Chengdu, the homeland of pandas in China

Chengdu, the capital of China’s southwest Sichuan Province is famed for being the home of cute giant pandas. Although it’s famous for pandas, there are so many other tourist attractions you should visit once.

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Located just 10 km (6 miles) away from downtown, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding has been created and imitated the natural habitat of giant pandas in order that they might have the best possible environment for rearing and breeding.

The giant pandas are not only a Chinese national treasure but are also beloved by people the world over. They are found only in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. In total there are fewer than 2,000, of which 70% are distributed within the territory of Sichuan Province. Therefore, when visitors from home and abroad come to Chengdu, Sichuan, one of their main objectives will be to see this lovely animal for themselves.

Wuhou Temple

Wuhou Temple, also known as Wuhou Shrine Temple of Marquis, is dedicated to Zhuge Liang, Marquis Wu (Wuhou) of the Kingdom of Shu in the Three Kingdoms Period (220 - 280). Zhuge Liang was an excellent politician, militarist, diplomat and astronomer. In addition, the Temple of Liu Bei, the emperor of Shuhan, and his mausoleum are well-known historical sites inside this big scenic spot.

Wuhou Temple is located in the southwestern part of downtown Chengdu. The date of its establishment is unclear. We know only that it was built next to the Temple of Liu Bei. Consequently, the entrance plaque reads “Zhaolie Temple of Shuhan Kingdom”. Zhaolie is the posthumous title of Liu Bei. The current Wuhou Temple was rebuilt in 1672.

Jinli Street

Chengdu is a city brimming with a strong leisurely ambiance with Jinli Street as the typical representative. The street is located to the east of the Wuhou Temple of Chengdu (the most famous Three Kingdoms period (220 - 280) relic museum in China).

It is recorded that as early as the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC), Jinli Street was the most famous place for baldachin - a rich, ornate cloth. And it was one of the busiest commercial areas during the Shu Kingdom (221-263). Hence, it is known as 'First Street of the Shu Kingdom'. In order to reclaim its prosperity of former days, it was restored with contributions from the Wuhou Temple and was opened to the public in October of 2004. Since then, visitors from all over China and abroad gather here to relax, admire the traditional-style buildings, and taste some local snacks.

Sanxingdui Museum

Sanxingdui Museum (Three-Star Piles Museum) is located in Northeast of the Three-Star Piles archeological site, west of the famous cultural city of Guanghan, on the bank of Jian River (commonly called Yazi River), 40 kilometers from north of Chengdu City. Covering an exhibition area of 4,000 square meters and opened in October 1997 this is an archeological museum with excellent modern facilities. The cultural relics preserved here were mostly unearthed from the Three-Star Piles site.

See more: The most popular desserts in China

Source Internet

Visit the most stunning mosques in Brunei

Brunei hosts some of Asia’s most beautiful examples of Islamic architecture, blending traditional and futuristic elements with elegance. Take a look at our article to admire these absolutely stunning mosques.

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is the pride of Bandar Seri Begawan. With marble minarets and a gold dome, it presents a modern Islamic style. Look closely at this grand structure and see a mixture of Malay and Mughal elements. Floral gardens surround the exterior, while an artificial lagoon acts as a reflecting pool. Inside, Saudi Arabian carpets cover the floors as British chandeliers hang from ceilings. We recommend visiting from the Waterfront and snapping a photo of the mosque next to its 16th-century Royal Barge.

Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah

The 29 golden domes on Brunei’s largest mosque honour the nation’s 29th and current sultan. Located a short drive from central Bandar Seri Begawan in Kampong Kiarong, the mosque is an architectural masterpiece. Landscaped gardens and fountains surround the exterior as minarets soar 52 metres (190 feet) into the air. A total of 5,000 worshipers can pray inside the artistic interior at any one time.

Ash-Shaliheen Mosque

Ash-Shaliheen Mosque looks like something straight from Marrakesh. The Moroccan-styled structure opened in 2012 and sits next to the Prime Minister’s Office. Turquoise domes complement its sandstone-coloured walls. Renowned Egyptian architect Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil blends traditional North African elements with a contemporary flair. An attractive courtyard filled with fountains surround the mosque. Step inside and find a mosaic of hand-chiselled tiles decorating the walls with Moroccan chandeliers.

University Mosque

The University Mosque in Brunei caters to local students and nearby villagers. With a stilted appearance and pointy golden-brown roofs, it manifests a simple yet modern design. A beautifully-tiled archway forms the entrance to the complex. Step inside to the brightly-lit prayer hall holding up to 1,800 worshippers.

Masjid Kampung Mosque

Masjid Kampung Kulapis in the village of the same name presents a typical example of a rural mosque in Brunei. The small white-washed structure caters mostly to the residents in the nearby communities. Arches don the exterior as an almost futuristic-looking minaret soars behind. Admire the blue patterned main entrance.

See more: How to spend 2 days in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Source: Internet

Explore 4 amazing airports in Asia

Airports are often the first place you arrive at when you visit any new destination, and as we all know, first impressions count. As well as being incredibly utilitarian structures, airports are also some of the most beautiful examples of industrial design.

Kansai International Airport, Osaka, Japan

Over a mile from end to end, Kansai International Airport’s Terminal 1 is the longest in the world. Enclosed on all sides by glass, travellers have an unimpeded view of planes as they take off and land, while an aeroplane wing-shaped roof helps air to circulate. Even more impressive is that this sleek airport sits on an artificially created island three miles off the coast of Osaka. Being out to sea allows Kansai airport to operate a round-the-clock flight schedule. Three mountains were excavated for 21,000,000m³ (741,608,000 ft.³) of landfill, and the island is protected from the elements by an enormous sea wall and served by an elegant suspension bridge which connects it to the mainland.

Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Shenzhen, China

The elongated, curved design of Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport gives it the impression of a creature in motion. According to architect Massimiliano Fuksas the building is inspired by the manta ray, a fish often seen off the coast of China. Inside, a cavernous 79.8m (262 ft.) high ceiling gives travellers the feeling they are inside the bowels of a giant sea creature. Its intricate honeycomb design offers tantalising glimpses of the world outside. Further extensions are planned for 2025 and it will be interesting to see how this magnificent building evolves in the coming years.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, India

Mumbai has an airport to match its size as one of the most populous cities in the world. With its curved white roof, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport resembles a palace from the days of the Mogul empire. Undeniably impressive, the building is supported by dozens of pillars covered in traditional Indian patterns and textures. Architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill built windows into the coffered ceiling to allow natural light to enter, while the building’s glass frontage lends an air of modernity and reflects the city’s optimism for the future. As passengers approach, the contrast between the airport and the surrounding slums is a stark reminder of India’s wealth disparity.

Daocheng Yading Airport, Tibet

Perched among the mountains of Tibet, Daocheng Yading is the world’s highest civilian airport and anyone landing there should be prepared. At 4,411m (14,472 ft.) above sea level, the airport is so high that altitude sickness is a real threat for visitors, but worth it for the incredible views of the rugged landscape beyond. Architects GUD Group were inspired by Tibetan culture and Daocheng Yading’s discus-shaped terminal resembles the knot of a khata scarf, popular among the province’s Buddhists. The airport will lose its place as the world’s highest airport in 2020, when China opens its Nagqu Dagring Airport, 4,436m (14,554 ft.) above sea level.

Read more: 9 reasons why Changi Airport is the best airport in the world

Source The Culture Trip