Asianify - What is cool is Asia today?

Beautiful Tourist Attractions in the Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago located in Southeast Asia and has more than 7 thousands islands. Philippines is one of the most popular country in Asia that get visited by tourist around the world.

Here are the lists of beautiful tourist attractions in the Philippines.

Boracay Island - What this beautiful island offers is its majestic white sand beaches. This is a popular tourist destination of not only the locals but the foreigners as well, and there are a lot of activities here like the usual water sports as well as trendy bars and discos during summertime.

Mount Pinatubo - This majestic volcano that wreaked havoc in the lives of Filipinos during the early 1990s is located in Pampanga. Here, you can take guided hikes on some parts of its slope. You can also take a refreshing dip in Pinatubo's crater lake.

Mayon Volcano - This wonderful and perfectly cone-shaped volcano can be found in Bicol. What makes this a major tourist spot is that you will find here the bell tower of an old church that was buried when it erupted during the early 1800s, and also, with that major eruption, it buried the Cagsawa town. Now, this is a must-see when you visit the Philippines, and you can also buy your souvenirs here as well as the famous pili nut candy.

Intramuros City - This walled "city" is located in Manila. It served as a walled settlement of the Spaniards during their occupation of the country and, as such, has its own museums as well as churches and wonderful ruins. Today, this well-preserved Intramuros is one of the visited places in the Philippines.

Rizal Park / Luneta Park - This park is dedicated to the Philippines' national hero, Jose Rizal, who was not only a poet but a very good writer during the Spanish era, and this was also the place where he was executed. Now, this is a popular place for picnics.

Baywalk - This is a walking distance from the Rizal Park. You can find here numerous restaurants and bars offering wonderful foods and drinks. This is also a nice place to stroll along as well as listen to the many bands that play at night.

Nayong Pilipino - If you want to tour famous destinations of the Philippines in one spot, then visit Nayong Pilipino. This cultural park has a miniature Philippine Islands including some of the beautiful spots of the country. You can also buy here some native foods as well as souvenirs.

Camp John Hay - When you visit Baguio, the country's summer capital, be sure to visit also Camp John Hay. This used to be an American Military area but was later given to the Philippine government. Now, it is a recreational center with golf club, and it also offers horseback riding as well as camping.

Mount Apo - Is a magnificent mountain location in Davao city. Here, you can go nature tripping as well as hiking. You will also see here the Philippine Eagle, which is said to be one of the biggest eagles of the world.

Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex - Located in Pili, Camarines Sur in Bicol, this is fast becoming a must-visit place whenever you visit the Philippines. If you love cable wakeboarding, then this is the place to be as it boasts of a wonderful cable wakeboarding experience as well as modern amenities. You can also find quaint cabanas here where you can spend your summer or vacation, plus, the services here are excellent.

Top 10 Vacation Destinations and Events in Japan

If you've always wanted to visit Japan but have never got round to it yet - or if you want to come back for another look see - here are our top 10 tips of places or events to include on your Japan itinerary. The events are held at specific times of year and we've included a heads up on the approximate timings but, as the exact dates change from year to year, check before booking to make sure you don't miss out.

Tokyo

The capital city of Japan and a major global economic power in itself, Tokyo has a buzz that sets it apart from other destinations. For the techno whizz there are gadgets galore in Akihabara, while for the culturephile there are tea ceremonies, local festivals and Japanese Gardens dotted all round. Don't just pass through Tokyo and assume it's just another big city. Stop and take a proper look around - you'll be glad you did.

Fuji Rock Festival

For the music lovers out there, if you're in Japan towards the end of August, head out to Niigata for the Fuji Rock Festival. Bring your suntan lotion as it gets hot in the hills at this time of year. You can chill out walking in the countryside as you move between the different stages or take a dip in the river that runs through the middle of the area during the heat of midday.

Kyoto

The old capital and traditional heart of the country, Kyoto oozes history and charm with that extra special dash of Japanese elegance. Must sees are Kinkakuji - the Golden Temple, Kyo Mizu Dera - a temple that sits on the hillside on huge wooden stilts, and Nijojo - Nijo Castle complete with nightingale floorboards made in the days of the Shogun. If you get lucky you'll catch sight of an apprentice geisha making her way round the city and the backstreets are a great place for some truly original souvenirs.

Tokyo Motor Show

Tokyo Motor Show usually takes place at the end of October. The actual site of the show is not in Tokyo but in the next prefecture along, Chiba. This is an enormous event and if you love bikes, cars, trucks or anything else with wheels that is powered by an engine, you're likely to find it here. The Toyota stand is famous for the high tech shows it always puts on and the 'green' developments it showcases every year. There is a certain glitz and glamor to the Tokyo Motor Show that definitely sets it, and the girls who strut their stuff next to the hard goods, apart from similar events I've seen.

Hakone

A couple of hours away from Tokyo is Hakone. Here you can take in glorious views of Mount Fuji (best viewed in winter when the air is clear), go walking in the hills, or take a pirate boat trip across the lake. While you're here, take the cable car and jump off at a station named Owakudani. As you get off you'll notice lots of steaming vents around you thanks to the volcanic nature of the area. The local speciality are eggs that are boiled in the volcanic water pools that you can see all around. Just don't breathe in too hard as the smell gets a little overpowering after a while! The eggs do taste good though - I'll personally vouch for that.

Sapporo Ice Festival

This festival takes place around the 8th - 11th of February every year. Check out the ice statues that line the main street and try a cup of hot sake to warm your insides. Hokkaido also gets excellent snowfall during the winter months and has made a name for itself for the quality of it's powder snow for skiers and snowboarders.

Okinawa

A tropical paradise set way down in the south of Japan, Okinawa was, for a long time, considered to be separate from Japan. A visit to this area should include your bathing gear, your sunnies and if you drive, it's worth renting a car. Unlike the mainland of Japan, this area is not so easy to access via public transport so to find those out of the way places, a car is best. There are also some great dive sites and if you want a complete get away from it all, try some of the smaller islands close by.

Hanabi Fireworks Festival

July and August see fireworks come in with a bang across the whole of Japan. These festivals are not like the regular fireworks I used to play with when I was a kid. These are huge, pyrotechnic affairs that usually last for a couple of hours. On average you can expect to see around 1,500 fireworks in a show, but the larger events can set off up to 20,000. Just be ready to go early and covet a seating area as many people love these displays. Also take a second to admire the beautiful yukatas that people will be wearing because it's summer.

Hiroshima

A 4 hour bullet train ride from Tokyo takes you to Hiroshima and the memorial site of the atomic bombing that took place in WWII. This may seem like a strange vacation recommendation but the museum is a real thought provoker. If you are a fan of history, this should be on your to do list. Hiroshima city itself, is a clean and very organized area which also gives you access to Miyajima, a well documented shrine destination.

Asakusa Brazilian Samba Festival

If you're in Tokyo in August, check out the Asakusa Brazilian Samba Festival for some summer fun. Take to the streets and join in the dancing or watch from the sidelines enjoying a drink with your friends. The choice is yours.

More than 200 melon-headed whales stranded off Bataan, 3 reported dead

MANILA, Philippines - More than 200 melon-headed dolphins were beached off the coastal area of Pilar town in the northern Philippines province of Bataan, 3 reported dead.

Something's fishy?