Say hello to the Red Crab of Christmas Island. Around this time every year, Christmas Island - an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean - sees the annual migration of about 100 million Red Crabs from the forests to the sea to breed. This phenomenon has been called one of the wonders of the natural world. If you're keen to see it with your own eyes, the best spots to watch are said to be Flying Fish Cove, Ethel Beach and Greta Beach.

And onto the less fortunate Hairy Crab or Chinese Mitten Crab ("before" shot above, "after" shot below). Revered in Shanghai as the pinnacle of all culinary delicacies, especially for the female's roe, Hairy Crab Season is now in full swing. Chinese spend hundreds of yuan on this annual treat and restaurants in Shanghai and Hong Kong go into Hairy Crab menu overdrive.

Have you tried Hairy Crab or seen the Red Crab Migration on Christmas Island? We've love to hear about your experiences, please leave us a comment.

Photo Credits: "Red crab Christmas Island" by Peter from Perth; "A Crab Close-up" by triin; "Chinese Mitten Crab" by 囧-WQ-囧. Via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Hong Kong is full of extraordinary photo opportunities for travellers. It is a region of marked contrasts: slick vertiginous skyscrapers, ramshackle traditional Chinese buildings, bustling markets, breathtaking mountains and gorgeous beaches. Travellers with an interest in photography will be richly rewarded by a visit to Hong Kong. Here are our top spots for hot Hong Kong shots.

Top Hong Kong Views:

• City skyline from Kowloon
  This just never fails to impress. Hong Kong is a seriously photogenic city!

• Hong Kong from The Peak

Again, a classic spot to get a fab Hong Kong shot, and one that won't let you down (unless the weather is miserable). If you want the city by night shot prepare to jostle with other photographers at dusk for a prime spot along Lugard Road.

• Neon Signs on Nathan Road

In many respects Hong Kong comes to life after dark. The city is full of neon signs like this one, especially around Nathan Road, Mongkok, Causeway Bay and Wanchai.

• Pristine Beaches in Sai Kung Country Park
  In a city as hectic and (often) as polluted as Hong Kong, the beaches in Sai Kung - such as Tai Long Wan - have got to be seen to be believed. Deserted, unspoiled and tranquil are the three words that spring immediately to mind.

• Sea and mountain views along The Dragon's Back trail, Shek O
  Dubbed "Best Urban Hike" by Time Magazine, The Dragon's Back Trail is an 8.5km trail (with a 5km get out option!) through lush forests, across gurgling waterfalls and along the Dragon's Back ridge. It offers fantastic views of Hong Kong island's mountains and southern coast line. On a good day you can see out to some of the outlying islands.

Hong Kong History & Culture

• Man Mo Temple, Hollywood Road

Built in 1847, the Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road is dedicated to two gods, Man the god of literature and Mo the god of war. The centre of the temple is filled with hundreds of burning incense sticks and coils. Watch a video of the Man Mo Temple.

• Mahjong
  You'll hear the clicking and clacking of the tiles before you see the players. Mahjong matches take place in shops and cafes across the city.

• Fortune Tellers, Temple Street Market (near Tin Hau temple)
  You can have your fortune told by a man or a bird (no joke); whatever you choose you're guaranteed great photos.

• Tian Tan Buddha (aka The Big Buddha), Lantau Island
  This imposing statue makes a great photographic subject. The 110 ft tall Buddha sits serenely near the Po Lin Monastery at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island.

• World War II bunkers
  There are masses of deserted World War II bunkers across Hong Kong. They serve as a reminder of what happened before and after the Battle of Hong Kong, which began on 8 December 1941 and ended on Christmas Day with Hong Kong surrendering to Japan.

• Junks
  There are very few traditional junks (Chinese sailboats) left in Hong Kong, but there are certainly some to snap. The most obvious is the reproduction Aqua Luna, with its distinctive red sails, which crosses between Hong Kong island and Tsim Sha Tsui daily and nightly. The second one that springs to mind is the Duk Ling junk.

Hong Kong's Architecture

• Bank of China Tower
  Criticised by some practitioners of Feng Shui, but praised by most others, The Bank of China Tower is one of the most recognisable buildings in Hong Kong. The design is said to resemble growing bamboo shoots, symbolising livelihood and prosperity.

• International Finance Centre (IFC)
  So photogenic that it featured in the recent Batman film, The Dark Knight. The IFC was the city's tallest building until 2008, but has now been usurped by the ICC.

• The Center
  Another location used in The Dark Knight, The Center is best viewed at night when the building's neon lights change colours.

• Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai
  Whether you think it looks like a turtle of a strange armadillo, this building definitely got some interesting curves!

• Statue Square
  The 19th century Statue Square, with its colonial architecture, makes a great place to photograph the old against the new. Nearby buildings include the impressive HSBC headquarters building, and the IFC.

• Traditional Shop Fronts, Central and Wanchai
  Dotted amongst the ultra-modern buildings of Central and Wanchai are pockets of traditional shop fronts that have (so far) survived demolition. Where you do find them you can get a sense of what Hong Kong must have looked like until reclamation began on a large scale.
  
  

Hong Kong Icons

• Star Ferry
  As well as being a Hong Kong icon in its own right, the Star Ferry is also a brilliant place to photograph the famous view of Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong skyline.

• Peak Tram
  The Peak Tram has been running from Central to Victoria Peak since 1888. It covers 1.4km up a staggering gradient, and offers impressively vertiginous photo opps over the harbour and skyscrapers of Hong Kong.

• Happy Valley Racecourse
  From September to early July Hong Kong's horse races at Happy Valley are not to be missed. Jockeys in colourful silks, gleaming race horses, and a very vibrant crowd make this a hot spot for photographers. Watch a video of the racing at Happy Valley.

• Trams

Hong Kong has the only tram network in the world that exclusively runs double decker trams. The trams have been running since 1904 and still serve 240,000 commuters every day. They trundle between Shau Kei Wan and Kennedy Town, with a branch connecting to Happy Valley. A trip costs just HK$2 per adult, which is amazing photographic value-for-money.

The Quieter Side of Hong Kong

• Seafood restaurants and villages, Lamma Island
  See a fish, pick a fish, eat that fish. The seafood restaurants on laid-back Lamma are legendary. Let your lens go into overdrive as you capture village life and seafood feasts.

• Hiking trails, New Territories
  Dramatic views, seclusion and a whole lot of green. These trails offer photographers fantastic shots of Hong Kong's wild side.

• Tai O village, Lantau Island

Visit Tai O to shoot the scenic Pang Uks (stilt houses), that reach out right over the water. The traditional salted fish and shrimp paste shop fronts also make good photographic fodder.

• Tai Chi
  In the early morning people all over Hong Kong head to their nearest outdoor space to practise Tai Chi. The Zoological and Botanical Garden is a great place to shoot if you're willing to get up early (Tai Chi kicks off at about 6:30am).

Hong Kong Festivals

• Chinese New Year
  Chinese New Year is a great time to photograph heaving temples, bustling flower markets, Lai See packets, and the city's biggest celebrations.

• Autumn Festival

After Chinese New Year, this is Hong Kong's biggest celebration and makes for great photographs. Shops, restaurants and outdoor spaces are decorated with lanterns and ribbons. Mooncakes are exchanged, and dragon dances take place across the city. One of the best places to celebrate the Autumn Festival is Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.

Hong Kong Markets

• The Wet Markets
  More death, decapitation and de-scaling than you can imagine, but the wet markets are a brilliant place to get interesting, vibrant shots of Hong Kongers buying their fresh fish, meat and vegetables. Check out the market on Graham Street in Central. Watch a video of a Hong Kong market.

• Bird Market, Mong Kok
  The Yuen Po Street Bird Market is where Hong Kong's songbird owners gather to show off and sell birds in intricately carved cages. Open daily from 7am - 8pm.

• Flower Market, Mong Kok
  The Flower Market's exotic blooms make for some great photographs. Come before Chinese New Year to see families buying auspicious plants to celebrate the new Lunar year. Open daily from 7am - 7pm.

• Goldfish Market, Mong Kok

Goldfish and exotic species of every size, shape and colour are on display here in aquariums and bags. Head to Tung Choi Street to shoot the spectacle. Open daily from 10:30am - 10pm.

We hope you have a brilliant photo tour of Hong Kong and a fantastic time capturing this amazing city on film. To see more photos of Hong Kong from iloho.com click here.

Photo Credits: 'Hong Kong from The Peak' by Emma Torry; 'Nathan road, Kowloon' by JoopDorresteijn; 'Prayers...' by Hina :-); 'Traditional shop in Central' by Emma Torry; 'Blue House in Wanchai' by Taekwonweirdo; 'Apocalypse Now' by .mushi_king; 'Lantern Festival Bird' by timlam18; 'Goldfish Market' by sebr.

By Helena Iveson

Beijing must rank as one of the world's best cities for shutterbugs. From world-famous sights like the Forbidden City, with its vermilion walls and brocade-like golden eaves, to the grey muted tones of the city's hutong alleys where locals sit and watch the world cycle by, Beijing's colours and contrasts are there for the taking.

But while travel photographers seek to capture the essence of traditional Beijing – and watching the sun set on the Forbidden City from the summit of Jingshan Park is unbeatable – don't overlook the best of the new, from the Egg - the futuristic and austere looking National Centre for the Performing Arts near Tiananmen Square - to the quirky and twisted CCTV Building, now bordered by the burnt out remains of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel which was set on fire by fireworks in February. The burnt out shell might not be pretty, but photographic? Definitely.

These tips aim to help photography loving travellers and travel loving photographers come home armed with the best Beijing shots possible. If a picture can paint a thousand words, imagine what a really good picture can do…

THE TRADITIONAL

The Lama Temple: The Lama Temple is the Beijing's biggest Buddhist temple and it is splendidly atmospheric. The complex, which is made up of brightly coloured courtyards, prayer halls and statues, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, and the contrast between mini-skirted women with Louis Vuitton bags burning incense watched by chanting shaven-haired monks is worth a few shots. The best time to head here is first thing in the morning or just before it shuts at 4.30pm.

12 Yonghegong Dajie, Dongcheng district. Tel: +86 10 6404 4499; Open daily 9 – 4.30pm; Nearest subway: Lama Temple.

Confucius Temple: About 50 metres north of the Lama Temple is this quiet but impressive temple which commemorates Confucius, China's best-known philosopher. First built in 1302, the complex has been knocked down and renovated throughout its history and while there are plenty of un-renovated gently fading buildings, the newly painted buildings are bright and inviting. The temple's courtyard is full of stele, commemorating the scholars that passed the imperial exam during the Qing, Ming and part of the Yuan dynasties: unfortunately you cannot read the characters on the stele anymore because of weathering. This temple receives relatively few visitors, so if you need a break from the crowds but want some shots of imperial architecture, head here.

13 Guozijian Jie, Dongcheng district. Tel: +86 10 8402 7224; Open daily 9 -5pm; Nearest Subway: Lama Temple.

Beijing's Hutongs (around the Drum and Bell Towers): Just north of the square between these two towers is a maze of historic Qing dynasty alleys where you're near guaranteed to get that hutong money shot. Think peeling paint, old men playing checkers, people bicycling by... Look out for Doufuchi Hutong where Mao Zedong used to live, before taking a left onto Baochao Hutong. The charm of the area is finding it: you have to navigate yourself round winding lanes and will probably encounter more than one dead-end, but who cares? Just watch out for the rickshaw riders who power round corners at speed just as you're focusing your shot.

North of Drum and Bell Towers, Gulou Dajie, Dongcheng district; Nearest Subway: Gulou.

THE NEW

The Egg: Ahead of the 2008 Olympics, Beijing's authorities added some architectural spice with the unveiling of the National Centre for Performing Arts mere metres from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Some absolutely hate the building, and it certainly stands out in the area for being more space-age than Stalinist. Designed by French architect Paul Andreu, the building steals the limelight from the two historical and political symbols of the capital and while few seem to actually go into the building to see a performance, there are always lots of photographers capturing the place through their viewfinders.

Xi Chang'an Jie, Xicheng district; Nearest Subway: Tiananmen West.

The Watercube: The Beijing Olympic Games served as a catalyst for one of the most dramatic reinventions ever seen by a city, and every keen travel photographer should catch the subway to the Olympic Park to see the twisted pylons of the National Stadium, popularly known as the Bird's Nest, and the dramatic over-sized bubbles of the National Aquatics Centre, aka the Watercube. I prefer the latter for its eye-catching exterior that looks good close-up or from a distance. You can even go for a swim there, and act out those Michael Phelps fantasies, after you've got your shots.

Olympic Green, Haidian district; Nearest Subway: Olympic Green.

THE QUIRKY

The Workers' Stadium: If Soviet-style art gets your heart racing but a trip to Russia isn't on the agenda, rest assured that there are plenty of throwbacks to a bygone era dotted around Beijing. The Workers' Stadium, which was the venue for the football competitions at the Olympics in 2008, was built in 1959 when relations between China and Russia were warm and comradely. At the entrance look out for the huge statue of a suspiciously western looking couple, with the muscle-bound man holding a flag aloft, and a woman raising her right arm in triumph. They don't make them like this anymore…

Workers' Stadium, Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang district; Nearest subway: Dongsishitiao.

Beach life, Beijing style: The city may be land-locked, but that doesn't stop Beijing's millions of residents – sometimes it seems all at the same time – from wanting to cool down with a swim and descending on Tuanjiehu Park in the centre of the city. It's a people-watching, travel photographer's paradise: tattooed young dudes on the prowl ogling high heeled wearing bikini-clad babes mix in with young kids splashing around watched by eagle-eyed parents and grandparents who sit sedately on the artificial beach.

Tuanjiehu Park, Dongsanhuan, Chaoyang district. Tel: +81 10 8597 4677; Nearest subway: Tuanjiehu.

For more travel information about Beijing, click here.

Photo Credits: confucius prayers by latigi. All other images by Helena Iveson.

This shot by frederic.salein depicts a scene that travellers to Botswana dream about encountering. Amazing light plus a stunning animal.

Check out AliceAfrica's two week African adventure travel itinerary here. For more information about the Chobe National Park click here.

Now is the time to head to Japan to see the Cherry Blossom in full bloom.

We love this shot, by skyseeker, of Mount Fuji though the pink branches of a Cherry tree.

For Japan travel itinerary ideas click here.

Budapest is one of the most impressive places to see the Danube River as it winds its course from the Black Forest to the Black Sea.

This shot shows off the stunning Széchenyi Chain Bridge, which joins Buda to Pest.

For more photos of world landmarks click here.

Photo Credit: Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Budapest, Hungary by SF Brit

We're big fans of Trey Ratcliff's blog Stuck in Customs. Here's a shot of Wat Arun in Bangkok.

Of this shot, Trey says, "This picture is of Wat Arun, a famous Buddhist temple in Thailand. I took it from a really cool little Italian restaurant across the way that is attached to a boutique hotel named "Arun Residence". I will stay at this place next time - be sure to get the balcony room at the top if you come... it's just over $100 a night."

We also highly recommend the Arun Residence for lunch (especially their papaya salad) and it looked like a great hotel too. Sadly our photos of Wat Arun from the hotel's deck aren't a patch on this one.

For more photos of Wat Arun click here.