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MysteRy:
India Travel Guide


Taj Mahal in Agra, India

India can be called a world in its own with so much to see and get acquainted with a civilization, which is the oldest in the world. When you have come to India, you should be assured of one fact here you will find unity in diversity. Get acquainted with this culturally rich land which has got nature’s blessing in abundance. It is known to all that India is gifted with enthralling beauty of nature and has maintained rich cultural heritage. Ultimately a bulk of tourists alight on the ground of this graceful country every year.

India is a tourist’s dream come true for more reasons than one. India has the majestic Himalayas forming a crown in the north, the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean washing its shores on three sides. The Indian deserts are filled with stunning palaces, lush greenery, and placid lagoons that seem to possess magic of their own. India is noted for the hospitality of the people who speak 1,500 different languages.

On your tour to India you may visit the world’s largest delta, Sunderbans with mangrove forests and royal Bengal tigers or pay a visit to the temple city Varanasi. Explore the royal grandeur and saga of the bygone era in the palaces of Rajasthan with a stunning backdrop of the Thar Desert. You can go for scuba diving and snorkeling in the Andaman Islands and the Lakshadweep.

Tourists may be greeted in an unusual way and you may be surprised by the crowds at Pushkar or the crowded streets at the metropolis Mumbai and Kolkata. But the visit is worth it when you see the breathtaking Taj Mahal in Agra, Red Fort in Delhi or for that matter Hawa Mahal in Jaipur. You will have a lot of memories to take back home. The top destinations in India are Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Bangalore, Agra, Kerala, Goa, Rajasthan, and Uttaranchal, etc.

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Geetting In And Around

One may reach India by airways and railways. India has several international airports in metropolitan cities of Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Chennai. Apart from them there are some other international airports in Bangalore, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Amritsar. The tickets for flights from Delhi are inexpensive. For the citizens of neighboring countries flights are convenient. From Kathmandu the most convenient overland route to Delhi and other northwestern regions is Sunauli. It is wise to choose Birgang to cross the border and enter the eastern region to spend holidays in India.

India has two peninsula ports open in Mumbai and Chennai for passengers. Thus, you can also choose to travel to India via waterways. Travelers coming from Nepal or Pakistan have the convenience of trains and buses for getting here. Two trains run between India and Pakistan: the Samjhauta Express from Lahore to Attari near Amritsar in Punjab and the Thar Express from Munabao in Rajasthan to Khorapar in Pakistan. A train from Khejuri in Nepal arrives at Jaynagar in Bihar. But because of the absence of onward connection in Nepal, travelers generally take to flight or bus. Apart from railways, you may reach India by car as well. The Attari/Wagah border is the only cross border point. If you have your own car, a Carnet de Passage must be with you while crossing the border.

There are numerous choices for getting around this country. Domestic airports are scattered all over the peninsula. The most important Airlines in India are: Air India, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Air Sahara, and Alliance Air. In recent years the Government of India liberalized Indian Aviation rules for private airlines. Consequently, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, and Air Sahara are treading the overseas routes. These airlines connect more than 80 cities across the country.

India has the longest railway network. The rail lines cover an area of 63,000 km. Railway transportation is operated by Indian Railways. Rail lines connect India with its neighboring countries as well. Metro rails in metropolitan cities are a cheap and one of the best means to travel in India. Trams are frequently used to reach nearby areas.

After railway, buses are the cheap and easy mode of traveling. Bus services are provided by both private owners and the government. Buses for long distance are also available. India carries the dignity to possess a huge network of highways covering about 65,569 km. A majority of the roads are in a vehicle-friendly condition.

Vans, taxi, cars, and rickshaws are easily available to take you to various places within the city or town.

Leisure

India is a wonderful mixture of various cultures and traditions. You are sure to get a glimpse of the sundry color of Indian culture during your tour to this land of sublime beauty. Strolling idly or lying on the golden or gray palmy beaches of Kerala, Mumbai, and Goa can give you the best of leisure you wish to have. Juhu and Chowpatty beaches of Mumbai are regarded as the best for leisure beach tourism. Goa also boasts some wonderful beaches such as Anjuna Beach, Calanguate Beach, Baga Beach India, and Kovalam Beach.

India is a land of festivals. So tourists can get true entertainment through the celebration of these grand festivals. Holi, a grand festival of colors, is celebrated with full enthusiasm in Mathura. The Pushkar fair of Rajasthan attracts many foreign tourists.

India boasts of rich art which includes architecture, literature, music, dance, cinema, and radio, etc. You can go to any stadium and enjoy classical dance or music performances. Besides these there are organizations such as Mahindra Club and many more which entertain their customers by organizing various events such as face paintings, storytelling, balloon toys, and treasure hunts.

If you are desirous to enjoy a hot night full of music, dance, merriment, and revelry, the best option is to go to nightclubs or pubs. Some well-known nightclubs of Bangalore are: Jockey, Styx, Athena, Tuscan Vern, DownTown, etc.

Places To See

The list of interesting places in India is endless. However, some of the must-visit places include:

Ladakh: A place where you can feel peace and contentment amid breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys.

Kashmir: The heaven on earth.

Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh): A Sikh temple with hot water springs.

Golden Temple (Amritsar): Also known as Harmandir Sahib is a Sikh Temple made of gold and is surrounded by a pool of nectar (holy water).

Haridwar: A Hindu place of worship sited on the banks of the sacred river Ganges.

Agra: A place famous for the monument of love – the Taj Mahal, and several other tourist destinations such as Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra, Agra Fort, etc.

Rajasthan: With its royal heritage of various palaces and forts, including the Chittorgarh Fort, Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jaisalmer Fort, Keoladeo National Park, etc., the state of Rajasthan is a perfect showcase of the stately lifestyle of the Kings and Queens of the past.

Gir Forest National Park (Gujarat): Encounter Lion – the king of the forest at Gir.

Delhi: The heart of India is home to several tourist places, including the Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid, Old Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, Iskon Temple, Lodhi Gardens, World of Wonders, etc.

Mumbai: Mumbai, the film city, is famous for the Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves, Essel World, Juhu Beach, etc.

Khajuraho temples (Madhya Pradesh): The temples associated with erotic art have a profound meaning. Explore the mysteries of these ancient temples.

Orissa (Odisha): Konark Sun Temple is a 13-century temple located in the state of Orissa. Other famous places in Odisha include Jagannath Temple, Lingaraj temple, Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, Dhauli, and Rajarani temple.

Tips

Follow these tips to make your tour to India a memorable one:

Wear comfortable clothes as summers are very hot and winters are pretty cold in India.

Even though most of the Indians speak English language, yet it is suggested to keep an English to Hindi dictionary handy. In the Northern part of India, Hindi is the second most spoken language.

The shopkeepers levy hefty prices. Try to bargain while shopping at the local shops. In the branded showrooms, the prices are same for all.

India has become unsafe for women. It is best to stay in groups rather than walk alone.

Prefer to travel in private taxis or tourist buses rather than picking the local transportation as it is unsafe for tourists. Some nasty folks try to fool the tourists or make fun of them. It is best to stay away from them.

In certain places like Goa beaches, etc., you may see vendors of various age groups selling jewelry claiming it to be real crystal, do not buy anything from them unless you are sure of the quality as most of the times it is fake. It is best to buy certified gems, etc., from reputed jewelers. The best places to buy jewelry in India are Surat (Gujarat), Kasol (Himachal Pradesh), and Hyderabad.

MysteRy:
Malaysia Travel Guide


Crystal Mosque at la Terengganu, Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the most fascinating countries in the Southeast Asia. The vibrant Malay culture is an intriguing intermingling of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures. Malaysia is one of the premier holiday destinations in the world, which is situated in the center of the South-East Asia and this beautiful country is geographically segmented by the South China Sea into Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. Malaysia is a land rich in biodiversity. Interesting species of flora and fauna can be found in the rivers, highlands, mangroves, coastal areas, and swamps. The beauty of this country led to the filming of the Oscar-winner “Indochine”, the Hollywood blockbuster “Anna and the King”, etc.

Chinese New Year, Good Friday, Malaysia Water Festival, Wesak Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Independence Day, Hungry Ghost Festival, and Malaysia Day are some of the interesting festivals celebrated in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and it is the perfect place to start your sightseeing trip in Malaysia. You can make a trip to Malaysia at all through the year, but it is best to avoid the rainy season in November to January. Malay is the official language of Malaysia. English is the second major language spoken in Malaysia. There are 137 other languages spoken in Malaysia, some of which are Iban, Dusunic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Fuzhou, Tamil, Thai, Malaccan Creole, Chavacano, etc.

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Getting In  & Around

Malaysia is an enchanting tourist destination and here you will get ample scope for a memorable holidays. You can reach Malaysia by plane, train, bus, by boat, and even by walking.

By Air
You can easily reach Malaysia by air from all around the world. The Senai International, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur International are three prime airports in Malaysia. For traveling within the country, Malaysian airlines offer arguably the lowest fare. The Berjaya Air operates flights from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. It has its own airports on the resort islands of Pangkor, Redang, and Tioman.

By Train
You can reach cities in peninsular Malaysia by rail route from either Singapore or Thailand. Malaysian Rail offers daily train service crisscrossing the entire length of the country. The trains which connect Malaysia and Thailand are Direct sleeper train services, managed by the State Railway of Thailand, which links Bangkok and Butterworth near Penang. The Malaysian Railways run trains between Hat Yai and Kuala Lumpur. You can also avail train from Singapore, which is also the southern terminus of the Malayan Railway network. The route between Kuala Lumpur’s LRT and monorail systems, as well as the express ERL services between KLIA and Sentral Station are noted for their speedy journey. There is a government operated KTMB, which offers inexpensive and generally dependable services around Peninsular Malaysia. Tourists use the Jungle Railway services to reach Taman Negara National Park (Jerantut) or the Perhentian Islands.

By Road
Malaysia has a sound highway network and there is the North-South Expressway from Singapore reaching the Thai border. There are buses/coaches which ply between Malaysia and Brunei, Indonesian Borneo, Singapore, and Thailand. The bus service between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur is very comfortable. In fact, the luxury of these buses is at par with the first class air flight. You can also cross borders by road as it is allowed from southern Thailand and Singapore into Peninsular Malaysia, as well as from Brunei and Kalimantan (the Indonesian side of Borneo) into Sarawak. You will require an International Drivers Permit (IDP).
The left driving is followed here and you need to be though extra careful while choosing the option for transportation in Malaysia by road, as in big cities like Kuala Lumpur you may face reckless motorcyclists, and immense traffic jams. Though outside the cities conditions are much better. You can also take a taxi for getting around.
The reliable bus companies such as Transnasional and NICE/Plusliner offer services getting around the country. It is advisable you should use 24-seater “luxury” buses for long-distance travel.
An amazing option but it’s true, you can also walk using the Causeway between Singapore and Johor Bahru at the southern edge of Malaysia. Distance can be covered by foot in/out of Thailand at Wang Kelian and Padang Besar, Bukit Kayu Hitam (Kedah), Pengkalan Hulu (Perak), and Rantau Panjang (Kelantan).

By Boat
Ferries link various points in Peninsular Malaysia with Sumatra in Indonesia and southern Thailand, Sarawak with Brunei, and Sabah with East Kalimantan in Indonesia, and Mindanao in the Philippines. You can also avail luxury cruises, which ply from Singapore and sometimes Phuket (Thailand) to Malaysia.

Entertaiment Options

There are a host of options for entertainment in Malaysia, the fact is which one you want to choose, or you want to try all of them. Ranging from bustling nightlife to activities like golf, diving, whitewater rafting, river safaris and cruises, cave exploration or mountain climbing and angling, bird watching, and Paragliding.

If you have the fascination for a rocking nightlife, then come to Kuala Lumpur at Bangsar, or at Phileo Promenade. You will find here pubs, karaokes, and night clubs jam-packed even on weekdays. You can also try out Hard Rock Café KL, which is located at the Ground Floor of Concorde Hotel, if you love hard rock.

You may also visit the Sunway Lagoon. This is the focal point for fun and revelry and it also has the record of being the country’s first international standard water theme park. This combination of Water Park and the Adventure Park has some thrilling rides. The Toboggan, Double Twister, and surf pool can be enjoyed in the water park, while in the adventure park,there is Sky Flyer, Runaway Train, and the Flying Carpet.

Mines Wonderland is a dream come true as here you can experience snow in the tropical weather of Malaysia. It is spread over 150 acres and offers snow, sun, and beach – all in one location. This is definitely not to be missed while on tours of Malaysia.
Some other options for fun in Malaysia are:

Golfing holidays are a rage with the tourists, as there are several world class golf courses here
Malaysia’s marine parks are ideal for diving and offer marine sights to the world.
Whitewater rafting in the Padas and Kiulu rivers.

River safaris and cruises are another mode of entertainment in Malaysia and you can enjoy enchanting rides at Melaka, Kuala Berang in Terengganu and Taman Negara, and Lake Chini in Pahang and Sarawak.

Cave exploration is an added attraction and here you can discover caves dating back to the Stone Age. They are Gua Kolam in Perlis, Gua Tempurung and Kundu in Perak, Batu Caves in Selangor, and Gua ikan in Kuala Krai, Kelantan

Mountain climbing at Gunung Jerai in Kedah, Gunung Korbu’in Perak, and Gunung Tangsi in Negeri Sembilan for beginners, or mountains of Sabah and Sarawak for challenging climbs.
Or indulge in bird watching and find Mountain Peacock Pheasant, or a Malayan Whistling Thrush
Bag some prize catches like Giant Snakehead, the fast running Malaysian Jungle Perch, the GiantFeather back, and the elusive but powerful Malaysian Mahseer, or the Black Marlin. Yellowfin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, and Dogtooth Tuna on angling tours.

Enjoy interesting rides at Legoland Malaysia or the Lost World of Tambun amusement parks.
Watch interesting marine exhibits at the Aquaria KLCC.

Places To See

The most interesting places to try out in Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur are:

Cameron Highlands: Malaysia’s most expansive hill station where the temperature hardly goes below 10 degrees or above 21 degrees celsius.

Penang, Langkawi: A tropical paradise kissed by the bright sun rays and gently touched by the waves of the Andaman Sea.

Kuching: Visit Mount Santubong, Kuching Cat Museum, Bako National Park, and Fort Margherita in Kuching.

Kuantan: Teluk Cempedak, Chini Lake, Darul Makmur Stadium, Berkelah Falls, Batu Hitam beach, and Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosque are the major tourist places in Kuantan.

Kota Bharu: Explore Istana Jahar, Temenggor Lake, Jalan Pantai Cahaya Bulan, Muzium Diraja Istana Batu, and Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah, on your tour to Malaysia.

Peninsular Malaysia is the most renowned among visitors and the peninsula is further divided into the East Coast and West Coast by the famous Titiwangsa mountain range. The West Coast is comparatively more developed and cosmopolitan and holds more attractions, while the East Coast takes pride in its simple rustic charm.

Tips

Follow these tips for a nice experience:

Pack light clothes as the weather is warm and humid year round.

Not all taxi services are good. Check online reviews before you land in Malaysia. The taxis of Kuala Lumpur rank on the list of the world’s worst taxi service providers.

Instead of bacon, most of the restaurants serve thin slices of pork. You must reconsider your option of munching bacon.

The Langkawi, Tioman, and Labuan are duty-free islands. Taxes are waived off on hotels and selected goods.

The UK travel advisory has mentioned about the mosquito-borne diseases as the latest threat to health in Malaysia.

There is a threat of terrorist activities, including kidnapping and criminal acts on the eastern coast of Sabah. Specifically, the islands near the Sulu Archipelago in the southern Philippines are the terrorism-prone areas.

MysteRy:
China Travel Guide


Dignity Copper Lion in Forbidden City, China

China is a reflection of antithetical qualities as it is antique as well as avant garde, bourgeois as well as innovative, and above all rural as well as urban. It is getting developed at a rapid pace and has become one of the top tourist destinations for its rich heritage plunged in antiquity, dazzling skyscrapers, and colossal cityscape. Politically a communist state, China leads the population chart of the world.  With countries like Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, bordering China, its population comprises of Taoists, Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians. Filled with numerous local dialects, this Republic of China has Mandarin as its official language. Beijing, being the capital city of China, is the cultural center. The city of Shanghai, renowned for its riverside scenery, is also an important economic hub of the country where shopping is an experience.

This multi-cultural abode went through a great economic expansion in the recent past, but has a major percentage of its population living below the poverty line. The sophistication and affluence of the urban sector are amalgamated with the roughness and rusticity of others. The local people are prone to break the laws of their country, even going to an extent of pushing, shoving, and showing general disregard towards others. Spitting and smoking almost anywhere, sneezing without covering mouth, staring, loud conversations, and calls of “hello” are a common sight in China.

It is best to visit the country during the spring when China experiences a mild climate. As the spring festival is a major festival of China, it is apt to prepare in advance. China follows a strict policy while issuing visas, but it is necessary to get your visa before traveling.

List of major Chinese holidays:

Chinese New Year or Spring Festival falls during January-end and continues till mid-February.

The Qingming Festival is celebrated generally from April 4 to April 6.

Labor Day or May Day is celebrated on May 1.

The Dragon Boat Festival begins on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, generally during May through June.

Mid-Autumn Day (the Moon Cake Festival) is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. It generally falls in October.

National Day of China falls on October 1.

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Getting In And Around

Transportation in China was very poor in the ancient times. People in China mainly traveled on foot. Thus, the speed was very less. Gradually the country saw the face of trains, planes, ships, buses and bikes. With such an aggressive effort since 1949 by the Chinese government, a comprehensive transportation system was created in China which consisted of railways, highways and airplanes. Today, China herself has an efficient transport network where people can avail various forms of vehicles to reach their destination.

Airways
Visitors to China most often take the air route. There are three ways to fly. One can either take the economy, business, or the first class. The difference is in price and obviously the level of comfort. Particularly, the busy periods are usually when Chinese students are flying home for the summer, flying back to universities around the world after the summer or around Chinese New Year (early February). Tickets at these times are often hard to get and/or more expensive.

Tiger Airways, Bangkok Airways, and Air Asia offer low-priced flights from Southeast Asia (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila) to various destinations in southern China, including Xiamen, Jinghong, Guangzhou, Haikou, and Macau. Europeans have several options such as British Airways, Air France, etc. to access this country while Americans may choose North American Airlines, Continental Airlines, etc.

Besides, Oasis Airway offers cheap, no-frills flights between Hong Kong and Europe, currently to London, with fares starting at $1000 HK ($125 US) one way, $6600 HK ($825 US) for business class. The country’s own airlines are also growing rapidly and working hard to become highly competitive in both service and pricing. They include China Southern, China Eastern, and Air China.
The country also boasts of domestic airports. Check Airports in China Map and find important information regarding getting in China through airways.

Railways
Right from walking to taking the world’s first magnetic levitation train, the Chinese are the masters of movement. China’s International Railway services are available to destinations in Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Hong Kong SAR, North Korea, and Vietnam. The train facilities like Trans-Siberian Railway from Europe and other trains are available from Central Asia. The train is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to travel some of the long distances. It is used widely by the local population. There are 4 classes on Chinese Trains: Hard Seat – which is used by a large percentage of the population as it is probably the cheapest way to travel in China. Soft Seat – which is available on the intercity lines and provides a better level of comfort. Hard Sleeper – There are six narrow bunks in a compartment that has no door, so there is no privacy. Food trolleys pass back and forth along the train so it is possible to eat quite cheaply. Soft Sleeper – There are four bunks in a compartment which has a door for privacy. These are mostly liked by tourists. Finally, Beijing’s main train station, which is located in central Beijing offers routes all over China and international trips. Regular rail service links mainland China with Hong Kong. There are also rail routes from Nanning in Guangxi province into Vietnam via the Friendship Pass. There is another rail link between Kunming in Yunnan province and Hanoi via Hekou and Lao Cai. Moreover, there are four weekly connections between the North Korean capital Pyongyang and Beijing. Have a look at the Railway map of China. China has around 20 chief domestic railway routes.

Bus Transport
People of Nepal and Pakistan can avail the developed bus service to China. Traveling by road is the best and most unique way of learning about the country. China’s long distant bus system has several advantages, the main being that it goes almost everywhere, even to the most remote regions, especially in the west, which are often inaccessible via train or plane. Besides, bus tickets are often easier to purchase than train tickets as there are many buses. Almost all major cities and towns have long distant bus stations and tickets are sold at the bus station itself and need not to be booked in advance. Ticket prices are fixed according to the condition of the bus. Bicycles are another mode of transportation in China and in fact an excellent method for getting around China’s cities for sightseeing. China had 500 million bicycles by 1987. China, in fact, is characterized by this mode of transport. It is the part and parcel of the life of the people. Tourists who come to the country generally do not miss this. Recently, “mountain” bikes have become more popular. Check out the Road Map of China to know about various routes.

Waterways
You can also reach China by the way of international ferry. There are ferries from Japan and Korea, more specifically. There are around 130 ports in China that are open to foreign ships. Some of the chief ports are: Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shijing, etc. Boats are also accessible by the countries like Japan, South Korea, etc.

Leisure

With China’s entry into the World Trade Organization and its continued and rapid economic growth, entertainment and leisure in China continues to have rapid growth and development. To address this growth, China has recognized the need to develop its entertainment infrastructure to an international standard. Entertainment in China includes options such as television, motion pictures, theme parks, sports events, and resorts. Besides, emphasis is also given to the tourist attractions for drawing more tourists.

Many historians believe that football originated in China. Other popular sports include martial arts, table tennis, badminton, and more recently, golf. Basketball is now popular among young people in crowded urban centers. In Taiwan, baseball is more popular due to American and Japanese influences.
There are also many traditional sports. Chinese dragon boat racing takes place during the Duanwu festival. In Inner Mongolia, Mongolian-style wrestling and horse racing are popular. This appears to be very interesting to a tourist browsing through the interiors of the country. In Tibet, archery and equestrian sports are part of traditional festivals. China, in fact, has become a sports power, especially in Asia. The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, were held in Beijing. Board games such as International Chess, Go (Weiqi), and Xiangqi (Chinese chess) are also common and have organized formal competitions.

The other forms of enjoying in China include shopping, relaxing in the various resorts, and dining. Shanghai is the hottest shopping arena for tourists.

Places To See

China has some amazing tourist destinations:

The largest wall: The Great Wall of China.

71-meter-tall statue of Leshan Giant Buddha.

Forbidden City that delves into the mystery.

Terracotta Army evokes eerie.

Jin Mao Tower and Oriental Pearl TV Tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding cities.

Hong Kong’s highest mountain peak: Victoria Peak.

The Shaolin Temple where Shaolin Kung Fu masters are created.

The Hainan Islands are a group of small white sand islands.

The historic sites of Tiananmen Square, Potala Palace, Mogao Caves, Temple of Heaven, Eastern Qing

Tombs, and Historic Centre of Macau.

For a different experience, cruise the Yangtze and the Li Rivers.

Tips

Break the language barrier by bringing English to Chinese and Chinese to English pocket dictionary. You may download the Chinese language app for travelers.

A Shanghai Taxi driver prefers coins while in northern and western China, the vendors accept only paper money.

The public toilets in China are not equipped with toilet papers. You should carry your own supplies.

In China rice is usually served at the end of the meals, considering it to be a filler. If you need rice along with your main food, order it by saying mifan mashang (rice straight away).

MysteRy:
Hong Kong Travel Guide


Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong at night.

Hong Kong is a place which is a merger of varied culture and here you find Cantonese traditions with prolonged British influence as well as connections with China .

Explore the effervescence of this place with a feel of an urban landscape. You will find here trendy shopping malls, and boutiques juxtaposed with old world charm . You also find here lush greenery and hiking trails making the city complete holiday destination. The plus point of this tourist destination is sound transport network , efficient customer service, and of course its jet speed.

This Oriental Pearl has the convenience of modern living as well as memories of days of yore. When you discover its tourists hotspots like the spectacular Ocean Park, or the vantage point of Victoria Peak or the stunning Repulse Bay, you feel as if you have arrived in dreamland.

Hong Kong consists of four parts Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and the Outlying Islands. Hong Kong Island is the hub for economy, politics, entertainment, and shopping. Kowloon is a prospering region; and here there are Causeway Bay, Wan Chai , Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei, and Mong Kok.

These are always buzzing with activity. The New Territories and Outlying Islands lets you explore the tranquility and scenic beauty of Hong Kong. Imagine having Yum Cha (tea and dim sum) in the bright morning or spending moon lit night on the top of Victoria Peak. Go on an exciting harbor cruise, and mingle with the shoppers in the various malls and markets around the Tsim Sha Tsui . Pamper your taste buds with delicacies at dai pai dong or take an enchanting boat cruise on a sampan or high speed ferry.

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Getting In

Hong Kong enchants tourists not only with various tourist attractions, shopping extravaganza but getting to Hong Kong is also very easy, and you can reach here by air, train and even on a bike from neighboring places.

Reach Hong Kong by Plane
Hong Kong International Airport is a focal point connecting to different parts of the world . You have here direct flights to Hong Kong from across the globe. Majority of the cities in Oceania, Europe and North America are all linked with minimum one daily flight and thus Sydney has 6 daily flights, London 11(1 to Gatwick), Frankfurt 2, Paris 3, Amsterdam 2, Los Angeles 4, San Francisco 3, Vancouver 3, New York 3, Chicago 2 and Toronto 2 flights connecting to Hong Kong.

Reach  Hong Kong by Train
Kowloon Canton Railway(KCR) has the option of regular Through Train service operating between Guangdong Province, Beijing, and Shanghai. The KCR also offers domestic rail service from the Hong Kong boundary with Mainland China.
To get the timetable and fare information you can see the online directory of the Kowloon Canton Railway. You should be informed of the fact that train service between Hong Kong and Mainland China ends before midnight because the Lo Wu border is closed at midnight.

Reach Hong Kong by Bike
If you want an innovative way to reach Hong Kong then come here on a bike . This is much of an attraction for cycle tourists, and there are the cross border arrangements from the Mainland China. You have 4 checkpoints on the Hong Kong – Shenzhen boundary, namely Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, and Sha Tau Kok.

Reach Hong Kong by Ship
The ships arriving Hong Kong anchor at Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, which is in close proximity to Hong Kong’s cultural and shopping hub.

Transport

Transportation in Hong Kong is very sound and here you will get so many options that it becomes very difficult to choose which one is appropriate for you. Centamap helps you in deciding the location while the Octopus payment card is the base of the public transport system. This is a multi-utility contact less smart card. You can use it while traveling by MTR, KCR, as well as in some bus routes.

Subway or underground railway is the most swift mode of travel. You have here Mass Transit Railway (MTR) which is an underground network . This network has five lines and the Tsuen Wan Line is most important while the Tung Chung Line) is the fastest route to Lantau.

If you want to enjoy sightseeing along with traveling then go for Peak Tram operated by Hong Kong Tramways. These are slim double-decker city trams moving on the north coast of Hong Kong Island. They have a flat fare of only $2 and you will find that this is the cheapest way of sightseeing tour.
If you are located in the south side of the island and Lantau then transportation in Hong Kong by huge double-decker buses is a good option.

You can enjoy sightseeing sitting on the first seats of the upper deck. Various bus operators here are Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB), Citybus, New World First Bus, and New Lantao Bus.
There are a large number of ferries plying between the many islands of Hong Kong. The most popular is the Star Ferry, don’t miss the route between Kowloon, and Central where you can enjoy spectacular views.

Traveling in Hong Kong by taxi is very convenient option and here the Taxicabs are quite spic and span and efficient . Also, there is a cable car service to Ocean Park located on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, and Ngong Ping Skyrail on Lantau.

Leisure

For entertainment there are a lot of exciting options in Hong Kong, like a pulsating nightlife, going on a luxury night cruise over Victoria Harbor or rocking the night at the pubs, bars, nightclubs.

You can opt for Lei Yue Mun Seafood Village Dinner Cruise, which is a 5-hour trip beginning at dusk. You will tour the seafood bazaar at Lei Yue Mun Seafood Village, runway of the old Kai Tak airport and shop in the Temple Street Open Market after feasting on sumptuous seafood banquet. There are other luxury cruises like Star Ferry’s Harbor Tour with A Symphony of Lights, Pearl of the Orient Dinner Cruise, and Tsing Ma Night Cruise. You can also go for an exciting cable ride to the Victoria Peak.

You can also visit the bars and pubs in east Tsim Sha Tsui, Lan Kwai Fong, and Wan Chai. The most famous one is Lan Kwai Fong. You can taste wide range of beer, alcohol and wine which are indeed a connoisseur’s delight.

Then there are excellent nightclubs full of life like the western or Chinese night clubs . The ambiance is suitable both for business and family get together and here you can enjoy singing, acrobat, folk dances, and Cantonese Opera.

Another option is the discos which capture the attention of the youth with pulsating music, lights, and trendy décor. And some of the places you can hit for a rocking night are Cyber 8 Discotheque Pub, Club Ing, Kara OK bars, California Red – Red Box.

The options doesn’t end here only you also have the choice for seeing a good movie here. There are more than 100 cinemas screens which show the latest movies from across the globe. You can go and watch one at JP Causeway Bay or UA Times Square, Chinachem. Tsim Sha Tsui , an enchanting night park with astounding neon lights is also an exciting option in Hong Kong. Come to Hong Kong and have a swell time watching film, nightclub, bars and pubs, music and drama .

MysteRy:
Indonesia Travel Guide


Ulun Danu temple , Beratan Lake in Bali, Indonesia

The equatorial country of Indonesia offers a tropical getaway that features beaches, islands, mountain peaks, wildlife, history, and a variety of Southeast Asian cultures. A melting pot for several Southeast Asian religions and immigrants, Indonesia covers an area of almost two million kilometers of different regions and their distinct subtleties.

Located almost between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Indonesian archipelago’s neighbors are mostly nearby islands, except for Malaysia in the north, and Papua New Guinea and East Timor in the east. Indonesia’s proximity to Australia, India, and the Southeast Asian countries of Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand makes it an attractive vacation destination for people of these countries.

Indonesia, known for being the largest archipelago in the world, has about 17,508 islands under its control, of which 6,000 are inhabited. Owing to its equatorial location, Indonesia’s climate in the plains and seaside is tropical with dry (June to September) and wet (October to May) seasons. In the regions with high altitude, like the mountain peaks in Papua, Sulawesi, and Java, the weather is cooler. The country’s official language is Indonesian, but you may find other Southeast Asian languages, like Chinese, Arabic, etc., being spoken in different regions. Similarly, holidays in Indonesia are also region specific. For instance, in the Chinese-dominated Borobudur, major holidays are the Chinese New Year and Lord Buddha’s birthday (Waisak). Then again, Indonesia has the largest Muslim settlement anywhere in the world. Hence, Ramadan, and Id-ul-Fitri or Lebaran is seen being celebrated all around the country.

Map



Getting In And Around

The Indonesian archipelago can be best entered by air or sea.

By Air: The international airports in Jakarta, Surabaya (East Java), and Denpasar (Bali), are connected with the major destinations of the world, like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Seoul, Tokyo, Dubai, Moscow, Los Angeles, Rome, and Sydney. In addition, other cities in the country as well have regular flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. There are a large number of national and international airline companies servicing Indonesia, including Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, China Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Tiger Airways, Korean Air, Air New Zealand, and Air France.
If you wish to travel between cities or islands of Indonesia, you can easily find a domestic flight to a nearby airport.

By Sea: Ports in Singapore and Malaysia have regular ferry services to Indonesia. With about 300 public ports in the country, traveling by sea is a rather preferred mode of reaching Indonesia as well as moving around its islands. According to statistics, about 14 million passengers use the sea for traveling around the islands yearly. Many of these ports cater to international and domestic import and export of different kinds of cargoes. Some of the ports are also specialized for special commodities like rubber and oil. The Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta is a convenient way to sail to Indonesia. If you wish to reach any of the other islands, here is a list of important ports that you can ferry to:

Java – Semarang (central), Surabaya (east), and Cirebon (west)
Kalimantan – Samarinda (east), Balikpapan (east), Pontianak (west) and Banjarmasin (south)
Sumatra – Padang (west), Palembang (south), Medan (north), Belawan (northeast), and Panjang (between Java and Sumatra)
Batam – Sekupang, Pulau Batam, and Nongsa
Maluku – Ambon
Sulawesi – Bitung and Ujung Pandang
Irian Jaya – Sorong
Karimun – Tanjung Balai
Kundur – Tanjung Baju

By Road: If you wish to travel in the same island, a select number of buses are available from Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, and East Timor. You can also drive across the land borders. You must carry a valid visa for entering Indonesia. The main crossing points between the countries are:

Wutung – between Vanimo (Papua New Guinea) and Jayapura (Indonesia Papua)
Entikong-Tebedu – between Kuching (Sarawak, from Malaysia) and Pontianak (West Kalimantan in Indonesia)
Mota’ain – between Batugade (East Timor) and Atambua (West Timor in Indonesia)

There are buses plying between cities and provinces in Indonesia as well, especially between Sumatra and Java. You can find both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses for the travelers’ comfort and budget needs.

Leisure & Entertainment

There are a wide range of leisure and entertainment options for travelers to Indonesia. The archipelago offers something for everyone, from a laid-back to an adrenaline-packed vacation. There are a number of spas and spa resorts in the islands of Bali and Java. The spiritual monuments, serene natural surroundings, and meditation or wellness centers allow tourists to cleanse and rejuvenate their body and soul. You can also try the delectable spread of spicy Indonesian curries, fresh seafood preparations, and succulent exotic fruits. The local street food in Jakarta is a must-try for foodies. Other renowned culinary places include Bandung in West Java, Boulevard Area in the Manado City in North Sulawesi, and Semarang in Central Java. If you wish to experience Indonesia’s tribal culture, you can head to Tanah Toraja in Sulawesi, which is home to the Torajan tribe.

Indonesia prides in having one of the largest tropical forest areas in the world. Nature lovers, therefore, have an array of nature trails and cruise options in the country. A river cruise along the Sungai Kapuas River in Borneo provides a great way to see the dense mangrove jungles. The country is also home to several interesting and exotic fauna like the Orangutans, Komodo Dragon Lizard, and Tarsiers. Famous natural sites in Indonesia include Barren Komodo, Bukit Lawang (Sumatra), and Tangkoko Reserve (Northern Sulawesi). You can also visit the Bali Bird Park, and the Bogor Botanical Garden to see the wonders of nature.

The Ancol Dreamland in Jakarta is a popular amusement park in the country with attractions like a water park with options for fishing and boating, and art center featuring puppet shows, paintings and wood crafts.

Trekkers can take the hiking routes in the islands of Lombok, Borneo and Papua. The Gunung Rinjani summit in Lombok is renowned for a crater lake. The 2,392 m high Mount Bromo in the Bromo-Tengger Semeru National Park has a dramatic landscape and a volcano crater. Lake Toba is famous for its volcanic lake, believed to be the largest in the world.

In addition to these, tourists can enjoy a variety of water sports in Indonesia, like sea surfing in the Grajagan Bay in East Java, scuba diving in Bunaken, and snorkeling and diving in the Wen Island.

Places To See

Each island in Indonesia has distinctive features, making them more attractive to travelers. Listed below are the must-visit ones.

Bali – Bali has gained global popularity for its beautiful beaches, unique culture, spiritual sites, and entertainment facilities. The town of Ubud prides in conserving the Balinese culture through its dance events, art galleries and festivals.

Java – A visit to Indonesia is considered incomplete without visiting Java. Famous places to see are Jakarta (capital city), Krakatau (for its caldera), Borobudur(considered as the largest Buddhist temple in the world), Prambanan (has World Heritage Sites), and Yogyakarta (famous for its art and culture).

Sumatra – A popular island for nature enthusiasts, Sumatra is home to a large number of endangered species of flora and fauna.

Sulawesi – Sulawesi features diverse tribal settlements, national parks, and diving sites.

Tips

Listed are the things to keep in mind while traveling to Indonesia:

It is best to avoid traveling to Indonesia during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and the Id-ul-Fitri festival. In many places during this time businesses close earlier and many remain closed for about two weeks.

Carry a bottle of water while touring. The tropical weather is Indonesia can be difficult. Therefore, keeping yourself hydrated will reduce any problems due to the heat and humidity. Moreover, tap water is considered non-potable in the country.

Indonesia is a traditional country and take their customs seriously. Knowledge about the customs can be helpful. For instance, eating or giving something to someone with your left hand is considered impolite.
There is a departing fee, when you are leaving Indonesia. So, have some money in hand when reaching the airport.

Travelers must beware of petty to bigger crimes in the country. Owing to its infamous status as one of the world’s most corrupt countries, it is best to avoid showing off any expensive jewelry, watches, iPods, etc., or even money in a public place. Make sure to keep your belongings in a secure place and carry as little stuff as possible while on the streets.

Drug use and trafficking can attract a death penalty in the country.

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