Things to Do in Asia

On the map for over a thousand years, Shanghai didn't rise to prominence until the 1840s, but was the largest city in China by the 1930s. Today, it is the largest seaport in China and the third largest in the world. With a port that can accommodate three large oceanliners at a time, the city is a prime departure point for cruises heading to Korea or Japan. As host of the World Expo in 2010, Shanghai saw more visitors than ever before.

How to Get to Shanghai
If you are arriving on an international cruise, you will disembark at one of two ports in Shanghai: the Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, located in the North Bund Area in Hongkou District near downtown Shanghai, or the Wusong International Cruise Terminal, about 24 miles from downtown. From the Shanghai Port, many attractions will be within walking distance, or you can catch the metro at the nearby Nanjing East station to reach other parts of the city. Arriving at Wusong, your ship will likely offer a free shuttle into the center of Shanghai.

One Day in Shanghai
Start your day by visiting one of Shanghai's most popular attractions "“ the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Standing next to the Huangpu River and rising more than 1,500 feet in the air, it is the tallest TV tower in Asia. Then, make your way to the Shanghai Museum, home to more than 120,000 pieces of ancient Chinese art, including pottery, paintings, calligraphies and bronze pieces.

Next, head to Nanjing Road, a 3-mile long strip with more than 600 shops to explore. You could easily spend the rest of your afternoon here, but if you need an escape, Yuyuan Garden is the place to go.  As the largest of Shanghai's ancient gardens, it consists of traditional buildings and markets, as well as six different garden areas, each in a different style. You might also pay a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Shanghai.

Take a break to visit one of the city's many tea houses and then take some time to check out the Bund, with its impressive, European-style buildings and superb nighttime view of a glittering, glowing Shanghai.

Situated 2,000 feet (610 meters) high at the peak of Mt Busay, Tops Lookout, or just Tops to locals, provides the best unobstructed views in Cebu, especially at sunrise or sunset when the city seems to glow. The steep, winding drive up to the top will take you 30 to 45 minutes, but you'll be well rewarded with stunning panoramic views from the modern fortress-style viewing platform. On a clear day, you can see past the city all the way to Mactan, Bohol and Olango Islands.

Facilities at the lookout are minimal -- a snack stall selling beers and sodas -- as the view is the main draw, so a visit can take as short or long a time as you like. To get the most from the experience, pack a picnic dinner to enjoy while watching the sun set over the city below. If you'd rather enjoy the views in solitude, plan your visit just before sunrise when far fewer people will be visiting.

The Singapore Food trail is a massive themed food palace located in the famous Singapore Flyer designed to bring back the cultural glory days of the1960s. With more than 600 seats, the throwback dining hall contains dozens of makeshift food stalls, hawkers and shops that are all there to show off the golden years of Singapore' street culture.

Most of the stalls have some variation of local fare on offer, including delicious satay, barbequed seafood, fried oysters and even some of the lesser known foods such as Rong Chen Bah Kut Teh.

What is perhaps most impressive about the whole experience is the decor. The stationary stalls and hawkers are placed in an area painted like the old streets with vintage posters and signs and there is even an old rickshaw to take your photo with.

Seaside Top is the observation deck of the World Trade Center Tokyo, a towering 40 story building. The Hamamatsu-cho subway station exits directly into the building making it easy to exit, pay the ¥620 fee and hop in the elevator.

At the top you'll find a unique view of Tokyo Bay, other skyscrapers like the Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Sky Tree and even Mount Fuji on a good day. Display screens with light up buttons help you to determine exactly what you're looking at. The deck is usually not crowded so you can linger and enjoy the 360 degree views. The night view is considered particularly romantic, but keep in mind that the deck closes at 8:30.

Built in 1617 to deify Ieyasu Tokugawa, founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate - the family that ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868, the Toshogu Shrine differentiates itself from other Shinto Shrines with a wide palette of colors and lavish decorations. An impressive amount of gold leaf adorns the ornate structure. Sculptures - such as the "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" monkeys greet visitors. It's believed that Toshogu, situated within an easy day trip of Tokyo, protects the capital and its people.

The shrine complex consists of more than a dozen religious buildings set within a forest of some 15,000 Japanese cypress trees planted in the 17th century. Made famous by the 300 carvings of mythical and symbolic beasts, such as dragons, giraffes, and lions, Toshogu is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan's most important and sacred destinations.

The rainbow colored Sri Mariamman Temple, also called Wat Khaek, sticks out like a colorful thumb on Silom Road in the heart of Bangkok's financial center. Founded by Tamil immigrants in 1827, the temple is the center of the city's Hindu community. Devoted followers, mostly Indian immigrants, come daily to pray and leave offerings of flowers and fruit to pay respect to the Tamil goddess Mariamman, or Mother Nature. Feel free to participate in making an offering and a priest almost always stationed inside will offer you a prayer. Although, the smoke of the incense and smell of flowers may tend to be overwhelming.

Although the shrine is not very big and will only take a few moments of your time, it is a great stop if you happen to be in the Silom business district. The elaborate temple is open to visitors, although be careful not to get in the way of the religious faithful, dress conservatively and refrain from snapping photos.

The shrine was also recently renovated, but still contains inside the statues of several Hindu gods and goddesses. Images of Maha Uma Devi, the Hindu goddess of mercy, are everywhere. In October crowds of devotees parade her holy images around the streets of Bangkok in celebration.