Interesting facts you may not know about Lotus Pond, Taiwan

Lotus Pond offers a seemingly perfect balance between local religion and ostentatious architecture, and locals and tourists alike love it. This scenic man-made lake and popular weekend haven on the east side of Zuoying District in Kaohsiung City is nothing short of astounding and well worth a visit. But before you go, here are some interesting facts about the pond.

It’s not really a pond

At over 42 hectares, Lotus Pond is probably the biggest ‘pond’ in the world. The area is actually a man-made lake and is one of the largest in Taiwan (although not the largest, as that honor goes to Sun Moon Lake). The network of cycle paths and footpaths around the lake are so extensive that they would take hours on end to navigate, a pastime in which the locals like to indulge in the late afternoon when the sun is at its lowest.

It’s home to over twenty temples

The pond in its current state was built to celebrate nature, culture and history and was opened in 1951. It has around 20 temples worshipping different deities surrounding it. With numerous photogenic pagodas, fairy-tale statues and colourful temples at the water’s edge, it’s something of a photographer’s dream.

It’s surprisingly quiet

You can forget all the noise and bustle of the city at Lotus Pond, a tranquil place that is surprisingly only five kilometers from the city center. It’s hard to imagine that a lively city could have a man-made lake that is so serene and peaceful within its limits, but there’s a reason why this place is so popular with locals.

It wasn’t always called Lotus Pond

Over 300 hundred years ago, the pond was a much smaller natural body of water. A local mayor decided it would be a good place for a temple, and once the temple was built, he planted lotus plants in the pond. The pond was expanded twice since then, but the name of Lotus Pond stuck.

It’s a great place to watch the sunrise

Although it’s not quite the kind of area that tourists would expect to sit out and watch the sunrise, the pond is extremely popular with locals who want to do just that. It offers an incredible view and, if the sky is just right, some pretty amazing photo ops. Head down here at 5am any morning, and there will be dozens of people on the paths that surround the pond.

It’s got plenty of history

Although the lake and many of its surrounding temples have a very modern feel to them, the area of Zuoying is quite old and dotted with historic buildings just a short walk from the lakeshore. For this reason, visitors often come to the area and spend the entire day here visiting temples and exploring the old shops and restaurants of Zuoying.

See more: Kaohsiung's best places to have the best food experience

Source: Internet

5 cities you should visit in the South of Vietnam

When visiting a new country with a limited number of days, travelers should choose a region and explore it. For travelers heading to the South of Vietnam, these are five can’t-miss cities.

Ho Chi Minh City

The economic backbone of Vietnam and the nation’s largest metropolis, Ho Chi Minh is one of the most fun places to visit in the country. The sprawling city is officially home to some 8 million residents, yet in reality, it’s far more populous than that. The central business zone or District 1 is the area of the city that’s most traveled by tourists. However, for the adventurous types, head to the less explored, more authentic and interesting neighboring districts: Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan or District 3. The city is home to a number of great centrally-located museums, endless shopping and vibrant nightlife. Anyone spending time in Ho Chi Minh should explore Nguyen Hue, Ben Thanh Market, Bui Vien, the Bitexco Tower, the seafood restaurants along the canal and Binh Thanh’s maze of alleys.

Nha Trang

The most famous beach town in Vietnam, Nha Trang is an increasingly popular destination for foreign tourists. Lively nightlife and excellent seafood make a great addition to the white sand beaches and calm blue sea. Scuba diving has skyrocketed in popularity in the area and the bay is warm and clear year round. The city is one of the more family-friendly destinations in Vietnam, home to a number of amusement parks, water parks and resorts. For an unparalleled view, take a ride on the mile-long Vinpearl Cable Car.

Can Tho

Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta and home to some of the country’s most interesting markets. The commercially-friendly location along the banks of the Hau River has made this an important trading center for centuries. Anyone visiting should set aside a day to rise early and visit the wholesale Cai Rang Floating Market and the retail Phong Dien Floating Market. A day trip exploring the numerous narrow canals and tributaries of the region, with stops in rice paper factories and crocodile or python farms, is also highly recommended.

Phan Thiet

A lively fishing port along Vietnam’s South Central Coast, Phan Thiet serves some of the best seafood in the country. Spend the day exploring the mishmash of streets surrounding the colorful harbor. Just north of the city center lies the increasingly well-traveled ward of Mui Ne, famed for its Sahara-esque sand dunes and miles of picturesque coastline. Like almost everywhere in Vietnam, the best way to explore is on two wheels. Those with a motorbike should also take the opportunity to ride south from the city along the great coastal roads.

Da Lat

Check out this cool mountain escape when motorbike madness becomes too much. Da Lat can be reached by bus or motorbike from the country’s largest urban center in 4–6 hours and is a peaceful pine-scented alternative to Saigon’s concrete sprawl. The city itself can be explored in a day; just make sure not to miss the central market, or Hang Nga Guesthouse. The outlying areas offer even more to see. The region is the epicenter of Vietnam’s enormous coffee industry and the hills and valleys surrounding the city are blanketed in coffee plantations. For nature lovers, the areas’ forests offer some great canyoning through dense valleys and over misty waterfalls. On the way in or out of the city, make sure to stop at Elephant Falls, the most famous waterfall in the Central Highlands.

See more: Top 5 places for hiking near Saigon

Source: Internet

November in Sri Lanka: What to do and see

Sri Lanka is a paradise of pleasant distractions and pursuits. The country offers many things to explore and discover. Every visitor to Sri Lanka can have a taste of local experience even from the simplest wayside tea kiosk or among the green bounty of paddy fields. 

Here is a guide to five things to do while traveling to Sri Lanka on November; get a feel of local entertainment, embark on a culture-voyage to the rhythmic beat of the drum, experience a spiritual carnival of piety and a journey in indulgence with nature.

• Get taste of Sri Lankan coffee

Colombo has been swept by a coffee culture that has a blend of Sri Lankan and international brands. Coffee is the most consumed beverage universally, it is not surprising that prime area of Colombo 3, 4, 5 and 7 are alight with many cosy coffee shops boasting international coffee blends and brands. The compulsory classics of espressos, cappuccinos and lattes are served in these coffee shops that often have separate breakfast, lunch and dinner menus and sweet dessert of brownies, tarts and cakes.

• Visit Gangaramaya Temple

One of the top 10 things to do in Sri Lanka is to visit the gorgeous Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo. While all the temples in the country have something unique to offer in terms of art and architecture, the Gangaramaya Temple is one step ahead of them all. An epitome of artistic brilliance that has stood the test of time, this Buddhist temple reflects a fusion of Indian, Chinese, and Thai style of architecture.

• Get acquainted with Sri Lankan dance

The jingle and jangle of bells accompanied by the rhythmic and acrobatic prowess of the Sri Lankan dancers adorned with colourful costumes is another encounter with the country’s roots. The diverse dance forms of Up-country, Low-country and Sabaragamuwa have all originated from an elaborate ritualistic dance known as the ‘Kohomba Kankariya’.

Most Sri Lankans have learnt at least a few steps or dances as children and students, and the local dance traditions are very much alive as a form of leaning and entertainment, with many dance troupes and academies spread throughout the country. It is not difficult to master the movement and coordination of hands and feet in rhythm to the sound of the drum, in fact it will be another indulgence in Sri Lanka’s culture and ethos.

• Explore the tea hills

Sri Lanka is one of the most important tea producers in the world and its hill country is stunning.  Colonial towns dot the landscape surrounded by tea plantations. One of the best places to sip tea is in Nuwara Eliya and Kandy.

The vegetation is lush and green and the rolling hills make for an awesome site. Pretend you are in jolly old England for a few days.  Stay in old plantation homes, drink tea and eat baked goods.

Read more: Worth-trying dishes in Sri Lanka

• Take the train

One of the things you must things to do in Sri Lanka is to ride the trains. Sri Lanka's trains are like stepping back in time. They chug slowly along through hills and valleys. It is the slow journey that makes it special.

Looking out over the mountains and tea plantations rival any view in the world and the people that you meet on the train will be remembered forever. So if you are planning a trip to Sri Lanka make sure this makes your to do list and take the time to travel by train. It will be an experience you will remember and cherish forever.

Source Internet