Ba Na Hill tours from Da Nang, Vietnam

Ba Na Hill tours from Da Nang

Several tours are conducted from Da Nang City to visit Ba Na Hill, which is located only 30 km away from Da Nang City. Many tours include the visit to famous Golden Bridge supported by gigantic hands. The most popular tour among them may be “Ba Na Hills with Golden Bridge Private Tour“, which also visits Sun World.

About Ba Na Hill

Ba Na Hill is a popular tourist attraction located in the Truong Son Mountains near Da Nang in Vietnam. It is a hill station and resort complex that was first established by French colonists in the early 1900s, but has since been extensively developed into a modern destination with a variety of attractions.

One of the main features of Ba Na Hill is its cable car system, which stretches for 5.8 kilometers and holds the Guinness World Record for the longest non-stop single-track cable car. The cable car takes visitors from the base of the mountain up to the resort complex at the top, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and forests.

At the top of the hill, visitors can enjoy a range of attractions, including amusement park rides, cultural exhibits, gardens, and temples. There are also several restaurants and cafes offering a variety of cuisine options.

Another popular attraction at Ba Na Hill is the Golden Bridge, a pedestrian walkway that spans two hands of a giant stone sculpture. The bridge offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and has become an iconic spot for taking photos.

Ba Na Hill is also known for its cool climate, which is a welcome respite from the hot and humid weather of coastal Vietnam. Visitors can expect temperatures to be several degrees cooler at the top of the hill, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

Overall, Ba Na Hill offers a unique blend of natural beauty, modern attractions, and cultural experiences, making it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to central Vietnam.

Nizwa day trip from Muscat

About Nizwa

Nizwa is the Old capital of Oman, a must-visit destination in Oman for anyone interested in history, culture, and natural beauty of this region of the world. Nizwa is located in the Ad Dakhiliyah region of Oman. It is known for its rich cultural heritage, beautiful forts, traditional souks, and stunning landscapes.

Some tourist attractions of Nizwa include

Nizwa Fort: Nizwa Fort is one of the most iconic landmarks of the city. The fort was built in the 17th century and has played a crucial role in the city’s history. It is an excellent example of Omani architecture and offers a stunning view of the city from its top.

Nizwa Souq: Nizwa Souq is a bustling marketplace where you can find traditional Omani handicrafts, spices, and souvenirs. It is one of the oldest souqs in Oman and is known for its vibrant atmosphere and colorful shops.

Jebel Akhdar: Jebel Akhdar is a beautiful mountain range located near Nizwa. It is a popular destination for hiking and trekking enthusiasts and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Bahla Fort: Bahla Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located near Nizwa. It was built in the 13th century and is one of the oldest and most well-preserved forts in Oman.

Al Hoota Cave: Al Hoota Cave is a natural wonder located near Nizwa. It is one of the largest cave systems in the world and offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the underground world of Oman.

Nizwa day trip from Muscat

There are several day tours available from Muscat. Among them, “Nizwa Fort-Nizwa Souq-Misfah Al Arbyeen-Jebel Shams – Private Full Day Tour” is the most popular day trip from Muscat.

Borobudur and Prambanan tours from Yogyakarta

Borobudur and Prambanan tours

Both Borobudur and Prambanan are accessible from Yogyakarta. Numerous tours are conducted from Yogyakarta. It is recommended to take 2 days and stay in Borobudur so that you can see sunrise from Borobudur.

Sunrise from Borobudur
Sunrise from Borobudur

About Borobudur Temple

Borobudur temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important Buddhist monuments in the world. It is located in central Java, about 40 kilometers northwest of Yogyakarta.

The temple was built in the 9th century during the Sailendra dynasty and consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome. The temple is decorated with over 2,500 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues, all of which are carved from stone.

The temple was abandoned in the 14th century and remained hidden under layers of volcanic ash and jungle growth until it was rediscovered in the early 19th century by the British colonial ruler, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. It has since undergone several restorations, the most recent of which was completed in 1983.

The temple is not only a significant Buddhist monument but also a masterpiece of ancient architecture and art. The relief panels depict scenes from Buddhist scripture and everyday life in ancient Java, offering insight into the culture and beliefs of the Sailendra dynasty.

Borobudur temple is also known for its unique design, which is thought to represent the Buddhist cosmology. The base of the temple represents the earthly realm, while the upper levels represent the higher realms of existence.

Borobudur temple
Borobudur temple

About Prambanan temples

Prambanan is a group of 9th-century Hindu temples located in central Java, about 17 kilometers northeast of Yogyakarta. The temples are considered to be the largest and most impressive Hindu complex in Indonesia and are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The complex consists of three main temples, known as the Trimurti temples, which are dedicated to the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The central temple, dedicated to Shiva, is the largest and most impressive of the three, standing at 47 meters tall. The other two temples are dedicated to Brahma and Vishnu and are located on either side of the central temple.

In addition to the three main temples, the Prambanan complex includes several smaller temples and shrines, as well as numerous pavilions and statues. The temples are decorated with intricate carvings and reliefs that depict scenes from Hindu mythology and everyday life in ancient Java.

Like Borobudur temple, the Prambanan complex was abandoned in the 14th century and fell into ruin. The temples were rediscovered and restoration work began in the early 20th century. Today, the Prambanan complex is a popular tourist destination and a symbol of Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage.

In addition to its historical and cultural significance, the Prambanan complex is also notable for its unique architectural style, which combines Hindu and Javanese elements. The temples feature towering spires, intricate carvings, and intricate stone masonry, making them a masterpiece of ancient architecture and art.

Prambanan
Prambanan

Yeh Pulu tour in Bali

Yeh Pulu Ruins are famous for their relief in the neighboring village of Buduru near Ubud. Everything is said to be around the 14th century before this area of ​​Bali was Hinduized.

Relief famous for Ye Pur is about 25 meters wide. Ancient mythology is depicted as a relief motif. There are statues of Ganesh, but was it added after Hinduism came in?

Yeh Pulu Temple in Bali

Yeh Pulu tours

There are many tours available to visit Yeh Pulu. Many of them also visit Goa Gajah and/or Gunung Kawi.

The most popular Yeh Pulu tour is “Best of Bali : Bali Temples , Rice Terrace and Waterfall Tour“, departing from Seminyak. Other tours depart from Kuta, Ubud, etc.

Everest helicopter ride and landing tour

Have you ever dreamed of close viewing of Mt. Everest? If you take a helicopter tour from Kathmandu, you can reach to Mt. Everest and land on Everest base camp.

There are several tour companies operating Everest helicopter tours. Most of them are shared flights, but some are private.

Of course, the price of the tour is not cheap but it can be one of your unforgettable memories.

Most popular Everest helicopter ride tour

The most popular Everest helicopter ride tour is “Everest base camp helicopter landing group flight tour with breakfast at Everest“. This tour is conducted everyday. If there is no flight due to bad weather, there is a full refund. Hotel pick-up from major hotels in Kathmandu is provided, so you don’t need to go to the airport by yourself.

Note: this flight requires minimum of 5 passengers.

Popular Everest helicopter ride tours

Halong Bay cruise tour

Halong Bay in Vietnam

Halong Bay is located in northern Vietnam, about 170 km away from the capital Hanoi. There are about 1,600 islands creating a magnificent view.

Although public transport such as bus is available from Hanoi to visit Halong Bay, it is recommended to join in a tour departing from Hanoi.

Halong Bay tours

There are so many tours available for Halong Bay from day-tours to multi-day tours. It is recommended to take 2 or 3 day tours so that you can sleep on the boat and enjoy Halong Bay fully.

You can check all available tours to Halong Bay here.

Halong Bay day tour from Hanoi

The most popular day tour to visit Haling Bay from Hanoi is “Genesis: Halong Bay Small Group Day Tour w/ Luxury Shuttle & Highways“. This tour is available everyday and the price is from USD 79 per person including a cruise and Vietnamese food lunch on the boat.

For other Halong Bay day-tours, please follow this link here. It includes tours from Hanoi as well as from Halong City.

Halong Bay overnight tours

To fully enjoy Halong Bay, overnight tours are recommended. The most popular overnight tour of Halong Bay from Hanoi is “Experiencing 2 days – 1 night at balcony cabins on Premium boats all inclusions“. You spend a night in a room with balcony on a boat.

Haling bay or Halong Bay

I wondered that many people misspelling Halong Bay and write as Haling Bay. The reason may be auto-correction feature of the PCs and/or smartphones. If I type “Halong”, the system suggests “Haling” as right spelling.

My Son tours from Hoi An or Da Nang, Vietnam

My Son in Vietnam

About Mỹ Sơn (My Son ruins)

Mỹ Sơn or My Son in English is a group of abandoned Hindu temples found in Quảng Nam province of central Vietnam. The site is a complex of Hindu temples and towers that were built by the Champa kingdom between the 4th and 14th centuries.

The Champa people were a civilization that existed in central and southern Vietnam from around the 2nd century until the 19th century. They were strongly influenced by Indian culture and religion, and their architecture and art reflect this influence.

Mỹ Sơn was an important religious and cultural center for the Champa people, and the site includes around 70 structures, including temples, towers, and sanctuaries. Many of these structures were built with brick and decorated with intricate carvings and sculptures.

The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, and it is a popular tourist destination in Vietnam. However, the site has also suffered damage over the years due to natural disasters and human conflict, including bombing during the Vietnam War. Restoration efforts have been ongoing, but the site remains vulnerable to further damage.

Visitors to Mỹ Sơn can explore the temples and learn about the history of the Champa civilization. The site also hosts cultural performances that showcase traditional Champa music and dance.

My Son Ruins in Vietnam
My Son Ruins in Vietnam

Popular tours to My Son

My Son is accessible by tours from Hoi An or Da Nang. Several tours depart daily. Or you can just use car transport from Hoi An/Da Nang to My Son.

The most popular My Son tour is “Private Day Trip to do My Son Holyland & Hoi an city Tour from Hoi an or Da Nang“. This tour is available for from 2 pax everyday.

Transfer services to My Son

Tours to My Son

Banteay Srei Tour from Siam Reap

Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei in rainy season

Banteay Srei is a Hindu temple located in the northeast of Angkor Wat, dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. Banteay is a fort and Srei is a woman, which together means “a woman’s fort.” It began construction in 967 during the reign of King Rajendravarman and was said to have been completed at the time of his son, Jayavarman V.

Banteay Srei is a beautifully carved temple made of laterite and red sandstone, one of the small Angkor archaeological sites that you should definitely visit.

The statue of the goddess of the Orient, called Mona Lisa, is particularly famous in the picture on the right, and there is an anecdote that André Malraux was fascinated by the statue and stolen and arrested in 1923.

Recommended Banteay Srei Tours

Detail of Banteay Srei

Banteay Srei is surrounded by an outer wall and has an entrance to the east. When you pass through the gate, you will find the approach to the approach. In the photo below, the water on both sides of the approach is not a pond, but a puddle formed during the rainy season. Behind the approach, there are no intimidating temples like Bayon or Angkor Wat.

Follow the approach and pass through the gate of the first wall, there is a moat, and a bridge filled with soil leads to the second wall and its gate. The center of Banteay Srei is, as you can see, very small. But there is a surprising sculpture hidden in this.

Banteay Srei

When you pass through the tower gate on the third wall, it is finally the core. Exit to the front room of the Banteay Srei Central Shrine. Click on the photo below to see a super-detailed enlarged photo. Please take a closer look at the relief of Shiva God dancing in the central gable part. Reliefs are also applied to the left and right gables respectively. Please note that the image is about 8.5 mega.

Banteay Srei temple front room

As you can see, Banteay Srei has many beautiful reliefs depicting Hindu legends in the gable area. The photo below shows a scene from Ramayana, depicting three competing monkey brothers.

Competing Monkey relief of Banteay Srei

At the heart of Banteay Srei is a relief and a statue of a goddess around the tower of the Central Shrine. The photo below shows the west side of the Central Shrine. The photos are slightly distorted because multiple photos were combined into one. Click to display a super-resolution enlarged photo. Please note that there is more than 13 mega. There are several devata (goddesses), so please watch.

Banteay Srei Central Shrine

More information about Banteay Srei available here.

Beng Mealea Tour from Siam Reap

Beng Mealea Temple

Beng Mealea Temple

Beng Mealea is a Hindu Temple located about 60 kilometers from Siem Reap. The jungle covers over a 1-square kilometer area of the Beng Mealea temple.

It is said that Beng Mealea Temple was built around the end of the 11th century before Angkor Wat, but there is no inscription and details are unknown. With very little restoration, you can walk through mysterious archeological sites with a sense of adventure. There mey be no great sculpture, but it’s a great way to immerse yourself in beautiful archeological sites.

From Siam Reap, it is not easy to reach Beng Mealea by public transport. It is highly recommended to visit Beng Mealea by joining in a tour.

Most popular Beng Mealea tour

The most popular tour including Beng Mealea is “Featured Private Angkor Wat Tours, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Bantey Srei And Beng Mealea” from Siam Reap. This tour is available almost everyday.

Beng Mealea tours from Siam Reap

Several tours are conducted for Beng Mealea from Siam Reap. There are also some Beng Mealea and Koh Ker tours.

There are tours that visit only Beng Mealea in half day, or 2-3 days adventure tours, or tours combining Beng Mealea with other places such as Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei, Koh Ker and other destinations. Some tours listed on Viator/Trip Advisor are shown below. For all available Beng Mealea tours, follow this link.

Angkor Wat sunrise tour from Siam Reap

Angkor Wat at sunrise

The best time in a day to see Angkor Wat is at sunrise. Sunrise tours from Siam Reap provide you with the magnificent view of Angkor Wat in twilight and sunrise, if there is no cloud. Hotel pick up is provided, though you have to wake up quite early to see Angkor Wat in the light of sunrise.

The most popular Angkor Wat Sunrise tour

Explore Angkor Wat Sunrise Small Group Experience is the most popular Angkor Wat sunrise tour from Siem Reap. Free pick up & drop off service from your hotels in Siem Reap is provided.

Other Angkor Wat sunrise tours

Many tour companies provide Angkor Wat sunrise tours. Choose the one best suit to your preference.