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The skyline of Shanghai is dominated by one of the most unusual-looking buildings in the world. Comprised of two large globes pierced by three cylindrical columns, the Oriental Pearl Tower soars 468-meters into the Shanghai sky, and it's definitely worth a visit if you're in town. The highest TV tower in Asia, its observation decks and restaurants provide unparalleled views of the city and countryside, from the nearby Bund district, with its rows of western-style buildings, to the Huangpu River, where elegant ships and rickety barges ply the busy waters. The tower is located in scenic Pudong Park, a peaceful green space that provides a refreshing retreat from the nonstop energy of the city. Guests at the St. Regis Shanghai or any of Starwood's Shanghai properties might appreciate seeing the city from this unique bird's eye perspective.

Tianjin is the third largest city in China, with a population that's at once technologically savvy and respectful of the ancient traditions. And while it has its share of museums and historical attractions, one of the best places to experience Chinese history is at the Tianjin Antique Market (Guwan Shichang). Located along the Shenyang Jie, the market is crowded with hundreds of vendors selling everything from silk and ceramic to original artwork and home furnishings. It's an excellent place to get a bargain on a tea set or jade necklace, but if you're in the market for something a bit more unusual, such as Mao memorabilia, you're in luck. Guwan Shichang vendors have everything from Mao paintings and statues to fans, buttons, and even Mao lighters. As in many Chinese markets, negotiations are expected, so don't hesitate to counter the seller's first offer with a much lower number. After all, you've got a lot of souvenir shopping ahead of you. Starwood currently has one property in Tianjin, the Sheraton Tianjin Hotel, and three more are slated to open in the next two years: the Four Points by Sheraton Tianjin, Zhongshan, the Westin Tianjin, and the St. Regis Tianjin.

Paradise is a picnic on your own private island. Sounds like a dream, right? In Bora Bora, this type of afternoon activity isn't unusual, in fact, there are dozens of local companies who make it their specialty. All three Starwood resorts, Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa, Le Meridien Bora Bora, and The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort will gladly reserve an afternoon on a private palm fringed plot just for you.

In this part of the Pacific, these tiny private islands are called motus, and the waters around Bora Bora are covered with them. Sounds like the perfect setting to act out those Blue Lagoon fantasies, but instead of having to scavenge for your sustenance, you get white tablecloth service. While you and your sugar pie take a swim in the warm waters of the lagoon, comb the white sand shore for seashells, explore the island's interior, or simply relax in the Polynesian sun, your guide sets up a table, chairs, umbrella, and prepares your meal of fresh, local foods. You can dine on the soft sand, or in the clear, blue waters. Both options come with a ukulele serenade and crowns of hibiscus.

Most people know that Washington D.C. has museums dedicated to American history and science, but did you know that the U.S. capital is also a center for Shakespearean scholarship? The Folger Shakespeare Library, located just one mile from the St. Regis Washington, D.C., has the world's largest collection of the printed works of William Shakespeare, and visitors come from all over to see first-edition manuscripts and books that reflect the early brilliance of the most famous playwright in history. In addition to galleries of Shakespeare-related memorabilia, the Folger hosts plays, concerts, literary readings, and lecture series, as well as temporary exhibitions that touch upon various aspects of Renaissance literature and art. Currently, the museum is hosting Now Thrive the Armorers: Arms and Armor in Shakespeare, which brings to life the "chivalric ideals and battlefield realities" of Shakespeare's plays. Their Elizabethan Garden Tour lecture series offers a tour of the Folger's garden, which features herbals mentioned in Shakespeare's plays as well as popular plants of the time, including lavender, creeping thyme, and English ivy. You can almost close your eyes and imagine yourself practicing your iambic pentameter in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The waterfalls have arrived in New York City, and they're a sight to behold. This summer the artist Olafur Eliasson is using the city's abundant water resources as a canvas for a project called The New York City Waterfalls, which involves the creation of four enormous waterfalls strategically positioned along the East River and New York Harbor. Powerful yet environmentally-advanced pumps unleash a torrent of water from more than 100 feet in the air, which crashes into the river and harbor in a spectacle of sight and sound. Visitors can enjoy great views of the waterfalls from both Brooklyn and Manhattan, but the best vantage point might be right in between the two. That's right, take a stroll across the pedestrian promenade of the Brooklyn Bridge and take in the falls and the city in all its artistry. The New York experience just doesn't get any better than that. The waterfalls are in operation from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. through October 13. Starwood has hotels throughout the city, including the W New York - Union Square, the St. Regis New York, and the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers.

In centuries past, the Emperor of China had many responsibilities. One of the most important was ensuring a good harvest. Twice a year, he ventured from the Imperial Palace, in the Forbidden City, to the Temple of Heaven for an elaborate ceremony that included fasting, the sacrifice of a calf, heavy prayer, music, and dancing. He was escorted by princes, soldiers, musicians, and others of royal rank, but commoners were forbidden to witness the procession, or enter the temple.

Today, the magnificent structure, which lies a mile and a half from the St. Regis Beijing, is open to all, and a visit to the city is not complete without a journey up to the Altar to Heaven, through the Imperial Vault, past the Echo Wall, along the 360-meter long passage, to the glorious Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Completed in 1420, the hall was constructed of wood without the use of a single nail. It burned down in 1889, was quickly reconstructed, and recently underwent a multi-million dollar facelift in preparation for this year's Olympic Games. Its three circular tiers are supported by twenty-eight pillars, each adorned with elaborate designs, and created from a single tree trunk. This majestic chamber inspires serenity with its vividly painted walls, and design based on the principles of numerology. But outside the hall, the atmosphere is just as enchanting. Lush parklands surround the temple enhancing the notion of "heaven on earth." Most every day the people of Beijing gather here to practice Tai Chi, play a graceful, dance-like game with paddles, or simply sit in the soft grass and sing the transporting folk songs of this ancient land.