Category — Asia

Follow this link for more information about the hotel: http://www.thehotel.co.jp/en/arietta_osaka/map.html

To book, go to:

https://asp.hotel-story.ne.jp/ver3d/di/?hcod1=30411&hcod2=001&seek=on&def=seek

July 27, 2007   No Comments

Hangzhou

by Neel Bhuta

An inspiration to poets, and a hideout for the rich, Hangzhou is China’s natural gem. From staying in a palatial villa to biking around the gorgeous West Lake, I had a lot of fun in the city. It’s not really the best place for young people to hang out (its serenity is more attractive to an older crowd), but for a limited amount of time, it’s a great escape.

I was actually supposed to be in Shanghai the whole week, exploring the city with about 15 kids I go to school with. But someone told us about Hangzhou’s scenic beauty, and we felt that we had to go. The bus ride there was only about two or three hours, and the trip is actually pretty amazing. There’s a lot of foreign tourism to Shanghai, but the city can overwhelm you with the amount of people, activity, and pollution. On the way to Hangzhou, you pass this phenomenal agricultural landscape while keeping the water to one side the whole time.

While we were there, we stayed in this villa complex that was simply incredible. It is apparently the same complex that President Nixon and his staff stayed at during their famous trip to China in 1972 (his particular villa goes for $70,000/night). The food in Hangzhou is supposed to be fantastic, but I do have one word of warning. If you are a big fan on Chinese food here in the US, you might not like real Chinese food as much because it is surprisingly different.

No matter how long you decide to stay in Hangzhou, there is one thing you absolutely must do: bike around the West Lake. We rode out from the hotel to the West Lake on bikes, and it was surprisingly easy because the terrain in the city is so flat, and our bike salesman acted as an unofficial tour guide. But the best part was when we actually saw the lake itself.

We ended up driving back to Shanghai soon after we got back from the trip to the West Lake. If you are in the Shanghai area, and you want to see one of the most beautiful cities in China, make the trip out there. It will be worth your while.

July 13, 2007   No Comments

China Travel Itinerary

by Yong Lee

Asian Traveling Series Part I

China (Chinese Yuan = .129001 US)

How much money do you need when making a trip to China? Which places would you visit?…Presenting Asian Countries traveling series Part I, China.

If you have twelve days to visit China, how would you plan out your trip? And what could you estimate your expenses in China to be? Fortunately, a Chinese friend of mine, provides me with all the valuable information I need before making my trip.

Among the places my friend recommends are Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzou, and Shanghai. It has been known in China since ancient times.

“In heaven above there is paradise, on earth there is Suzhou and Hangzhou”

If you love to see and enjoy spectacular displays of nature, a visit to Shzhou and Hangzhou would be perfect. My friend says that both cities are often subjects of Chinese literature, because of their prodigious beauty. For a tourist, exploring China’s proud capital Beijing is mandatory. As capital for the past eight hundred years, you would be walking on the legendary great wall, enjoying real Chinese delicacies and marveling at its imperial treasuries.

Shanghai, the stylish metropolitan city, and China’s financial center will give you a different aspect of this country. You can enjoy the view of the flourishing city from one of the world’s tallest hotels; Oasis Skyway Garden Hotel. It stands at a height of seven hundred forty two feet and was built in 2006. Without visiting Beijing and Shanghai, one has not really seen China.

There is no need to hesitate. Pack your luggage, wave goodbye to your rusty place, and let’s get some fresh air.

Trip Summary

Trip Expenditure ( Currency Calculation requried, Click this for Currency Converter)

Please, estimate your own expenditures based on Currency exchange rates in the above table. It is very important for someone like me. Materially poor, but very rich in spirit!!!

February 13, 2007   No Comments

Asian Airports – Best in the World

by William Im

After surfing the web, I noticed that many travelers are turning to Asia upon late. This isn’t surprising, since the new emerging markets throughout China, Korea, and Singapore, just to mention a few, are booming. Along with their impressive economic growth, many tourist opportunities have opened up, and a lot of people are recognizing it, thinking of their exotic, Eastern appeal.

Something I found more interesting while searching, however, was the prominence of Asian airports. Nearly all of the airport rating groups, editorials, and related articles laude these cities as the best for travelers, both vacationers and businesspeople alike. They’re ranked in this order:

1. Hong Kong International – China

2. Singapore Changji International – Singapore

3. Incheon International – Korea

4. Kansai International – Japan

5. Kuala Lumpur International – Malaysia

All of these locations are praised for their modern, comfortable, plush, and accommodating features. Most have many activities for travelers to entertain themselves as they wait for their flights. Beyond large shopping complexes and luxurious restaurants and bars, some have pools, beauty salons, and attached five-star hotels.

Some of the other best airports include those at Copenhagen, Sydney, and Munich. These are also excellent and worth checking out!

December 1, 2006   No Comments

Top 75 Asia Hotels for 2006

by Arthur Le

Asia has bloomed this year to house 75 world class properties, led by the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore with a rating of 96.6. The Fullerton is located in the heart of Singapore’s arts and financial districts, a 25 minute drive from Singapore Changi Airport. The 400-room award winning hotel, built in 1928, successfully blends the old and new to give an unsurpassed five-star accommodation experience for business and leisure travellers.

Hong Kong tops the list of cities that host the best hotels in Asia with 12. And the top 75 hotels in Asia are:

1. Fullerton Hotel, Singapore 96.6
2. Amandari, Bali 96.5
3. The Peninsula, Bangkok 96.4
4. The Oriental, Bangkok 96.3
5. Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India 96.0
6. The Peninsula, Hong Kong 96.0
7. Oberoi Amervilas, Agra, India 94.9
8. Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India 94.6
9. Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong 94.5
10. Ritz-Carlton, Millenia, Singapore 94.5
11. The Four Seasons, Bangkok 93.8
12. The Peninsula, Manila 93.7
13. The InterContinental, Hong Kong 93.6
14. Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore 93.4
15. Grand Hyatt, Singapore 93.0
16. Ritz-Carlton, Osaka 93.0
17. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India 92.2
18. Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok 91.9
19. Four Seasons, Singapore 91.7
20. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia 91.7
21. Four Seasons, Hong Kong 91.1
22. Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong 90.8
23. Governor’s Residence, Rangoon 90.7
24. Sofitel Royal Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia 90.6
25. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong 90.4
26. The Peninsula, Beijing 90.4
27. Banyan Tree, Bangkok 90.2
28. Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai 90.1
29. Rafles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 90.1
30. Park Hyatt, Tokyo 90.0
31. Grand Hyatt, Tokyo 89.9
32. The Imperial, New Delhi 89.8
33. Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur 89.6
34. Imperial Hotel, Tokyo 89.3
35. Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong 89.3
36. Conrad, Hong Kong 89.3
37. Raffles Hotel, Singapore 88.9
38. The Regent, Singapore 88.7
39. Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong 88.4
40. JW Marriott, Hong Kong 87.2
41. JW Marriott, Shanghai 87.2
42. Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong 87.0
43. Royal Orchid Sheraton, Bangkok 87.0
44. China World Hotel, Beijing 86.6
45. Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, India 86.6
46. Four Seasons, Shanghai 86.4
47. The Sukhothai, Bangkok
48. Conrad, Bangkok 86.1
49. The Oriental, Singapore 86.1
50. Raffles The Plaza, Singapore 86.0
51. The Westin, Shanghai 86.0
52. Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur 85.9
53. Sofitel Metropole, Hanoi 85.7
54. JW Marriott, Seoul 85.6
55. Sheraton Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City 85.6
56. St. Regis, Beijing 85.4
57. St. Regis, Shanghai 85.0
58. Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai 85.0
59. Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai 84.8
60. The Strand, Rangoon 84.6
61. Grand Hyatt, Shanghai 83.5
62. Hilton Hanoi Opera, Hanoi 83.4
63. The Shilla, Seoul 82.9
64. Grand Hyatt Erawan, Bangkok 82.7
65. Makati Shangra-La, Manila 82.5
66. Grand Hyatt, Beijing 82.4
67. Grand Hotel, Beijing 82.1
68. New Otani, Osaka 82.0
69. Shangri-La, Kuala Lumpur 81.9
70. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, India 81.9
71. Angkor Palace Resort, Siem Reap, Cambodia 80.9
72. The Oberoi, New Delhi 80.9
73. InterContinental Grand Standford, Hong Kong 80.7
74. Shanghai JC Mandarin, Shanghai 80.6
75. Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi 80.2

November 22, 2006   No Comments

Tips on Proper Japanese Etiquette

by Solomon

Proper etiquette in Japan is dramatically different from what is considered to be etiquette around the rest of the world. If you are planning to visit Japan in the near future, either for business or leisure, below are a few reminders and tips to make you more familiar with Japanese etiquette so that you don’t make a fool of yourself.

1. Inside the house – When entering into someone’s house, it is customary to take off your shoes and change into slippers. These slippers will most likely be provided by the host. Upon entering a room with a tatami floor, be sure to take off your slippers.
2. Table manners – Blowing your nose, leaving food on your plate, and talking about disappetizing topics are considered bad etiquette. Most importantly, unlike other cultures in East Asia, it is considered extremely rude to burp at the table.
3. Eating at a restaurant – Do not leave a tip! When leaving, simply say to your server, “gochisosama deshita” (“thank you for the meal”). In most restaurants, it is common to take the receipt to the cashier and pay at the front.
4. Bowing – If the greeting takes place on a tatami floor, than it is customary to get on your knees in order to bow. If the opposite person is a higher status than yourself, you are supposed to bow deeper or longer than him or her.

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November 6, 2006   2 Comments