Vancouver
Vancouver is a wonderfully scenic region that has vacation opportunities everywhere you look. The dining is splendid, and the shopping and nightlife are abundant. There are a number of high quality stores, and friendly nightclubs and bars are plentiful. One of the most enjoyable spots in the city is the BC Sports Hall of Fame Museum. Here you can observe the history and highlights of athletics in British Columbia, while testing your own might by actually participating in sporting events. The result is a lively afternoon that is sure to capture your mind and heart. Other fine museums exist in the city as well, such as the Museum of Anthropology and the Vancouver Art Gallery.
When you aren't too busy visiting all of the exquisite galleries and museums, you should take some time to notice the intrinsic beauty of the area. The city has some dazzling spots that are amazing no matter what time of the year you may be visiting. The air is fresh and the view out to the sea is inspiring, making for a lovely experience as you stroll along the port. The skyscrapers and new age buildings provide a certain contrast to the sparkling waters and clear skies. The Vancouver Harbour Center in the downtown portion of the city overlooks the beach and the heart of the city, depending on which way you are facing. This rotating landmark demands comparison to the Space Needle in Seattle, except that it is much smaller. Nonetheless, it still provides an opportunity to observe the goings on of this spectacularly unique city.
Ketchikan
Ketchikan is an ancient city that is both fascinating and enjoyable. Even though there are some American restaurants and stores, (and it is part of the States, of course), it is certainly not your typical American town. If Anchorage is at one end of the Alaskan spectrum, you will definitely find Ketchikan at the other end. This small city contains more totem poles than anywhere in the world, and is set at the base of Deer Mountain. Back in the 1930?s, Ketchikan was fondly known as the salmon-canning capital of the world. While this may no longer be true, the salmon fishing remains outstanding. Just before the beginning of the 20th century, a series of gold discoveries brought vast numbers of immigrants to the area. This created two important industries that strengthened the economy in Ketchikan: commercial fishing and lumber. The region prospered for a while, but suffered an economic depression after the gold dried up, and the immigrants were left with no more than when they came. Many of them left and went to other parts of Alaska where they could find work.
The city is quite compact and you can see most of it on foot. There are numerous stores that offer unique arts and crafts, jewelry, and other specialty items that are made by hand in Ketchikan. There are great trails for hiking and exploring, and a wide array of outdoor sports and activities is offered as well. A few restaurants will fill you up with hearty, quality food, but your options are definitely limited. While the nightlife and eating facilities are not bustling, it doesn't really matter, because Ketchikan is charming enough that its visitors don't need to be wined and dined. Ketchikan's charm is complemented by Mother Nature, who relies on the intrinsic beauty of the region to captivate tourists.
Juneau
Juneau is the third most populated city in Alaska, and it is the capital of this great state. Located in the Southeast region of Alaska, Juneau is a wonderful vacation spot full of fun activities, fascinating sites, extraordinary museums, and tasty eateries. The shopping in Juneau is fantastic, and the layout of the city is one of interesting complexity. Juneau combines ancient Alaskan traditions with Western commercialism and bustling city life. This is a very popular area, especially during peak ski and fishing seasons. The hiking in Juneau is terrific, as is the shopping. The wide array of stores offer unique-to-Juneau artwork and handicrafts of particularly high quality. In the summer this city is definitely the most popular destination in Alaska for cruise passengers from the United States mainland. There are a number of spectacular art galleries and specialty stores very much like those in many big cities. But, if it is remote and isolated wilderness you are in search of, Juneau will be more than happy to comply. There are great hiking areas, plenty of ocean for sea kayaking expeditions, and wonderful trails for mountain biking and other outdoor activities.
The population here is 300,000, but during the off-peak season, Juneau seems like a quaint little town with limited growth potential because of the area's geography, comprised of impenetrable natural barriers. Mount Roberts and Mount Juneau surround the small city, and avalanche threats have prevented any true expansion. The Juneau Ice field is a site that demands a visit; it too has hindered the growth of Juneau. Efforts to brave the mountains or forge the Ice field in hopes of expanding the city are just not feasible. Perhaps this is nature's way of telling the local government to leave this exquisite town just as it is.
Skagway
Skagway is a Southeast Alaskan paradise, full of culture and brimming with life. Parts of the city seem stuck in 1897, never progressing beyond the height of the Alaskan gold rush era. This is speaking in architectural terms though, as some of the restaurants and shopping facilities offer distinctly 21st century fare. This unique blend of old and new really enhances the atmosphere of Skagway. There is so much to see and so much fascinating history to soak up. The saloons and bars, some of which date back to 1898, are splendid, full of artifacts and local heritage. Because of Skagway's geographic set up, you will want to make sure that your cruise company has made all your traveling arrangements for you. Though Skagway is a small enough town that you can pleasantly travel around it on foot, side trips from Skagway to any of the neighboring cities can prove to be a difficult proposition. For example, the city of Haines is 14 miles away by ferry, but if you try and rent a car and drive to Haines, it is an unbelievable 359-mile trip to get there because of the poor or nonexistent access to roads around Skagway. In any event, lucky for you, downtown Skagway is quite compact and all of the best sights are reachable by foot.
In 1897, people from all over the world flocked to Skagway in search of a quick fortune. The gold rush gave thousands of men and women false hopes and dreams, and when the riches didn't pan out, the city really declined. By mid-1898, Skagway was not a pleasant place to be, as poverty and shantytowns had pretty much taken over. This bustling town of 200,000 shrank to a mere 700 when the gold rush ended. It took a while, but slowly people began to realize that there was much more to Skagway than an old gold rush town. In the last two decades, tourism has really kept the city afloat, and with the historic cemeteries, interesting museums, fantastic parks, and lively saloons, Skagway has entered the new millennium with a great deal of confidence.
Pusan
Located between the mountains and the sea, Pusan is Korea's second largest city, a vibrant port city booming with population growth and industry. Today, its more than 4 million inhabitants help create a fast paced environment of work and play. Much of the city's economy is supported by the fishing industry. And from boat making to fishing, visitors to Pusan get the feeling that all of the locals are involved in making the city run.
Pusan is famous for its dramatic skyline and the mountainous ring that encircles the city. Visitors to Pusan gush about the city's picture-perfect beaches, its white sands and gorgeous cliffs. This is a place that seamlessly incorporates a busy mass urban culture with an obvious respect and love of nature and serenity. Tourists can choose the pace at which they experience this city, and rest assured that there is something for everyone here. Whether you are an avid shopper, a food connoisseur, or just looking to relax on a beach or take a hike, you will be impressed by the choices you have here. Many tourists like to begin their day buying fresh seafood at the harbor, and then enjoying a morning shopping for Korean folk art. Afternoons offer endless possibilities to see the historical sites here, and evenings are a time for leisure.
Climate is one of the city's greatest assets. Pusan remains relatively mild all year long, and even summer, which is the rainy season, offers a tropical and vacation-friendly climate. The air is warm, the land is lovely, and the people are friendly.
Dalian
Dalian sits at the tip of the Liaodong peninsula, and is home to over one million people, making it a small city in a country of over one billion people. Because it sits right on the sea, the city is free from the heavy pollution facing other Chinese cities. But its advantageous geographical position has led to its occupation over the years by a host of foreign invaders. Russia set up a trading center here, before losing it to Japan in their war in 1905. Over the years, Western Europeans came to trade in Dalian, and their influence, combined with that of the Russians, Japanese, and Chinese, continues to set Dalian apart from most other Chinese cities.
Foreign companies continue to be drawn to Dalian because of a favorable tax status here that encourages local investment. Dalian's longtime mayor, Bo Xilai, is something of a hero around these parts, and you will hear the locals of Dalian speak in positively glowing terms about his leadership.
In the summer, Dalian transforms into a resort town, with Chinese families from the inland making the trek out to the beaches on the outskirts of the city. The twenty mile stretch of beach here is among the finest in all of China. Dalian is also home to an annual International Fashion Festival, along with a Spring Festival to ring in the Chinese New Year.
Beijing
Beijing is the unquestioned capital of China. Though it lags behind Hong Kong and Shanghai in terms of economic firepower, the soul of the nation resides here. It has been this way for centuries. Genghis Khan's grandson, Kublai Khan, established the city of Beijing as his capital in 1278. After the Ming dynasty overthrew the Yuans, Yongle, the Ming emperor, relocated his capital to Beijing to capitalize on its more strategic northern position. It was Yongle who authorized the construction of the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, both of which still stand today. It was also the Mings who authorized construction of the Great Wall of China.
The Qing Dynasty took over in 1644 and built on China's feudal tradition. However, its power eroded over the centuries, and China was subject to war and foreign occupation for the better part of a hundred years. It wasn't until Chairman Mao declared the birth of the People's Republic of China in 1949 that things began to settle down again in China. Mao's contributions to China are still fresh. Look at the communist monuments in Tiananmen Square, designed to make the individual feel small in comparison to the state.
While Beijing can be enjoyed by every traveler, it truly rewards the adventurous soul. It's a safe city, with plenty of room for exploration. Although you'll be tempted to spend most of your time near Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, it is best not to limit yourself. There is plenty to see around the city's outskirts, and a short trip to the Great Wall is a must.
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