Phuket Island Lover – Budget

Mesmerizing Phuket is Thailand’s largest and most popular island, one of the world’s most famous dream destinations. This Island Lovers Budget Package includes a private airport transport, a boat tour cruising the Phi Phi Island, and your choice of 3 nights stay at the Arimana Hotel or Phuvaree Resort.

For more information or booking inquiries, call us at +62 21 3221 9988 or email us at info@unearthingasia.com. Alternatively, you can also fill out the booking form provided.

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Phuket Island Lovers

Mesmerizing Phuket is Thailand’s largest and most popular island, one of the world’s most famous dream destinations. This Island Lovers package includes a private airport transport, a boat tour cruising the Phi Phi Island, another day tour exploring the Phang Nga Bay, and your choice of 3 nights stay at the Patong Resort or at Avista Resort.

For more information or booking inquiries, call us at +62 21 3221 9988 or email us at info@unearthingasia.com. Alternatively, you can also fill out the booking form provided.

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Funtastic Singapore

Explore the dynamic city-state of Singapore and enjoy a day of fun in the newly opened Universal Studio Singapore. This quick get-away package includes 4 way transport, a ticket to Universal Studio Singapore, and your choice of 2 nights stay at the M Hotel Singapore or at the Rendezvous Hotel.

For more information or booking inquiries, call us at +62 21 3221 9988 or email us at info@unearthingasia.com. Alternatively, you can also fill out the booking form provided.

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8 Great Malaysian Adventures

The South East Asian country of Malaysia is a mix of two halves, separated by the South China Sea. The peninsula boasts the modern city of Kuala Lumpur, with its sprawling suburbs and adjacent towns, while the Borneo is renowned for their breathtaking, untamed landscapes, wildlife, spectacular diving sites and diverse cultural heritage. From timeless tropical rain-forest and national parks to rugged mountain terrains, there is much to explore and experience in this melting pot of world’s cultures. Here are the top 8 Malaysian adventures for nature and adrenaline lovers alike.

Mount Kinabalu

For those who felt they do not have the physical abilities to climb up one of South East Asia’s highest mountain, it’s time to put Mount Kinabalu back on your list of attractions to visit. There is now a 1.2 km long Via Ferrata in Mount Kinabalu, which covers routes of varying difficulties catering to all hikers, from beginners to seasoned. The Mount Torq Via Ferrata is basically a mountain path created out of steel rungs, rails and cables embedded into the rock face. Using this, hikers can go on routes previously only accessible to more experienced rock climbers.

The Via Ferrata starts at a whopping 3,411 m and takes you all the way up to 3,776 m, making it one of the world’s highest iron roads. Those after an exhilarating, adrenalin-charged experience can opt for the challenging four-hour hike up to Low’s Peak, Mount Kinabalu’s highest point at 4,095 m, which offers some truly awe-inspiring views and hidden corners of the mountain plateau as well as a traipse across a 22 m footbridge suspended at 3,600 m above sea level!

Klias Wetlands

Located about 120 km south from Sabah’s capital city Kota Kinabalu, the Klias Wetlands is a haven of natural paradise. With its lush mangrove forests that are home to a myriad of birds, reptiles, mammals and insects, the wetlands is a must visit for nature and animal lovers alike. A deep river winds through it all, and the best way to experience the Klias Wetlands is through a guided tour down the river.

Make sure that you have an experienced tour guide who can introduce you to the great, diverse wildlife that include the long tail macaque and the elusive proboscis monkey, and endangered species. The Klias river cruise typically starts at 3 pm and continues into the evening. Come nightfall, the forest comes alive with the song of nocturnal animals and insects but the highlight of the evening cruise has to be the breathtaking sight of thousands of fireflies lighting up the riverbanks, a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Other than adventure, check out as well our list of 8 Must-Try Malaysian Food to whet your appetite!

Redang Marine Park

Located 45 km off the coast of Kuala Terengganu in the South China Sea, Redang Marine Park is a world-class dive site that will satisfy even the most jaded diver. With turquoise blue waters and an abundance of spectacular marine life, this little jewel is a popular destination for both diving enthusiasts and beginners. The Marine Park covers all 9 islands in the Redang Archipelago, but the most popular destinations are Redang Island and Perhentian Islands. In contrast to the backpacker theme of Perhentian Island, Redang has a more up-market image, with the island featuring more than half a dozen or so resorts. Snorkeling and diving are the more popular activities here, and rightly so as the coral reefs can be quite spectacular. Redang is a popular place to complete the beginner’s diving course, but some of the sites further out can have strong currents, and are more suitable for experienced divers. Redang is also the site of two historic shipwrecks, which were sunk at the beginning of World War II.

Labuan Island

Labuan is a group of one large and six smaller islands off Sabah in East Malaysia. The waters surrounding these seven idyllic islands are home to some of Malaysia’s richest coral and fishing grounds, which makes this another attractive site to marine lovers and scuba-diving enthusiasts. Apart from the colorful underwater coral reefs and a dazzling variety of marine life, Labuan is also the site of four wrecks, including two from World War II. The four wrecks, locally known as the Australian Wreck, the American Wreck, the Blue Water Wreck and the Cement Wreck, are some of the best wreck diving sites in Asia, ranging from novice to serious wreck diving with penetrations into the hulls. Local dive schools provide various introduction and basic wreck diving training courses leading to a PADI Wreck Diver Specialty rating and TDI Advanced Wreck Diving course.

Diver’s, be sure to also visit nearby Indonesia for some of the best diving in the region. Check out our photographic journey through the Diving’s Holy Grail of Raja Ampat.

Sipadan Island

The Sipadan Island claims to be the world’s best dive site. While this is a big claim, the diving here is certainly world class, with more than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species that have been classified in the ecosystem. In 2002, resorts around the island have been closed to protect the environment, so visitors will need to stay on nearby islands, such as Mabul or Semporna, and take a boat into Sipadan to dive. Because Sipadan is now a protected site, only 120 dives are allowed daily, so it’s best to dive as early as possible to beat the crowds and increase your chances of getting on the dive roster. Be sure to check with your dive operator that the dives are done with permits, as some companies have been caught diving without permits. Sipadan is surrounded by very rich reef life with sea turtles and white tip reef sharks seen on almost every dive with visibility ranging from 10m to 30m and above.

Kota Kinabalu National Park

Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site is Kinabalu National Park, which ranks amongst the most popular tourist spots in the whole of Malaysia. Established in 1964, this national park is home to faune and flora spread over four climate zones, making it one of the most important biological sites in the world. Apart from many carnivorous plants, the park is also home to many endemic animal species, including the Kinabalu giant red leech and giant earthworm.

The national park is located on the west coast of Sabah and covers some 754 sq km surrounding Mount Kinabalu. The park headquarters is the main point of entry for most visitors and is easily accessible from the rest of Sabah via highways and roads. Leisure travelers will enjoy exploring the park as it requires little endurance and you can enjoy trekking at your own pace. Accommodations are available in the park near the park headquarters.

Marine lovers would also enjoy this write up on Diving in the 3 Pearls of Indonesia only here in Unearthing Asia.

Gunung Mulu National Park

A must-visit for the intrepid traveler, the Mulu Caves National Park is where you’ll find one of the longest networks of limestone caves in the world, hidden beneath forested slopes. Lubang Nasib Bagus (Good Luck Cave) is one of the biggest caves here, containing the world’s largest underground cavity known as the Sarawak Chamber, as well as the Deer Cave, the world’s largest cave passage. The Clearwater Cave, meanwhile, contains an extensive river system that winds its way underground over 30 miles. Those who prefer their activities above ground can test their endurance by conquering the Pinnacles, the serrated limestone peaks dominating the park’s high country. Climbers require stamina and several days of rigorous trekking to make their way to the top.

Taman Negara National Park

The Taman Negara National Park is Malaysia’s largest, a truly national and natural wonder which crosses the state boundaries of Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu. It is home to one of the world’s oldest tropical rain-forest blessed with a stunningly diverse ecosystem. There is plenty to see and do in Taman Negara, from white-water rafting, to trekking the various trails within the park, with the latter an obvious choice to experience jungle life. The Teresek trail will lead right up to the world-famous Taman Negara canopy walkways that are 510 m long and suspended some 45 m above ground, giving trekkers a mesmerizing bird’s eye view of the jungle. Try and spot the gigantic Mengkundur tree, or the various wildlife, such as elephants, wild boars and monkeys, among others.

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Diving in the 3 Pearls

Indonesia is the widest archipelago in the world, with more than 80,000 km of coastline and 3.1 million square km of marine area. With such a large marine area, it’s no wonder Indonesia is often described as a diver’s paradise. There are plenty of attractions for all kinds of marine lovers, but this time around, we will focus our attention on three small gleaming pearls – North Sulawesi’s Gangga Island, Bali’s Candidasa, and Lombok’s Gili Trawangan.

The Gangga Island, North Sulawesi

The Gangga Island arises from the depth of the ocean north of Sulawesi, in the Bangka Archipelago, just off the National Marine Park of Bunaken. A volcanic island, Gangga is adorned with lush tropical trees and colorful flowers. There are several diving areas within reach from Gangga Island, suitable for beginners and experienced divers. The diving spots available in Gangga offers an astonishing kaleidoscope of life forms in more than 25 first-class dive spots in its central position between Bunaken and Lembeh Straits, which also happens to be one of the major playgrounds of paradise for macro-photographers.

Another island paradise bound to attract scuba divers is the renowned Raja Ampat, long heralded as scuba diving’s Holy Grail. Be mesmerized by the crystal clear water, white sandy beaches and pristine marine beauty in this jewel in the ocean!

Candidasa, Bali

Towards the south of the Indonesian Archipelago is Bali, the Island of Gods. At the Eastern coast of this island, far from the crowd, lies the small village of Candidasa, a key location where your choice of tours in the water, and out, begins. Bali has a superb reputation as a diving destination, and overal there is as much diversity of dive sites and marine life here than anywhere else in the region. In the eastern coast of Bali, the feature is on the Mantas, mola mola (sunfish) and tiny pigmy seahorses.

Candidasa is also home to the Bat Cave Temple (Pura Goa Lawah), an important temple to the religious locals which is home to thousands of bats hanging on the rock of cave walls. Legend has it that the cave extends all the way to Pura Besakih up at Mount Agung, more than 30 kilometres away. During various holy days, thousands of pilgrims would visit Pura Goa Lawah to join in sacred ceremonies, before heading up towards Mount Agung.

From water-sports at white sandy beaches to first-class shopping, to luxurious gourmet treats and a relaxing escapade at a hillside cafe, Bali has it all. Here are some of the must-do things in Bali, the Island of Gods.

Gili Trawangan, Lombok

Last but not least on our quick island hopping is Gili Trawangan, one of the three small islands off the coast of Lombok. Here, visitors can experience the serenity of a small island, the excitement of the underwater world, and the energy of island nightlife all at once. The island was renowned as a backpacker mecca in the 90s, and while it is still true to some extent, there is now a range of luxury and glamour on the island, and especially so on Gili. On one hand, you have a multitude of relaxing laid-back beach-side cafes serving home-made drinks and local delicacies, but on the other end you also seafood buffets, gourmet treats and luxurious stays.

The diving on offer is excellent, and the island is well-known as a teaching center for diving newbies. There are however, spots with strong currents and drifts better suited for the experienced, with the focus on barracudas, manta rays, sharks and hundreds of turtles.

Other than the above three gleaming pearls, the archipelago of Indonesia boasts plenty other diving attractions. Be sure to check out our list of amazing dive spots in Indonesia before you book your trip down South!

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Historic Duolun Road, Shanghai

If places like Taikang Lu and Xintiandi are a contemporary and historical melting pot of Shanghai-ness, then Duolun Road is its timeline. When 50 Moganshan was still nothing more than a textile factory, some of the most radical and freethinking writers of their time were chilling out on Duolun Rd. It started with Lu Xun, China’s most celebrated literary son, who moved in to the area in the 1930s. Others, like Guo Moruo, Mao Dun and Ding Ling followed. Before long, Duolun Rd. had blossomed into a vibrant cultural district of writers, artists and Chinese liberals.

The entire Hongkou District, just north of the Bund, where Duolun Rd. is located, was at one time a settlement of American and British diplomats, and thus has always prevailed as an area of Shanghai where internationalism flourished. When Duolun Rd. was first built in 1911, it was called Darroch Rd. after a British missionary who had once met with the Emperor during the Qing Dynasty. The road was renamed “Duolun Lu” in 1943, after the People’s Republic of China was established. By the end of the 20th century, Duolun Rd. had been pedestrianized and much of it restored, repainted and revitalized.

Despite the many social, political and aesthetic changes around Duolun Rd. throughout the last hundred years, the street still runs its same course in an L-shape, connecting at its two ends with the bustling Sichuan Bei Lu. A hodgepodge of architectural styles interlace the road, weaving together a map of the street’s age like lines on a tree trunk. Old bookshops, antiques stores and trinket stalls line the edges of the street and give visitors a chance to partake in the Bohemian feeling of what was once the greatest literary center in all of China.

Shopping

Shopping is not why people go to Duolun Rd., but it is one of the perks of being there. That is, if you are interested in antiques, because antiques are really all you’ll find on Duolun Rd. A few dusty bookshops leave their doors open to passersby interested in historic and used books, most of them Chinese. Unnamed trinket shops sell archaic bits of jewelry – beaded bracelets, jade necklaces and old fans. And the dozens of antiques stores you’ll find there house fine examples of traditional Chinese furniture, wooden objects and historic porcelain (just be on the lookout for fakes, because they’re around, too). There is even some revolutionary paraphernalia to be found in the mix, if that’s your thing.

Shopaholics may find another spot in Shanghai to be a more entertaining option. Shanghai’s “new heaven and earth”, hip modern Xintiandi, is a hotspot of entertainment, shopping and nightlife that really lives up to it’s name.

Eating

Cultural districts never have a shortage of quaint cafes, and Duolun Rd. is no exception. Several small eateries are dotted along the road in between antiques shops and historic buildings. If you’ve ventured far afield enough to find Duolun Rd. in the first place, you’ll want to step inside Old Film Café, which pays homage to Shanghai’s contributions to the silver screen with their showings of old Chinese movies. Though their menu is limited, the classic film-heavy ambiance shouldn’t be missed. The Koala Garden House and Eucalyptus Café is perhaps the best spot on the street for a quick bite and a strong Illy coffee, which can be enjoyed in the café’s cute cottage setting amid a mishmash of colorful walls and stone columns.

If it’s a truly hearty meal you’re after, a branch of the popular Japanese ramen noodle chain, Ajisen, is just around the corner on Sichuan Bei Lu. Though by far the smallest branch of Ajisen I’ve ever encountered, the food is just as tasty (and there is often a line out the door for lunch).

After a day of eating and history, head on towards The Cool Docks, your very first stop for a luxuriant taste of Shanghai’s soft, romantic side, and an excellent way to start out the night’s revelries.

Odds & Ends

The tie that binds Duolun Rd. together through a century of history is the architecture, and that too is the most charming thing about a walk down the street.

The strong presence of Duolun Rd.’s artistic past can be felt immediately as you enter the street from Sichuan Bei Lu. The first thing you encounter is the Shanghai Museum of Modern Art, which in truth is not as interesting or important as much of the art you’ll find at 50 Moganshan. However, the Shanghai MOMA is the only subsidized museum of modern art in China, and for that it has an important place in the world of Chinese modern art.

Further down the road, Hong De Tang, the Great Virtue Christian Church, offers up a sublime architectural fusion, with its firmly European brick façade embellished by distinctly Chinese upturned eaves. A bit of neo-Classical French architecture is evident in the white-washed iron balconies of the Tangenbo residence just past Duolun Rd.’s L-curve; and at the end of the street, even an Islamic presence is visible in the Kongxiangxi house, a stately granite structure with rounded windows that suggest its Central Asian influences.

And in between these, along Duolun Rd.’s .8 km stretch of cobbled stones, sit dozens of examples of Lilong houses in the style typical of Old Shanghai. Narrow, dense and packed together like stacked cardboard boxes, these buildings remind the visitor that yes, this is still Shanghai after all.

If art is more your cup of tea, head on towards Shanghai’s art district, 50 Moganshan, the center of modern Chinese art in Shanghai.

Getting There

Though most listings will tell you to take a bus directly to Duolun Rd. (No. 21, 939, 231, 47, 854, 79, 18), the nicest way to go is actually by subway. If you take Metro Line 3 (yellow) and get off at Dongbaoxing Rd., it’s only a 5-10 minute walk to the entrance to Duolun Rd. at Sichuan Bei Lu, and is a pleasant way to see some of the authentic residential backstreets of Shanghai.

Use Exit 1 and go right, following Hailun Xi Lu west to Sichuan Bei Lu, where you’ll turn left. You’ll know you’ve reached Duolun Rd., again on the left, by the large historic stone gate that marks the entrance to the street.

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50 Moganshan, Shanghai’s Art District

Less than 10 years old, 50 Moganshan Road, or M50 as it’s often referred to, is nothing if not modern. An old warehouse district from the 1930s, the buildings at 50 Moganshan Rd. once housed factories that made silk and calico. Up until 2000, when Shanghai art legend Xue Song moved his workroom into one of the restored spaces there, 50 Moganshan was essentially dead.

Shanghai’s Art District

Now, looking toward its 10-year anniversary, 50 Moganshan is the hottest art district in Shanghai, rivaled only by Beijing’s 798 as the center of Chinese modern art. More than 130 artists, filmmakers, architects and graphic design firms now inundate the area, and a visit to this Chinese art mecca means checking out some of the most avant-garde paintings and artistic works going on in the Middle Kingdom today.

There is enough art at 50 Moganshan to keep you busy for an entire day. The whole place is a maze of workshops, galleries and studios in a series of numbered buildings and art centers along the Suzhou Creek. Some of the galleries are run by foreign expats, such as the celebrated ShanghART (Buildings 16 & 18), which is run by Swiss native Lorenz Helbling. It is one of the oldest art spaces in the district.

The pioneer gallery at 50 Moganshan is Eastlink (Building 6), which continues to play a pivotal role in the development of Shanghai’s art scene. Eastlink is run by Australian-Chinese artist Li Liang and, over the years, has housed some of the most controversial exhibitions on the scene.

Building 7 houses both the gallery and studio of elegant photographer Jin Xuanmin, as well as the main offices for BizArt, a non-profit foundation that promotes the work of young artists and supports new media and experimental installations. Art Scene Warehouse in Building 4 has a massive, white gallery space with an ultra modern feel. They present all types of events and exhibitions from both established and emerging artists and, since 2005, they have put on the Dragon Air Emerging Chinese Artist Awards to showcase rising Chinese talents.

There are far too many galleries to name in 50 Moganshan. The best way to discover them all is by exploration. A useful map in the central courtyard of the district notes the names and locations of every gallery and provides a solid jumping off point for delving into the area.

After a day of art-hunting and culture-immersion, head on towards The Cool Docks, your very first stop for a luxuriant taste of Shanghai’s soft, romantic side.

Shopping at Moganshan

Shopping is downplayed at 50 Moganshan, unless you’re intent on buying original pieces from the artists themselves. There are, however, a few shops and clothing stores, mostly owned and run by fresh young Shanghai fashion designers. Most notable are the artful designs of Shirtflag and its sister shop, Hi Panda. Shirtflag takes its inspiration from Chinese culture and history in making “revolutionary” designs that feature some of the more memorable icons from China’s history, including images of weapons, revolutionary slogans and Mao himself. Hi Panda does the same thing with China’s beloved national animal, the panda bear. Both shops produce Shanghai street wear with a focus on youth fashion that embraces jeans, t-shirts and funky accessories.

Another hidden gem at 50 Moganshan is Cinemoda, a quaint little shop tucked away near Aomen Lu. Their brightly colored dresses and sweet, feminine designs make them a favorite with Shanghai’s young female set.

Shanghai’s “new heaven and earth”, hip modern Xintiandi, is a hotspot of entertainment, shopping and nightlife that really lives up to it’s name.

Restaurants and Cafes

A few cafes and teahouses are scattered around M50, although it is neither the quaint outdoor café district of Taikang Lu nor the culinary hotbed of Xintiandi. Really, people come here for the art. That said, if you are hankering for a sit down or just need a nice bite, there are a couple of good options (after all, the artists have to eat, don’t they?).

Bandu Music Café is a great place to grab a cup of coffee and explore the world of Chinese folk music. They have an extensive selection of CDs by local and national artists, and usually host live performances on weekend evenings. Located in M50’s Building 11, during the day Bandu is a quiet and cozy spot.

Another enjoyable option is the ambient Traveled Coffee & Tea, located in Building 1. This chic coffeeshop uses a modern Asian design element, with interesting basket light fixtures and photographs by local artists decorating the dark wooden walls. Pebbled floors, an interior gazebo and a floor-to-ceiling glass wall give the whole place a very airy feel.

Getting There

50 Moganshan is not an easy place to reach. There is no direct subway service to the area, so you have to rely on buses, taxis or your feet. Use Line 1 to Shanghai Railway Station and take Exit 5. Walk out of the station and down to Tianmu Xi Rd., go right (west), cross the bridge and go right again onto Xisuzhou Rd., which intersects with Moganshan Lu. The whole affair will probably take close to an hour, so a taxi from Shanghai Railway Station might be a better idea. Otherwise, buses 76/105 to Changhua Road or 19/68/112 to Jiangning Road will get you in the near vicinity.

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