google-site-verification: googlea1ee17878cff4245.html Travel and Tourism: March 2022

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Top 14 Facts about Lijiang River China

1. Lijiang River information

The Lijiang river originates from the west side of Mount Emei (Emeishan) and flows into the Yangtze River in the city of Yibin. The river is about 1,000 km long, with its basin area being 5,500 square kilometers. The Lijiang River (Jinsha Jiang) originates from the Yangtze River and flows through Yunnan Province before emptying into China's largest freshwater lake, the Mekong River. The Lijiang River is famous for its beautiful landscape, rich biodiversity, ethnic minority culture, and natural scenery.


Top 14 Facts about Lijiang River

2. Climate

The climate of this region is subtropical monsoon humid, with four distinct seasons. There are two annual precipitation peaks, between June and August and September and October. Between May and September, the average temperature is 20-26°C. In winter, the average temperature drops to 8-16°C.


3. Water Resources

Several tributaries flow into the Lijiang River, including the Shilong River, Jinsha River, Shangri-la River, and Huangniu River. The water quality of the river has been improved over recent years. However, some pollution still exists.


Top 14 Facts about Lijiang River
4. Lijiang River Today

Today, the Lijiang River remains an important transportation route for locals and visitors alike. Its waters provide drinking water for over two million residents of the region. This makes it one of the largest irrigation systems in China.


5. Lijiang River’s annual average flow rate is about 2 million cubic meters.


Top 14 Facts about Lijiang River
6. There are many famous tourist attractions along the Lijiang River such as Zangqing Temple, Jietou Cave, Yulong Snow Mountain, etc.


7. Lijiang River was named after the Liji River (梁氏河) in Tang Dynasty.


8. Lijiang River has five sections: Upper reaches, middle reaches, lower reaches, tributaries, and reservoirs. The total length of the river is about 1,700 km.


9. In the past, this river was heavily polluted due to the mining activities of the local population. It was called the “River of Death” because of its high mercury content and heavy metal pollution. Today, the water quality of the Lijiang River has improved significantly. However, there is still some way to go before this river can fully recover.


Top 14 Facts about Lijiang River
10. The Lijiang Valley is situated along the banks of the river. There are many tourist attractions here including monasteries, temples, bridges, caves, and ancient towns that date back to the Tang Dynasty. Here we would like to share some interesting facts about the Lijiang River with you.


11. The Lijiang River is Asia's third-largest fresh-water river after the Yangtze and Mekong rivers.


12. The Lijiang River is known as one of the cleanest rivers in China. However, heavy rainfall can cause pollution problems.


13. The river has been called "China's Amazon" due to its size and biodiversity. There are over 1,000 different kinds of fish species along the river.


14. In ancient times, this area was home to the Yi people and they have lived here for over 2,000 years.


Top 14 Facts about Lijiang River


World Heritage Shwedagon Pagoda Information

The Shwedagon Pagoda (also known as the Great Buddha) is a large gold-plated stupa located at Mahamuni Park in Yangon, Myanmar. It is the largest Buddhist pagoda in the world. Its construction began in 1885 under British rule and was completed three years later. The pagoda is dedicated to the Hindu god Gautama Buddha. The pagoda took 20 years to build. It has 7 levels, including a base, foundation, body, four arms, head, and top. The total height of the pagoda is 484 feet. Shwedagon Pagoda is the largest stupa (dome-shaped structure) in the world. It was built around 700 years ago.  Its height is 65 meters. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Shwedagon Pagoda
It is considered the holiest Buddhist site in Southeast Asia. many historical accounts state that this pagoda was built as a diamond temple. It is located in Yangon's old quarter, just south of Mahamuni Park.  The temple is surrounded by many other ancient monuments like Kandawgyi Palace, Shwesandaw Paya, Inwa, Dhammazedi Pagodas, etc. There are two entrances into the temple. One is through the Mahamuni Park entrance where you can take a view of the park. The second entrance is near the Shwedagon Paya Hotel. You can enter the temple complex through that gate. The temple is open daily from 8 AM - 5 PM.
Shwedagon Pagoda
The Shwedagon Pagoda (Literal meaning: "Pagodas eye") is a Buddhist stupa located in Yangon's old city area of Mahamuni Park. The pagoda was built between 1449 and 1455 and stands at a height of. It has been called Myanmar's most sacred monument and one of its largest religious structures.
The pagoda consists of a central tower with four smaller towers surrounding it. The top of the main tower is where the golden spire can be seen. The base of the structure is square while the towers are octagonal. The pagoda is constructed out of brick and stone and features many intricate carvings. The pagoda is situated on a small island in the middle of the Ayeyarwady River. It faces east towards the riverbank and is surrounded by water. This location served as the basis for the design of the current layout of the grounds around the pagoda. The pagoda sits on a raised platform that allows visitors to view the entire structure from a distance. The platform itself is covered with a white marble slab. A bridge leads from the platform to the entrance gate.
Shwedagon Pagoda
The Shwedagon pagoda contains many Buddha images, some of which date back to the time of King Anawrahta in 1044-1077 AD. Inside the pagoda, there are several other statues of the Buddha and various other deities. There are also two large gold Buddha statues, one inside and the other outside the pagoda.
Shwedagon Pagoda
 In addition to the Golden Spire, five bronze bells are hanging from the roof of the pagoda. These bells were cast in 1836 and were designed to ring whenever the king passed through the area. In the past, they would ring out when the king returned home after a long journey. Today, they only ring once a month at noon to mark the start of the Buddhist New Year.
The pagoda was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site on February 6th, 1993.

Shwedagon Pagoda

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

The Sahara: Earth's largest hot desert

The Sahara desert is located in North Africa at 15°N latitude between Egypt and Sudan. It has an area of about 2 million square kilometers (over 790,000 sq mi) and extends from west to east across Libya, Chad, Algeria, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Western Sahara, and Southern Spain. The Sahara desert has few permanent rivers or lakes but many salt pans and oases that are home to various species of wildlife. There are also many natural hot springs, including one at Bou-Saâda in Algeria that reaches temperatures of about 122 °F (50 °C). In 1869, French explorer Ferdinand de Lesseps became the first European to cross the Sahara desert, traveling overland from Tripoli, Libya to Suez, Egypt. He named his route after himself, creating the term "Lessepsian." The climate of the Sahara desert varies greatly; generally speaking, summers are extremely hot and dry, while winters are cold and wet. Rainfall can vary from none to several hundred millimeters (about 1 to 4 inches) per year.

The Sahara: Earth's largest hot desert
On average, the Sahara receives less than 10 centimeters (1/2 inch) of rain each year. This makes the Sahara a very arid region, receiving only 0.01% of the world's annual rainfall. At least seven major droughts have occurred since 1500 B.C., though some researchers believe that these were not caused by climate change. There was a particularly severe drought that lasted from about 800 A.D. to 1100 A.D. Its area covers about 4 million km2 (1.5 million square miles), covering parts of seven African countries including Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia. In some places, the temperature can reach up to 50 degrees Celsius, and Saharan sand dunes are constantly changing their form. There are two dry seasons: winter and summer. The average annual rainfall is only 30 cm/year. Despite its arid climate, deserts cover about 10% of the earth's land surface.

The Sahara: Earth's largest hot desert
Temperature:

The Sahara desert spans North Africa from Egypt, through Algeria, Libya, Chad, Sudan, Central African Republic, Niger, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Western Sahara, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Central African Republic, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Western Sahara, and Morocco.


The Sahara: Earth's largest hot desert
Rainfall:

Rainfall varies greatly throughout the Sahara and ranges from between 1-100 inches (25 cm) per year.


Humidity:

Humidity is highest in the Sahara Desert, at about 90% or more.

The Sahara desert covers 974,000 square miles of land, stretching across North Africa from Mauritania in the West to Sudan in the East-northwest. In addition to being the largest hot desert in the world, it's also home to a large number of animals and plants that are unique to this region.

The Sahara: Earth's largest hot desert
It's commonly known for its arid climate and lack of vegetation, however, the Sahara once supported thriving forests, grasslands, and communities of animal life such as elephants, giraffes, rhinos, lions, cheetahs, hippos, and many species of birds. Over time, the Saharan climate has been changing at an alarming rate. This transformation can be attributed to global warming, but it also has a lot to do with human intervention. As we begin to exploit the natural resources of the Sahara, we drive rainwater runoff into the sea and deplete the groundwater table. We also release carbon dioxide through the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. These activities contribute significantly to climate change and have hurt the Sahara ecosystem.

Today, the Sahara desert covers over 80% of its original size, making it the fastest desert expansion in recent history. To sustain our rapidly growing population and lifestyle, we need to find ways to reduce our dependence on nonrenewable resources and increase sustainability practices.

The Sahara: Earth's largest hot desert

Baalbek - History and Facts

Baalbek Facts - Located in Lebanon, this city has been inhabited since 3000 BC. In fact, it was once the largest city in the Near East until it was conquered by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. Today, Baalbek attracts thousands of visitors each year to its ancient ruins. There are many myths surrounding the history behind the city's construction but nothing can compare to the archaeological discoveries that have been made here over the past century.

Before we explore the secrets of this amazing site, let us first take a look at some of the facts about this location.

Baalbek - History and Facts
Location: This city is located near the Bekaa Valley. It is also known as the City of Monuments due to a large number of buildings and structures that are scattered across the area.


Population: The population of Baalbek is approximately 120,000 people. This makes it the second-largest city in Lebanon after Beirut.


Area: The total area of Baalbek is around 15 square kilometers.

Baalbek - History and Facts
Climate: Baalbek has a Mediterranean climate, like most cities in Lebanon. However, winters tend to be milder than in other areas. Rainfall is also pretty high throughout the year.

Baalbek was founded around 1200 BC as a Phoenician city and was located at the crossroads of trade routes between Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Anatolia. At its height, Baalbek covered over 200 acres (80 ha) and was home to approximately 20,000 people. In 65 AD, after years of conflict and destruction, the Roman emperor Nero ordered the temple to be burned down, and a large part of the city was destroyed. By the 4th century, little remained of the ancient city, but it was rediscovered in 1596. Today, Baalbek has been restored into a UNESCO World Heritage Site and still serves as a center for religious pilgrimage. The temple ruins cover about 40 hectares (100 acres), including three separate temples that are built along a central axis, creating a sacred space that is open to the sky.

Baalbek - History and Facts
The temple's façade is decorated with five rows of Ionic columns. The Temple of Jupiter is the largest building on the site, with 30 meters (98 ft) high walls. Much of what we know about Roman architecture comes from this temple. Inside the temple, visitors can view the large, well-preserved bas reliefs depicting battles and gods. One of the bas reliefs depicts a battle scene between Hercules and the Centaur Nessus. The relief dates back to the 1st century and was carved out of limestone.

Baalbek - History and Facts
UNESCO has protected this site since 1979 when it was inscribed in the “List of World Cultural Heritage Sites in Danger”. Since then, many archaeological sites across the Middle East have been destroyed due to war and violence. This site was included on the list as a result of the damage caused by the Israeli bombing campaign against Lebanon in 1982. This site has been studied extensively, and archaeologists continue to discover interesting facts about the history of the region. There are many temples here, including the Temple of Jupiter, dedicated to the Roman God Jupiter; the Great Temple of Baalshamin; the Sanctuary of the Winged Lions; the Temple of Bacchus; the Temple of Venus; the Temple of Apollo; the Temple of Mercury; the Temple of Minerva; the Temple of Hercules; the Palace of King Abgar V; and the Archaic Theatre.

Baalbek - History and Facts

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Tibet Tourism Facts Review

China Tibet tourism has been on the rise from 2015 onwards. With its stunning landscape that attracts millions of travelers each year – this ancient land still manages to surprise many first-time visitors. Its culture and history are long-established and the people are warm and friendly. The Lhasa area is home to various religious sites including the Potala Palace where Dalai Lama lives and resides. This magnificent structure was built at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, it houses government offices and museums. It’s believed that over 10 million people have visited the palace since its opening in 1907.

Tibet Tourism Facts
To get around the city, take a rickshaw which can cost between $10 - $30 per ride. For faster transport, you can opt for taxis which start at $5-$6 per ride. Public bus service is very common across cities, towns, and villages. You can find restaurants that offer local Tibetan dishes all over the city. If you want to try Chinese food then you should head to Yialing Lu (the road running parallel to Sera) where you can find lots of options. You can also try Italian, Indian, Japanese, and other international cuisines if you desire. Other popular places in Lhasa include the Barkhor street market; Jokhang Temple, which is the spiritual center of the Gelugpa sect of Buddhism and the largest temple in the world outside of China; Ganden Monastery; Thangka Painting Gallery; Chagpori Lake which is an ideal for picnics; Barkhalsan village, famous for its handwoven carpets; the old parts of Lhasa with their mud-brick architecture are worth exploring; and the holy Lake Manasarovar.

Tibet Tourism Facts
Many people visit Lhasa to witness the annual Kora festival where you can join pilgrims as they walk clockwise around the Jokhang Temple. As a country located at the geographic center of Asia, Tibet has been a destination of interest for tourists since ancient times. Over time its location has led to many visitors from other parts of the world discovering this remote place, but that does not mean they have always treated it well. The history of Tibet can be traced back thousands of years before the arrival of Westerners. This video reviews some of the tourism resources in Tibet including sights, hotels, and travel information. When looking for cheap airfare and flights, sometimes the simple things are overlooked. By ensuring your passport is valid, and that your bank account number is correct, you could save yourself a lot of money. Not only that, if you take these steps to ensure your trip goes smoothly, you may avoid potential problems of overpaying fees and getting stuck in a crowded airport. In today’s society where almost everyone suffers from the common cold, flu season often means staying home unnecessarily when you feel just fine. However, the best way to prevent sickness is to stay healthy through proper nutrition. If you want to minimize your risk of catching something, here are some tips on how to eat healthier.

Tibet Tourism Facts
Traveling should be fun and relaxing! But sometimes bad weather and poor planning can ruin what would otherwise be a perfect vacation. To help keep your trips stress-free, follow these steps to prepare for anything...and everything! What better way to experience a new culture than visiting their local cuisine? Whether you're into Mexican food or Japanese ramen, this video lists some of our top picks around the world. Have you ever wondered how much a hotel room costs? In this video we break down prices in different price ranges, listing popular rooms and lodging types across the globe.

Tibet Tourism Facts

Tibet Tourism Facts

Some Interesting Facts about Rio de Janeiro Carnival 2022

Carnival in Rio is a massive party that takes place annually in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is officially called “Rio Carnaval” and lasts around 7 days. In 2013, Carnival attracted 21 million visitors making it the largest event in Latin America. And like many other parts of the world, Rio has adopted some American elements into its celebration including the use of Mardi Gras beads. See how this festival got its name and its history here!

Rio de Janeiro Carnival
Carnival Parade's origin dates back to 1534 when the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama first landed on the Brazilian coast. The people were amazed at how the Europeans could stand under the hot sun while wearing heavy clothes. They then started having parades in celebration of their safe return from India. This was later adopted by the Spanish who called it Carnaval. In Brazil, this festival has been celebrated since the 1700s and grew over time to become what it is today. There are several similarities between this festival and Mardi Gras. Both have religious origins, involve costumes and masks, and feature music and dancing. Each city decides its own parade route since carnival has no set date as Mardi Gras does.

Rio de Janeiro Carnival
The official carnival festivities begin in February but many cities celebrate before that. According to legend, the day before Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of carnival season. There are various ways to mark this date; some cities celebrate it with a huge party where attendees dress in costume while others choose to go about it quietly. Each year, to participate in the celebrations, tourists flock to Brazil to watch the colorful festivities. The biggest carnival parades can attract hundreds of thousands of spectators. This tradition dates back to the early days of Brazilian society. People from all over the country came together under their own flags (the color representing their region) and danced and sang, celebrated, and enjoyed the festivities at the end of winter.

Rio de Janeiro Carnival
In modern times, the carnival is a month-long celebration. Many parties happen throughout the week leading up to the big day. The biggest party is called Carnaval. It occurs in February of each year but begins about 10 days before Ash Wednesday. The parade begins with people dressed up as animals and monsters, wearing colorful costumes and masks. They marched through the streets playing music and dancing along the way. There are parades everywhere around the city. Every neighborhood gathers its own group of artists to participate in the celebrations.

Rio de Janeiro Carnival
A common misconception is that carnival is only celebrated during Lent in Brazil. This is actually false! Carnivals are celebrated year-round throughout Brazil, but the biggest ones occur from February through April. Some consider carnival to be a religious holiday. Many people go dressed in their best clothes and celebrate with friends and family. Others have gone as far as to wear costumes and even makeup to imitate famous figures they admire. The parade route usually begins at Praça Onze, which is located in downtown Rio de Janeiro, where the statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. From there, the parade winds its way along the streets until it reaches Sambódromo, where fans gather and watch the dancing and other festivities.

Rio de Janeiro Carnival

Monday, March 28, 2022

Manila Tourism Facts

The Philippines is a group of islands situated in Southeast Asia. It has been a country since May 15, 1946. Its capital city is Manila. The official language is Filipino although English is widely spoken. Today, the population of the Philippines exceeds 100 million people.

History of Manilla

In 1571, Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos landed in what was then called Paracel Island (now known as Palawan). He later named the island after his hometown of Manila. In 1762, Spain ceded control of the archipelago to Great Britain. On June 12, 1898, the United States took possession of the Philippines from Spain following the Spanish-American War. After the war, Americans ruled the Philippines until they were forced out by Japanese forces at the end of World War II. The United States returned in 1944 and established the present political structure of the Philippines.

Manila Tourism Facts
Philippine Economy

The Philippines' economy is considered to be an emerging market. The global economy remains weak but some sectors have shown growth including tourism, shipping, manufacturing, construction, financial services, real estate, retail trade, wholesale trade, transport and logistics, information technology, telecommunications, education, health care, and mining. The Philippines' gross domestic product grew by 6% in 2010 and 5.7% in 2011. GDP per capita rose from $2,000 in 1980 to $5,500 in 2005. Economic freedom declined from 60th place in 2000 to 68th in 2008 and is projected to reach 75th place in 2012.

Manila Tourism Facts
Manila's population has been estimated at over 20 million people, making it the third-largest city in the Philippines and the second-largest metropolitan area in the country. Its name comes from its original inhabitants, the Manilans, who arrived in the archipelago around 2,000 years ago. They were named after their homeland, which was called Manila in Classical Latin. Manila was established as an independent town on June 24, 1571, by Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi. In 1580, Magellan founded the first settlement in what would become known as the City of Manila. The Chinese took control of Manila in 1603 and ruled until 1662. The Spaniards returned and reestablished themselves in 1762.

Manila Tourism Facts
Manila is the capital city of the Philippines. It was founded by Spanish colonizers in 1571. Its official name is the City of Manila. It has a population of over 12 million people. There are many tourist attractions like museums, parks, historical sites, monuments, beaches, etc. You can experience world-class shopping malls, markets, restaurants, bars, nightlife, hotels, etc. There are many tourist attractions in Manila. In the past decades, tourism has become one of the major sources of income in the city. In 2017, almost 6 million tourists visited the city, spending about ₱10 billion (US$200 million) per year. Almost 85% of the total foreign exchange earnings come from the service industry. There are over 730 hotels in the city. Manila has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Its first inhabitants were Negritos who lived along riverbanks. They were followed by other tribes, including the Malays, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Americans, and Filipinos. At present, over 12 million people are living in Metro Manila.

Manila Tourism Facts
The Philippines was once called Las Islas de Luzon (The Islands of Luzon), after the largest island, Luzon. The capital city of the Philippines is named after its founder, Miguel Lopez De Legazpi. He established the settlement of Intramuros, now known as Old Manila, in 1571. The name of the country was officially changed from the Republic of the Philippines to the Philippine Islands in 1953. The term “manila world” means “the world of manila”.

Sunday, March 27, 2022

24 Amazing Facts about Reykjavik Tourism

1. Reykjavik was founded in 874 AD as a Viking settlement at the tip of the peninsula that would become Iceland.

2. In the year 930, the first Benedictine monastery was established on the island.


3. Today, Reykjavík has approximately 115,000 residents.


4. The city is home to some of the world's best examples of Nordic architecture, including the National Theatre, Harpa concert hall, and Hallgrímskirkja church.


5. The Blue Lagoon is the largest geothermal spa in Europe and features thermal waters that are naturally rich in minerals.


6. The area is known for its active nightlife and cosmopolitan culture.


Amazing Facts about Reykjavik
7. Reykjavík was founded by settlers from Iceland who were fleeing religious persecution in their homeland. They settled in this area due to its fertile land and freshwater supply.


8. There are many volcanoes located around Reykjavík that can be seen from the city center. One of them is Mount Eldfell, about three miles [5 km] southeast of the city center.


9. The capital of Iceland has been home to some of the world's greatest thinkers including Plato, Aristotle, Beethoven, Einstein, and Darwin. These great minds contributed greatly to human knowledge and have left behind amazing legacies. Reykjavíc is known as the City of Lights.


10. The Icelandic people live in small villages called'soti' which means community in Old Norse. This unique culture lives in harmony while respecting nature and each other.


Amazing Facts about Reykjavik
11. Iceland ranks first worldwide for the number of geysers per capita. There are over 500 active geothermal areas throughout the country.


12. Geysir, Gullfoss, Strokkur, and Blue Lagoon are just a few of the places where you can enjoy hot springs and natural pools created naturally by volcanic activity.


13. Reykjavik has a population of over one million and is the capital of Iceland.


14. The name “Reykjavík” means “Smoky Bay” in Icelandic.


Amazing Facts about Reykjavik
15. There are lots of museums in Reykjavik like the Ásmundarsafn museum, the National Gallery, the Viking ship Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Art Museum, and many others!


16. You can take a day trip from Reykjavik to go visit Thingvellir National Park where you can see amazing waterfalls, hot springs, geysers, moss-covered volcanoes, glaciers, lakes, rivers, mountains, and much more.


17. I hope you enjoyed this video! Be sure to give us a thumbs up if you did and share the love with your friends!


Amazing Facts about Reykjavik
18. The name Reykjavik means "smoky bay" in Icelandic.


19. The population of Reykjavik is about 100,000 people.


20. The postal code of Reykjavik starts with 'RS'.


21. There are many places of interest in Reykjavik, including Harpa concert hall, Hallgrímskirkja church, the National Museum, Reykjavik City Library, and Reykjavik Art Museum, Reykjavík Cathedral, Kjarvalsstadir geothermal field, Hverfisgallería art gallery, Geysir hot spring, and Lake Myvatn.


22. Today, Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and has become a thriving cosmopolitan metropolis, with a population of over 170,000 people.


23. Its strategic geographic position makes Reykjavik a natural port city.


24. The first church in Iceland was built in Reykjavik in 1017.


Amazing Facts about Reykjavik