Oriental Adventure

About the destination: Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia and the most populous city in the country. It is one of the coldest capitals in the world. Its population in 2008 reached just over one million inhabitants. The city is notable for its Soviet architecture, set alongside Tibetan and Buddhist buildings. Ulaanbaatar was founded in 1649 as a monastic town called Urgon (known as Urga or Urgà in the Western world), which flourished during the 1860s mainly because it was located on a key trading route between Russia and China. Mongolia declared its independence in 1911, and when the city was named the capital of the country in 1924, its name was changed to Ulaanbaatar, which means “red hero” in Mongolian, in honour of the national hero Sukhbaatar, who freed Mongolia from the troops of Ungern von Sternberg (one of those characters who could only have existed in such a remote era. He was an Austrian officer who went over to the Russian side, where he fought with the White Russian army – that is, those loyal to the Tsar during the Russian Revolution – then went on to conquer Mongolia, driving out the Chinese, becoming a private warlord, and finally being handed over by his own men to the Soviet Red Army. His cruelty and viciousness were widely known) and from Chinese rule, fighting alongside the Soviet Red Army. His statue stands in the main square of Ulaanbaatar. Ulaanbaatar has not suffered war-related destruction, except in 1921, during the Battle of Urga, when Baron Ungern von Sternberg defeated the 10,000-strong Chinese garrison (which had occupied Urga without a fight).

About the destination: Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. It's a lively harbour city and one of Asia's main financial hubs. It's made up of Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, the New Territories, and over 260 small islands. Hong Kong Island boasts a striking skyline and is the primary focus for most tourists. Hong Kong is a blend of ocean, islands, modern skyscrapers, ancient temples and fishing villages. The heart of the city is Victoria Harbour, which both separates and links Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The most famous view of Hong Kong is from Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island, accessible by the Peak Tram. Other key attractions to visit in Hong Kong include the Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island, the old colonial buildings of Central amidst the uniquely modern and mirrored towers, some fascinating museums, the densely populated areas of Kowloon and Mong Kok and the picturesque and more tranquil areas of Stanley and Aberdeen. A city bursting with life and spirit, Hong Kong offers a buzzing atmosphere, a vibrant cultural life, tasty cuisine, shopping, thrilling nightlife, and many more surprises that will astonish even the most discerning tourist.