Could this be the Scariest Hotel Swimming ever ?

Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao’s swimming pool has an exceptional view, as the image above shows.

Part of the indoor pool, which perches atop the 24-story hotel, protrudes from the main building and is suspended mid-air. Its bottom is constructed with toughened glass.

This gives guests a delirious sense of swimming in the sky — they can see the street clearly down below while passers-by on Xiuyan Lu Street can see the swimmers way up above.

“I felt as if I was flying in the sky — I could also enjoy the beautiful scenery of Pudong from here … it’s so cool and wonderful,” a swimmer told CCTV.

“We wanted to provide our guests a unique swimming experience, and let them feel they’re vacationing even in a bustling city,” said a spokesperson from InterContinental Hotels Group, parent company of Holiday Inn.

While not splashing in the water, guests can enjoy Pudong urban views stretching as far as the Lujiazui skyline at the poolside lounge.

First of its kind in China

Exactly 30 meters long (about 98 feet), six meters wide (20 feet) and 1.5 meters deep (5 feet), the swimming pool is the first of its kind in China. It was designed by Singaporean firm Chan Sau Yan Associates, which helmed the interior design of the four-star hotel.

The Holiday Inn Shanghai branch said it gathered input from various architects and even aerospace experts while constructing this sky-high glass-bottomed water container to ensure its safety.
The hotel did not reveal the pool’s construction cost.

The 390-room, four-star hotel — which opened in May 2011, is located in the booming suburb of Kangqiao, which is some 22 kilometers southeast from Shanghai downtown and 30 kilometers west of Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

According to the staff working at the hotel’s gym, the swimming pool is open to hotel guests and a limited number of health club members.

Annual membership for the gym starts from about $2,400 per person.

Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao, 1088 Xiuyan Lu, near Henghe Zhong Lu, Shanghai.  Nightly rate: from $125, www.holidayinn.com

Do you know any cooler hotel swimming pools? Tell us about them in the comments section below.

Mountain Bike at the Top of the World in Whistler, Canada

 Whistler has become a global capital for downhill mountain biking, with its web of trails lower on the mountain. Now it has pushed the bike park into new territory, opening its first trail off the peak, dubbed Top of the World. We are among the first to test its rigors.

Top of the World begins on a steep decline over the back of the ski area proper. The grade at moments exceeds 20 per cent.

The switchbacks cut through loose rock and dirt, and the open alpine expanse is extraordinary. Single-track trails often flow through forests, on rooty, rocky ground. This high, it is a single-track fantasia, a vista of the jagged Coast Mountains and the iconic Black Tusk in the near distance, framing a photo Instagram could hardly make more perfect.

The initial descent of several hundred vertical metres – oh my goodness – offers sweeping views, but I keep my eyes on the ground. It is exposed territory, high on the mountain, where a fall isn’t just a little oops-and-dust-off. Up high, on steep ground, a simple fall could easily cartwheel into body-rending territory. So my ride, initially, is self-circumscribed. Finestone(Manager Mountain Bike)  had described the first section as “pretty gnarly” and noted the option to walk the bike through too-tough sections. “It’s a bumpy ride out on the rescue road,” he says. Without chagrin I choose caution, as the spectre of flying body-over-handlebars to a certain busted collarbone or worse washes away any worry of appearing cowardly.

The start of the trail is rightly designated expert, a double black diamond, even if most of the rest is intermediate. I am passed by a guided group of skilled riders in a “summer gravity camp.” As he passes me, carrying my bike on my shoulder, one rider blurts: “I’m not sure that guy should be on this trail.” Possibly true. But once I do humbly manage the first pitch, I’m on my pedals for the rest of the rip, first into the beginnings of the tree line.

Rolling through percolating wildflowers, intermittent stands of whitebark pine and flourishing bunches of spruce, the smell of forest burls up and explodes in my nose, an aromatic tincture. My unscientific conclusion: Spruce settles the nerves. Buoyed by the perfumed blast, we cover several more steep but less fall-and-be-crippled sections, before coming around the bend of the mountain’s peak. The valley emerges, Whistler Village and Lost Lake far below. We roll on, as the epic trail extends, a blissful daytime dream. The alpine recedes as we bounce and bang on a narrow road, the occasional pop through creeks of melting snow and happy splatters of mud.

Right now, Top of the World consists of half-finished, single-track sections connected by access road/ski trail, with work ongoing to complete the trail as one long single track. As we reach the bike park proper, Top of the World has covered five wonderful kilometres and a vertical descent of 700 metres, roughly half of the total from the peak to the village. The average grade was about 8 per cent.

It’s steep but not wildly savage, save for the earliest turns.

I guesstimate it would probably take a dedicated day or two in the bike park navigating tricky and technical black runs in the woods before I would feel comfortable in the saddle on the toughest turns off the peak.

Still, at the end, there is elation. Words from higher up the trail echo in my ears. After the first big pitch of steep switchbacks, where I walked, several summer gravity campers confidently made their way, led by a woman in her 20s, their guide. “Oh my God,” the young woman exclaimed, her smile beyond megawatt, chugging deep lungfuls of air, and exhaling: “This is amazing.”

 

The details

The Top of the World mountain-bike trail off the peak of Whistler Mountain opened to the public on July 28. It is open daily, as part of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and the trail’s hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (5 p.m. on Friday and Sunday). Daily capacity is limited to just 100 riders. The cost is $15, on top of a $56 bike park pass, and space can be booked ahead of time.

The Wow Experience Vancouver - Victoria - Whistler

Vancouver

About the City -

Vancouver is a tourist delight. Few cities in the world offer Vancouver's combination of a big city lifestyle and outdoor fun in such close proximity. Dining, shopping and visits to local places of interest all within walking distances make Vancouver a traveling paradise.

Getting There !
Vancouver Int'l airport - YVR

Places of Interest

• Stanley park
• Granville Island
• Gastown
• North Shore Mountains
• Yaletown
• Vancouver Aquarium
• Chinatown

Victoria

Victoria is Capital of British Columbia. weather you wish to stroll along the causeway in the Inner Harbor, enjoy whale watching, indulging in the west coast cuisine or partake in the English tradition of Afternoon tea and pasties at the Bengal Lounge in the famous Fairmont Empress Hotel... Victoria is simply breathtaking.

Getting There !

1. 30 minutes by Float Plane from Vancouver
2. 3 hours by BC Ferries from Vancouver

Places of Interest

• Zipline Adventures
• Butchat Gardens
• Atique Row
• Market Square
• Whale Watching

Whistler

Whistler is a place of Scenic wonder. Outdoor adventure and quaint mountain village atmosphere. Both a winter and summer destination, Whistler offers breath taking sights and great activities like Ziplining and Quad - Biking while staying at a world class resort at the foot of the mountains.

Getting There !

1. 3 hours by road from Vancouver
2. 2 hours Rocky Mountaineer (Whistler Sea to Sky Climb)

Places of Interest

• PEAK2PEAK Gondola
• Whistler Village
Squamish- Lil'wat Cultural Center
• Whistler Olympic Park

Vancouver's must See !!

8 Must See Attractions & Neighborhoods

• Grouse Mountain
  
• Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
  
• GranVille Island
  
• Vancouver Aquarium
  
• Stanley Park
  
• Gastown
  
• Robson Street
  
• Yale Town
  

6 Must See Festivals & Events

• Shakespeare Festival - Bard on the beach ^{(May 31- September 22, 2012)}www.bardonthebeach.org
  
• Dragon Boat Festival ^June,2012www.dragonboatbc.ca
  
• Vancouver Jazz Festival ^{June/July 2012}
  
• Indian Summer Festival ^{July 5-15, 2012}
  
• Celebration of Lights Fireworks Competition ^{July- August 2012}
  
• VanDusen Botanical Garden Festival of Lights ^{December 2012- January 2013} www.vandusengarden.org

5 Must Stay Hotels

• Fairmont Pacific Rim
  
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
• Fairmont Water Front
  
• Four Seasons
  
• Pan Pacific Vancouver
  

6 Must Dine Restaurant

• Blue Water cafe + Raw Bar_{www.bluewatercafe.net}
  
• The Raincity Grill _{www.raincitygrill.com}
  
• CinCin Ristorant + Bar _{www.cincin.net}
  
• Tojo's Restaurant _{www.tojos.com}
  
• Kirin Mandarin Restaurant _{www.kirinrestaurant.com}
  
• Vij's Restaurant _{www.vijsrestaurant.ca}
  

1 Must do Itinery
Explore Vancouver
Day 1

Explore the sights of Vancouver. Take a hop on, off sightseeing tour starting at the 1,000 acre Stanley Park and a visit to Vancouver Aquarium, Totem Park and Prospect Point. Next visit Gastown, a charming neighborhood home to a number of shops and galleries, restaurants and coffee shops. Visitors can stroll along the cobblestone streets while enjoying a refreshing beverage in this historic neighborhood. Next visit ancient Chinatown outside of the park travel along the beaches of scenic English Bay, make your way across Burrard Street Bridge to Granville Island where you can enjoy a casual meal while taking in some street-side entertainment before touring the public market and the island's famed artisan studios. Then take a return trip across False Creek back to downtown abroad a quaint False Creek Ferry to Yaletown, one of the Vancouver's most vibrant and hippest neighborhoods.

Day 2

Visit Vancouver's North Shore Mountains and explore the city's great outdoors. the Capilano Suspension Bridge is located in the heart of the Vancouver's Temperate Rainforest. Take a stroll along Treetops Adventure, and their newest attraction, cliff-walk before taking in native carving demonstrations. Next stop is Grouse Mountains- The Peak Of Vancouver, located a short distance up the road from the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Take the sky-ride to the top of the mountain, providing sensational views of the city far below. At the top, visit the Refuge for endangered wildlife featuring two orphaned grizzly bears, Birds in Motion demonstration, Lumber Jack show or take a ride up the eye of the Wind Viewpoint located 20 stories high. Zip-lining, tandem-paragliding and helicopter tours are also available.

See All Your Adventure Dreams Come Alive At One Amazing Destination MALAYSIA

Wander wide-eyed through the world’s oldest Rainforest. Immerse yourself in the captivating depths, underwater, or deep inside mysterious caverns. Get a new high as you venture up the world’s highest Via Ferrata, or get drenched in the thrills of rafting down Jungle Rivers. If you crave extraordinary experiences, there’s only one destination for your wildest dreams – Malaysia.

Get set to have your breath taken away, as you go surfing, scuba diving, trekking, mountain climbing and caving among Malaysia’s diverse landscapes that include coral reefs and caves, mountains and rainforests, rivers and beaches.

DIVING

Malaysia’s clear water is perfect for Scuba diving, and the country is home to some of the best dive sites in the world. Venture into any of its 38 marine parks, which are home to numerous deep-sea wonders like whale sharks, dugongs, turtles and manta rays.

DREAM DESTINATION'S
Sipadan, Makating, Sibu, Aur, Perhentian, Redang and Tioman.

JUNGLE TREKKING

Explore million year old Rainforest that refresh your senses with every shaped of green. Watch out for world’s largest flower – The Rafflesia, or carnivores pitcher plants. Then, take a Canopy Walk High above the forest to get a never before glimpse of rare plants and animals.

DREAM DESTINATION'S
Royal Belum, Kinabalu Park, Taman Negara, Mulu National Park, Endau-Rompin and Cameron Highlands.

SURFING

Get out your board and paddle off for endless thrills and spills riding the waves. There’s plenty of wet and wild action for both, beginners and advanced surfers at a choice of destination along Malaysia’s Coastline.

DREAM DESTINATION'S
Cherating, Tioman Island, Teluk Kalong, Kijal, Teluk Chempedak and Tanjong Jara.

CAVING

Go underground to Marvel at Malaysia’s subterranean showpieces. You’ll get a chance to survey some of the world’s largest and most ancient caverns, and get up-close with amazing cave life and geological formations.

DREAM DESTINATION'S
Batu Caves, Niah Caves, The Giant Deer Cave at Mulu National Park, Batu Punggul, Madai Caves and Gua Tempurung.

HIKING

Pack your camera and get set to shoot tigers, orangutans, elephants, tapirs, proboscis monkeys, Sumatran Rhinos, as well as the Giant Rafflesia Flower, fan palms and more. Hit the jungle trial and ramble through extensive areas dedicated solely to preserving the best of nature.

DREAM DESTINATION'S
Kinabatangan River, Danum Valley, Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Bako National Park and Taman Negara.

RAFTING

Soak up the excitement as you go rafting down the river rapids. Choose from high speed adrenaline rush or medium – pace voyages and have your breathe taken away, not only with the adventure, but with spectacular natural scenery too.

DREAM DESTINATION'S
Padas, Kiulu, Liwagu, Gopeng, Jeram Besu, Kuala Kubu, and Sungai Kampar.

RIVER CRUISE

Lie back on the deck, relax and let your mind drift away Cruise around idyllic islands, spot rare pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys , sail through Malaysia’s vibrant history, and relax in remote villages for a taste of traditional Malaysia.

DREAM DESTINATION'S
Selangor, Penang and Langkawi, Kinabatangan River Cruise and Sunset Cruise on Sarawak River.

VIA FERRATA

The world’s highest Via Ferrata (as certified by the Guiness book of World Record) to the top of Mount Kinabalu, to marvel at the spectacular panorama all around. Designed for beginners too, this path is easy to climb, as it has rubs, rails and cables embedded into the rock face.

One of The most Beautiful Places - "Pokhara"

Pokhara is the third largest city in Nepal. It is the starting point for most of the treks in the Annapurna area. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful place in the whole wide world.

Getting There

You can travel to Pokhara from the capital Kathmandu using the tourist buses that are readily available or the local microbuses or buses which leave Kathmandu for Pokhara almost every 15 minutes. It takes about 8 hours.
Daily Flights operates from Kathmandu to Pokhara and cost roughly $100 each way and take only 30 minutes from capital. They have the bonus of giving you a bird's eye view of the countryside and of the panoramic mountains themselves.

Must See

Sarangkot

The perfect pre-trek warm-up. Head up Sarankot in the late afternoon (be prepared, it's steep and hard work) find yourselves a warm guest house before sunset, go up the top for sunset and again for sunrise... you won't be disappointed. The road is rough, but traversable. Great views, spectacular images and a great way to get a taste of what it's like to be trekking.

World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa)

Built about 16 years ago atop a hill overlooking Phewa Tal, the Stupa offers a great place to see the mountains and the sunset over Pokhara. It can be accessed by hiring a boat across the lake and following a pretty good track upward, climbing up through the forest (but watch out for leeches during the monsoon)or by foot from the road that passes Devi's Fall, turning right at the end of Chhorepatan. Taxis can now drive up to within 15 minutes' walk of the Stupa - ask them to use the Chhorepatan road, which is shorter and therefore should be a little cheaper than the Kalimati road.

Devi's Falls

Devi's Fall is a small waterfall that disappears underground at a depth of 100 feet for a distance of 500m and is named after a Swiss lady, Mrs Devis, who was washed away when strong water came from Phewa Lake in 1961. The falls are at their best in August and September but don't get too close.

Barahi Temple

Located on an island in Nepal's Phewa Lake, stands the Barahi Temple. A visit to the island near the center of Lake Phewa is often included on tour packages in the area, and is certainly a must for anyone touring Pokhara. Set in stunning surroundings, many find Barahi Temple a peaceful place to relax, especially after canoing across the glistening waters of Phewa Lake. Its i Must Visit in Pokhara

BindaBasini Temple

Gupteshwar Mahadev

There are two parts. First parts is about 40 meters long, there is a natural cave and temple of Load Shiva. In this first part you are not allowed to take photos. Next parts start after temple which way goes to the down side if Devis fall, the distance about 100 meters from second entrance, from there you can see the view of Davis Fall as well as natural rocks, Electric lights are managed for the convenience of the visitor. After the Lord Shiva temple on second parts of this Cave you are allowed to take photos. Second parts is closed during 4 month of Monsoon (June, July, August and September)

Must Do

Boating in Fewa Lake

Fewa is top destination for tourist as its in the center of the city and is surrounded with most of the city’s finest guest houses, pubs and restaurants. The lake itself is spread about little over 10 square kilometer. Most of the tourist go from the starting of the lake to the end of it. There are no electric boats available, you’ll have to hire wooden boats. You can take the boat yourself of hire the boatman for a little more money. There’s a hindu temple in the center of the lake which attract huge religious tourists every day that temple is Barahi Temple (as discussed earlier).

Paragliding

Paragliding in Pokhara is one of the things you should not miss. It is known world over for its convenience and the uniqueness. The tandem flights usually start from a small hill called Sarangkot 30 minutes from the city and lands in the bank of Fewa Lake. There are more than 10 companies that operate paragliding in the city. You can also go for solo flights if you have a license and insurance.

Cycling

There are a lot of bicycle and motorcycle rentals available in the city. You can rent motorbikes for 500 NRS i.e. 6 USD per hour and bicycles for less than half a dollar. The best route for cycling is west of the city along with the bank of the Fewa lake. The route leads you to one of the most beautiful villages of Nepal.

Skyzip

If you’re visiting Nepal after next month or so then you might just get a chance to do the fastest Skyline in the world. In their own words, you’ll be standing on the platform overlooking the majestic Himalayas and a mind-boggling 2000 feet vertical drop. As you jump it goes own in the speed of 160kmph. The zip line is 1.6 meter length and 56% inclined.As I said, its not open for public yet but the construction is complete and is expected to open by next month.

Trekking

You can do trekking in Pokhara itself but Pokhara is the main hub for the trekking in Annapurna region which is one of the most popular trekking destination in the world. The shortest trek from here can be completed within 4 days and the longest goes up to 2 months. A lot of tourist who come for trekking in Nepal start their trekking here and take rest in the city after completing their trekking. There are hundreds of trekking agencies in the city.

Where to Stay

Fish Tail Lodge

Fishtail Lodge is located on an island in Phewa Lake. A raft comes and goes between the island and the main land constantly. It is tied to both shores. A man pulls the rope and the raft moves between the piers. Also there are several boats to serve. When big groups with many luggage's come, boats are used for recent customers. The reception and restaurant building can be reached by some steps from the pier on the island. The rooms are behind the plants covering whole area when reception is behind you. There is a pool and a souvenir shop here. Rooms are small cottages hidden in the garden, and the garden has hundreds of different flowers. All rooms have a small special garden in front. In short, a Luxury, Spa Resort.

Places Around

Lumbini

Lumbini was where the Buddha was Born & lived until the age of 29. Lumbini has a number of temples, including the Mayadevi temple, and others under construction. Also located here is the Puskarini or Holy Pond where the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he, too, had his first bath, as well as the remains of Kapilvastu palace. At other sites near Lumbini, earlier Buddhas were, according to tradition, born, achieved ultimate awakening and finally relinquished earthly form.

It takes about 3~4 hours by bus.

Labuan- "Jewel Of Borneo", Malaysia

The Island of Labuan, off the coast of Sabah, is world famous as a place where ‘business and leisure meet’. An international offshore financial centre and Malaysia’s only deep-water anchorage, Labuan is also a tourist favorite for its water sport activities, tranquil beaches and laid-back Island life. Diving, Yachting and Golfing can also be enjoyed here. Bandar Labuan, formerly known as Victoria, is the major town and port.

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Must See

Batu Manikar Beach

This breathe-taking long stretch of beach fringed by casuarinas and coconut trees is where you can marvel at the most fabulous sunsets. Fresh air, fantastic views and shady nooks are in store for you here.

Labuan Bird Park
This tranquil park has a beautifully landscaped garden and enthralling nature paths. Here you will see many species of Birds that are usually spotted deep in the forests of Borneo.

Mystery Chimney
An artifact from Labuan’s coal mining area (1847-1912). This 106-feet-high red brick stack is a mystery. Some say it is part of an unfinished mansion: others say it was a lighthouse or a bell tower. Discover its history at the Chimney Information Centre.

Layang Layang
Off the mystical island of Borneo lies this little gem, also known as ‘The Jewels of the Borneo Banks’. Layang Layang, a coral-blessed deep sea atoll, Is a kaleidoscopic underwater world. Dive down to marvel at the spectacular scenery of the 13 coral reefs formed here.

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Must Do

Labuan International Sea sports Complex
This world class 5.91 acre Complex is located at the waterfront area along Jalan Tanjung Purun. It comprises three prominent structures connected to a main viewing plaza: the Sea Sports Centre for major sea sports activities, the Museum of Marine Biology, and the Main Plaza that serves as centre stage for all types of sea sports events. The Complex also has many eateries and souvenir stalls.

Wreck Diving
It is one of the main attractions in Labuan, and there are four main wrecks that you can visit. To date back to World War II, while the others are recent vessels.

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Must Experience

Labuan Marine Park
Located 2 km. off the southern part of Labuan Main Island, this wild and beautiful park encompasses I 0 sq. km. of clear waters and three secluded islets. Come here to enjoy long sandy beaches, reef atolls, jungle tracks and quiet tidal pools, and catch a glimpse of rare butterflies and birds. Go snorkeling or scuba diving to see some fascinating marine life.

Kampung Air Patau Patau 2
Discover the unique experience of living in a charming water village in a traditional stilted wooden house, surrounded by water. Savoir the local delicacies, indulge in fishing, play games with the villagers and watch mesmerizing dance performance.

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Heritage Places

Ba San Miao Temple
Also known as the Eight Deity Chinese Temple, or the ‘Heaven and Earth Temple’ this Taoist temple was built by the Hokkien community. The centre hall is divided in two — all the deities stand proudly in the Heaven’ hall, while a dark passage leads to the ‘Hell’ hall, with images of sinners in torture chambers.

Gurudwara Sahib
The earlier Gurudwara Sahib was demolished to make way for a new building, officially opened in April 2000. The new double storey brick building has a tiled roof, a large dome and two smaller domes on the left. The Darbar Sahib is on the first floor.

Surrender Point
Just adjacent to the famous Peace Park is another significant historical site – Surrender Point. Here, the 32nd Japanese Southern Army surrendered to the 9th Division Australian Imperial Forces on 9th September 1945.

War Memorial
Along Jalan Tanjung Batu lie 3,908 soldiers in perfectly squared platoons, in this memorial ground. They came from different countries — Australia, Great Britain, India, New Zealand and Malaysia. Each grave is marked with a white headstone, and the Cross of Sacrifice stands in the centre.

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Cuisine

Coconut Pudding
Unique to Labuan and not found anywhere else, this delicious pudding is made from steamed coconut water and jelly.

Lambam

Sweetened steamed rice is wrapped in coconut leaves and eaten with peanut sauce.

Punjung

A bite size delight made of rice flour with jelly filling; this cone shaped desert is served wrapped in banana leaves.

Jelurut
This green, jelly like desert is made of rice flour, sugar and coconut milk and is sometimes flavored with durian or yam.

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Shopping

Labuan Town Center

Labuan is a duty free shopper’s paradise. Stop over at the numerous duty free shops over here, which offers an exciting range of chocolates, pearls, textiles, liquor and much more.

Bazaar Labuan
Pick up some exquisite pearl and crystal jewellery here- from brooches to bracelets, pendants, earrings and Baju Melayu buttons.



Labuan Weekend Jamu

Every Saturday and Sunday, the streets of Jalan OKK Awang Besar are filled with an array of stalls. Avail of great deals on Handicrafts, fashion wear, accessories, agriculture products and more.