Bhutan

Bhutan is the only country in the world to retain the Vajrayana form of Mahayana Buddhism as its religion. The Buddhist faith has played a fundamental role in the cultural, ethical & sociological development of Bhutan & its people. Annual festivals (Tsechus & Dromchoes) are spiritual occasions in each district. The Dzongs, which were built in every districts in the Middle Ages as fortresses function as the centre of both religious & secular activities now a days. The district monk body practices their faith through dzongs.  The dzongs remain most of the time closed & are open to visitors during festival time for preserving kingdom's religious environment. 
  
Chortens (Stupas) are most common throughout the kingdom & they ward off evil spirits & protect from imminent danger. They represent the mind of Buddha symbolically & remind people of the possibility of & the path of enlightenment. Even more common are the prayer flags on mountain slopes, bridges & high passes. Transmitting prayers to the Gods & keeping up a constant communication with the heavens, prayer flags fluttering in the wind are a simple reminder of the clarity of the Buddhist faith.

Important places to visit :

Thimphu
Situated on the banks of Wongchu River, the capital town is the political hub of this tiny kingdom. An enjoyable way experiencing Bhutanese life from close quarters is a walk through its streets. It is a joy to watch the hustle & bustle of the streets. With no modern high rises - the government has decreed that all the building in the town be built in the traditional Bhutanese style - the city is like an open museum which provides a window to the craftsmanship of the local artisans. Tashidzong, one of the most impressive l&marks & arguably the most impressive building in the country, houses the Bhutanese throne room & serves as the summer residence of the venerated monastic community. Other interesting sites include the Traditional Painting School where age-old Bhutanese art & craft is kept alive & passed on to the forthcoming generation. The Memorial Chorten, an important monument in Thimpu, built in memory of His Majesty, the third king of Bhutan is also worth visiting. A delightful day on the outskirts of Thimpu is a visit to the Tango & Cheri Monasteries. Simtokha Dzong, 6 kms from the city limits, is the kingdom's oldest dzong, which now houses the school for Buddhist studies. 

Paro
The gateway to the dragon Kingdom, Paro is one of the most beautiful valleys in the country. The first thing you will notice as you disembark is the transparent purity of air & the absence of noise. Paro valley has kept its bucolic nature in spite of the airport & the existence of development projects. Apart from being the highest agricultural yielding place in the kingdom it is also home to the national museum & one of the oldest & celebrated dzongs in Bhutan . Perched on a hill overlooking the Paro Valley, Rinpung Dzong is not just an architectural marvel but also a religious & secular center. Built in the 15th century it houses ancient Bhutanese artifacts & history. The Taktsang monastery, one of the most venerated religious sites in Bhutan , is a wonder in itself. The Guru Rinpoche, the founding father of the Bhutanese strain of Mahayana Buddhism, is said to have arrived here several millennium ago on the back of a legendary tigress & medicated for three months in a cave where a monastery was later built. Clinging to the sheer face about three hours from Paro, this monastery also known as the tiger's nest can be reached either by pony or on foot. Paro is believed to be one of the first valleys to have received the imprint of Buddhism.

Punakha
he erstwhile capital of the country Punakha lies on a sprawling valley. Spectacular views of the Himalayas can be seen on the road from Thump to Punakha Dzong, where the Rho Chu Rivers converge below this winter home of the central monk body. 

The most visible landmark is the Punakha Dzong built by the first Shabdrung of Bhutan in 1637. The old custom of moving from Thimpu to Punakha & back is still followed by the Je Khenpo (Head of Bhutan's religious order) & the monk body. The migration is a culturally enriching experience.

Wangduephodrang
Below rich cattle pastures at the junction of the Mo cho & Tang Chu rivers, a striking Dzong guards this windy valley.

Trongsa
Four-hours drive from Wangdue Phodrang, Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family, is a sleepy village with a leisurely paced life. It is also a welcome rest to travelers. Like everywhere else the most dominating landmark is the dzong that dominates the valley, dwarfing the surrounding buildings. Situated high on a ridgeline  the Trongsa Dzong, is one of the most beautiful sights, of which you will never tire. Built in 1648 the Dzong worked as a defensive fortress with a labyrinth of temples & offces.  

Bumthang
The spiritual capital of Bhutan , Bumthang, is shrouded in religious legends. Th e heart of Bumthang is Jakar with its dzong. A number of smaller monasteries dot the hills surrounding the valley. Tales of Guru Padmasambhava & Guru Rinpoche, whose bodily marks are impressed upon a rock in Kurjey, ring through the air. With religion holding sway in this region the air is replete with the chants of hymns, prayer . ags . uttering in the breeze, monks playing among themselves. It is also the traditional home of the great Buddhist teacher Pema Lingpa to whose descendants the present dynasty traces its ancestry.

Cambodia

Cambodia which has a rich culture dating back many centuries when the Angkor Civilization was the region's most developed area has now emerged as a very popular tourists destination & it is now at the frontier of tourism & has become a popular travel destination in Southeast Asia. Cambodia's amazing sun-drenched beaches, enchanting scenery, diverse flora & fauna & grand temples are among the very best in this region & famous tourist attractions in Cambodia are simply unique &  interesting & not found anywhere else in the region.

Important places to visit :

Angkor Wat
There are few places on earth to match the splendour of Angkor Wat. The temple is the largest religious buildings ever constructed & is truly one of the wonders of the world 

Believed to have been undertaken as a temple & mausoleum for King Suryavarman II at the peak of the Khmer empire in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is the best-preserved of the Angkorian temples. As with other Angkorian temples & walled cities such as Angkor Thom, the central theme of Khmer architecture revolved around the idea of the temple-mountain. By the time building on Angkor Wat was begun early in the 12th century, this had been elaborated to a central tower surrounded by four smaller towers. 

The central monument represents the mythical Mount Meru, the holy mountain at the centre of the universe, which was home to the Hindu god Vishnu. The five towers symbolise Mount Meru's five peaks. It is difficult to express in words the enormous size of Angkor Wat, but it can be hinted at in part by a look at the scale of the complex. The temple is surrounded by a moat which makes the one around the Tower of London, built at roughly the same time, look like nothing more than a garden pond. At 190m wide & forming a rectangle 1.5km by 1.3km, it is hard to imagin z s around the walls of the outer gallery & the hundred figures of devadas & apsaras. 

This intricately carved gallery tells stories of the Hindu gods & of Suryavarman II's successes on the battlefield. A visit to Angkor Wat is the experience of a lifetime & will be cherished forever. 

Phnom Bakheng
Dominating the flat landscape, this 10th Century mountain temple is the most popular spot in the area to watch a classic sunset over Angkor Wat & the surrounding forest. 

Angkor Thom
This huge walled complex was the centre of the world's largest city in 1200. The royal city was first built under the reign of Udayadityavarman II in the 11th Century. It was destroyed when the Chams from Vietnam invaded, sacking the city, & was subsequently rebuilt by King Jayavarman VII at the end of the 12th Century.Its vast walls, some 6m wide, 8m high & 13km in length contain many monuments. 

The Bayon
Surrounded by faces on all sides, visitors never forget the Bayon. This symbolic temple mountain, built by Jayavarman VII, is situated in the centre of the city of Angkor Thom. 

It is a three-tiered pyramid with its entrance facing east. The central shrine is surrounded by 54 towers, all crowned by gigantic, enigmatic faces, representing Lokiteshvara, but withthe features of Jayavarman VII. They gaze out to the north, south, east & west. Unlike his predecessors who had worshipped the Hindu deities of Shiva & Vishnu, Jayavarman VII adopted Mahayana Buddhism as the fount of royal divinity. This sets the Bayon apart from many other Angkorian monuments.

The Baphuon
This perfect pyramidal temple, built by Udayadityarvarman II, was the most poorly constructed of all the temples in Angkor. From the remaining ruins, it is possible to see how imposing it was. This temple mount was dedicated to Shiva, but in its reliefs many motives from Vishnu's life can be seen. Complexed work continues at the Baphuon to preserve it as a partial ruin complete with a huge reclining Buddha, added in the 16th Century. 

Terrace of Elephant
Terrace of the Elephants & Terrace of the Leper King. At the North of the Baphuon lies the original royal city, of which very little remains. The first terrace owes its name to the outstanding depiction of elephants, & was used as a viewing gallery at royal events, while the second terrace takes its name from the magnificent sculpture of King Yasovarman, popularly known as the Leper King. The original of this statue is now in the National Museum.

Ta Prohm
This temple is perhaps the most atmospheric of all Angkor's treasures. The temple was a monastery built by Jayavarman VII as a residence for his mother. Ta Prohm has been left to the destructive power of nature by archaeologists to demonstrate the awesome power of nature. It has been largely consumed by the jungle & as you climb through the dilapidated stone structures you see many giant trees growing out of the top of the temple itself. 

At every turn you expect to see Indiana Jones or Lara Croft step out from behind a fallen pillar. It is one of the most regularly visited temples, with visitors often arriving during the middle of the day to take advantage of the protective forest canopy above the ruined temple. Ta Prohm looks as many of the monuments did when European explorers first laid eyes on them.

Banteay Srei
This jewel of Angkor was built by a Brahman in the 10th Century & dedicated to Shiva. The famous pink sandstone structure bears a series of exquisite sculptures, lintels & friezes. These, it is said, must have been carved by women as the detail is too fine for the hands of a man. This gives the origin of the Khmer name, Fortress of the Women. While it may be a small temple complex, the beauty of Banteay Srei is found not in the scale, but the detail. Many believe the intricate carving is the best example of Khmer classical art in existence. 

Kbal Spean
Better known as the River of a Thousand Lingas, this is an area of riverbed carvings & lush jungle. There are several carvings of Hindu deities in the sandstone here, as well as thousands of lingas in the riverbed itself. This site was only ‘rediscovered' in 1969 & is a tranquil place with an attractive waterfall. It is 50km north of Siem Reap.

Banteay Chhmar
This temple is being developed to receive visitors & is a big complex meaning Narrow Fortress. It was badly looted in 1998, but efforts are now underway to preserve what remains. It is 160km northwest of Siem Reap & can now be done as a long day trip or two-day excursion.

China

China is rich in tourist attractions. The nature has endowed it with spectacular views. The 5,000 years long history has left it with many places of interest. The 56 ethnic groups make the country's folk customs so colorful. Due to all of these, plus unique music, drama & world-known delicacy, China attracts large crowds of tourists from home & abroad every year. China's tourist resources can be primarily divided into three parts: natural landscape, manmade attractions & folk customs. 

Important places to visit & Things to do

Beijing
Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China, the center of the nation's politics, culture & international exchanges & a moden metropolis full of vitality. Beijing is one of the six ancient cities in China together with Xian, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Nanjing & Hangzhou. It had served as the capital for the dynasties such as Jin (1115 AD - 1234 AD), Yuan (1279 AD -1368 AD), Ming (1368 AD -1644 A D) & Qin (1644 AD - 1911 AD).

Top attractions in Beijing:
Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, the Great Wall, Ming Tomb, Hutong, Lama Temple, Beihai Park, Beijing Capital Museum, Yashow Market.

Xian
Xi'an, also called Changan is the largest city in north-west China. It had served as the nation's capital for 13 dynasties such as Western Zhou (11th century BC - 771 BC), Qin (221 BC - 206 BC), Western Han (206 BC - 24 AD) & Tang (618 - 907) for more than 1000 years. It is famous for historical importance.

Top attractions in Xian:
Terra-cotta Army, Banpo Museum, Huaqing Hotspring, City Wall, Big Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi Provincial Museum, Xian Great Mosque, Forest of Stone Steles Museum.

Shanghai
As the largest city in China, Shanghai is located in central-eastern China, confronting the East China Sea. Shanghai is mainly sectioned into two parts: Pudong (east of the Huangpu River) & Puxi (west of the Huangpu River). Pudong is the new development zone. Shanghai has two airports - Shanghai Pudong International Airport ( PVG ) & Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. Shanghai Pudong International Airport caters for international flights while Hongqiao for domestic flights.

Top attractions in Shanghai:
Shanghai Bund, Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Xin Tian Di, Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Huangpu River.

Guilin
Located by the banks of the Li River, Guilin has gained fame both at home & abroad for its featuring scenery: verdant mountians, unique rockeries, crystal water, various caves, stones of numerous shapes. The many ethnic minorities live here that include the Zhuang, Yao, Hui, Miao, Mulao, Maonan & Dong. They add the much colour to the cultural life of the city.

Top attractions in Guilin:
The Li River, The Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, Seven Star Park, Guilin Folded Brocade Hil, Fubo Hill, Solitary Beauty Hill, Longji Terraced Field in Longsheng, Fengyu Cave in Lipu County Guilin.

Yangtze River
Yangtze River cruising should be on the list for those who seek for romantic escape & travel with their family or friends. Yangtze River is winding through the mountains & the cities from the west to the east entering the East China Sea near Shanghai with a total length of over 6300 km, ranking the third in the world, only shorter than the Nile & Amazon.

Top Attractions along Yangtze River:
Chongqing City, Fengdu, Baoshizhai, Wanxian, Shennong Streem, Lesser Three Gorges, Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam & Yichang City, Wuhan City.

Lhasa Tibet
Tibet is a place lonely from the rest of the world with the winding hills of the high plateau & the amazing Himalayas. Today in the age of information, people can easily get to the mysterious place with jet aircraft, highways, now even trains! Lhasa is the political & cultural capital of Tibet. Lhasa means in Tibetan "The land of gods". There are numerous scenic spots & historical sites in Lhasa Tibet.

Top Attractions in Tibet:
Potala Palace, Nobulingka, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Ganden Monastery & Jokhang Temple being the most worth visiting. Shigatse is the second biggest city in Tibet. Shigatse means in Tibetan "The Estate that materializes one's Dream ". Tashilhunpo Monastery is its main historic attraction. Mt. Kailash, in western Tibet is holy to both Hinduism & Buddhism.

Jiuzhaigou Sichuan
Situated in the depths of the mountains in the border area of Nanping, Songpan & Pingwu counties in Aba Tibetan & Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in the northwestern Sichuan Province, Jiuzhaigou is a fairyland named after the Nine-Village Valley, which is the living place of nine Tibetan villages. The valley is about 50 kilometers long. In 1992, It was listed as the world natural heritage list of UNESCO.

Top attractions in Jiuzhaigou Sichuan:
Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Qingchengshan & Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Emei Mountain & Giant Buddha of Leshan, Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, Huanglong.

Lijiang Yunnan
Lijiang is situated in Yunnan Province of south China. It is on UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list. It has the history of over 1,300 years. Lijiang is inhabited by Naxi people. It is under the administration of the Naxi Autonomous County. It stands on a plateau at 2,600m above sea level. It is well known for its natural scenery & green vegetation. It has the Jade Dragon Mountain as its backdrop. The old town blends naturally with the natural scenery. Thel local Naxi people has developed a culture called "Dong Ba Culture". Classical Naxi music is considered as the "living musical fossil" due to its long history.

Top atractions in Lijiang Yunnan:
Ancient Town Lijiang, Yulong Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Zhangjiajie Hunan
Zhangjiajie City is located on the west mountians of Hunan Province. Under the administration of Zhangjiajie City, there is a district called Wulingyuan District where the Wulingyuan Scenic Area is located. The Wulingyuan Scenic Area is sectioned into 3 parts: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park; Tianzi Mountain & Suoxi Valley. Most of the visitors stay at the Wulingyuan area instead of the city center of Zhangjiajie City. In December of 1992, Wulingyuan was included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO.

Top attractions in Zhangjiajie Hunan:
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain, Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve.


Silk Road in China
The Silk Road has a history of more than 2,000 years. It actually started from Chang'an ( the present Xian, Shaanxi Province ) in the east & stretched to Rome, Italy in the west. The ancient silk road went through Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai provinces, Ningxia Hui & Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions & then extended over the Pamirs, further extending to Central & West Asia. And finally the silk road met the east bank of the Mediterranean Sea & Eastern Europe. The Silk Road had the total length of over 2,485 miles & over half of which is within China.

Top attractions along the Silk Road in China:
Lanzhou, Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiayuguan Pass, Dunhuang, Hami, Turpan, Urumqi, Loulan, Korla, Kuqa (Kucha), Aksu, Kashgar (Kashi), Hotan

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the most vibrant, exciting & ambitious cities in the world, a fusion of East & West, old & new, high tech & traditional - a city of dazzling contrasts. Though greatly influenced by years of British rule & enjoying many Western comforts & conveniences Hong Kong is essentially a very Chinese city & retains its Chinese heart with pride.

Visit Hong Kong & enjoy amazing architecture, lively street markets, traditional medicine shops, dai pai dong street food stalls & colourful festivals. Check online travel sites for great deals on cheap flights & package deals to Hong Kong.

Important places to visit :

Hong Kong Museum of Art
 Located at 10 Salisbury Rd Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, the Hong Kong Museum of Art is open to anyone who wants to take a glimpse of Hong Kong’s culture & history through its large collection of over 14,000 items ranging from calligraphy, paintings, Hong Kong treasure, art objects, antiques, & lithographs. The museum is open from 10:00am-6:00pm daily except Thursday (public holidays not included).

Hong Kong Disneyl&
The newly open & the first ever Disneyland in Asia offers total fun & excitement for the whole family. The park is divided into four major attractions: Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, & Main Street, USA.

Victoria Peak
 Soaring 1810 feet above sea level, the Victoria Peak is premier destination for tourists who want to take a birds eye view of downtown Hong Kong, Kowloon, & Victoria Harbour. Go another step higher & take a 10-minute hike to the actual Victoria Peak.

Lantau Island
Travel Hong Kong & take a cruise around the waters of Lantau Island & watch pink dolphins that only live in this waters.

Ocean Park
 Travel Hong Kong & visit Ocean Park. This is one Hong Kong attractions where you & your kids will have a great fun. The park is one big oceanarium containing Lowlands Gardens where pandas live, goldfish pagoda & butterfly house are located, Marine Land where atoll reef & shark aquariums are found, & Headlands amusement park where you can go & take a ride with cable cars & roller coasters.

Water World
  Travel Hong Kong with kids would never be so much fun without taking a plunge on Water World. Enjoy wave pools, play area, & water slides.

Middle Kingdom
A miniature China that houses Chinese shrines, street scenes, temples, & palaces only at Middle Kingdom.

 The Central district
  If you travel to Hong Kong because you love to shop, you better go to the central Hong Kong district where big shopping malls & several Western designer & signature boutiques are located.

Lamma Island
If you want to see a different Hong Kong, try Lamma Island. It hosts several outdoor activities such as swimming & hiking. And if you love to taste fresh Hong Kong seafood in great dining ambiance, Lamma Island is still the preferred place to go.

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Sha Tin)
Located at New Territories, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery features Buddha in different poses & colors.

Hong Kong Space Museum
See what’s in store for you in the future at Hong Kong Space Museum. The complex offers hundreds of displays ranging from telecommunications, robotics, energy, computers, & physics with hands on experience that will keep you interested.

Wet Market
In Hong Kong, everything is fresh. And when they say fresh, they mean it. If you happen to travel Hong Kong to visit a friend or someone you know, come along when they go to wet market where the freshest among freshest seafood are for sale.

India

Whether it’s the desire for adventure or wildlife or inquisitiveness to see great monumental craftsmanship or whether it’s for a family vacation, India offers you all. India is a nation with a blend of historic & modern ethnicity, famous for its vibrant cultures & widespread traditions, making this nation a supreme tourist’s destination. India has so much to offer. From the snow white mountain tops of the Himalayas to the blue waters of the Peninsula to its multi cuisines & delicacies depending on the different regions.