Things to Do in Niagara Falls & Around

Experience some of the best of Sicilian Baroque architecture by heading to Ragusa’s old town, called Ragusa Ibla, where you’ll find Chiesa San Giuseppe, or San Giuseppe Church. Dating back to the 1700s, it was constructed atop an earlier church, which was destroyed by the earthquake of 1693.

Its impressive façade, featuring an elaborate Baroque bell town, is very much the star of Piazza Pola. The oval-shaped interior dazzles too, complete with a frescoed cupola, and — take note — high-up wooden grate-covered lookouts from which the nuns can participate in services. If you like what you see here, head to nearby Chiesa San Giorgio, which features a similarly extravagant façade — so similar in fact, that it is believed that the church’s designer, Gagliardi, also designed Chiesa San Giuseppe.

In death as in life, Manila’s rich Chinese like to live large, and the renowned Chinese Cemetery—lined with otherworldly mansions, some complete with air-conditioning and flush toilets—is a tribute to their wealth. Sprawling over 133 acres (54 hectares), it’s one of Manila’s quirkiest attractions: You can even rent a bike to get around.

There is no fee to enter Manila’s Chinese Cemetery, although you may want to to rent a bicycle to explore its sprawling avenues. Signage is very limited, which means that to find the most impressive mansion tombs, not to mention official temples and memorial halls, it helps to have a guide, who can also explain the complex fusions of Chinese Buddhism and Christianity here.

Chinese Cemetery tours typically form part of a longer Manila day or half-day tour, but the sheer weirdness of the place means some could happily spend half a day exploring. For this, it’s often best to hire a private guide (you shouldn’t need a driver).

Set in Loma, south central Manila, the Chinese Cemetery is refreshingly easy to reach by public transport. Just catch LRT Line 1 to Abad Santos and walk for a few minutes (or take a tricycle). If you’re combining the Chinese Cemetery with other Manila attractions, it makes sense to book a tour that includes transport.

The Manila Chinese Cemetery is open seven days a week from morning until early evening. Two substantial festivals see Tsinoys—Chinese Filipinos—paying their respects to the souls of the ancestors here. The first is the ancient Chinese tomb-sweeping festival of Qingming, which follows the lunar calendar and usually falls in early April. The second is comprised of the Christian festivals of All Saints Day and All Souls Day, on November 1 and 2.

Known as Tsinoy (based on “Pinoy,” meaning Filipino), Chinese Filipinos are one of southeast Asia’s largest Chinese communities. Their influence is obvious in Binondo, the city’s historical Chinatown, and at the Chinese Cemetery, the second oldest in Manila. Many Chinese Filipinos come from Hokkien or Cantonese backgrounds, and although the Chinese Cemetery features temples, the overwhelming majority of Chinese Filipinos are Christian.

The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is one of the most prominent landmarks and popular attractions in Taipei, and sees thousands of visitors daily. Learn about the life of Chiang Kai-Shek and the history of Taiwan inside this impressive building set within a 62-acre (25-hectare) memorial park with gardens, pools, and walkways.

 

The white-marble memorial hall is topped with a roof of blue tile against a red background—the colors of Taiwan’s flag. Inside is a museum with exhibits chronicling Chiang Kai-Shek’s life. The National Theater and National Concert Hall are also located within the memorial park grounds. Don’t miss the impressive archway entrance, 98 feet (30 meters) tall and 262 feet (80 meters) wide.

 

The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall features on most sightseeing tours of Taipei. Choose a half-day or full-day tour, which typically also includes sights such as Taipei 101 and the National Palace Museum. Visit on a hop-on hop-off bus for the most flexibility, or experience Taipei like a local and join a bicycle, walking, and MRT tour of the city. You can also visit the hall and other top Taipei sights as part of a shore excursion from Keelung.

The memorial hall is located in Taipei’s Zhongzheng district. By MRT, take the Red Line to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall Station. You can also take the Taipei Double-Decker bus to the Xinyi and Linsen intersection stop.

The memorial hall is open year-round except for Chinese New Year’s Eve and Day. Arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat. A popular event is the Changing of the Guard, which happens every hour on the hour from 9am to 5pm; get there a few minutes early to secure a good spot.

On the memorial hall’s first floor are several permanent exhibits related to Chiang Kai-Shek, and his family life, ascent to power, time as a wartime leader of China, move from China to Taiwan, and presidency in Taiwan. His office, as well as uniforms, medals, and even some of his cars, are also on display. The exhibition halls also host temporary shows on occasion, some of which charge an admission fee.

With temperatures in Dubai often reaching heights of 50 degrees Celsius the opportunity to relax in subzero temperatures in the middle of the city is a unique one. The Chillout Ice Lounge is located inside the famous Times Square Center in the city. Refurbished in 2014, it features dramatic ice sculptures, seating and tables made of ice, plus ambient diffused lighting to set the tone in the minus-six-degrees climate.

On arrival at the Chillout Ice Lounge all visitors are issued with a complimentary welcome drink and thermal clothing. You will also be advised to spend a few minutes acclimatizing in a buffer zone area set to five degrees before venturing into the main lounge. Once in the lounge, you can order soup, sandwiches, juice, hot chocolate, tea and coffee, plus a variety of desserts and mocktails.

The lighting in the Chillout Ice Lounge changes color intermittently, filtering through blocks of ice and making it a romantic setting for couples. The venue also holds a magic show for children on several days of the week, making it ideal for families, although it is not advisable to take infants under the age of one.

The most convenient way to enjoy Dubai's Chillout Ice Lounge is by joining an organized tour that includes entrance fees and hotel pickup and drop off.

Also known at the National Museum of Contemporary Art, the Chiado Museum is one of the best collections of contemporary Portuguese art. Located in the neighborhood that bears the same name, Chiado is the center of Lisbon’s bohemian culture. The museum has been around since 1911, but moved to its current location, a reformed monastery, in 1994. Much of the monastery’s original architecture remains but is now mixed in with modern suspended walkways and sophisticated lighting systems. 

With works that span across the 19th – 21st centuries, pieces range from Romanticism, to Naturalism; from Impressionism to Neo-realism. The permanent collection is small and mostly Portuguese artists with a speckling of other European artists, including several sculptures by the famed French sculpture, Rodin. The Chiado Museum receives a number of rotating exhibits, many of which display Portuguese artists from private collections or other museums throughout the country. A highlight is the outdoor sculpture garden, with simple but carefully manicured lawns dotted with bronze sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries.

King Leopold II wanted famous structures from around the world represented on his royal estate at Laeken, and architect Alexandre Marcel undertook the project with these two towers representing Japan and China. It is said that King Leopold was inspired by his visit to the 1900 Exhibition in Paris. The towers were completed in 1904, built entirely of wood, and connected by tunnel. The woodwork was completed by specialists from Shanghai and Yokohama, and on display are both Chinese and Japanese arts and artifacts dating back to the 17th century.

The area around both structures is surrounded by a lush garden, fit for picnics. The distinct cultural styles of both the Chinese pavilion and the Japanese pagoda makes them stand out amongst the rest of the city’s architecture. Standing tall in red and with adjacent wooden pavilions, the towers are unique parts of Brussels that are not to be missed.

A popular day trip from the state capital of Tuxtla, the small colonial town of Chiapa de Corzo lies on the Rio Grijalva and is the starting point for boat rides through the Sumidero Canyon National Park. Although inhabited since prehistoric times, Chiapa de Corzo is best known as the region’s oldest Spanish settlement, founded in 1528, and traces of its past can be seen in its exquisitely preserved colonial architecture. The red-brick mudejar-style La Pila Fountain (Fuente Colonial) is the grand centerpiece of the central Plaza Ángel Albino Corzo, dating back to the 16th century and shaped like the Spanish crown, while one block south, the Santo Domingo Church (Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman) is famous for its original copper and silver bell and now houses a traditional handicraft museum.

The town is also renowned for its annual Feria de Enero festival, a colorful carnival held each January in honor of the feast of San Sebastian, when marching bands and dancing troops take to the streets for a vibrant procession and the city hosts an enormous street party. The highlight of the festival is the performance of the Dance of the Parachicos, a cultural tradition so important it’s been added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. 

Visit to buy vegetables from the local traders and Andean handicrafts from the Quechua stallholders. The handwoven textiles are a particular highlight and a proudly preserved Inca tradition. The highlanders trade their woven crafts for the fruit and vegetables grown at lower altitudes. Travelers will also find jewelry, pottery, toys, rugs and musical pipes for sale at the market.

Protected by the Chileno Bay, the waters at Chileno Beach are calm, warm, and clear, and the reefs just offshore act as a home to an abundance of sea life. The beach, considered one of Los Cabos’ best-kept secrets, mimics the feel of a Caribbean beach. Sun-seekers will enjoy the seclusion and the top-notch snorkeling opportunities. 

Chileno Beach is a popular destination for those looking to do a bit of underwater exploration or just relax on the sunny shores of a secluded spot. Remember, though, that there are few accommodations to be found here (aside from restrooms), so if you’re planning on making the trek to Chileno Beach on your own, pack food and snorkeling gear. Tours to the area, which include sailing, snorkeling, and kayaking excursions, typically supply the equipment.

Chileno Beach, located just off Los Cabos’ tourist corridor, is accessible by bus from both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo (tell the driver to drop you off at Bahia Chileno). From the bus stop, it’s about a half-mile walk down to the beach. If you decide to rent a car and drive, there’s an ample amount of free parking. Most sailing and snorkeling tours depart from the Cabo San Lucas marina.

There are no set hours of operation at Chileno Beach, but arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds. Like most beaches, Chileno is a popular spot for locals on the weekends and is less busy during the week. Also, during whale-watching season, which takes place from December to April, you might be able to hear a humpback whale singing if you listen closely while underwater. 

Another favorite spot for snorkeling, Santa Maria Beach boasts pristine white sands and similar conditions to Chileno; many tours combine the two locations since they’re just around the bend from each other, and some scuba-diving excursions include dives at both. The areas are home to sea turtles, some species of moray eels, starfish, sea fans, sea urchins, sea horses, and sponges.

Chiang Saen is a town in northern Thailand on the bank of the Mekong River that is known for its historic ruins. Though Chiang Saen is a small, sleepy town by modern standards, until the 14th century it was home to a powerful independent kingdom. Ruins of the ancient kingdom of Chiang Saen can still be seen, including temples, Buddha images, and the old city walls, and there is an excellent history museum.

Chiang Saen is also near the "Golden Triangle" where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. The town offers hotels and guesthouses as well as restaurants, banks, and an immigration office.

Like most of the many churches throughout Rome, Chiesa di Santa Maria in Comedian has an ancient past and a fascinating story. Built on an ancient worship site that was once a great temple of Hercules, it became under care of the Byzantine Papacy. Its name “Cosmedin” is the Greek word for “beautiful decoration.”

The beautiful decorations remain — with its unique characteristics including a pre-Roman crypt, a massive bell tower, marble inlaid floors, architecture and designed by the Cosmati brothers, a beautiful altar with a rare 8th century mosaic, and frescoed walls.

The famous ‘Mouth of Truth’ or Bocca della Verità can be found in the portico of the church. The face of an unknown man or god is believed to be part of an ancient Roman temple, and is said to have once functioned as a lie detector — as it would bite off the hand of a man who did not speak the truth.

The 17th-century San Carlo ai Catinari Church (Chiesa di San Carlo ai Catinari) is dedicated to Saint Carlo Borromeo and known for its sumptuous baroque interiors. The church features stucco decorations, three-dimensional depictions of the cardinal virtues, and Antonio Gherardi's Chapel of St. Cecilia, which features a dome illuminated by hidden windows.

Guided tours of the Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere often include a stop at San Carlo ai Catinari (Santi Biagio e Carlo ai Catinari), along with the nearby Turtle Fountain (Fontana delle Tartarughe) and the Chiesa di Santa Maria in Trastevere. You can easily pair a visit to this neighborhood with a tour of Rome's most famous sights, including Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Campo de' Fiori.

The church was designed by Rosato Rosati and has an elegant marble facade by Giovanni Battista Soria. Inside, the elaborate stucco ceiling decorations and paintings of the cardinal virtues around the base of the dome pop out of their frames, making them appear three-dimensional. These are attributed to Domenichino, while other important works by Pietro da Cortona, Giovanni Lanfranco, and Guido Reni decorate the altar and chapels.

Set about halfway between the church of Sant’Andrea della Valle and the Tiber river near the former Jewish Ghetto, Chiesa di San Carlo ai Catinari is located at Piazza Benedetto Cairoli 117. Take bus 40 or 64 from the Termini train station.

Rome's churches offer a cool respite during the heat of the day, so if visiting in summer, time your visit for midday when the temperatures outside soar.

The phrase “ai Catinari” refers to the workshops on a nearby street that once specialized in making clay basins, or “catini.” A small street across from the facade of the church is still called the Vicolo de’ Catinari, or Basin-makers’ Lane.

Chiesa Nuova, considered one of the great baroque churches of Rome, houses important paintings like Pietro da Cortona's Trinity in Glory and Assumption of the Virgin, along with altarpieces by Peter Paul Rubens and Barocci.

Dubbed the “New Church” after being rebuilt in 1575 by St. Philip Neri, Chiesa Nuova—also known as the Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella—has a counter-reformation design with a single nave decorated by Pietro da Cortona's Miracle of the Madonna della Vallicella. Adjacent to the church is the Casa dei Filippini, home to an oratory designed by the Baroque architect Francesco Borromini. 

Chiesa Nuova is a highlight of any walking tour of Rome's baroque churches, which also include the Church of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini and the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, in addition to Bernini's statues along Ponte Sant'Angelo.

The church is located on the Piazza Chiesa Nuova along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, a short walk down Via del Governo Vecchio from Piazza Navona and midway between St. Peter's Basilica and Piazza Venezia. A number of city busses stop just outside Chiesa Nuova.

Saint Filippo Neri is one of the patron saints of Italy's capital city. On and May 26, his feast day, Chiesa Nuova holds several masses and celebrations in his honor.

An altarpiece Caravaggio originally created for Chiesa Nuova only remained in the church for a short time before a Pope took a liking to it and brought it to the Vatican, where it continues to live today at the Vatican’s art museum. 

Chitwan National Park is situated in a plain at the foot of the Himalayas, right on the border to India. The area in which the park is located is called Terai and has not only the highest precipitation levels, but is also the warmest and most forested part of Nepal. Once, Terai was sparsely populated, hard to reach and dominated by thick forests, swamps and swarms of mosquitoes. Wild animals lived here and the malaria risk was omnipresent. Still, it was the favorite hunting ground for Nepal’s wealthy as well as monarchs from abroad and they arrived in droves from Kathmandu to hunt rhinos, elephants, bears, tigers and leopards when they were still plentiful here. 

After much destruction and heavy agriculture in the area, the Nepalese government declared the former hunting grounds in Terai the first national park in the country and today, visitors can luckily once again enjoy the jungle landscape and its fauna. In fact, Chitwan National Park – the name literally means “Heart of the Jungle” in Sanskrit - has become one of the most spectacular sights in Nepal. The jungle is left completely natural, with a constantly changing vegetation due to flooding and erosion by the river Rapti. Of particular interest to visitors are the Bengal Tigers, which thanks to this park, were just barely saved from extinction. Their population has recovered from only 25 animals to about 100 tigers, but it is still extremely rare to spot them in the dense jungle foliage. The population of rhinos has grown even more to over 500 animals and there are now so many, that some of them could be relocated to other parks. Apart from the rhinoceros, the Bengal Tigers share their habitat with hundreds of other species, among them 40 other cat types such as the Bengal Cat and leopards, Tiger Pythons, King Cobras, Yellow Headed Turtles, Sloth Bears, Golden Jackals and a myriad of insects that haven’t even been fully catalogued yet.

Surrounded by a white wall topped with the golden East Asian roofs and interspersed with bright red gates, the Chinese Garden is about as far removed from the traditional Swiss houses neighboring it as possible. The garden is a quiet oasis of little ponds, lush vegetation and intricately decorated buildings with tiered roofs, red pillars and bright green railings, a place where strolls on perfectly planned paths and meditation sessions are possible. Paintings and ornaments feature the unique culture of Yunnan Province and a big focus is set on the three friends of winter: pine, bamboo and plum. The plants are a big theme in Confucianism and since they don’t wither in winter and instead flourish, they represent perseverance. 

The Chinese Garden was a gift from Zürich’s sister city Kunming, as thanks for the help it received in the construction of a drinking water and drainage system. Now the garden is not only seen as one of the most beautiful Chinese gardens in the world, but is also considered to be the highest ranking temple garden outside of China. Apart from the pavilions and bridges, there is also a Chinese take away next to the main entrance, where one can enjoy the fresh spring rolls with a fitting view.

“Chisapani” means cold water in Nepali, and towns with springs in them share this name throughout Nepal. This particular Chisapani is found on the edge of the Shivapuri National Park, in the northern Kathmandu Valley. It’s a popular overnight stop for hikers on their way to other villages around the valley rim.

Located at an altitude of 7,217 feet (2,200 meters), Chisapani offers beautiful views of the Himalayas on clear days. You may be able to see the Annapurna Range, Everest, and the Langtang Range. It’s a common resting point for hikers crossing Shivapuri National Park from Budhanilkantha or Sundarijal. 

Many visitors time their stay in Chisapani to coincide with sunset and sunrise. While Chisapani is not located on one of Nepal’s major hiking routes, it’s a good alternative for hikers who don’t have as much time, or who want to stay closer to Kathmandu.

While Chisapani can be reached via a poorly maintained road from Sundarijal, most visitors hike there through the Shivapuri National Park. It’s easy to reach the park entrances at Budhanilkantha or Sundarijal from central Kathmandu by local bus or taxi. There are many paths through the park to Chisapani, but each takes several hours of walking to reach the town.

Spring and fall are the most popular times to go hiking in Nepal, because the weather is generally warm and dry. As Chisapani is not so high in altitude (compared to other Himalayan hikes), it can also be visited comfortably in winter, and the mountain views will actually be best then. Avoid the monsoon season (June–August), as trails to Chisapani will be muddy and slippery, and mountain views rare. 

The town of Budhanilkantha, on the northern edge of Kathmandu, provides a gateway to the Shivapuri National Park. It’s home to a special temple that features a large statue of Lord Vishnu lying down and surrounded by snakes (Hindu gods are usually depicted standing up). If hiking to Chisapani, it’s worth a stop.

Squeezed between downtown Baixa and the nightlife party-central of the Bairro Alto, glossy Chiado is within shouting distance of the romantic ruins of Carmo Church (Igreja do Carmo) and the hidden treasures in the Church of St Rocco (Igreja de São Roque). It is also home to glorious Art Nouveau shops, old-world Lisboa cafés with window displays brimming with delicious pastries, and timeless antiquarian bookshops. Amid the fine 19th-century townhouses fronted with wrought-iron balconies and the piazzas with madly patterned mosaic sidewalks stand top-end fashion designers, jewelers, theaters, concert halls and posh boutique hotels. An eclectic mix of restaurants – from Michelin stars at Belcanto to basic snacks at neighborhood tapas bars – adds to the cultural soup of this sleek hillside enclave. 

When Chiado was hit by fire in 1988, the famous Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira (who redesigned much of central Porto) was called in to oversee the regeneration of the area; he designed the sophisticated mall Armazéns do Chiado and restored the Art Nouveau glamor of streets such as Rua Garrett, with its host of charming cafés. The hip area of Príncipe Reale is known for design stores and antique shops while also doubling as one of Lisbon’s leading gay quarters; interwoven into all this urban sophistication are hidden nooks and crannies such as shady Praça das Flores, perfect for people watching over a glass of port and a custard Pasteis de Nata.

Formerly known as Victoria Terminus (and still called "VT" by many), this train statio, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is best known for its over-the-top Indo-Saracenic architecture, which blends neo-Gothic elements with Mughal and Indian features. It's Asia's busiest train station—one you may have seen in the film Slumdog Millionaire.

Although Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is a working railway station, with thousands of passengers passing through every day, many people come simply to check out its ornate exterior, which features a jungle theme covered with monkeys, peacocks, and other critters. (There was once a statue of Queen Victoria on the central dome, but it's since been removed.) It's an easy spot to visit on your own, but a tour guide can point out intricacies in the architecture that you might not otherwise notice.

The easiest way to get to the railway station is, naturally, by train, and there are connections from all around the country. However, if you’re already in Mumbai you may be more interested in seeing the exterior than stepping inside; fortunately, many tours stop here and if you’re taking a taxi to Colaba or anywhere south of the station, you’ll likely drive right by. 

The railway station, a year-round attraction, is beautiful both day and night, so there's really no ideal time to visit. However, weather may play a role in when you come; Mumbai is best avoided in its damp monsoon season and can be too hot for some people's comfort between April and June.

While Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is one of the world's most important examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture, it's certainly not the only one. The style is found across India, from the Madras High Court in Chennai to the Albert Hall in Jaipur. It even crops up outside of the Subcontinent from time to time, in spots like the Brighton Pavilion in England and the Old Town Hall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.