Neptune Travel Guide

Archive for the ‘Travel Guide’ Category

What is yellow fever and how serious can it be?

Yellow fever is a viral infection that is passed to humans by day time biting Aedes mosquitoes. It is called this because one of the symptoms is jaundice, which can make the skin and whites of the eyes appear yellow. In the past it was an important tropical disease and epidemics decimated armies and had a huge impact on American ports like Philadelphia, New Orleans and Memphis. Some people call it ‘American Plague’.

Yellow fever can cause severe illness and death. The World Health Organisation estimates that the disease kills 30,000 people every year and it has a constant presence in tropical areas of Africa and the Americas. It can be caught in jungle or urban areas.

It is taken very seriously and some countries will not let you in without a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Whether you need a certificate can also depend on the countries you have visited in the last six days, so it is always wise to get expert advice that is specific to your own travel plans.

Yellow fever symptoms

Three to six days after a person has become infected they can develop symptoms of:
Phase 1 – the ‘acute’ phase

Temperature over 38C or 100.4F
Muscle pain, especially backache
Headache
Shivers
Loss of appetite
Nausea/vomiting
After 3-4 days most patients improve and their symptoms disappear
Approximately 15% will then go on to phase 2 – the ‘toxic’ phase

Fever re-appears
Jaundice
Stomach pain and sickness
Bleeding from the mouth, nose, eyes or stomach
There is no specific treatment for yellow fever. Infected people must be admitted to hospital to have their symptoms treated. Unfortunately half of the patients who enter the ‘toxic’ phase die within 10-14 days. Protection from mosquito bites during the daytime and vaccination are important ways to reduce the risk.

What to do if you are worried that you’ve got yellow fever

You should seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the signs and symptoms of yellow fever. Symptoms are similar to other tropical diseases so should always be investigated by a healthcare professional.

Following travel health nurse advice

If a travel health nurse has told you that yellow fever vaccination is mandatory or recommended for you, there is no doubt that your travel plans put you at-risk from yellow fever or that you need proof of vaccination to enter your destination country.
If they say you should consider the vaccination you need to weigh-up the risk and cost of the vaccine against the potential risk of the disease. Many people prefer to take no chances with their health.

Travel health nurse advice is based on:
Up-to-date information on whether there is a problem in the place you are travelling to, or whether you require a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter the country.
Your chance of coming into contact with the disease.
The medical facilities available if you were to become infected.
The duration of your stay.

All travel vaccination recommendations can change because of disease outbreaks and seasonal variations but nurses have access to daily updates and are specialists in travel health services.

You should have your vaccination at least ten days before travelling to a yellow fever area to allow your immunity to develop and for the International Certificate of Vaccination (if required) to become valid.
If you have made your travel plans late and have less than ten days before you travel, contact your Travel Clinic immediately. Vaccination may still be worthwhile depending on your plans and length of stay.
The vaccination can only be given in designated yellow fever vaccination centres. The vaccination for yellow fever has been in use for over 50 years and generally it is well tolerated. Typical reactions include pain at the injection site, mild temperature and headache/muscle pain.

However, there have been some very rare but serious reactions reported. Severe reactions involving multiple organs of the body are estimated to occur in 1 in every 200,000 people receiving the vaccine for the first time. The risk is higher in travellers over 60 years of age receiving the vaccine for the first time (5 in 200,000). Travel Health Nurse Experts are trained in assessing the risk to each individual traveller. If it is not appropriate for you to have the vaccination, you can be issued with a medical letter of exemption.

Yellow fever protection: summary of action to be taken:

Get vaccinated at least ten days before you travel.

Take your International Certificate of Vaccination with you when you travel and keep it safe as it is valid for 10 years.

Take measures to protect yourself from mosquito bites day and night. Cover skin with loose-fitting clothing. Use insect repellents and nets.

Tibet is a remote and fascinating country to visit. Blocked off by towering Himalayan peaks, including Mount Everest or Qomolongma, Tibet is known as the ‘The Roof of the World’. It had been hidden from Western eyes for many years. The rugged snow-capped mountains and green valleys are only a small part of what makes Tibet so special – another part is the Tibet’s devout Buddhism. Everywhere, you can find prayer flags, monasteries and temples honouring the Buddhist Gods and praying pilgrims en route to Lhasa. Here is some travel guide to help you get started with your plan.

Lhasa – Tibet’s holy city lies at 3600m above sea level, so you’ll need some time to acclimatise. Not only will you find the Potala Palace in Lhasa, you can also visit the Buddhist Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet.

You can also visit the Drepung and Sera monasteries which are schools for Tibetan apprentice monks. Just 35km outside Lhasa you’ll find the famous clifftop Ganden Monastery.

Friendship Highway to Everest Base Camp – This prayer flag lined road runs from Lhasa to Kathmandu in Nepal. Along the way to Everest Base Camp, you’ll pass the beautiful blue lake of Yamdrok-Tso, the trading town of Gyantse and Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city. You’ll also see Sakya, home to one of Tibet’s largest and most colourful monasteries. After a trip to Everest Base Camp, you’ll stay in Lao Tingri (also known as Old Tingri); a small Tibetan village with narrow streets and white-lime houses before continuing to Nepal.

Nam Tso – Tibetan for ‘Heavenly Lake’, Nam Tso is a turquoise salt lake at an altitude of 4730m.

In the heart of Northern Tibet’s wilderness, this lake is home to Nomadic Tibetans, with meditation caves and a pilgrim’s route running across the Changtang plateau.

When to go…

Tibetan winters are sunny and dry, but also extremely cold. That’s why we don’t recommend travelling to Tibet during the mid-winter months. Chances are that the roads will be covered with snow and there’s also a significant chance that mountain passes will be shut down.

What comes to mind when you think of typical Bermuda attractions? Basking in the sun on pristine beaches, cooling off in the crystal clear waters, shopping and taking in the local culture as you dine and bar hop your way into the early morning hours?

This is the common conception most vacationers have of Bermuda. But if you think this is all Bermuda has to offer, you couldn’t be further from the truth. You need insider information before you plan your next vacation to this island paradise.

Of course, you can’t go to Bermuda without experiencing the pristine beaches that make it one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Go ahead, scuba dive, snorkel, experience the sights of unforgettable marine life as you play on the beaches and in azure waters.

Chaplin Beach and Horseshoe Bay : There are just some of the wonderful beaches of Bermuda.

This areas offer great sites for scuba diving as well as snorkeling where you will get to see a variety of the marine creature of Bermuda. There are also wonderful yet affordable hotels dotting the beaches.

Bermuda’s golf and tennis courts : If you are a golf and a tennis enthusiast, then you will surely love Bermuda. Bermuda’s Mid-Ocean club is popular because of the challenges it offers, and this club offers seven courses of 18 holes each course. As for tennis courts, there are numerous in Bermuda that playing tennis will surely be a relaxing one for you because of the wonderful scenery they offer as well as the impeccable services.

Bermuda, a subtropical nation appropriate within the heart of North Atlantic Ocean, caters to visitors who wish to breathe and knowledge an eclectic mix of rich culture, peaceful scenery, and festive surroundings. Its ideal climate warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer months will certainly fascinate anyone who’s too tired with the extreme weather in various countries. Individuals mostly of African and European descent who are mindful of protocols and correct etiquette welcome vacationers warmly.

Just as the winter months are the coldest in the U.S., they are also coldest in Bermuda. The exception being their average winter low is only 60 degrees. Of course, with sea temperatures averaging in the mid-60s and obviously too cold for swimming, the weather is still mild enough for the many tourist attractions that Bermuda has to offer. There’s nothing like a mild winter day to enjoy strolling the cobbled streets of historic St. George, visiting centuries-old churches or touring the working lighthouses.

Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain and the capital of Catalonia, is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This beautiful city is ideal for sunbathing on its more than 4 kilometre beach. Among a large number of districts, there are four important to explore: Barceloneta engulfed with beaches and port, Ciutat Vella with its well-known heritage, Gracia remained as a village in the past, and Eixample adorned with famous Gaudi’s architecture. The history of this city dates back to 218 BC. It was inhabitated by Romans, and the valid proof can be found in the basement of Museu D’Historia de la Ciutat. All things considered, Barcelona is an ideal destination for your holiday.

Attractions in Barcelona: You must never miss the fascinating architecture of Antonio Gaudi in La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, La Pedrera and Parc Guell which now occupy a place of pride because of their inclusion in World Heritage Sites.

Barcelona has lots of museums and ancient buildings to explore. The city’s heritage can be best seen at Cathedral of Santa Eulalia and Paca Reial. You can enjoy golden sandy beaches at Port Vell. Tibidabo, the highest point in the city is an ideal place for having an aerial view of the entire city.

Transportation in Barcelona: The city is served by Metro, a bus network, two modern tram networks and several aerial cable cars. Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) controls most of the networks in the city and it provides double-decker buses for tourists to admire the beauty of the city. Barcelona is served by Spanish state railway network, RENFE and its intercity train station.

All major cities of Spain are interlinked by rail facilities. Barcelona Airport is Spain’s second largest airport and is served by Vueling Airlines, Air Europa, Spanair. Most of the airlines serve domestic and European destinations, while some fly to countries of Asia and United States. Seaports of Barcelona include Port vell, commercial port and logistics port. Port Vell houses Europe’s largest aquarium attracting millions of tourists.

Things to do in Barcelona: Barcelona provides an array of guided tours like Roman route, Modernista route, Contemporary route, Goudi route, Picasso route and much more. International competitions held every year attract thousands of sports lovers from around the world. The city has many memorable sporting venues which are indulged with Barcelona’s sporting history. In Barcelona, you will be astounded by the variety of modern retail shops and traditional shops with their splendid collections. Barna Centre is the city’s most traditional shopping district and it holds thousands of shops under one roof. Barcelona has also set the benchmark for international music like jazz, pop, rock and Latin rhythms.

Live in Barcelona: Barcelona enjoys Mediterranean type of climate making the visitors stay outdoors most of the time. Year round sunshine and pleasant weather make this city rank the 12th visited place in the world and 4th visited place in Europe. Barcelona provides varieties of hotels to suit anyone’s budget and facilities to satisfy most tastes. Two official languages are recognized, Catalan and Spanish but more and more people communicate in English, making it easy to get by.

The city of Bristol offers many different diverse attractions. Due to its growth and development, many tourists choose Bristol as their desired destination for a week or weekend break. The Victoria Square Hotel situated in the heart of Clifton village, offers ideal accommodation whilst exploring the numerous attractions available in Bristol. Bristol is easily acessible by London Bristol Trains. You can easily book your London Bristol Trains tickets online.
 
Bristol zoo
 
Among one of the many attractions that Bristol has to offer is Bristol Zoo Gardens. Having been awarded “Zoo of the Year 2004″, the 12-acre site in Clifton is an ideal day out for anyone enjoying a weekend break in Bristol. The zoo its self is ran by the Bristol, Clifton and West of England Zoological Society Ltd and has a continuous reputation for excellence, innovation, and dedication to conservation. Excluding the London, Bristol Zoo is the fifth oldest zoo in the world. Why not add this major tourist attraction to your “to do list” when staying in Bristol.
 
Architecture
 
An eclectic combination of architectural styles can be found in and around Bristol, the largest city in South West England. From Medieval to 20th century brutalism, a wide range of styles are present along with buildings from most of the architectural periods of the United Kingdom. Large Tudor mansions can be found outside Bristols historical city centre. The construction of the floating harbour has been a pivotal point for industrial development and growth. Some of the structural highlights include the Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed Clifton Suspension Bridge and the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum.
 
Shopping
 
When it comes to shopping, you really are spoilt for choice in Bristol. Just outside Bristol City Centre is The Mall at Cribbs Causeway. Consisting of 135 top name stores and 7000 free parking spaces, The Mall is a dynamic, easily accessible shopping venue. If you have chosen a centrally located Bristol Hotel then the newly developed Cabot Circus is idea for browsing the retail stores. After recently being awarded the retail and leisure industry`s BCSC (British Council of Shopping Centres) Supreme Gold Award, Cabots Circus has gone from strength to strength also landing the joint gold for best “In Town Retail Scheme of more than 30000 square feet”. Facilities include over 120 stores, cafes, restaurants and a deluxe cinema.
 
 
 

Oxford is a city situated in the south east side of the England. This city is very much famous by the Medival University. It has population of about 165, 00. There are two main rivers named as Cherwell and Thames runs through the city. Oxford University is the oldest university in the English speaking world. Oxford is one of the most attractive cities and visited in the city. If you are planning to visit there from any destination then you have better opportunity of travelling by the Trainline. This city was established in the 9th century. Now it is cosmopolitan city with the Anciant University and also serves as the home for the hi-tech community. It is also a hub for the many businesses. You can also find there science and business parks.

There are many historic buildings, colleges, museums and shopping places. If you are visiting there then you will find many Restaurants, Top Class Hotels and Self Catering Accommodations.

Some parks and nature walks
University parks
Mesopotamia
Rock edge nature reserve
Lye valley
South park

Other attractions in the city are Ashmolean museum, oxford botanic garden, museum of the history of science etc. these were some main attractions which people really wants to visit when they came to oxford.

As there are many transport options to reach there like by rail, by bus, by air and Ferries. By air the city is served by the London oxford airport. Flights running from there are seasonal to the Geneva, Rome and jersey.  By bus it is served by the oxford operators named as Thames travel or Essex etc. besides these the most frequent way to reach there is the train. Trainline, cross country and many other train operators are is providing its best services in all over the UK. The city oxford is well connected by the all the major train operators in the country. You can also book your Train Tickets online to get discount and many other services. You can also save on advance booking so book your tickets now. You can also use ferry if you want to spend more time with your friends. You can book your Calais to Dover Ferry tickets online and after reaching Dover you can travel by trains to Oxford.

With the Aussie dollar riding high a visit to our most popular overseas destination has never been better value. New Zealand’s close proximity, great skiing, spectacular scenery and generally laid back (almost comatose in some places) way of life make it a great place for a holiday or extended trip. In 2008 almost 900,000 Aussies visited New Zealand. Recent marketing pushes from the New Zealand government has kept people coming – it’s hard not to get a little emotional after a bad week at work when those adds come on…it really is a great place to unwind. So what’s the best way to get there and around?

Flights to New Zealand
There are plenty of great deals to New Zealand, with decent competition for your money from different airlines. This has made flights as cheap as they have ever been, but beware, booking early is still key as cheap seats will be sold up well in advance, especially for peak times.

Direct flights into Queenstown from Australia are always full over winter.

Important tips for booking flights to New Zealand:

New Zealand’s international airports are Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown (limited direct flights from Oz in Ski season)
A good time of year to buy tickets is January. Air New Zealand will release their specials around this time and seats will be readily available for later in the year (for ski season or flights up until September).
Splitting your return fare between two airlines is a way to save money – Qantas, Virgin Blue or Air New Zealand might be the cheapest on the way over to Auckland, while Emirates are often the cheapest on the return leg (a good chance to fly a great airline). Check online for one way fares rather than returns. A bit of searching will save you money.
In general you should budget around $ 450-$ 500 Aussie return inc. tax for flights to New Zealand. Any cheaper than this and it’s a great deal.
Direct flights into Queenstown will almost certainly be closer to $ 600 inc tax if you get in early
Virgin Blue is the only budget carrier that flies to the three major airports from Australia
Lan Chile and Aerolineus Argentina may sometimes have cheap seats as they stop over here on the way through to South America (via Auckland)
New Zealand is the most popular international destination for online flight bookings and there’s really no need to use an agent if you are happy to book online. Save yourself the commission agents will charge by booking on the web

Round the World
On Star Alliance New Zealand is an easy stop on the way to either the states or pacific Islands.

On One World Qantas or Lan Chile will get you there either on the way to the States or South America. It counts as part of the Australian region on continent based tickets.

The best time to go
Autumn (March to June) or spring (August to November) are great times to visit. Fares are cheap at these times, and there is less tourist traffic around the popular spots. The colours are great, and your holiday will certainly be more relaxed. On the South Island September – October is a great time with the combination of the change of seasons and snow capped mountains making for spectacular drives.

As in Australia and around the world try to avoid local school holiday times as prices will be higher. Try to avoid January, the first week of February, April and the first few weeks of July.

Getting around

Hiring a car

The cheapest time to rent a car is over the winter months from June to October. The great range of choice of hire companies and the strong dollar means it’s an easy and cheap way to get around at any time of year. $ 40 a day will get you started. Check the big operators such as Hertz, Easy Rent and Budget, along with a bunch of smaller operators.

Campervans

Renting a campervan has become one of the most popular ways to see New Zealand, and with good reason. It will give you total freedom and will work out a little cheaper than staying in hotels over the length of your stay. There’s a great network of camping sites to park in, or otherwise just propping for the night out in the country is much easier than on Australia’s East coast – you will rarely be bothered by a ranger at 6 am trying to fine you $ 300 for parking in a public place. (those rangers, they’ll get ya)

In general a campervan will set you back around $ 100.00 per day with all the bells and whistles. A good tip is that buying comprehensive travel insurance in Australia will save you on your car insurance in New Zealand. A decent Australian policy will have a high rental vehicle excess cover, allowing you to choose the cheapest insurance option for the camper van. The travel insurance policy will pay for itself a few times over.

Check out companies such as Britz, Pacific Horizon, KEA, Apollo and Maui. There’s lots of competition for your dollar.

Be sure you understand the varying road conditions in New Zealand – driving around in winter through narrow roads with sleet and snow can be highly difficult and put a dampener on any trip.

For longer stays buying a car is an option – 2nd hand cars can be quite cheap and the process of changing ownership is easy (just a trip to the post office).

Putting your car/campervan/person on the interisland ferry

Getting between the two islands with your car or on your own is easy and pretty reasonable. Ferries depart 5 times daily between Wellington in the North and Picton in the South. Look out for deals on these sites:

-Inter Islander
-Blue Bridge

Expect to pay around $ 50New Zealand dollars for a single trip without a car.

Backpacker Buses

New Zealand is by far one of the easiest countries to get around backpacking. A near perfect network of hostels is served by great public buses or, the easier choice, backbacker buses such as the Kiwi Experience. The later is a hop on hop off style bus that will take you around the islands at your own pace, conveniently stopping at all the major sights and outside the door of selected hostels. If you can put up with the odd white shoe wearing Brit spending dad’s money then this can be a great way to see the islands, with plenty of choices for adventure activities along the way. Also check out the ‘magic bus’ and ‘stray travel’ websites for similar services.

Rail

There are a few great scenic train rides in New Zealand that are reasonably priced and a good way to ditch the hire car for a few days. In the North Island you can travel between Auckland and Wellington, or on the South Island the train from Christchurch-Picton is always popular. The later takes in the Kaikoura ranges on one side and the Pacific coast on the other side. The trip takes around five hours, takes in 22 tunnels and is highly recommended.

Domestic flights

At present Zuji or Air New Zealand are two sites that will allow you to book and pay for New Zealand domestic flights online. Prices are fairly cheap; budget around $ 90 inc tax one way from Auckland to Wellington as an example.

Accomodation
As with flights booking well in advance is the key to getting a reasonable price for accommodation. If you are winging it and booking just a night and hire car be aware in Ski season and New Zealand school holidays accommodation options thin out very quickly. Moreover, there can be a massive difference in price through agents and different websites. Be sure to take the time to check out at least a few options before you book.

Skiing?
Cheap fares and packages, along with decent snow make a ski trip to New Zealand an easy choice rather than the overpriced and inconstant trips within Australia. A week in New Zealand really can be cheaper than staying at home.

The major difference between Australia and many other destinations is that you can’t stay right at the snow (with the exception of Cardona, above Wanaka, and these apartments are booked months in advance). You will be staying in towns close buy, but this is no drama as transfers to the mountains are cheap and being in Queenstown any night during ski season is not a bad thing.

Booking early is the key, especially for big groups. Try and book any flights and packages in January – there is always a multitude of deals available. Consider booking late season – August through to October. The snow is fairly dependable and you will avoid peak prices.

Main regions

Queenstown

The capital in New Zealand for both Skiing and adventure activities, Queenstown has never lost its appeal. You can ski up to 5 areas, including nearby Wanaka. There is accommodation from the plushest digs through to a bunch of backpacker style options that we generally lack in resorts in Oz. Queenstown is also great in summer, with plenty to keep you busy off the mountains.

Wanaka

Some 70 km’s from Queenstown, Wanaka is a big resort though less crowded and hedonistic than Queenstown. It’s a cheaper choice than Queenstown, but has less scenic value and comes with little of the village style atmposphere that you get from its flashier neighbour.

Mt Hutt

Mt Hutt enjoys the longest ski season in the South Island due to its status as one of the highest ski fields in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s located just 1.5 hours drive from Christchurch. Accommodation choices are either Methvan or Mt Hutt, and range from cheap and simple motels to luxury resort style.

Mt Ruapehu

Located on the North Island, Mt Ruapehu is little known to people outside New Zealand. To locals, this area represents consistent snow and the country’s most developed ski areas. Tour operators virtually ignore this region, though it’s many New Zealand locals first choice over winter. Heli skiing is better served in the South Island, along with other adventure activities.

Heli Skiing
For heli skiing trips or scenic flights over parts of both islands a multitude of choice abounds. Just be sure to check the safety record of the operator you choose.

Some other useful tips
Stay longer than the average five days most Aussies do – a month of travel here should leave you wondering what the rush is back home

Don’t bother buying road maps – the Value Tours brochure, from any agent in Aus, has a comprehensive rundown of accommodation options, and a free and decent map. Something like an NRMA guide book. Failing that free tourist maps when you arrive are just as good.

Always check for deals in January for the Ski season

Also look into skiing in the North Island for something different

Abu Dhabi offers various attractions such as Al Maqtaa Fort, Dhow Cruising, Heritage Village, and Bateen Shipyard. There are lots of new and exciting things to do in the Abu Dhabi and the night life of Abu Dhabi is Awesome. you will have great luxurious facilities in Abu Dhabi as well.

But that do not mean that the budget for holiday in Abu Dhabi is high. Abu Dhabi holidays offer all these things in affordable price as well. If you are planning to go to Abu Dhabi for holiday then you will find many airlines that offer affordable flights to Abu Dhabi. The airlines like Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, and Gulf Airlines has a great affordable flight schedule. Talking about the rates of the flight from United States to Abu Dhabi then it is approximately between 700$ to 900$ .

After reaching there, you will need a affordable hotel where you can stay during the holiday but there is nothing to worry about it because there are many great and popular hotels available in the Abu Dhabi that offers luxurious facilities like Attractive restaurant, Fitness center, Swimming pools and the Internet.

And all these things are provided in affordable price too. The rates of these hotels for a day stay are starts from 50$ and few most popular hotels rates are approximately 250$ . Hotels like Emirates Palace, Eclipse boutique suites and Al Manzel are the most popular hotels in Abu Dhabi which price are between 150$ to 300$ .

To rent a car is the best thing to do to get all around the city to find and visit the all great and famous things and places in Abu Dhabi.

There are more then 400 local companies that offer the good and affordable car rent service. Trawler, Dollar, Europcar and Budget are the some of the best car rent service provider in Abu Dhabi. And all these companies’ rates are very affordable. The rates are some where between 150$ to 250$ . All these car rent service provider are the professional and they takes care of all the needs of their customers. They provide highly trained drivers, as well as great luxurious vehicle. And they provide maximum security to their customers.

So now we know that the Abu Dhabi is a complete package of the holiday for you and your family. And overall, Abu Dhabi has every thing that any one wants during their holiday time. You will definitely enjoy your holiday in Abu Dhabi and you will have great time in Abu Dhabi.

Haikou, known also as the ‘Coconut City’, is the capital of Hainan Province, China’s second largest island. The city is the provincial administrative center of Hainan as well being the focus of the local economy, culture and transportation. Haikou stands at the northern end of Hainan Island, on the west bank of the Nandu River estuary. This river is the longest on the island and the city’s name appropriately means ‘Mouth of the Sea’.

With the sea on three sides Haikou enjoys a long coastline that features excellent bathing beaches and sea side resorts. Holiday Beach is the most popular of these, while Xixiu Beach is where the National sailing and windsurfing teams train and hold competitions.

The downtown area of the city has an excellent environment with streets lined with coconut palms.

Here there are modern and convenient public transport facilities and all that is best in a tropical seaside city that is pollution free and that meets the needs of the tourist in a friendly and welcoming way.
Besides its natural resources, Haikou has a number of important sites of historical interest. The Wugong Temple (The Five Official’s Temple), the Tomb of Hai Rui and the Xiuying Emplacement each serve as reminders of the historical importance of Haikou.

No trip is complete without the opportunity to savor tempting local food and shopping opportunities. It goes without saying that for anyone coming to Haikou, seafood is definitely a must. However, the city is also famous for its other prized dishes. There are four to delight the gourmet and should not be missed. They are Wenchang Chicken, Dongshan Mutton, Jiaji Duck and Hele Crab. The climate means there is an abundance of fresh local fruits such as mangos, pineapples, jackfruits, coconuts and carambola, betelnuts, pawpaw, longan and lichee, loquat, naseberry and passion fruit. Maybe some of these will be new to you but we are sure that if you try them you will want to take come home!

As for transportation, don’t worry! Hainan Meilan Airport, railway station, ship and expressway links cities of China and the whole world.

Haikou has evolved from a simple sightseeing city to an attractive seaside resort and business center. The services for visitors to the city are being extended with the aim of establishing Haikou as Southern China’s key center for tourism.

Lying between the Yangtze River and Huaihe River, Hefei is the capital city of Anhui Province and is ranked as one of the fifty strongest cities in China. Close to the coastal area, Hefei plays an important part in connecting the eastern and western areas of China while also linking the south and the north. Covering an area of 7,266 square kilometers (about 2,805 square miles), Hefei is known as the central tourist city of the whole province.

The ancient Hefei City, with a long history of over 2,000 years, was also nicknamed ‘Luzhou’ or ‘Luyang’ because it was under the governance of Luzhou prefecture in the Ming (1368 – 1644) and Qing (1644 – 1911) dynasties.

Hefei is the political, economic and cultural center of Anhui Province and has played an important role in commercial transactions since ancient times. Due to its good surroundings and long history, many natural and cultural places of interests can be found in Hefei. The most famous one is undoubtedly the Memorial Temple of Lord Bao.

Hefei is a beautiful city with good surroundings – the Huaihe River flows to its north, to its south is Yangtze River, and to its south- east lies the Chaohu Lake with its expansive blue waters. It exemplifies the good climate to be found in the area having a mild climate with clearly defined seasons and moderate rainfall. The average annual temperature is 15.7C (60.26F). As is known, every city in China has a city tree and a city flower and, in the case of Hefei, the Yulan tree is its city tree and the sweet-scented osmanthus, pomegranate flower is its city flower.

To better understanding the ingrained culture of Hefei, you have to watch the performances of the Lu Opera. Lu Opera is a popular local opera which originated in Hefei. It became an independent style of opera in the era of Emperor Jiaqing of the Qing Dynasty and evolved from many artistic forms such as folk songs and folk dances. The arias are rich and various, and the performance is vivid. ‘Natural and simple’ is what makes Lu Opera a popular drama appreciated by all. It is really a highlight you should never miss when visiting Hefei.

If you are one of those people who regard food as their prime requirement, you should try the local delicious food and special cuisine which is on offer, whenever you pay a visit. Luzhou Roast Duck is the first recommended delicacy in Hefei and it tastes very good. Other special, high quality products will also satisfy your appetite such as Mabing (sesame cake), Honggao (baked cake), Cunjin (sesame cookie) and Baiqie (white sesame slices). Also, dumpling-making in Hefei is a delicate and intricate process and, there are various shapes of dumplings that will excite and satisfy your appetite.

Hefei is located in the centre part of East China, and its transportation system is well-developed. With the whole city’s transportation system linked by airport, railway and highway, a solid transportation network is at your service. Due to its fast development in recent years, transportation within and around Hefei is very convenient, especially for tourists.