Brummie and the Chocolate Factory

Birmingham, right after London, is the second largest city in England. It innovated a series of products during the Industrial Revolution, and was hailed as “the first manufacturing town in the world". Unfortunately, the city was bombed by the German Luftwaffe in WWII.

It has now redeveloped into Bullring Shopping Center, alongside with a public library, Town Hall, as well as the International Convention Center. Frankfurt Christmas Market makes it come alive on Victoria Square every winter. Big wheel. Live music. Handicrafts. This authentic market offers something for everyone.

To trace back the footprints of its Industrial Revolution, Cadbury World welcomes you. Enjoy a 4D Chocolate Adventure with motion seats. Don’t be upset without Oompa Loompa though. Instead of the Great Glass Elevator, you can ride on the Bean Mobiles and explore the chocolate-making story.

Opened in 1990, its Aztec Jungle brings you back to cocoa trading and meet our Quaker entrepreneur John Cadbury. He developed the business with his brother Benjamin in 1824. The Bournville Estate was a model village, which was designed to improve the living conditions of the factory workers.

Beside the Willy Wonka-like experience, the Beacon Hill Castle showcased the natural side. Located where the Tudor beacons of old once stood, it is the one of the highest points that once signaled the arrival of invading armies. It remains a popular site for UFO spotters who claimed to have seen triangular shaped craft.

Perhaps “Old Joe” has somehow witnessed the mysterious scene. If you have ever studied at the University of Birmingham, you should have recognized it - the Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower, as known as “Old Joe”affectionately, named after the first Chancellor of the university.

It is believed that the design of Old Joe was inspired by the tower of Orthanc, from the Lord of the Rings. The 100m height makes it the tallest freestanding clock tower in the world. Its faces change color on special dates, such as the celebration of important research, and most notably, the graduation.

A United Nations on the table. Le Petit Chef, the smallest chef literally, presented a sophisticated spectacle on the plate directly, with excellent gastronomy from Spain, Italy, France as well as Japan. Who would win the golden chef’s hat depends on the guests. Not to mention the service at Hyatt Regency is worth every penny.