Top attractions in Gangwondo, Korea

Gangwondo is known for its mostly mountainous terrain and ski resorts. Beyond the mountains and the snow, here are 5 things to check out when you’re in Gangwondo.

Take to the slopes in Pyeongchang

The sleepy Gangwon-do town of Pyeongchang shot to global stardom in 2018 as the host city for the Winter Olympics. With the global event came world-class facilities, and although there wasn’t much to speak of until a few years ago, you can rest assured that you’ll be getting the best there is to offer. Some resorts offer amenities like heated pools, floodlights and gourmet restaurants. You might not have the same experience as you would, perhaps, in Europe, but the rush is just as thrilling and you’ll leave wanting more of the slopes and the Korean hospitality.

Nami Island

Nami Island is named for the Joseon Dynasty General Nami, whose grave is said to be located on the island. It’s a short 63km drive from Seoul but still falls within the Gangwon-do province, making it a lovely day trip for families and couples who want to get out into nature and meander along the picturesque poplar tree-lined paths. Water babies are bound to enjoy themselves here, as you can partake in motorboating and waterskiing.

Get crafty in Gangneung

Drinking craft beer might not seem like a particularly Korean pastime, especially when soju and makgeolli reign supreme in these parts. The Budnamu Brewery in Gangneung, however, is definitely worth your time if only for the adventurous names like the Ojook Stout or the Daegwallyeong Pale Ale. You can make it a boozy dinner or lunch if you’re in the mood, as there’s a great variety of food options to accompany the wide range of beers.

Seoraksan National Park

Seoraksan comes alive in the mid-summer months, when warmer climes make for perfect hiking conditions. Autumn, too, is absolutely stunning as the leaves change colour to deep, rich shades of orange and red. Nature enthusiasts are bound to enjoy it here as the park boasts lush, dense vegetation, magnificent waterfalls and some eye-catching rock formations.

Visit the DMZ Museum in Goseong

Although tensions between North and South Korea have dominated global headlines in the past few years, this painful conflict dates back years to 1945, when unification efforts between the two regions failed. The DMZ Museum is a hopeful reminder that the two powers can, one day, come together. The Goseong Unification Observatory is a surreal experience in itself, as it affords views of the North Korean coastline – an extremely volatile region, but one that hasn’t seen any shots fired in decades.

See more: Best mountains to go hiking in South Korea

Source: Internet

What to see in George Town, Penang

If there is one area in Malaysia you have to visit, it is George Town. The capital of Kuala Lumpur may have its twin towers and Kota Kinabalu may have its imposing mountain, but George Town has the art, heritage and excellent food.

Kek Lok Si Temple

Standing on a hilltop at Air Itam, Kek Lok Si is Malaysia’s largest Buddhist temple, comprising a series of monasteries, prayer halls, temples and beautifully-landscaped gardens. A national icon, built in 1890, the ten-acre site is divided into three zones: the lower level of the complex comprises the hill entrance, souvenir, food and drinks stalls and the turtle liberation pond. The middle section houses temples, gardens, a pagoda and the four heavenly kings pavilion, while the hilltop is home to an enormous statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin as well as more gardens and temples.

Clan Jetty

Situated near the Penang ferry terminal, the Clan Jetties in George Town are water villages dominated by seven historic Chinese clans. In the early 1900s, the clans played out a bitter rivalry over the monopoly of cargo and access to the waterways. These water villages ‘float’ above the water on stilts and are typically made of wood and aluminium. Communal houses normally include a long walkway and a small temple.

Penang Street Art

Making a stroll through George Town’s streets even more interesting, in 2012 Penang’s municipal council hired London-trained Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic, and tasked him with breathing new life into some of the atmospheric Chinese shop-houses around the inner city. An effort to spawn awareness of the rich history of the streets, the project was a success with Zacharevic turning certain areas into thriving tourist destinations that also became the much-talked about object of attention among locals.

Penang 3D Trick Art Musuem

This might be the most family-friendly attractions in George Town. A musuem with decorated rooms designed for comical photos and optical illusions, you might just know what it is based on the name. Spend your afternoon here to have fun, unleash your creativity and inner child.

Read more: Penang, the Pearl of the Orient

Fort Cornwallis

The largest standing fort in Malaysia, this was built by Captain Francis Light when he first took over Penang in 1786. Initially built as defense against piracy and other outside threats, now it has become one of the most historical tourist spot, as well as event and wedding photo shoot venue. Surrounded by greens, today, you could still see cannons standing strong at every corner of the wall. This is by far one of the best attractions in George Town.

Hin Bus Depot

The elegant remains of this former bus station have become a vibrant hub for George Town's burgeoning contemporary art scene. Half a dozen art studios and a gallery host exhibitions (ranging from sculpture to photography), an arts-and-crafts market every Sunday (11am to 5pm), and art-house movies and documentaries on Tuesdays. The open-air areas are bedecked with street art.

Source Internet

Top things to explore Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan is a city of breathtaking beauty in Myanmar. The city tucked away on a curve of the Ayeyarwady River, is home to temples, pagodas, delicious Burmese eateries, and an overall laid-back vibe.

Wake up early for the sunrise

The early bird gets the worm in Bagan, as one of the best times to view the amazing Bagan Archaeological Zone is at sunrise. Visitors will likely have to get up at 4:30 a.m. or so to give themselves enough time to get to the temple of their choice to watch the sun come up. There are some popular temple destinations in which the majority of tourists seem to flock to for this stunning affair; however, it is better if they sort out an off-the-beaten-path temple to frequent, as one too many people all trying to get a photograph of the same thing can certainly be a frustrating endeavor. There are thousands of temples and pagodas scattered across the plains of Bagan, giving people plenty of options.

Cycle to the temples and pagodas on an electric bike

Myanmar is leading the way to a more greener form of exploring cities with loads of electric bikes, or e-bikes, available in Bagan. Visitors cannot venture far into the city without seeing an e-bike shop lining one of the dusty roads in town. This form of transportation is almost identical to mopeds, except for the fact that they run on batteries as opposed to gasoline. In addition to being better for the environment, they are extremely quiet and do not go as fast as their noisy counterparts. The absence of the roar of an engine makes riding along the winding, dirt roads to visit all the temples certainly a relaxing experience.

Eat authentic Burmese cuisine

Cuisine does not get much better than what the locals in Bagan are cooking up in the many eateries found around the city. From streetside shops equipped with nothing but a chef and some plastic seating to European-Burmese fusion restaurants serving up some unique finds, there is a restaurant or stall ready to please all appetites in this historic city. Some of the best restaurants in town include Weather Spoon’s Bagan, Be Kind to Animals the Moon, and Seven Sisters Restaurant. Myanmar has a number of famous dishes, so be sure to try at least one of these before leaving this fascinating country.

See more: A guide to Bagan, Myanmar's hot air balloons

Visit Mani-Sithu Market

The Mani-Sithu Market is a wonderful spot for visitors who find themselves growing a bit tired of exploring the temples. There is a wide variety of Burmese handicrafts to browse through, with some unique finds including the bark needed to make thanaka, the face mask many Burmese men, women, and children wear. Vendors are friendly, speak a fair amount of English, and are ready to barter as people take to the many stalls in hopes of finding souvenirs, delicious Burmese snacks, and more. Mani-Sithu Market also has its fair share of faux lacquerware, one of the most coveted Burmese handicrafts in the country. Real lacquerware can cost upwards of hundreds of dollars, while the very realistic-looking and stunning pieces found at stalls across this market will leave shoppers with plenty of kyats to spare. This market sits at the very end of Lanmadaw Road; visitors will know they have arrived when they reach a small roundabout, and there is a covered bazaar straight ahead. The market is open every day (except Sunday) from 6 a.m. until about 5 p.m.

Stop by a lacquerware workshop

The lacquerware found in shops around town as well as the Mani-Sithu Market are certainly convincing; however, those on the lookout for some authentic dishware and pieces need to check out one of the lacquerware workshops in the city. One of the most noteworthy places in the city is the Bagan House Lacquerware Workshop found in New Bagan. Lacquerware is specifically unique to the area, though visitors will find it in cities around the country, in locals’ homes, inside ancient temples, as well as in the monasteries in Bagan. People who frequent one of these workshops will watch as locals craft the bamboo base of each piece, then later glaze and paint it, store it in a dry cellar, and decorate it with traditional designs made with a needle. The crafters glaze the pieces at Bagan House Lacquerware Workshop anywhere from eight to 16 times, and their elaborate and stunning pieces can take up to one year to finish.

Source theculturetrip