New visa rules for Guangzhou

The new rules apply to tourists from 45 countries including Germany, France, the United States and Japan and for visits of up to three days. Thailand, however, is not on the list. Under the plan, transit travellers are allowed to visit the manufacturing hub and the surrounding areas of Guangdong province in southern China. Tucked away in China’s south, Guangzhou is noted for Cantonese cuisine.

 

Hajj pilgrims not at risk of virus: WHO

Muslim pilgrims attending the annual hajj in Saudi Arabia are at “very low” risk of contracting a deadly SARS-like coronavirus, the World Health Organisation said last week. Travel restrictions and special border checks are therefore not needed, it said, stressing that “the risk to an individual pilgrim of contracting MERS-CoV is very low”. The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome – Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has been slowly spreading in parts of the Middle East. The WHO on Thursday also issued guidelines for pilgrims, such as following common hygiene rules and monitoring their health to curb the spread of MERS during the upcoming pilgrimage season. – DPA

 

Special treats in Tivoli

Visitors have been flocking to the Copenhagen amusement park Tivoli for nearly 170 years, enjoying high-speed carousels, a tower simulating free fall and other classic rides. A special programme is planned on the 170th anniversary on August 15 in the inner city with a number of pantomime shows, promenade concerts and a fireworks display as the big finale. Visit www.Tivoli.dk.

 

Walks on the wild side

The annual migration of wildebeests and zebras in Kenya has started much earlier than usual this year, with huge herds of animals now coming in from Tanzania looking for fresh pastures in the Masai Mara nature reserve, tourist officials in Kenya say. The high point of the migration is expected from August to October, making those months the ideal time for a safari. Visit www.Magical-Kenya.de

 

A journey through history

A new free tour in Kuala Lumpur takes visitors along the trail of the city’s history. The two-and-a-half hour tour, which is offered every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 9.15am, goes around the historical Dataran Merdeka square and the neighbouring buildings, according to Malaysia tourism officials. Tours can be booked by emailing [email protected].

 

Art that clicks

Art lovers can visit the National Gallery of Denmark from the comfort of their own home. An online tour leads visitors through 600 years of art history from the early Renaissance to the beginning of Modernism at the beginning of the 20th century. Visit Denmark says newer artworks cannot be viewed because of copyright laws. The Statens Museum in Copenhagen is the seventh Danish museum taking part in the Google digital art project. Individual artworks can be viewed with a resolution of up to seven megapixels.