Literally translated as magnificent and beautiful, Taroko was the first word out of a certain tribesman’s mouth after being mesmerized by the magnificence and beauty of the place.

When Taiwan was still under the reign of the Japanese, The Taroko Gorge was established as its national park and it is until today, one of the top destinations for tourists in the island. It is known as the Ihla Formosa or “beautiful island.” There are many sites to explore within the vicinity of the park. In the canyon, there are hiking trails where you can go and have some bonding time with nature along with your family and friends. The gorge also offers a large variety of animals for people to observe.

You can find 144 kinds of birds and 30 species of mammals. There are 32 reptilian species and approximately 18 known species of fish. There are also 251 kinds of butterflies flying around the place. The island generally, is a mild, subtropical place which means that raining year round.

The most bedazzling part of the park is its coastal cliffs and its subtropical forested canyons. The tallest peak in Taiwan is about 3800 meters high. It is widely known for its gorgeous mountain sceneries, grottos of the swallows, springs, and other more extravagantly beautiful sights. This is a great site for recreational activities.

The word Taroko is a word that was derived from the term “truku” of the Truku tribe. It was established first as the Tsugitaka Taroko National Park in 1937 and was destroyed in 1945 after the Second World War. The park was re-established in November 28, 1986 and was renamed in what we now know as the Taroko National Park- The beautiful Island of Taiwan.

The story of Taipei began when the Han Chinese stayed in the basin of Taipei in 1709. It was caught between colonial politics. Though there is insufficient knowledge about its earliest inhabitants, human life started here about 5000 years ago.

A Portuguese writer once called this “Ilha Formosa” or beautiful island when translated in English. The Dutch were the first ones to colonize this land where at that time, a few Chinese fishermen inhabited the land. Spanish red beards claimed Dan Shui in 1626. The Dutch managed to chase away the Spaniards in 1641, but its rise to power didn’t last upon Koxinga coming to the scene.

He was a loyal Ming follower and also the son of a merchant in China. When the Ming Dynasty fell, Koxinga was forced to get out of China because of his refusal to pledge his loyalty to the Quing. Koxinga made Taiwan his base of operations regarding the rebellion against the Quing. After getting rid of the Dutch, he and his approximately 30,000 men went on to war against the Quing, where they unfortunately lost the battle. When the French occupied Taiwan in 1884, it became the province of China. In 1895, Taiwan was handed over to Japan at the end of the war.

Japan was overthrown after World War II and Taiwan was again under China. When the Qing died, Sun Yat Sen established the republic of China.

Taiwan’s government underwent a vast transformation after the Martial Law Ended. It started and lasted for 40 years after the mainland lost the war to Chiang Kai-Shek. Many treasures were taken away from the Forbidden City. There was also a prior massacre which killed many innocent people.
The Democratic Progressive Party was established in 1986. The citizens were allowed to send letters through mail and get travel permits for the first time in 40 years.

The Grand Palace in Bangkok is undoubtedly a must see in a any travel guide. This marvelous palace was built in 1782 and since then, for more than a hundred years it became the official residence of Thai Kings. The Grand Palace is a marvelous structure that signifies the creativity as well as the craftsmanship of Thai artisans. Although the King has moved to another residence, the Palace serves as the heart of the Kingdom of Thailand.

What you can see inside the palace are numerous impressive structures which include the Wat Phra Kaew also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Emerald Buddha has been world famous since the 14th century, when it was crafted. Another custom associated with the said Buddha is the ritual wherein the King of Thailand personally changes the robe of the Buddha every changing season. The temple dedicated to the Buddha was located on a corner in the outer part of the whole complex.

The general design and layout of the palace is closely similar to the palaces in the former capital Siam, the Ayutthaya. Its outer structures formerly serve as the government offices which include the army, treasury and civil administration. The Grand Palace also serves as an important landmark in ceremonies and special events of the country. In the central part lies the halls were the King used to entertain visitors and state businesses were conducted. Among the three throne halls, 2 are open to visitors for public viewing.

Another highlight of the palace is the inner court where the Royal consorts as well as the princesses lived. As of the moment, no royalty reside in the Palace and it is closed for public viewing. Other places worth visiting include the Boromabiman Hall, Amarinda Hall and the Justice Hall.

If you visit the Palace, you will be able to see the impressive design of the interior wherein the coronation takes place. You can also see the throne as well as the Chakri Maha Prasat, a European styled reception area. The Dusit Hall, a beautifully built building and a museum that showcases the history of the palace can also be visited.
Visitors of the palace must remember that the Palace being a sacred site follows a strict dress code. Men should be dressed in long pants and women are not allowed to wear revealing clothes. In case that you visit in an inappropriate outfit, you can borrow clothes provided for in the entrance with minimum fees.

Marvel at the Grand Palace in Bangkok and experience the greatness of Thai architecture!

One of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites can be found in Georgia. This is the Gelati Monastery. This place is one of the most visited places in this region as best attributed to both its history and beauty. It is the home of many cultural and intellectual aspects of Georgia. It is a monastic complex located in western Georgia.

The Monastery of Gelati was founded and built around the eleventh century by one of the greatest kings of Georgia, King David the Builder. This is also where the Church of the Virgin can be found. Among the most common reasons for visitors to take interest in this place is because of the fact that this monastery used to be the center for some of the greatest Gregorian philosophers, scientists and theologians. This center was then referred to as the Gelati Academy; at times considered to be the new Hellas or the second Athos. There are a significant number of murals and manuscripts which have been preserved throughout centuries and are now being exhibited within the monastery.

There are about ten great people who were buried within the Monastery of Gelati and this has also become part of the biggest tourist attractions in the area. As you look up in the dome of the monastery, you will find the Christ Pantokrator. And as you walk around this place, you will be able to appreciate the great mosaics and murals decorating the walls of the structure. Among other things which you will find in this place would be the mosaic of Archangel Michael, the murals of the Ascension and of David IV of Georgia. The northern wall is full of ancient art and other relics which will sure keep you standing in awe. There are also other icons which stand as memoirs to the greatest saints and significant people to the monastery.

The National Palace Museum was first established in the Forbidden City under Dai Kong in the Sung Dynasty on October 1925, and was moved after the expulsion of the last emperor of China. The museum collections mere relocated under the orders of Chiang Kai-Shek from Beijing to its current location to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Japanese. The present building was constructed in 1964 and was finished by August of 1965. It went under renovation in the late ninety’s and reopened on December 25, 2006.

It is a haven for attainable knowledge interesting for archaeologists, historians, connoisseurs and antiquarians as it contains the imperial family’s national treasures. It contains the finest collection of 4000 year old Chinese paintings and other works from the Ming, Quing and Tang dynasties. It also holds the world’s largest collection of ancient Chinese artifacts. The rotation of the 60,000 exhibit pieces happens once every three months- which means that it will take approximately 12 years to see everything the museum has to offer.

The main artifacts are mostly potteries, paintings, bronzes, jades, rare books and documents and some of the calligraphies from the different dynasties of China. Some of the most treasured items of the palace include jades like the “Jadeite Cabbage” and the “Meat-Shaped” Stone made of jasper which was made in the image of pork. They are also housing a realistic painting by Giuseppe Castiglione entitled, “The One-hundred Horses” which embeds in a native theme.

There are many places worth visiting as you go to Thailand. Many popular places you probably see on postcards will motivate and excite you to tour these places. Among the popular landmarks is the Temple of Dawn. The world famous Temple of Dawn also known as the Wat Arun is one of the most photographed and marvelous landmarks that represent Bangkok. It is distinguished for its Khmer style tower, commonly known as prang. The Main tower is surrounded by smaller ones which are four in number. According to the tourism agency of Thailand, the main tower is 104 m in height. The building is adorned by porcelain, a marking of King Rama III’s reign.

The Temple of Dawn can be viewed from a distance across the river. The building also has murals and images of the Buddha. You can walk up the very steep stairs of the prang, and soak in the beauty of the river of Chao Phraya.

Named after the Indian god of dawn Aruna, the Temple of Dawn is best viewed during sun set. Establishments such as restaurants can be located nearby and staying in one of these establishments is enough for you to have a great view of the Wat Arun.

To reach the Wat Arun, you can use the river transportation. You can take the Tha Tien express boat near the Grand Palace. You can take a cab to reach the Tha Tien.

When you visit the Temple of Dawn, you can also schedule a side trip on other nearby visitor attractions such as the Wat Phra Kaew, the district of Banglamphu, the Wat Pho, Chinatown and the National Museum.

You will sure enjoy and love the old world atmosphere brought about by the massive architecture of the Temple of Dawn. It sure is a very memorable experience for you and your loved once to see the temple.

The Lungshan Temple is one of the most well known temples in the world. Located in Lukan, Taiwan, it is dedicated mainly to the divine spirits like the Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin. Its astonishing architecture will overwhelm you and the intricacies of its design will enchant you, as you travel through a portion of China’s ancient culture through entering this enigmatic portal of religious figures. Its architecture highly resembles that of the Sung Dynasty and it was constructed by the Buddhist master Chao-shan in 1963. It is the oldest Buddhist temple located in Taiwan. The Lungshan temple is also known as Taiwan’s forbidden city.

Translated in English, the Lunghshan literally means, “dragon mountain. “ It is also known as the meeting place of the gods because of the hundreds of deities being worshipped in this religious place. Everything from the pillars to the doors were given as a dedication to the goddess of Mercy-but aside from her, deities such as the sea goddess Matsu and the war god Kuan Kung are also worshipped there as well as some of their other gods.

The temple is usually visited by dedicated worshippers and curious tourists from all over the world. This worship place also holds witness to many festivals as it hosts various celebrations within the venue. They usually light up incenses in there as offerings to their gods. Paper money is usually burned to serve as bribery, to lighten the load of the souls in the other world.

The temple underwent a series of destructive devastations throughout the years. It had gone down in an 1815 earthquake and was destroyed in an 1860’s typhoon. It was also bombed in World War II. After it served as a home for squatters and government offices, it was proclaimed as a historical site.

Kabul Old City or the heart of Afghanistan is the capital and largest city of the country. It is distinguished for being the most commercialized town of Islam with various places of interest from ancient mosques up to the latest designs of hotels. Kabul City has a very intriguing setting situated at 1.8 km above sea level in between valleys, mountains and rivers. Prehistoric parks, mosques and museum as well as contemporary style of hotels, airports and malls can be seen in this city.

Unlike any other parks with colorful flowers and mini playgrounds, parks from Kabul are beautifully landscaped with gardens, edifices and small bodies of water. The 11-hectare Babur Garden is the most popular and visited park in Kabul. You can find the tomb of the first Moghul Emperor Bāgh-e Bābur on this square stirred with Islamic architecture built on over five centuries ago. Mosques on the other hand, Pul-e Khishti Mosque and Haji Abdul Rahman Mosque, are the leading mosques in the country where Islam people worship and pray for Allah.
The national museum, also known as the Kabul Museum has almost 100,000 treasures made up of ivory and other antiques. However, for visitors who want to savor modern buildings, Kabul has an answer for that hunger.

Contemporary Islamic architecture consists of mix materials and minimizes the use of traditional bricks and carvings. Among the long lists of chic hotels in Kabul, InterContinental Hotel is the largest and hottest hotels in the city. And it is only 15 minutes away from Kabul International Airport, which will serve as a great haven for tired visitors.

There are a lot of things this place has to offer such as ancient and contemporary structures that are conveniently available. So, what are you waiting for? Listen to the beat of Islam’s heart.

Amandari is a luxury resort which richly defines Balinese. It upholds the values, culture, and the extraordinary beauty of Bali. Looking at every side, every corner of this magnificent place just makes it even better. It is located in central Bali near the wonderful village of Ubud. Amandari resort is in the midst of the breathtaking rice terraces, richly green forests, and the powerful Ayung River Gorge. Its architectural design is inspired by the wantilan or the village meeting place. The coconut wood and the stone floor just complete the open lobby.

Amandari resort has many facilities that offer different types of activities. They have a restaurant which is known to serve Western and Indonesian cuisine, and a bar with a wide variety of drinks to choose from. They have a library where you can do more than just read books and newspapers. It is also a place where you access the Internet. Amandari resort also offers a fully-equipped gym, an overlooking swimming pool, a world-class tennis court and golf course, and a locally-inspired spa. If you are more into extreme sports, then the white water rafting in the Ayung river is perfect for you.

Tourist can also enjoy the unique art, singing, and dancing in the nearby villages. Trips to these villages, either by foot or bicycle, can be arranged and you can instantly experience the warm culture and tradition of the area. Price ranges from US$ 750 to $3,500, depending on the suite and duration of stay. Amandari resort has received numerous awards from different award giving bodies for being one of the top resorts to stay in. The island of Bali is said to be the Island of the gods and a stay on Amandari resort would just make you feel that the gods share with you the true Balinese spirit.

Sukhothai is the capital city of Northern Thailand. It has a population of about 35 thousand and the name literally means dawn of happiness. The place has been popular to visitors because the ruins of the ancient city built in the 13th century can still be seen.

The Sukhothai Muang Kao is only 12 kilometers west of the central city. The city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. By the 60’s, the place underwent a restoration and has been well maintained ever since.

To tour the city, bicycles are best and there are many places where you can rent one. The central part of the ruins contains 11 structures surrounded by moats, bridges and lakes. In the Mat Mahathat, a large Buddha can be located and a nice view of the nearby lake is available.

The north part of the ruins called the Wat Phra Phai Luang contains many buildings with fantastic reliefs. There is also a stairway which leads to the Buddha image.

Here are some activities you can enjoy while visiting Sukhothai
• Use a bike to explore the city and the ruins
• Tour Si Satchanalai
• Explore the fresh fish market and indulge yourself in the local cuisine

Aside from these activities, there are many bars where you can visit. The Poo and King serves varied Western as well as Thai cuisine. The Chopper Bar is a roof-top restaurant serving the best in gastronomical delights. Sukhothai Night Market is another destination worth the visit where you can indulge yourself with authentic Thai cuisine. The night market has many food stalls to choose from.