that, the journey is internal just as much as it is external, forcing us to question who we are and what we believe.

Find reasons to smile

Personally, living abroad brought me a new appreciation for my home country, along with a whole host of questions about how we run things around here.  Before experiencing life abroad, it was easy to complain about never having enough.  Not enough jobs, not enough health coverage for the sick, not enough access to affordable education, too much debt, too much greed, the list goes on.  After coming home, I realized that while all of these things are still problems, they are laughable compared to what those in developing countries go through.

It also made me realize that happiness isn’t bought.  There are ups and downs for everyone in the world, from the poorest farmer to the richest tech billionaire, we’ll always find problems, and we’ll always seek solutions.

So, as global citizens, we all have a very important responsibility: to respect and admire, to leave each place a little bit better than when we arrived, to care about social injustice and to do something about it, to never lose the hunger to learn, and to always appreciate the gift we’ve been given: the ability to experience the world.  So many will never have this gift.

It’s certainly not easy, and I have to gently remind myself each time I travel to try to be more understanding and appreciative.

In closing, I want to know, what made you realize that you’re a global citizen as it fits your definition? What do you do to be a better global citizen? Most importantly, how has being abroad changed you? 

*Thumbnail photo by dleavittlynn 

Flickr Photo by Prince Roy

Sit back, breathe a sigh of release, and relax into the steamy heated goodness that nature has to offer in Taiwan’s hot springs.

Taiwan’s location atop two of the earth’s major tectonic plates has blessed the island with mountainous terrain and an active volcano that have given rise to more than 130 natural hot springs scattered all over the island. Owing to its high concentration and variety of natural springs, Taiwan is ranked as one of the top hot spring destinations in the world. Hot springs, cold springs, mud springs, saltwater springs; springs that vary in color from milky-white, blue, and green to clear and muddy, and springs that vary in mineral content from sulfur to sodium and iron can all be found on this tiny island. Moreover, hot spring locations throughout Taiwan are acclaimed for their healing and restorative benefits, which may offer relief from a number of ailments that include arthritis, chronic dermatitis, muscle soreness, stress, and chronic fatigue.

It’s no wonder that Taiwan has such an ardent and active hot spring culture, and with such a large number of bathhouses and lavish spa resorts, Taiwan is quickly gaining an international reputation for being an ideal Asian destination for relaxing and recharging both the mind and body.

The History of the Hot Springs

Taiwan’s hot spring culture didn’t really get underway until the Japanese established colonial rule in Taiwan in 1895. Less than a year later, Taiwan’s first hot spring hotel, Tenguan, popped up just outside of Taipei in Beitou Hot Spring Valley. The hotel was not only an instant hit with Japanese soldiers, but it also blazoned the trail for dozens of other hot spring resorts that were soon to come.

The 70s and 80s saw a brief decline in the popularity of spas and resorts, but a large-scale promotional effort sponsored by the government in 1999 renewed interest in Taiwan’s hot spring culture once again. Over the past ten years, hot spring resorts and spas have been constructed all over the island, thereby becoming firmly ensconced in Taiwanese culture.

Today, no trip to Taipei is complete without visiting at least one of its two major hot spring destinations: Beitou Hot Spring Valley and Yangmingshan. Both areas, which claim roughly ten fountainheads between them, are accessible either by car or public transit and can be reached within 30 minutes.

Hot Springs in Northern Taiwan

(Make sure you come back and check for updated information as I will be adding new hot spring locations to this page regularly.)

Beitou Hot Spring Valley

Yangmingshan Hot Springs

Top 5 Wild Hot Springs in Northern Taiwan

5 Tips for Hot Springing It in Taiwan

1. Room rates are cheaper in Taipei.
2. Expect to pay between $5 to $20US for a soak.
3. Most locations will have public pools where you can bath by the hour or by the day.
4. Ask to see the facilities first.
5. It’s all right to check the temperature of the water before you pay.

Rules for bathing in Taiwan’s hot springs

1. Take a shower before entering the hot springs.
2. Test the temperature of the water before you get in.
3. Don’t bath in the hot springs 30 minutes before eating or 1 hour after eating.
4. Drink plenty of water before and after soaking in the hot springs.
5. Don’t soak for too long. 30 minutes is long enough.
6. People with heart problems or women who are pregnant shouldn’t soak in the hot springs.
7. Women who are on their menstrual period shouldn’t bath in hot springs.
8. Wear a swimming cap if you see other bathers with caps on.
9. If you’re in a resort that separates male and female bathers, you’re expected to soak naked.
10. Don’t show a lot of physical affection in public pools.

Calla Hot Springs, Yangmingshan

Yang Ming Mountain has remained a first choice getaway for city residents for decades. Fondly referred to be locals as the Imperial Garden of Taipei, Yang Ming Mountain, enclosed in Yangmingshan National Park, offers an entirely different kind of bathing experience from the sulfur hot springs in nearby Beitou. Spring waters in Yangminshan, ranging from 60-70°C, are clear, odorlesss, and are touted to be extremely effective in healing skin diseases, goat, and muscular pains.

Jin Shan, just one of several popular hot spring destinations in the area, is located on the northern side of the mountain. If you can imagine bathing partway up a mountain in an outdoor hot spring that is surrounded by towering mountains on every side, you might have some idea for what you’re in for with a visit to Jin Shan.

The rugged area is known for its scenic hiking trails, and many people come here to get attuned with nature before ending the day with a nice, long soak in the hot springs at Calla Young Garden Hot Spring Resort in Jin Shan Village. The resort offers unlimited soaking in a number of outdoor pools that range in temperature. The most impressive feature of Calla Young Garden Resort is its outdoor public pools, which provide a sweeping panorama of the prolific natural scenery. After you’re done soaking, proceed to the main dining area to enjoy a sumptuous Taiwanese meal that is included in the price of your bathing ticket.

A little further down the mountainside in Jin Shan Village, an inexpensive mountain hot spring experience awaits you at Jin Shan Hot Springs. You can soak for as long as you want in their steaming hot spring waters in either a private hot spring room or the public pool for US$20 and US$5 respectively. Jin Shan Village is a good hour’s drive away from central Taipei, but it’s well worth the journey. You can expect to pay around US$15 each way in cab fares.

When the chill winter weather arrives in Taiwan between the months of October and April, hot springs become packed with enthusiasts in search of the warmth and relief that comes from bathing in Taiwan’s heated groundwater. So don’t forget to sit back and indulge in a heaven-sent natural resource when you visit this green island in the Pacific.

TRAVEL TIPS – Yangmingshan Hot Springs

Jin Shan (Yang Ming Shan)

Calla Young Garden Resort

No. 33-3, Linkou Jhonghe Village, Jinshan Township, Taipei County, 20841  TELEPHONE: [02] 2408-0001

• Rooms from $157US per night
• Outdoor public hot spring pool and private hot spring rooms
• NT$800 includes all day soak and meal

Jin Shan Hot Springs

No.1, Ching Nian Rd, Jin Shan Township, Taipei County. TELEPHONE:  [02] 2498-1191, fax: 2498-3621

• Private hot spring rooms US$20 per session and public pool US$5 per person (unlimited).

Flickr photo by Tydence

An aboriginal legend of the Ketagalan tribe claims that a witch once lived in the northern outskirts of Taipei in the foothills of a volcano. She made her home next to a pond whose piping-hot waters permeated the air with sulfurous fumes and swirling white smoke.

This area, which is situated right in the backyard of Taiwan’s northern capital city of Taipei is known today as Hell Valley or Geothermal Valley, is the hub of Beitou’s hot spring culture. Overlooked by traditional Japanese style inns and luxurious hotels and resorts, Hell Valley’s boiling pond, eerie smoke-filled air, and lush vegetation looks as if it comes straight out of a fairy tale. As every fairy tale is wont to do, there is a message within the scalding hot and extremely acidic waters of that sulfurous pond: Jumping in most certainly means death.

Often teeming with locals and visitors alike, Beitou owes its ever-growing popularity to a natural abundance of hot springs and a tourist infrastructure that includes five-star resorts, cheap public pools, fine restaurants, and traditional Japanese beer halls and tea gardens. Very few cities in the world can boast of a backyard full of world-class geothermal hot springs that have been shaped into a spa connoisseur’s idea of heaven.

Resorts such as the ritzy Spring City Resort are designed for hedonistic pleasure with activities to occupy guests every second of the day. Each room comes equipped with its own hot spring bath, while those who are searching for more of a communal bathing experience are sure to find something on the resort’s extensive grounds, which include warm sulfur hot springs, swimming pools, an extensive health club, fountains, cafes, and areas for children to play in.

Discerning travelers also revel in the opulent private hot spring rooms of Villa 32, Taiwan’s quintessential spa playground. Devoted to providing a top-notch spa experience through its many prestigious services, Villa 32 embraces nature through three types of hot springs, serene waterfalls, and rock gardens, and its guests are treated to lavishly decorated rooms with every kind of modern amenity you can think of.

Nominated by Conde Naste Traveller as one of the most popular new hotels in the world in 2006, and lauded in 2007 as one of the best new hotels in the world by Australian Gourmet Traveler, Villa 32 promises an unmitigated excursion into the land of luxury spas in Taiwan. The rate for a private hot springs suite starts at $180US for three hours.

With all of these blue-ribbon wonders, is there anything left for the frugal-minded? Budget travelers need look no further than the Public Hot Springs for a cheap outdoor bathing option in Beitou. Located within walking distance of Xinbeitou MRT station, the Public Hot Springs offer six piping hot pools filled with milky-white water. The waters top out around 60 degrees Celcius and for a mere US$1.25, a long, lazy day of soaking should be your top priority here.

Finally, if you’ve finished soaking and you’d like to absorb a little local history, don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about the history of Beitou’s spas and bathhouses in the Hot Springs Bathhouse Museum. The museum, which was built in 1913 during Japanese occupation, was once the original spa used by Japanese soldiers, including Japan’s kamikaze pilots of World War II.

Flickr Photo by Shenghung Lin

TRAVEL TIPS – Directions to Beitou Hot Spring Valley

MRT:

• Take the MRT to Xinbeitou Station. From there, you can walk or get a free shuttle to any number of spring resorts in the area.
• Take the red line to Beitou MRT station. Then catch the shuttle bus or bus #25.

Bus:

• # 6, 9, 216, 218, 223, 230, and 266 to Xinbeitou

Spring City Resort

No.18, You Ya Rd, Hsin Peitou, Taipei – TELEPHONE: [02] 2897-2345, [02] 2897-5555

• Rooms from US$225 and up
• Spring Suites from US$396
• Private hot springs US$20/person per hour

Villa 32

No 32, Zhongshan Rd, Hsin Peitou, Taipei – TELEPHONE: [02] 6611-8888, fax: [02] 6611-5000,

• Western-styled double from US$529
• Japanese-styled double from US$826
• Private hot spring rooms from US$60 to US$90 for 2 guests for 90 minutes

Mabuhay!

Which Asian destination is home to hundreds of islands, miles of sandy beaches and coastline, lush tropical forests, world-class, old-world cities, and some of the friendliest people on earth. If you guessed the Philippines, you’re right!

Spending time on one of countless tropical islands in the Philippines may be a vacation of a lifetime, but don’t forget to set aside a few days to discover the bustling metropolis of Manila. Its rich past, incredible cuisine, and world-class shopping are just a few of the things that visitors enjoy when they visit this vibrant cultural city in the East.

A Spanish colony for more than three centuries, Manila also endured years of occupation by the Americans and Japanese during the 19th and 20th centuries. The result is a city with colorful past that is deeply rooted across several different cultures. Manila may have gained independence in 1946, but many of its old-world traditions remain the same.

Blast from the Past

The charming city of Manila is generally passed over by tourists in their haste to reach other popular destinations in the Philippines. The fascinating history of this ancient city, however, reveals the very heart of its people.

1. Intramuros

The ancient walled city of Intramuros allows visitors to take a step back into time to what was one the seat of Iberian Power in Asia. Its cobbled streets boast colonial architecture that was built by the Spanish conquistadors in 1571. Don’t miss the baroque San Agustin church (a UNESCO World Heritage site).

2. Fort Santiago

The cobblestone streets of Fort Santiago demonstrate what Manila used to be like before the destruction of the city in World War II. The 16^th century military defense structure is the city’s most famous historical landmark, and today it makes an ideal setting for picnics and open-air theater. Fort Santiago is located within the walled city of Intramuros, which was where the Philippines’ national hero, Jose Rizal, was imprisoned before his execution in 1896.

3. Rizal Park

Known as one of Manila’s most popular tourist attractions, Rizal Park has been home to some very important moments in Philippine history, such as the execution of Jose Rizal, numerous political rallies, and the Declaration of Philippine Independence from American rule was held there on July 4, 1946.

Meander through picturesque Chinese and Japanese gardens, check out the giant relief map of the Philippines, sit and watch locals playing chess, or tour the park in a horse-drawn carriage or calesa.

4. Manila’s American Cemetery and Memorial

While Manila’s American Cemetery and Memorial doesn’t sound like it would be a lot of fun up front, this is one destination in Manila where you should really stop to take in. Over 17,200 US personneland soldiers from the Philippines and other allied nations have found their final resting place here in on this beautiful expanse of land in the largest cemetery in the Pacific. Most of the personnel interred here were killed in New Guinea or during the Battle of the Philippines or the Allied recapture of the islands. The marble headstones are aligned in eleven plots forming a circular patten among the lush green lawn and tropical trees.

5. San Sebastian Steel Church

Marvel at the impressive architecture of San Sebastian Church. This Roman Catholic minor basilica is the seat of Parish of San Sebastian, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and it’s made entirely of steel. As the only all-steel church in Asia, San Sebastian’s gothic architecture draws thousands of tourists each year. It is also thought to be one of the first prefabricated buildings in the world, and the only prefabricated steel church in the world.

Its pale green walls, steel vaulting and twin spires were designed by Gustave Eiffel, the same man who designed the world-famous Eiffel Tower in Paris.

World caliber museums

Culture addicts will love the number of interesting museums on Manila’s tourism roster.

6. The Ayala Museum in Makati

This museum showcases a diorama of Philippine History and an extensive exhibit of pre-colonial gold objects, including jewelry, funerary masks, and a gold vessel in the shape of half-bird and half-woman. These objects are from the cultures that thrived in the Philippines before the Spanish colonization in the 16^th century. The museum also has a collection of scale models of ancient ships that sailed the Philippines waters and a collection of paintings from famous Philippine artists.

7. The Metropolitan Museum of Manila

Manila’s premier museum of contemporary visual arts in the Philippines, has a slogan that says it all. ART FOR ALL is the foundation of all its programs, which include permanent and traveling exhibits, interactive displays, and learning activities.

Modern Mojo

8. Shopper’s Paradise

Manila is a shopper’s idea of heaven.Shopping is the number one national pastime in Manila, and the giant shopping malls that can be found all over the city is a true testament to this. The city is home to three out of ten of the world’s largest malls. The Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and SM North EDSA are some of the largest malls in the world, and are a popular hangout for locals any day of the week. These malls are like mini-cities, with stores, supermarkets, theaters, spas and even a skating rink! Christian and Muslim religious services are also held at the malls.

Go bargain shopping in Greenhills in San Juan for knock-off designer bags, clothes, watches, and shoes. Nab some cultured pearls at any one of the jewelry shops in the area, or browse through DVD collections and art shops. Don’t be afraid to bargain!

Push your way through the crowds at Manila’s bargain shopping mecca, Divisoria. Every bargain hunter knows that this is the place to go to for arts and handicrafts, yards of fabric, food, and other cheap treats.

9. Nocturnal Wanderings

If it’s posh nightclubs, pubs, pool parties and nightlife that you seek, you’ve come to the right place. Metro Manila never sleeps. Makati, the financial hub of Manila, is also the city’s entertainment district. There are hundreds of bars spread throughout the city.

If dancing is more your thing, take a taxi to Club Embassy, Manila’s trendiest nightclub.

The Library, at 1779 M Adriatico Street, draws karaoke fans and music lovers with a  passion for live music. If you like displaying your singing prowess, this is the place to head to.

If you’re after something a little different for your night’s entertainment, head to Ringside in Makati’s red light district, where you can enjoy some female boxing, complete with gloves and headgear.

10. Weekend Attractions

While this isn’t my cup of tea, plenty of travelers rave about Manila’s bloddy cockfighting arenas in the Pasay City District each Sunday. Dozens of fights are held each day.

See the city from a jeepney, the most popular means of transportation in the Philippines. Originally constructed from US military jeeps from World War II, the ubiquitous jeepney is a symbol of Philippine culture, and they are well known for the flamboyant appearance and crowded seats.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Manila?

Japan (Flickr photo KatB Photography)

Todd Anderson is a freelance writer for the University of Southern California’s Masters in Education online program, which prepares student to earn an MA in TESOL as well as a California credential.

Living in a culture as different as Japan’s can be challenging for many Americans. I lived in Japan for six months during my junior year of college and did everything I could to not be one of those stereotypical gaijin (foreigner) who only hang out with other Westerners and never become a part of the real Japan.

Here are some of the things I figured out that were most important to living life to the fullest in Japan:

1. Talk as much as possible
Well, maybe not as much as possible, but don’t miss out on any opportunities to have a conversation in Japanese. Many Japanese people are curious about Westerners and what they think about Japan, and will be happy to endure your mediocre Japanese to get to know you. You can also give them an opportunity to practice their English.

I met my closest Japanese friend when we were both waiting in a doctor’s office to have a physical done. He was wearing a goofy pair of shorts and I made a joke about them, and it turned out we had a lot in common and ended up meeting for coffee or drinks several times a week for the rest of my stay. A close Japanese friend will make navigating Japan much easier, as well as giving you great conversation practice.

2. Eat and be merry
Japan has amazing food made with fresh, delicious ingredients. There are many types of meals to try besides your stereotypical ones like sushi and yakisoba. Do yourself a favor and try abura ramen and shabu shabu. The Japanese takes on other cuisines such as Chinese, Indian and Indonesian are also very good, as they blend some local ingredients and cooking styles with dishes from afar. Get together with some eating buddies and try something new!

3. Do something!
Food is great, but too many foreigners living in Japan spend their lives in a monotonous cycle of working, eating, drinking and sleeping. Many are too intimidated by the language barrier to try a group activity or participate in an event, but there’s no way to get around this fear — you have to push through it! You can find a group of people doing almost anything you would enjoy in America, especially if you’re connected to a school or university.

When I was in Japan, I joined an Ultimate Frisbee team, which is how I got most of my exercise as well as how I met many of my Japanese friends. I also joined a reggae band in which I played trombone. Being a part of these groups gave me lots of opportunities to practice my Japanese as well as keep doing the things I love. I had other American friends who joined a Coffee Appreciation Society and a Snowball Fight Club. There’s something for everyone.

Ask around at your school or use the Internet (possibly with the help of a Japanese friend) to find something to do in your area. English language magazines like Metropolis can be a great help too.

4. Learn to love the train
Odds are you won’t be driving a car while you’re in Japan, so the sooner you learn to get around by train, the better. This is especially true of Tokyo, where I lived and where there are over 100 different train lines to choose from. But don’t worry, there are lots of helpful websites such as Jorudan where you can put in any two stations and it will show you the fastest route between them.

Anywhere you want to go in Japan can be reached by train and even though it’s a little pricey, you should try riding the shinkansen (bullet train) when you travel between cities.

Some things you should be aware of when riding the train in Japan:

• You have to pay for the distance you travel on the train, which means each stop is more money out of your pocket. Some trips across Tokyo can cost $10 to $15.
• The trains stop running around 1 A.M., so you’ll have to be sure to catch your shuuden (last train). I once misread the station name and got off my last train at the wrong stop, but luckily found some fellow students from my university who let me sleep at their place.
• Trains get really packed during rush hour, sometimes to the point where station employees have to shove people in so the doors will close. Try to take up as little space as possible, breathe deeply and remain calm. It’s stressful at first, but you get used to it.

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Now you’re ready to go off and enjoy your time in Japan. Ittekimasu!

Guest Post by Brandy O.

There’s nothing quite like a good old-fashioned train-tour, especially when it’s your first time visiting a country (or two!) and you’ve got a lot to see and limited time to do it. Here are a few excellent reasons why you should consider traveling by train in Europe.

1. For one, it’s affordable, especially when compared to the cost of driving. Far too many people end up spending huge amounts of money on lodging and car rentals when they could take a train from destination to picturesque destination. Although the prices of flights are dropping every day, train travel is still affordable and you won’t need to deal with checked bags, flight delays or long layovers. Furthermore, train fares are generally fixed. You don’t have to deal with fluctuating airline tickets and gasoline prices.

2. It also gives riders the benefit of being able to see large swaths of landscape. You can sit comfortably while dining and sipping on amazing wine and coffee while taking in all of the incredible sights. You’ve even got time to dip into a travel guide and learn about the next destination. This is something you won’t have time to do if you’re driving, since you’ll more than likely have your nose in a map instead.

3. Trains add flexibility to your schedule. If you miss a train, you can just catch the next one.

4. You can sit back and relax instead of feeling stressed about getting to the next destination.

5. You’ll meet other travelers, make new friends, and be able to do some great people-watching during your ride.

6. You can pack more. There’s no need to worry about weight restrictions on a train.

7. You can fly into Europe almost anywhere to start your trek. Furthermore, you can stop at anytime  and stay for a few nights at different locations along the way.

8. If you’re a tech traveler, there’s no need to worry about unplugging. Ipods and laptops are more than welcome on any train.

Here are a few other things that you should know about taking a train through Europe so you know how to embark upon your journey the right way.

What To Expect:

Riding the train allows you to people watch and take in the culture. Trains are very spacious and offer a lot of seating but if there’s ever a situation where a train is full, you don’t have to worry because there’s usually a seat in first class. It is best thought to keep a close eye on your belongings so you don’t risk finding yourself without your passport. There’s also no need to worry about the language barrier, as most signs are marked in English and there is generally someone on staff that speaks English.

Passes Versus Point-To-Point Train Tickets:

When buying a ticket with Eurail, you have two options, and your decision will rest on how much you plan on using the train. Getting a Euro Pass or Flexipass is a good way to go if you don’t plan on putting in a lot of train travel. You can stop and get off at any stations along the way and stay as long as you wish.  You don’t have to worry about sticking to a schedule and it gives you a lot of freedom. If you’d like to maximize how much you can see then getting a point-to-point ticket will allow you to reserve sleeping quarters and give you a schedule to stick to. You’ll be able to get off and explore areas wherever the train stops and you’ll be able to take in far more.

Stations In Europe:

Every major city in Europe has a train station. Trains are still widely used in the country and allow an excellent freedom of movement throughout the heart of some of the largest, and smallest, cities in the continent. You’re not likely to find yourself lacking in anything at most of these major hubs. You’ll find banks, eateries, luggage storage, and pretty much anything else at these places. Don’t worry about finding a place to eat or mail a letter.

Taking these train tours is, more than anything, about sitting back and taking in the culture and landscape. Have fun during one of these trips and don’t feel stressed to see absolutely everything. The benefits are many and you’re going to save far more money doing one of these tours. Don’t worry about the language and just sit back, take it all in, and lastly make sure that you enjoy yourself.