2024-03-22 Keelung, Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei

Detailed description of Taipei and Keelung

Taipei, the capital of Taiwan (pop. 2 500 000), is a vibrant metropolis that blends modern skyscrapers with traditional temples and markets. Taipei is home to a rich culture and history, dating back centuries.

Taipei 101 tower was officially classified as the world's tallest from its opening in 2005. It became the world's first skyscraper to exceed a height of half a kilometer.

The National Palace Museum houses one of the world's largest collections of Chinese art and artifacts, with over 690,000 pieces in its collection. The museum has one of the world's finest collections of jade carvings, dating from the Neolithic period to the Qing dynasty.

Bangka Longshan Temple is a Chinese folk religious temple dedicated to the Buddhist deity Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy), the temple gather diverse religious influences, incorporating halls and altars for other deities like Mazu (protector of seafarers) and Guan Yu (God of War).

Keelung

Keelung (pop. 372 000) is a port city in northern Taiwan that has small temples, a historic fort, local shopping and dining options, and a few hiking trails. While exploring Keelung can make for a relaxed day, the real purpose of Keelung is to serve as a gateway to Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, which is 18 mi/ 30 km inland.

Zhongzheng Park The white statue of Goddess of Mercy is 25-meter-high statue has become one of the characteristics of Keelung. The park overlooks Keelung City and the harbor. On the first level is a historic canon fort. On the second level is a Buddhist library, Martyrs' Shrine and Zhuputan Temple. On the third level visitors can see the entire Keelung and the ocean.

Gangziliao Fort is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can explore the fort's ruins, which include gun emplacements, tunnels, and barracks. The fort also offers stunning views of the Keelung Harbor and the surrounding mountains.

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Detailed description of Taipei and Keelung

 

2024-03-21 Hualien, Taiwan

 Hualien lies on the eastern coast of Taiwan, and it is the island’s 8th largest city with a population of 110,000 people. The city is both culturally and geographically fascinating, and you are sure to have a memorable travel day whether you choose to head into nature or immerse yourself in the city.  

Taroko Gorge has long since been considered Taiwan's top tourist attraction, and rightly so. Imagine a world sculpted by water and time, where towering marble cliffs rise majestically above a roaring river, shrouded in lush rainforest and echoing with the whispers of ancient legends. This is the wonder of Taroko Gorge, a 19-kilometer canyon in Hualien County, that holds the soul of the island in its breathtaking embrace.

The Changchun Shrine, also known as the Eternal Spring Shrine, is a memorial dedicated to the 226 workers who lost their lives during the construction of the Central Cross-Island Highway

The shrine itself is a traditional Chinese structure with red pillars and intricate roof carvings. It sits gracefully above the cascading waters of the Liwu River, offering views of the gorge's cliffs and greenery.

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Detailed description of Hualien

2024-04-05 BUSAN 부산, SOUTH KOREA

Detailed description of Busan 

Busan, South Korea's second-largest city with 3.5 million inhabitants, is nestled on the southeastern tip of the Korean peninsula. It has the largest port in the country (5th largest in the world), biggest department store in the world, beautiful beaches and mountains, spas, and tasty seafood dishes.

The vibrant seafood market in Jagalchi is the most famous seafood market in Korea.

And walking through the old part of the city such as the Gamcheon offers the cozy atmosphere. It is also home to many events and festivals, such as the Busan International Film Festival, one of the most famous film festivals in Asia.

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Detailed description of Busan 

2024-03-20 Ishigaki

Detailed description of Ishigaki.

Ishigaki is a sleepy Japanese island where you will find quaint lighthouses and beautiful beaches. It is a small island with an area of 85 sq miles/ 220 sq km with a population hovering at 50,000 residents. Ishigaki Port is the 5th most popular of Japan's cruise ports as of 2017, and 4th for port calls by non-Japanese ships.

Yoneko Yaki Kobo Shisa Farm

Kabira Bay

The transparent waters are full of coral reefs, making scuba diving the number one activity on Ishigaki.

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Detailed description of Ishigaki.

2024-03-24 Kagoshima, Japan

Detailed description of Kagoshima.

Kagoshima (600 000 hab,) is often compared with its Italian sister city Naples due to a similarly mild climate, palm tree-lined streets, relatively hot-tempered inhabitants and rumbling Mount Sakurajima, Kagoshima's Vesuvius.

The city has a rich history as the former seat of one of Japan's most powerful feudal clans, the Shimazu, who played a central role in the Meiji Restoration.

Sengan-en is a traditional Japanese garden and stately home located in Kagoshima, Japan. It was built by the Shimadzu clan, one of the most powerful feudal clans during the Edo period (1603-1868). 

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Detailed description of Kagoshima.

2024-03-27,28 Kobe and Kyoto

Detailed description of Kobe and Kyoto

Kobe, 1.5 million inhabitants, is located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is also considered one of Japan's most attractive cities. It has been an important port city for many centuries. Its port was among the first to be opened to foreign trade in the 19th century.

In 1995, Kobe was hit by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which killed over 5000 people and destroyed tens of thousands of buildings. Today the city is completely rebuilt, and few signs of the terrible event remain.

The Nunobiki Herb Garden is a stunning 40-acre botanical. It boasts over 75,000 herbs and flowers of 200 varieties.  

The Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum was opened in 1984 with the objective of collecting and conserving ancient tools as an example of Japanese cultural heritage.

Kyoto (京都, Kyōto) served as Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It is one of the country's ten largest cities with 1.5 million inhabitants and a modern face.

Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its exceptional historic value, the city was dropped from the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and escaped destruction during World War II. Countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today.

Sanjusangendo is a temple famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The temple was founded in 1164 and rebuilt a century later after the original structure had been destroyed in a fire.

Kiyomizudera is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall. The temple is a UNESCO world heritage sites.

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Detailed description of Kobe and Kyoto

2024-04-01 Himeji, Japan

Detailed sescription of Himeji.

Himeji (500 000 h.), a vibrant city is synonymous with its iconic castle, Himeji-jo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But beyond the castle walls, Himeji offers a wealth of experiences, from historical and cultural treasures to natural landscapes and modern conveniences.

Towering over the city, Himeji Castle stands as a testament to Japan's architectural prowess. With its elegant white exterior, intricate design, and complex defense systems.

The serene Koko-en Garden garden is considered one of the most beautiful in Japan. Stroll through its manicured landscapes, admire its ponds and teahouses.

Detailed sescription of Himeji.

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