Tag Archives: Asia

4 Days in Chiang Mai, Thailand

In northern Thailand, you’ll find the intriguing city of Chiang Mai nestled among rolling hills. An hour by air from Bangkok, its counterpart in the south, Chiang Mai is the capital of Chiang Mai Province and former seat of the Kingdom of Lanna, which still influences its culture. It’s the opposite of Bangkok in many ways, offering a more relaxed pace and opportunity to catch your breath after the hustle and bustle of the southern capital. The welcoming spirit of its people, breathtaking scenery and spicy food have been drawing more and more visitors in recent years. We’ve put together a list of must-sees that will have you communing with elephants, tasting the food and saying a prayer in and around beautiful Chiang Mai.

Wat Pan Tao in the Old City

In the heart of the old city is Wat Pan Tao, a small wooden temple that stands out from the rest of the temples in the country for its simplicity and natural materials. A golden statue of Buddha floats above a pond near the monastery. Remember that when visiting a wat, you must remove your shoes and cover your shoulders, so bring along a scarf or long-sleeve shirt.

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Huen Phen Restaurant

Before you leave Chiang Mai, have lunch at Huen Phen, a famous restaurant that has been catering to locals, and now many tourists, since the 1960s. They specialize in traditional northern Thai food, called Lanna cuisine, that’s served in the Karan-style on a family-style tray. Pork is an important part of Lanna cuisine, so be sure to taste the larb khua moo, a heavy, dry-spiced curry made with minced pork, seasoned with cinnamon and cumin and garnished with shallots and crispy kaffir lime leaves. The best part: a delicious four-course meal comes out to about the equivalent of $6, including tip.

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Chiang Mai Eco-Village in the Karan Valley

From Chiang Mai, the Karan Valley is just a bouncing and bumpy SUV ride away. If you’re lucky, the driver might just blast some Britney Spears hits from a thumb drive as you pass rice patties, banana trees and lounging elephants. Lying low among the hills is the Chiang Mai Eco-Village, a rustic hotel made up of six bungalows and an open-air kitchen. What it lacks in luxury it makes up for in elephants, which you can see from the window of your hut each morning when you wake up. Join a tour to a nearby watering hole. A cool, crisp spring trickles from the steep hills and gathers in a natural pool of sorts. It’s a delight to watch elephants relish their baths after a hard day of work. Eco-Village visitors can also go bamboo rafting. Just beware of the carnivorous snakes that lie below the surface of the muddy water.

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Restore Balance in Kyoto, Japan

Japan is considered one of the world’s most elegant cultural, historical, and creative hubs. Known for everything from its debonair cherry blossoms and culinary ingenuity to an embattled, complicated history, its magnetic allure makes for an easygoing but educational trip.

The country’s seventh-largest city, Kyoto, is Japan’s entertainment and lifestyle playground. Located on Japan’s island of Honshu and with a population close to 1.5 million, Kyoto’s resilience is world-renowned. Throughout the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by dozens of natural and manmade disasters, from brutal fires to debilitating wars. Due to its historic value, the city was even spared from the atomic bomb during World War II. It’s now home to preserved temples, shrines, and priceless Asian structures found nowhere else in the world, being dubbed the “city of a thousand temples.” It’s also considered a premier fall foliage location, touting beautiful crimson and orange forests that divinely shroud constructed holy sites. While anyone could get lost in all Kyoto has to offer, first-time visitors should take time to check out some of the city’s most memorable sites.

 

Nijo Castle

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Built in 1603 and used as an imperial palace for hundreds of years, Nijo Castle was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1994. This flatland castle is considered Japan’s best example of Feudal Era architecture. It was constructed for Japan’s militant shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and used as his Kyoto office and residence until the Tokugawa Shogunate fell in 1867. Castle grounds are surrounded by stone walls and deep moats, which served as a defense during the city’s most tumultuous years . Home to more than 400 cherry trees and a modish plum orchard typically used for traditional tea ceremonies, the castle and surrounding palace estate features Kyoto’s most pacific views.

 

Nishiki Market

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Illuminated paper lanterns hanging above the entrance of Nishiki Market in Kyoto, Japan

Located in the heart of downtown and colloquially known as “Kyoto’s pantry,” Nishiki Market is unrivaled in the city’s traditional food market. Being Kyoto’s largest open-air market, the variety of fresh Japanese cuisine and ingredients are omnipresent. From fresh tofu, fish, and vegetables to wagashi (sweets) and tea, Nishiki caters to all palettes. The market’s breezy aesthetic welcomes both tourists looking grab a bite at one of many sit-down restaurants, or locals picking up a few homegrown basics for an evening dish.

 

Nanzenji Temple

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Sanmon gate at Nanzenji Temple in Kyoto, Japan

On the helm of the prolific Higashiyama mountains is one of Japan’s most coveted and respected temples. It is the leading school within the Rinzai sect of Buddhism. The grounds were once home to an emperor’s self-commissioned retirement chateau in the 13th century, all of which were leveled during the Muromachi Period’s civil wars. Although most of the active lecture halls in Nanzenji are off limits to the public, visitors are welcome to explore the temple’s famous brick aqueduct, as well as the many sub-temples including Nanzen-in Temple, where you’ll find the mausoleum of Emperor Kameyama and a memorial garden in his honor.

 

Fushimi Sake District

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Torii Gates Path of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto’s premier Sake distribution center offers dozens of elaborate brewery buildings and stunning tree-plaited canals — and don’t forget fresh sake from the source. Fushimi, or “underground water,” is most famous for its mellow, delicate springs ideal for sake production. Believed to be a particularly delicious complement to traditional Kyoto dishes, the Japanese rice wine made in Fushimi is famed not only for its undiluted taste, but its support of local business and the Kyoto way of life. After trying it for yourself,  head over to the Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine, a tribute to, fittingly, the god of rice. The walk to the shrine’s peak yields unparalleled views of Kyoto and its neighboring mountain regions.

Brunei, Borneo: Travel with Fresh Eyes and an Open Heart

Any experienced international traveler knows each trip is heterogeneous in its activities and the stories it tells. While some getaways are made up of sun-soaked white sands, others are an opportunity to live locally and appreciate new, foreign perspective. Brunei, Borneo is the latter.

Located on the coast of the South China Sea, this small sovereign state on the north coast of Borneo offers the relatively few who visit an authentic Asian experience. Home to opulent jade-colored rainforests, adventure tourism, and ancient Islamic architecture, Brunei is an entirely new way to do eastern travel. Because the Brunei dollar is one of the strongest legal tenders in Southeast Asia, many foreign travelers overlook this little place for more popular tourist destinations such as Thailand and Vietnam. Most of the hot spots in the country consist of ecotourism or regal, debonair Islamic Mosques. Like any country with a strong emphasis on faith and religion, be advised of certain dress codes in the more conservative areas of Brunei, and wear proper attire when touring open mosques. While the majority of locals speak English, Malay is also commonly spoken, and carrying a means of translation is a good way to stay safe in the face of miscommunication. The country enforces some more conservative laws that some westerners may find archaic or confusing, but, when touring Brunei, seeing it with an open mind is imperative. Appreciating it for all it has to offer, rather than what it lacks, is the best way to approach your visit.

 

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque

Largely considered one of the most intricate and elegant Islamic Mosques in the Asia Pacific, this capital city mosque is a crowning example of modern Islamic architecture. It was built less than 50 years ago and fuses Mughal and Malay styles of architecture. It’s most recognizable feature is a colossal dome constructed with solid gold.

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque

 

Ulu Temburong National Park

Home to the “Green Jewel of Brunei,” this protected, unblemished jungle is one of the only places in the region to see rare flora and fauna such as Müller’s Bornean gibbon, pygmy squirrels, black spotted rock frog, and Wagler’s pit viper. It’s even part of the Heart of Borneo international conservation agreement, so visiting will benefit species long after you’ve left. If you’re a nature junkie, the Ulu Ulu Resort allows visitors to experience environmentally friendly accommodation complete with restaurants, gift shops and a games room.

Ulu Temburong National Park, Brunei, Borneo
Ulu Temburong National Park, Brunei, Borneo

 

Istana Nurul Iman

“The Light of Faith Palace,” as its English translation suggests, sits on the the banks of the lofty Brunei River. Considered the world’s largest private palace, it’s the official residence of Brunei’s Sultan. While the palace is typically closed off to public tours, visitors can enjoy courtyard views.

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The new palace of the Sultan of Brunei

Jerudong Park

Jerudong is Southeast Asia’s largest and most expensive amusement park, built and maintained by the government of Brunei for both residents and tourists. Here you’ll find all the classic carnival activities to help you mitigate homesickness including mini golf, roller coasters, bumper cars and even skydiving.