Sunday, August 28, 2011

Angkor Wat: Combodia

Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, for the King Suryavarman II in the early 12th Century, built as a state and its capital city. As the best preserved temple on the site, it has remained to be the only significant religious center since its foundation - first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building.

 
Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The temple complex of Angkor in Cambodia is an architectural masterpiece. It was built in the jungle at the beginning of the XII century, then, two centuries later, was abandoned by some mysterious circumstances of the Khmer (previously it was their capital city).

Cambodia – The Angkor temple complex
Soon the jungle swallowed Angkor, hide it for several centuries under the thickets of the rainforest. The only thing which could not hide the forest, was stony ledge built, which was accidentally discovered in 1861 by the French naturalist. Soon archaeologists have shown the world a magnificent Angkor. Today, visitors are stunned by the architectural decoration and excellent stone carving. Most striking up to exquisite female figures ("Apsaras") to consider Angkor located.

The temple complex of Angkor is the only facility built man in the past and the size is equal to the square of Paris. This whole "city" is Angkor. The main building of the temple:

 Phnom - look at it, one can say what a destructive force jungle. The roots of a banyan tree caught him like a giant octopus. Banteay Srey - is a small "diamond" of Angkor. Sculptures of Banteay are delicious. Angkor Tom - is located in a vast territory and should be much larger than its neighbor, the temple complex of Angkor. But the construction is not as well preserved. This place is interesting, as the archaeologist for the tourists.


Devasta are characteristic of the Angkor Wat style.

Sculpture of  Top of the Angkor Wat


The Interior design of the Angkor Wat



 

Friday, August 26, 2011

The Temple of the Sun In Kanark:India

The Temple of the Sun In Kanark:India


Temple of the Sun, Kanark
The Sun - Worldwide there are over 1.5 dozen temples dedicated to celestial bodies, without which it will be no life on earth. About 10 temples of the sun is in India, the rest - in China, Thailand, Pakistan, USA, South America. One of the temple stands on the shores of the Indian state of Orissa sun, in a small village Kanark.

  This is not the biggest temple of the sun (the largest in South America), and not the oldest (the oldest temple of the sun is in the area of ​​present-day Pakistan). But the temple is probably the most impressive of Kanark preserved - in fact, many old temples have been preserved in the ruins. It was built in the XIII century and is a great car of horses with 12 wheels, which represents the path of the sun drawn. In the church there are a lot of pictures and sculptures of figures, mostly on erotic themes.

  The temple has the shape of a wagon pulled by seven horses. True, the horse sculptures damaged severely, it is difficult to see. Carved on the walls of the temple of stone of 12 pairs of large wheels (equal to the number of months per year), and the whole structure represents the course of the sun from dawn to dawn, and the movement of life.

Originally the church was much larger and grander, it was comprised of 3 buildings. It is our time Jagamohana Hall (or Hall for receptions) and received a dance hall. The main part of the church in worship was twice received Jagamohana, but in the early 19th Century it became hurricanes and tsunamis that often destroyed on the shores of the Gulf of Bengal. But those buildings that have survived in place of the temple of the sun, great courage and beauty of ideas and the extent of their implementation.

  The walls of the temple are decorated with reliefs depicting animals, humans, geometric patterns. On the walls of the dance hall to dance figures sculpted men and women.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Sigiriya:The Palace & Fortress in the Sky

"Sigiriya The Palace & Fortress in the Sky"
Sigiriya, the spectacular 'Lion Rock' fortress, stands majestically overlooking the luscious green jungle surroundings, and is one of the main attractions of Sri Lanka.This was built by King Kasyapa, a son of King Dhatusena, by a palace consort. As legend has it that King Dhatusena overthrown and walled in, alive by Kasyapa in 473 AD. Mogallana, Dhatusena son by the true queen fled to India and get revenge. Kasyapa fears an invasion built this impregnable fortress of Sigiriya.When the invasion finally came in 491, Kasyapa rode into battle in his war elephant.In an attempt to out-flank his half-brother, Kasyapa took a wrong turn, where his elephant got stuck in the mud. His soldiers thought Kasyapa retreat fled leaving him, and he took his own life.Sigiriya was later fled a convent, but eventually fell into disrepair.

Sigiriya-Ancient City

Sigiriya-Ancient City
The Mirror Wall and spiral stairs leading to the frescos

Top of the rock-Summit Ruin
The Lion Gate and Final Climbing Stretch

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Hue: Nguyễn Dynasty-2

Hue is situated in Thua Thien province and is in the central part of Vietnam. Hue situated midway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The former capital of the Nguyen dynasty of Vietnam, Hue is known for its beautiful imperial architecture and wonderful natural beauty.

Royal Tombs
The Royal Tombs are looking more like miniature palaces than simple memorials. Hue has eight famous royal tombs to the southeast of the former citadel. The most outstanding are Gia Long Tomb, Minh Mang Tomb, Tu Duc Tomb and Khai Dinh Tomb.

The Palace of Supreme Harmony houses the thrones of the 13 emperors in the Nguyen Dynasty from Gia long to Bao Dai. It was built in 1805. The palace and San Dai Trieu (Esplanade of Great Salutation) were the site for all major festivities such as Coronation Ceremony, the Emperor's birthday, and where the king held court during the first and fifteen day of the lunar month.

Khai Dinh's Tomb, Hue is the final resting place of Khai Dinh, emperor of Vietnam, who ascended the throne in 1916 and ruled until 1925. The hotel is situated on the slope of Chau Chu Mountain (also called Chau E) the location of the tomb was selected by none other than the king himself. The grave is located 10 km from Hue and is a fusion of traditional Vietnamese style with modern influence.
 
 
Tomb of Tu Duc (7km) - built from 1864 to 1867, served as a second complex of the Imperial City, where the Emperor for "working holiday" came


Tomb of Minh Mang (12 miles) - in this lavish complex, the main buildings are arranged on an east-west axis, including a courtyard, surrounded by statues of warriors and several temples and pavilions. Several bridges cross two lakes before the axle ends, before the great grave mounds (the encircled by a fence).

 

Monday, August 22, 2011

Hue: Nguyễn Dynasty

 Hue is located in Thua Thien prefecture and is in the central part of Vietnam. Located 660 km from Ha Noi and 1080 km from Saigon, Hue has always been considered the fulcrum of Vietnam's two rice baskets, the Red river delta and the Mekong delta. Hue became the name of Vietnam's most well known ancient capital because of the local mispronunciation of the word Hoá in Thuâ.n Hoá.
Although Hue has sustained much damage from natural disasters and wars, the city and most of the architecture remain. As a capital city, Hue is relatively young since the Nguyen dynasty only ended some 50 years ago (1802-1945). Of the ancient capitals in Vietnam, Hue is the only one that still has the intact appearance of a complex of the monarchic capital consisting of walls, palaces, and royal tombs. Consequently, Hue is among Vietnam's most valued national treasure in terms of history and heritage.
 



The most important landmark is the Perfume River (Huong Giang), with the old town and the citadel on the north side and the newer city, including most hotels and restaurants, on the south side. Much of the river has been wise as a pleasant promenade and park dotted with bizarre sculptures done. The graves are located further south on the outskirts of Hue.


Based on the ancient practice of geomancy, the Citadel was designed and planned around the natural elements in the area north of the Perfume river. The complex faces southeast, taking Mount Ngu Binh (Royal Screen Mount) as a natural screen. Two islets in the Perfume river, Ta Thanh Long (Left Green Dragon) and Huu Bach Ho (Right White Tiger) play the role of sentinels for the Citadel. The construction of the Citadel took place from 1805 to 1832.

Ngo Mon was constructed in 1833 during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang. The gate leads to the Imperial Palace and was the observation point for the Emperor to review his troops and for ceremonial use.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Damascus:City of Jasmine

Damascus in Syria is usually Al Sham, and as the City of Jasmine, the capital and largest city of Syria and one of the 14 provinces is known. The Damascus Governorate is ruled by a governor appointed by the Minister of the Interior. Damascus is an important cultural and religious center of the Levant. The city has a population of 4.211 million.Damascus is attributed to the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. The old city wall, especially, feels very old and largely consists of a maze of narrow alleys, through the mysterious doors that lead into pleasing interrupted green courtyards and blank-faced houses. The old town has an authentic medieval atmosphere, although this will disappear quickly due to the increasing tourist traffic, as the city continues to be highlighted as an attraction. But life goes on in the old city wall, nor the religious and social center of the city.




The entrance of Souq al-Hamidiyya.


The Souq al-Hamidiyya, a wide street packed with small shops, is entered through columns of a Roman temple built on a site that had been occupied by an even older temple. The souks are smell of cumin and other spices characteristic and can be devoted to passages, to find everything from leather goods and copper inlaid boxes and silk scarves.


At the end of Souq al-Hamidiyya stands the great Umayyad Mosque, the building with three minarets is an architectural wonder. It was an Assyrian temple, then a Roman temple of Jupiter, a church when Rome converted to Christianity, then a mosque and a church together, and eventually to a mosque today.


Azem Palace is a palace in Damascus, Syria, which was originally built in 1750 as a residence for the Ottoman governor of Damascus As'ad Pasha al-Azm. The palace now houses the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions.



Damascus-old city, maybe you can visit a restaurant in old Damascus. There are many restaurants in the old quarter each with their own unique character, but perhaps the most famous (and touristy) is "Beit Jabri", although "Al-Khawali" is considered by many to be the best dining experience in the old city.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Guilin-Province of Guangxi

Guilin is a city in northern Guangxi, China. Guilin is a picturesque town and one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. There are many scenic places within short driving distance from Guilin. These include Longsheng Longji with its famous rice terraces, the Lijiang River, a scene that is printed on the back of the 20 yen banknotes, Yangshuo, Guilin behind a small circle, and much more. This makes an excellent base in Guilin for exploring the northern end of the province of Guangxi.






Central Square -Guilin-51 400-square-foot venue in the middle of the city. Here you can get a huge atlas on the floor and an artificial waterfall, every evening at 20.30 clock.


Prince City is located in the center of town is a small Forbidden City. Once home to the princes of the region. The palace buildings are now a museum.


Fubo Hill in the northeast of the city on the banks of the Li River. Includes historic stone carvings from the Tang Dynasty and Buddhist inscriptions. The hill itself is an impressive sheer sided cliffs.



Thursday, August 18, 2011

Metro Manila:City of Manila

Metro Manila (Philippines: Kalakhang Maynila) is the National Capital Region and the popular tourist destination in the Philippines. The city is the Philippines' center of commerce, education and entertainment. It is on the island of Luzon, which borders the province of Bulacan to the north, Rizal to the east, Laguna to the south, Cavite to the southwest and Manila Bay in the west . Although it is the smallest region of the country, Metro Manila is the most populous of the twelve defined metropolitan areas in the Philippines and the 11th most populous in the world with a population of 16.3 million people.The name "Manila" has a special meaning. The original name was "Maynilad". It was the name of pre-colonial Muslim settlement. Even before the Spaniards came to May Nilad, the place was a small but prosperous trading town.


Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park, is a historic city park at the northern end of Roxas Boulevard in the heart of the city of Manila, Philippines.Situated in the bay of Manila, Luneta is the site of some of the most important moments in Philippine history.


Fort Santiago (Spanish, Tagalog Fuerte de Santiago: Santiago ng Moog) is a fortress for the Spanish conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi made​​. The fort is a part of the structures of the walled city of Intramuros in Manila, Philippines. Jose Rizal, the Philip 'national hero was imprisoned in the fort before his execution in 1896. The website provides, on the ground surrounded by bronze, his last steps, the walk from his cell to the location of the current version.




San Agustin Church is a Roman Catholic church under the auspices of The Order of St. Augustine, within the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila. Completed by 1607, it is the oldest surviving church in the Philippines. No other surviving building in the Philippines has claimed before date San Agustin Church.