By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Niraj_Singh]Niraj Singh
Traveling requires a lot of planning and the most important factor is the money. Handling money at a foreign destination needs to have some important tips. Those tips might be regarding the currency, the way of shopping or on expenses of traveling the different parts of the country. No one can afford to ignore such an important aspect of traveling a foreign land where he finds himself or herself completely unaware of the value of that countries currency. So you need to be equipped with some essential tips before you start for any foreign country.
Talking of Malaysia, the local currency is Ringgit Malaysia. One RM equals to 100 sen, the smaller unit of Malaysian currency. Like in other countries, notes and coins are principal forms. Banknotes are issued in form of RM1, Rm2, RM5, RM10, RM50 and coins are in sen like one sen, five sen, 50 sen and 1 RM denomination. You can get your currency converted into Ringgit at banks or authorized moneychangers throughout the country. Resident travelers can carry upto RM 1000 per person both in and out of the country. However, those who want to carry more than permissible limit need to obtain permission from the Controller of Foreign Exchange and declare in the Traveler's Declaration Form the exact amount of Ringgit carried.
Non Resident travelers are allowed to carry any amount of foreign currency. Nevertheless, if the amount exceeds 2,500 UD dollar, the declaration in the Disembarkation Card issued by the Immigration Department need to be done. So travel Malaysia with these valuable tips in your hand!
Author is an associate editor of Stayresmalaysia. The website offers exclusive information of [http://www.stayresmalaysia.com/malaysia-travel-tips.htm]Malaysia Travels tips and [http://www.stayresmalaysia.com/hotel-kuala-lumpur.htm]Kuala LumPur Hotels.
We also provide online hotel reservation of [http://www.stayresmalaysia.com/all-malaysia-hotels.htm]hotels in Malaysia.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Travel-Malaysia---With-Some-Tips&id=332597] Travel Malaysia - With Some Tips
Showing posts with label Destination. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Destination. Show all posts
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Top 10 Kuching Travel Destinations You Must Not Miss
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lester_Sim]Lester Sim
Travel to Kuching on your own is not as difficult as you may think. Here I'm going to list down the top 10 places or attractions that you should not miss when traveling in Kuching.
1. Kuching Weekend Market
The locals simply call it "Sunday Market". It really more than a Sunday's market, because the market start operating from Saturday's afternoon around 2pm. The crowd is forming from 3pm onwards, 99% are local shoppers & traders, and you will be that remaining 1%. At this weekend market, you get to see all kind of stuffs people are selling & buying there. Goods been traded ranging from cloths, home accessories & supplies, local produces, meat & fresh vegetables, foods, so on and so forth. Basically everything you can think of that can be found at Kuching, but definitely not the branded merchandise of course. This is the most traditional market that you will ever find in Kuching, which remain never change since some 20 years ago, or longer. You can easily hire a taxi from your hotel and will never cost you more than a RM15, unless you are staying somewhere off the Kuching city.
2. Sarawak Museum
Your Kuching travel will never be completed if you miss the Sarawak Museum. It's free entrance anyway, & it has so much to tell you about Kuching and also the story of entire Sarawak. Some says that by just visiting Sarawak Museum alone and spend an hour walk through the entire museum is as good as travel ling to the whole of Sarawak for a week. It's located next to Merdeka Palace Hotel in Kuching.
3. Malay Village across the Sarawak River
Another highly recommended place to visit and the best part is, it won't cost you much to get there too, perhaps around RM2 per person only for the boat transfer. The small boat (called Tambang) transfer you from Kuching Waterfront across the Sarawak river already half of the fun. In the village itself, you won't get to see a lot of tourist there, and I also must say this is not a place for tourist, but an authentic local Malay village. Take short walk around the village, you will find that it's so much different from the Kuching city centre right just across the river. Try their local "Kampung" (mean village in Malay) Malay's food, cheap and delicious, but be caution, almost all of them are spicy, just in case you have problem a taking spicy food. Just my 2 cents, do not leave Kuching if you haven't visit this village yet.
4. Main Bazaar
This is where most tourists like shop for local souvenirs. At Main Bazaar, not only souvenir shops you can find there, but also lots of other shops selling other stuffs, just like a carpenter shop selling traditional handmade goods. Just stroll along the conservation old shop lots you will discover lots of interesting things, so I will leave it to you to explore them. Trust me, there are lots of interesting stuffs can be found there, such as tribal handicrafts, antiques & etc. Please bargain the price right, or shop around first before making your purchases.
5. Annah Rais Longhouse
If you really don't have time and budget to travel inland to places like Rejang river's Iban longhouse, then Annah Rais Bidayuh Longhouse is your best choice. This is a very real authentic Bidayuh longhouse located at some 90km away from Kuching city. It is patronised by the tourists daily and many say that it has become a tourist place. Nevertheless, the local people still carried on with their traditional life there, despite lots of tourist visiting the longhouse everyday. Rest assured that you will not see the local people are trying to sell you the tourist piece stuffs. Although the longhouse itself has already equipped with satellite or antenna, the main longhouse structure still remain pretty much original. They are working very hard to preserve the way it should be. If you prefer to stay back and to experience yourself the local way of living there, you can opt to stay with one of the local villager there who run a homestay program called Annah Rais Longhouse Adventure.
6. Semenggoh Orangutan Wildlife Centre
This is one of the most important "Must Go" place among all places in your Kuching travel destinations plan. You get to see the Orangutan in the wild and not caged. They roam freely in the surrounding jungle & will appear at the Park headquarter during the feeding time. Interestingly, they know the timing better then you do. So remember the feeding time, 9am & 3pm daily, if you miss it, you got to find them in the jungle then. The entrance fee cost you RM3 per person, a fraction of cost compare to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center in Sabah that cost you RM30 per person, and you get to see pretty much the same thing, but only with the better facility.
7. Sarawak Cultural Village
This is a very well-built and well-maintained Sarawak various ethnic house's model. They were built in a real human's size (not a mini size model), and the best thing is they even employ the real people to live there in a traditional way of living. This is a very good concept of living museum, which you will get to see how various ethnic in Sarawak live the traditional way. They have lots to offer to visitors, even a very interesting cultural dances show.
8. Bako National Park
I can't stretch enough that this is the only place that will get you excited every moment when you are in the park. The journey on the boat transfer alone already part of the adventurous trip, because you will get a chance to see the wild crocodiles when you are on the boat, however, this is not a guaranteed sighting though. When arrive at the park, you will most likely be greeted by the long-tailed macaque or the wild bearded pig. The wildlife is almost everywhere. This is also a good place for jungle trekking too. You will find a lot of trails, some offering you a good chance to see the endangered species of flora & fauna, such as proboscis monkey. Opt for the night jungle trekking too, the ranger can arrange for you and you will get to see the different creatures at night. Remember to bring mosquito repellent, lots of mosquito in the park though and they are simply, wild too!
9. Jong's Crocodile Farm
Lots of people like the idea that the crocodiles are kept in the huge piece of land that form pretty much like a swampland, the crocodile natural habitat. The crocodiles are not caged, but you do! What a good idea right. This crocodile farm is well worth your visit, as you get to see thousands of crocodiles that are kept pretty much like they are in the wild. Moreover the entrance is barely RM8 per person, highly recommended!
10. Jalan Song Eatery Place (Must Go)
Again I need to mention, this is another non-tourist place, but it is very important for you to know that this is the most popular eatery place in Kuching for the local Kuching people. If you are a good food lover, this is the place for you to sample all kind of Kuching's local dishes, such as Kolo Mee, Sarawak Laksa, and etc. Only visit this place for your dinner, because during the day, it's just like a ghost town, but it gets very happening when the day turns dark. Since you are travel ling in Kuching and you got to try the local dishes, this place have put everything together for you. I would say it's a "Must Visit" place in your Kuching travel destinations plan.
Visit Lester Sim's [http://www.kuchingtravelguide.com]Kuching Travel Guide for more insights information about traveling in Kuching. Also visit his friend's homestay website - [http://www.longhouseadventure.com]Annah Rais Longhouse Adventure, if you wish to experience the local Bidayuh tribe's traditional way of living.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-10-Kuching-Travel-Destinations-You-Must-Not-Miss&id=3968710] Top 10 Kuching Travel Destinations You Must Not Miss
Travel to Kuching on your own is not as difficult as you may think. Here I'm going to list down the top 10 places or attractions that you should not miss when traveling in Kuching.
1. Kuching Weekend Market
The locals simply call it "Sunday Market". It really more than a Sunday's market, because the market start operating from Saturday's afternoon around 2pm. The crowd is forming from 3pm onwards, 99% are local shoppers & traders, and you will be that remaining 1%. At this weekend market, you get to see all kind of stuffs people are selling & buying there. Goods been traded ranging from cloths, home accessories & supplies, local produces, meat & fresh vegetables, foods, so on and so forth. Basically everything you can think of that can be found at Kuching, but definitely not the branded merchandise of course. This is the most traditional market that you will ever find in Kuching, which remain never change since some 20 years ago, or longer. You can easily hire a taxi from your hotel and will never cost you more than a RM15, unless you are staying somewhere off the Kuching city.
2. Sarawak Museum
Your Kuching travel will never be completed if you miss the Sarawak Museum. It's free entrance anyway, & it has so much to tell you about Kuching and also the story of entire Sarawak. Some says that by just visiting Sarawak Museum alone and spend an hour walk through the entire museum is as good as travel ling to the whole of Sarawak for a week. It's located next to Merdeka Palace Hotel in Kuching.
3. Malay Village across the Sarawak River
Another highly recommended place to visit and the best part is, it won't cost you much to get there too, perhaps around RM2 per person only for the boat transfer. The small boat (called Tambang) transfer you from Kuching Waterfront across the Sarawak river already half of the fun. In the village itself, you won't get to see a lot of tourist there, and I also must say this is not a place for tourist, but an authentic local Malay village. Take short walk around the village, you will find that it's so much different from the Kuching city centre right just across the river. Try their local "Kampung" (mean village in Malay) Malay's food, cheap and delicious, but be caution, almost all of them are spicy, just in case you have problem a taking spicy food. Just my 2 cents, do not leave Kuching if you haven't visit this village yet.
4. Main Bazaar
This is where most tourists like shop for local souvenirs. At Main Bazaar, not only souvenir shops you can find there, but also lots of other shops selling other stuffs, just like a carpenter shop selling traditional handmade goods. Just stroll along the conservation old shop lots you will discover lots of interesting things, so I will leave it to you to explore them. Trust me, there are lots of interesting stuffs can be found there, such as tribal handicrafts, antiques & etc. Please bargain the price right, or shop around first before making your purchases.
5. Annah Rais Longhouse
If you really don't have time and budget to travel inland to places like Rejang river's Iban longhouse, then Annah Rais Bidayuh Longhouse is your best choice. This is a very real authentic Bidayuh longhouse located at some 90km away from Kuching city. It is patronised by the tourists daily and many say that it has become a tourist place. Nevertheless, the local people still carried on with their traditional life there, despite lots of tourist visiting the longhouse everyday. Rest assured that you will not see the local people are trying to sell you the tourist piece stuffs. Although the longhouse itself has already equipped with satellite or antenna, the main longhouse structure still remain pretty much original. They are working very hard to preserve the way it should be. If you prefer to stay back and to experience yourself the local way of living there, you can opt to stay with one of the local villager there who run a homestay program called Annah Rais Longhouse Adventure.
6. Semenggoh Orangutan Wildlife Centre
This is one of the most important "Must Go" place among all places in your Kuching travel destinations plan. You get to see the Orangutan in the wild and not caged. They roam freely in the surrounding jungle & will appear at the Park headquarter during the feeding time. Interestingly, they know the timing better then you do. So remember the feeding time, 9am & 3pm daily, if you miss it, you got to find them in the jungle then. The entrance fee cost you RM3 per person, a fraction of cost compare to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center in Sabah that cost you RM30 per person, and you get to see pretty much the same thing, but only with the better facility.
7. Sarawak Cultural Village
This is a very well-built and well-maintained Sarawak various ethnic house's model. They were built in a real human's size (not a mini size model), and the best thing is they even employ the real people to live there in a traditional way of living. This is a very good concept of living museum, which you will get to see how various ethnic in Sarawak live the traditional way. They have lots to offer to visitors, even a very interesting cultural dances show.
8. Bako National Park
I can't stretch enough that this is the only place that will get you excited every moment when you are in the park. The journey on the boat transfer alone already part of the adventurous trip, because you will get a chance to see the wild crocodiles when you are on the boat, however, this is not a guaranteed sighting though. When arrive at the park, you will most likely be greeted by the long-tailed macaque or the wild bearded pig. The wildlife is almost everywhere. This is also a good place for jungle trekking too. You will find a lot of trails, some offering you a good chance to see the endangered species of flora & fauna, such as proboscis monkey. Opt for the night jungle trekking too, the ranger can arrange for you and you will get to see the different creatures at night. Remember to bring mosquito repellent, lots of mosquito in the park though and they are simply, wild too!
9. Jong's Crocodile Farm
Lots of people like the idea that the crocodiles are kept in the huge piece of land that form pretty much like a swampland, the crocodile natural habitat. The crocodiles are not caged, but you do! What a good idea right. This crocodile farm is well worth your visit, as you get to see thousands of crocodiles that are kept pretty much like they are in the wild. Moreover the entrance is barely RM8 per person, highly recommended!
10. Jalan Song Eatery Place (Must Go)
Again I need to mention, this is another non-tourist place, but it is very important for you to know that this is the most popular eatery place in Kuching for the local Kuching people. If you are a good food lover, this is the place for you to sample all kind of Kuching's local dishes, such as Kolo Mee, Sarawak Laksa, and etc. Only visit this place for your dinner, because during the day, it's just like a ghost town, but it gets very happening when the day turns dark. Since you are travel ling in Kuching and you got to try the local dishes, this place have put everything together for you. I would say it's a "Must Visit" place in your Kuching travel destinations plan.
Visit Lester Sim's [http://www.kuchingtravelguide.com]Kuching Travel Guide for more insights information about traveling in Kuching. Also visit his friend's homestay website - [http://www.longhouseadventure.com]Annah Rais Longhouse Adventure, if you wish to experience the local Bidayuh tribe's traditional way of living.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-10-Kuching-Travel-Destinations-You-Must-Not-Miss&id=3968710] Top 10 Kuching Travel Destinations You Must Not Miss
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Mount Kinabalu Climbing: A Window to the Beautiful Malaysia
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hawes]Gregg Hawes
The name Malaysia was derived from a Sanskrit word that means "land of mountains". True to its name, Malaysia has over fifty mountains, of which, the tallest is Mt Kinabalu. Towering at 13,500 feet, Mt Kinabalu is not only the tallest mountain in the country and also the fourth highest in Southeast Asia, it is also home to a tremendous botanical and biological species that are rare to find anywhere else in the world. All these make Mount Kinabalu climbing one of the most rewarding activities that both locals and tourists should not miss in Sabah.
Mt. Kinabalu, which is Located at the high point of the Croker Range, is one of the youngest non-volcanic mountains in the world. Thanks to a wide climactic range, the mountain has very rich and diversified flora and fauna. The mountain is home to over half of the flowering plants in the world, over 500 species of ferns, 700 species of orchids, and some endemic animals like Thomas' pygmy squirrels and Kinabalu shrews. It is also home to the Nepenthes Rajah, the world's largest plant; and home to more than 24 species of a flower called Rhododendrons. Also found in the mountain are 17 of the 29 species of birds endemic to Borneo, including the crimson-headed wood and red-breasted tree partridge.
With all these botanical and biological species found in Mount Kinabalu, it is no wonder why it has become a favourite destination for recognized climbers and why the mountain was included in UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Signing Up With Borneo Tours
Climbing Mount Kinabalu only takes 2-3 days and climbers do not need to have any experience at mountain climbing. However, anyone planning to climb Mt. Kinabalu should watch out for weather conditions in the area as Sabah often experiences rains from the tail-end of typhoons.
For individuals who want to climb Mt Kinabalu, the best option for them is to sign up with Borneo Tours or Mt Kinabalu climbing packages to get started with their Mt Kinabalu trip. Climbing Mount Kinabalu with a group or with experienced climbers guarantees an enjoyable, well-planned, and trouble-free climb. Mount Kinabalu climbing packages already include accommodation, meals and transportation, park entrance, transfer, climbing permit, and mountain guide fees. Packages are not so expensive; in fact, it would only cost you about RM850.00, which is roughly US$280.
In most Mount Kinabalu tour itineraries, guests/climbers usually start at the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu for registration, and then visit the Kinabalu Park World Heritage Site where they can stay for the night. On day 2, they begin the first phase of their trek at the Timpohon Gate. On the third day, they start climbing the summit at 3'oclock in the morning so they get to reach the summit during sunrise, when the sights from the peak are its best.
Cloaked in swirling mists and rich flora and fauna, the marvellous scenery that await climbers and thrill-seekers in Mount Kinabalu indeed make Mount Kinabalu climbing an activity that both locals and tourists should never miss in Malaysia.
For more information on [http://www.diverse-borneo.com/borneo-tours/kota-kinabalu/mount-kinabalu-climbing]Mount Kinabalu Climbing please visit diverse-borneo.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Mount-Kinabalu-Climbing:-A-Window-to-the-Beautiful-Malaysia&id=5955005] Mount Kinabalu Climbing: A Window to the Beautiful Malaysia
The name Malaysia was derived from a Sanskrit word that means "land of mountains". True to its name, Malaysia has over fifty mountains, of which, the tallest is Mt Kinabalu. Towering at 13,500 feet, Mt Kinabalu is not only the tallest mountain in the country and also the fourth highest in Southeast Asia, it is also home to a tremendous botanical and biological species that are rare to find anywhere else in the world. All these make Mount Kinabalu climbing one of the most rewarding activities that both locals and tourists should not miss in Sabah.
Mt. Kinabalu, which is Located at the high point of the Croker Range, is one of the youngest non-volcanic mountains in the world. Thanks to a wide climactic range, the mountain has very rich and diversified flora and fauna. The mountain is home to over half of the flowering plants in the world, over 500 species of ferns, 700 species of orchids, and some endemic animals like Thomas' pygmy squirrels and Kinabalu shrews. It is also home to the Nepenthes Rajah, the world's largest plant; and home to more than 24 species of a flower called Rhododendrons. Also found in the mountain are 17 of the 29 species of birds endemic to Borneo, including the crimson-headed wood and red-breasted tree partridge.
With all these botanical and biological species found in Mount Kinabalu, it is no wonder why it has become a favourite destination for recognized climbers and why the mountain was included in UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Signing Up With Borneo Tours
Climbing Mount Kinabalu only takes 2-3 days and climbers do not need to have any experience at mountain climbing. However, anyone planning to climb Mt. Kinabalu should watch out for weather conditions in the area as Sabah often experiences rains from the tail-end of typhoons.
For individuals who want to climb Mt Kinabalu, the best option for them is to sign up with Borneo Tours or Mt Kinabalu climbing packages to get started with their Mt Kinabalu trip. Climbing Mount Kinabalu with a group or with experienced climbers guarantees an enjoyable, well-planned, and trouble-free climb. Mount Kinabalu climbing packages already include accommodation, meals and transportation, park entrance, transfer, climbing permit, and mountain guide fees. Packages are not so expensive; in fact, it would only cost you about RM850.00, which is roughly US$280.
In most Mount Kinabalu tour itineraries, guests/climbers usually start at the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu for registration, and then visit the Kinabalu Park World Heritage Site where they can stay for the night. On day 2, they begin the first phase of their trek at the Timpohon Gate. On the third day, they start climbing the summit at 3'oclock in the morning so they get to reach the summit during sunrise, when the sights from the peak are its best.
Cloaked in swirling mists and rich flora and fauna, the marvellous scenery that await climbers and thrill-seekers in Mount Kinabalu indeed make Mount Kinabalu climbing an activity that both locals and tourists should never miss in Malaysia.
For more information on [http://www.diverse-borneo.com/borneo-tours/kota-kinabalu/mount-kinabalu-climbing]Mount Kinabalu Climbing please visit diverse-borneo.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Mount-Kinabalu-Climbing:-A-Window-to-the-Beautiful-Malaysia&id=5955005] Mount Kinabalu Climbing: A Window to the Beautiful Malaysia
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Laos Travel Experiences
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Smallet]Michael Smallet
Laos is a small country in South East Asia, bordering several major tourist destinations, such as Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and China. This region is a great attraction for tourists from all over the world.
The Asian country of Laos is remarkable due to its amazing culture and authentic lifesyle admired by millions of tourists. One of the state symbols is Anusavari Arc de Triomphe built after the Second World War in memory of the killed Laotian soldiers.
Wat That Luang temple is a mysterious attraction. Inside, one will see a huge statue of Buddha, resting in a spacious, simply decorated hall. The statue seems to be carved of stone, and it looks magnificent.
Pha That Luang is an important national temple in Laos, which is a symbol of Buddhism religion and of the country's sovereignty. The full name of the temple means 'The World Precious Sacred Stupa'. Legend has it that the missionaries of King Ashoka of India founded the first stupa here in the 3rd century BC, but any convincing evidence of this event has not yet been found. The excavations, carried out directly in the temple, show that right at this point there used to be an ancient Khmer monastery in the 11th century. And when king Sethathirat moved the capital of Laos from Luang Prabang to Vientiane in the middle of the 16th century, he ordered to erect Pha That Luang temple in place of the ancient monastery. The construction started in 1566, and in four years four temples had been erected. At present, only two of them have survived: Wat That Luang Neua facing the north and Wat That Luang Tai facing the south.
Wat That Luang Neua used to be the residence of the Supreme Spiritual Guide of Buddhism in Laos. The temple is surrounded by a high bastion built in the 19th century to protect the temple against foreign invaders. Each part of the monument is different in terms of its architecture, which embodies the basic doctrines of Buddhism.
The Central Stupa of Thap Luang is decorated with the sculpture of a flower and Buddhist inscriptions, its walls are 45 meters high, and behind them there are some more classical Khmer sculptures.
Wat Phra Kaew was not only a monastery, but a royal temple as well. It was built in the 16th century specifically for the Emerald Buddha statue, but in 1788 it was moved to Bangkok. Since then, the Emerald Buddha statue is considered the most sacred relic, not only in Laos, but also for the people of Thailand.
The National Museum is another interesting attraction which contains valuable works of art, but the most expensive exhibit is a copy of a small statue of Buddha. The original Buddha was made of gold and weighed 50 kg. The statue was made in Ceylon in the first century AD. Now it is kept in a bank for security purposes as one of the holiest relics of Buddhism. Other famous destinations of the country include the Royal Monastery Wat Thong Kseng, which is called a 'golden city of temples' and is located on the banks of the Mekong. The Royal Monastery looks like a town, and its main pagoda is richly decorated with gilded carving.
The second largest church of the monastery, Kseng Tong, is a royal tomb. Wat Tat Luang monatery is located in the southern part of the city. The territory of the monastery is decorated with bamboo poles with long green ribbons. Wind rustles the construction, and the ribbons twist slowly, like dragons. People come here to pay homage to the 'father of rivers', the Mekong. They praise the great river in folk legends for its fertility and abundance. There, at the confluence of the Mekong and the Ou rivers, one will find the famous Pak Ou caves, which host thousands of Buddha statues created by monks more than 300 years ago. This place is thought to be inhabited by good spirits and is a site of traditional annual prayers.
If you plan a trip to Laos, or countries nearby, review the list of [http://tripcook.com/cc--Laos--Tour_Operators--la8]Laos tour operators or the list of [http://tripcook.com/countries--LA--Laos]travel agencies in Laos to get advice from local travel professionals.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Laos-Travel-Experiences&id=7045650] Laos Travel Experiences
Laos is a small country in South East Asia, bordering several major tourist destinations, such as Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and China. This region is a great attraction for tourists from all over the world.
The Asian country of Laos is remarkable due to its amazing culture and authentic lifesyle admired by millions of tourists. One of the state symbols is Anusavari Arc de Triomphe built after the Second World War in memory of the killed Laotian soldiers.
Wat That Luang temple is a mysterious attraction. Inside, one will see a huge statue of Buddha, resting in a spacious, simply decorated hall. The statue seems to be carved of stone, and it looks magnificent.
Pha That Luang is an important national temple in Laos, which is a symbol of Buddhism religion and of the country's sovereignty. The full name of the temple means 'The World Precious Sacred Stupa'. Legend has it that the missionaries of King Ashoka of India founded the first stupa here in the 3rd century BC, but any convincing evidence of this event has not yet been found. The excavations, carried out directly in the temple, show that right at this point there used to be an ancient Khmer monastery in the 11th century. And when king Sethathirat moved the capital of Laos from Luang Prabang to Vientiane in the middle of the 16th century, he ordered to erect Pha That Luang temple in place of the ancient monastery. The construction started in 1566, and in four years four temples had been erected. At present, only two of them have survived: Wat That Luang Neua facing the north and Wat That Luang Tai facing the south.
Wat That Luang Neua used to be the residence of the Supreme Spiritual Guide of Buddhism in Laos. The temple is surrounded by a high bastion built in the 19th century to protect the temple against foreign invaders. Each part of the monument is different in terms of its architecture, which embodies the basic doctrines of Buddhism.
The Central Stupa of Thap Luang is decorated with the sculpture of a flower and Buddhist inscriptions, its walls are 45 meters high, and behind them there are some more classical Khmer sculptures.
Wat Phra Kaew was not only a monastery, but a royal temple as well. It was built in the 16th century specifically for the Emerald Buddha statue, but in 1788 it was moved to Bangkok. Since then, the Emerald Buddha statue is considered the most sacred relic, not only in Laos, but also for the people of Thailand.
The National Museum is another interesting attraction which contains valuable works of art, but the most expensive exhibit is a copy of a small statue of Buddha. The original Buddha was made of gold and weighed 50 kg. The statue was made in Ceylon in the first century AD. Now it is kept in a bank for security purposes as one of the holiest relics of Buddhism. Other famous destinations of the country include the Royal Monastery Wat Thong Kseng, which is called a 'golden city of temples' and is located on the banks of the Mekong. The Royal Monastery looks like a town, and its main pagoda is richly decorated with gilded carving.
The second largest church of the monastery, Kseng Tong, is a royal tomb. Wat Tat Luang monatery is located in the southern part of the city. The territory of the monastery is decorated with bamboo poles with long green ribbons. Wind rustles the construction, and the ribbons twist slowly, like dragons. People come here to pay homage to the 'father of rivers', the Mekong. They praise the great river in folk legends for its fertility and abundance. There, at the confluence of the Mekong and the Ou rivers, one will find the famous Pak Ou caves, which host thousands of Buddha statues created by monks more than 300 years ago. This place is thought to be inhabited by good spirits and is a site of traditional annual prayers.
If you plan a trip to Laos, or countries nearby, review the list of [http://tripcook.com/cc--Laos--Tour_Operators--la8]Laos tour operators or the list of [http://tripcook.com/countries--LA--Laos]travel agencies in Laos to get advice from local travel professionals.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Laos-Travel-Experiences&id=7045650] Laos Travel Experiences
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