China’s Fairytale Terror-Trail

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Image: Philip Lai
Far up on Yellow Mountain in the south east of China’s Anhui province is a trail of tens of thousands of granite steps. Partly lacking rails to hold on to, they are a traveller’s only guide past deep ravines and steep descents. Weather-wise, a whole year can pass in just one day: spring in the morning, summer at noon, autumn in the afternoon and winter at night. The most dangerous part yet might be the breathtaking views that can easily make visitors forget where they have to tread.

Treading Gingerly Across the Lost Bridges of the Inca Empire

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Photo courtesy of Rutahsa Adventures www.rutahsa.com
Sagging severely in the middle and swaying in strong winds like spider’s silk in the breeze, the bridge was all that stood between travellers more worn out than the vines and certain downfall. Barely concealed below the massive cables of woven grass, the gorge yawned wide, hungry for any who happened to fall. Repairing these great slung suspension bridges in present-day Peru was still more perilous, and those that carried out such work frequently met with death.

Mexican Church Devoured by Lava

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Image: Francisco Trinidad
When the people of the small Mexican town of Parícutin heard rumbling and felt the earth shake on February 20, 1943, their first thought was of an earthquake. When they witnessed a mountain growing out of their cornfields, plus fissures in the earth that emitted sulphurous smells, many believed God had sent them a sign that the end was near. What they would witness was the birth of Parícutin, the youngest volcano in the

Sri Lanka's Giant Magma Plug Fortress

Photo:
Bernard Gagnon
If Sri Lanka wishes to improve its image – and its tourist trade – following its recent turbulent times, it could do worse than promote a national treasure such as the Sigirya. Towering above the surrounding plains of the Matale district in the heart of the country, this fortress and Buddhist monastery was carved from the hardened magma of what was once a volcano. Today, it stands as a reminder of the various ancient cultures that helped shape Sri Lanka down through the centuries.

The World On Sale: Swapping Dull Cityscapes For Exotic Destinations

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Imagine waking up in the shadow of the great pyramids, or on a palm studded beach in the Maldives with cool water lapping at your feet. With British Airways you can escape the dull cityscape this fall and travel to exotic destinations all over the globe for reduced prices during their November sale. Hip, tech-savvy people who love to see the world or travel for business (and recognize a good deal when they see one) should snap these offers up while they last.