Got 24 hours? Four intrepid travellers show you how best to spend one day at these exciting CEB destinations
CEBU Cebuano Troy Bernardo takes you on his essential 24-hour tour of the city
KAOHSIUNG Writer Susan Kendzulak shows you around the lovely seaport city of Kaohsiung
KUALA LUMPUR Sheila Paul has your one-day itinerary for fun in Kuala Lumpur
GUANGZHOU Simon Wong takes you on a delicious sojourn through his hometown -Guangzhou!
KUALA LUMPUR
9am Start your day with a nasi lemak breakfast – steamed rice cooked in coconut milk and wrapped in banana leaves topped with dried anchovies, peanuts, and a fried egg for RM1(PHP14.10) – at one of the food stalls along Jalan Alor. Have a steaming cup of teh tarik to go with it.
I can never decide what to get
at Central Market!
9:30am From Jalan Alor, head towards Kuala Lumpur’s central shopping street, Bukit Bintang. Walk up this street towards Jalan Sultan Ismail – here you’ll find the bargain shopping plaza Sungei Wang as well as electronics hub, Low Yat.
10:30am Climb up to the Menara Kuala Lumpur, KL’s highest point. This observation deck is 100 meters higher than that of the Twin Towers. The entrance ticket gets you a free audio tour that guides you through the 360-degree view from the top. 2 Jalan Punchak, off Jalan P. Ramlee; www.menarakl.com.my
The BEST beef ball
noodles ever!
11:30am Sign up for a flying fox adventure at the tower’s mid-levels. You may feel nervous at the take-off ramp, but once you start zipping through the ropes over the treetops, you’ll want to do it again! Buy the observation deck ticket as a package from the Flying Fox guys to get 50% off the usual price, which comes to about RM30(PHP422.60). Urban Flying Fox Park; tel: +603 2020 5145; email: info.kl@ajhackett.com
12:30pm Below the tower lies one of Malaysia’s oldest forest reserves enclosed in 1906, called Bukit Nanas. Flash your Menara KL ticket at the gate and you can claim a free 45-minute guided tour at scheduled times to learn more – there’s one at 12:30pm!
1:15pm From the Bukit Nanas station on Sultan Ismail, cross over to the Dang Wangi station off the Kelana Jaya Rail Line to catch a train to Chinatown (Pasar Seni station). Buy a Touch N’ Go travel card, RM10 for the card plus RM10 reload value (each PHP134.80) for an all-day pass to the Rapid KL buses and trains. From Jalan Cheng Lock, turn right at Jalan Tun H.S. Lee to get to the elaborate Hindu temple, Sri Mahamariamman, which is adorned with over 200 statues of Hindu gods. www.rapidkl.com.my
Merdeka Square takes you
back to the city’s colonial times
2:30pm From the temple, turn left on Jalan Sultan to get to the canopy-covered Restoran Kim Lian Ke for delicious charsiew (roast pork) with rice and Chinese tea. Later on, at Jalan Petaling, drop by the stall next to Hong Leong Bank, and savor a refreshing local fruit drink called mata kucing.
3:30pm Head for the Central Market (www.centralmarket.com.my). The 1930s structure was once the city’s produce market before it was turned into an arts and handicrafts center. Buy batik coin purses as gifts (RM20/PHP269.70 for three).
The Twin Towers
look like jewels
against the KL
night sky. Sigh!5pm The historical Merdeka Square (Jalan Raja Laut) is where independence was declared in 1957. Snap pics of Moorish-designed buildings like the Old Railway Station and the Sultan Abdul Samad clock-tower building.
6pm Take the Ampang Rail Line to the KLCC station for malling at the Petronas Twin Towers and Suria KLCC mall. Vincci shoes are always on sale at RM16.90(PHP238.80) a pair.
7:30pm Ride the Rapid KL Bus B103 back to Bukit Bintang, and cross through Jalan Alor to Tengkat Tong Shin for beef ball noodles at Ngau Kee, Then treat yourself to a 30-minute foot reflexology massage at KL Valley for just RM25(PHP353).
9:30pm Take a cab to Jalan Dorasaimy, also known as Asian Heritage Row (www.asianheritagerow.com). The bars have no cover charge and there’s a variety of music. Start your pub-crawl at Bar Savanh (tel: +603 2697 1180) at the top of the street.
HOW TO GET THERE Cebu Pacific flies to Kuala Lumpur from Manila four times a week. Visit www.cebupaci.#64257; cair.com for details
PHOTOS BY LESTER LEDESMA
CEBU
The statue of
Lapu-Lapu, chieftain
of Mactan
5am Get up early to watch the sunrise on Hadsan Beach, which is located right on Mactan Island – Cebu City’s welcome mat, outdoor restaurant and playground all rolled into one. Entrance fee is PHP50. After you’ve enjoyed a meditative stroll, head over to Hadsan’s simple eatery, where you can order the popular Filipino breakfast of fried eggs, rice cooked in oil and garlic and daing na bangus (smoked fried fish) for PHP100.
7am At Hadsan Beach, negotiate a rate with the resort or just hitch a ride with a group heading out to Hilutungan Island, a marine sanctuary 20 minutes away by pump boat. Entrance fee is PHP60. Here you can swim among coral formations alongside barracudas and sharks, or snorkel. You can even do underwater fish feeding but only bring food with bio-degradable packaging like the native puso or rice wrapped in banana leaves, for just PHP2.
11am After spending time at the beach, catch a habal-habal (motorcycle) to the Lapu-Lapu Monument, the statue of Mactan Island’s chieftain and the country’s first hero, who took a stand against the foreign aggressor, Ferdinand Magellan, back in April 27, 1521.
These fish magnets make
great souvenirs
Near the historical monument is another favorite Mactan foodie stop: Sutukil. This non-airconditioned, open-market seafood court got its name from three ways to cook fish: Su is for sugba (or to grill), tu is for tula (or to prepare into a soup), and kil is for kilaw (or raw fish salad). Enter the wet market, choose your fresh seafood, and then have it cooked the way you like – all for a reasonable price. Go early to avoid the crowd.
2pm Before leaving the island, drop by Mactan Marina Mall for shopping. There you’ll find a good mix of outlet stores, a few local retail brand shops, as well as lots of tiny stalls where you can buy non-branded, good quality 
Does this island hopper float
your boat?island wear. From here, you can hop into a taxi (about PHP200) that will take you into Cebu City.
4pm Although laidback and quite small, with just five to six al-fresco tables, The Burger Joint is Cebu City’s best-kept secret, serving gourmet burgers grilled to a juicy perfection using a special recipe. The most popular item? The Bacon Mushroom Burger. Non-meat eaters can try the Tuna Melt Sandwiches. A combination platter – a sandwich, one siding (a choice of potato crisps, onion rings and/or French fries, and a Pepsi) – is just PHP100. Corner Juan Luna Avenue, Mabolo, Cebu City, tel: +32 231 1010
Dig this Cebu sunset!
5pm The Taoist Temple is located within a private subdivision in Lahug called Beverly Hills and it’s a must-visit for anyone landing in Cebu. For more than 30 years, this Chinese temple has housed monks, manifested wishes, been the venue for the teaching of martial arts, calmed nerves and reminded people to live in the here and now. Journey to the top of the four-storey structure, and you will find prayer rooms and miniature temples. There you can connect with yourself in true sambal-incensed privacy. Or meditate upon a 360-degree view of the city or watch the sunset. No admission but the monks would appreciate a donation.
Get your fill of fresh,
tropical fruit
7pm Built for the people who work at the call centers, the IT Park on Salinas Drive in Lahug has become the latest place to go to for all the “branded” names in restaurants and java joints, including the local brew house, Bo’s Coffee. Yet amid these popular eating places are lesser-known establishments that serve good food on the cheap. Ila Puti, for example, is a place where you can have a good meal and a drink for P100. The expat-owned El Loco, which serves authentic Mexican fare, will satisfy your craving for chimichangas for the same price.
Gourmet burger at
Burger Joint
9pm Outpost in Nivel Hills is a laidback café that has no cover charge, no dress code and none of the pretenses of the city’s other night spots. The best thing about this old, renovated house in Lahug is that it supports local artists, offering them space on the walls for hanging their paintings and a small stage to perform their music. You’ll find an eclectic mix of regulars (young, old, tourists, locals) in various nooks and crannies all over the house, sipping their drinks, which are very cheap. You can order two beers for just PHP80.
There’s WIFI on
the island!
12nn Finally, hit Mountain View Park. This sprawling, multi-level mountain park looms over Cebu City. Have fun at the karaoke slot machines (PHP5 a song) scattered on strategic spots in the area. Or catch an open-air late-night movie up there, and perhaps just one more drink before you call it a night. Entrance is PHP50, and you can even bring in your own drinks!
HOW TO GET THERE Cebu Pacific flies to Cebu from Manila, Hong Kong and Singapore and from multiple local destinations. For more details, log on to www.cebupaci.#64257; cair.com
PHOTOS BY RUDOLFO LARA
KAOHSIUNG
8am For breakfast, go to one of the small orange shops called “Mei-er-mei.” This breakfast franchise can be easily found all over Taiwan. They serve fried egg sandwiches, Taiwanese-style hamburgers and soy milk. Besides being conveniently located, prices are fairly low averaging between NT10(PHP14.36) to NT50(PHP71.82)
I’m so in love with the
Love River!
8:30am Enjoy the early morning sea breeze and cycle along the natural scenic bike paths of Kaohsiung’s waterfront, making your way to Fisherman’s Wharf for a bit of exercise.
9:30am Visit Kaohsiung Rose Basilica on 152 Wufu 3rd Road. This Gothic cathedral of stained glass and flying buttresses was built in 1858 by Father Guodegang. It also happens to be the first cathedral to have ever been built in Taiwan.
Window shopping
is free at Sanduo
10am As soon as the mid-morning sun hits, park your bike as you’ll want to get off the hot streets to explore cooler terrain. Buy an “I Pass MRT” card for NT300(PHP431) and enjoy a ride on the newly-opened Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit.
10:30am Get off at Zuoying. Admire the splendid architecture of the HRT (High Speed Rail) station that is connected to the Zuoying MRT station, and then walk out of the station and follow the signs that lead you to Lotus Pond. This is one of Kaohsiung’s more famous tourist spots, and spreads over 42 acres. There are over 20 historical Chinese temples located around the 500m shore’s perimeter. Legend has it that if you desire to achieve great success in your career, you should enter the mouth of the Dragon Tower and exit from the Tiger Tower.
Yummy beef noodle soup!
12nn In addition to temples, Lotus Pond has a bustling area of small eateries located on Shengli Road near the historic Zuoying old street. Sanniu Beef Noodle (85 Shengli Road, tel: 07 588 7264) serves up a bowl of steaming beef noodles for NT80(PHP114). Also try a meat-stuffed bun for NT12(PHP17) at the well-known Zhonghui Chinese Traditional Buns and Noodles (26-2 Shengli Road, tel: 07 588 4675).
Get the best
bargains here
1pm Visit the fabulous Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts – entrance is free! Opened in 1994, it is the only major public museum in the south of Taiwan. The galleries include local Taiwanese culture, Asian and international art exhibitions – browsing through these creative collections is a nice way to spend the afternoon! Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9am—5pm (closed on Mondays), 80 Meishuguan Road, tel: 07 555 0331.
2:30pm Beat the heat and have some fresh fruit served on crushed ice. Kaohsiung is filled with small shops that serve the iced fruit dessert. Try the famous mango ice – fresh mango slices and condensed milk are poured on a heaping plate of crushed ice. Try various toppings like fruit syrups, red bean, sweet tofu, tapioca and pudding.
The Rose Basilica is so divine
3pm Head to Sanduo Road for some serious window-shopping. Spend hours inside Mitsukoshi Department Store and SOGO Department Store, treasure troves for great finds if you’re looking for the latest fashion brands from Japan.
6pm Get to Sizihwan Bay, the last MRT stop on the newly-opened Orange Line of the KRT. There, the former British Consulate at Takao, built in 1865, is now a European style café – a great place to hang out. 18 Lianhai Road, tel: 07 525 0007.
shaved ice with fruits and
ice cream
7pm Take a 20-minute ferry to Cijin Island – one way fare is NT10(PHP14.36) – famous for its seafood restaurants. Miaochien Road is parallel to the Cijin Wharf and is peppered with eateries serving up barbequed squid.
8pm The city sparkles at night and one of the best places to experience it is along the Love River. Strolling along the riverbanks and ogling the colorfully-lit bridges costs nothing, yet the experience is priceless. You may even catch a street performance! Then make your way to Urban Spotlight (Wufu 3rd Road between Jhongshan 2nd Road and Jhonghua 4th Road) to admire the public art, listen to musical performances and wander around this breezy, natural garden right smack in the city’s bustling urban center.
9:30pm Traveling in Taiwan is incomplete without a visit to one of its bustling night markets. Nanhua Market (on Nanhua Road between Chungchengsan and Minshengyi Roads) specializes in clothing, so if you want to get the latest fashions at bargain prices, this is the place to head to. Be sure to haggle with the vendors for a good price. If you’re still feeling hungry, try the city’s famous Liuho Night Market for its well-known snacks such as papaya milk and salty steamed shrimp. Liouhe 2nd Road between Zihlier and Chungshanyi Roads
11pm Still feeling energetic from the day’s travels? Kaohsiung offers a unique night spot that won’t break the bank. The alternative art space Dog Pig Art Café is a bar, restaurant, performance art and live music venue rolled into one, where you’re likely to find denizens of the local art and music scene. Tea is NT60(PHP86.13), a beer is NT120(PHP172.28), but you’re bound to enjoy yourself. Look for the sign of a dog humping a pig! 131 Wufu 4th Road, 2~3F, 07 521 2422
HOW TO GET THERE Cebu Pacific flies to Kaohsiung from Manila three times a week. Visit www.cebupaci.#64257; cair.com for details
PHOTOS BY ADRIAN THORBURN
GUANGZHOU
6am Get an early start on Shamian Island, and walk along the tree-lined avenues and waterfront overlooking the Pearl River. Watch Tai Chi practitioners, some doing the solo form in a class and others doing slow Push Hand sparring exercises. The locals are very friendly, and always open to chat with strangers. Join in and do kung fu the Cantonese way, if you dare!
Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street
on a weekend night
7am Have some authentic Cantonese dim sum at the old Victory Hotel (54 Shamian Beijie) – make sure to enter from 10 Shamian Sijie. Canton is known nationally as the “food capital of China”, and there is no better place for dim sum than here. If you arrive at 7am, which is considerably later than when the locals do, the place would already be filled with noise and smoke like a pub on Friday night. Choose delicacies like turnip paste cake, lotus leaf chicken rice, pork char siew and lotus paste buns fresh from the trolleys for about RMB30-40(PHP193.14 -PHP258). The waitresses are not likely to speak English, so you may have to point at the food you want. Try the steamed duck’s feet or pig’s kidneys if you want a full-on exotic culinary experience!
Canto-European
styling at a Xiguan
mansion
8:30am Wander around the old lanes in nearby Xiguan. This area features many fine examples of the famous Xiguan mansions – huge houses built by wealthy merchants who once traded with Europe in ages past. A particularly good example of a restored Xiguan mansion is the Xiguan Folk Arts Museum, located in the Liwan district off Longjinxi Road. Entrance fee is RMB5(PHP32.14). This mansion is more Cantonese than neoclassical, and is built from the signature Cantonese grey-green brick. The Xiguan mansions are found mostly on Baohua Lu, Duobao Lu, Baoyuan Lu and Fengyuan Lu, and are accessible through the HuangSha Metro Station.
Dinner at the Guangzhou
Restaurant
9:30am Tea break at Panxi Restaurant just further down the street (151 Longjinxi Lu). Grab a cuppa (RMB5/PHP32.14) and a light snack of chang fen (steamed vermicelli roll) for around RMB10-RMB15(PHP64.46–PHP96.75) depending on the filling. The restaurant overlooks a series of small, inter-connected lakes, and is a good place to enjoy a breather and a nice view, and wonder where all these people come from – haven’t they got day jobs? That’s because Canton is usually bustling with humanity 24/7.
Splendid classical buildings
on leafy Shamian Island
10:30am Climb into the clouds! The top of White Cloud Mountain (Baiyun Shan) is reachable by cable car for a fee of RMB5(PHP32.14). Enjoy the peace away from the city up here. Add RMB10(PHP64.46) to enter Yuntai Garden and RMB30(PHP193.14) for the rope walkway.
1:30pm Return down to earth and make your way into The Garden Hotel for lunch. Spend about RMB30(PHP193.14) for a traditional lunch on the 2nd floor of the Li Wan Market Restaurant on Huanshi Dong Lu, right at the center of the modern business district.
Bring the missus to help haggle
for antiques at Qingping Street
2:30pm The Western Han Dynasty Nanyue King Mausoleum Museum is located on Jiefang Bei Road. For an entrance fee of RMB12(PHP77.41), you can walk inside the tomb of King Zhao Mei, and stand in awe of his jade burial suit in the museum upstairs.
3:30pm Climb the Six Banyan Monastery Pagoda on Liurong Road for a pretty high lookout point with views of the city. Entrance fees are RMB5(PHP32.14) for the monastery and RMB10(PHP64.46) for the pagoda.
4:30pm Head for the impressive Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family, open to the public for RMB15(PHP96.75). Nearest Metro station: Chen Clan Academy.
No, I won’t eat you!
5:30pm Antiques anyone? Qingping Street is where you can go and bargain hard for real and reproduction antiques – everything from an old wooden house panel to Mao’s red book. Puppies are for sale here, too, with many exotic breeds showcased.
6:30pm For dinner, go to Di Shi Fu Lu, where you’ll find McDonald’s if you’ve had enough of the local delights, or three more old multi-storey restaurants if you’re raring for more: Lianxiang Lao (67 Di Shi Fu Lu) and Taotao Mansion (20 Di Shi Fu Lu) are all along this street, with Guangzhou Restaurant at the main junction (2 Wenchang Nan Lu). A meal will cost from RMB30– RMB40(PHP193.14–PHP258).
7:30pm For some after-dinner shopping, hang around Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street. This ancient commercial center’s five-foot walks and facades were built during the Qing Dynasty, and have been recently restored. Enjoy admiring the architecture or buy your souvenir teapots, t-shirts and all sorts of trinkets here.
9pm A luscious dessert awaits you at Lam Soon, which is just a few shops down from McDonald’s. The famous sheung pei lai, which literally translates to “double skin milk” (RMB10/PHP64.46) is a bowl of delicious, sweet hot milky yoghurt.
10:20pm Wind down with a relaxing night cruise. Head for Da Shatou Dock, Yanjiang Lu, and board the ferry, and then relish the night scenes as you skim across the enchanting Pearl River for RMB38(PHP245). The cruise ends at the Guangzhou Bridge. Flag a taxi to return to your hotel.
12pm Still have energy and money to spare? Make a detour to Bai’e Tan Bar Street along Changdi Lu. Grab a beer for a nightcap or enjoy a round with friends – 12 beers cost RMB150(PHP1000)!
HOW TO GET THERE Cebu Pacific flies to Guangzhou from Manila twice a week. Visit www.cebupaci.#64257; cair.com for details
PHOTOS BY SIMON WONG
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