Forest of Stele Museum

The Xi’an Beilin Museum, also called the Stele Forest, is a museum that contains stone sculptures and steles, which are tall and narrow slabs made out of stone or wood usually for a funeral or to commemorate something. The museum was opened in 1944 in Xian, China, on the site of a Confucius Temple dating to the eleventh century. The Xi’an Beilin Museum was renamed in 1992 and is now called the Forest of Stone Steles due to the increase in the number of steles kept here. In total, there are about three thousand steles that are showcased in seven exhibition halls along with traditional paintings and calligraphy. It is best not to skip any of the halls as they each have something different to offer.

In addition to the seven exhibition halls the museum also contains two separate galleries for the stone sculptures. The old gallery contains intricate pieces from the Tang and Han Dynasties while the newer gallery has sculptures from the Song Dynasty. Opening hours are between 8 am and 6 pm, although the museum is open longer during the summer months. It can take about three hours to take in all the exhibits at the museum. Visitors have the option of hiring an English tour guide, which is a good option for those who want to learn more about the displays.

Xian is a city located in China’s Shaanxi Province that is famous for the army of Terracotta Warriors found just outside the city. Xian has a number of other interesting attractions as well. These include the Eight Immortals Temple, the Grand Mosque, the DaMing Palace and Park and the Shaanxi Historic Museum. The city is one of the most popular tourist destinations inside China and offer visitors gripping insights into Chinese history and culture.

Tourists should be able to get around the city with relative ease as there are always plenty of buses. Although Xian has a subway system it is still not complete. Finding Xian accommodation with a central location can also greatly ease the hassles of travel. The Citadines Xingqing Palace Xi’an offer spacious serviced apartments Xian that are well appointed and conveniently located.

Outdoor Adventures at the Knuckles Mountain Range!

Known for its breathtaking natural beauty, the Knuckles Mountain Range in Sri Lanka offers an unforgettable outdoor adventure. Independent travellers wishing to drive to this mountainous region can make use of Sri Lanka car rental services such as those offered by Malkey Travel & Tours (Pvt) Ltd. This reputed Sri Lanka car hire company provides a range of well maintained vehicles to choose from for your travels. An ideal place for camping and trekking, the Knuckles Mountain Range is so named because when viewed from a far, it resembles knuckles of a fist. As you wander through the lush forests, shrouded with mist you will come across a diverse cross section of flora amidst pristine landscapes with waterfalls, small villages and rivers. It offers a true escape into nature and lets you get away from it all!

Wetland Interactive World Wetland Interactive World

Travellers on holiday in Hong Kong looking to make the most of their visit can do so by staying at suites in Hong Kong at an ideally located Hong Kong hotel such as Langham Place Mongkok Hong Kong. During your stay take a break from the plush comforts of your room and embark on a sightseeing excursion. Along the way you might come across the world-class ecotourism park known as Wetland Interactive World or Hong Kong Wetland Park. Home to a collection of distinctive flora and fauna, the park seeks to educate the public about wetland conservation and environmental protection.

Enjoying Bird Watching in Abu Dhabi

Though bird watching may not be the first thing that you think of when in search of things to do in Abu Dhabi, it is indeed something well worth participating in! An ideal hotel in Abu Dhabi from which to enjoy this activity is Eastern Mangroves, Abu Dhabi. Offering luxurious accommodation Abu Dhabi, this hotel is set along the Eastern Mangroves District and lets you take part in bird watching excursions as well as other wildlife activities. Avid bird watchers have much to look forward to when exploring Abu Dhabi; the crested honey buzzard and the crab plover can be spotted on Abu Dhabi Island, while the desert eagle owl is known to inhabit the desert areas. Those heading to the Abu Dhabi Corniche also have the chance to spot the great black-headed gull. The eastern rosella, ashy drongo and socotra cormorant are among the other species that have been recorded in Abu Dhabi.

Water Cube in Olympic Green

An iconic landmark, the Water Cube in Olympic Green is definitely worth visiting when heading to the Chinese capital. If you do not have time for an extended stay, it is best to stay at a Beijing airport hotel such as Langham Place, Beijing Capital Airport. Offering modern hotel rooms in Beijing, this contemporary hotel is right near the airport and offers easy access to the city via Express Train. Once at the city make your way to the Olympic Green where you can view this curiously designed structure that was used during the Beijing Olympic Games of 2008 for the swimming events. Today, the Water Cube has been transformed into a fun water park which offers plenty of family fun. A great place to beat the heat, the water park features speed slides, wave machines and more, ensuring hours of wet and wild thrills and spills!

 

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Sky Walk in Auckland: A Walk in the Clouds!

This is the Auckland’s sense of adventure and this is one of the main attractions to the city that a traveller invariably finds himself drawn to. The skywalk in Auckland is one exhilarating experience that is fully backed by safety certifications from a certified engineer as well as safety standards that are adhered to quite religiously. The skywalk involves walking in the pergola atop the sky tower that is 192 metres high and 1.2 metres wide. With no hand railings or balconies and the breeze blowing on either side of free space and a dizzy view downwards, the prospect is not for the faint hearted. Though seemingly impossible to undertake, the skywalk is actually backed by safety devices so that although perceived to be terrifying and risky, it is actually not so.

There are two safety tethers connecting you to the over head rail to ensure your safety. One safety tether actually is in place like a climbing rope that works as flail safe. The other one is anchored to you like a seatbelt, and can be adjusted individually to one’s height and has a retractable system that allows one to swing back like a pendulum even if they get off the pergola.

With a friendly staff whose congenial manner and attention, instantly builds your confidence and chases your scary thoughts away, the walk can actually be taken on as a challenge and the result is as expected, simply exhilarating. The view is claimed to be absolutely ravishing, and the brave ones can actually attempt to do a daring glance downwards to enjoy it. The walk has a few restrictions, with a very strictly adhered to wind limit as well as an age limit and weight limit that ensures further the safety of the adventure.

End the days adventures and step over to one of the reputed 5 Star Hotel Auckland and you will find that the day can get even better. With a timeless elegance and modern amenities that are just after your heart and desire, The Langham Auckland feels like a second home while you are in this enchanting city. With excellent residential options and delectable cuisine, this is one hotel that is enviously placed high up on the list of most desirable Auckland hotels.

 

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.
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The Gate Shams Abu Dhabi- A man-made miracle

If you are visiting Abu Dhabi for leisure or business, you can indulge in many luxuries that the country has in store for its visitors. Accommodation Abu Dhabi boasts of are endless and numerous. Eastern Mangroves, Abu Dhabi is one such luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi which promises every modern comfort to the guests. When you are in Abu Dhabi, one of the man-made attractions you must visit is the Gate Shams Abu Dhabi. The Gate Shams Abu Dhabi is a magnificent skyscraper which has 83 floors. The height of this giant construction is 389m and it is a construction of Sorouh Real Estate. It will house many major corporate offices in Abu Dhabi and also will serve as a luxury residential complex for the high-end clients, business personals and VIP visitors to the city.

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.
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Festivals in Bali

Bali is one of the most sought after holiday destinations in Asia. It has a perfect setting of beaches, lovely tropical weather and warm Indonesian hospitality which lures thousands of tourists from all over the world throughout the year.

Bali is also home to most of the minority Hindus of Indonesia and therefore this island is the perfect place to experience the local culture, which is a combination of Hindu and Indonesian traditions.

Throughout the year the island features a range of festivals. Dances and religious rites are part of Balinese day to day life; every religious element, every significant part of their lives, and all what Mother Nature has offered them, are a good enough reason for them to celebrate.

Most of the festivals are about their own lives. From the birth of a child, throughout the life, all the cherished moments such as marriage, until death, each event is a reason for celebration. Then there are the religious festivals. Special prayers, parades, fasting ceremonies and other events at the temple are also celebrated with passion. Some of the religious events also include deity anniversaries, harvest festivals and blood sacrifices.

The most significant religious celebration is the Odalan. This celebrates the founding of the temple and lasts a couple of days, sometimes even up to a week. The temples are beautifully decorates with flags, palm leaves and flowers. Generally this also involves a colourful parade, various ceremonies, all ending with a big feast.

One festival tourists cannot afford to miss is the Nyepi. This celebrates the new lunar year which is usually March or April for the Balinese. Nyepi is the day after the Melasti which involves a lot of festivities. On the day of Nyepi everybody has to remain silent throughout the day. No body works, travels, or does anything else. It is just a day for staying in and relaxing!

For more relaxation in Bali try a wellness retreat. There are many on this island and they offer the perfect way to indulge in a healthy living style. The island being a popular holiday destination offers various types of lodging options and for those keen on luxury living combined with wellness can stay at COMO Shambhala.

Tawdheef Career Fair- Not just another job fair

Abu Dhabi is a place with a host of attractions and exciting things to do for its travelers. It is equally important to reserve your hotel in Abu Dhabi for a comfortable stay during your visit. Eastern Mangroves, Abu Dhabi is one such place available for the visitors to the city who are in search of accommodation Abu Dhabi has for its visitors. One of the exciting events in Abu Dhabi is the Tawdheef career fair which is a job recruitment exhibition held annually at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. This event will give people a great opportunity to meet the professionals and important figures in different industries and fields such as banking, aviation, petroleum, etc. This career fair also provides an opportunity to the mid-senior managers to develop their career path.

 

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.
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Dune Driving: A Roller Coaster-like Adventure

Fondly known as the ‘Manhattan of the Middle East’, Abu Dhabi is among the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates located in the Middle Eastern. An oasis for wildlife until the region developed rapidly following the discovery of oil nearly 60 years ago; there is never a dull moment for a person seeking the thrill of adventure. Abu Dhabi would certainly provide you with a multitude of activities to keep you entertained and your adrenaline rushing with their marvellous scuba diving and boating experiences.
Once in this city, it is essential that you experience it to the fullest and that means trying your hand at one of the most popular yet hair-raising sports in the city, Wadi Bashing. This sport, also known as dune driving, attracts a number of tourists seeking a thrilling adventure out in the desert as they mount a four wheeler and attempt to conquer the dry sand dunes of the Abu Dhabi desert.

This adrenaline pumping experience is second to no other as a driver must drive along the uneven terrain of sand dunes and riverbeds, while keeping their balance without falling off the vehicle. The abundance of an uneven terrain makes it an exhilarating ride as one race towards a dune, is suspended in mid air and experiences a few precious moments of sheer exhilaration before touching down on solid ground.

Wadi Bashing is also an excellent method of experiencing the natural delights of Abu Dhabi which are untouched by civilization. If you’re lucky, you may be able to spot the famous gazelle from which the city derived its name, strikingly picturesque waterfalls and waterways as well as native tribes.

Travellers and tourists wishing to experience this hair-raising adventure should surely opt to reside in a comfortable and peaceful hotel in Abu Dhabi to round up a truly fruitful holiday. Accommodation Abu Dhabi is varied and one can surely find a fit for every budget. However, if you seek luxury and contemporary comforts, the Eastern Mangroves, Abu Dhabi will delight you with its calming waterfront view giving you the impression of being in a secluded haven even though you are in close proximity to the city.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
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