If you are a businessman trying to connect to the vast and lucrative China market, consider attending the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, China. This event is held during the spring and autumn seasons and has been organized since 1957.

The main purpose has been focused to export trade of mainly Chinese manufactured goods although import businesses are also part of the Fair, which is considered largest trade fair in China. It covers various business activities such as commodity inspection, insurance, transportation, advertising, and consultation, as well as economic cooperation agreements between countries and regions. The event is not only participated by import and export businessmen but also trade missions from over 200 territories.

Be aware that during Canton fair, it is more difficult to book your Guangzhou hotel reservation so booking in advance is always a safe bet. Even without the Canton Fair, there is so much to explore about Guangzhou. The city is one of China’s biggest metropolitan cities.

• Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel – an old structure found in Shamian Island.

• Temple of Six Banyan Trees - The Temple of Six Banyan Trees is a nationally known ancient monastery. There are majestic towers, dense trees, plenty of antiques and valuable heritage from those famous people in the history.

• Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall - a really magnificent building in the shape of octagon. It is not only one of the symbolic constructions in Guangzhou with its majestic appearance and the infused rich Chinese national color.

• Guianxiao Temple – A popular pilgrimage site for Buddhists.

• Shamian Island – A sandbank island featuring English and French inspired structures

• Boat Tour at Pearl River – Night boat ride experience allows you to a breathtaking views of the city

• Yuexiu Park - named after Yuexiu Mountain, built in 1952, is the biggest comprehensive sight-seeing park in Guangzhou.

There are many other attractions to see in your Guangzhou travel experience. So if you miss the Canton Fair, you’ll never be bored in the city. It is only 182 kilometers and a couple of hours train ride away from Hong Kong.

There is a prevailing myth that says if you were in the Moon, the only landmark visible on Earth is the Great Wall of China. Whether the story is true or not, it showcases the magnitude of the attraction in the global perspective, or even beyond.

Great Wall of China was built during the 5th century BC by various dynasties primarily as a means to defend territories from foreign invaders. It has since been rebuilt and maintained throughout the years. And while many of its sections are in state of disrepair, there are still many others that are amazingly great condition and are suitable for tourists and curious locals.

From Beijing, Great Wall of China is accessible through Badaling and Juyongguan sections. Due to its close proximity from the capital city, this section is obviously more crowded and has potential tourist traps. A bit farther away from Beijing is Mutianyu, also well-maintained but with smaller crowd.

Here are some tips before making a visit:

• Bring in extra clothing during chilly months and plenty of water during summer seasons. Bottled water is readily available on crowded sections of the wall.

• There are buses that take you from your Beijing hotel to the Badaling section. But be warned that there are bus scams that charge more expensive rates. Bus from central Beijing to Badaling costs only about 20 yuan but scam buses charge more than 100 yuan. Be aware also that some organized tours handed out by people at the Forbidden City are also scams and are best avoided.

• If you are a photography enthusiast, it's best to take photos during early in the morning and late afternoon.

• Consider making a visit during weekdays instead of weekends to avoid large crowds that mean longer queues and less photo opportunity.

• When joining tours, make sure that you don't fall for detours to jade shops and souvenir stores that don’t add value to the whole trip.

A visit to Beijing is not complete without taking time to explore the Great Wall of China's Badaling section. By sticking to the points above (plus choosing an appropriate Beijing hotel reservation), hopefully, it will be an exciting and rewarding escape from the city.

Considered a gateway to Asia – it has direct flights from dozens of cities – Bangkok is a mixture of both alluring charm of the East and the inevitable influence of the West. Probably, you may have read a lot of articles highlighting the most popular attractions in the city. So I'll try not to duplicate them in this post. Instead, I'll list down helpful tips for Bangkok travelers especially first time visitors.

1. Plan well ahead. Even before arriving in Bangkok, read about the city, learn its attractions and think of what you’d like to do. Get a comprehensive map and study it. Plan and arrange your itinerary. Get your Bangkok hotel reservation and flight schedules sorted out.

2. Drink lots of water. Bangkok's year-round hot weather is an understatement. So arming yourself with bottled water will be a proven day-saver. Also note that tap water is generally not potable so make sure that unless labeled safe, water supply should not be used for drinking or brushing teeth.

3. Beware of tuk tuk scammers. Thailand is a land of gentle and warm people, but that does not mean that there is an absence of folks who will fool you. Be watchful of tuk tuk drivers who offer a ride to unknown holidays like Lucky Buddha Day and gem shops that sell inferior quality products. In the process these unscrupulous drivers charge you with very expensive fares.

4. Join organized tours. With easy to navigate streets, good transportation links and fairly good English speaking population, the city is great for backpackers to explore. However, joining an organized tour group is recommended for the following reasons: it's cheap, it saves you time, and there are -no chances of getting lost (and getting scammed).

5. Take the Skytrain. Bangkok is notorious for its traffic jams in the past. Now with the BTS Skytrain, you have a faster, easier and more comfortable way to travel around the city.

6. Carry your passport all the time. This tip applies not only to Bangkok, but this reminder warrants its own point. Whether it's a request from a local policeman or proof to a gatekeeper of a swanky bar, presenting your passport should help you get out of troubles. Bringing in a photocopy of your passport is also a good idea.

7. Keep a hotel's business card. Also a universal rule of thumb when staying in a hotel in a city that speaks and writes language other than English. Show the card to a taxi or tuk tuk driver to find your way back to your Bangkok hotel or just about any stranger in case you get lost and looking for guidance.

Happy traveling to Bangkok, Thailand!