- Kyoto is huge. Plan ahead on what are the top sites you want to visit. Top three in my list were Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji & Fushimi Inari-Taisha.
- Expect a lot of walk. Even if you reach the gates of one of the attractions, the walk inside will be tiring but worth it.
- Take Kyoto Day Pass which includes transport and entry to some of the main shrines. For food, the restaurants near the river are best.
the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page - saint augustine
Showing posts with label UNESCO World Heritage Site. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UNESCO World Heritage Site. Show all posts
Tuesday 27 June 2017
Kyoto
Labels:
Abroad,
Religious,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Walk
Google Maps:
Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Sunday 25 June 2017
Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima
- If you have a JR Pass, traveling in Hiroshima is not a problem. The hop-on-hop-off is part of the pass.
- Most visited place is of course Atomic Bomb Dome but you can start walking from station and cover some other attractions in the same direction.
- The city of Hiroshima buzzes as if to defy the existence of bomb attack. Malls and high streets are a treat to visit and restaurants are abundant.
Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima |
Labels:
Abroad,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Walk
Google Maps:
Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima
Miyajima, Japan
- Plan Hiroshima & Miyajima together. The Japanese efficiency ensures you will easily cover most of the checklist before evening in both the places.
- The return ticket for Miyajima ferry is covered in JR Pass. The most enjoyable view is when you are in the middle of sea and can view both sides.
- Touch the Grand Torii. It is considered a good omen to visit the most religious relic in Japan.
The ferry transported us to another world. The matter-of-factly Japan somehow vanished across half the mile of sea as we entered Miyajima. In front of us was a green island with lofty mountains that invited you for a trek. The foothills were not bad either - the gigantic orange coloured Grand Torii Gate being the crown jewel. We were told this was one of the top three most scenic spots in entire Japan. I believe it now.
Grand Torii, Miyajima |
Labels:
Abroad,
Landscape,
Pristine,
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Google Maps:
Miyajima, Japan
Thursday 22 June 2017
Toshogu Shrine, Nikko
- Use JR Pass to reach Nikko for free. There is a Nikko Line which is faster but costs a lot. Take bus from the station to reach since the shrine is uphill. You can come back down walking.
- The first three gates are the highlight of Toshogu Shrine including the five-storied pagoda, the Yomeimon and the three monkey gate.
- A staircase takes you to all the way up where emperor's shrine is built. The chill air and dense forest around this place gives it a cool aura.
Toshogu Shrine, deep in the hinterlands of Japan, was a perfect beginning of our first trip abroad in seven years. A spiritual centre in a natural habitat and rich with cultural heritage to be listed among the UNESCO World Heritage sites, the shrine near Nikko is a landmark in northern Japan. We started early and thanks to our JR Pass, we reach Nikko without much fuss in no time. A bus would take us to Toshogu from the train station.
Toshugu Shrine, Nikko |
Labels:
Abroad,
Religious,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Walk
Google Maps:
Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
Sunday 23 August 2015
Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur)
- The best time to visit is from October to March. However from August migratory birds keep flocking the sanctuary.
- Stay overnight in one of the nearby hotels. In summers start as early as 5.30AM for best experience. By 7 it gets hot and little less pleasent.
- Bicycles are available on first come first serve from the reception. It the best medium of transport. Battery driven vans are also available but they are so boring.
Inside KNP, Bharatpur |
Labels:
Landscape,
Nature,
Road trip,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Wildlife
Google Maps:
Keoladeo National Park, India
Saturday 22 August 2015
Agra Fort
- Visit before Taj Mahal as its bigger and takes time to complete a round. It is closer to the Express Highway as you enter Agra.
- A weekday trip is recommended given the crowd on weekends. On Monday both Agra Fort and Taj are closed.
- Guides are good to have given the expanse of Agra Fort although it sometimes get intrusive to have them.
Huge motes, Agra Fort |
Labels:
Archeology,
Fort,
Road trip,
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Google Maps:
Agra Fort, Uttar Pradesh, India
Friday 14 August 2015
Bhimbetka
Nestled in the deep forests, this place is a true jewel. Plan at least a half day excursion through the whole area. It takes time to cover and more time to appreciate.
- The road is not in a good condition and there are not many road-side restaurants. Visit after the monsoons if you like greenary. The month of August is ideal.
- Read about the place before you go. You will appreciate the rich heritage more. It is one of the 32 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India for a reason.
Domestication of animals, Bhimbetka |
Labels:
Archeology,
Landscape,
Nature,
Pristine,
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Google Maps:
Bhimbetka rock shelters, Madhya Pradesh, India
Sanchi
Bhopal - Sanchi - Bhimbetka
Sanchi was as calm and serene as we had left it in our Class IX history book. While in Sanchi one realizes why a secluded place built on a hillock suits the purpose of meditation and learning. The place is as picturesque as possible with a panoramic view of the Vindhyas.
Sanchi was as calm and serene as we had left it in our Class IX history book. While in Sanchi one realizes why a secluded place built on a hillock suits the purpose of meditation and learning. The place is as picturesque as possible with a panoramic view of the Vindhyas.
Gateway to Stupas, Sanchi |
Labels:
Archeology,
Landscape,
Pristine,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Work of Art
Google Maps:
Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India
Sunday 25 January 2015
Qutub Minar
Delhi boasts of hosting three of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites apart from a plethora of monuments and ruins of old. One of the three and probably the most visited is Qutub Minar. The entire complex is a tribute to pre-mughal architecture and attracts a wide array of visitors throughout the year.
Qutub Minar |
Thursday 17 April 2014
Khajuraho
Trip: Delhi - Khajuraho - Gwalior - Delhi
- Khajuraho can be planned as a weekend getaway from Delhi. Overnight trains at convenient time run but travel need to be planned at least a month given limited seats.
- Temples should be visited early morning or in evening. Noon is hot unless its winter. Be ready for couple of miles walk around the complex.
- Raneh Waterfalls and Pandav Cave are nearby attractions that one may cover. Hotels are aplenty and affordable. There is an airport also under construction.
Poses, Khajuraho |
Labels:
Archeology,
Religious,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Walk,
Waterfall
Google Maps:
Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India
Monday 10 February 2014
Hampi
- Be ready for long walks. Major attractions are afar and massively spread in themselves. Then there are small treks to Anjanaya Temple or the magnificent Hemkuta Hills adjacent to Virupaksha Temple.
- Avoid summers. Even in cooler climate, you will need a vehicle to take you around the dusty city. There are restaurants near Virupaksha Temple that may offer your kind of food.
- Sunset at Hemkuta, lunch at one of the river bank restaurants and a photograph with the golden chariot at Vishnu Temple - these are a must.
Hampi offers such bizarre backgrounds in such quantity that it can easily be declared a photographer's haven. From flowing river to ruined city, from ancient temples to high hills it has everything a remarkable photoshoot demands.WereachedHyatt Hampi from Chitradurga by taking a diversion from Kudligi. This proved to be a big mistake as the 35 miles stretch can hardly be called a road. By the time we checked in we were good for nothing. Hungry and tired, we settled at the restaurant and ate a mouthful.
Virupaksha Temple @ Hampi |
Labels:
Archeology,
Road trip,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Work of Art
Google Maps:
Hampi, Karnataka, India
Saturday 25 January 2014
Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)
- Mahabalipuram is small but still there is enough walk needed. Be ready for that. Main section is Panch Rathas (Five Chariots) around which the most famous monuments are carved.
- Pandava's Penance and carved pillars are most impressive art work here. Climb to the top of the lighthouse and have a top view of this city of ruins.
- Beach is one made for surfing, such are the waves. Stay at one of the beach resorts to completely enjoy the city including the sunrise and sunset.
Carved pillars @ Five Rathas Temple |
Labels:
Archeology,
Beach,
Leisure,
Road trip,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Walk
Google Maps:
Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Thursday 27 December 2012
Ellora
Trip: Aurangabad > Ajanta > Lonar > Daulatabad > Ellora
We started our trip to Ellora with a pint of beer. It was available in MTDC Restaurant right at the entrance of Ellora Cave Complex. We were little drowsy as we closed in on the main temple building. The concept of this structure broke some of our lethargy as the entire temple is carved out of 125000 cubic metre of one solid rock.
We started our trip to Ellora with a pint of beer. It was available in MTDC Restaurant right at the entrance of Ellora Cave Complex. We were little drowsy as we closed in on the main temple building. The concept of this structure broke some of our lethargy as the entire temple is carved out of 125000 cubic metre of one solid rock.
Elephants, Ellora Caves |
Labels:
Archeology,
Religious,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Work of Art
Google Maps:
Ellora, Maharashtra, India
Tuesday 25 December 2012
Ajanta Caves
- Setup your base at Aurangabad. There is enough for five days. Ajanta Caves are a day trip from here. The system of transport created is to cater huge crowd so it takes a while to reach.
- Photography is allowed. During or after Monsoon, a waterfall also comes alive in the middle of this U shaped masterpiece.
- Paintings are still in good shape. Overall the facility is well maintained. Trek the hill in front of the caves for a bird eye view.
We sat on the engine of the tourist bus for a 100 miles. Then we waited for pollution free buses that connect the base of Ajanta with the cave complex. All the efforts found their return in one turn of view of the knoll shaped hills of Ajanta.
Panoramic View, Ajanta |
Labels:
Archeology,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Work of Art
Google Maps:
Ajanta, Maharashtra, India
Monday 28 February 2011
Fatehpur Sikri
A trip to Agra is not complete without visiting the capital of Mughal Empire during Emperor Akbar's reign - Fatehpur Sikri The drive to this small fort town is partly rough partly smooth.
Main Gate, Fatehpur Sikri |
Labels:
Archeology,
Fort,
Road trip,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Walk
Google Maps:
Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh, India
Wednesday 24 November 2010
Naples
Trip: Copenhagen > Venice > Naples > Copenhagen
On a magical morning I was walking through narrow alleys that went up and up somewhere near the centre of the city of Naples. A fort like structure was visible now and then at the top of this city and all I wanted was to be there. Although it was foggy, I should have anticipated what I was going to witness after passing through the station of Pompei earlier that morning.
On a magical morning I was walking through narrow alleys that went up and up somewhere near the centre of the city of Naples. A fort like structure was visible now and then at the top of this city and all I wanted was to be there. Although it was foggy, I should have anticipated what I was going to witness after passing through the station of Pompei earlier that morning.
The ancient city of Pompei@Naples |
Google Maps:
Naples, Italy
Monday 22 November 2010
Venice
Trip: Copenhagen > Venice > Naples > Copenhagen
Happy couples walking hand-in-hand or laying comfortably on long boats (gondolas) would consider this island a heaven. Venice is not for loners. Even the fascination of sauntering through congested alleys and artful bridges does not compensate for the loneliness a bachelor feels in this ancient city of romance.
Happy couples walking hand-in-hand or laying comfortably on long boats (gondolas) would consider this island a heaven. Venice is not for loners. Even the fascination of sauntering through congested alleys and artful bridges does not compensate for the loneliness a bachelor feels in this ancient city of romance.
Waterbus system@Venice |
Labels:
Abroad,
Leisure,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Walk,
Work of Art
Google Maps:
Venice, Italy
Tuesday 9 November 2010
Vatican City
Trip: Zugspitze > Pisa > Rome > Vatican City
Next day we went straight for the Vatican the first thing in the morning. It is half an hour tram away from the central station of Rome. We were eager to see the smallest country that sat right in the middle of a bustling city.
Next day we went straight for the Vatican the first thing in the morning. It is half an hour tram away from the central station of Rome. We were eager to see the smallest country that sat right in the middle of a bustling city.
In front of Basilica, Vatican |
Monday 8 November 2010
Rome
Trip: Zugspitze > Pisa > Rome > Vatican City
The original idea was to cover the five points of the cross decribed in Angels & Demons. However at 3PM the three of us were only checking into a hotel room. It was walking distance from Station. We now had exactly 24 hours in Rome By 4 we had a definite plan which was bit different from the original one. Colosseum was the closest and hence we found ourselves walking towards the grand structure in no time.
The original idea was to cover the five points of the cross decribed in Angels & Demons. However at 3PM the three of us were only checking into a hotel room. It was walking distance from Station. We now had exactly 24 hours in Rome By 4 we had a definite plan which was bit different from the original one. Colosseum was the closest and hence we found ourselves walking towards the grand structure in no time.
The Colosseum@Rome |
Labels:
Abroad,
Archeology,
Fort,
Palace,
Religious,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Walk,
Wonder,
Work of Art
Google Maps:
Rome, Italy
Sunday 7 November 2010
Pisa
Trip: Zugspitze > Pisa > Rome > Vatican City
Its 8 AM. I am walking on a lonely street that leads to the Tower of Pisa. Something is wrong. There is a tall building few hundred metres from me that looks tilted. As I walk closer it looks as if the tilt is increasing.
Its 8 AM. I am walking on a lonely street that leads to the Tower of Pisa. Something is wrong. There is a tall building few hundred metres from me that looks tilted. As I walk closer it looks as if the tilt is increasing.
Leaning Tower of Pisa |
Labels:
Abroad,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Wonder,
Work of Art
Google Maps:
Pisa, Italy
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