10 of the world's ultimate sights

Beware the grim reaper lurking aboard The Thekla in Central Bristol.

It may be a challenge to stalk this elusive graffiti maestro for an autograph, but at least you can hero-worship at various sites where he has created some of the world’s most iconic street art.

Take a self-guided city tour in Banksy’s hometown of Bristol, followed by Belfast, where he headlines a recently opened street art exhibition with other artists at the Ulster Museum till March 2012. 

Check out: Banksy's homepage, where you can set up a RSS feed for all Banksy-related news

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Wearing the title "Father of the Cultural Revolution" is a commitment that extends beyond the grave, and more noticeably these days as a lapel pin. Although 35 years have passed since Mao’s last farewell, his presence lives on in China -- mainly reproduced in the form of souvenirs from ashtrays to thermometers. 

Check out: The French Concession in Shanghai. Even more shopping can be found at Xintiandi and Tian Zi Fang in Luwan and Xuhui District

3. Astounding ego trip: Abu Simbel, Egypt

Tourists flock to Egypt to ask for blessings from the Sun God and maybe pinch a pebble or two.

"Not rediscovered until 1813, in 1964 it was moved, brick by brick at at a cost of US$80 million to avoid being flooded by the Aswan Dam." -- Lonely Planet 

Navigating around Abu Simbel in "The Sims 3: World Adventures" is not quite the same experience as visiting the actual site, complete with sand in your hair. 

Preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temples pay homage to Pharaoh Rameses II and Queen Nefertari for eternity, or until the next natural disaster strikes.

According to Lonely Planet, visitors should take a three-hour drive or 45-minute flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel; airfares include the short bus ride to the temple.

Check out: Even Lara Croft might have done some fact-checking with the UNESCO World Heritage List

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4. Eye-opening workplace: Tanneries, Fès, Morocco

Thank goodness we didn't use paint palettes like these in primary school.

“Follow your nose and you will eventually unearth the tanneries." -- Lonely Planet

The city of Fès is a juxtaposition of ancient, complex street mazes and modern satellite dishes overhead. Here, you can pick up a freshly dyed leather bag or better still, make one yourself.

The tanning profession here -- and its recipe for success -- has not changed for centuries. To make those coveted leather items, men dip animal skins into mud-brick vats filled with a disturbing concoction of vibrant dyes, cow urine, pigeon poop and acid. 

Alternatively, view the tanneries from the adjoining leather shops. At least the understanding shopkeepers will offer sprigs of mint to mask the smell.

Check out: www.Morocco.com -- your one-stop guide to seeing and learning about all things Moroccan

5. Interesting subway station: Namur, Montreal, Canada

This gigantic art structure is entitled Système.

"(Montréal's subway) stations have varying levels of cultural excitement -- some are notable more for their architectural features." -- Lonely Planet

Museums are fantastic if you like tiptoeing about and conversing in hushed voices. Try something different -- and noisier -- by visiting the Montreal metro, one of the pioneers of public art installation within a subway station.

Namur, for example, features an enormous ceiling structure by Quebec artist Pierre Granche that resembles an unraveled honeycomb.

Imagine how liberating it would be to clomp noisily around the underground stations, sandwich in hand, in the name of art appreciation.

To do: Plan your Canadian subway journey with Montreal by Metro, an unofficial fan-site of Montréal's metro system

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