Thursday, 26 December 2019

Spend 2 days in Da Lat, Vietnam

Spend 2 days in Da Lat, Vietnam
Both foreigners and Vietnamese tourists alike flock to Da Lat for some cool fresh air and beautiful sights. If you travel through Vietnam, you really should try to spend at least a couple of days in Da Lat, and here’s how to spend your time.

Day One: Motorbike Tour

Day One: Motorbike Tour
You’ve just arrived by bus or plane and your legs probably feel a bit like jelly, so let’s save the hikes and walkabouts for day two. For day one, get on a motorbike and have a look around. You could rent one for yourself and head out to explore, but why not let a trained guide do the driving while you relax on the back? There are numerous reputable tour companies that would love to plop a helmet on you and show you around town.

Crazy House

Crazy House
After you’ve rolled around Da Lat and the surrounding hillsides, head to Hằng Nga Guesthouse—more commonly known as Crazy House. It’s a weird and wonderful piece of expressionist architecture that will both amaze and confuse you. Crazy House is the brainchild of architect Đặng Việt Nga, built with just cement, rebar and creativity. It will only take you about an hour to explore this unique place, and it’s also a great spot to watch the sun as it sets. You can even book one of the themed rooms to stay in for the night!

Head to the Night Market

Head to the Night Market
This one will depend on which day you’re in Da Lat, since it’s only open on Saturday and Sunday nights. Even if the full-blown market isn’t available, the area still has plenty of shopping and street food on the other nights. The air is filled with chatter and the smells of delicious snacks. We recommend you try Dalat Pizza. Look for signs that say “Bánh Tráng Nướng.”

Day Two: Get some coffee

Day Two: Get some coffee
Some of the best coffee in Vietnam comes from Da Lat. The beans that grow at these high altitudes need to be robust—hence the name of the strain that grows here: Robusta. Try your brew with some ice and condensed milk like they do in Ho Chi Minh City, or have an egg coffee. You’ll need some caffeine in you before heading out for the day.

Go on a canyoning excursion

Go on a canyoning excursion
Disclaimer: This is only for fit, physically capable people. If you aren’t comfortable abseiling down cliffs and waterfalls, then skip right on ahead to the next section.

For those of you still here, this is a wild adventure through ravines, rivers and waterfalls. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart, though, because you’ll be putting a lot of trust in lengths of thin nylon ropes. Your heart will probably try to thump its way out of your chest more than once as you take ‘trust falls’ into dark caverns of gushing water.

Finish the day off around Xuan Huong Lake

Finish the day off around Xuan Huong Lake
This lake is the focal point of Da Lat. For a great experience, walk around the lake and see what’s happening. Usually you can find some authentic street food stalls set up, and it’s a great chance to meet locals and talk with them about their lives. Groups of friends and family gather around the lake to relax and spend time together. As you roam around, don’t be surprised if some of them want to speak with you. They’re often curious to learn more about foreigners and their countries. We recommend you bring the drink of your choice and find a nice spot around the lake to watch the lights flicker off the water. It’s a great way to finish your trip, especially if you spent half the day hiking into deep ravines.

See more: The best foods for the cold weather in Da Lat
Source: Internet

Wednesday, 25 December 2019

How to spend a day in Tianjin, China

How to spend a day in Tianjin, China
With the fascinating scenery and profuse resources, it is a time-honored cultural city with potential tourism value. As the political and economic center of Bohai region, Tianjin is the largest coastal city located in North China. Blessed with a variety of attractions, this is a good place to explore. There are also many natural scenes of beauty as well as great historical events.

Haihe River

Haihe River
As the mother river and symbol of Tianjin, the Haihe River, 72 kilometers long, runs through the city and out to the Bohai Sea. A total of 21 bridges stand over the Haihe River and each constitutes a scenic attraction, forming a distinctive bridge culture throughout the region. Rising over the spectacular Yongle Bridge is the Tianjin Eye, an iconic Ferris wheel which lights up the city every night.

Eye of Tianjin (Ferris Wheel)

Eye of Tianjin (Ferris Wheel)
Ferris Wheel (Eye of Tianjin) is a 120-meter tall giant ferries wheel built above the Yongle Bridge (formerly Chihai Bridge), over the Haihe River in Tianjin, China. It is claimed to be the only such wheel to have been constructed over a bridge in the world. It is known as one of the landmarks of Tianjin City. If you would like to see the night view on the ferry wheel, make sure you go on a clear night and you can see the whole city of Tianjin.

Wu Da Dao (Five Great Avenues)

Wu Da Dao (Five Great Avenues)
Five Great Avenues is a rectangular region located in the south of the downtown, in Heping District, Tianjin. There are five parallel streets from east to west named under five cities of southwest China, namely Chongqing, Changde, Dali, Munan and Machang. And this is how it got its name. Those featured factors constitute a true fun of art in this attraction. While seated in a horse-drawn carriage in Five Great Avenues, it provides an opportunity to see the truly unique cityscape. It has become a destination for visitors, which truly showcases the city's charm and history.

The Florentia Village outlets

The Florentia Village outlets
The Florentia Village outlets, located on the outskirts of Tianjin, is a high-end outlet mall housing more than 200 fashion brands: including Prada, Bvlgari, Celine, Chloe, Fendi and Jimmy Choo. The outlets boast the "ultimate shopping experience" since its opening in 2011, with discounted prices all year round. It also features Italian-style architecture, as well as Italian and international cuisines.

Tianjin TV Tower

Tianjin TV Tower
Located on the east side of the Water Amusement Park, Hexi District of the southern part of the city, Tianjin TV Tower is called Tian Ta for short and is famous for a sky-high tower over water. The tower measures 415.2 meters, and is known as the fourth highest tower in the world after the ones in Toronto, Moscow and Shanghai. It is used primarily for communication. Approximately two-thirds up the tower is an observation pod with floor space 253 meters (830 feet) (used mostly for communication equipment). It is a member (10th tallest) of the World Federation of Great Towers.

See more: 6 best foods to try in Tianjin, China
Source: Internet

Spend 4 days to discover Southern Vietnam

Spend 4 days to discover Southern Vietnam
People often say that northern Vietnam is more beautiful than the south. While the north does have more mountainous terrain, this statement is simply untrue. Here are some of the most beautiful places in the southern Vietnam for you to explore.

Ho Chi Minh City

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 is far more populous than that. The central business zone or District 1 is the area of the city that is 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.

Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta
Comprised of dense green rice paddies and lazy, winding rivers, the Mekong Delta is like no other region in Vietnam. Whether firmly on land or floating with the river current, this region is flush with wildlife, historical sights, and incredible landscapes.

The River of Nine Dragons, as locals know the area, is where the Mekong splinters into nine separate branches, crisscrossing low landscapes before reaching the sea. Life moves much more slowly here and is often surrounded by water. You will find even homes, farms, and markets take on an aquatic adaptation in the Mekong Delta.

Cu Chi Tunnels

Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi tunnels are one of the easiest day trips from Ho Chi Minh City in regards to travel time. Just an hour and half out, the historical site is located a mere 70 kilometers north of the city. This network of subterranean passageways later provided vital access to and strategic control over the rural areas surrounding the city during the Vietnam War (also known as the Second Indochina War or the American War).

You can opt for a half day or full day trip setting off from Ho Chi Minh City. Visitors have opportunity to explore the extremely narrow underground burrows. If you are interested in Vietnamese history, this is a must-see place.

Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc
This list will not make sense if Phu Quoc does not kick it off. This gorgeous island lies to the southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, and is actually closer to Cambodia than it is to Vietnam. The beaches are fantastic, and the sunsets are glorious. The island is also popular for its high-end resorts that line up Long Beach, making it an ideal, luxurious getaway.

There are many undiscovered beaches on this island, so grab a bike and explore. Up north you will find the Phu Quoc National Park which is mostly used for research, but some parts are open for travelers where you are able to trek mountains, camp in the wilderness and sleep under the stars. The island is also a seafood paradise.

See more: Top 5 beaches in Phu Quoc you should never miss

Source Internet