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  There are a million things most people don’t know about China. It is a complex, complicated, enigmatic yet beguiling place full of contradictions, unfathomable relationships and unanswerable questions.  From the presenting of business cards (two hands with a slight bow) to serving others first with the best bits of a meal, the culture can serve to both captivate and confuse, sometimes both at the same time. From the author of   Inside the Middle Kingdom ,  Jonathan Geldart, here are 8 fascinating insights into this vast country.  There's only one time zone ESB Professional/Shutterstock There's only one time zone and one common language in China. Even though it spans over five time zones and is almost the size of the United States, Beijing Standard Time is used across the country, so when it’s 5pm in the capital, it’s also 5pm almost 3,000 miles away in Kashgar. There's only one time zone smiling_z/Shutterstock It’s not uncommon for people living in Urumqi, the...

  Fresh-fish burgers on the banks of the Bosphorus, one very old cistern and a heavenly dessert... 1. Fresh fish burgers Recommending Istanbul’s far superior version of a McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish might seem an odd way to start a list of the most essential things to see and do in the city. Yet, to me – and I’m a big Istanbul fan – there’s no better way to get your spatial, cultural and culinary bearings in this, one of the world’s greatest metropolises, than to head straight for the banks of the Bosphorus near the famed Galata Bridge. There, if you time your arrival right (noon is best), you’ll find a cluster of gaudy little fishing boats pulled up by the quay, where crew members-come-chefs grill their fresh catch right on deck as they bob up and down in the tidal slap. They’ll plonk the nicely charcoal-fringed result in a tear of crusty bread with some salad and a squeeze of lemon and hand it over for just 10 Turkish lira (around £2). Alp Aksoy/Shutterstock 2. Window shopping a...

The Japanese cherry blossom tree is one of the country’s most iconic symbols and is often regarded as its unofficial national flower. It's also a big reason why travellers dream of visiting Japan in spring. They're loved for their delicate blossoms, which the Japanese celebrate each spring with parties and picnics among the trees, and are planted in public parks all over the country. In 2022, you can join three different exclusive trips to see the cherry blossom with Country Living, visiting Tokyo to see the beautiful flowers in bloom. On our 2022 cherry blossom cruise, you’ll visit Tokyo and Mount Fiji, before exploring Japan’s Pacific coast on a luxury 14-night sailing aboard the beautiful Celebrity Solstice. Or, if you prefer to experience Japan’s bustling cities and scenic countryside on an escorted tour, join a 14-day cherry blossom trip that will take you far and wide through this fascinating land. You’ll explore Osaka, sacred Mount Koya, the breathtaking Japanese Alps ...

  The European Union (EU) will lift its non-essential travel ban and allow entry to all fully vaccinated travelers from outside the bloc, including Vietnam, from March 1. A tourist sunbathes on an air mattress with her phone on the Amadores beach in the south of the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, August 3, 2021. Photo by Reuters/Borja Suarez All travelers must have been inoculated with one of the vaccines that have received the green light from European Medicines Agency (EMA) or World Health Organization (WHO) at least 14 days before their trip to the EU. Those whose vaccination date is older than nine months must receive a booster dose in order to be permitted entry. The EU has so far authorized vaccines produced by Pfizer-BionTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. In addition to these shots, the WHO has also approved the vaccines produced by Chinese makers Sinopharm and Sinovac and Indian company Bharat Biotech. For people inoculated with shots not approved in EU, ...

  The frequency of international searches on Vietnam's tourism between December and February grew the fastest in the world at 75 percent as the country prepares to fully reopen inbound tourism next month. Foreign tourists ride a roller coaster in Phu Quoc Island during the Lunar New Year holiday in February 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Phuong Thao Vietnam was followed by Chile with a growth rate of over 50 percent, and New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria and Croatia with over 25 percent, according to data from Google's Destination Insights. Ten countries with the highest number of searches on Vietnam tourism were Russia, the U.S., Australia, India, Singapore, Japan, the U.K., France, Malaysia and South Korea. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s busiest metropolis, was the most searched destination by international visitors, followed by Hanoi, Da Lat, Phu Quoc and Nha Trang. Vietnam has resumed commercial flights to 20 of 28 countries and territories that it operated direct flights to before t...

  Featuring purple sand, shadowy benefactors and Hollywood superstars. Here are the wonderfully weird yet often overlooked beaches of California. Rockaway Beach, Pacifica Rockaway Beach viewed from the coastal bike path A beach with 'chocolate sand' might sound like a child’s Willy Wonka-inspired daydream. Even though the sand here isn’t edible, Rockaway Beach doesn’t disappoint. The beach’s chocolate brown sand is caused by limestone erosion mixing with volcanic greenstone, giving this patch of Pacifica’s coast an eerie yet appetizing atmosphere. However, if you prefer a more familiar take on sweets, definitely try the Chocolate Mousse Cake at Oceano Hotel and Spa. Pismo Beach, Oceano Pismo Beach pier on a sunny day Bookers can make the most of Pismo Beach’s massive sand dunes and scenic coastline by cruising over them either on ATV or horseback. Drivers can park their RVs right on the sand and set up camp for the night. But those looking for ocean views and excellent parking...

  Why go? Big Sur is a magical part of the world. On this untouched stretch of California’s coast, the Santa Lucia Mountains rise high above the Pacific as waterfalls cascade down to emerald coves. The famous Highway 1 curves dangerously along the cliffs, past redwood forests, and over narrow, mist-covered bridges. Stand on an outcrop while watching the fog roll in, and there’s a good chance you’ll start imagining mermaids swimming down below. Redwood forests are dotted with hiking trails and hidden waterfalls In a place where myths come to life, the best way to spend the day is surrounded by nature. Try climbing up cliffs, hiking moss-covered trails, or just getting lost in the redwood forests. At the Henry Miller Memorial Library, locals brew coffee and host the occasional folk concert or movie night. This little wooden house in the forest is a poetic tribute to the writer, who spent time living and working in Big Sur – just like Hunter S. Thompson and Jack Kerouac. Today, only a...

  Looking for an island adventure but don’t want to get your feet wet? Here are some of the world’s most beautiful islands that you can walk to at low tide. Eilean Tioram in Loch Moidart, Scotland The tidal island of Eilean Tioram can be reached by a stone causeway when the Loch Moidart tides are at their lowest. Visitors who travel on foot are rewarded by the slow reveal of the Castle Tioram as they get closer to the island. Invisible from the sea, the ruins of the 15th-century castle are a dramatic sight and provide further access to Loch Shiel. After a day of walking and exploring, head to Mingarry Park for a hearty evening meal and a glass of the local distillery’s finest. Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France Originally built on the mainland, today Mont Saint-Michel is a tidal island One of the best-known and most-visited tidal islands in the world, Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy lives up to the hype. The Abbey of Saint-Michel was originally built on the mainland but ...