Asia

Cambodja
Angkor
Prepare for the divine inspiration! The temples of Angkor are the perfect fusion of creative ambition and spiritual devotion. The Cambodian god-kings of old each strove to better their ancestors in size, scale and symmetry, culminating in the world’s largest religious building - Angkor Wat, and one of the world’s weirdest - the Bayon. The hundreds of temples surviving today are but the sacred skeleton of the vast political, religious and social centre of an empire that stretched from Burma to Vietnam, a city that, at its zenith, boasted a population of one million when London was a scrawny town of 50,000. The houses, public buildings and palaces were constructed of wood - now long decayed - because the right to dwell in structures of brick or stone was reserved for the gods.
The temples of Angkor are the heart and soul of the Kingdom of Cambodia, a source of inspiration and national pride to all Khmers as they struggle to rebuild their lives after years of terror and trauma. Today, the temples are a point of pilgrimage for ails Cambodians, and no traveler to the region will want to miss their extravagant beauty.

Highlights
•Stare in awe at the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat

Succumb to the enigmatic smiles of the 216 giant faces of the Bayon, Angkor’s strangest temple

Experience nature running riot at the mysterious ruin of Ta Prohm, the original Tomb Raider temple

Marvel at the exquisite carvings adorning the tiny temple of Banteay Srei, the finest seen at Angkor

Venture into the jungles of Cambodia to discover the River of a Thousand Lingas at Kbal Spean

THE POPULAR ROUTE
It is easy to spend as long as a week at Angkor, seeing the temples at a leisurely pace, returning to the principal attractions several times to see them at different times of day, and taking in newly emerging sites further a field. However, many travelers feel that four or five days is the ideal length of time to spend at Angkor. This is just about long enough to fit in all the highlights of the Angkor area, but even with only two days at your disposal you can pack in a lot (providing you make some early starts). One day at Angkor? Sacrilege! Don’t even consider it.

Look for more at: http://www.visitangkortemples.com/



 Macau

Macau is a well known destination for gamblers and big spenders. Its glitzy casinos rival those of Las Vegas and tourists from the Mainland arrive by the thousands in search of hotel suites and designer goods. But while those are great reasons to visit Macau, they are only a small part of what makes the city a great travel destination.
Macau recently surpassed Las Vegas as the world’s gambling capital and no one expects it to slow down anytime soon, as each year millions of wealthy denizens come to Macau from nearby Hong Kong and Mainland China to wager their fortunes. High rollers can be found on the smoke-filled casino floors, only to later go wild for designer goods in the casino shopping malls.
Don’t expect drab or second-rate casinos just because Macau is in Asia. Not only have several Las Vegas casinos opened locations in Macau, some, like the Venetian, even surpass their namesake in grandeur. Other American establishments in Macau include the Hard Rock Hotel, Wynn and MGM.

The faux canals and gondolas of the Venetian at Macau.

Besides its glamorous casinos, Macau also has some well-preserved historic treasures. Macau was a colony of Portugal from the 16th century until 1999 when it was returned to China and during its 300 years as a colony Macau was heavily influenced by Portuguese customs and traditions.

The Historic Centre of Macau is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the cultural highlight of Macau. The district is a densely packed maze of small streets lined with historic buildings. The catholic cathedrals, plazas, cafes and Portuguese restaurants add to its European ambiance. Don’t miss the Ruins of St Paul’s, a facade of a 17th century cathedral that is Macau’s most well known landmark.

For all the talk of bungee jumping in Switzerland and New Zealand, not many people know that the world’s tallest jump is actually in Macau. The AJ Hackett Bungy Experience operates from the Macau Tower and gives thrill seekers the opportunity to leap from the tower’s observation deck more than 700 feet above the ground!





 Kuala Lumpur  -Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur - Petronas Towers

Kuala Lumpur (or KL as it is commonly known) is more often than not a traveler's point of entry to Malaysia. As the capital it is the most modern and developed city in the country, with contemporary high-rises and world-class hotels, glitzy shopping malls, and international cuisine.

Street Market

The city began sometime around 1857 as a small mining boomtown created by the Industrial Revolution's hunger for raw materials. Fueled by tin mining in the nearby Klang River valley, the town grew under the business interests of three officials: a local Malay ruler, a British resident, and a Chinese headman (Kapitan China). The industry and village attracted Chinese laborers, Malays from nearby villages, and Indian immigrants who followed the British; as the town grew, colonial buildings that housed local administrative offices were erected around Merdeka Square, bounded by Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin and Jalan Kuching. The town, and later the city, spread outward from this center.
Life in 19th-century KL had many difficult starts and stops -- tin was subject to price fluctuations, the Chinese were involved in clan "wars," but worst of all, malaria was killing thousands. Still, in the late 1800s KL overcame its hurdles to become the capital of the state and eventually of the Federated Malay States. Its development continued to accelerate, with a brief setback during the Japanese World War II occupation, until 1957, when newly independent Malaysia declared Kuala Lumpur its national capital.
Today the original city center at Merdeka Square is the core of KL's history. Buildings like the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the Royal Selangor Club, and the Old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station are gorgeous examples of British style peppered with Moorish flavor. South of this area is KL's Chinatown. Along Jalan Petaling and surrounding areas are markets, shops, food stalls, and the bustling life of the Chinese community. There's also a Little India in KL, around the area occupied by Masjid Jame, where you'll find flower stalls, Indian Muslim and Malay costumes, and traditional items. Across the river you'll find Lake Gardens, a large sanctuary that houses Kuala Lumpur's bird park, butterfly park, and other attractions and gardens. Modern Kuala Lumpur is rooted in the city's "Golden Triangle," bounded by Jalan Ampang, Jalan Tun Razak, and Jalan Imbi. This section is home to most of KL's hotels, office complexes, shopping malls, and sights like the KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers, the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004, when Taipei 101 stole the title.
 Petronas Towers
Come to gawp at these surprisingly serene twin structures, then browse in one of KL’s best shopping malls, right beneath.
 Menara KL
Forget the Petronas Towers’ Skybridge – this is the place to come for bird’s-eye views of KL in all its messy glory.

 Islamic Arts Museum
One of the most sophisticated museums in the capital, documenting Muslim cultures through arts and crafts.
 Eating
KL has excellent restaurants offering cuisine from around the world, but it’s the street food, notably at Jalan Alor, that’s often the most memorable dining experience.
 Clubbing
KL is definitely Malaysia’s party capital, home to some exceptional clubs that draw big-name DJs.

 Shopping
Whether you prefer the bright lights of the state-of-the-art malls or the bustle of the city’s endless street markets and bazaars, KL is a city made for shopping.
 Batu Caves
A blend of religion and theme park, these limestone caves on the very edge of KL house a Hindu temple complex and offer adventure caving explorations in a side cavern.

Kuala Lumpur