Things to Do in Asia

Chances are a tour of Cebu City will take you to Colon Street, named after Portuguese explorer Christopher Columbus. The former main street is thought to be the oldest and shortest national road in the country.

What was once Cebu's major entertainment hub, with wall to wall boutique shops and cinemas, remains one of the busiest areas on the city. It earned the designation of a National Historical Landmark in 1999, though many of the old business have given way to shopping malls and restaurants. While the street has begun to show signs of wear, it's an interesting place to go bargain hunting or simply to immerse yourself in the day-to-day life of the locals.

Colon Street has established somewhat of a bad reputation for petty crime, but things are improving as police officers are often patrolling the area. To ensure a safe and fun experience, leave your valuables behind and go out for a fun afternoon of bargain shopping and people watching.

In 1910, the Kowloon-Canton rail line began service, shuttling passengers between Mainland China and Hong Kong. Five years later, the Clock Tower was erected at what was then the Kowloon Station, where it still stands today. The 144-foot (44-meter) tall red brick and granite structure has since become one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, and a quite meaningful one for Mainlanders who passed through the station on the way to their new lives in Hong Kong and abroad.

Located in Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, the Clock Tower is easily accessible from the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Avenue of Stars and Star Ferry Pier. If you’re in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, it’s worthwhile stopping by to see one of the city’s Declared Monuments and to do some people watching, as the public area in front of the Clock Tower has turned into a popular hangout among locals.

College Street, located in central Kolkata (Calcutta) in the University area, is the heart of intellectualism in a city that prides itself on its esteemed academic traditions. Thousands of secondhand bookstalls line the street to either side where you can find nearly any book ever sold in the city, including rare titles at bargain basement prices. Haggling is expected.

Of all the centers of learning located in the College Street vicinity, the Presidency College is the most respected. Established in 1817, it’s one of the oldest and most prestigious academic institutions in India and the place where filmmaker Satyajit Ray attended university. Directly across the street is the nationally famous Indian Coffee House, where students and Bengali intellectuals cram each night for heated debates over a cup of coffee.

Unfortunately, the tiny stalls with piles of old tomes are giving way to modern book malls filled with new or nearly new publications, making it more difficult to hunt down rare volumes. Now is the time to visit this quickly changing neighborhood while it still retains some of its old charm.