On the south-east coast of the Lavezzi Islands, a short boat ride from Bonifacio lies Merouville, or as its known in scuba diving circles, Grouper city. Here you can dive surrounded by shoals of the friendly fish whilst floating past red gorgonians and other bioluminescent underwater fauna. Several companies rent out boats and organise tours from Bonifacio harbour.

Ready to catch some waves? The Coronado Surfing Academy has got you covered! Whether you’re a first-timer or looking to fine-tune your skills, their friendly pro instructors will guide you through every step. Each 90-minute lesson includes a wetsuit, a soft surfboard, and expert coaching, with plenty of time (about an hour) spent in the water. If you don’t have your own gear, no worries—wetsuit and board rentals are available.

Built in the early 1400s, around the same time as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven was where emperors prayed for good harvests. The vast park contains several ceremonial buildings, the most striking being the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests with its blue-tiled roof and intricate wooden ceiling. The original hall was destroyed by lightning in 1889 but rebuilt soon after. Other highlights include the Hall of Abstinence, where emperors fasted before rituals, and the Circular Mound Altar — a three-tiered marble platform symbolising heaven itself. Today, the park is as much about everyday life as it is about history: locals gather here in the mornings for tai chi, dancing, and music.

Liulichang, whose name means 'Glazed Tile Factory', started as a hub for Beijing’s literati and artisans and remains a centre for traditional arts and culture. The 750-metre street is full of shops selling Chinese paintings, calligraphy brushes, ink stones, antiques, and rare books — perfect for collectors or anyone curious about traditional crafts. Restored and expanded in the late 1980s, it’s a good place to wander slowly, soak up the old-school atmosphere, and maybe pick up a souvenir that feels genuinely local.