Most Visited Tourist Spots in Beijing

Beijing the capital of China, is undoubtedly one of the most visited places in the world, with hundreds of millions of tourists Spots every year. The city's long history and glorious culture endow the city with a great number of tourists attractions and historical sites.Beijing is a city for all seasons. You can always find something for you no matter what time you are in Beijing and and whatever your interests are. There are actually hundreds of tourists scenic spots and historical sites in Beijing. Some are walkable. Some are a little far from the city center.

Beijing is vibrant with amazing attractions, Forbidden City, the most magnificent palace in China; Ming Tombs, an imperial tomb cluster for thirteen emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); Great Wall, one of the seven wonders of the world; Temple of Heaven, the worshipping site for the emperors; Summer Palace, the grandest imperial garden in China; Sacred Way, a divine road reflecting the pomp and dignity of emperors; Tiananmen Square, The largest square in the world; Lama Temple, a noted temple dedicated to Tibetan Buddhism; Beihai Park, a centuries-old park with marvelous scenery; Hutong, a carrier and mirror of Beijing folk culture.                                              

                         
Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square is the largest typical red tourism spot of worldwide, and the symbol of China. Tiananmen Square, in the very heart of Beijing, is the largest city squares in the world, and can hold one million people for public celebration or gatherings.Tiananmen Square is the site of numerous parades and other celebrations, which great cultural significance because it was on the rostrum of Tiananmen Gate that Mao ZeDong declared the People's Republic of China on October 1st 1949. It is the national typical red tourism spot and rank top of the sixteen tourist spots in Beijing.

Beihai Park

Beihai Park is one of the oldest surviving imperial gardens in Beijing. Laid out at the beginning of the 10th century, this beautiful open space takes its name from nearby Lake Beihai (North Lake) and offers many good reasons to pay a visit. Among the most important structures are the Round Fort dating from the Yuan period of 1271-1368; the spectacular Hall of Enlightenment, built in 1690 and home to a one-and-a-half-meter-tall Buddha carved from a single block of white jade; and a large black jade vase from the early 12th century.

Lama Temple

The Yonghe Lama Temple (Palace of Peace and Harmony), located in the northeastern part of Beijing, is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world. The temple was built by Chinese Culture emperors who harbored a deep fascination for the Tibetan version of Buddhism. Over the years, many Tibetan and Mongolian monks lived and taught here, and there are still monks in residence today. The temple contains a 26 meter (85 foot) tall statue of Maitreya Buddha carved from a single piece of white sandalwood.

Beijing Capital Museum

The particular interest is the excellent Beijing Capital Museum, one of the country's leading art museums. Opened in 1981, the museum boasts a vast collection of artifacts including ancient items of porcelain and bronze, traditional calligraphy and artwork, along with many fine statues from Chinese and other Asian cultures. Other highlights of its collection of more than 200,000 important cultural artifacts - many originating from in and around Beijing - include the huge stele of Emperor Qian Long, weighing more than 40 tons, standing nearly seven meters in height, and containing ancient scripts and writings.

Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is one of the world’s great palaces, ranking right up there with the Kremlin, Buckingham Palace and Versailles. It is unarguably the most popular tourist attraction in Beijing, with the crowds to prove it. It was the seat of the Chinese government for many centuries, and thus was off limits to commoners. Today it is open to anyone who wants to learn more about the Middle Kingdom’s heritage. There really is no way to avoid crowds here, but visitors might want to check out the halls on each side to learn more about the country. Most people walk right up the middle to see the big halls and ignore the treasures off to the side.

Interesting Facts About Bahai Temple of South America

The Baha'i House of Worship in Chile was announced in 2001 and the winning design by Siamak Hariri – of the Canadian architecture firm Hariri Pontarini Architects, was chosen from 185 design entries.  The design requirement was that it be a domed structure with nine entrances that would welcome people from all directions to the praise of God.The building is made up of nine translucent "wings," that appear as floating over a large reflecting lily pool. During the day the sunlight will filter through the wings, and at night will emit a warm glow from the interior lighting.                        

The Bahá’i Temple of South America, situated in a seismic zone on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, uses light for its spiritual and design inspiration. Its billowing, structurally robust form won a two phase international competition requesting a nine sided, domed structure with nine entries requirement for the design of Bahá’i Temples.Baha'i Houses of Worship are distinctive buildings, open to everyone, where visitors can simply pray and meditate in a serene atmosphere, or at certain times listen to the holy scriptures of the world's religions being recited and sung. An integral concept of each House of Worship is that they will,in due course, provide a spiritual center around which agencies and institutions of social, humanitarian, and educational service will be established for the surrounding population.            

     
Designer's statement Light is the fundamental connecting force of the universe. The Bahá'í Temple of South American tour, designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, employs both translucent stone and the newest glass technology as the means of generating and manifesting both the physiological and spiritual delights of natural light embodied in architecture.Set against the stirring background of the Andean mountain range, the new Bahá'í Temple is to be a crystallizing of light-as-expression, an evanescent structure of white alabaster and glass: a place of pure luminescence. During the day, it is the soft undulating alabaster and glass skin of the Bahá'í Temple which forms its outer expression.

The Bahá'í temple will be open to all without charge, and the services will include readings from the sacred temple of all the world's religions. At a time when many recent headline news stories, particularly from the Middle East, show the tremendous damage that occurs from acts of religious fanaticism and intolerance, it is also important, for the future of an increasingly globalizing world, to consider news stories that highlight the beneficial effects of religion at its best, inspiring people to nobler acts of service and inclusivity.

The Bahá’í temple Born out of an international competition with over 180 entries from 80 countries, the Bahá’í temple of South America tour is a nine sided structure with nine entrances that symbolically welcome all people from all directions of the earth to join in prayer and meditation. Its form and materiality break new ground, drawing on the power of light as inspiration. Nine gracefully torqued wings of cast glass and translucent stone billow like sails, projecting a sublime, ethereal luminescence. Visually light, the building is structurally strong.

The Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois is one of only seven Baha’i temples in the world. Each temple has their own distinctive design but they all have an area of gardens which surrounds a nine-sided structure covered by a single, majestic dome. The Baha’i Faith is an independent world religion that supports unity of all people and religions. This photograph shows the unique characteristics of this dome accompanied with a beautiful garden.

Guide To Family For African Safari Tours

Going on a family safari in Africa will be one of the most rewarding and exciting vacations you'll ever take. But, taking your family on safari in Africa isn't cheap so you want to pick the right safari tour, and country, in order to get the most out of it. This article will help you plan the right safari for your family and offers tips on keeping the children happy en route, as well as specific family-friendly safari recommendations.

The best place to go on a family safari is South Africa , especially for families with young children. The roads are excellent which means you can rent your own car and thus set your own schedule. Flexibility is key when you have little children. You can make stops when you want, return to your hotel when they tire and plan the length of your own drives around the wildlife parks.South Africa also has plenty of smaller, private wildlife parks where you can see a lot of animals in a short amount of time. These private game parks often have comfortable accommodations with swimming pools and buffet lunches and dinners. The Garden Route and Eastern Cape in South Africa Destinations is filled with beaches and game parks in close-proximity, a winning combination with children.                                                                          

Best Safari Tours in africa

River's Edge Safari Tours

River's Edge is now even wilder with the addition of three new animal habitats which opened on Saturday, June 7, 2014. Purina Painted Dog Preserve will feature a species that hasn't been seen at the Zoo since the 1950s—the painted dog, or African wild dog. Sun Bear Forest and Andean Bear Range will be the new homes for Malayan sun bears and Andean bears.

Sunway Safaris Tours

Looking for a quality small group safari vacation in Southern Africa at an affordable price, with knowledgeable guides and likeminded travellers? Sunway has been creating memories for adventurous Africa travellers for more than 20 years.We specialise in value for money small group camping safaris and accommodated tours that include natural wildlife safaris, walking and trekking holidays, cultural tours, safari holidays and overland journeys. Please visit the African Destinations page for more information on the different countries we visit.

Extreme Zoo Safari Tours

From the rarest to one of the most venomous and the tallest to the smallest, meet the most extreme animals in the Zoo! Your guide will introduce you the largest venomous snake in the world, the largest lizards in the world and other intriguing reptiles at the Herpetarium. Compare your jump to one of the longest leapers in the world at the Primate House. See the rarest and biggest exotic cats at Big Cat Country, and discover creatures great and small at Red Rocks.

Kenya & Tanzania Safari tours

kenya and Tanzania: the very words evoke a bygone era of romance and adventure seas of golden grass swaying beneath a far-off blue horizon, great herds of migrating wildebeest and zebra traversing the savanna amid rocky outcrops and spreading acacia trees, nights spent gazing into crackling campfires under skies crowded with stars, days on safari beholding the timeless drama of predator and prey, the circle of life, unfolding rhythmically on one of earth’s last, great wild stages.This experience of Africa at its most primal still exists and is waiting to be discovered once more, on the Ultimate Kenya & Tanzania Safari.

Namibia Wildlife Safari tours

Namibia is soul-stirring. Here on the southwest edge of Africa, orange sand dunes rise a thousand feet high against a cobalt sky. The coastal desert is washed by the relentless ocean, while inland the sun bakes the plains into a cracked puzzle of dried mud, pocked with grass and thornbush. There is water here, too, though its presence is subtle. It is the source of life in the stark Etosha salt pan, whose waterholes attract fantastic numbers of game, including feline predators. Springbok, oryx, kudu and dik-dik run to elude them, in a great and ancient desert dance.

The History of Rio De Janeiro Brazil Culture

The bustling city of Rio de Janeiro has been one of Brazil’s most popular and frequented tourist destinations for decades. Its vibrant city centre is bursting with culture and pulsating with a deep sense of history and heritage. Rio, as it is commonly known, is the second largest city in Brazil Culture and the third largest metropolis in the whole of South America. It is the most visited city in the Southern Hemisphere, which is no mean feat. This makes for an impressive, memorable attraction for visitors from all over the world.

Rio de Janeiro, one of Brazil's most iconic travel destinations and home to an amazing array of sights, activities and events. Even first time visitors to Rio de Janeiro will quickly be enthralled by how fun and fascinating Rio de Janeiro really can be. For those looking for a glimpse of the real Brazil Culture, or just a fun night out, Rio de Janeiro mixes old world charm with a modern and vibrant night life. Click the general information links below for further information.                      

History 

Rio as capital of Brazil When Brazil Culture achieved independence in 1889, Rio was named the capital. With years passing by, Rio has changed, in terms of infrastructure and financially. Central Zone was demolished to expand the city. Land was being reclaimed to build the Central Business District. Hills were being wiped out and were used to fill the marsh areas. The city was divided in three zones. North zone became a industrial area along with being the residence of the working sector while the South Zone was limited for the wealthy people.

Rio De Janeiro Brazilian Culture

Carnival

The Carnival has been a part of the Brazilian culture since around 1850 when it was first introduced in Rio de Janeiro by the Portuguese. The essence of Carnival is celebration; the annual event is characterized by singing, dancing and partying late into the night. Activities during most popular carnival include parades and street parties. Carnival begins the Saturday before Ash Wednesday and ends on Fat Tuesday, which is the night before Ash Wednesday. These dates usually fall between the end of February and the beginning of March.

Afro-Brazilian Magic

The Africans, who passed on the pulsating rhythms of the samba to the Brazilians during the days of slavery. The samba is an eclectic mix of music, song, and dance styles that Afro-Brazilians brought with them to the impoverished slums surrounding Rio after the abolition of slavery in 1888. It wasn’t until 1917 that the samba became an integral part of the Rio Carnival.

Emerging Samba Schools

The first escolas de samba or samba school to be formed was Mangueira, in 1928. Soon theme songs, elaborate costumes, and floats became the main attraction of the Rio Carnival. Many other teams from different communities in the Rio neighborhood followed Mangueira’s footsteps and formed samba schools to take part in the Carnival. The samba parade soon became the most popular event in Rio with the organizers being forced to set a time limit for each team in 1971. The streets of Rio remained the main stage for the Carnival until 1984, when the Sambadrome, built by world famous architect, Oscar Niemeyer, began to steal the thunder.

Most Famous Historical Monuments in Greece

Greece is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, this is because of its many historical sites as well as its amazingly beautiful surroundings. Visitors are most drawn here because of its beautiful beaches, it dependable sunny weather, and for its rich cultural past.

The Historical monuments in Greece and the Greek islands date from all time periods, from the Mycenaean and the Classical times till the Medieval and Modern Era. You will find bellow a list with the most important tourist destinations and historical monuments in Greece.                                                    

Eretria Museum

The Eretria Archaeological museum houses a small, but very important collection of artifacts found in excavations around Evia. Highlights of the museum include the unique terracotta centaur and other finds from Lefkandi, and the sculptures from the archaic temple of Apollo Daphnophoros that depict an amazonomachy. The finds from the Lefkandi heroon have shed new light in a previously little-understood period of ancient Greece:

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Though only a few columns remain of the Temple of Olympia Zeus in Athens it does not take much imagination to realize that this was one gigantic temple. Construction began in the 6th century BC during the rule of the Athenian tyrants, who envisaged building the greatest temple in the ancient world, but it was not completed until the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD some 638 years after the project had begun.

Mount Athos

Mount Athos is a mountain and a peninsula in northern Greece. The peninsula, the easternmost “leg” of the larger Halkidiki peninsula houses some 1,400 monks in 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries. An autonomous state under Greek sovereignty, entry into Mount Athos is strictly controlled and only males are allowed entrance.

Ancient Dodona 

The ancient site of Dodona is located on the north western side of Greece, in the region of Epirus. This was the second most famous oracle in Greece, after the Oracle of Delphi. Originally the oracle was devoted to a Mother Goddess, which was either Rhea or Gaia. However, in the historical monument times, the altar was dedicated to god Zeus. Dodona remained an important religious sanctuary until the rise of Christianity in the Late Roman Times.

Santorini

Santorini is a volcanic island in the Cyclades group of the Greek islands. It is famous for its dramatic views, stunning sunsets, the white-washed houses, and its very own active volcano. Fira, the capital of Santorini, is a marriage of Venetian and Cycladic architecture, whose white cobblestone streets bustle with shops, tavernas, hotels and cafes, while clinging on the edge of the 400 meter (1,300 ft) high cliffs.

Facts About Chittorgarh Fort in India

Chittorgarh Fort, often simply referred to as Chittor, is the grandest fort in Rajasthan and the largest one in India. Located on a 180 meter high hill overlooking the plains of the Berach River valley, the fort expands over a wide area of around 280 ha. Chittorgarh, comprising multiple palaces, temples, gates and a pair of prominent commemoration towers, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historic and architectural value.

Chittorgarh Fort , also known as Chittaur Fort, is credited as one of the largest fort of India. The fort is located on a high hill near the Gambheri River in Chittorgarh and lies at a distance of 112 kms from the city of Udaipur in Rajasthan, India and undoubtedly can be called as “Pride of Rajasthan”. This huge fort covers an area of 700 acres, extending to 3 kms in length and 13 kms in peripheral length. There are numerous palaces and towers inside the fort that are worth to be visited.            

                             
During the eighth century, Chittorgarh, earlier known as Chitrakut, was the capital of the local Sisodia clan of Rajputs. Muslim rulers had sacked Chittorgarh three times in the medieval period. First, Ala-ud-din Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi in 1303 laid siege of the Chittorgarh Fort to capture the beautiful Padmini, the queen of Chittorgarh. But, Bhim Singh, the ruler of Chittorgarh, sacrificed his and his men's lives. The women, including Padmini and the children, committed mass suicide or jauhar inside the fort.

• Chittorgarh Fort is a fort located in the city of the same name, in Asia’s India, and it contains 65 notable buildings, including 4 memorials, 4 palaces and 19 temples.

• Chittorgarh Fort is the biggest Indian fort in terms of area, and is often stated to be the most impressive fort in the Indian state Rajasthan.

• Chittorgarh Fort covers an area of 2.8 square kilometres (1.1 square miles), has a perimetre of 13 km (8 miles), and is situated on a 180 metre (890.6 feet) high hill.

• Padmini’s Palace, the erstwhile residence of Rani Padmini the embodiment of beauty, courage and grace, is situated inside the majestic Chittorgarh Fort. A beautiful lotus pond is located nearby the palace.

• Ram Pol, seventh gate of the Majestic Chittorgarh fort, is the main entrance of the Fort. Ram Pol is distinct from other gates due its marvelous Rajput architectural style. This gate stands as a symbol of Hindu culture and Indian architectural beauty.

• Palace of Rana Kumbha, a 15th century old mammoth famous monument, is enclosed interior to Chittorgarh fort. This Palace where the Rajput King Maharana Kumba lived his royal life is a fine specimen of Rajput’s architecture and it is one of the marvel structures in India.

The History of Women in The Vietnam War

The Vietnam War, the United States government has no idea how many women actually served. Record keeping at the time did not reflect a person’s gender, so the numbers vary from a low of 8,000 to a high of more than 12,000. Most of these women served as nurses, but they also served in the Women’s Army Corps, the Red Cross, and other government and related agencies. They nursed soldiers in field hospitals, served as intelligence analysts, and performed for the troops on stage and television to help them escape the horrors of war. All were volunteers; none were drafted.

American military leaders were relcuntant to send women abroad during the Vietnam War due to the unpredictable nature of guerilla warfare.  There were no battle lines and no one knew when or where the next attack would strike. Yet many American women wanted to serve their country by supporting deployed troops and making a difference where they could. By the end of the war approximately 11,000 military women had served in Southeast Asia along with an unknown number of American civilian women. All of the women who participated in the Vietnam War were volunteers.                

The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project was incorporated in 1984, and is a non-profit organization located in Washington, DC. The mission of the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation (formerly the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project) is to promote the healing of Vietnam women veterans through the placement of the Vietnam Women's Memorial on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.; to identify the military and civilian women who served during the Vietnam war; to educate the public about their role; and to facilitate research on the physiological, psychological, and sociological issues correlated to their service.

civilians women in the war In addition to the U.S. military women who served in Vietnam, an unknown number of female civilians willingly gave their services on Vietnamese soil during the conflict. Many of them worked on behalf of the American Red Cross, Army Special Services, United Service Organizations (USO), Peace Corps, and various religious groups such as Catholic Relief Services.Those who volunteered with the Army Special Services operated libraries, service clubs and shops meant to boost the morale of military personnel deployed in Vietnam.

military women in the war Though members of the Army Nurse Corps were in Vietnam as early as 1956 to train Vietnamese women in nursing skills, larger numbers of American women didn’t begin to serve in Vietnam until 1963. At this time the Army Nurse Corps launched Operation Nightingale, which was an intensive effort to find volunteers. Once abroad, enlisted women worked in all branches of the military. 90% of them became nurses, while others worked as communications specialists, intelligence officers and support personnel in military headquarters.

Italian Lovers Celebrate For Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is synonymous with love and Italians traditionally have been considered to be lovers. Known in Italy as “La Festa Degli Innamorati,” Valentine’s Day is celebrated only between lovers and sweethearts. Young sweethearts in Italy profess their love for each other all year round with a more recent tradition, attaching padlocks or “lucchetti” to bridges and railings and throwing away the key.

The celebration of Valentine’s Day in Italy is actually an imported holiday from the American tradition, just like Halloween which was never originally an Italian tradition but is celebrated today. It is a holiday for romantic couples and children do not exchange Valentine cards as they do in the United States.

Valentine’s Day actually has its origin in the Roman Empire as a holiday on February 14 to celebrate the Queen of Roman gods and goddesses. The ancient Romans also considered this queen named Juno to be the goddess Queen of Women and Marriage.Another legend related to the origin of Valentine’s Day refers to St. Valentine who was a priest who defied the Roman emperors’ order banning marriage between lovers during wartime and Valentine secretly married them. Once this was discovered, he was put to death on February 14 and later was named a saint by Pope Gelasius.

St. Valentine this early pope intended to honor remains a mystery: according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were at least three early Christian saints by that name. One was a priest in Rome, another a bishop in Terni, and of a third St. Valentine almost nothing is known except that he met his end in Africa. Rather astonishingly, all three Valentines were said to have been martyred on Feb. 14.

Valentine Celebrations in Italy this lovers’ holiday Italians give each other flowers, plan romantic dinners and present each other with chocolates, much like in the United States. The renowned Italian chocolate maker, Perugina celebrates this day by making a special package edition of the Baci chocolate candies with a shiny red wrapper and a sweet red cherry and liquid center rather than the traditional hazelnut one. These chocolates are always a favorite and inside the foil wrapper there is a “love note” with a romantic phrase.

Tradition of Valentine's Cards Over the centuries, the holiday evolved, and by the 18th century, gift-giving and exchanging hand-made cards on Valentine's Day had become common in England. Hand-made valentine cards made of lace, ribbons, and featuring cupids and hearts eventually spread to the American colonies. The tradition of Valentine's cards did not become widespread in the United States, however, until the 1850s, when Esther A. Howland, a Mount Holyoke graduate and native of Worcester, Mass., began mass-producing them. Today, of course, the holiday has become a booming commercial success. According to the Greeting Card Association, 25% of all cards sent each year are valentines.

Interesting Facts About Bay of Fundy

The Bay of Fundy, located between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada, is famous for its incredibly high tides and spectacular geological formations like the Flowerpot Rocks and sea caves. Find out some interesting facts about the Bay of Fundy.

The Bay of Fundy is a northern temperate, macrotidal environment forming the northeastern extension of the Gulf of Maine, and has been utilized by humans (and wildlife) for millennia. Overall, the Bay extends approximately 250 km in a northeasterly direction between the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and its uppermost region is divided into two distinctive bodies of water Chignecto Bay in New Brunswick and Cumberland Basin and Minas Basin in Nova Scotia.          

     
The name "Fundy" is thought to date back to the 16th century, when the Portuguese referred to the bay as "Rio Fundo" or "deep river". The highest tides and spectacular destination on Earth occur in the eastern extremity of the Bay of Fundy, where the range approaches 17 meters (56 feet) when the various factors affecting the tides are in phase. More than one hundred billion kilograms (110*109 tons) of water flow into and out of the bay on an average tide, twice a day, creating a substantial potential supply of energy.

• The Bay of Fundy is home to the world’s highest tides and each day 100 billion tonnes of water flow in and drain out the equivalent to the total amount of water contained in all of the rivers on the planet.

• Bay of Fundy is the world’s most attraction dynamic tidal coastline, recognized nationally and internationally.

• 12 species of whales use the bay as a feeding ground, nursery and play area (including the endangered North American Right Whale) because of its abundant food and protection the Bay provides.

• Whale watching season runs June-October, with August being the “best” month for sightings.

• Famed for its National Parks, UNESCO sites, national historical sites, outstanding provincial parks, and provincial museums.

• "Fundy" is a corruption of the French word "fendu", meaning "split", while others believe it comes from the Portuguese "fondo", meaning "funnel".

• The International Hydrographic Organization defines the southwest limit of the Bay of Fundy as "A line running northwesterly from Cape St. Mary (44°05'N) Nova Scotia, through Machias Seal Island (67°06'W) and on to Little River Head (44°39'N) in the State of Maine.