A guide to Taiwan's most famous temples

The Chinese temples in Taiwan are among the finest in the world, so it is no surprise that they are very popular destinations with travelers who want to visit Taiwan. There are dozens of temples in Taiwan but here are the most famous and interesting temples you should visit.

Longshan Temple

Built in the late 18th century, Longshan Temple remains a showcase of Southern temple design. The temple is expansive, covering over 10,000 sq meters within its gated walls, so give yourself a few hours to take in the grandeur and admire the minutiae. In addition, let's check out the hall's window lattice for two fish that curl around each other in the shape of the yin and yang symbol.

Inside the hall, you'll find one of the most stunning plafonds in Taiwan, as well as brackets and beams carved into a veritable smorgasbord of traditional symbols: clouds, dragons, bats, lions, melons, elephants, phoenixes, fish and more.

Lotus Pond - Lake of Temples

Lotus Pond is not just famous for its sunset views and beautiful reflections of the surrounding mountains. The twenty temples worshipping different deities situated around the lake also draw many visitors. The most famous four temples are also the most visually striking. Situated inside the belly of the huge beasts, the Dragon & Tiger Towers are memorable places to pray. The nearby Pavilion of the North Pole and Confucius Temple are also popular destinations for locals and visitors alike.

Bishan Temple

Known among locals as the best place for a night view of Taiwan’s capital, Bishan Temple is a great location for a stroll at sunset. Its convenient location in Taipei’s Neihu district makes it a popular destination, especially for those wishing to catch a glimpse of the distant Taipei 101 emerging out of a sea of lights in the distance. This temple is not only a place for worshipping the gods but the beauty of Taipei too.

Matsu Temple

Located in Tainan, the most 400-year-old temple is home to the Taoist equivalent of Cupid. The temple's current appearance is the result of a restoration in 1922. It was helmed by a master designer from Chaozhou in Southern China who clearly infused it with the modest grace of Chaozhou temples.

Wuji Tianyuan Temple

You would be forgiven for mistaking Tamsui’s Taoist Wuji Tianyuan Temple as being in Japan. But the Yoshino cherry blossoms that flower here in mid-March are renowned around Taiwan too. Aside from being a Taoist temple, this place is something of an ode to Taiwan’s much-loved cherry blossom and an absolute hot-spot for anyone who loves photography.

Read more: Visit Taiwan this autumn to enjoy festivals

Source Internet

5 best street food stalls in Jakarta, Indonesia

Indonesian street food is a wonderful mix of local, Chinese, Straits Chinese (Peranakan) and Dutch influences. Here are the must-try street food stalls in Jakarta, Indonesia’s lively capital.

Santiga Seafood Stall

One of the most beloved street eats in the city, Santiga is open all night long, serving fresh seafood grilled or stir fried. Diners sit at low, plastic-covered tables, and are presented with delicacies such as boiled cockles with pineapple sambal sauce, kepiting saus padang (spicy crab) and perfectly breaded fried cuttlefish. Most importantly, Santiga is unusually clean, by Jakarta street food standards, so you can enjoy your seafood without sorry,

Aneka Gorengan

This roadside cart is one of the best places for gorengan, or fritters. Nearly everything is deemed fit to be battered and deep fried here, including pineapple, tempeh (fermented beans), breadfruit, and mashed potato. Stop at Aneka Gorengan for an indulgent mid-day nibble, or for a tasty distraction while stuck in Jakarta’s notoriously bad traffic.

Sate Khas Senayan

Sate Khas Senayan is one of the many street food names in the city that have evolved into casual restaurants thanks to their enormous popularity. The speciality here is sate (or satay), meat skewers dipped in delectable peanut sauce. Other good options at Sate Khas Senayan are the Nasi Pecel Komplit set (rice, salad with peanut sauce and prawn crackers), and Tahu Telur, crispy fried tofu with peanuts, beansprouts, and spicy gravy.

Kwetiau Bagan Bandengan

Kwetiau, a type of flat rice noodle, is an example of the Chinese influence on Indonesian cuisine, and there are analogous dishes in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore that make use of the same type. At Kwetiau Bagan Bandengan in Jakarta, the noodles are stir fried in homemade chili sauce, and topped with tiny shrimp and bean sprouts. There are a number of stalls in the area selling Kwetiau Bagan, but Bandengan is arguably the most authentic and best replicates the flavors of Bagansiapiapi (a predominantly Chinese coastal town in Riau).

Gado Gado Bon Bin Cikini

Gado Gado Bon Bin Cikini has been around since the early 1960s, and has retained its old-fashioned, lovingly prepared flavors. Still run by the same elderly couple, the stall specializes in gado gado, an Indonesian salad comprising fried tofu, tempeh, crispy blanched vegetables, eggs and tapioca crackers, topped off with a sweet peanut sauce. You can choose to add lontong (banana leaf-scented rice cakes) to your salad, turning it into a substantial meal.

See more: 5 most beautiful churches in Jakarta, Indonesia

Source: Internet

Must-visit cities in Central Vietnam

From rocky inlets to sandy lagoons, Vietnam’s central coast is perhaps the most striking the nation has to offer. This is an area of great cultural and historical significance, home to fascinating cities both well-traveled and hardly yet explored. For those visiting central Vietnam, these are our favorite cities.

Da Nang

Da Nang is the nation’s third largest city and a nice alternative to the cultural capital of Hanoi in the north or the economic hub of Saigon in the south. Growing between eastern peaks of the Annamite mountain range and the tranquil waters of the East Sea, this is one Vietnamese city that blends with it’s natural surroundings. For those interested in riding, the Hai Van Pass – perhaps Vietnam’s most famous road – lies just a few kilometers to the north. The spectacularly fun zig-zag of tarmac traverses through lush jungle and massive stone boulders as it skirts the sea.

Da Nang’s downtown area has transformed in recent years and is now one of the most tourist-friendly in the entire nation. The majority of the action is set on the banks of the Han River. A boardwalk runs for kilometers and is home to a number of great shops, bars and restaurants. On the weekends, the fire breathing Dragon Bridge is a must-see.

For those looking to enjoy the sand and sea, Danang and the surrounding area offer some of the country’s best beaches. From the expansive My Khe beach to the secret lagoons and hidden ribbons of gold around Monkey Mountain, there’s a beach for all tastes in Danang.

Quy Nhon

Nestled along the coast halfway between Nha Trang and Hoi An, Quy Nhon is in the midst of a government-planned, tourist-targeted revival. The main beach is one of the cleanest city beaches in Vietnam, hardly developed and very well maintained. A boardwalk shrouded in greenery runs parallel to the ocean. Most tourists visiting the region also head 10km south of the city to Bai Xep beach, which has become famous throughout Vietnam for its natural beauty.

Hoi An

The second UNESCO World Heritage site on our list, Hoi An is one of the nation’s most important tourist destinations. An area once home to Cham people, the small town grew in size and importance between the 15th and 19th centuries, attracting a large number of Chinese and Japanese traders and becoming known internationally as a top tier Asian trading port. As a result, the well-preserved stucco buildings are awash in both Chinese and Japanese influences.

Today, the city has little in the way of an economy beyond tourism. Travelers often spend a few days to a week exploring the romantic alleyways of the old town, hidden beneath the glow of hanging lanterns. Tailors and designers operate storefronts on almost every block, and it’s a traveler’s rite of passage to have something hand-made while passing through.

Hue

Hue, the nation’s ancient capital, may be the most historically fascinating city in all of Vietnam. Well-preserved temples, pagodas and tombs lie around every corner. There’s so much history here that it’s been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city’s small size makes it a great stop on any trip along the eastern coast. The backpacker district lies feet from the Perfume River and within walking distance of the ancient citadel. Anyone exploring the region should take at least a day to see the Citadel, Minh Mang Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb, and Thien Mu Pagoda.

For the food lover, Hue has some of the most complex and artful cuisine in the nation. Dishes are often well spiced with chili. For something different and unique to the region, try a bowl of com hen or rice with baby clams.

Read more: Visit Hue, an ancient city in Vietnam

Source The Culture Trip