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

Visit the top spots in Koh Samui Archipelago

Have a trip to Thailand in a few days? If you are a beach lover and an active partygoer, head to the South of Thailand and visit Koh Samui, an archipelago with stunning beaches and breathtaking sights.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is Thailand's second most popular vacation island after Phuket, and it's nearly as developed, too. Unlike the other islands in the Koh Samui Archipelago, it has an airport.

Koh Samui is a large island (the second largest in Thailand) and is home to a wide variety of places to stay across all budgets. It's also home to lots of bars and restaurants, including some upscale eateries operated by famous chefs. Compared to neighboring islands, Samui stays busy with a crowd of higher budget travelers, honeymooners, and families on vacation. The nightlife in Chaweng gets rowdy; thankfully, Koh Samui is large enough for escaping to tranquility, too.

Though the beaches are not quite as beautiful as those on islands along the Andaman Coast (Phuket, Koh Lanta, and Koh Phi Phi), they offer visitors warm water, soft sand, and lots of palm trees. The interior of Koh Samui remains mostly mountainous and undeveloped jungle.

Ko Pha Ngan

This notorious party island isn't just about getting wasted on Haad Rin Beach and dancing till dawn in the sand during Full Moon Parties. Koh Pha Ngan is a big island with plenty of other beaches and idyllic bays on offer. Regardless, Koh Pha Ngan tends to draw a younger, backpacking crowd along with long-term travelers and digital nomads in search of holistic communities and cheap living. The Sanctuary is a boat-accessible health retreat tucked in a bay just around the corner from the party peninsula of Haad Rin.

The southern part of Koh Pha Ngan is known for its parties where body paint and electronic music get showcased. But the island also has some beautiful, quiet beaches with seaside bungalows and high-end boutique resorts. The northern side of the island has some bays that cater to a more relaxed crowd. When no party is in progress, the beach at Haad Rin is excellent. Travelers tend to head over to little Koh Tao to play between Full Moon Party weeks.

Koh Tao

Although it was once reserved for divers and backpackers, Koh Tao is becoming more and more popular with vacationers. Koh Tao is the most popular place in the world to become scuba certified, and doing so is surprisingly inexpensive; dive shops crowd for space among bars and restaurants.

Koh Tao may have been "sleepy" back when when the divers who came to the island had morning classes and early dives to make. Now, a nightly pub crawl and plenty of pubs attract travelers from Koh Pha Ngan after the Full Moon Party week finishes. The island can get rambunctious with bucket drinks, fireshows, and numerous pubs on streets away from the beach.

Koh Tao is located north of Koh Pha Ngan and is smaller and lesser developed than either of its neighbors in the Koh Samui archipelago. That doesn't mean you'll have to rough it; there are enough resorts and restaurants to keep you occupied and entertained.

Ang Thong National Marine Park

The three islands of the Koh Samui Archipelago are also part of Ang Thong Marine National Park, one of Thailand's protected nature areas. There are actually 42 separate islands spread over 49 square miles that make up the marine park. Most are very small and can only be visited on day trips. Snorkeling is excellent over the shallow reefs in the park. Paddling around the islands by kayak may yield your own private beach hidden just out of sight.

Koh Wua Talap is home to the marine park headquarters and tourist center. If you're willing to go without electricity after 11 p.m., you can actually reserve one of the few bungalows on the island for beautiful views all to yourself in the morning. Camping is also available, and no, there isn't any Wi-Fi!

The best way to see Ang Thong Marine National Park is to arrange a day trip from one of the islands. Koh Samui is the usual base, although boats can be hired from Koh Pha Nagan and Koh Tao as well. Most travel agents and hotel concierges will gladly sell you a ticket.

See more: A perfect getaway with a trip to Koh Samui

Source: Internet