Taj Mahal - Indian Pearl

The Taj Mahal looms fairytale-like from the banks of the Yamuna River. It's India’s most recognized monument and is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Taj Mahal has a rich history dating back to 1630 AD. It’s actually a tomb that contains the body of Mumtaz Mahal -- the wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. He had it built as an ode to his love for her. It's made out of marble and took 22 years and 20 000 workers to complete. Words cannot do the Taj Mahal justice, its incredible detail simply has to be seen to be appreciated.

The Taj Mahal is located in Agra, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Delhi. It's part of India's popular Golden Triangle tourist circuit.

The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements.

Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. The four graceful, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The entire mausoleum (inside as well as outside) is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using precious gems such as agate and jasper. The main archways, chiseled with passages from the Holy Qur’an and the bold scroll work of flowery pattern, give a captivating charm to its beauty. The central domed chamber and four adjoining chambers include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration.

The mausoleum is a part of a vast complex comprising of a main gateway, an elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and several other palatial buildings. The Taj is at the farthest end of this complex, with the river Jamuna behind it. The large garden contains four reflecting pools dividing it at the center. Each of these four sections is further subdivided into four sections and then each into yet another four sections. Like the Taj, the garden elements serve like Arabesque, standing on their own and also constituting the whole.

Phuket.Thailand

Visiting Thailand is one of the most magical adventures you could have and while you will be inundated with things to do in Thailand, a stay in Phuket will provide you with a completely different voyage. With flights to Phuket you can incorporate a visit to the island before you head over to the mainland, creating a twin-centre trip to this exotic paradise. Come rain or shine, there’s plenty to do once you’re there, but these are some gems that you really shouldn’t miss.

Visit Phang Nga Bay

An afternoon here will make you realise just how breathtaking the world can be. Take a moment to absorb the beauty of the limestone cliffs that jut out of the waters and take a tour of James Bond Island and Koh Panyee – two of the more popular sights in the bay.

Wander Old Phuket Town

You’ll be surprised at just how much you can find in this sleepy capital. From the funky shops and Chinese architecture to the delicious fare at the local restaurants that will help to keep your energy high, the old town is an absolute must-see.

Spend a day in Chalong

Located in the southern portion of the island, Chalong is home to a whole host of sights to see, including the Wat Chalong temple which is as beautiful as it is inspiring. As the island’s spiritual centre, it’s as popular with the locals as it is with visitors.
Meanwhile, the Big Buddha may be a fairly recent addition to the island, but as it towers over the southern portion, it helps to reflect the importance of spirituality on its island home. As you drive up to visit the monument, you will be able to catch a glimpse of authentic Thailand and once you’re at the top, the panoramic views are incredible.

Relax on Phi-Phi Island

Take a day or two to fully appreciate the beauty and splendour of this Thai hotspot. For many, it’s the reason for a visit to Phuket and its laid-back nature, golden sands, azure waters and beach-fronted jungle add to its allure.

Take plenty of time to appreciate the wonders that Phuket has on offer. From boat trips and diving opportunities to exploring the old town, fill your itinerary with adventure and you will realise why so many people love this area of South East Asia.

Early Edo Gardens

As you travel through Tokyo near the Imperial Palace grounds, you may be mystified by the frequent watercourses and sudden embankments along the train tracks and roads. All across central Tokyo, you come across these reminders of old castle defenses.

The gardens and parks of present day central Tokyo hint of the open spaces that once surrounded the area until Japan started to modernize in the 19th century. Looking at a map, you can get a good impression of what the city must have looked like in the early days.  But today, the only place you can really see what Tokyo was like when it was still called Edo is in the East Garden of the Imperial Palace. It's one of two gardens you should visit if you really want a glimpse of old-time Edo.

Imperial Palace – East Gardens

When Tokugawa Ieyasu decided make the small castle town of Edo (the name for Tokyo before 1868) Japan's center of political power, he started constructing what would be the largest castle in Japan. When it was completed in 1638, it was the tallest building in the country, and its white roof tiles were made to rival Mount Fuji. But shortly after, in 1657, the castle burned down in a fire and was never rebuilt. The foundations are still there, open to the public at the East Gardens.

A wide lawn surrounds the foundations of the central tower, and barracks and gates remain to show visitors what old castle life was like. The area has been turned into a pleasant park with large trees climbing over the winding paths, which were actually part of the castle's system of defense. It's harder for an invading enemy if he does not have a straight line of attack.

Today, this is a favorite spot for Tokyoites who want to enjoy the autumn foliage, and for tourists looking for a window into history. There is no sitting on the lawn and you have to keep dogs on leashes (there are wild waterfowl in the thickets). The Imperial household also maintains the rules, so it is much quieter and more orderly than an ordinary Japanese public park. There are several buildings associated with the Imperial household in the garden area, and also the small but interesting Museum of Imperial Collections.

Hama-Rikyu Gardens

After Tokyo became the capital, the emperor maintained some of the playgrounds of the shoguns. Some of them were hunting grounds – the central Tokyo of today was then at the edge of the old city. The falcon-hunting grounds, where the shogun made day-long expeditions with trained birds in what was then a lush forest surrounded by rice paddies, is now a very ordinary a public park in Nerima (around the Ekoda-no-Mori Hospital). The duck hunting grounds on the waterfront of Tokyo Bay are more interesting. They have became the Hama-Rikyu gardens.

The area became a garden already in 1654, when the younger brother of the fourth of the Tokugawa shoguns (later the fifth shogun himself) used it for a residence. It became a detached villa of the shoguns, and eventually of the Emperor.

Surrounded by a saltwater moat, these gardens today show little that you can associate with duck hunting, except the large pond that serves as the center of the garden. Two duck-hunting sites remain, consisting of narrow watercourses with duck blinds, where hunters could shoot the sitting ducks. Near them, there is a small mound was built to console the spirits of the ducks killed over the centuries.

The duck hunting sites are features of the pond that rises and falls with the tide, the last remaining saltwater pond in central Tokyo. But the garden today is more famous for its 1,000 peonies and the 310-year old pines that surround the waterscape.

The Top 10 Tourist Destinations in Asia

Chiang Mai, Thailand - Many travelers prefer Thailand's pleasant northern capital over the hectic pace of life in Bangkok. Most of the tourist action happens within Chiang Mai's Old City, where orange-robed monks from the many temples smile as they pass. From cultural festivals and sprawling night markets to mountain trekking and numerous temples -  Chiang Mai attracts over a million visitors annually who can't wait to come back.

 Penang, Malaysia - Known as the "Pearl of the Orient," Penang is a place to relax, eat to the brink of misery, and appreciate Malaysia in a new way. Malaysians are quite proud of their large island. A legacy of colonization in Penang has produced what is arguably some of the best cuisine in all of Southeast Asia. Penang hawker food combines the best of Malay with influences from Chinese and Indian immigrants to produce mouthwatering creations such as laksa noodles. Superb eating is not the only indulgence on the island. Home to nesting sea turtles, the Penang National Park is Malaysia's youngest national park.

Singapore - Notoriously expensive and needlessly shunned by budget travelers, tiny Singapore is a modern-yet-green city/country well worth a visit for the food, mega-mall shopping, and unique blend of cultures. Yes, Singapore costs far more than neighboring Malaysia or the rest of Southeast Asia, however, the city has a pleasant vibe, lively Indian and Chinese culture, speaks good English, and is pleasant enough just to stroll. You could spend months living in Singapore and still discover hidden                                                                                       places and eateries the guidebooks have missed!

Malaysian Borneo - Sabah, one of two states belonging to Malaysian Borneo, is a natural paradise. Plentiful rainforest, endangered orangutans, and indigenous cultures are certainly worth grabbing a cheap flight from Kuala Lumpur. Sabah is the perfect balance between wild and developed. Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is a happening tourist city in the shadow of towering Mount Kinabalu.

Islands in Thailand - Some too small to merit a dot on a map, the islands in Thailand are among the world's most beautiful. Imagine white sand and blue water, cheap diving, and your choice of isolated tranquility or savage nightlife. The diversity of the Thai islands is amazing. Phuket and Koh Samui are developed, tourist hot spots with vibrant nightlife, while tiny Koh Lipe barely maintains electricity. Beautiful Koh Lanta is the perfect compromise.

Siem Reap - is the gateway for exploring one of Southeast Asia's most fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Angkor Wat. Over 900 years old, the temples of Angkor are scattered across 600 square miles of jungle. The jungle is slowly reclaiming the ancient temples as vines strangle ruins and break apart bricks. The picturesque Angkor temples frequently serve as movie sets and bring to life the inner-archaeologist in over one million visitors each year.

Beijing, China - Crowded, polluted, dreadfully appealing - love it or hate it, Beijing is the pounding heart of China. Amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City make navigating Beijing's urban sprawl well worth the effort. Give Beijing a chance; rather than fleeing from the madness, stick around long enough to become a part of it. Wandering the busy streets can actually become quite addictive.

Bali, Indonesia - Bali, with its miles of beaches and volcanic landscapes, is nothing short of magic. Once only a destination for honeymooners and surfers, Bali is now one of the top destinations in Asia. Most of the action culminates in South Bali at hedonistic Kuta Beach. Travelers in search of more than a hangover head for Ubud - the peaceful cultural center of Bali - or even opt to climb a volcano in the Kintamani Region. Excellent beaches, a welcoming Hindu culture, and beautiful scenery make Bali the busiest island in Indonesia.

Tokyo, Japan - Perhaps not the cheapest of places to visit in Asia, bustling Tokyo is the world's largest metropolitan economy, even exceeding New York City. Urban marvels, talking toilets, and an aloof culture begging to be understood await as soon as you exit the airport.

Goa, India - Goa is India's smallest and wealthiest state, mostly thanks to abundant tourism. Once mainly a haven for hippie culture and electronic music lovers, Goa has grown into a sophisticated destination. Today, many excellent beaches ranging from highly developed to relatively untouched lure travelers away from hectic Mumbai and Delhi.

Walking through the rice terraces

Today we walk through the rice terraces around Sapa, and see how the locals live in this province in the north of Vietnam.

The squat wooden houses are in the hills in the middle of the endless terraces, on which the figure is growing. The height of the valley - about 1,300 meters above sea level

Rice terraces - this witty solution that is invented by the ancient inhabitants of Asia. For the growth of the rice water is needed in large quantities. Each terrace - a kind of pool that keeps the water coming out of the soil and abundant falls on the local slopes in the form of precipitation. Water flows on the terrace and from forests that harbor the top of mountain ridges, which guarantees an abundance of water and the prospect of a good harvest.

Not surprisingly, the terraces themselves also influence the climate of the surrounding area Sapa - an abundance of open, "basin" leads to the evaporation of moisture and the formation of fog, which is famous for the region. Support terraces in working condition - heavy daily work. Vintage gather here once a year, in the fall. From October to April, the rice terraces do not look very picturesque - the brightest colors bloom in May and June.

At the bottom of the valley flows the river of the same name Muong Hoa.

The terraces are fed by numerous mountain streams.

Rice terraces - the perfect place for a water buffalo. Cooling water buffalo in heat + fertilizer crops, two in one!

Some farms vengeance breeding poultry.

The higher you climb the hill, the more beautiful appearance.

View on bottom of the valley

the misty mountains

View of the hillside. Yellow stripes - still not cleaned, but ripe fig.

Rice - it's gold for the locals.

View of the valley

Ganzi Сonvent

Ganzi convent is situated at an altitude of 3500 meters in the northern part of the city of the same name. Here live about 400 monks. Around the city are scattered a dozen of various monasteries, but this one - the largest and most easily accessible if you looked into the city just for a day or two.