Chinatown is a fantastic spectacle for the tourists and locals with the Chinese Arch being the main…read moreicon. The arch is proudly one of the largest and most attractive in the UK and was shipped in from Shanghai where it was built by craftsmen in 2000. Now a decade old, it has served Liverpool's image well and kept in top condition thanks to those who've put in the effort to maintain it. Liverpool as a matter of fact is actually a small Chinatown and mainly consists of restaurants. It cannot be compared to the likes of Chinatown in London which is completely of different class, though it can be said that Liverpool is home to one of the oldest Chinese communities in Europe.

It baffles me that the magnificent gate dominating the top of Chinatown is only ten years old. Like…read morethe area itself, it feels like it's been there forever. Unlike the one in London, which at least has some corners to break it up and seem as large and sprawling as the Orient itself, standing beneath the gate in Liverpool means you can look right through to the other side, which can spoil the illusion somewhat. Also, I love how the streets encompassed are the least-Chinese-sounding words in existence- Knight, Duke, Nelson, was someone trying to force Englishness on the residents? Of course, this is all just me being picky. Chinatown is the kind of place you're glad your city has, especially a record-breaking one such as this (it's home to Europe's oldest Chinese community, for one thing). Now is it just me, or would neighbourhoods based on other countries not be an incredible idea? I'll get doodling blueprints on my Etch-a-Sketch.

The sand at Crosby beach isn't quite as soft and luxurious as that of Formby, which is slightly…read morefurther north. In parts you actually get the distinct feeling you may sink if you stand in one place too long and a sign actually warns beach goers not to stray too far from the promenade, and of "wet sand" - a slower version, I presume, of quick sand. That said it's still a great location. One hundred metal Antony Gormley's stare out over the water, his 'Another Place' exhibit, great for amateur photographers. Look to the left and you see cranes, ships and the odd pile of scrap metal. To the right a wind farm and on a clear day, the Blackpool Tower. Don't stare at the stunning vistas too long mind, make sure you beware of the jellyfish that sporadically pop up from time to time. On my last visit to Crosby's sands (31 August) the sun was beaming and warm, and a walk along this under-used beach was a real treat.

Crosby Beach is one of my favorite places in the Merseyside area. My boyfriend's family lives not…read moretoo far away, so whenever we're visiting, I ask to go and we always bring along the their dogs. The main attraction here is to see Antony Gormley's Another Place, a permanent installation of 100 cast iron men that spans the entire beach and into the sea as well. The sculptures are all made in the form of the artist's figure, and all face out looking at the sea. They're ever-evolving as nature erodes them away. They're all identical, but they've been placed as various heights. Some are buried into the sea or into the water. The beach itself is quite deserted; there's never very many people here, but when you arrive you think there's more people until you realized it's the statues masquerading as people in the distance. It's a great beach to take your dog too. However, it's quite windy here, so a nice stroll along the beach in the sand, or up on the boardwalk, that's all that's very nice. It's not the beach to sit out at. Come at sunset for a stunning sky and see the iron men in perfect light! This is a great spot for photographers! The iron men look beautiful in various lights, but especially at sunset. There is easy, free parking in the parking lot above the boardwalk too.

Reliable corner of silence and relaxation right in the middle of the city centre. Since the garden…read moreis part of the bluecoat museum and art centre, you can easily extend your visit to either - or both

The Bluecoat Garden is tucked away within the Bluecoat Centre. It is a lovely little haven of calm…read moreand silence, being surrounded on all sides by the Bluecoat Centre's Buildings. Even though it is only a stone's throw from Liverpool One it is still a lovely place to get out of the hectic city centre shopping crowds and just take things at your own pace for a little while. It is an excellent place to read a book, chat to a friend, listen to your MP3 player, or just enjoy the silence and calm of the surroundings. The cafe adjoining the garden is an excellent place. Get yourself a pot of tea and a slice of chocolate cake, and just take a few minutes to relax and take in the surrounding architecture of the Bluecoat Gardens.

Remember that scene in Lost in Translation where Bill Murray and Scarlett Johannson are both sat in…read morethe bar of Park Hyatt Tokyo? They're complete strangers but the thing that connects them is they're both feeling homesick and lonesome and stuck listening to a cheesy torch singer? Well, the new Live Lounge at Hard Days Night Hotel totally remind me of that scene. Started earlier this year, Live Lounge takes place every Friday and Saturday night from 5 and 7pm in the Lounge & Bar Area. Aimed at relaxing residents and locals, there's different acoustic musicians each night playing a mix of originals, covers and you guessed it, acoustic Beatles classics! You can order wine, spirits or cocktails - though to really recreate that Lost in Translation feeling, Live Lounge offers reservations for tables of four with nibbles and a bottle of chilled champagne for £40. Whilst it's the kind of night my older relatives would love, I'd personally rather kick back in a cocktail bar or dive bar with a strong drink and The XX on the stereo.

Once you turn onto Matthew Street, you'll immediately see the John Lennon sculpture to your left…read more Located in a fun area, full of bars and Beatles love, memorabilia, and tributes, this statue is your perfect start to the Beatles tour along the city. At night time, Matthew Street is lively, however, during the day, expect little crowds, no live music, and sadly many stores and bars being closed. Exploring and walking the city will make up for the lack of entertainment among the city if you have a love for the Beatles and the history.

This is a fantastic statue of John Lennon situated on Mathew street right outside the cavern club…read more A trip to Liverpool is not complete unless you have at least a million photos of this iconic statue.

The 3 Mersey Tunnels aren't the most amazing things to look at as they are a bit grotty but this is…read moredue to the sheer amount of vehicles that go through them on a daily basis. They're never going to be shiny and sparkling unless the tunnels were closed every day for cleaning, which is just silly. They are an essential transport link between Liverpool and Birkenhead or the Wirral. If it wasn't for the tunnels the round trip would be horrible, or we'd have to get the ferry. An excellent facility :)

The Mersey Tunnels provide such an easy way of getting from Liverpool to the Wirral (or vice versa)…read morethat many people seem to take them for granted really. So many people use them every day they've become part of the fabric of every-day life. But I remember one day in early 2007 when they were shut because of a strike to say the city ground to a halt would be an exaggeration, but it did make the day a very different one! Certainly the trains were even more jam-packed than usual that day The worst thing about the Tunnels is the toll, currently £1.40 each way (or £1.25 if you buy a 'fast tag' season ticket). If you have to travel every day because of work, that certainly adds up. But at least they provide a safe and quick way of crossing the Mersey -- when they're open, that is.

One of the last remaining secondhand record shops in Liverpool is Hairy Records. Situated at the…read moretop of Bold Street, it's a gloriously ramshackle shop that has literally dozens of racks of old vinyl. The window is a great indicator of what you'll find inside with well thumbed copies of early Dylan, Neil Young and Van Morrison records alongside old classics by The Cure, The Smiths and The Specials. It's not all rock and pop however, as inside there are literally hundreds of brilliant soul, funk, disco, motown, northern soul, girl groups, reggae and krautrock albums. If you can't find what you're looking for, ask the friendly owner and there's a chance he might have a copy somewhere. I only chatted to him for five minutes and it was clear his passion and enthusiasm for music was infectious. In the week, Hairy Records is quite quiet so you'll have time to look through everything without being disturbed. At weekends however, expect to be elbowed by local musicans like The Zutons and The Coral. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJrGKqYYfdY

Liverpool's selection of independent record shops is so bad, considering the city's monumental…read moremusical heritage, it's almost laughable. Hairy is one of the few left and is probably the biggest and best known. Its collection of vinyl is tremendous with stacks and stacks from all genres and eras that you can happily spend days rooting through them all. But like all specialist shops - particularly record shops - there is always a catch. Remember High Fidelity? Remember the father innocently asking Jack Black if he had a copy of 'I Just Called To Say I Love You'? Yep, just be careful.

The statues are tall and quite noticeable from the pier in Liverpool. Expect a crowd, but easy to…read morejump in and get a picture. The statues are so detailed and easily depicted. Liverpool is the home of the Beatles and this statue adds to the history and love for them. While exploring the city, you'll be sure to see many Beatles tributes, making for a memorable trip around the city.

In the rain, but we had to come because we were close. Larger than life size. They all have cowboy…read moreboots. And different expressions. Glad to come