Places to visit in Fukuoka

Fukuoka is the largest city on the Japanese island of Kyushu and ranks in the top ten of cities with the highest population throughout the country and because of this there's always something to keep people entertained.

Located to the mainland in Asia the city is nearer to Seoul than it is to Tokyo and as a harbour city it contains important trade links and influences from its history of working with different nationalities. Since 1889 it has been a combination of two different cities as Hakata and the Fukuoka castle town were joined to become just Fukuoka. A reminder of Hakata still remains as a central district and the major railway station are named after the city.

The following list is a run down of the best places to visit on a trip to the city which incorporate a bit of something for everyone whether you're interested in food, culture or even the best place to shop.

Ruins of Fukuoka Castle
Constructed in the early 17th century Fukuoka Castle was made to protect the people while Japan was at war internally and the country was split into independent states. Its construction was ordered by Kuroda Nagamasa of Chikuzen who was the region's first feudal lord.

Today all that remains of the castle is a turret and one gate but what's left still has a presence and as it was built high up on the hill side there are good views over the city. The previous moats of the castle were later put to good use and have been used to build Ohori Park.

Ohori Park
Ohori Park, also known as Ohori Koen, is a great place to escape to if you want tranquillity and the city crowds get a bit too much. It's found in the centre of the city and is close to the Fukuoka Castle ruins so is a good place to visit after a trip there. In the middle of the park is a large pond and a path encircles it that runs for about two kilometres. So if you just want to stroll and take in the surrounding nature or get up for an early morning run this is the ideal place to do it.

Shofukuji Temple
Another important site for anyone that's interested in history and religion as the Zen temple is thought to be the first of its kind in Japan. A priest called Eisai had built the temple after learning about Zen Buddhism in China and had come back to Japan to develop the sect called Rinzai Zen. Originally built in 1195 the beautiful buildings made from wood have had to be rebuilt many times however as fires have destroyed several sections.

Yatai
Not actually a place but the name for the food stalls that are assembled outside, the yatai areas are found all over the city and are a great place to eat. The districts with the widest selection of places to choose from are Tenjin and Nakagawa and here the stalls sell some typical dishes that should definitely be tried. To start with yakitori are chicken skewers that have been grilled and are simply delicious. Afterwards oden is a hot pot which is equally good, or if you want to eat like a local order a bowl of the Hakata Ramen which is thin ramen noodles served in a soup made with pork bone called tonkotsu.

Canal City
This is a huge shopping complex spread over five floors which funnily enough has a canal through the middle and is also home to a host of entertainment. The shops feature the major Japanese and international brands along with a few niche stores and in total there are around 250 shops, restaurants and cafes as well as cinemas, a gaming center and two Fukuoka hotels.

About the Author

Lek Boonlert is an editor and content reviewer at DirectRooms and is responsible for all Fukuoka Hotels content.

How to Spend Your Time in Dongguan

Dongguan is one of China's most prosperous cities, and people travel here from all over the nation in order to seek their fortune. Although the city has a strong economic atmosphere, it has recently been developing its tourist industry. Visitors will find an excellent range of attractions to explore in Dongguan, which range from picturesque gardens to well presented museums and maintained buildings.

1)    Opium War Museum
The Opium War Museum is often the first stop on the itinerary for those who are taking a guided tour of Dongguan, which can be arranged through most leading Dongguan hotels. This interesting and informative museum offers an insight into the history and the culture of the area and pays tribute to local hero Lin Zexu, an official who took great strides in opposing the area's opium trade.

2)    Humen Pearl River Bridge
Spanning some 888 metres, the Humen Pearl River Bridge is the first ever suspension bridge to have been built in China. The bridge crosses the Pearl River, and serves to considerably shorten the distance between Shenzhen and Zhuhai. While the bridge can be viewed at any time, by far the most scenic time to soak up the scenery is just after dark.

3)    Shajiao Battery
The Shajiao Battery was established in 1801 and served as the primary line of defence during the time of the Opium Wars. Measuring around 139 metres long and boasting a collecting of 11 iron cannons, the Shajiao Battery is one of Dongguan's most significant historical sites, and a number of well thought out exhibitions can be found here, relating to drug control as well as technology and science.

4)    Ke Garden of Dongguan
Also known as the Keyuan Garden, this is one of the most famous gardens that was established during the Qing Dynasty, which lasted from 1644 until 1911. The garden can be found just to the west of central Dongguan and covers an area of 2,200 square metres.  The name means 'a garden not too bad for visiting' in the local dialect, which, as visitors will soon discover is a modest understatement.

5)    Humen Naval Battle Museum
Situated just at the east end of the Humen Pearl River Bridge, the Humen Naval Battle Museum comprises of a large exhibition hall, a sea wall and a memorial square. This impressive centre serves as one of China's most important drug control education bases and focuses on the events that occurred in the course of the naval battles during the Opium Wars. Visitors will want to allow at least two hours to fully expel the Humen Naval Battery War Museum, as there are a large number of exhibitions to admire here, while the stunning surrounding scenery is also worthy of attention.

6)    Yixian Villa Scenic Area
One of the most picturesque places in this part of China, the Yixian Villa Scenic Area can be found just 15kms from downtown Dongguan. This area of intense natural beauty has been carefully planned and created in order to give visitors a place to relax and unwind for a while. There are also a number of cultural sites scattered throughout the 500,000 square kilometre gardens, as well as areas dedicated to the teachings of Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism.  

7)    Hermit Villa
The Hermit Villa was once the home of Ming Dynasty official Li Juesi. After being asked to leave the army because of his frankness, Li Juesi came to live here as a hermit. However, the area has since been transformed as a tribute to the great man, and contains a large number of interesting Buddhist structures.

About the Author

Lek Boonlert is an editor and content reviewer at DirectRooms and is responsible for all Dongguan Hotels content.

Northeast India Tours - Visit Top Hill Stations

Northeast India is amazingly beautiful and is home to some of the magnificent hill stations that appeals thousands and hundreds of tourists from across the nook and corner of the globe.

Northeast India is mostly a nature blessed as all the expressions of the nature have poured here in all its pristine form and appeals thousands and hundreds of tourists from across the nook and corner of the globe.

Northeast India have several iconic travel destinations that include Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Darjeeling, Sikkim, Gangtok, Kalimpong and many other scintillating tourism destinations. All these places are amazingly beautiful with endless well organised tea gardens, exotic flora and fauna, cascading waterfalls, heavenly snow capped mountains and the charming valleys dotted with blossoming flowers that decorates these places with astounding look, charm and beauty.

Well but most of the tourists who come for North East tours travel to Darjeeling, tours to Gangtok and also visit to Kalimpong. These three hill stations make a northeast India golden tours and offer wonderful opportunity for tourist to soak in the golden charm and splendor of the nature that seems as if it is the best art ever painted by the greatest artist on this planet.

Darjeeling tour is much appreciated as this hill stations is considered to be the best hill station in the world. Every season in Darjeeling is heavenly and so most of the tourist who comes here get mesmerized with the lush green surrounding with evergreen tea gardens, rich flora and fauna, blossoming rhododendrons, wild flowers and more of all the cool climatic conditions that appeals great number of visitors from all over. Come to this magnificent Darjeeling and soak in the splendor of the nature and experience the beauty of each and every single element of the nature that give Darjeeling the credit of being the most beautiful hill stations in the world. Due to its impressive charm, beauty and splendor, Darjeeling is lovingly called "Queen of Hill Stations".

No to be missed to visit during Northeast India is Gangtok and Kalimpong tours. These places are amazingly beautiful with endless of tourist attractions, natural tourism attractions and man made splendor. Apart from that lifestyle of the hill region, culture and traditions are too unique and tempting that showcases that how beautiful the life here is as peace and tranquility fills the surrounding with bliss and happiness. Come and enjoy the most memorable vacation of lifetime here in these wonderful Gangtok and Kalimpong while the wonderments work wonder to make your tour more enjoyable, delightful and memorable.

Come as Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Gangtok is waiting for your arrival. The magnetizing culture, endless tourist attractions, sightseeing spots and the pleasant cool climatic conditions truly make North East India, a haven for all travellers and if you are also looking forward for bit of adventure, your dream is surely going to ful-filled. After all you are traveling to one of the world's best travel destination that accounts the maximum number of tourists from across the globe.

About the Author

Tarun Yadav writes for Darjeeling tour package that offering tourism in Darjeeling, tours to Gangtok, Darjeeling travel agent and more information about Darjeeling tourism plz visit our site http://www.darjeelingtourpackage.com/.

Davao's Top Eight Shopping Malls

Davao is emerging as the leading tourism hub for the southern Philippines and there are many Davao hotels to cater for the thousands of people that visit each year. A short distance outside the city the region is home to the Philippines' highest peak, Mount Apo and there are many other attractions worth visiting. The city also excels at providing great places to shop and as the second largest city in the Philippines, with a population close to 1.5 million people, there are shops for almost every taste. Here are the top eight places to eight of the best.

Gaisano Mall
Davao's most famous shopping centre. Luxurious in design with a contemporary look, the mall has shops and entertainment spread over six floors so it's easy to spend an entire day here. The eating options are good too and shops wise there's virtually every type of product within the hundreds of retailers.

Aldevinco
The place to spend your money if you need authentic locally made handicrafts. Aldevinco is positively packed full of creative designs and unusual gifts as the locals sell everything from genuine and reproduced antiques to sarongs, batik and brassware. Pearls are also popular as is anything handmade which makes for some unique items. The stalls number in the hundreds and are packed in side by side and shoppers should be prepared to haggle on price which only adds to the shopping experience.

NCCC Supermarket
Not just a supermarket, the centre contains different retail outlets and the prices are generally very affordable. It's Davao's largest shopping mall so offers a good selection of goods and is also the place to pick up deliciously fresh fruit. The durian is some of the best anywhere and for anyone that hasn't tried the strong smelling fruit this is a good place to start. Other fruits to try are the fresh mangosteen and the pomelo which similar to grapefruit.

Victoria Plaza
This may be one of the older malls in Davao but that's certainly not reflected in the shops as retailers sell the latest fashions and the trendiest accessories. Built at the start of the 1990s inside are food stores, restaurants, boutique shops selling home décor items, a supermarket, department store, cinema and jewellery shops selling gold and precious stones.

DAMOSA Market Basket
The latest destination for shopping and eating out in Davao. This miniature mall has been deliberately built small to give it a cosier feel without being too sterile like some of the larger centres. Fashion boutiques along with restaurants and bars can easily be found and the eateries are excellent for a light lunch. Fashion wise the emphasis is on the affordable rather than the excessively expensive as found in the designer stores. If you want to look good without the price tag the Market Basket is where to shop.

Chimes Mall
Again built on the smaller side, what it doesn't have in size it makes up for in originality. The shops sell speciality items that aren't found in the more typical high street stores and for dining there are some well known restaurants that are building up a good reputation for quality food.

SM City Davao
SM City is a chain that has shopping malls across the Philippines and because of this it attracts the big recognisable brand names and shoppers are spoilt for choice going round the hundreds of retail outlets inside.

Abreeza
A newly opened shopping centre which doesn't disappoint as it has over 300 shops and places to eat. A big department store is found with all the usual stores and there are a good selection of coffee shops to get a boost of caffeine to make it round the 660,000 sq ft of shopping space.

About the Author

Lek Boonlert is an editor and content reviewer at DirectRooms and is responsible for all Davao Hotels content.

Bang Pa-In Summer Palace in Ayutthaya

The capital of Thailand today is Bangkok, but for nearly half a century it was Ayutthaya. Today, Ayutthaya is a popular tourist destination for local Thais as well as foreigners visiting to the country on holiday. Thai people are very proud of their roots, specifically the fact that the country has never been colonized. However, Ayutthaya was once taken over by the Burmese and remained under Burmese control for a number of years before being over thrown and borderlines redrawn to make Thailand the country that it is today. The country of Thailand stretches a large amount of space room the north bordering Burma and Laos all the way to the south bordering Malaysia.

Ayutthaya was inundated onto the UNSECO world heritage list thanks to its numerous ancient relics that remain standing to this day. Many of the relics are ancient remains from temples that still dominate the landscape even today. If you want to get a real feel for a how special the royal family is to the Thai people, then be sure to visit the Bang Pa-in Summer Palace. The royal family has number of place grounds and royal villages located throughout the country. Mainly they are located in key industrious cities such as Thailand's capital of the north, Chiang Mai.

The Bang Pa-In Summer Palace is extremely beautiful and not to be missed. Traditional Thai architecture has been used to design a floating pagoda lined with a freshly painted white fence. When the grounds are closed to visitors, one might imagine the family having a lazy afternoon lunch under the shade beneath the elaborate structure whilst pondering the health of the nation as they stare into the gentle ripples of the waves.

The summer palace dates all the way back to the times of King Naresuan who is one of the country's most beloved figures. A three part epic movie came about the life of the King not more than five years ago and it was rejoiced all over the country. In school, the children learn from a very young age the respect and explores the dream like tales that make up the lives of ancient royal ancestors.

In Thai, the word ‘bang' means prince and as such the palaces name actually means ‘the prince is in'. Something that the summer palace is famous for, as are all of the royal palaces in Thailand, are the stunning gardens. The royal family has gone to great lengths to preserve and uphold the natural environment and its importance to the people of this country. Flower festivals are extremely popular here and if you dare to venture out in one, the be prepared to wait in crowds, bumping into the occasional umbrella. As you might have seen at some of the temples in Thailand, elaborate and colorful carvings exist here, some to help ward off bad spirits.

The Royal Palace is quite easy to get to, but if you are without your own vehicle there are a number of transportation options available. You can rent a car for the day for a low cost of only 1000 baht. This should include insurance, though you may have to pay a deductible if you do have any problems with other drivers on the road. If you are uninterested in getting behind the wheel, then try hiring a taxi for a day or simply take the local red bus, or ‘songtao' as they are better known. Once you get to the palace, you may have to pay a small fee which will get you a tour of all the outdoor grounds and you will be able to see some rooms from inside the main structure. Be prepared to remove your shoes and always remember to speak politely about the royal family in public. There is a vast number of Ayutthaya hotels located nearby that can help you plan your journey.

About the Author

Lek Boonlert is an editor and content reviewer at DirectRooms and is responsible for all Ayutthaya Hotels content.

Kerala Weather and its Exotic Wildlife

Kerala is an amazing destination in India where the visitors teem to this state throughout the year. This beautiful destination is situated on the shore of the sapphire Arabian Sea. The exciting part of this state is that Kerala is nestled between Arabian Sea and the mighty Western Ghats. This beautiful state is dotted with many scintillating natural and man made attractions which truly boost the Kerala tourism. Kerala is one of the beautiful states in India where you can find varieties of attractions. Picturesque landscapes, green vistas, charming ambiance and on wholesome the soothing climatic conditions lures the visitors to this place throughout the year.

Kerala is very beautiful and is dotted with some exotic wildlife and bird sanctuaries and truly this state is bliss for the nature lovers. This state is home to rich and diversity of wildlife with rare animals, birds and marine life in abundant.

Kerala is proximity to the equator thus Kerala weather is pleasantly tropical in nature. The temperature of this state varies according to the destinations you visit here in this state. The diversity of the geographical features of this state results in a corresponding diversity in climate. The high ranges in this state has bracing cool throughout the year where as the plains remain hot and humid. Kerala basically enjoy the flavor of four main seasons that is winter, summer, North East Monsoon and South West Monsoon.

As the visitors head towards hill stations as this state is dotted with some beautiful hill stations like Munnar, Chembra Peak, Chithirapuram, Devikulam, Lakkidi this town are blessed with cool temperature throughout the year. The soothing climatic conditions truly attract and tempt visitors to visit this lush green hill stations throughout the year.

Kerala Weather in the plains is bit warm then the hill stations and the evening and the morning the cool breezes blowing from the Arabian Sea offers this sate moderate conditions which are loved by the visitors throughout the year. The temperature in this region varies from 32 to 22 degree throughout the year.

The wildlife in Kerala is one of the essential parts of the Kerala tourism and some of the major wildlife's in this state are Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary is located in the rain shadow of the Western Ghats. This is the second home of the endangered giant grizzled squirrel of India. The locations of the sanctuary is very unique which offers advantage of watching exotic wildlife from the close quarters from the road without venturing deep in the forest. The Endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel, Hanuman Langur, Elephant, Spotted Deer and Sambar.

Eravikulam National Park
Eravikulam National Park is located along the Western Ghats in Idukki district of Kerala. The Eravikulam Sanctuary was declared as a National Park in 1978 due to its fauna, flora, ecological and zoological significance. The important animals which can be seen here are Civet Cats, Panther, Wild Dog, Tigers, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Tahr Wild Boar etc.

Well these is not all as that you can explore and visit with any Kerala Wildlife Tours, there are many wildlife and birds sanctuary in Kerala which are more worth to visit.

About the Author

Wilson Tom loves writing informative articles on various destinations around the world, especially about India. Here I am providing information about Kerala Wildlife Sanctuaries which ensure the beauty and fascination of kerala.

Agadir Attractions

Situated in the southwestern part of Morocco, the town of Agadir is a smallish town that was built on agriculture. Today, it relies on agriculture, commercial industries, and tourism to support its city growth. It is an amazing beach resort town that pulls in a large number of tourists each year.

With the large number of tourists, it is essential that Agadir hotels are convenient and comfortable for guests. However, visitors will only be spending a small amount of time inside their hotels, as the city of Agadir is filled with an amazing array of activities and attractions to keep visitors busy during their holiday.

Getting into the city from Europe is best achieved via air travel, as the international airport that serves the city is efficient. Most major cities offer routes to Agadir. However, domestic flights from other Moroccan cities, and train or bus transportation are also popular ways to reach the city of Agadir.

The following paragraphs outline some of the specific attractions located in the city, allowing visitors to get a better understanding of what type of destination Agadir truly is.

Kasbah – the local Kasbah is situated about seven kilometres from the central part of town. Despite the fact that Agadir is famous for its beaches, it is also evident through the Kasbah that there are other popular attractions around. It sits in ruins, but will totally enchant visitors with its mystique beauty. It is only  a short distance from the local Medina.

Medina – the Medina D'agadir is a remarkable medina built in modern techniques. However, it is still a fabulous place to visit. There are plenty of artisans offering their skills at the medina, and there is a restaurant available for hungry tourists. The medina is only located four kilometres to the south of the city area, and is constantly being visited by tourists.

Memoire D'agadir – also known as the Earthquake Museum, this small establishment is a gentle reminder of the horror Agadir lived through during the 1960 earthquake which destroyed most of the town. It is only a short drive from the heart of town, and should not be missed, as there is plenty of interesting artifacts and displays inside the museum.

Sunset Beach – for a more relaxed attraction, nothing beats Sunset Beach. It is located just to the north of another of the famous private beaches, and is generally more leisurely than Agadir's main beach, which is also not too far from Sunset Beach.

Palm Beach – Palm Beach is located just to the south of Sunset Beach, and also provides a remarkable setting for just lazing about and enjoying the sunshine. There are many more people to be found at the main beach, but at least visitors will be able to stay entertained at the private beaches with kids play areas and restaurants.

Museum of Patrimoine Amazigh – this small museum is perfect for allowing visitors to learn more about the Berber culture. There are several interesting exhibits here, and visitors can certainly spend an hour or more roaming the halls of Museum of Patrimoine Amazigh.

Port – In addition to the above sites, visitors should not be missing a chance to explore the port area. Here, Morocco's magic culture is certainly on display for all to see and embrace. Definitely a site to see especially for the culturally and historically enthusiastic traveler.

Vallee des Oiseaux – visitors with children, although many tourists to the area are usually couples, shouldn't miss travelling to this site, which is actually located inside an old river bed. Here, the Vallee des Oiseaux boasts a small petting zoo, children's play area and places to eat.

About the Author

Lek Boonlert is an editor and content reviewer at DirectRooms and is responsible for all Agadir Hotels content.