Somewherethesunisrising.

Do not go here looking for quality fare to feed you and your friends. This tightly packed island of street vendors offers a few minimally tasty snacks and heaps of gimmicky grub. You know something's not right when the guys wielding sheep's testicles and scorpions are calling out exclusively in English and most of the native Chinese patrons are reaching for things like dumplings and pork buns. Larvae skewers are a genuine local favorite, but you can also try those elsewhere in China and Asia. If you want something good to eat, you can really do much better. But if too much reality tv has left you with an insatiable urge to consume crazy critters in front of an audience, this is just the place for you!

Too many long nights on those cross-country sleeper trains might end up depleting the leisure reading stash you packed in your backpack a lot faster than previously anticipated. Come here to stock up on new novels, nonfiction, and reference material in your native language. One oddity: despite the plethora of books about old Beijing, there was not a single guidebook covering China as a whole on any of the many shelves. I wonder whether those just sell out very quickly or if their contents are considered too sensitive to be sold in stores?

It is best to avoid places like Wangfujing when you are trying to really see the world. You might be bored by the uninspired merchandise at the big,brand name stores. The countless street vendors are no more interesting, incessantly advertising assembly line crap as cultural keepsakes. Even so, my heart went out to the kid who earnestly asked me to help him track down some plain old boxed cereal and cold milk. He was desperate for some creature comforts and knew that this soulless street might be his only salvation. No judgement! If you find yourself in a similar predicament, this place is teeming with imported foreign foods and other familiar things. Just check the mega markets on the basement level of every big department store.

So this place is not exactly underground. Fame notwithstanding, the prices are a steal compared to what this quality of food would cost in Japan, Europe or the United States. The entrance is deceptively dingy, just wait until you discover the huge dining room downstairs complete with marble pillars and art deco chandeliers. The chunks of crispy duck on lotus-shaped buns were unbelievably delicious and the sheng jian bao were also awesome. Even with beers, this extravagant meal was incredibly cheap.

If you have just arrived in China, you might consider sampling some local cuisine before you come to this place. For those who are already up to their ears in dumplings, noodles, chilies and crispy duck skin, this could be just the thing you need. I can vouch for the vegetable curry and palak paneer.

This place has seen better days, and that is a large part of its unique charm. A blend of East and, uh, Far East manages to be both striking and subtle. The Chinese and Muslim styles fuse together nicely and the random artifacts and paintings scattered make it worth poking about every dusty, forgotten corner.

These meat buns will probably burn your tongue, provided that your fingertips can withstand their searing crust long enough to bring one up to your mouth. The flimsy sheets of paper upon which they are served do little to insulate the treats and even less to soak up the grease. These things taste divine, though, and you'd be a fool to pass by the ladies selling them on the street without picking up a couple for yourself.

This place might only be a couple minutes away from The Humble Administrator's Garden, but this clean and cozy place along the canal is a world away from the noisy souvenir stand gauntlet that grips most of the city. Relax by gazing out the window at the rafts floating below or scarf a simple lunch and take advantage of their fully operational Western sink, soap and toilet. You can also chill outside on the patio.

Escape the insanely crowded gardens and pagodas to spend at least an afternoon ambling along the canal in this artfully dilapidated part of town. Though major renovation is underway,the neighborhood has managed to maintain its ancient allure and breezy tree-lined backdrop.

...but if you don't, chances are, after several weeks of wandering around China, you might welcome the change of pace this place offers. The vibe is super laid back and the bar and patio areas offer a comfortable space for you to kick back, speak lots of English, or just zone out with your beer. You can also play pool, check your email, or read a seriously outdated copy of Tatler free of charge. There is a Bike Asia office conveniently located on the second floor. Helmets and free maps come with the bicycle rental and those interested might choose to tag along with a guide or group on a ride out to one of the more popular sites in the surrounding area.

This place is a godsend if you and your friends should find yourselves hungry and wandering around the vicinity of the Tin Hau MTR after midnight. A cute, young crowd will have probably filled most of the seats by the time you arrive, but the waitress should have no problem squeezing you in on the sidewalk. Their bbq meats and seafood are sizzling and seasoned well. And all the girls were clamoring for more corn on the cob.

The exhibits in this spare,circular building are all incredible in different ways. Whether you are staring at a beautiful sky through an enormous window in the ceiling or gazing up at a fortress of weathered window frames meant to symbolize the unique way in which an individual looks out into the world, you will find yourself meandering back and forth between innocent wonder and deep thought. The place's party trick, if you will, is the pool in which you can stand at the bottom and take perplexing photographs. All the other pieces and installations are just as, if not more, creative and engaging. Definitely worth the steep admission fee.

We're not talking about your grandma's rosebushes here. Kenrokuen (兼六園) is an explosion of green that manages to combine immaculate design with seemingly natural tranquility. This place is a prime example of the Japanese landscaping technique known as shakkei (借景), or "borrowed scenery", in which views of distant hills and mountains are set up in such a way as to enhance the garden itself. This creates the sensation that the garden is infinite, or at the very least, much larger than it actually is. Running water is incorporated into the layout of the garden in subtle, surprising ways and, despite its status and popularity, there are many places to hide and enjoy the stillness of this ancient oasis in the middle of a city. As with any potential tourist draw, it is your own fault if you find yourself battling with crowds late in the day! Get up early to enjoy one of the most beautiful morning walks of your life in relative peace.

There are all kinds of clothes and accessories on offer in this little shop. Given the eclectic nature of the selection, everyone can find something here. The subtle edginess in all of the items keeps even the casual and comfortable things from ever seeming too pedestrian.

I loved eating lunch here when I interned in Dumbo one summer. The menu is always changing, which keeps things interesting, but I was particularly fond of the grilled fish tacos. Get them if they're available!

Depending on how much you already know about Andy Warhol, here is a great opportunity for you to examine the life and art of this Pittsburgh native (as well as the work of other artists). Since the city is not the biggest metropolis on earth, crowds are not usually a problem and this place is ideal for a leisurely afternoon stroll. The Silver Clouds exhibit is particularly fun and shiny (huge, metallic, pillow-shaped balloons). Although I don't personally go for souvenirs, people get really excited about the gift shop.

Totally agree that the setting is surprisingly picturesque for baseball. Absolutely support the pre-game Primanti's sandwich, although I recommend bringing a date to share it with you because those things are monsters.

Even if you are not usually interested in ancient artifacts, you might consider stopping in here and taking a look at these national treasures. Given its location right next door to Gyeongbokgong, you can easily stop in on your way to the palace.

This is a good place to refuel on a long night out in Hongdae. You'll find it on a small street, right in front of the tiny park on the hill that faces Hongik University. The friend who took me here is a native son of Seoul, and he calls Mr. Bob's quick and casual grub his version of comfort food. Definitely try as many of the kimbap (warm, seaweed-wrapped rice triangles stuffed with tasty meat and kimchi) as you can. If you like spicy noodles, get a bowl of ramen to go with them.

If the weather were better the day we went, I think things might have been different. A nighttime view of the city all lit up could also be more interesting. In the men's room, the urinals are placed directly in front of the floor to ceiling windows so that you can pee and sight see at the same time. With such a cheap admission fee, there really is no reason not to see Seoul from this angle. I just don't think going here should be your number one priority.

Though considerably less lush and verdant than other famous city parks, this spacious outdoor place is conveniently located near the Prado. It could be a good spot to walk around in good weather and maybe even bring your lunch if, for some reason, you aren't in the mood for a restaurant or sidewalk cafe. The main attraction is the statue of Lucifer, although there are monuments and other sculptures to observe here as well.

If you can squeeze in somewhere on the sand, or happen to go at a time when it's not so crowded, this is a nice spot to just kick back and get some sun. This place could be of particular importance to people who run out of money by their last day of the trip and can't afford to go anywhere else in the city. And, yes, keep your personal belongings close.

Anyone who likes to eat good, fresh food will be impressed by the size and color of everything on offer here. You could spend an hour poking around at all the stalls and marveling at some of the biggest bell peppers on earth. It's also a breeze to walk in and grab a bite on your way somewhere else.

My experience at La Sagrada Familia was going really well until the woman in front of me (on my way up to the tower) started hyperventilating and complaining about claustrophobia. Just a word of caution: once you are in that line to go up, the only way to get back down is to finish the climb and head back down the other set of steps. Slapping the walls and sucking air from every super thin medieval style window along the way is not going to make time go any faster for you or the people behind you! Anyway, there are tons of intricately carved figures at the base of the cathedral to keep you occupied while your friends see the sights from above.

The colorful facade, which often inspires comparisons to a man-made coral reef, is just one example of how Gaudi utilized unexpected shapes and colors to rethink the way human beings could enhance their living environment. Though the interior is somewhat less flamboyant, his creativity shines through in his unique manipulations of common construction materials. If you love a good view from high up, the rooftop is perfect for taking in Barcelona's wide boulevards and beautiful weather.