Liulichang, whose name means 'Glazed Tile Factory', started as a hub for Beijing’s literati and artisans and remains a centre for traditional arts and culture. The 750-metre street is full of shops selling Chinese paintings, calligraphy brushes, ink stones, antiques, and rare books — perfect for collectors or anyone curious about traditional crafts. Restored and expanded in the late 1980s, it’s a good place to wander slowly, soak up the old-school atmosphere, and maybe pick up a souvenir that feels genuinely local.

Step under the vast canopies of the Amazonian rainforest, see colorful tropical birds and penguins, Madagascan reptiles and amphibians, or watch Mayan folklore come to life with the plants and animals of Yucatán — all at this impressive aquarium and zoo.

Princes Street Gardens is a dramatic swathe of greenery in Edinburgh’s very centre, directly beneath Castle Rock. These twin parks — East and West — were created in the 1820s after the draining of the polluted Nor Loch, a medieval defensive lake. They are separated by The Mound, an artificial hill formed from excavation debris during the New Town’s construction. The West Garden is larger and home to the Ross Bandstand, a stage for summer concerts and Hogmanay celebrations. Near The Mound entrance, the intricate Floral Clock blooms with a new design each year since 1903. More than just a scenic shortcut, the gardens are a testament to city-making: a Victorian solution to urban blight that became one of Edinburgh’s most beloved civic spaces, perfect for a stroll, a picnic, or simply admiring the iconic views.