Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
Free: All time Perhaps the most recognizable landmark of Taipei, the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is located in a spacious square, with the structure frames on both sides by the National Theater and the National Concert Hall (both equally impressive buildings). If you’re tight on time in Taipei, this should probably be the place to...
Elephant Mountain
Free: All time To get a panoramic view of Taipei, many will probably just go to the observatory at Taipei 101 – the second highest observatories in the world. Little do they know that they could have avoided shelling out the $14 and take a hike to Elephant Mountain instead. Located only 15 minutes walking...
Kota Tua (Old Town of Jakarta)
Free: All time Kota Tua (Old Town) is an area to visit to get a feel of old Jakarta town. You can see old leftover Dutch colonial buildings, stroll around, sit around the square and take pictures. It’s free to visit, but you can visit the museums around it (for a small fee; there are...
Antique & Flea Markets at Temple Grounds
Free: All time There are definitely no shortage of antique and flea markets in Tokyo. Many of these are held on the weekend on temple or shrine grounds. Technically not “free” if you plan to buy things, visiting these flea markets itself doesn’t cost you anything. Get a glimpse of Tokyo of the past through...
Rinshi No Mori Park
Free: All time What is formerly a forest nursery and research station, Rinshi No Mori Park boasts a handsome crop of trees. The shades provided by the trees here makes the park the perfect place to hide out during Tokyo’s unbearably humid summer. With the hundred-year-old trees, Rinshi No Mori Park is lush, cool and...
Yushima Seido
Free: All time Yushima temple is most notable for its unique impact on Japanese education history. When the structure was moved in its current location, it became a private school that studied the teachings of the Confucianism. After merging with other educational institutes, the establishment evolved into Tokyo University. Inside the Yushima Seido’s compound is...
Koganei Park
Free: All time Opened in 1954, Koganei Park is the second largest park in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It features a number of attractions including its spacious grass area, surrounding forests, cherry trees, children’s playground, an archery, a steam locomotive display, and 16 tennis courts. There’s also a 17-degree artificial slope where locals are often...
Audio Guide on Historic Center
Free: All time (first 3 days) Head over to the Macau Government Tourist Office at Senado Square, and grab a copy of the flyer with an audio guide, for a guided tour through the historic center of Macau. You must, however, leave a MOP200 (fully-refundable) deposit with them. You will then have free use of...
Nogawa Park
Free: All time Located in the western part of the outskirt of Tokyo, Nogawa Park is one of the place places in town to find natural green spaces. The park is divided into two grounds by a highway. On one side, it is rustic and scenic, with the natural spring of Nogawa River running through...
Sumo Stables’ Training Sessions
Free: All time To learn about sumo, it is possible to attend a training session, or an “asageiko,” in one of the many sumo stables, or a “beya” in Tokyo. Many companies charge tourist a fee for the opportunity to visit a sumo stable, but it can in fact be done for free. It is...
Yoyogi Park
Free: All time Yoyogi Park is one of the largest parks in Tokyo, located adjacent to the Meiji Shrine in Shibuya. It’s one of the free parks in town. A lot other parks charge admission fee. Before becoming a city park, the site was an army ground with military barracks for U.S. officers during Allied...
Kanda Myojin
Free: All time Where do the tech geeks of Tokyo’s Akihabara go to pray? Kanda Myojin shrine. Somehow, this ancient shrine (dating back as early as 730AD), has become the place in town for the tech crowd to connect with their spiritual side. To keep up with and attract the young generation, Kanda Myojin modernized...
