Weekendin Singapore Jan '14 | Issue 10 | Page 64

WeekendinFEATURE 2 WeekendinFEATURE Sydney Australia The elegantly designed Sydney Opera House is an iconic structure that people all over the world can instantly recognise. The capital of the state of New South Wales, Sydney has the buzz and excitement that all international cities have, yet still possesses the laidback and seductive outdoor lifestyle that Australia is so famous for! Perhaps this is why it is considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful and liveable cities. Go surfing at Bondi Beach or one of their 70 other beaches, head to the markets, or chill out at the café and pubs of Paddington. For an epic view of the layout of the city head up to the Sydney Tower Eye observatory. Head out of the city and take a scenic drive out to the Blue Mountains or better yet, drive up to another city. Drive north to Brisbane and stop by places such as Hunter Valley, Port Stephens and Byron Bay. Alternatively, you can head south to Melbourne and marvel at the pure white beaches of Jervis Bay. Flights Singapore Airlines Qantas Airlines Emirates Weekendin 64 3 Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam 4 Xi’an City China 5 Salzburg Austria Ho Chi Minh City, commonly known as Saigon, embodies the excitement and charm of Asia. From the motorbikes that whizz by on the streets, to the serene pagodas full of history, Saigon is a high-octane city that has both an old and new world charm. It is no wonder Singapore residents are choosing to visit this vibrant city. Must-see sights include the Mekong Delta, where you get to witness how the simple but friendly locals sustain their life along this watery landscape of green fields. To immerse yourself further in the local life, visit the Ben Thanh market which is the most central of all the markets, and showcases everything eaten, worn or used by the Saigonese. The spectacularly atmospheric Jade Emperor Pagoda and the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral are other famous sights. History buffs might be interested in checking out museums such as the War Remnants Museum, which gives a controversial yet highly interesting perspective of the atrocities that occurred in the 1950s and 60s. Shanghai and Beijing may be China’s top-notch cities, but the ever-mystical Xi’an remains as one of the most popular Chinese cities being visited. Also known as the eternal city, this now vibrant and modern city is also the birthplace of the ancient civilisation in the Yellow River Basin area of the country. One of their most famous sights include the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, which is one of the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Other historical sights include the Banpo Museum, the Xi’an City Wall, the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and the Forest of Stone Steles Museum which was once the site of the Temple of Confucius. Except the colder winter, any season is suitable for travelling, and visitors are often enthralled by the mystery and richness of this cultural paradise that is on par with Athens, Cairo and Rome as a major ancient civilisation capital. With its green hills, romantic gardens, and beautifully preserved ancient architecture, it’s no wonder Salzburg is one of the busiest places in Europe all year round. In fact, the tourist-per-capita ratio for Salzburg is higher than Venice or Florence. The fourth-largest city in Austria, it is especially famous for two particular reasons; as the birthplace of the legendary Mozart, and also the setting for the classic movie The Sound of Music. A must do for most tourists is to tour the magnificent Hohensalzburg fortress and Salzach River, as well as to visit Mozart’s residence and birth place. However there is so much more to this city than these two selling points. Take a walk around the Alstadt (or Old City), which is one of the best-preserved city centres in the German speaking world, and soak in the nostalgia as you look at the breathtaking baroque architecture all around you. Krimml Waterfalls, Hermann Maier, Giant Ice Caves, and the Salzburg Festival are other highlights that people flock to. Flights Flights Flight Vietnam Airlines Singapore Airlines China Eastern Airlines Cathay Pacific Airways Etihad Airways Qatar Airways 65 Weekendin