At the foot of Kyōto's eastern mountains, Ginkaku-ji (Temple of the Silver Pavillion) was completed in 1490 by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, and, much like its sibling Kinkaku-ji, it belongs to the Rinzai Zen sect. Despite still being known as the Silver Temple, the Shogun's goal of covering the building in leaf silver was never accomplished. Today, the wooden building is considered a prime example of the Japanese concept of 'wabi-sabi' (embracing imperfection).

First held in 1991, the Qingdao International Beer Festival has grown into Asia’s largest beer event. Every August, starting on the second Sunday of the month, the festival kicks off and runs for 16 days in the city’s Shilaoren National Tourism Resort. This sprawling 35-hectare 'Beer City' is built specifically for the occasion, where beer lovers from all over the world come together. While you can always grab a Tsingtao Beer in Qingdao, nothing compares to the carnival buzz of the festival. Expect a fun mix of live music, international brews, and plenty of opportunities to sample the local favourite—Tsingtao Beer, of course. One quirky Qingdao tradition to note: fresh beer is often sold in plastic bags. So, don’t be surprised when you see people strolling the streets with a bag of beer in hand. It's all part of the fun.

John Watling's Distillery is a bit off the beaten path, but a most for rum-lovers. Watch the process of rum making and sample the different types of rum.