Welcome to Hostel One66 – Hostel with a difference!

We are a Top-Rated Hostel in Asia in 2007 and the Best Singapore Hostel in 2008 in www.hostelworld.com

Stay a bit off the beaten track in our small (just 1 twin/double room and 10 dorm beds only), clean and cosy family hostel. Our Non-Air-conditioned Private Room and Dorm are Spacious with Windows and Plenty of Fans.

Sorry no bar, no parties, just warm and friendly service, with a touch of local flavour! Come and relax at our hostel lah…

Located in a residential area (a HDB heartland of Singapore, just 1 minute walk from Marsiling MRT(Singapore’s metro or subway) station), there is no better place to indulge in the Singapore culture!

Nature walks will bring you up-close and personal with Nature!!!
Opened on 27 March 2004 and we have won the praise of those who have stayed with us.

If you have any enquiries, feedback or suggestion, please email us at hostelone66@yahoo.com

Welcome to Footprints Backpacker Hostel – a HOME away from home! Looking for comfortable, clean and affordable accommodation in a friendly, cozy and relaxed environment? You have come to the right place.

Footprints Backpacker Hostel is conveniently located right smack in the middle of the culturally rich Little India, the centre for Singapore’s Indian community. This ethnic quarter is packed with interesting treasures awaiting to be discovered. Retaining much of its authentic charm and distinct identity, this district is not what you would expect of the generally rather ‘sanitized’ Singapore. It is one of the most colourful and exotic places to visit on the island. The streets are dotted with small shops and eateries and if you are a bargain-hunter, cheap-gets are aplenty. Modern shopping malls and convenient public transport and other tourist attractions are also just within walking distance!

Footprints Backpacker Hostel is newly-renovated for comfort and modern conveniences. We might not be able to provide you with every creature comfort you are yearning for during your trip but we do our best to make you feel at home. All our rooms are fully air-conditioned and if it’s fresh tropical air you are looking for, most of them have windows you can open. You will enjoy a restful night in our comfortable beds which comes with clean fresh linen. Cleanliness is a priority at home (most homes anyways). Hence, we take pride in keeping our rooms clean and well-maintained.

For your security and peace of mind, we have a CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) installed to monitor various parts of the hostel and lockers are available for the safekeeping of your more valuable belongings. We also provide coin-operated laundry services, 24 hours Wi-Fi, and a range of souvenirs as a keepsake of your wonderful memories of your stay with us in Singapore.

To start your day off on the right note, a hearty breakfast will be provided for all our guests. There will be fruit, bread, peanut butter and variety of jams. You can wash this down with coffee or tea.

After an exhilarating day around the island, our spacious, comfortable and cosy communal area will no doubt be a welcomed sight. A large collection of games, a well-stocked library with magazines and both travel and non-travel related books await you. If it is the telly you are missing, relax in front of our 42-inch LCD television. Alternatively, you may also chill out and meet new friends at our very own Stagger’s Inn Pub& Bistrol where a variety of food and drinks will be served. What’s better than an ice cold beer, gather around pool table, soccer table meeting new friends to wrap up the day!

As you are leaving your footprints around our little island, we too hope to leave some in your memories of your stay in Footprints, your home away from home.

Address: 25A Perak Road Singapore 208136
Contact Email: booking@footprintshostel.com.sg
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/FootprintsHostelSingapore
Contact No: +65 6295 5134 Fax No: +65 6296 3617

So you might ask ok, so the place is neat and easy to get to and located right at the heart of the island, and what’s the damage? Well, it doesn’t get any better than this, we understand that being backpackers, we love making new friends so we need spare change to buy our mates a round of beer or maybe the occasional impromptu to want to extend our stay. At Rucksack Inn, you don’t have to burn a hole in your pockets to enjoy life! We do not believe in the +++ so all our prices are nett. But of course we ask payment only in cash since we also do not believe in paying for credit card facilities, or at least not yet!

Rucksack Inn
33-B Hong Kong Street, Singapore 059672
Tel: +65 64385146 Fax: +65 64385147

To book a bed or a room, simply email reservations@rucksackinn.com with your flight details, (time of arrival/departure), check in/check out date, name and number of pax. Also don’t forget to give us your preference in rooms, or if you prefer to hear our friendly voice just pick up the phone and give us a buzz!

IT’S magnificent cycling country,” declared 62-year- old Andy Bremner when I met him inside the Adventure Cycle shop in downtown Auckland.

Tanned, fit and sporting a mile wide grin, Andy was completing his third season pedalling New Zealand and had so far clocked up 3,000km.

“There’s nothing I like better than to pack up each morning, load the panniers on the racks, look over the handlebars and head down that open road,” he said.

With its magnificent volcanic landscapes, gushing geysers and rugged coastlines backed by prehistoric rainforest, this cool green land is best explored on bike.

My plan was to cycle from North Island to the glaciers in South Island, but when I got down to the actual route planning, the line on my map zigzagged all over the place in an attempt to take in just some of the abundant points of interest.

It was a grey drizzly Auckland morning when I caught the ferry to the Coromandel Peninsula — a densely forested coastal strip across the Firth of Thames. The boat had barely pulled alongside the dock before I was off, legs pumping, and the saltly air fresh in my lungs, the bitumen rolling steadily beneath my wheels.

Cycling along the coast, I passed through the quaint towns of Manaia, Waikawau and Tapu. By late afternoon, I’d covered my first 50km with just enough time to set up camp in Thames and cook quick pasta on my primus before dark.

Day two is always the hardest on a cycle tour. The reality of stiff muscles and a tender behind hit home as I loaded up the bike and hit the road. But a couple of hours later the stunning scenery was enough to distract my mind from aching body parts. And besides, the first of many highlights was within reach.

In the coming days, I turned inland to the Rotorua region, world famous for its geysers, hot springs, mud pools and shimmering lakes. I spent endless days in the saddle skirting the very heart of North Island, along the shores of beautiful Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake and on to Tongirriro National Park.

With its collection of mighty and still active volcanoes, Tongariro is one of the country’s most spectacular parks. There was something surreal and other-worldly about climbing warily around the crater rim of a still active volcano. Couple this with a fantasy landscape of volcanic dykes, swirling clouds of steam and gasses, and of chemical blue lakes that lay in the folds of a grey desert streaked with sulphur, and what you have is the 17km Tongirriro Crossing … one of the best “day walks” in the country and a definite cycle tour highlight.

The crossing from North Island to South Island is always a psychological milestone for any cyclist. Leaving the cultural and artistic hub of Wellington, I rode the ferry to the pretty little town of Picton, situated at the head of the Queen Charlotte Sound on the South Island.

The lack of traffic was immediately apparent as I pedalled off towards Nelson, revelling in magnificent coastal views over Marlborough Sound. For the weary cyclist like myself, the laid-back town of Nelson represented a cosmopolitan oasis — waterholes at local pubs, great restaurants and the best chance to stock up on provisions for my journey inland and across to Westport on the west coast.

Cycling New Zealand is certainly a challenge but despite its hilly nature, it attracts cyclists from all over the globe, and stopping to chat is a common occurrence. “You have about 5km of climbing ahead of you, but it’s a great downhill after that,” is typical of the comments from fellow cyclists you meet on the road.

From Dutch couples, members of the Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society, single Kiwis, to super fit German couples towing trailers of gear behind the latest in bicycle technology — there seemed no limit to age or nationality of the cyclists here, all sharing a great sense of adventure and camaraderie.

From Westport to Greymouth, South Highway 6 hugs the west coast as tightly as a pair of Lycra bike shorts. In a series of dramatic switchbacks the road snakes between the white-capped breakers out to sea and the foothills of the rainforest-clad Paparoa Ranges, cloaked in tree ferns and stands of ancient beech, rata and rimu.

After days in the saddle sampling some of the world’s most glorious scenery, I was finally within reach of my goal, the Franz Josef Glacier situated in the World Heritage Westland National Park. The glacier, along with the nearby Fox Glacier, is unique, for nowhere else on earth at this latitude have they advanced so close to the sea.

But cycling is not the way to go in this land of ice; it’s much better to take the helicopter. The whirr of the chopper’s blades sounded like a gigantic insect when it came in to land, sending a blast of wind towards the small group of waiting travellers. The athletic figure of outdoor guide Murray Naylor crouched low beside the helicopter as he beckoned each person over one by one.

This was the start of my heli-hike. Within a few minutes, the helicopter was flying over an immense river of ice that tumbled down a densely forested valley towards the sea. After superb panoramic views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains, we landed high up on top of the glacier between the icefalls for the start of our two-hour guided trip.

“This is one of the most dynamic glaciers in the world,” Murray told us as we donned warm hats and jackets to combat the sudden blast of cold air. “At times the glacier can move at up to 5m a day, over 10 times as fast as glaciers in the Swiss Alps.”

We quickly found ourselves immersed in a surreal landscape, surrounded by the sculptural beauty of ice. Fluted towers, eroded pinnacles, tunnels, pools, crevasses and frozen waves. The surface looked thin and brittle in places, but can in fact be up to 150m thick. It was an awesome opportunity to experience the type of scenery that is usually the domain of mountaineers.

Leaning on my ice axe, I took a breather and savoured the view. Back down the glacier’s flank a group of hikers created a snaking ribbon of colour that contrasted vividly against the white of the ice, putting into perspective the immensity of this frozen world.

It seemed the perfect moment to reflect on my bicycle journey. Within a month, I’d accomplished what I had set out to do, ride from north to south and reach the glaciers by pedal power — a journey of nearly 2,000km.

Now all that was left was the bus, ferry and train back to Auckland. The thought left me feeling flat. Already I was yearning to be back in the saddle again, with the wind in my face and the constant unlimited beauty of this green mountainous land filling my view.

PLEASE NOTE: We are a Youth Hostel & accept only travelers between 18 and 35 years old.

We are a small intimate hostel with award winning staff who create a great atmosphere. So If you like small hostels offering a real backpacking experience where you get to meet everybody and have a great time…then this is the place to come, especially if you are travelling solo.

Blue Parrot is perfectly situated on Macleay Street in cosmopolitan Potts Point; the trendy and glamorous part of inner Sydney. Only 15 minute walk to the City Centre and a 20 minute walk by water’s edge through the Botanic Gardens to the Opera House & Harbour Bridge – one of Sydney’s most breathtaking harbour walks. You can also catch the train from our nearest train station to the City Centre (1 stop) and Bondi (2 stops).

A family run hostel which is safe and clean surrounded by cafes, shops, supermarkets, post office & banks. Sydney has brilliant nightlife and most of it is within walking distance from our hostel. With trendy bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs so close yet far enough to have a good night’s sleep.

Sisters Effie & Sasha (avid travelers themselves) own & manage the hostel creating a fun & friendly atmosphere. They will take care of you and let you know the best things to do/see in and around Sydney.

We are fortunate enough to have a large private courtyard where you can find some peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is a peaceful space to chill out, swing in a hammock under the tall trees, socialize with fellow travelers and make new friends or you can hang in the cozy lounge room with big plasma TV, a library and PCs with FREE INTERNET.

A valid passport is required on check-in

AWARDS:
2011 – Voted No.1 Hostel in Australia by Hostelworld.com customers March 2011

2011 – Voted amongst the top 3 hostels in Oceania at Hostelworld.com Annual HOSCARS Awards.

2011 – Voted hostel with ‘Best Atmosphere’ in Oceania at Hostelbookers.com Awards for Excellence for the 2nd year running.

2011- Voted hostel with ‘Best Staff’ in Australia by Hostelbookers customers for Dec.’10

2009 – Voted amongst the top 4 hostels in Oceania at Hostelworld.com Annual HOSCARS Awards.

2008 – Voted amongst the top 3 hostels in Oceania at Hostelworld.com Annual HOSCARS Awards.

Room rates start from AUD33.00.

FEATURES:
* Free high speed Internet
* Free Wi-Fi/Wireless
* Free linen
* Free lockers in room
* 50′ Plasma TV in lounge room (open 09:00 – 23:30)
* Full-on cable TV (100 channels + 10 movie channels)
* Wii video game console
* DVD player and DVDs
* Book Exchange
* Self cater kitchen
* Laundry (coin operated $3 wash $3 dry)
* Bright bedrooms all with natural light
* Inner-spring mattresses (not foam!)
* Fans/Heaters in all rooms
* Huge courtyard with tall trees (open 09:00 – 21:00)
* BBQ facilities free to use
* Secure 2-story building
* Luggage storage (free short term)
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Reception hours 09:00 – 20:30 Please let us know in advance if you are arriving after 20:30 so we can arrange your check in. LAST CHECK-IN 23:00 HOURS.

Check-out time 10:00 Check in time 12:00
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CREDIT CARDS:
We accept Visa or MasterCard for payments of $300 or more, if your account is less than $300 you must pay in cash on check-in. No other cards accepted.
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CANCELLATION POLICY:
Cancellations must be received at least 48 hours in advance or a charge of one night’s accommodation will apply. Cancellations must be made by e-mail only.
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DIRECTIONS TO HOSTEL
FROM SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:
Go to the ‘ Blue Wall Meeting Point ‘ inside the arrival hall which is next to gate B, to meet the ‘ Sydney Shuttle Bus ‘ crew, it departs frequently.If unattended ring them on 9661 1170 to pick you up.
Just tell the driver to drop you off at the Blue Parrot Backpackers. Fare $12.00

FROM DOMESTIC AIRPORT:
You will find the ‘Sydney Shuttle Bus’ crew at number 5 baggage causeway inside the arrival hall.

FROM SYDNEY CENTRAL TRAIN STATION:
Catch the train from platform 24 to Kings Cross station. Take the Darlinghurst Road exit, turn left until you come to the hostel.
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You’ve come all this way… so let’s make the most of your time in Sydney! We can arrange the following tours and activities at the best prices:

TOURS/ACTIVITIES
* Blue Mountains Day Tour
* Sydney Aquarium
* Learn to Surf
* Skydiving
* Whale and Dolphin Watching (in season)
* Wildlife Park
* National Park Nature and Hiking Tour
* Sydney Sights and Beaches Tour
* Adventure Caving
* Jet boating the Harbour
* 4WD Sand-boarding
* Snow Adventures (in season)
* Reptile Park Trip
* Hand gliding
* Snorkelling
* Kite Boarding
* Horse Riding
* Abseiling
* Kayaking

Contact Us
87 Macleay street, Potts Point, Sydney, Australia
Phone +612 – 9356 4888
E-mail us: bparrot@bigpond.net.au
Website: http://www.blueparrot.com.au

Recommended by Lonely Planet, Let’s Go and Rough Guide. The Original Backpackers Hostel is Clean, Cool, Comfortable and well maintained. We are located in a quiet tree lined boulevard in the heart of Sydney’s entertainment and restaurant district, yet within walking distance of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Darling Harbour. As ‘The Original’ hostel in Sydney, we pride ourselves on our great reputation, friendly staff and warm social atmosphere.

We offer a warm welcome, clean rooms, great facilities and a friendly team of staff made up mostly of fellow travellers.

Book a budjet dorm bed or treat yourself to an en suite room – we have singles, doubles and twins available. We also offer triple rooms with shared bathrooms.

We have a large, clean fully equipped kitchen; a theatre style cable TV lounge; laundry facilities and security lockers. All dorms have TVs and fridges.

Reception is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We don’t have a curfew but the common areas are cleared at 10pm to ensure our guests are able to get a good night’s sleep.

The Original Backpackers Lodge is a superb address from which you can discover Sydney and its surrounds. We also provide a free pick up service from the airport between 5am and 9pm so call us when you arrive and we will have our driver there in no time.

Facilities
- 24 Hour Reception – 24 Hour Security – Airport Transfers – BBQ Area – Cable TV – DVD’s – Guest Kitchen – Hairdryer for Hire – Internet Access – Iron/Ironing Board – Jobs Board – Linen Included – Luggage Storage – Refrigerator – Tours Desk – Towels Hire – TV Washing Machine/Dryer

Room rates start from $26.00.

Contact Us
Telephone: Free Call 1800 807 130 (within Australia)
Phone: +61 2 9356 3232
Fax: +61 2 9368 1435
Email: info@originalbackpackers.com.au
Our address:
160 – 162 Victoria Street, Kings Cross, Sydney, Australia
Website:http://www.originalbackpackers.com.au

A melting pot of different cultures, Malaysia is one of those places where there’s never enough time to explore. With plenty to see and do, it can be quite a feat deciding which ones to tackle first within a limited space of time. Fret not, we have hand-picked some of the best Malaysian tours in our Top Ten Best Tours in Malaysia guide to give you some brilliant ideas on what to do while visiting this beautiful country. From the more touristy walkabout in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur to the more off-the-beaten-track ride on a helicopter, these tours present you with the best of Malaysia!

1. Half Day City Tour Kuala Lumpur -
First stop on this tour is Masjid Jamek, which is the oldest mosque in Kuala Lumpur. From there, it’s a trip to the Tugu Negara or War Memorial where those who perished in the war are honoured. Chinatown, located in Petaling Street is the next stop, being full of good bargains and deals, food and rich Chinese culture.

2. Stardust Adventure Day Cruise Langkawi -
The Adventure Day Cruise takes place aboard a beautiful and classic wooden sailing yacht on a journey to explore the beautiful eco-system of Langkawi’s outlying islands. The package includes a free-flow of beverages, food and hotel transfers.

3. Pulau Payar Marine Park Excursion Langkawi -
The Pulau Payar Marine Park is one of the most beautiful and exotic marine parks in Malaysia with an abundant and colorful tropical marine life. This makes it an excellent destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The pleasant white beaches are also the perfect retreat for those who want to escape the business of urban living in cities. Besides diving, enjoy swimming in clear warm seas and sun-bathing on the glittery white sand.

4. Cultural Night Tour Kuala Lumpur -
The Cultural Night Tour promises to bring you an exciting time as your explore vibrant cultural spots in Kuala Lumpur. First stop is the bustling night market of Chinatown, otherwise known as Petaling Street where you can pick up a variety of goods and merchandise. Just be sure to bargain excessively!

5. 3 Days 2 Nights Genting Explorer Genting Highlands (depart from Kuala Lumpur) -
For decades, Genting Highlands remains one of Malaysia’s most popular destinations. Situated just 50 kilometres away from the capital city, Kuala Lumpur, this highland city-cum-resort makes for a convenient getaway – perfect for those city-dwellers who would like to get away from it all yet do not wish to travel very far for that purpose

6. Full Day Melacca Excursion Tour Malacca (depart from Kuala Lumpur) -
The Malacca Excursion Tour brings you on a historic journey to experience the heritage, legacy and culture of Malacca. Colonised by various powers over a period of four centuries, Malacca’s landmarks have imprints from the Portuguese, British and Dutch.

7. Kota Kinabalu Glitter with Cultural Dance Kota Kinabalu -
Beginning at dusk, the tour first takes you to an exciting bargain hunt at the colourful night market, where a huge selection of merchandise and goods can be found at a steal. From souvenirs to trinkets, everything under the sun can be found here. After fulfilling your shopping needs, watch the city’s nightlife in all its glittering glory unfold right before your eyes from a vantage viewpoint up high at Signal Hill’s observation deck.

8. Penang Half Day Tour Penang -
The Penang Half-Day Tour takes you and your family on a pleasant journey to discover some of Penang’s most interesting sights. Check out the Khoo Kongsi, a clan house for ethnic Chinese from the Khoo family, which also doubles up as a temple.

9. Penang Full Day Tour Penang -
The Penang Full-Day Tour takes you and your family on a pleasant journey to discover some of Penang’s most interesting sights. You’ll get to see the Kek Lok Si Temple in Ayer Hitam, which has some fine architecture and a nice garden. Then, head to a temple where a large statue of a reclining Buddha resides, one of the largest in the world.

10. Gaya Island & Sapi Island Paradise Sabah -
Take a trip to the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, just 15 minutes away by boat from Kota Kinabalu city. Gaya Island and Sapi Island are two of the five spectacular islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park – with Gaya Island being the biggest – beckoning visitors with an idyllic concoction of sun, sand and sea.

http://www.visit-malaysia.com/tours/top10-tours.htm

1.Beijing
Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China. It is unarguably the heart of the nation’s politics, culture and international intercourse. It is a fast changing and modern city full of vigor. Beijing is one of the six ancient capital cities in Chinese history. The other five ancient cities are Xian, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Nanjing and Hangzhou. It once used as the capital for the dynasties such as Jin (1115 AD – 1234 AD), Yuan (1279 AD -1368 AD), Ming (1368 AD -1644 A D) and Qin ( 1644 AD – 1911 AD).
Important sites in Beijing:
Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, the Great Wall, Ming Tomb, Tiananmen Square, Hutong, Lama Temple, Beihai Park, Beijing Capital Museum, Yashow Market etc.

2. Xian
Xian, also named Changan, is the biggest city in north-west China. It once served as the nation’s capital for thirteen dynasties such as Western Zhou (11th century BC – 771 BC), Qin (221 BC – 206 BC), Western Han (206 BC – 24 AD) and Tang (618 – 907) for over 1000 years. It is well noted for historical value.
Important sites in Xian:
Terra-cotta Army, Banpo Museum,Shaanxi Provincial Museum, Xian Great Mosque, Huaqing Hotspring, City Wall, Big Goose Pagoda, Forest of Stone Steles Museum etc.

3. Shanghai
Being the largest metropolitan area in China, Shanghai is situated in central-eastern China, facing the East China Sea.
Shanghai is divided into two sections: Pudong and Puxi. Pudong is the new development zone on the east of Huangpu River while Puxi is the old area lying on the west of Huangpu River. Shanghai possesses two airports – Shanghai Pudong International Airport ( PVG ) and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport ( domestic ). Shanghai Pudong International Airport is for international passengers while Hongqiao for domestic travellers.
Important sites in Shanghai:
Shanghai Bund, Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Xin Tian Di, Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Huangpu River etc.

4. Guilin
Lying by the banks of the Li River, Guilin has become famous both at home and abroad for its intriguing natural views: green hills, featuring rockeries, clean water, unique caves,stones of many shapes. The many ethnic minorities inhabit here . ThemainminoritiesaretheZhuang, Yao, Hui, Miao, Mulao, Maonan and Dong. They add a lot of colour to the cultural life of the city.
Important sites in Guilin:
The Li River, The Reed Flute Cave, Seven Star Park, Guilin Folded Brocade Hil, Fubo Hill, Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, Solitary Beauty Hill, Longji Terraced Field in Longsheng, Fengyu Cave in Lipu County Guiline etc.

5. Yangtze River
Yangtze River cruises is a must for those who look for romantic travel. Yangtze River is coming through the mountains and the cities from the west to the east, finally blending into the East China Sea near Shanghai with a total length of more than 6300 km, ranking the third largest rivr in the world, only after the Nile and Amazon.
Important places and sites along Yangtze River:
Chongqing City, Fengdu, Baoshizha, Wanxian, Shennong Streem, Lesser Three Gorges, Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam and Yichang City, Wuhan City etc.

6. Lhasa Tibet
Lhasa Tibet well known as ” the Roof of the World “, has turned into an exciting land both for normal tourists, climbers and adventurers coming from all over the world. Travellers are looking for the unique things of snow mountains, mysterious religions, exotic customs etc. Lhasa is the political and cultural center of Tibet. Lhasa in Tibetan means “The land of gods”. In the time of information, people can easily reach the mysterious destination by jet aircraft, now even trains!
Important places and sites in Lhasa Tibet:
Potala Palace, Nobulingka, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Ganden Monastery and Jokhang Temple, Shigatse etc.

7. Jiuzhaigou Sichuan
Nestled in the valley of the mountains in the area of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in the northwestern Sichuan Province, Jiuzhaigou is a fairyland named after the nine Tibetan villages in the valley. The valley is about 50 kilometers long. In 1992, It was listed as the world natural heritage of UNESCO.
Important places and sites in Jiuzhaigou Sichuan:
Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Qingchengshan & Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Emei Mountain and Giant Buddha of Leshan, Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, Huanglong etc.

8. Lijiang Yunnan
Listed as UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage, Lijiang is located in Yunnan Province of south China. It is an ancient town with the history of more than 1,300 years. Lijiang is inhabited by Naxi people, local people for a long history. It lies on a plateau at 2,600m above sea level. Lijiang is well noted for its natural scenery, fresh air and green vegetation. Its Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the nearst snow moutains close to the living place in the world. The old town mixes naturally with the natural scenery. The local Naxi people have developed a culture called “Dong Ba Culture”. Classical Naxi music is regarded as the “living musical fossil” due to its long history.
Important places and sites in Lijiang Yunnan:
Ancient Town Lijiang, Yulong Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge, etc.

9. Zhangjiajie Hunan
Zhangjiajie City is situated on the west mountains area of Hunan Province. UnderZhangjiajie City, there is an administrative district called Wulingyuan District where the world famous Wulingyuan Scenic Area is. The Wulingyuan Scenic Area is divided into three sections: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park; Tianzi Mountain and Suoxi Valley. Most of the travellers prefer staying at the Wulingyuan area instead of the city center of Zhangjiajie City. In December of 1992, Wulingyuan was listed in the World Heritage of UNESCO.
Important places and sites in Zhangjiajie Hunan:
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain, Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve etc.

10. Silk Road in China
The ancient Silk Road has a history of over 2,000 years. The old silk road started from Chang’an ( now called Xian, Shaanxi Province ) in the east and extended to Rome, Italy in the west. The old silk road passed through Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai provinces, Ningxia Hui and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions in China and further stretched over the Pamirs, then extending to Central and West Asia. And finally the silk road connected the east bank of the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Europe. The Silk Road had the total length of over 2,485 miles and over half of which is within Chinese territory.
Important places and sites along the Silk Road in China:
Lanzhou, Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiayuguan Pass, Dunhuang, Hami, Turpan, Urumqi, Loulan, Korla, Kuqa (Kucha), Aksu, Kashgar (Kashi), Hotan etc.

What makes the Kecak special is that the accompanying music is provided by the human voice, the gamelan suara, a choir of a hundred men or more sitting in concentric circles, swaying, standing up, lying prone as the story develops.Amongst the swaying masses the voices of the storytellers can be heard telling the unfolding tale.

The story is a fragment from the Ramayana, the Hindu epic which finds its expression in many forms, not only in dance, but also in painting and carving. Prince Rama, heir to the throne of the kingdom of Ayodya, and his wife Sita have been banished from the kingdom by King Dasarata as a result of trickery by Rama’s stepmother. The story begins with the arrival of Rama and Sita accompanied by Rama’s brother Laksmana in the forest of Dandaka.

The trio have been observed by the demon Rahwana, King of Alengka, who lusts after the beautiful Sita. Rahwana sends his prime minister Marica to try and isolate Sita so that Rahwana can kidnap her. Marica’s magical powers turn him into a golden deer and he enters the forest and when the Sita sees the golden deer she is so enchanted by it that she asks Rama to capture it for her. Rama chases after the deer leaving his brother Laksamana behind with strict instuction to protec Sita. When Sita thinks she hears a cry for help from Rama she forces Laksamana to go after Rama by accusing him of cowardice and he goes off to help Rama with great reluctance after drawing a magic circle on the ground and telling Sita the she should not under any circumstance step out side the circle.

Sita, left alone in the forest becomes an easy prey to the trickery of Rahwana who has disguised himself has an old periest and bags Sita for some food as he is cold and hungry. Sita falls for for his trick, she steps outside the circle to give the old priest some food and rahwana grabs her and takes her to his palace.Once back in his palace in Alengka, Rahwana tries everything he can to seduce Sita without any luck.

In the palace of Alengka, Sita pours out her heart about her cruel fate to Rahwana’s niece Trijata, when Hanoman appears telling her that hi is Rama’s envoy and proving it by showing her Rama’s ring. Sita gives Hanoman a hairpin to show she is still alive and sand him back to Rama with a massage to come to her rescue.

In the meantime Rama and Laksamana accompanied by Tualen are wandering in the forest looking for Sita when Meganada, Rahwana’s son, appeares and engages Rama and Laksamana in Battle. Meganada uses his magic powers and shoots of an arrow which magically turns in to a dragon which overpowers Rama and Laksamana and they are trussed up in ropes.

The bird Garuda, King of all the bird, a good friend of King Dasarata, has observed trouble Rama is in from high up in the sky and comes to the rescue freeing the brothers from the ropes. Rama and Laksamana continue on their way to rescue Sita and are joined by Sugriwa, king of the monkeyes, and his monkeys army.

This fragmen of the Ramayana come to an end with the bittle between Sugriwa and his Monkeys Army and Meganada and his Demon Army which ends with the defeat of Meganada.

http://www.kecakdance.com

Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of the world’s largest weekend markets covers area of 70 rai (27 Acres) altogether divided into 27 Sections, contains more than 15,000 booths selling goods from every part of Thailand.

Chatuchak Weekend Market,is very popular shopping centre to Thais and has become a popular place to tourists and foreigners who stay in Bangkok, has over 200,000 visitors each day(SAT-SUN) 30% is foreign. There are almost everything can be found here at a bargaining local price (not a tourist price), and most vendors actually come from local factories, like antique wood carving, clay handicrafts, local souvenirs from every parts of Thailand, Buddhist amulets, wooden funitures, hand made decorated flowers, plant, ceramic wares, dools, Thai Bejarong, Chinese wares, graden decorated plants, stones, trendy fashions, silk, hill-tribe outfits, fluffy dogs and more miscellaneous, etc.

History
Chatuchak Weekend Market owes its origin to Field Marshal Phibulsongkram, the late prime minister of Thailand (1938-1944, 1948-1957), who came up with the idea of setting up a flee Market in every town. As a result, the first flee market in Bangkok was held at Sanam Luang and was called Sanam Luang flee Market. However, there was time when the place was needed for other special functions and the flee market was then relocated to Saranrom Palace and settled there for 8 years. After that, it was moved again to Sanam Chai. But because of the limited space, it had to be moved back to Sanam Luang. In the same year, the government issued a policy to turn Sanam Luang into be the venue to celebrate 200-year-anniversary of Bangkok, which would be held in 1982. Thus, it was decided that the flee market would be held at the Phaholyothin area from then on amd it is later name Chattuchak Weeked Market after the nearby park under the same name.

http://www.chatuchak.org