I have always been impressed with the way that EAxis have put together their towns. Shang Simla is no exception and with the way the neighbourhood has been built and decorated, it exudes the feel of an oriental community. The neighbourhood of Shang Simla is is wide and expansive and there is more to explore than what I have already found. All I can do here is comment on the annotated highlights.

The Base Camp (1) - With facilities to accommodate about 14 people, it is common for our sim adventurers to encounter explorers from Egypt and France. Most of the bedrooms are twin rooms and these are the first choice for these other explorers. There is a double bed upstairs, which always seems to be free for our playable explorers. This is a good place to get to know other people from different lands, which can serve a purpose if our sim is going to travel to their lands.

The Forbidden City of Shang Simla (2) - Although in my opinion more a walled village than a city, it has towers in each corner and has the Hall of the Lost Army (H) as its main landmark. With large open plazas and a compactly situated market (M), it is hard not to get lost in this city. For those experienced travelers with a high enough visa level and simoleons to spare, there are four vacation homes within the walls that can be bought.

Apart from the small tomb located beneath the Hall, there are two other tombs that can be found beneath the city.

The Dragon's Maw (3) - This impressive landmark overlooks the forbidden city. On a regular basis, it breathes its fog-like smoke out of its mouth and on a night, its eyes glow an eerie red.

For the intrepid adventurer, there are many secrets to be found by adventuring deep inside its jaws. An early adventure in the series will see our playable adventurer heading backwards and forwards before spending a long time inside its tomb.

The Teracotta Army (4) - It may be a long journey up to this landmark but there is a small campsite nearby that would work as a suitable stopping off point. Legend has it that this platoon of soldiers who are larger than life are there to protect great riches that are found in a tomb below.

Han's Orchard (5) - If your adventurer is tired of eating dried food or just feels like a change, this is a good place to stock up on fresh produce. As well as some produce that can also be found at home such as lettuces, tomatoes and watermelons, there are pomelo and cherry trees that can be harvested for eating or for planting back home. There is also a pond for those who would like to do some fishing.

The Temple of Heaven (6) - Likened to a finger pointing into the sky from the highest peak in Shang Simla, this is another of the landmarks that takes some time to reach. For the seasoned adventurer, this impressive building will be visited on several occasions as there are several tombs situated beneath it.

We will be looking later at one adventure in particular that takes place beneath the temple.

Dragon Springs (7) - Not every adventurer wants to spend his time clearing rubble, breaking rocks, disabling traps and otherwise solving puzzles in order to gain treasure or reward. For the sim angler who is prepared to travel the long journey from town to get up here, this is a good place to come for a day's fishing as the springs here are teeming with fish of many different types.

Hot Springs (8) - Not as far out of town as the Dragon Springs, the angler can also come here for some fishing as there are a few pools here that are well stocked with fish. For those who want a relaxing swim, it has a pool and there are poolside sun loungers for those who just want to relax. There is a dive well that hints of adventure, but a certain large boulder is obstructing access to it. Surely there must be a way to get around it.

Phoenix Martial Arts Academy (9) - For those who are serious about learning martial arts, a visit to the Academy should be essential. As well as providing the necessary equipment to start a sim's training in Sim Fu, it also has a fully equipped fitness centre so the adept can improve their athletic skill also. It is a good place to find fellow martial artists to get sparring experience with.

The Scholar's Garden (10) - As martial arts is as much about mental discipline as it is about breaking blocks and sparring with opponents in different colours of pyjamas, this is ideal place to come to work on that meditative focus. It does have some equipment for the more physical types of martial arts practice and even chess tables and a telescope for those wishing to hone their logic skills also.

Resolute Fist Retreat (11) - The Resolute Fist is the governing body of Sim Fu. Their name is mentioned quite a few times and there are some adventures centered around them. The retreat has the facilities to train martial artists. Although it has a fridge equipped for simple meals, it currently is deserted but can serve as a suitable substitute base for an adventurer who is serious about his martial arts studies.

Abandoned Barn (12) - Yes, this is a barn and unsurprisingly, it looks like it has been abandoned. It has a pool for koi fishing and there is a small cellar underneath that houses some treasure chests. Apart from this, though, it is one of the few locations in Shang Simla where a sim can find the red assassin bugs. These are important for one of the adventure chains and also would have a good price at any Science facility.

Land of the Ancestors (13) - Although it might look more picturesque than the graveyards in Sunset Valley or Riverview, this one serves the same purpose for the deceased and departed of Shang Simla. Exploring the catacombs under the mausoleum will be no less spine chilling but might be a necessary excursion in order to find the Chinese answer to the Mysterious Mr. Knome.

As well as these landmarks, there are several campsites that are good stopping off points to break up long journeys. There are also many dig sites for those explorers who want to do some excavating for relics. Different seeds, gems, rocks and insects, many of which are native to Shang Simla can be found around the countryside. Han even has a barn somewhere and there also a high point for the dedicated martial artist that even looks down onto the Temple of Heaven. All the more to find.