In Beijing, evidence of China's astonishing growth greets the visitor at every turn, from the ultra-modern Bird's Nest Olympic stadium to the Egg, the city's sleek performance centre. But while China's meteoric rise is in no doubt, what does it mean for the Chinese people and for the rest of the world?

The answer or part of it at least may lie a few kilometres north-east of Beijing's centre in 798, a burgeoning arts district showcasing the cream of Chinese contemporary art and thereby affording a glimpse into the country's modern soul.

Far removed from classic Beijing attractions such as the Forbidden City, this collection of former munitions factories lies in a nondescript suburb just off the thundering Airport Expressway and can only be reached by taxi – but once you arrive the creative buzz is unmistakable. Over the space of just a few years, the old East German-designed buildings have been converted into a diverse complex of galleries, shops and cafes.

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New flu strains originate in East and Southeast Asia, then make their way around the world before they go extinct in South America, according to two studies released yesterday.

This conclusion will enable public health agencies to focus their surveillance on Asia and will increase researchers' ability to quickly develop effective influenza vaccines.

"Asia is the place we should be watching. We didn't know that," said Edward Holmes, a biologist at Penn State University and the author of one of the studies. The papers appeared in the latest issues of Nature and Science.
Flu surveillance extends around the world today, but Holmes said the new findings would change that focus to Asia.

Both studies looked at the influenza genome and analyzed mutations from different regions. Scientists then constructed a model that explained how the virus traveled around the world.

"This is very important work," said Steven Salzberg, a computational biologist at the University of Maryland. He has also studied flu mutations and geography.

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Interesting and pleasant metropolis with distinct South-East Asian flair, crumbling colonial architecture and golden pagodas. The main attraction is the deservedly world famous Shwedagon Pagoda whose enormous dimension is only visible once you have ascended the numerous steps to the platform. Besides visiting the sights, simply lingering through the city's attractive streets and enjoying the atmosphere is very pleasant.Another worthwhile pastime is to take a walk through Bogyoke Aung San Park and the market of the same name. The area around Sule Pagoda in the city center is also attractive.

The Masjid Zahir Mosque, completed in 1912, is in the center of Alur Setar, the capital of the Malaysian state of Kedah. Located near the country’s border with Thailand, Kedah is Malaysia’s most important rice-growing state. Some of the oldest settlements on the Malay Peninsula are here.

THE queue into the lounge for the Captain’s cocktail party, three nights after Queen Elizabeth 2 left Singapore, was so long and slow moving I sauntered along it to see the reason for the delay. There were two, the first caused by a ship’s photographer posing couples for a formal portrait and the second while another photographer snapped guests with the captain. I slipped into place, shook the captain’s hand, and reached eagerly for the glass of bubbly proffered by a steward.

“What’s this?” I asked. “Champagne,” he replied, as though I was an idiot not to recognise it. I took one sip, almost choked, and handed it back. “That’s not champagne,” I told him. “It’s sparkling wine.” He moved away. So did I. I went down to the champagne bar next to the Princess Grill and paid US$8 for a glass of genuine stuff.

If you're looking for a place to spend Valentine's Day this year, consider Dalat.
The city of Dalat (alternately spelled Da Lat) has long drawn tourists and vacationers. During colonial times the French built villas in the city so that they could come and escape the heat of Saigon in the beautiful mountains of Vietnam's Central Highlands.$home$

Dalat has some of the same sorts of attractions as any major city in Southeast Asia. There are pagodas to visit and natural attractions in the beautiful that surrounds the city, traditional markets and tribal cultures to see.

The city also has a thriving art scene. Crazy House is a popular attraction. It is a treehouse that has been done over in concrete and decorated almost into a theme park. It is also known as Hang Nga Guest House. Then there's Lam Ty Ni Pagoda - the Home of the Crazy Monk. The Crazy Monk is an artist how speaks half-a-dozen or more languages and will chat with you in English (or in German if you like, or French, or Japanaese, or Chinese, or even Swedish) while he draws. His pagoda-home is more studio than religious site.

The waterfalls and lakes that surround Dalat make for excellent day trips. But perhaps the biggest attraction Dalat has is its honeymoon industry. Since the 1960's Dalat has become the honeymoon capital of Vietnam. Newlywed couples come to the city to to tour the Valley of Love, to stare into the Lake of Sighs, and to look for that perfect picture that will make their homeymoon memorable.

The Newlyweds also visit Xuan Huong Lake in Dalat's downtown area and tour the city's French Quarter where they can eat at sidewalk cafes, see the city's mini-Eiffel Tower, and pretend they are in Paris.

Dalat is working hard to become Southeast Asia's lovers' paradise...

Development is coming! Development is coming! Which tropical Southeast Asian paradise is soon to be overrun with fatties and luxury travelers? Why, it's Sihanoukville, Cambodia's own sleepy beach town.

Jeff Koyen files his dispatch for the Times, showing amazing restraint by mentioning the dearth of hookers but a single time. Perhaps the "happy" pizzas and "happy" pancakes--seasoned with oregano and/or pot--make up for the lack of "happy" endings in town.

Truth be told, it's not clear whether Sihanoukville was all that unspoiled in the first place. Last year, a Sokha Beach Hotel opened--complete with their own private stretch of beach--so it's not just cheap bungalows on the water. Plus, Sihanoukville is Cambodia's only deep water port. That's right: there's just as much Newark as Phuket in the city's DNA.

Now, excuse us while we go cook up a batch of happy pancakes.

Asia

Asia is a continent full of wonder. No matter how you plan to travel Asia, there are many interesting countries to explore. For anyone planning to travel Asia, there are plenty of must see locations and relaxing vacation options.

Day 1 Friday — ARRIVE Istanbul
Arrive at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 Saturday — Istanbul
After breakfast, a full-day excursion in Istanbul including the Hagia Sophia Church with its Byzantine mosaics; the Blue Mosque famous for its interior tiles; the Byzantine Hippodrome where horses and chariots raced once upon a time; Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans for about 400 years; and the Grand Bazaar with more than 3,000 shops. Lunch during visits. Stay at the hotel in Istanbul. (B-L)

Day 3 Sunday — Istanbul / Ankara / Cappadocia
After breakfast, check out for the Ankara flight. Upon arrival, visit the Anatolian Civilization Museum in the Citadel, where archaeological pieces dating as far back as the Prehistoric Age are exhibited; the Mausoleum of Ataturk, where the founder of the Turkish Republic lies. After lunch in Ankara, depart for Cappadocia driving around Salt Lake. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Cappadocia. (B-L-D)

Day 4 Monday — Cappadocia
After breakfast, visit the Uchisar valley for its magnificent views of these unusual formations; then visit the Underground City of Kaymakli, built in the 7th century by Christians fleeing from persecutions, in which a visitor is able to descend several floor levels. After lunch, visit the Göreme Open Air Museum and the Rock churches with Byzantine frescoes, the Pasabag Valley with so-called "fairy chimneys", and finally Avanos Village famous for its pottery and handicrafts. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B-L-D)

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Mongolia beckons you with a rare glimpse into an ancient culture and the last unspoiled wilderness in Asia. Discovering this land of nomadic horsemen and traditions dating back to the time of Chingis Khan is as much a journey back in time as an expedition of exploration.

Relatively unchanged for centuries, Mongolia has one of the last remaining horse-based, nomadic cultures in the world. Nomadic families are traditionally known for their warm hospitality offered to passing travelers in the form of food, shelter, and friendship. Hearty welcomes, warm smiles, and generousity are invariably offered by nomads in their traditional gers (felt tents).

Woven through the nomadic culture is a rich Tibetan-Buddhist tradition, which has incorporated some elements of Mongolia's ancient Shamanist practices. Although many buddhist moasteries were destroyed and religious expression was severely curtailed during the Stalinist purges of the 1930's, Mongolia's spirituality persisted and a resurgence of Buddhism began in 1990 when Mongolia became a democracy. Priceless artifacts, which were hidden for safekeeping, are now being returned to monasteries by nomadic families. Today, Mongolia is home to some of the finest collections of Buddhist art and artifacts found in Asia.

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