Asia

Manama, Bahrain may, one day, be the location of the tallest building in the world. The plans for the Murjan Tower call for a building 3,300 feet high, which would surpass the current largest structure, the Burj Dubai, by over one thousand feet. The Bahrain government is considering building the Tower to show off Manama’s wealth; the Bahraini economy is primarily focused on petroleum, but as crude oil reserves within the country have decreased the focus has moved to heavy industry such as ship repair. Manama is a fully cosmopolitan city; while the populace is largely Arabic, over one third of Manama’s population is foreigners from other countries. This influx of foreign ideas makes Bahrain one of the most liberal Arabic nations in the world. This will be Manama’s fifth year of participation in the Games; they will host the International Children’s Games in 2010.

Taipei City is located in a basin in northern Chinese Taipei, bordered by the Xindian River to the south, the Danshui River to the West and Yangmingshan National Park to the North. The national park is known for its wildlife including numerous species of poisonous snakes and a population of owls that are sometimes hazardous to drivers in the park. The city of Taipei has a thriving modern economy with several businesses in the electronic manufacturing, textile, shipbuilding and motorcycle manufacturing area. Taipei is also famous for its night markets, the most well known being the Shilin Night Market in the Shilin district of the city; the markets commonly open around 4:00 pm and stay open until 1:00 or 2:00 am with peak hours between 8:00 and 11:00 pm. The markets are famous for their food, such as peanut candy, bubble tea and braised stinky tofu, and are a major fixture of Taipei’s nightlife. This year, Taipei City will attend it’s fourth International Children’s Games.  

New Delhi is India’s political center and its capital city. The modern city is built on the grounds of seven ancient cities and the political center was designed by Edward Luytens during the reign of the British Raj. New Delhi is home to many diverse landmarks and monuments including the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the President resides and the Old City, laid out by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The city hosts elaborate celebrations on Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi’s Birthday as well as Kite-Flying and Mango Festivals. In San Francisco, New Delhi will attend its fourth International Children’s Games.  

Vadodara is located on the banks of the Vishwamitri River in the province of Gujarat in western India. The river divides the city into two distinct areas the eastern bank houses the old-city which contains the ancient fortified city of Vadodara- the city is characterized by small streets, crowded traditional bazaars and landmarks like the Laxmi Vilas Palace. The city was expanded to the western bank of the Vishwamitri during the colonial period, and this part of Vadodara contains the city’s modern businesses, universities and shopping malls. Vadodara also has a first-class cricket team and contains the oldest cricket ground in Asia: the Moti Baug. This will be Vadodara’s first year of participation in the International Children’s Games.

Jerusalem is the largest city in Israel and its capital, containing 732,100 residents in an area of 49 square miles. With several important religious monuments Jerusalem is an important religious site for three of the world’s major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The Old City of Jerusalem, which was the entire city up until the 1860s, is a walled enclave that houses five major religious sites: The Temple Mount and Western Wall, which are significant for Jews; The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, holy to Christians; and The Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque both important to Muslims. Jerusalem is also houses the Israel Museum, a premiere museum for art and archeological findings including the Dead Sea Scrolls. This year Jerusalem will attend its ninth International Children’s Games.

Raanana was founded by a group of Americans who got lost in the Desert. At least, the story could be told that way; Ahuza Alef, an American company largely responsible for the development of The Land of Israel sent a team into the desert outside of Tel Aviv, five hours later they reached a spot, set up a tent and founded the town of Raanana. The town’s Hebrew name Ra’anana means “fresh” and today Raanana is truly a area for fresh development and fresh technology; Emblaze, Hewlett-Packard, Texas Instruments and Microsoft all have outposts in Raanana, along with many other software and information technology companies. Raanana is considered one of the beautiful cities in Israel, partly because the local government banned heavy industry, and largely because of the Raanana Flower Competition, which keeps the city covered in blossoms nearly year-round. In San Francisco, Raanana will attend its fourth International Children’s Games.

Containing 1,029,900 people, the city of Ulaanbaatar is not only Mongolia’s capital- it houses one third of Mongolia’s population. Its elevation, combined with it’s high latitude and remote location from any coast conspire to make it the coldest national capitol on Earth, with an average yearly temperature of 29.7°F. While many buildings downtown are modern, the extreme temperatures require residents to resort to “old school” building techniques, with most of the suburban population living in yurts: a wool lined circular tent, with a timber exterior. Yurts have been the primary shelter for peoples of the Steppes since ancient times. Ulaanbaatar also hosts the largest traditional sporting event in Mongolia the Naadam Festival, which features Mongolian wrestling, horse racing and archery. This year Ulaanbaatar will attend its fifth International Children’s Games.

Lahore, Pakistan looks just like Paradise; Shah Jahan (1592 CE- 1666 CE) designed the city’s Shalimar Gardens to mimic the descriptions of Paradise in the Koran. The city contains many other famous monuments from the Mughal Empire including the tombs of Shah Jahan’s father Jahangir and his beloved wife Nur Jahan. Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, is known as the educational capital, it contains more universities than any other city in the country including the University of Management Sciences, The Lahore School of Economics, The University of Engineering and Technology and The University of the Punjab- the oldest institute of higher learning in the country. This year Lahore will attend its fifth International Children’s Games.

Macau is a Special Administrative Region in the Peoples Republic of China. Along with Hong Kong, Macau was once a European Colony in China. The Region officially joined the Peoples Republic of China in 1999 but their charter states that Macau will operate with a high degree of governmental autonomy until at least 2049. Macau has a thriving tourist industry, large numbers of visitors journey to Macau to experience the blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures, which manifest in Macau’s cuisine and architecture. The city also has world-famous hotels, casinos and restaurants. This year Macau will participate in their third International Children’s Games.

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region in the Peoples Republic of China. Long-time a British Colony, the area of Hong Kong consists of several islands and Victoria Harbor, one of the deepest natural ports in the world. The system “one government, two systems” enables Hong Kong to maintain a highly capitalist economy, with the sixth highest per-capita GDP in the world. Hong Kong is also described as a city where East meets West: on one corner street-vendors might be selling Buddhist trinkets while across the street teenagers wait in line to see the newest Hollywood movie. Hong Kong is special because the two cultures are able to exist peacefully, ensuring that its citizens get the best of all worlds. Hong Kong will attend its second International Children’s Games in San Francisco.

Shanghai, seated on the banks of the Yangtze River Delta, is the largest cargo port in the world. Historically, Shanghai was always a port town, and an access point in China for all things modern: Shanghai had the first train tracks, the first modern sewer and the first car. The city was the birthplace of Chinese cinema and is the center point of China’s rapidly growing fashion industry. Shanghai is San Francisco’s Sister City and will attend its second International Children’s Games this year.

Singapore is the smallest nation in Southeast Asia and one of the World’s only remaining city-states. The British established a trading port on the island in 1819, to serve, as a strategic location on the spice route, over time the city became one of the most important military and economic centers in the British Empire. Modern Singapore won its independence in 1965, and has developed a strong modern economy based on electronics manufacturing and petrochemicals. Continuous economic developments, as well as business-friendly laws make Singapore the seventeenth wealthiest country in the world. Singapore is also famous for its unique cuisine, a blend of Chinese, Indian, Malay and Tamil elements, which is often served and eaten in lively hawker markets. This will be Singapore’s fourth International Children’s Games.

Seated on the Eastern bank of the Nakdong-gang River, Daegu, South Korea is one of Korea’s most culturally diverse cities. Once an ancient trading port it is now home to several beautiful historical sites including the Yugasa Temple founded in 825 CE. The city, known as “Colorful Daegu” to it’s residents, is one of Korea’s most cosmopolitan cities- in fact most of the Miss Korea beauty pageant winners in recent decades have come from Daegu. The city is most famous, however, for it’s lively sports history. Daegu is known as the home of Korean Baseball and was a co-host of the FIFA 2002 World Cup; they will also be a host city for the 2011 IAAF World Athletics Championship. This will be Daegu’s fourth International Children’s Games.

Almost one quarter of South Korea’s population lives in the city of Seoul, a total of 10,356,000 people, the city is South Korea’s political, cultural and economic centre. In 2007 Seoul was rated the third most expensive city in the world, and the most expensive in Asia. Residents are able to afford the high cost of living working for some of world’s largest corporations such as, Samsung, LG Group, Hyundai, Kia Motors and Daewoo all of whom have their headquarters in Seoul. Historically the city was the seat of the Joseon Dynasty, and has many wonderful scenic sites, including the “Five Grand Palaces” many of which are currently being restored. In San Francisco, Seoul will attend its eighth International Children’s Games.

How would you like to live in a city with a name twenty-one words long? The ceremonial name of the city we call Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit which translates to "The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukam". Most residents agree just “Bangkok” is easier. Bangkok has a modernized urban culture, where television, newspapers and shopping flourish. However, residents of the city agree it wouldn’t be Bangkok without the food; with numerous curry stalls, roadside barbecues, noodle huts and restaurants is it any surprise that the Thai phrase for “how are you?” literally translates into “have you eaten today?” Bangkok hosted the International Children’s Games in 2006 and is attending its eighth games in San Francisco.

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and is located on the Saigon River 1,760 miles south of Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital. The French colonized Vietnam and the European influence is easy to see in the wide boulevards and neo-classical buildings throughout the city. While French cuisine is famous throughout the world, the French met their match in Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City is home to some of the most delicious cuisine in the world. One local favorite is Banh Mi, a sandwich that showcases the fusion of French and Vietnamese food; a French baguette is split in half lengthwise and filled with pickled carrots and daikon radish, cilantro, cucumber and sliced hot peppers, then choose a protein- common choices include grilled pork, pate, curry chicken or vegetarian options like tofu. After one bite you’ll be hooked, Banh Mi have developed a following around the world and can be found in most large American cities, often along with another Vietnamese specialty Pho soup. Ho Chi Minh City is San Francisco’s Sister City and is attending the International Children’s Games for the first time

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