9 Dreamy Places in Asia That You Should Visit Now
Posted on September 1, 2016 in Go Asia by penghaoren
Travelers are no stranger to breathtaking sights. But there are some places that look like they appear straight from storybooks. Here are some destinations that are stunningly beautiful that they make you feel like you stepped into another world.
1. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
When to go: June to October if you want to avoid the crowd, but be prepared to deal with the heat or sudden rain. If you are visiting during peak season, consider an early start anytime between 5am or 6am. Or you can go late in the afternoon after the rush.
2. Aogashima, Japan
When to go: Year-round as long as the weather is good. You can plan an overnight stay to enjoy the night sky on the island.
3. Bagan, Myanmar
When to go: October to March or anytime during the drier months.
4. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
When to go: October to March is drier but cool. April to September often sees some occasional showers.
5. Hang Son Doong Cave, Vietnam
When to go: Few people have been inside this spectacular cave which has been only explored between 2009 and 2010. Plan your trip with a reputable adventure tour operator.
6. Shifen Waterfall, Taiwan
When to go: Late spring which usually fall in April. You can expect the weather to be drier and a bit cooler than the summer months.
7. The Door To Hell, Turkmenistan
When to go: April to June or September to November when the weather is more pleasant and comfortable.
8. Tianzi Mountains, China
When to go: September and October since these are the months when you can enjoy fairly good weather suitable for walks or treks through tour areas.
9. Wisteria Flower Tunnel, Japan
When to go: Late April when the weather can be cooler. May is also a good time to visit if you do not mind the warmer weather.
The Great Wall of China
Located in Beijing, the Ten-Thousand-Li-Long Wall is, of course, the most renowned tourist spot in China. It’s one of the country’s iconic symbols, extending from China’s west to east, totaling about 3,100 miles. It also earned a spot on the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Visiting this tourist attraction will make you wonder what kind of tools were used to make the wall so sturdy.
The Bund
As an international architecture symbol, the Bund in Shanghai boasts off its colonial European skyscrapers and buildings. It also houses one of the planet’s leading business districts.
It’s also Shanghai’s most prosperous area during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Elegance is probably the best word to describe this place.
The Forbidden City
Beijing has done it again with this imperial palace where 24 emperors lived. It was a former palace city where commoners weren’t allowed to enter. It features more than 8,000 rooms painted in yellow and red. The golden roofs of the rooms make the place look more elegant as well.
The imperial palace is also one of the five most significant palaces on earth, along with the White House, the Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Versailles, and the Kremlin.
The Li River
Located between Guilin and Yangshuo, the Li River has a length of 83 kilometers and is one of the world’s top ten watery wonders according to America’s National Geographic Magazine. The landscape of the river features bamboo forests, cliffs, beautiful hills, and farming villages. There are also cave and rock formations named Elephant Trunk Hill, Mount of Unique Beauty, and Reed Flute Cave.
Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center
Your visit to China won’t be a complete success if you don’t get close to pandas. Found in the Sichuan province, this research base allows you to take a closer look at about 80 pandas and their natural habitat. It’s best to drop by when they’re most active, so visit them in the morning while they’re being fed.
The Terracotta Army
As part of the Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum Site Park, this tourist site showcases over 8,000 life-sized soldiers, about 520 horses, and over 100 chariots. It’s located on the outskirts of Xi’an and was discovered in the 1970s. After seeing the army, you’d probably want to search for Tools online and recreate them at home with your handyman tools!
Asian Countries Where You Can Use Cannabis
Posted on August 16, 2017 in Go Asia by penghaoren
Cambodia
It’s actually illegal to use weed in Cambodia, but the law is often unenforced, which means you can use one without getting imprisoned. It’s also common among foreigners and the people of Khmer. “Happy Restaurants” in Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, and Phnom Penh even offer food with cannabis. Take note that these restaurants are public and can still be visited today!
Nepal
Just like in Cambodia, using pot is illegal in Nepal since all licenses were canceled in the year 1973. Cannabis is not new to the country. In fact, Nepalese have used marijuana plants for centuries, usually for religious rituals. Though illegal, you can obtain marijuana almost anywhere in Nepal, and you’ll find it affordable too! Nepalese police also have little, perhaps even zero, interest in marijuana-related issues and therefore it’s possible to smoke weed there. Just do so with caution.
North Korea
This may come as a shock, but it’s not 100% confirmed. Some reports by tourists and defectors say there is no law prohibiting the possession of marijuana while some say it is illegal. Nonetheless, more reports are saying it is all right to smoke weed to your heart’s content if you’re in this strict country.
Pakistan
Once again, an Asian country’s legality issues regarding marijuana cause confusion. In Pakistan, it’s illegal to possess weed, but it’s tolerated almost everywhere. You can smoke hashish in Peshawar as well as in the Northern parts of Pakistan. However, if you are found with charas in other regions of the country, you can be jailed for up to six months. It is believed that you can cultivate cannabis, which is evident thanks to the vast tracts of marijuana throughout the country.
Philippines
According to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, you can use marijuana only for medical use provided you were licensed. So if you’re not going to use it for scientific and medicinal purposes, don’t even think about using it in the Philippines.
Turkey
Located in Western Asia and Southeastern Europe, Turkey also allows the cultivation of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes. That is if you’re in one of the 19 provinces where it’s legal. However, you could still grow marijuana plant with the permission from the government even if you’re in another province. And when you consume, you should have the license as well. So if you’re in Turkey, you better start cultivating your own cannabis garden using the perfect LED light bulbs for growing buds!
Visiting The Great Wall Of China
Posted on June 9, 2017 in Tips by penghaoren
We all know that China has a great wall. But do we all know how great the wall of China truly is?
One of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites, The Great of Wall of China is an epitome of the rich history and the vibrant culture of the Chinese people since the Qin dynasty in 221 B.C. It also represents the now People’s Republic of China as one, with a millennia of knowledge and an era of skills about history and culture both defending the nation from those who only seek the land for their own interests.
That being said, here’s an important tip when visiting The Great Wall of China:
Choose your start point wisely.
Believe it or not, you can visit The Great Wall of China from at least 10 start points found all over China.
This includes Badaling in Yanquing District, which is one of the most visited Great Wall sections; and Mutianyu in Huairou County, which is one of the best preserved Great Wall sections.
There’s also Juyongguan in Changping District, which is known for its Cloud Platform gate; and Simatai in Miyun County, which is known for its Heavenly Stairs access.
And oh…let’s not forget Jinshanling in Luanping County, which is best known for its mysterious screen wall.
Other sections of the Great Wall include Huanghuacheng, Shanhaiguan, Yanmenguan, Jiayuguan, and Yumenguan – all of which, along with those mentioned beforehand, represents how great the wall of China truly is.
Choose your start point wisely by evaluating yourself in terms of: (1) baggage (2) endurance (3) and spontaneity. This is for you to know what things you should just bring upon arrival, what condition you must be in while exploring, and how you can make the experience more fun (e.g. biking The Great Wall of China).
Any other tips when visiting The Great Wall of China? Share them with us below!
Don’t Let the Stress of Traveling Get to You
Posted on August 4, 2016 in Tips by penghaoren
Traveling is a great time to have fun and do things you love. But it has its share of stress factors. Overcrowded airports or highways, flight delays, and other unpleasant situations can sap you of much needed energy. Luckily, there are ways to take the stress out of traveling and get the most out of your trip.
Set out early. Arriving earlier than usual at the airport, train, or bus station reduces the amount of stress you get to experience while traveling. Anticipate traffic, passenger security screening measures, and other travel-related procedures that may be delayed for whatever reason.
Get familiar with your destination. If you are heading out to an unfamiliar place, it would greatly help if you get to know more of your destination. There is no shortage of resources you can find both online and offline. Read various reviews as well as travel books about the place you wish to explore.
Keep positive. A positive mindset is helpful in managing stress. You can start with an attitude of expecting the unexpected. Expect that things will not always turn out as planned or as how you wanted it to be. Go with the unique flow that holiday travel has. Try to look at the bright side when your plans hit a snag. Overbooking, flight delay or cancellation, and whatever it is that would affect your itinerary are all potential causes of frustration that you have to accept and cope with.
Practice mindfulness. You can practice mindfulness and find ways to meditate during your trip. Find a spot where you can be comfortable and spend at least 10 to 15 minutes quieting your mind by focusing on the present. Just concentrate on your breathing and let go of the worries you may have about your trip.
Take care of your health. Drink plenty of water, stretch, and keep moving while traveling to refresh your mind and body. Eat healthy to maintain your energy levels as well as to avoid irregular bowel syndrome which can be common among travelers.
Pack light. One of the best ways to take the stress out of holiday travel is to pack and travel light. Lugging a lot of bulky baggage around congested airports or train stations can be exhausting and stressful. You also have to consider the long queues in check-in counters due to the more number of bags that have to be processed during the holidays. Packing light allows you to move around more easily and with less worry about losing your bags for whatever reason.