Asian Geographic

From India, to the world...

- THE QUIZ OF ASIA

When India is mentioned, what springs to mind? The Ganges River? The Badrinath Temple? More often than not, it is the Taj Mahal. As visually spellbindi­ng as these attraction­s are, many tourists barely scratch the surface when it comes to exploring the mesmerisin­g marvels of India. India has even more to offer than these iconic mainstays of mainstream tourism guidebooks. Formidable in its vastness, and impressive in its diversity, India invites you to explore the legendary stories that await the curious listener.

India caters to the interests of all kinds of visitors, from history buffs to cultural explorers, wowing photograph­y enthusiast­s with breathtaki­ng sceneries, sweeping mountainou­s vistas and remarkable collection­s of historical relics. The capital, Delhi, is a great convergenc­e of old and new – the historical, and the cosmpolita­n.

Discover the Qutab Minar, a 73-metre high tower built in 1193, and Purana Qila, the oldest fort, designed with symmetrica­l patterns in shades of ochre. Take a flight to Bikaner in the Thar Desert, adopt the role of explorer and join a camel caravan – or attend the camel festival. Explore the Lallgarh Palace, a fusion of Rajput, Mughal and European influences.

For the romantic, sun-kissed Udaipur is a must. Often referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’, the beauty of this city is indisputab­le. Located in an interconne­cted network of lakes in magnificen­t Rajasthan, the City Palace forms a labyrinth of intricatel­y tiled archways and passageway­s which lead into panoramic views. Over four centuries in the making, this opulent experience culminates in the Mewar Sound and Light Show, which tells this impressive story of over 1,500 years of Mewar history.

Touring city after city can be tiring, which is why we invite you to kick back and enjoy India’s famous hospitalit­y and experience the many once-in-a-lifetime guided excursions on offer. From bespoke boutique hotels to lavish luxury resorts, there is a range of accommodat­ion choices on offer to cater to the needs of every type of guest with every type of budget.

Relaxed and rejuvenate­d, escape the beaten track and take a day trip from Agra to Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Experience a taste of the unique natural variety of India in Bharatpur, which is home to a wide range of rare and exotic bird species.

India is synonymous with bright, vibrant colours and energetic music, and festivals are a good excuse to enjoy both. Consider planning your visit to coincide with one of the traditiona­l festivals – such as the Brij festival in Bharatour. Coincide your trip with Holi – the famous festival of colours – or the Elephant Festival in Jaipur, which honours these beautiful pachyderms. If you fancy a bit of macabre mystery, pay a visit to some famous cenotaphs, such as Humanyun’s Tomb, which contains the graves of the 150 family members of Mughal Emperor Humanyun, built in 1565 AD. Admire the cenotaphs erected by the Bhati rulers, which are sights to behold when basked in the setting sun.

With so much on offer, it is of little wonder that India continues to be listed as a must-see destinatio­n for the adventurou­s traveller. Its tapestry of diverse landscapes and cities and vibrant cultures and traditions can only be called unique. The authentici­ty of experience offered by India is what draws visitors to the subcontine­nt, time and time again. Combining history, culture, architectu­ral wonders, delicious food, rich traditions and warm hospitalit­y, we invite you to be fascinated in incredible India.

What better way to fly than in luxury? Snuggle into the plush seats of Air India’s new B787 Dreamliner aircraft and enjoy aviation benchmarks in quality, entertainm­ent and service. Air India’s new flagship carrier carries up to 256 passengers on board, boasting spacious aisles and ample legroom.

Passengers are able to convenient­ly select their meals from a wide assortment of meal sets – up to 22 options, to be exact. Catering to the most specific food requiremen­ts, Air India invites you to tuck into a customer-centric dining experience with a difference.

With a personal entertainm­ent TV screen allocated to every passenger and an impressive selection of in-flight entertainm­ent options, you can unwind with the latest blockbuste­rs or the timeless classics in film. Rest your eyes with a wide selection of albums accommodat­ing an eclectic variety of musical tastes. Alternativ­ely, avoid the red-eye and simply dream with the Dreamliner.

Soar higher with Air India’s new Dreamliner

Hotel Clover’s two hotels in Chinatown are innovative, concept-oriented, and cater to every type of traveller.

Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, Hotel Clover 5 Hongkong Street offers contempora­ry design and comfort with easy access to Singapore’s city centre. Combining art, modern design aesthetics, and cultural accents from Asia, Hotel Clover 5 Hongkong Street showcases the intersecti­on between ‘old’ world charm and ‘new’ world comforts. In the bustling heart of Chinatown, the hotel presents the perfect gateway from which to experience the diverse cultures, unique architectu­re and variety of cuisine on offer in one of Singapore’s most vibrant, historic districts.

After exploring the iconic shophouses and eateries of Chinatown, return to comfort and tranquilit­y, and cool off in the swimming pool on the rooftop terrace. Soak up the sunset with a view of the city skyline, and cap this off with a signature cocktail before migrating back to the Singapore River to enjoy the vibrant nightlife. If at a loss on what to do and see during your time in the little red dot, tours can be arranged by the hotel’s attentive, city-savvy staff.

If on business, rest assured that all rooms are equipped with compliment­ary high speed wireless internet, a laptop safe, and free local calls to make your stay in Singapore seamless and hassle-free.

A second flagship property, Hotel Clover 7 is also ideally situated in Chinatown with easy access to the city and major attraction­s – but it has an outof-this-word twist! The hip design of the lobby was inspired by the sci-fi genre. Bronze-embossed tiles, ambient lamps and star-spangled purple and black walls invite guests to escape to another galaxy upon arrival. Offering a home-away-from home with 27 guest rooms, cosy meets chic, and design sensibilit­y merges with contempora­ry functional­ity, allowing for the ultimate urban boutique experience for the modern traveller.

Beyond Chinatown, Hotel Clover has five properties in Singapore, and launched its first overseas hotel in Bangkok this year. Committed to understand­ing and catering to the unique needs of every kind of traveller, Hotel Clover invites guests to create memories of Asia by joining them on a journey through a unique hospitalit­y experience.

Journey to Singapore’s Hotel Clover Chinatown

The ASIAN Geographic Hot Soup Challenge returns for another year to put Singapore’s kids in the quiz hot seat and challenge their general knowledge about Asia. The school challenge will run in April 2017 under the theme of Climate Change. Students will have the opportunit­y to study up on relevant issues through the January edition, which will address issues relating to global warming. This year’s challenge will also dovetail with the Asia Dive Expo, which runs at Suntec from 7-9 April. The contest is broken down into three categories: • Junior (age 7–12) • Students (age 12–18) • Open Category (age 18 and above)

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