Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Great Wall of China Tourist Attraction

Now if you have traveled to China for a vacation holiday or on a business trip, people will inevitably ask you whether you have visited The Great Wall of China? Why is this tourist attraction in China so attractive? It is because if you have not gone sightseeing at the Great Wall of China, then your China vacation is missing out a great deal. Here is why.

The Great Wall of China is an integral feature of the geography of Northern China and has captured the imaginations of people throughout its long and distinguished history or some people may wish to think of as its notorious history. The Chinese call this magnificent wall Wan Li Chang Cheng when literally translate means Wall of Ten Thousand Li. A Li is a Chinese measurement of distance such as a mile or kilometer.

The Great Wall of China saw its first piecemeal construction from the fifth century BC down to the 16th century AD as a strategic deterrence against raids, plunders and even invasions from northern nomadic tribes of which the Chinese at that time regarded as hostile barbarians.

When the Chinese were unified under Emperor Qin Shi Huang or Shi Huangdi in 221 BC, the first emperor of China started the construction of the Great Wall to protect China's northern border towns and villages against the Huns, Xiong Nu tribesman. The words Xiong Nu when directly translated from Chinese literally means Fierce Fury. You can imagine how the Chinese was so fearful of this tribe by labeling it with such a name.

The Xiong Nus were finally driven to the far flung corners of the Gobi desert after 3 Chinese military search and destroy expeditions. Even then, the walls failed to curb the invasion of China by the Mongols (Yuan Dynasty) and the Manchurians (Ching Dynasty).

Historical records showed that as many as 300,000 men working for ten years on the first phase of the wall's construction. Stories of hardship and thousands of tragic death suffered by the conscripted laborers are passed down to show that Shi Huangdi was a hated tyrant.

Constructed mostly with bricks and masonry, the wall was built by Chinese rulers of 10 dynasties and the length of the wall, meandering through mountains and valleys totaled an incredible 25,000 km or almost 16,000 miles long.

Since the 1950s, five parts of the wall have been restored and like most tourists, I visited the wall from the Badaling section one winter afternoon in Nankou Pass after a visit to the Ming Tombs. I was awestruck with the wall structure as well as the fantastically stunning winter scenery and landscape.

The second most popular access to the Great Wall is through Mutianyu, northeast of Beijing in Huairou County. The advantage of visiting the Great Wall of China from this point is that it is less crowded than the Badaling access. Is it any wonder then that tourists visiting China usually include a sightseeing trip to the majestic Great Wall of China?

About the Author: Chris Chew owns a travel website with descriptions of famous tourist attractions all over Asia at Tourist Attractions In Beijing and Thailand Tourist Attractions

Source: www.isnare.com

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Friday, October 24, 2008

Visiting the Temple of Heaven in Beijing

When deciding what sites to see while visiting Beijing, the colorful Temple of Heaven is a must-see on your list. The literal translation from the traditional Chinese for this unique site is “Altar of Heaven.” Regardless of what you call it, you will certainly feel like you have found your own slice of heaven when you visit this unique site.

The Temple of Heaven is comprised of several buildings in the southeast section of Beijing, in the Xuanwu District. In addition, the buildings are based on Taoist beliefs which refers to a set of philosophical and religious traditions that have existed in Asia for more than two thousand years. It's such an impressive and important structure that it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998.

History of the Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven site was built in the early 1400s while the Yongle Emperor ruled the land. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, emperors visited the complex for prayer ceremonies. The ceremonies, which took place each year, were meant to bring a good harvest. The Yongle Emperor also built the Forbidden City in Beijing, which is another site that should certainly be added to your list of places to visit.

Change of Name

The temple complex was originally named the Temple of Heaven and Earth, but was renamed the Temple of Heaven during the 16th century while China was under the reign of the Jiajing Emperor between 1522 and 1567.

The temple was renovated during the 18th century and, in 2005, the complex underwent a $6 million renovation to prepare for the upcoming Olympic games and the visitors due to arrive in the city. The project was completed in 2006.

There are three main parts to the complex, including the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Mound Altar.

The Temple of Heaven’s Hall of Prayer

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is a triple-gabled building that was constructed on layers of marble. This is where emperors prayed during the annual ceremonies. It is a wooden building and was rebuilt in 1889 after a fire. Amazingly, the building was constructed without using a nail. Inside the Hall of Prayer, there are 28 pillars, each of which was carved from single tree trunks.

The Temple of Heaven’s Imperial Vault

The Imperial Vault of Heaven is a single-gabled building built on marble situated in the center of the complex. In previous years, it held memorial tablets of ancestors to the emperors. It is smaller than the Hall of Prayer and is surrounded by a wall, called the Echo Wall. The wall, just four meters high but with a 193-meter circumference, has amazing acoustical properties. If one person whispers a sentence from one end of the wall, a second person will clearly hear the sentence from the other end of the wall.

Also, there are Triple Echo Stones in the courtyard. Each produces its own number of echoes from a word spoken by a person facing the Imperial Vault. A 360-meter long walkway, which is raised, connects the Hall of Prayer to the Imperial Vault. The walkway is called the Vermillion Steps Bridge.

The Temple of Heaven’s Circular Altar

The Circular Mound Altar is a round platform built on marble and is where the praying occurred. It was significant for the emperor to be seen in prayer, which mostly occurred to gain good harvests. The emperor, in ancient times, was viewed as the Son of Heaven. So, it was vital that he be seen showing respect and making sacrifices. This is why the ceremonies at the Temple of Heaven were important. The ceremony took place twice a year.

The Symbolism of the Temple of Heaven

Symbolically, the temple demonstrates connections between heaven and earth – earth by a square and heaven a circle. The temple is surrounded by walls. Most elements of the temple’s design have meaning, either symbolically or through numerology. For example, the stones in the tiers of the Altar of Heaven are either in threes or nines, which is a primary numerological theme. The number nine, which holds the highest value, symbolized the emperor. Ancient Chinese religious beliefs viewed heaven as round and earth as square.

About the Author:E Cho- discount hotels Beijing

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Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Bohol: A Slice of Nature Adventure

Traveling has always been one of man’s favorite pastimes. But with all the places to see, we are usually left a long list of great places to visit. If you are looking for a nature trip in one of the Philippine islands, then Bohol is surely the place to go. Numerous resorts are there to cater to all a traveler's needs. The place offers a lot of choices to travelers and nature lovers as it offers a different kind of nature adventure. The island offers pristine white sand beaches, falls and caves, diving spots, historical places and landmarks, as well as native delicacies.

Bohol belongs to the ten largest islands of the Philippines. It is located in the Central Visayan region. Easily accessible from Manila or Cebu, this island has been a favorite tourist and destination spot among locals and foreigners. The region boasts of a not only of majestic places to see but a heritage rich of culture and long history.

Bohol is definitely one worthy nature trip. The first place to see is the Chocolate Hills. The Chocolate Hills give Bohol its quality different from other islands in the Philippines. Near the Chocolate Hills, Bohol resorts are open to visitors for a relaxing and hassle-free stay. You get a lot of ease and comfort with the resorts’ luxurious amenities.

Bohol paradise with its clear waters offers white beaches great for swimming and relaxation. There is wide range of hotels, inns and beach resorts depending on the budget and choice of the client. While staying at resorts, nature exploration tours can be arranged. One can also explore more of the ocean through Bohol’s world-famous diving spots . For scenic water views, the Mag-aso Falls is the place to be.

Bohol is also famous for its packaged river cruises. Groups can take advantage of the regions rich rivers and take a guided tour. Most river cruises are offered by Bohol resorts or they may also be arranged separately. Most famous cruises are the Loboc River Cruise and the Laoay Cruise. Fish or butterfly sanctuaries are also great places to visit if you want to get a view of the local Philippine fauna.

Who goes to Bohol and not see the tarsier? No one. The tarsier is the smallest monkey and it is only seen in the natural reserves of Bohol. A Bohol nature adventure is not complete without visiting the tarsiers in the National Tarsier Sanctuary. If interested in more animals, one can also see the largest python in captivity named Prony.

If one aims for a twist of romance, dolphin watching can also be done. A boatman or “bangkero” may be hired to guide you to the sea at specific times of the day to watch dolphins proudly showcase their talents. Aside from this, whale watching and snorkeling are also common water adventures in Bohol.

For those who want to take a trip down history, historical places in Bohol are definitely part of the trip. Great places to see are the Maribojoc Bell Tower, Blood Compact Site, Baclayon Church; and the town fiestas are not to be missed.

If one is looking for a different kind of adventure tastefully mixing nature and history, then Bohol offers much with its beaches, hills, dive spots, caves, historical spots , and rich flaura and fauna. Luxurious resorts are sure to answer to the needs and luxuries of each guest. A trip to Bohol paradise is never complete without tasting its brew of nature adventure.

About the Author: Peter Garant is writing articles about both Bohol diving and Bohol festivals for his philippines travel sites.

Source: www.isnare.com

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Friday, October 10, 2008

Enjoy Scenic Views at Nuts Huts Resort in Bohol

Nuts Huts Resort is elegantly situated along the serene banks of Loboc River within the province of Bohol. It offers scenic views to all the nature-lovers out there, and provides boundless fun-filled outdoor recreational activities such as bird-watching, hiking, and mountain biking. Furthermore, the City of Loboc gives its guests the wonderful opportunity to visit great tourist spots like Busay Falls and Loboc Church.

Situated elegantly along Loboc River in the municipality of Loboc within the fascinating province of Bohol, Nuts Huts Resort offers tourists and guests a unique perspective of the richness and beauty of the Philippines. By offering outstanding scenic views where people can relax freely, this very fine resort is truly one of the most fascinating tourist stops within the province. For years, this location continuously serves as a good alternative to the common hotel experience.

Nuts Huts Resort features a very beautiful garden where its guests can spend their valuable time quietly and peacefully. Truly, this place offers a sweet escape and a perfect getaway from the bustling and stressful life in the city. At the same time, the sweet smell of fresh air produced by the plants is definitely a charmer for local and foreign visitors alike. Nuts Huts Resort is really a haven for people who love the peace and quiet brought about by nature. Moreover, guests can enjoy other exciting outdoor recreational activities like bird-watching, hiking, and mountain biking.

Another wonderful feature that guests can experience at Nuts Huts Resort is its exclusive restaurant, which offers mouth-watering food, exotic cuisines, as well as local delicacies. For sure, people will enjoy its great-tasting food while they sip their favorite cold drinks under the warm heat of the sun. This restaurant offers guests a perfect place to spend the day while indulging themselves with all the great food and cold beverages.

Basically, guests can choose from three exciting and comfortable room variations at Nuts Huts Resort. For people who are willing to share rooms with their fellow guests and visitors, they can always try the super affordable dorm rooms, which cost from 250 to 350 pesos for an overnight stay. On the other hand, they can expect better services and privacy at the standard rooms, which cost 450 pesos. In the meantime, guests can make the most out of their stay at Nuts Huts Resort by trying its elegant VIP rooms, which are available for as low as 600 pesos for an overnight stay.

Because Nuts Huts Resort is located within the wonderful city of Loboc, guests can truly enjoy and appreciate the different sights and sounds within the area. The beautiful rice fields create a soothing experience to all people who can lay their eyes on this beautiful place. Busay Falls and Loboc Church are just two excellent places that people can visit whenever they book at Nuts Huts Resort. At the same time, they can enjoy the beautiful scenery from a basic Loboc River Cruise or go on one of the floating resturants and enjoy a meal while watching the beautiful scenery.

About the Author: Peter Garant is writing articles about both Bohol restaurants and Bohol hotels for his philippines travel sites.

Source: www.isnare.com

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Saturday, October 4, 2008

Doljo Beach in Bohol Philippines

Doljo beach is becoming a tourist attraction in Panglao island in Bohol. It is known for the pretty seashells. It is a beach full of marine biodiversity.

Bohol is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines today. In going to Bohol you could go by air or by sea through a ship. Traveling by air is definitely much faster because it usually just takes about an hour while traveling by ship may take almost a day however it is less expensive thus saving you some cash. From Manila you can get a flight going to Tagbilaran. You can take any flight from Cebu Pacific, Asian Spirit, Air Philippines and Philippine Air lines that will first have a stop on Cebu.

There is also a boat taking you to Tagbilaran which is just one and half hour ride to save some money. The boat should be the fastest kind because the regular kind of boat usually takes four hours of travel. After arriving in Tagbilaran Doljo beach is just twenty minutes away. The best way to save money however is to take a regular ferry ride from Cebu which would go to Tubigon and then after getting there you should take the bus going to Doljo beach. The cost of an airplane ride to Tagbilaran is usually priced at two thousand pesos up to three thousand pesos.

Doljo beach is a beach located on the island of Panglao. This island is on the north western side of Bohol. This beach is three kilometers wide and it is not so much explored and developed yet. The sand is white and this beach slopes in a gentle way to the part of the sea that is deep. Doljo beach is also filled with many coconut trees which makes it all more appealing. The beach is also known for the beautiful and unique seashells. There is a lot of marine creatures that can be explored under the clear Doljo beach waters. There are local folks who have set up their own business by renting out chairs for those having a day trip like picnickers.

The first explorers to see Panglao was the Spaniards in 1803. The Spanish conquerors at that time saw some locals fishing by the shore and they asked the name of the island. The locals who could not understand them answered “panggaw” which is actually the device they were using to fish. Panglao came from the term “panggaw” which was a device used by Filipino ancestors for fishing. Today Panglao island is a leading spot attracting more tourists every year and Doljo beach is one of the main attractions of the island.

There are many attractive diving spots that can be found on Doljo beach. Some of the most popular spots are the House Reef and the Point diving site. The spots are teeming with a variety of corals and fishes. During the season where southwest monsoon winds is strongest then snorkeling is a better choice of activity. There are many resorts in Doljo beach which can offer an affordable price and it is advisable to check their website and inquire their current rates first before going to Doljo beach.

About the Author: Peter Garant is writing Bohol Travel articles about Bohol beaches and other attractions around the island.

Source: http://www.isnare.com/

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