#lightthecity

If you’re ready to make all of your friends and family extremely jealous, then don't forget include Bulog Island in your list. The sand is perfectly powdery and white, the water is a beautiful ombre that fades from a clear crystal to a bright turquoise, and the scenery is what Instagram dreams are made of.When the tide is low, a fresh sandbar appears where you can take those coveted jumping photos that make you look like your floating in the middle of the ocean.And, if that wasn’t enough, the way the catamarans line up on the beach looks like something out of sight. The view is great to behold.Bulog Island is a must-see destination while visiting Coron Palawan. #lightthecity #urbanexplorer

Old bund, Moon lake, and Science Exploration Center, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. That's all I covered with one night's stay there. It was an awesome trip. The Moon Lake is about a one-kilometer walking distance from Ningbo Railway Station. It was nice to watch the boats floating all around the lake paddling by the visitors. The Old Bund is awesome at night. The adjacent church is a must visiting spot. You can enjoy late-night drinking at any chosen bar among many with live music. Overall, I like the vibrancy of Ningbo🤗 #historicculture#urbanexplorer#qingmingtravel#springblossoms#lightthecity

For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it. —Jacques-Yves Cousteau this pandemic, i realized the value of time and nature. It sways together, it sings together. As part of that nature, we also need to go with the flow and to be brave enough to live our life and never be afraid. the photo shows a morning scenery in Camotes Islands. wake up and witness the sun rise, eat good food, live your life. that should be the golden rule. hotel: Santiago Bay resort #lightthecity#urbanexplorer #maydaytrip #urbanexplorer #easylife#uniquehotel

Mount Qiniang(七娘山), located in Dapeng Peninsula, is the second highest mountain in Shenzhen with 869 meter height and 7 peaks. Most visitors get started at the 大鹏半岛国家地址公园 entrance. It's all the way up with stairs, very tiring though but stunning views from the observation decks of Jiaochangwei(较场尾), Xichong(西冲) and some ancient rocks. While the way down is wild trail with a few climbs, which is my favorite, especially the last 1-2 km with all the small bamboos, can't be more relaxing! 🎟:🆓, health code is required for entrance ❌Pets ❌Lighter #urbanexplorer #lightthecity #shenzhen #hike #qiniangshan #weekend

Above Sun Wen Xi Road rises a steep hill home to a verdant park. The very top is the site of the Fufengwen Pagoda, a famous and slightly less than vertical tower. It's not possible to enter the pagoda, but it's a good spot for a photo (and a good motivation to climb the stairs to the top of the hill!) Other park attractions include a memorial pavilion to Dr Sun Yat-sen, tennis and basketball courts, and pleasant walking paths. There are at least three entrances to the park, most of them leading to stairs, but there's one accessible entrance with a stair-free ascent of the hill. Visit the park together with the century-old Sun Wen Xi Road for an ideal visit to Zhongshan. #leaveyourmark #urbanexplorer #lightthecity #photography #travel #zhongshan #guangdong #park #pagoda

Even after four years of exploring Guangzhou it still holds surprises. Walking through the massive and hectic fabric market in Haizhu District, I came across the Chunyangguan, a Daoist temple complex built on a small rocky hill. Inside, a network of gardens, fountains, temples and pavilions provide a restful and contemplative haven. Something of the peace was destroyed by the relentless recitation of rules for visiting which are blasted by loudspeakers outside each temple, but fortunately there are quiet places to sit and meditate also. The highest point of the hill has a small tower you can climb for a good view of the surroundings. You can also get a fairly close up look at the ceramic rooftop decorations of one of the temples from here. Chunyangguan is about a 10-15 minute walk from Sun Yat-sen University Metro Station (中大站). Show your health code to enter. #LeaveYourMark #UrbanExplorer #LightTheCity #photography #travel #Dao #temple #Guangzhou #Guangdong #China #classical #architecture #peaceful #staycation

Medan, the major city of North Sumatra, is not well known as a tourist destination, but besides being a convenient launch point for more popular sites like Lake Toba, it also has attractions of its own. The city has a very authentic, lived-in feel, not dressed up for tourists. It's worth spending a few days and getting a feel for life for average Indonesians. Getting There - Medan airport is connected to the city by a rapid train, as well as taxis. Getting around the city is easiest by motorbike, so I recommend renting one. Lake Toba is also accessible by motorcycle (long ride). Attractions - The royal palace, the seat of the local sultan, is partly open to tourists. Part of the palace complex is inhabited by members of the sultan's family. The museum, designed like the traditional houses of the Indigenous peoples of the highlands, gives a good overview of the local history, particularly of the Indigenous tribes. It was a helpful preview for me before going up into the mountains. Food & Restaurants - There are many small eateries and a few fine restaurants and trendy cafés. Don't miss the Sibolang Durian Bar, where you can get an all-you-can-eat special on the stinky but sweet fruit. #LeaveYourMark #UrbanExplorer #LightTheCity #photography #travel #Indonesia #Medan #mosque #museum #palace #durian

Art lovers should all visit Barcelona to see beautiful art by Gaudi and even the only Picasso painted outdoors. Whether you appreciate art or just want a great postable picture, Barcelona should be on your list of places in Europe to visit and explore. Highly recommended to try local tapas and sangria while you're there! The history and beauty make Barcelona an #unforgettableexperience #urbanexplorer#leaveyourmark#lightthecity

El Nido is on the north of Palawan Island in the Philippines. A cute little town full of guesthouses and restaurants is bordered by long, clean white sand beaches and surrounded by an archipelago of lush green islands rising out of the azure sea. Several different day-long boat tours leave from the harbour and take you to different sites for snorkelling, kayaking, a picnic lunch and beach time. My three days here were a highlight of my trip to the Philippines and I could easily have stayed longer. #leaveyourmark #urbanexplorer #lightthecity #philippines #beach #sun #sand #tropical

Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan province in the Philippines. The island's main airport is here and it's a convenient hub for visiting other places in Palawan like El Nido and the underground river. But Puerto Princesa is a destination in its own right, with diverse attractions. Getting There - Flights from Manila and elsewhere arrive at Puerto Princesa Airport, which is unusually close to the city centre. It's actually possible to walk into town from there, though a rickshaw or taxi is not expensive. Attractions - Puerto Princesa is famous for its beautiful, imposing cathedral. There are also several nice beaches. Hotels - This is a major tourist area and there are many hotels and guesthouses. Food & Restaurants - A range of food is available, particularly along the main street through town and in Chinatown. Its also home to Palawan's first microbrewery, which has a wonderful outdoor bar. Definitely spend an evening chilling there. Money - There are few places to exchange money except for American dollars, and bank machines don't accept all types of cards. Pawn shops may exchange other currencies but the rate is very unfavourable. If you have currency other than USD it's a good idea to change it at Manila Airport. The rate is better than anywhere on Palawan. Although you'll probably come to Palawan for other places, especially El Nido, it's worth spending a few days at the beginning or end of your trip in Puerto Princesa. #leaveyourmark #lightthecity #urbanexplorer #philippines #palawan #beach #cathedral #foodieheaven #tropical

A trip to Victoria Peak is a must for visitors to Hong Kong. Many ride up the Peak Tram and enjoy the view from there but don't know there's much more to see. A circle route takes you all the way around the Peak, giving a view in every direction. Parts of the trail go through well established forest and it feels more like being in the jungle than in the middle of a densely populated city. It's definitely one of the best places to see the skylines of Central and Kowloon, separated by Victoria Harbour. The circle takes about an hour at a reasonable walking pace. To get there, take the Peak Tram or climb up one of several trails from Central. There are also buses available. #leaveyourmark #lightthecity #urbanexplorer #hongkong #victoriapeak #views #skyline #cityscape

Chinatown is one of the oldest districts of Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. Many buildings date to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when reformers associated with Sun Yat-sen organised opposition to the Qing Dynasty from here. Today Chinatown remains one of the best places to get Chinese food in the city and is a popular tourist destination. Chinatown is just a short walk from the Inner Harbour, where float planes and helicopters from Vancouver and ferries from Washington State arrive, and not far from the cruiseship terminal. #leaveyourmark #urbanexplorer #lightthecity #victoria #canada #chinatown #foodieheaven

Just a short journey from Vancouver is BC's Sunshine Coast, a strip of earthly paradise. Located on the north side of Howe Sound, the southernmost fjord in North America, the Sunshine Coast comprises several small towns and villages including Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay and Pender Harbour, each with its own characteristics. Getting There - Take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale. The area is most easily explored by car, but there is a bus from the Langdale ferry terminal which stops in each settlement; Gibsons Landing is compact enough to be explored on foot. Attractions - Enjoy the natural beauty! There are many fine beaches, particularly the long sandbar at Roberts Creek Beach. There is an abundance of hiking trails. Gibsons served as the set for the long-running CBC TV series the Beachcombers, and people still come to see the area featured in the series. Hotels - There are a number of small hotels but especially recommended are B&Bs, of which there are many. Food & Restaurants - Seafood is a natural choice here beside the sea. Molly's Reach is a longstanding favourite for having featured in the Beachcombers series and since then served as a real restaurant. It offers a fine view of Gibsons Harbour. In recent years several craft breweries have opened, starting with Persephone Brewing, now a local favourite. Sit in their garden, have some freshly baked pizza and listen to live local bands whilst sipping their excellent brews. Shopping - There are many local shops offering handicrafts, art and souvenirs, particularly in Gibsons Landing and Sechelt. Don't miss Reasons to Live Books, an excellent little new and used bookstore. When to go: Despite the name, this area is in a temperate rainforest and subject to rain at any time of year. The most reliable times for good weather are in May and July-September. If you are caught in a shower, visit a local gallery or one of many cafés and wait a while #LeaveYourMark #UrbanExplorer #LightTheCity

The Harbin Ice & Snow World is one of the largest ice festivals in the world. it takes place from end of December until February (weather permitting). The local farmers from the area turn into architects during the winter to put on this amazing show for the world to see! Each year, the architectures are different to go with the theme so it is definitely worth a visit! #wintergetaway#urbanexplorer#leaveyourmark#lightthecity

Dandong, Liaoning is the main border crossing between China and North Korea. A popular attraction is the broken bridge, bombed on the Korean side by the United States during the Korean War. You can walk to the end of what's left and gaze across to Sinujiu in the Hermit Kingdom. A river cruise is another way to get a good view of the Korean side. Dandong was also the end of the Great Wall of China during the Ming Dynasty. The heavily restored wall is another excellent place to look into Korea, as it's close to the modern border. Though the border is currently closed due to Covid, organized tours of North Korea ordinarily leave from Dandong, including day tours of Sinujiu and train journeys to Pyongyang. #LeaveYourMark #urbanexplorer #LightTheCity #Dandong #Liaoning #China #Korea #NorthKorea #GreatWall #GreatWallofChina #bridge

Like the various ingredients in a bowl of laksa, Kuala Lumpur is a brilliant mix of cultures making a unified whole. Malay, Chinese, Indian, colonial and modern architecture, cuisine and language jostle together and create something uniquely Malaysian. The historical centre of Kuala Lumpur is quite walkable and I really enjoyed wandering the streets of this fantastic city. The National Museum is well worth a visit. Don't miss the exhibition of Indigenous Malaysian culture, which is in the same building but through a different entrance. #leaveyourmark #lightthecity #urbanexplorer #kualalumpur #malaysia #foodieheaven #historicallandmarks

Xiamen is a cool coastal city in Fujian. Once a treaty port known to the world as Amoy, it retains much of the architecture from that time. The main attraction is Gulangyu, an island just off the coast which was a foreign concession where Europeans and Chinese who'd made fortunes abroad built comfortable villas. There is a short ferry crossing to Gulangyu directly from the Xiamen waterfront but it's only available to Xiamen residents. Tourists must go to the cruiseship terminal to take a significantly pricier and longer ferry. This is annoying, but it's still worth visiting the island. Set aside a whole day to walk around the seawall and visit some of the museums in the main town. #leaveyourmark #urbanexplorer #lightthecity #xiamen #amoy #gulangyu #seaside #coast #island #historiccallandmark

Kaiping is nicknamed 'the home of overseas Chinese' as huge numbers of emigrants left this area beginning in the late nineteenth century. Many settled abroad and Taishanese, the local language, is still spoken around the world. Others returned home with both wealth and inspiration. They imported what were then new western inventions like flush toilets and radios and built houses in their home villages inspired by the architecture they'd seen in Europe and the Americas. The most distinctive of their buildings are diaolou, fortified towers crowned with ostentatious baroque or neoclassical penthouses. They served both as residences and defence against bandits. They can be found in various places, but especially in Kaiping, where they are recognised as a Unesco world heritage site. Many are scattered singly or in pairs throughout the countryside but there are a few diaolou clusters where you can see many in a small area and even climb up a few of them, as well as seeing the Republic of China period furnishings inside. The surroundings are very rural, not much changed a century after these eccentric towers were raised. Kaiping is an easy day- or weekend-trip from Guangzhou. From Kaiping Railway Station it's easiest to get a taxi to one of the diaolou clusters. Be sure to taste the local speciality baozaifan, rice cooked in a clay pot until the bottom gets crusty, served with various toppings. #leaveyourmark #urbanexplorer #lightthecity #kaiping #taishan #jiangmen #guangdong #diaolou #architecture #historicallandmarks #unesco

Zhangjiajie is a huge park in Hunan renowned for its bizarre pillar-like mountains. Said to have inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountains in the film Avatar, the peaks of Zhangjiajie, although they don't fly, are even more incredible for being real. The 'floating mountain' effect can be seen when it's foggy and only the peaks rise above the clouds. It was hot and sunny when I was there, so I didn't see this view, but it was beautiful all the same. Some areas, around infrastructure like the glass elevator, the cable car, and so on, can be very crowded, but there is also an impressive network of trails and it's possible to do some good hiking whilst avoiding both the crowds and modern development. Few other people bother climbing hundreds of steps when there's a lift 😆 Be sure to carry enough water if hiking and watch out for the monkeys, which are very good at stealing food.🐒 #leaveyourmark #urbanexplorer #lightthecity #zhangjiajie #hunan #china #mountains #hiking #landscapes #naturalwonders

Tiger Leaping Gorge. The name is at once enticing and thrilling. Located in Yunnan, about midway between Lijiang and Shangri-la, this is where to come to see snow-capped mountains, steep cliffs, raging waters and soaring eagles. Hike along an ancient switchbacked trail and breathe the mountain air. Stop to rest in minority villages clinging to the canyon walls amongst steeply terraced fields. There might not be any tigers today, but the place has a rugged fierceness of its own. #leaveyourmark #urbanexplorer #lightthecity #yunnan #tigerleapinggorge #虎跳峡 #mountains #hiking #canyon #photography #scenery #naturalwonders

The Stone Forest (石林) near Kunming is a remarkable geological formation. Aeons of sedementation, erosion and volcanic eruption have left sharp, jagged pillars of stone rather like trees, which rise singly and in groves over a large plain. Whether looking down from above or walking through cave-like passages between the rocks, marvel at the alien landscape nature's forces have left. I highly recommend bringing a picnic lunch, as there are no places to get food in or around the park aside from some expensive and unappetizing snacks. It's worth setting aside a whole day for Shilin, as the park is large and there are many different views. We travelled to Shilin Town by bus and stayed in a local hotel, but the park could also be visited as a day trip from Kunming, especially if you have a car. #leaveyourmark #urbanexplorer #lightthecity #stoneforest #石林 #kunming #yunnan #views #photography #geology #amazingplaces #naturalwonders

Spring is the perfect time to visit Lijiang, Yunnan: the weather is ideal, the hordes of summer tourists haven't yet arrived, and the fruit trees are blossoming. We spent a very enjoyable couple of days wandering the streets of the old town, tasting local food and sipping coffee made from beans grown in Yunnan. Lijiang is undoubtedly a tourist destination, but it's one well worth visiting. The old town is small enough to be covered on foot (indeed, most of it is closed to vehicle traffic), so get a guesthouse in or near the old town (we stayed just outside the north gate, where a small hill gives a great view of the area) and leave the traffic jams of metropolitan China behind. #leaveyourmark #urbanexplorer #lightthecity #lijiang #yunnan #china #historicallandmarks #oldtown #coffee #mountains #tourism #springblossoms

My friends are tired of me *subtly* suggesting we eat at Ms. Cao's at Coco Park yet again. But there's honestly no better Korean BBQ in Shenzhen, in my opinion. It's super central to the Ping An Tower and lots of other happening things. More often than not, Ms. Cao's is a bookend of a good night; either my coco park night's start there or end there! #lightthecity #deliciousfood#tripfoodie#urbanexplorer

Kezhi Garden, 课植园, is a haven of peace and tranquility inside Zhujiajiao Old Town. I visited Zhujiajiao on Qingming Festival, and while most of the old town was packed, there were very few people inside the Kezhi Garden. Perhaps the nondescript entrance or the ¥20 admission kept visitors away, but for me it was a highlight of the whole trip. Built by the Ma family and dating in part to the Ming Dynasty, it includes classical gardens and buildings, a two storey library and a small farm, where the patriarch of the family encouraged his progeny to learn farming as well as scholarly activities so they would better understand the world and be able to enjoy the satisfaction of manual labour. The model farm was planted with bright yellow rapeseed and vegetables when I visited. Don't miss this hidden gem when visiting Zhujiajiao. #leaveyourmark #urbanexplorer #qingmingtravel #lightthecity #shanghai #garden #springflowers #peaceful #rest #historicallandmarks #classical #architecture

Imagine yourself in the old world of the 江湖, the lakes and rivers, as you stroll along the narrow lanes of Zhujiajiao in western Shanghai, or more authentically, ride a gondola up and down its peaceful water streets. With snack and souvenir shops wherever the eye can see, this is village seems thoroughly transformed into a tourist trap, but look more closely and you can see locals still hang their laundry outside their ancient houses and plant vegetables along the river. I went on a holiday so it was predictably crowded, but except for the bottleneck of the main bridge, it wasn't too bad. I recommend going on a weekday if possible though. The surrounding new town of Zhujiajiao has some more reasonbly priced food but otherwise has little of interest to visitors; just come for the old town. Zhujiajiao is very easily accessible by taking line 17 of the Shanghai Metro to the penultimate station. The scenic area is a short walk from the metro station, or you can take a boat. #LeaveYourMark #urbanexplorer #lightthecity #shanghai #tourist #boat #river #oldtown #historicallandmarks

At the top of She Hill in Sheshan Park, Shanghai, stands the Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan, a large Romanesque structure built in the 1920s (replacing an earlier church from 1863.) It is in the large Sheshan National Forest Park, a huge outdoor area in western Shanghai including an amusement park, resorts, a planetarium and other attractions. I visited on a Sunday which was both Qingming Festival and Easter Sunday, so it was predictably busy, but only the initial climb up the hill was really crowded. Avoid this set of stairs (leading from the entrance gate) and climb from the east side, which has a gentler ascent and the Stations of the Cross along the way. Enjoy the relatively fresh air, fine view and many trees as you walk around the park. You can take the metro to Sheshan Station, from which point there are free shuttles. I opted to walk and it took about an hour from the metro station to West Sheshan Park where the basilica is located. From this side you can also get a city bus to the line 17 station, from which point I continued to Zhujiajiao, which is only a few stations further along. #LeaveYourMark #qingmingtravel #lightthecity #urbanexplorer #shanghai #park #forest #china

#lightthecity It was very hot when we went （we had to buy a manually powered fan for 25 yuan） and there were tons of people visiting so you have to queue up to wait but the lines are fast. You can walk the island yourself or take a tram. It is a few kilometers to walk and we were lazy so we took the tram. The highlight of the place is a giant statue of Young Mao. There is also a museum right by but it was closed. There are plenty of parks and other smaller attractions as well. Wish we would have spent a little more time here as there is a beach at the other end of the island that we missed. You can easily spend the bulk of the day here seeing all the different attractions. #lightthecity

#lightthecity A great place to spend a few hours. These pagodas were built hundreds of years ago but there are still monks praying in the temples to this day！There are many many temples that continually rise into the mountain，so be prepared for alot of walking. We kept thinking we had come to the end of the temples but there were still more to see！We prayed to Buddha and bought a token to hang up for good luck. At night the temples light up and are quite beautiful from afar. Would definitely recommend this place to visitors of Dali. #lightthecity

Xi'an has the most light up buildings I've ever seen in China. It is so colorful that you must walk around during the evenings and experience it yourself ❣ There is no specific place but rather various areas to visit. If you like to take pictures and capture the moment like me then this is something that you will love 👌 In below pictures you see the Bell Tower, the Giant Goose Pagoda and parts of the Datang Everbright city. #urbanexplorer#qingmingtravel#lightthecity

Duolun Road in Hongkou District, Shanghai, is a historical area known for its period architecture and the many writers who once lived here. The quiet streets are filled with cafés and antique shops, with plenty of places to stop and appreciate the atmosphere. The Fitch Memorial Church, at 59 Duolun Road, is the only Christian church in Shanghai built with design elements of a Chinese temple. Near the church there is an art gallery The Duolun Road historical area is a short walk from Dongbaoxing Road Station on line 3 (东宝兴路站). #urbanexplorer #qingmingtravel #lightthecity #shanghai #china #historicallandmark #culture #art #architecture #photography #history