Search results for

Our debut advice column examines an age-old travel quandary: the ethics of interacting with panhandlers.

AFAR chose a destination at random and sent chef John Currence on 24 hours’ notice to a hot, sweet, sticky country where he followed a trail through the cuisine to the people who make it.

This peaceful temple is believed to have been built in the early 18th century. Within is a small museum covering the teachings of Confucius and an area where you can buy small plaques on which to write prayers and wishes. Pedestrian-only Ancient Culture Street is lined with replica Qing-dynasty buildings, many of them housing shops selling handicrafts and snacks. The two-story Yuhuang Pavilion is the street’s oldest structure, dating back to the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).

Historical Tainan is the former capital of Taiwan, the island’s oldest city, and the heart of traditional Taiwanese culture. The city is home to several of the island’s oldest and most famous temples—most notably the Confucius Temple—and is the destination of frequent pilgrimages. Tainan is also known for its deep-rooted food culture. There visitors will find some of the most traditional Taiwanese dishes, which can’t be found anywhere else.

If you want an expertly guided, unique tour of the city, look no further than Shanghai and Beyond. Led by American Tracy Lesh, you’ll get an off-the-beaten path, cultural immersion on her outings. Recommended Tour: Taoism, Tea and Traditional Chinese Medicine Time: 5 hours “Tea, like wine and coffee, has long been the medium for conversation and sharing. In China, tea is also associated with spiritual practices and a holistic approach to health. Let’s explore this complex relationship at a Traditional Chinese Medicine pharmacy and Taosim temple to learn how their practices have influenced tea culture. We’ll enjoy lunch and a tea ceremony surrounded with dramatic antique carvings and cultural elements. Sample different teas and discuss the history, legends, and health benefits of each. We’ll also visit Shanghai’s only former Confucius school to learn how scholars and tea are related. Our route will take us through a maze of alleys to observe photo-worthy neighborhoods, a myriad of street food vendors, and interesting cultural trends.” Contact Tracy for details on their upcoming tours: http://www.shanghaiandbeyond.com/contact-us.html

No matter how old you are, you’re bound to find something to do at Hermann Park, which is located near downtown Houston and is bustling with activity any time of day. Pack a picnic or rest a while on a wooden bench to watch the miniature train that chugs through the park. There’s also the Japanese Garden, pedal-boat rentals, and the McGovern Centennial Gardens. The Miller Outdoor Theatre features a variety of shows, from Houston Symphony performances and concerts to plays and musicals, throughout the year. The Houston Zoo and the Houston Museum of Natural Science are also located just a short walk away.

An earlier temple at this location was destroyed by the Japanese (who occupied Taiwan from 1895 to 1945), and the building visitors see today was constructed by a famous Fujian craftsman in the 1920s. Dedicated to China’s most famous philosopher, the temple is an oasis of calm in the Datong district of Taipei. There are interactive displays about Confucius’s teachings and a so-called 4-D cinema showing Confucian-themed films. (The extra D is for the physical effects that are part of the movie experience, including vibrations and wind.) Across the road, the spectacular 200-year-old Baoan Temple relies on traditional construction methods from the Fujian province of China.

Built between 1839 and 1842, Thian Hock Keng Temple is the oldest Hok-lo temple in Singapore. Constructed on the site of an earlier primitive shrine created by Chinese sailors grateful to have survived the journey to Singapore (and needing blessing for the next voyage), it’s dedicated to the Chinese goddess of the sea, an important deity to honor considering how treacherous ocean travel could be in those days. (The goddess of mercy and Confucius are also worshiped there.) The gilded temple’s ceiling murals, statues, and red and black lacquer are striking—and so is the fact that not a single nail was used in its construction: The temple is supported entirely by iron and wooden pillars.

Gu Qigao’s bright furniture shop and café is so perfectly curated you’ll want to move straight in. The handsomely refurbed courtyard house near the Confucius Temple has two floors filled with furniture and home goods by Japanese and Chinese designers, including Gu himself. Pieces, among them dining tables begging to be draped with linen and topped with bright plates of food, are beautifully simple, made of either walnut or ash. Take a breather in the airy courtyard café, where trendy locals sip coffee and tea and munch on pretty sweets like matcha cheesecake.