Top 10 tourist attractions in Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, and for a reason, you can find almost anything here: crystal blue beaches, thick jungle, great food, cheap beachfront bungalows and some of the best luxury hotels in the world.

1.Similan Island

Located just 84 km northwest of the bustling crowds of Phuket, Similan Island is made up of nine primary islands and two far-flung ones, and also is one of the most popular diving destinations in the country. The word "Similan" is derived from the Malay Sembilan, means "nine" and each of the Similan island has a number as well as a name.

2. Ayuthaya Historical Park

Also known as Ayutthaya Historical Park, this popular tourist attraction contains the ruins of the second capital of Siam, which was founded around 1350. By 1700 Ayutthaya had become one of the largest cities in the world with a total of 1 million inhabitants. In 1767 the city was destroyed by the Burmese army, resulting in the collapse of the kingdom. Fortunately, renovations that began in the late 1960s restored the once-vibrant city too much of its former glory, allowing visitors to experience the eclectic array of architectural styles that can be found amid its grid-like patterns of moats, roads, and canals.

3. Phanom Rung

Sitting on an extinct volcano in northeastern Thailand, Phanom Rung is a Hindu temple regarded for its outstanding architecture. Located near the village of Nang Rong, this temple sanctuary was built by the Khmer culture between the 10th and 13th centuries. Constructed of sandstone and laterite, Phanom Rung was built to represent Mount Kailash, the sacred home of Shiva.

4. Wat Arun

Wat Arun, locally known as Wat Chaeng, is situated on the west Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya River. It is easily one of the most stunning temples in Bangkok, not only because of its riverside location but also because the design is very different from the other temples you can visit in Bangkok. Wat Arun, or Temple of Dawn, is partly made up of colorfully decorated spires and stands majestically over the water.

5. Prasat Hin Phimai

Prasat Hin Phimai boasts some of the most impressive Khmer ruins in Thailand. Similar in style (if much smaller) than those at Angkor, the temples were built during the 11th and 12th century, during which time the area was part of the Khmer empire. Though built as a Mahayana Buddhist temple, the carvings also feature many Hindu deities as explained in the visitor center.

6. Railay

Also known as Rai Leh, this popular rock-climbing destination is located in the Krabi Province on the coast of the Andaman Sea. Accessible only by boat, Railay boasts a variety of exciting attractions. Its more than 700 bolted rock-climbing routes are a major draw. However, there are also several stunning beaches, and visitors can also explore a series of caves. Accommodation on Railay ranges from inexpensive bungalows popular with backpackers and climbers to the renowned jet-set resort of Rayavadee.

See more: A perfect getaway in Railay, Thailand

7. Grand Palace

As the official residence of the kings of Siam and later Thailand since 1782, the Grand Palace is perhaps the most famous attraction in the bustling city of Bangkok. Situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the walled-in complex contains a compelling series of pavilions, halls, wats and other buildings interspersed with vast lawns, lavish gardens, and stately courtyards. Of the many sights here, Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is probably the most memorable.

8. Ko Phi Phi

A beautiful archipelago located in the Krabi Province not too far from Phuket is the only island in the group with permanent inhabitants. It has become the main tourist attraction because of the appearance in the film "The Beach" in 1999. Travelers go here to enjoy the beach and participate in a variety of water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking.

9. Lamphun

Lamphun was once the northernmost outpost of the ancient Mon Dvaravati Kingdom. There is an old fortress that guards ancient temples against when the city was an important defensive post for Queen Chama Thevi, one of Thailand’s most beloved rulers. The city does not promote or celebrate this ancient history too much, but it is quite a charming place as it sits on the Mae Kuang River. The most beautiful attraction might be the scenic 26-km (16-mile) country drive from nearby Chang Mai that gives tourists a visual taste of the beautiful river valley landscape.

10. Khao Sok National Park

Home to the largest expanse of virgin forest in Thailand, Kao Sok National Park is a must-visit destination for people who want to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Thailand. The remnants of an ancient rainforest stretch across the park, which is split by a dramatic limestone mountain range. More than 5 percent of the world’s animal species can be found in this lovely national park, which also boasts networks of dirt trails, soaring waterfalls, and a beautiful lake.

Source Internet

All you need to know about Kabuki, a Japanese art form

If you are a fanatic of Japan's culture, you must have heard about Kabuki. Kabuki is a fascinating art form in Japan, and it will be a shame to visit Japan without watching it once during your stay.

1. Kabuki, a traditional art of Japan

Kabuki is a classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers. In 2005, UNESCO announced kabuki as one of the 43 Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

2. The origin of the word kabuki

Since the word kabuki is believed to derive from the verb kabuku, meaning "to lean" or "to be out of the ordinary", kabuki can be interpreted as "avant-garde" or "bizarre" theatre.

3. Kabuki was invented by a woman, Okuni 

The history of kabuki began in 1603 when Okuni, possibly a "miko" (priestess), began performing a new style of dance drama in the dry riverbeds of Kyoto.

4. Now, all kabuki actors are men

Men, generals, merchants, children, princes, princesses, young women, old women, ghosts and so many more roles are all done by men. How a person moves, and what they wear is the way they distinguish their roles.

5. There are two themes: kabuki kyougen and kabuki buyou  

"Kabuki kyougen" have stories, that actually happened in the past (ex. death of a general), or a fictional story set in a certain era. "Kyougen" means a play. "Kabuki buyou" is mainly dance. "Buyou" means dance. If you're new to kabuki, I recommend watching kabuki buyou first. You don't exactly need to understand what they're saying because they mostly dance.

6. Kabuki kyougen are based on the same world

In the stories, they use the same characters (some of whom really existed) in the same era, but alter what happened. As a result, there are several stories that contain the same world setting, but with different plots. 

7. The person dressed in black is invisible on stage

The people dressed in black are called "kurogo kouken". They move or hand props to the actors. The actors and the audience are not supposed to see them.

8. The makeup of kabuki

Makeup of kabuki is distinct to the character. The less human the characters are, for example ghosts and demons, the more bizarre the makeup becomes. It emphasizes the muscles and veins of the face. Red is used for the good characters, blue is used for the enemies, and brown is used for demons or hobgoblins. This method of makeup is called Kumatori.

9. Mie

"Mie" is a stage phase when the actor makes a pose in the heat of the moment. It's something like a stop motion moment in a movie. Mie emphasizes the picturesque beauty of the whole stage, including the actor.

10. When somebody is shouting during Mie, it's a praise

This act is called a "kakegoe". They are shouting the name of the actor, to praise the beauty of their acting. It is done by professional audience members. Never do it if you're an amateur.

See more: The gorgeous Takayama festival in Japan

Source: tsunagujapan

What to pack when visiting Vietnam in December

Vietnam is one of the beautiful countries in the world, which owns many travel destinations with a historical construction. And winter is the golden time by the clear sky and the gentle wind as well as the temperature changes from the North area to South area with the slightly decreased 3-5 degree Celsius and one cannot realize that they are in a tropical country anymore. With its extremely diverse climate, you will need to pack based on your specific destination in Vietnam.

In northern Vietnam 

When you travel to North Vietnam in the winter season, make sure to bring more warm stuff and a raincoat. It can get very cold in mountain, a scarf and warm hat is necessary for you. A warm sweater or fleece is packed if you are heading into the mountains, prepare for cold.

In southern Vietnam

You will want lightweight linen pants, cotton dresses and skirts.  If you forgot them, you can buy clothing there and refer the other article uploaded in our website. Be prepared for adverse weather conditions. Carry a hat and sunglasses with UV protection.

Bring shoes to be easy outdoor activities. Ha Noi and other cities in Vietnam are very conducive to walk, one you get past the occasional motorbike driver on the sidewalk. You may walk several kilometers in the walking streets so you need to bring sport shoes. Many foreigners can forget to carry that shoes.

Devices

Devices are the best things what to pack for Vietnam, which include camera, mobile phone and backup charger. Foreigners should bring their phone to travel because it gives you some necessaries during the trip. When you are landing at the airport, let’s buy a Vietnamese pre-paid Sim card to contact to your friend and family to avoid misleading. Moreover, users completely download some essential apps demanded in the travelling such as Grab taxi, brand tour app, editing photo apps, weather forecast and so on.

With the tons of surreal natural sceneries and breathtaking landmarks in this oriental location, digital camera will be a shame to go home without a single proof of its amazing beauty. You should bring along a quality point and shoot cam over DSLR units because the user is easier to carry and keep, quite useful as you travel across rainforests and rugged terrains.

Necessary items

Money and ATMs are other helpful items to bring with your trip to Vietnam. You need to prepare enough the money to pay many costs such as hotels, foods, tickets, transportation, shopping.

Foreigners going to Vietnam should bring the medicine. Although Vietnam is developing healthcare system, most of the hospital constructed with high quality and good service concentrate on big cities like Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, while in country areas ones can encounter a variety of health risks and inadequate medical care.
Visa and passport are the most important things when you come to Vietnam and come back your country. One advice for you is keeping photocopies or scanned copies of your passport and visa without the originals in suitcase to avoid the loss. Otherwise, travel books can be invaluable here for important information about hospitals, money, embassies and more.

Source Travelsense