Escapade in South-East Asia from November 2006 to March 2007

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

2007-04-23T19:21:00.000-04:00

Serge in Gui lin, Guang xi, People's Republic of China, December 2006

As heard, he can be handsome, intelligent, fun-loving and........ terribly modest. Aquarius/Monkey Eurasian, was born in the Middle East under a lucky star on a special Sunday of a February month in the mid 20th century. Happily retired now after 32 years as a professor-scientist position in the University of Quebec. Living currently in Montreal and when he can in South-East Asia. As one of his graduate Thai student say about him " his life is travelling" Favorite quotes:

"Give a fish to somebody and you will feed him for a day . Teach him how to fish and you will feed him for life."

From John Lennon "Life is just what happens to you while your busy making other plans"
From his University Vietnamese friends in the 70's: "Đường không khó vì ngăn sông cách núi Chỉ sợ lòng người ngại núi e sông" (Nguyễn Bá Học). Translated in English:“The road is difficult to walk on, not because of the mountains and the rivers but because of the fear of the people heart to cross these mountains and rivers."
E-mail: chomchom2us@yahoo.com
cpv5@hotmail.com

INTRODUCTION and ITINERARY

2007-04-23T19:17:00.000-04:00

This travelblog is related to a trip done recently. The informations posted were collected by myself during the trip and complemented with others from the internet; hoping that the informations collected from the web are accurate which I don't guarantee !.

All the pictures, except for one (Bangkok airport), were taken by myself. Click on a picture to enlarge it.

ITINERARY

NOVEMBER 13 - NOVEMBER 22 : MONTREAL-SINGAPORE-THAILAND-LAOS-VIETNAM

2007-03-12T22:38:00.002-04:00

November 13: Departure early morning from Montreal to Singapore via Detroit and Tokyo by Northwest airlines. Special fare (1040 can$ return including taxes). Simple but good service. Quite old planes. Very good timing for connections.

November 14: Arrival at midnight to Singapore. Stay in airport until November 15, 11 AM. Nice airport. Free internet .

November 15: Departure at 11 AM from Singapore for Bangkok, Thailand by air Asia (http://www.airasia.com/). Very good airline. Singapore-Bangkok: 65 can$. Arrival at the new Suvarnabhumi airport Very big airport. From outside snake or dragon shape. Sometimes take long time to get the luggages.

Suvarnabhumi airport. Bangkok, Thailand (picture not taken by me)

By airport bus (5 canadian dollars) to downtown Bangkok (Silom). Very heavy traffic.

MRT

Connected with subway (MRT) to Hua Lamphong, central railway station.

Hua Lamphong, central railway station Bangkok

I Bought a ticket to Nong Khai (North east of Thailand) by the 20:45 train. Afternoon: relaxing in Bangkok, walking around, eating my favorite dish: pork legs, bought SIM mobile telephone card, re-connecting with some friends.

With rice and garlic....yummy pork legs

Night of November 15: 13 hours in sleeping train (15 can$) from Bangkok to Nong Khai.

Thai train. Bangkok-Nong khai

Thai sleeping train. Bangkok-Nong khai

November 16: Arrival to Nong Khai, breakfast in front of the train station. At least my 8th breakfast there. The waiter remembered that I don’t like mayonnaise in my omelette sandwich.

Nong Khai railway station and the typical Thai Tuk tuk.

By tuk tuk (75 cents) to the Thai border and bus (30 cents) crossing the friendship bridge to Laos. Visa on arrival. Surprise: The cost of the visa for Canadian is 42 US$ for one month stay instead of 30 for 14 days. For Chinese: 20, for American 35 and Indian 40 !!. Canadian are the richest hehe. After paying another entrance fee of 30 cents I am in Laos. By Tuk Tuk to Vientiane 24 km for 7.5 can$

Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, built in the 1990s,

Car disinfection prior arrival to Laos

November 16-22: Vientiane. Since it’s my 8th visit to Laos, spent relaxed week in Vientiane. Staying in the same hotel close to Mekong river (20 can$/night).

Vientiane is relatively small city but with nice places, small bistrots, restaurants…very nice quiet people. While making my visa to Vietnam (50 us$ 3 working days) walking around, visiting friends, enjoying sunsets on the Mekong, eating papaya salad, rib pork, Chicken BBQ, sticky rice and off course with Beer Lao . Very popular also in Laos are the very hot herbal saunas (steam bath, for one Canadian dollar). Lao disco with Thai and Lao music and disco rythms are also very lively.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vientiane
Vientiane (Viangchan) is the capital city of Laos, situated in the Mekong Valley. The estimated population of the city is 200,000 while the number of people living in the Vientiane metropolitan area (the entire Vientiane Prefecture and parts of Vientiane Province) is believed to be over 730,000. Vientiane is located at 17°58' North, 102°36' East
The great Laotian epic, the Phra Lak Phra Lam, claims that Prince Thattaradtha founded the city when he left the legendary Lao kingdom of Muong Inthapatha Maha Nakhone because he was denied the throne in favor of his younger brother. Thattaradtha originally founded a city called Maha Thani Si Phan Phao on the western banks of the Mekong River; this city was told to have later become today's Udon Thani, Thailand. One day, a seven-headed Naga told Thattaradtha to start a new city on the eastern bank of the river opposite Maha Thani Si Phan Phao. The prince called this city Chanthabuly Si Sattanakhanahud; which was told to be the predecessor of modern Vientiane.
Contrary to the Phra Lak Phra Lam, most historians believe Vientiane was an early Khmer settlement centered around a Hindu temple, which the Pha That Luang would later replace. In the 11th and 12th centuries, the time when the Lao and Thai people are believed to have entered Southeast Asia from Southern China, the few remaining Khmers in the area were either killed, removed, or assimilated into the Lao civilization, which would soon overtake the area.
In 1354, when Fa Ngum founded the kingdom of Lan Xang (One thousand elephant), Vientiane became an important administrative city, even though it was not made the capital. King Setthathirath officially established it as the capital of Lan Xang in 1560. When Lan Xang fell apart in 1707, it became an independent kingdom. In 1779, it was conquered by the Siamese general Phraya Chakri and made a vassal of Siam.
When King Anouvong raised an unsuccessful rebellion, it was obliterated by Siamese armies in 1827. It eventually passed to French rule in 1893. It became the capital of the French protectorate of Laos in 1899.
The name of the city is derived from Pāli, the literary language of Theravada Buddhism, and its original meaning was "The king's grove of sandalwood", this tree being prized for its fragrance in classical India. It is also believed that the original name of Vientiane (Viangchan) means "City of the Moon" in the native Lao language. Modern Lao pronunciation and orthography do not clearly reflect the Pali etymology. The romanized spelling "Vientiane" is of French origin, and reflects the difficulty the French had in pronouncing the hard "ch" syllable of the Lao word; a common English-based spelling is "Viangchan", or occasionally "Wiangchan".
Therafter some scenes of Vientiane.

Lan Xang avenue.

The national memorial, Patuxay to celebrate the independence struggle built in the 1960

Lan Xang avenue and presidential palace

Cultural hall

Nice old houses

Fountain place but without water......

Bars and restaurants

Orchid hotel facing the Mekong river where I use to stay

Old stupa in Vientiane

Pha That Luang (Paa T-had Lu-uang) (Great Stupa in Laos) is a Buddhist temple in Vientiane, Laos. It was built in the 16th century on the ruins of an earlier 13th century Khmer temple, which the Lao believe was in turn built on a 3rd century Indian temple built by Buddhist missionaries from the Mauryan Empire who were sent by the Emperor Ashoka. Relics of The Buddha are said to be contained here. Pha That Luang was destroyed by the Thai invasion in the 19th century, then later restored to its original design. The architecture of the temple includes many references to Lao culture and identity, and so has become a symbol of Lao nationalism

Temples in Vientiane

Buddha Park 25 km from Vientiane near Friendship bridge

In a cultural village, close to the friendship bridge. Reconstitution of the different cultures in Laos.

In a zoo, quite far from Vientiane.

Herbal temple saunas

Chatting with Monks

Morning market

Inside morning market

need a ride?

Sunset near the Mekong river

Evening near Mekong river: Dinner is ready

French Baguette very popular in Laos

Street restaurants

Beer Lao is a must.....

Some late night dessert?

Breakfast time....

The following section is not related to the present trip and complement informations on different other Laos regions

In Vang Vien.
Located between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, Vang Vien village is a peaceful stop that makes a traveller discovering another face of Laos. In spite of a borning tourism and all the substructures that go with it, the place still keeps a great charm and remains quite authentic. This charming village is situated at the heart of a flat valley, circled by abrupt mountains raising from nowhere. The surroundings quickly takes a visitor into an incredible natural dream. Passing the fields covering a flat plain and sinuous tracks in a deep jungle, an adventurous traveller will have the occasion to visit one of the numerous caves that make all the great reputation of the place. The substructures to explorate those caves are more than basic and the discovery is closer to archeology rather than an easy experience.

Sunset activities in Vang Vien

After Vang Vien. On the way to Luang Prabang

Local people in villages.

Royal palace complex in Luang Prabang

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luang_Prabang
Luang Prabang, or Louangphrabang, is a city located in north central Laos, on the Mekong River about 425 km north of Vientiane, and the capital of Louangphrabang Province. The current population of the city is about 22,000.
The city was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name. Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. The city is also notable as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Contents Muang Sua was the old name of Luang Prabang following its conquest in 698 A.D. by a Tai prince, Khun Lo, who seized his opportunity when Nan-chao was engaged elsewhere. Khun Lo had been awarded the town by his father, Khun Borom, who is associated with the Lao legend of the creation of the world, which the Lao share with the Shan and other peoples of the region. Khun Lo established a dynasty whose fifteen rulers reigned over an independent Muang Sua for the better part of a century.
In the second half of the 8th century, Nan-chao intervened frequently in the affairs of the principalities of the middle Mekong Valley, resulting in the occupation of Muang Sua in 709. Nan-chao princes or administrators replaced the aristocracy of Tai overlords. Dates of the occupation are not known, but it probably ended well before the northward expansion of the Khmer empire under Indravarman I (r. 877-89) and extended as far as the territories of Sipsong Panna on the upper Mekong.
In the meantime, the Khmers founded an outpost at Xay Fong near Vientiane, and Champa expanded again in southern Laos, maintaining its presence on the banks of the Mekong until 1070. Chanthaphanit, the local ruler of Xay Fong, moved north to Muang Sua and was accepted peacefully as ruler after the departure of the Nan-chao administrators. Chanthaphanit and his son had long reigns, during which the town became known by the Tai name Xieng Dong Xieng Thong. The dynasty eventually became involved in the squabbles of a number of principalities. Khun Chuang, a warlike ruler who may have been a Kammu (alternate spellings include Khamu and Khmu) tribesman, extended his territory as a result of the warring of these principalities and probably ruled from 1128 to 1169. Under Khun Chuang, a single family ruled over a far-flung territory and reinstituted the Siamese administrative system of the 7th century. At some point, Theravada Buddhism was subsumed by Mahayana Buddhism.
Xieng Dong Xieng Thong experienced a brief period of Khmer suzerainty under Jayavarman VII from 1185 to 1191. By 1180 the Sipsong Panna had regained their independence from the Khmers, however, and in 1238 an internal uprising in the Khmer outpost of Sukhothai expelled the Khmer overlords.
Xieng Dong Xieng Thong in 1353 became the capital of Lan Xang. The capital was moved in 1560 by King Setthathirath I to Vien Chang, which remains the capital today.
In 1707, Lan Xang fell apart and Luang Prabang became the capital of the independent Luang Prabang kingdom. When France annexed Laos, the French recognized Luang Prabang as the royal residence of Laos. Eventually, the ruler of Luang Prabang bacame synonymous with the figurehead of the French Protectorate of Laos. When Laos achieved independence, the king of Luang Prabang, Sisavang Vong, became the head of state for the Kingdom of Laos.

Nice french-style old houses in Luang Prabang

In Luang Prabang

Early morning in Luang Prabang.

On the Mekong river from Luang Prabang. You can go to Thailand (Chiang Khong ) on a slow boat. 2 days trip, 12 hours each day, night in half way in a small village on the Mekong. On the way very close to Luang Prabang you can stop at Pak Ou caves http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pak_Ou_Caves
Near Pak Ou (mouth of the Ou river) the Tham Ting (lower cave) and the Tham Theung (upper cave) are not too far from Luang Prabang, Laos. They are a magnificent group of caves that are only accessible by boat, about two hours upstream from the center of Luang Prabang, and have recently became more well known and frequented by tourists. The caves are noted for their impressive Buddhist and Lao style sculptures carved into the cave walls, and hundreds of discarded Buddhist figures laid out over the floors and wall shelves. They were put there as their owners did not wish to destroy them, so a difficult journey is made to the caves to place their unwanted statue there.

Plain of jars in the North of Laos

The Plain of Jars http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plain_of_Jars is a large group of historic cultural sites in Laos containing thousands of stone jars, which lie scattered throughout the Xieng Khouang plain in the Laotian Highlands at the northern end of the Annamese Cordillera, the principal mountain range of Indochina. In the context of the Vietnam War and the Secret War, the Plain of Jars typically refers to the entire Xieng Khouang plain rather than the cultural sites themselves.
Archaeologists believe that the jars were used 1,500–2,000 years ago, by an ancient Mon-Khmer race whose culture is now totally unknown. Most of the excavated material has been dated to around 500 BC–800 AD. Anthropologists and archeologists have theorized that the jars may have been used as funeral urns or perhaps storage for food.
Lao stories and legends claim that there was a race of giants who once inhabited the area. Local legend tells of an ancient king called Khun Cheung, who fought a long, victorious battle against his enemy. He supposedly created the jars to brew and store huge amounts of lao lao rice wine to celebrate his victory.
The first westerner to survey, study and catalogue the Plain of Jars was a French archaeologist, Madeleine Colani of the École française d'Extrême Orient in the 1930s. She excavated the area of jars with her team and found a nearby cave with human remains, including burned bones and ash. Her work is still the most comprehensive although there have been other excavations.
An American bomb damaged the cave during the Vietnam War, when the Pathet Lao used it as a stronghold — the surrounding area still has trench systems and bomb craters. The land is littered with metal shrapnel. The town of Xieng Khouang was utterly destroyed during the fighting between the Pathet Lao and American backed anti-communist troops. A new town was built in the mid 1970s, known to foreigners as Phonsavan.
There are total of more than 400 sites across the whole Plain of Jars that centers on the area of Xieng Khouang. They range from Khorat Plateau in Thailand in the south, through Laos and to North Cachar Hills in northern India. Archaeologists have found more similar burials in India. The jars appear to be laid in a linear path that was probably a trade route.
The jars are made of sedimentary rock, usually sandstone, but also granite, conglomerate or calcified coral. They are angular or round and some have disks that could be lids. They can weigh up to 14 short tons (13 metric tons) and range from 3 to 10 feet (1-3 meters) in height,
The jars lay in clusters. The largest one near the town of Phonsavan, known as Site 1, contains over 250 jars of varying sizes. The jars now lie amidst thousands of unexploded bombs left behind by the Secret War in Laos in the 1960s. The large quantity of UXOs (unexploded ordnances) in the area means that only Sites 1, 2 and 3 are open to visitors—the others are considered too dangerous.
The bones, beads, bronze and iron tools and other artifacts that Colani discovered led her to believe that the jars were funerary urns. They have all since been dispersed, many to France. Her archaeological accounts have been published in the form of two large volumes, The Megaliths of Upper Laos. They still remain the primary source of the area.
Although the jars are the best-known and most visible aspect of the plains, researchers there have also discovered and photographed stone carvings. These include very tall, thin slabs of stone. The method used to create the thin slabs of stone without fracturing them is unknown.
Madeleine Colani speculated that the plains of jars connected a caravan route from northern India, for which there is much evidence.
Colani also found a natural double chimneyed cave at the site of the largest jar field, with evidence of smoke accumulation by the chimneys, similar to a primitive kiln. She believed that it was a crematorium and speculated that the jars were used to deposit cremated human remains. Later excavations have found more human remains and also unburned bones.
Because the found bodies have been dated to various periods, it is possible that the place had been used as a burial ground also in later periods, using the contemporary customs.
This theory is the most popular, although there are various other theories.
Some refer to local tradition that states that the jars were molded, by using natural materials such as clay, sand, sugar, and animal products in a type of stone mix. This leads some to believe the cave Colani found was actually a kiln, and that the huge jars were molded there and are not of imported stone. Considering that many jars are made of substances like granite, archaeologists do not accept this idea.
Another explanation for the jar's use is for collecting monsoon rainwater for the caravan travellers along their journey in a time where rain may have been only seasonal and water not readily available on the easiest foot traveled path. Rainwater could then be boiled, even if stagnant, to become potable again, a practice long understood in Eastern Eurasia. The trade caravans that were camping around these jars and could have placed beads inside jars as an offering, to accompany prayers for rain or they might simply have been lost items.

The Plain of Jars remains one of the most dangerous archaeological sites in the world. Unexploded bombs, the results of massive US bombardment during the Secret War, still cause injuries every week. Visitors can safely visit only three sites, designated Jar Sites 1, 2 and 3, and they should follow signs still warning of unexploded bombs. Many ignore them.
Archaeologically speaking the area is mixed with original artifacts, artifacts of the intervening eras - Buddhist statues, colonial items - and large amounts of scrap metal from the bombs.
The Laotian caretakers of the Plain of Jars are currently applying for status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. UNESCO-Lao Plain of Jars Project surveys the area. Clearing of the UXO hazard will be necessary before many of the sites can be studied and turned into tourist attractions.
The Mines Advisory Group, a non-governmental organization, was hired to remove explosives in July 2004. As of July 2005, they have cleared most of the three aforementioned sites. They destroyed the week's cache of removed explosives every Friday. Their funding is at an end.
More recently, those from the Ministry of Information and Culture and from Australian universities, among others, have taken part in studies of the jars. One of them is a Belgian archaeologist, Julie Van Den Bergh, who as of September 2005 had worked there regularly for four years..

Heavy bombed area

Recuperation of american bombs by villagers.

Old Stupa in Xiangkhoang region.

Ancient city in Xiangkhoang.

Pakse,

The capital ofChampasak province is situated at the confluence of the Se river and the Mekong (Pakse means 'mouth of the Se') and is a busy trading town. Champasak (or Champasak, Lao ຈໍາປາສັກ)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champasak_Province is a province in the south-west Laos, at the boundary to Thailand and Cambodia. It is one of the three principalities that succeeded the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang. Population: 500,994 (2001 estimate). The river Mekong flows through the province. The capital of the province is Pakxe, but it takes its name from Champasak, the former capital of the Kingdom of Champasak.
The Khmer ruins of Wat Phu are located here.

Champasak can be reached from Thailand through the Chong Mek border crossing, at Vang Tao, from where the highway leads east towards the city of Pakxe. Crossing the border at Chong Mek is relatively straightforward, as there are large border posts on both sides of the border, as well as large outdoor markets. It is possible to obtain a Lao visa from this border post, and Thai baht is freely accepted for purchases on the Lao side of the border.

In Pakse

Sunset in Pakse

the Khong Pha Peng waterfall, “the Niagara of the East“, close to the Cambodian border

Wat Phou (Vat Phu)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Phu
Ruined Khmer temple complex in southern Laos. It is located at the base of mount Phu Kao, some 6 km from the Mekong river in Champassak province. There was a temple on the site as early as the 5th century, but the surviving structures date from the 11th to 13th centuries. The temple has a unique structure, in which the elements lead to a shrine where a linga was bathed in water from a mountain spring. The site later became a centre of Theravada Buddhist worship, which it

remains today.

On one of the "4000 islands" on the Mekong river in Champassak province

View from the hotel.Sun rise on Mekong, 4000 island region, Champassak province

While waiting the bus in morning, Champassak province

NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 1: NORTH OF VIETNAM

2007-03-12T06:00:00.005-04:00

November 22 Early evening. Departure to Hà Nội, by a co-shared flight Lao airline-air Vietnam. One hour flight, 129 US$

Air Lao/Vietnam Vientiane-Hà Nội, flight

November 22-28: Its my 4th visit to Hà Nội,. So not too much touristic visits needed. Visiting the city and friends. Staying in a small hotel (20 us$) in the old quarter area not far from Hoan Kiem lake. Walking around, eating street specialities, waiting my visa for China (4 working days, 30 and 45 us$ for one or double entrance), visit to the army museum and attending the water puppet show.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanoi
Hanoi (Vietnamese: Hà Nội, Hán Tự) estimated population 3,145,300 (2005), is the capital of Vietnam. From 1010 until 1802, it was the political center of an independent Vietnam with a few brief interruptions. It was eclipsed by Huế during the Nguyen Dynasty as the capital of Vietnam, but served as the capital of French Indochina from 1887 to 1945. From 1945 to 1976, it was the capital of North Vietnam.
The city is located on the right bank of the Red River. Hanoi is located at 21°2' North, 105°51' East, 1760 km (1094 mi) north of Ho Chi Minh
The area around modern Hanoi has been inhabited since at least 3000 BC. One of the first known permanent settlements is the Co Loa citadel founded around 200 BC.
Through history, Hanoi was known by many names, all of its name are Chinese language origin. During Chinese domination of Vietnam, it was known as Tống Bình and later Long Đỗ. In 866, it was turned into a citadel and was named Đại La.
In 1010, Lý Thái Tổ, the first ruler of the Lý Dynasty, moved the capital of Đại Việt ( the Great Viet, then the name of Vietnam) to the site of the Đại La Citadel. Claiming to have seen a dragon ascending the Red River, he renamed it Thăng Long (昇龍, Ascending dragon) - a name still used poetically to this day. It remained the capital of Vietnam until 1397, when the capital was moved to Thanh Hóa, also known as Tây Đô (Western Capital). Thăng Long then became Đông Đô (Eastern Capital).
In 1408, Vietnam was invaded by Chinese troops from the Ming Dynasty and Đông Đô was renamed Đông Quan ( Eastern Gateway) by the Chinese. In 1428, Vietnam was liberated from Chinese rule by Lê Lợi, the founder of the Le Dynasty and Đông Quan was renamed Đông Kinh (Eastern Capital - the name known to Europeans as Tonkin; and evidently, the same characters used for Tokyo). During the Tây Sơn Dynasty, it was named Bắc Thành (Northern Citadel). In 1802, when the Nguyễn Dynasty was established and then moved the capital down to present-day Huế, it was renamed Thăng Long (means "flying dragon"). However, the second syllable of the toponym is actually a homonym of the word long, and so, actually suggests “to flourish” as opposed to “dragon”. Therefore, the name would then have appeared as 昇隆, roughly to ascend and flourish. In 1831 the Nguyen Dynasty renamed it Hà Nội (can be translated as Between Rivers or River Interior) . Hanoi was occupied by the French in 1873 and passed to them ten years later. It became the capital of French Indochina after 1887.
The city was occupied by the Japanese in 1940, and liberated in 1945, when it became the seat of Vietnam's government. From 1946 to 1954, it was the scene of heavy fighting between the French and Viet Minh forces. At that point, the city became the capital of an independent North Vietnam.
During the Vietnam War Hanoi's transportation facilities were disrupted by the bombing of bridges and railways, which were, however, promptly repaired. Following the end of the war, Hanoi became the capital of Vietnam when North and South Vietnam were reunited on July 2, 1976.
Hanoi experiences the typical climate of northern Vietnam, where summers are hot and humid, and winters are relatively cool and dry. The summer months from May to September receive the majority of rainfall in the year (1,682 mm rainfall/ year). The winter months from November to March are relatively dry, although spring then often brings light rains. The minimum winter temperature in Hanoi can dip as low as 6–7°C (43°F), while summer can get as hot as 38–40 (100-104°F). Central heating is not common in Hanoi, and wind chills may make one feel rather cold in winter
As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is considered to be the cultural center of Vietnam, where every dynasty has left behind their imprint. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike.
Hanoi hosts more cultural sites than any city in Vietnam, including over 600 pagodas and temples.[4] Historians liken the life-giving Red River - its banks crowded with green rice paddies and farms - to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, a cradle of civilization. Even when the nation's capital moved to Hue under the Nguyen dynasty in 1802, the city of Hanoi continued to flourish, especially after the French took control in 1888 and modeled the city's architecture to their tastes, lending an important aesthetic to the city's rich stylistic heritage. The city boasts more than 1,000 years of history, and that of the past few hundred years is marvelously preserved
Under the French's rule, as an administrative center for the French colony of Indochina, Hanoi was built with French colonial architecture style, many of which are still reserved: the tree-lined boulevards (e.g Phan Dinh Phung street), The Grand Opera House, The State Bank of Vietnam (formely The Bank of Indochina), The Presidential Palace (formerly Place of The Governor-General of French Indochina), The cathédrale St-Joseph, Hanoi University (formely University of Indochina), historic

Hanoi is also home to a number of museums, including the Vietnamese National History Museum, the National Museum of Ethnology, the National Museum of Fine Arts and the Revolution Museum .
The Old Quarter, near the scenic Hoan Kiem lake, has the original street layout and architecture of the old Hanoi. At the beginning of 20th century, the city consisted of only about 36 streets, most of which are now part of the old quarter. Each street then comprised of merchants and households specialized in a particular trade, such as silk traders, jewellery, etc. The street names nowadays still reflect these specializations, although few of them remain exclusively in their original commerce. The area is in general famous for its small artisans and merchants, including many silk shops. Local cuisine specialties as well as several clubs and bars can be found here also. A night market (near Đồng Xuân market) in the heart of the district opens for business every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening with a variety of clothing, souvenirs, and food.
West Lake (Hồ Tây) is a popular place for people to hang out. It is the largest lake in Hanoi, and there are many temples to visit in the area. There are small boats for hire, and a floating restaurant which has been operating for a couple of decades.
When you talk to Hanoians, they will concede that most people you meet in Hanoi these days are from somewhere else. If you define a native Hanoian as someone who has been here for three generations or more, that number is likely to be very small as compared to the overall population of the city. Even in the Old Quarter, where commerce started hundreds years ago and was mostly a family business, many of the street-front stores nowadays are owned by merchants and retailers from other provinces. The original owner family may have either rented out the store and moved to live further inside the house, or just moved out of the neighbourhood altogether. The pace of change has especially escalated after the abandonment of central-planing economic policies, and the loosening of the district-based household registrar system.
The considerate and genteel nature of Hanoians is occasionally quoted in idioms and literature, which may appear as annoyingly snobbish. In reality, they are a reflection of a past where Hanoi is the convergent point for much of the country's talents in arts and education. They are also a reflection of a system heavily entrenched in Confucian values where modesty and consideration of others were regarded with a higher priority than one's self. As the opening up of the economy has brought in other pressures on people's daily life, advocates for traditional social and family values are in many ways helping to counter an "everyone for himself" mentality.

There are two main highways linking the airport and city. The route to the city via Thang Long Bridge is more direct than Highway 1, which runs along the outskirts of the city. The main highways are shared by cars, motor scooters, with separate lanes by the side for bicycles. Taxis are plentiful and usually have trip meters, although it is also common to agree on the trip price before taking a taxi from airport to the city center. Tourists also sometimes tour the city on Cyclos especially in the Old Quarter.
Together with economic growth, Hanoi's appearance has also changed significantly, especially in recent years. Infrastructure is constantly being upgraded, with new roads and an improved public transportation system. The rate of telephone users was 30 per 100 people in 2003. New urban areas are growing rapidly, with 1.5 million square metres of housing constructed during 1996–2000 and 1.3 million square metres built in 2003 alone. Hà Nội,kept his old own charm mixing the Vietnamese and a certain western atmosphere. The bustling old quarter is still the best place to check the pulse of Hà Nội, but Parks, old renovated houses and mansions as well as tree-lined boulevards, lakes and parks are the other aspects of Hà Nội, charm and specificity.

Thereafter some pictures taken in Hà Nội

Old quarter, Hà Nội

Old quarter, Hà Nội

Flower market in the old quarter

Hoan Kiem lake and Thap Rua (Tortoise Tower)

Hoan Kiem lake, The Huc bridge

According to the legend, in the mid 15th century Heaven sent Emperor Ly Thai To (Le Loi) a magical sword which he used to drive the Chinese out of Vietnam. One day after the war he stumbled upon a giant golden tortoise swimming on the surface of the water the creature grabbed the sword and disappeared into the depths of the lake. Since that time, the lake has been known as Ho Hoan Kiem (Lake of the restored sword) because the tortoise restored the sword to its divine owners.

Around Hoan Kiem lake

Night time in Hà Nội

Night time in Hà Nội near Hoan kiem lake. Tháp Bút (pen tower) pagoda (left)

Hà Nội by night

Around Hoan Kiem lake

Evening in old quarter, Hà Nội

Temples , pagoda and prayers

The cathédrale St-Joseph in old quarter

Opera house

Old houses in Hà Nội

The Cot Co Flag Tower. One of the symbols of Hanoi. Built in 1812, Cot Co is a later addition to the Hanoi Citadel, which was built by Emperor Gia Long in 1805, with help from French engineers.

Bao Tang Quan Doi (Army Museum) in Hà Nội, close to the Cot Co Flag Tower.

Lenin statut near the war museum.

Roses and roses

Wedding party in the old quarter of Hà Nội?

Hair cut out door saloon in the old quarter of Hà Nội

Baskets and typical Vietnamese smile

5 AM in Hà Nội. Pho for breakfast

An evening in Lenin Park of Hà Nội

Around Hoan Kiem lake. Some food for you in this late evening?

Singers in Water puppet show, Hà Nội
Thang Long water puppetry: Traditional art form with distinctive culture identity of Vietnam. it came to existence, developed and diversified over a thousand years ago in the Red River Delta.
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rối_nước Modern water puppetry is performed in a pool of water 4 meters square with the water surface being the stage. Performance today occurs on one of three venues--on traditional ponds in villages where a staging area has been set up, on portable tanks built for traveling performers, or in a specialized building where a pool stage has been constructed. Up to 8 puppeteers stand behind a split-bamboo screen, decorated to resemble a temple facade, and control the puppets using long bamboo rods and string mechanism hidden beneath the water surface. The puppets are carved out of wood and often weigh up to 15 kg. A traditional Vietnamese orchestra provides background music accompaniment. The instrumentation includes vocals, drums, wooden bells, cymbals, horns, erhu (Chinese two-stringed fiddle), and bamboo flutes. The bamboo flute's clear, simple notes may accompany royalty while the drums and cymbals may loudly announce a fire-breathing dragon's entrance. Singers of Cheo (a form of opera) with origin in north Vietnam sing songs which tell the story being acted out by the puppets. The musicians and the puppets interact during performance; the musicians may yell a word of warning to a puppet in danger or a word of encouragement to a puppet in need. The puppets enter from either side of the stage or emerge from the murky depths of the water. Spotlights and colorful flags adorn the stage and create a festive atmosphere.

Water puppet show, Hà Nội

NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 1: NORTH OF VIETNAM

2007-03-12T06:00:00.004-04:00

On the 27, one day tour to Hoa Lu, 100 km south of Hà Nội(2 hours drive).
Hoa Lu was the capital city of Vietnam under the Dinh Dynasty between 968 and 980 AD. Till can discover partly of the old imperial city of Royal period which has been destroyed. Ancient sanctuaries and tombs can still be seen today. Apart from the historical importance, the area is naturally beautiful, referred to many as the “dry Halong Bay”, with limestone peaks and fertile green valleys. The tour includes being rowed along the Boi River, which makes for a truly unforgettable experience, passing between towering limestone peaks. Hoa Lu is at the southern edge of the Red River Delta in Truong Yen village and there is a Bic Dong cave which is a short boat trip.

Hoa lu temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le

Around Hoa lu

On the river around Hoa lu

November 29: Departure on a group tour , staying overnight in Ha long bay. on the boat. 35 US$ including the bus and all accommodation+ food. Cruise between the islands and visit some cave. Sleeping on the boat in a very quiet place surrounded by islands.

Tourist boat in Ha long bay for overnight trip in Ha long bay.

Ha long bay

In Ha long bay

On the boat

Caves in Ha long bay

Floating villages in Ha long bay.

November 30:. Departure to Ha long city, lunch and leaving the group. and Taking alone hydrofoil boat toward Mong Cai. 12 US$. Not far from the arrival transfert to a very small boat because of the tide.

Hydrofoil boat from Ha long

After the hydrofoil, transfer on a small boat because of the low tide

Transfer again to a bus and arrival at 5 PM to Mong Cai.

Very small city. local people. no one foreigner (except me). No word of English so better use your Vietnamese language knowledge. Don’t ask to go to China but to Trung quoc and not to Bei hai but to Bac hai…. Overnight in a small hotel for 8 US$ and very good cheap sea food dinner.

December 1st: By 5 minutes taxi drive (0.75 $) arrived to the border of China. In fact China is across a canal. Its like you have one city divided by a canal. One part is Mong Cai (Vietnam) and one part is Dong Xing (China, Guang xi province).

Vietnamese/Chinese border

Very easy and fast crossing of the two borders. I am now for my not less than 20th visit of People’s Republic of China since June 1984.

Dong xing is completely different than Mong Cai. Small city but lively. Mixture of Chinese and Vietnamese people. You can see several dog restaurants and other specialities. A lady tuk tuk driver rook me after from immigration to a China bank to change money then to a bus station where I took a confortable 3 hour bus trip to Bei hai (north of the sea), Arrival at Bei hai at 4 PM

Dong xing, Guang Xi, China.

DECEMBER 1- DECEMBER 9, 2006. Hai kou (Hai nan), Bei hai (guang xi)

2007-01-30T03:01:00.000-05:00

December 2nd-4th. Since a Chinese friend was returning December 5th to meet me in Běi hǎi, I decided to go directly from Běi hǎi for few days to Hai nan island by 6 PM ferry. Eleven overnight hours in a 4 bed cabin for 20 can$. Delicious cheap sea food restaurant in Běi hǎi ferry terminal. The sea was perfectly calm.

Běi hǎi-Hai kou ferry

5AM: Arrival to Hai kou on Hai nan island. By taxi to overseas Chinese (Huaqiao) hotel. Very good location and quite nice rooms for 15 can$. I visited Hai kou, the capital of Hai nan in 1992. From then to now I didn’t notice major drastic changes besides the normal technological changes. In 1992 the particularity of Hai nan was the special economic zone status. But now comparing to numerous other Chinese cities, Hai kou seems far behind. I didn’t meet one foreigner. Most of them go to Sanya on the other part of Hai nan for beaches and sea resorts “club meditérannée” style. Hai nan ambition was to be the Hawaii of Asia. No one seems to speak English. A foreigner seems to be still an attraction. People looking at you as you come from another planet, reminding me China of the 80’s.
People seems happy and relax. One difference from some other Chinese northern cities noted is the civilized car driving habit. They respect the pedestrians. This was also noted in Běi hǎi, Guilin and Xia men.
In Hai kou I passed the time meeting some internet friends, walking in the city, looking around and off course I ate hai nan chicken and other delicious fat duck dishes. No temple, monument etc…. visits since I done all in 1992.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haikou Haikou (Chinese: 海口; Hanyu Pinyin: Hǎikǒu; literally "Mouth of the Sea"), situated at the north of Hainan island, is the capital of Hainan Province of the People's Republic of China and has an estimated population of 830,192 (2006), therefore by far the largest city on the island. Located between 19.57 - 20.05 north latitude and 110.10 - 110.23 east longitude in the southernmost part of China; in an area that reaches from Zengmu Ansha in the south to the Qiongzhou Strait in the north; bordering the sea areas of the South China Sea and facing Vietnam in the west across Beibu Bay. The GDP per capita was ¥23920 (ca. US$2890) in 2003, ranked no. 43 among 659 Chinese cities.

Hai kou from Harbour

Chinese overseas hotel where I stayed in Hai kou. Hai nan

Downtown Hai Kou

Flower market

Sunset time in Zhong Shan park

Bridge in Hai kou

December 5th-8th. On December 4th, 11 hours return to Běi hǎi by the 6 PM ferry. Taxi drove me to a recommended hotel by lonely planet (Běi hǎi Yingbingyuan). Rooms ok but not the best for 25 can$. Good location and this hotel once hosted Jiang Zeming.
Běi hǎi is a very nice small city. Clean and relaxed city. Good cheap street food including sea foods (but if you want dog too!!). People are friendly and relaxed. Met only 2 foreigners.
My friend came to visit me and we went to the silver beach 10 km from the city on Tonking gulf (Beibu gulf). Very nice beaches : very long and the sand extremely soft. Differently than expected I swimmed in this day of December 2006 in a sea water ranging from warm to cool.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beihai Běi hǎi is also the ancient Chinese name for Lake Baikal. Beihai (Chinese: 北海; Hanyu Pinyin: Běihǎi; Wade-Giles: Pei-hai), Bakhoi in Cantonese, is a prefecture-level city of Guangxi, China. Beihai (108°50′45″ - 109°47′28″ North, 21°29′ - 21°55′34″ East) means "north sea", meaning that the place is a seaport on the north shore of the Gulf of Tonkin. Běi hǎi has a large shipyard and is reputed to still be a pirate harbour. Population: 1450,000 (2001), 135,500 in urban centre (estimated 2006: 305,000) After the 1876 Sino-British Treaty of Yantai, eight Western nations (UK, US, Germany, Austria-Hungary, France, Italy, Portugal, and Belgium) set up embassies, hospitals, churches, schools, and maritime customs. Today, 15 of these western buildings remain in Běi hǎi. It officially became an international tourist spot (旅遊對外開放城市) in 1982

Downtown Běi hǎi

Very popular chinese made motobike

Cheap and yummy

Night market and restaurants

Good and cheap sea food dinner in Běi hǎi

Another new fan of big mac. Friendly poor and handicapped Chinese in Běi hǎi I offered him a big mac combo

A nice park in downtown Běi hǎi

In Běi hǎi park

In Zhong Shan park, Běi hǎi.

Beach resorts on silver beach

In silver beach, Běi hǎi

On the silver beach, Běi hǎi

DECEMBER 9 - DECEMBER 17, 2006. Gui lin (Guang xi)

2007-01-30T03:00:00.000-05:00

December 9th-17th. By confortable bus, 7 hours trip to Gui lin in the same province of Guang xi. Arrival in the evening. The temperature was about 5 centigrades. Luckly, the temperature increased every day to reach more than 15 at the end of my trip in Gui lin.

My Chinese friend hosted me in his home and took care perfectly during my stay. He showed me the different seightseeing places as well as the local life scenes in Gui lin and around the city. He introduced me to several local cuisine. If you go there don’t miss several yummy dishes as different kind of dumplings, the beer fish, the tea fish ……. By the way also do you know the meaning of Gui lin? And how to differentiate Buddha representations from Tang and Song dynasties? Look at the picture I posted and guess……

The beauties of Gui lin and the area has been celebrated for generations by painters and poets. It is doted with supernatural lovely and bizarre karst topography gracing the Li river (Li jiang).
The city of Guilin despite the economic development is still one of a greener and most scenic city of China.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guilin
Guilin (Chinese: 桂林; Hanyu Pinyin: Guìlín; Wade-Giles: Kuei-lin, Postal map spelling: Kweilin; Zhuang: Gveilinz) is one of China's most picturesque cities, with a population of 670,000, situated in the northeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China on the west bank of the Lijiang River (also called the Li River). Its name means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Its scenery is reputed by many Chinese to be the "finest under heaven", or directly from Chinese: "the mountains and rivers in Guilin are the number one under the heaven." In 111 BC, during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Shi An County was established, which could be regarded as the beginning of the city. In 507 AD, the town was renamed Guizhou.
Guilin prospered in the Tang and Song dynasties but remained a county. The city was also a nexus between the central government and the southwest border, and it was where regular armies were placed to guard that border. Canals were built through the city so that food supplies could be directly transported from the food-productive Yangtze plain to the farthest southwestern point of the empire.
In 1921, Guilin became one of the headquarters of the Northern Expeditionary Army led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
In 1940, the city acquired its present name. In 1981, this ancient city was listed by the State Council as one of the four cities (the other three being Beijing, Hangzhou and Suzhou) where the protection of historical and cultural heritage, as well as natural scenery, should be treated as a priority project. Population: 1.34 million. Urban population: 600,000. Ethnic groups: Zhuang, Yao, Hui, Miao, Han and Dong. The GDP per capita was ¥15775 (ca. US$1910) in 2003, ranked no. 125 among 659 Chinese cities.
Mountains in Gui lin: Diecai Hill (叠彩山), Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山), Seven-Star Cave (七星岩), Wave-Subduing Hill (伏波山), Lipu Mountains and Yaoshan Mountains. Lijiang
Local industry: pharmaceutical goods, tires, machinery, fertilizer, silk, perfume, wine, tea, cinnamon, herbal medicine. Local agricultural products: Shatian Pomelo, summer orange, fructus momordicae, ginkgo, moon persimmon, Lipu Tara, Sanhua Alcohol, pepper sauce, fermented bean curd, Guilin Rice Noodle, water chestnut, grain, fish and dried bean milk cream in tight rolls
Guilin cuisine is known for its snacks and the use of spices, especially chili. The famous Guilin chili sauce, Guìlín làjiāojiàng (桂林辣椒酱; used widely in cooking by locals), is made of fresh chili, garlic and fermented soya beans. Guilin rice noodle (Guìlín mĭfĕn 桂林米粉) has been the local breakfast staple since the Qin dynasty and is renowned for its delicate taste. Legend has it that when Qin troops suffering from diarrhea entered this region, a cook created the Guilin rice noodles for the army because they had trouble eating the local food. Specifically, the local specialty is noodles with horse meat, but this dish can also be ordered without the horse meat. Zongzi (粽子; pinyin: zòngzi), a dumpling made from glutinous rice and mung bean paste wrapped by bamboo or banana leaves) is another popular delicacy in Guilin.

Gui flower tree. Origin of the name of Gui lin city

In front of Gui lin city

Fishing birds and me in front of Elephant Trunk Hill (

Glass bridge

4 bridges

Duck enjoying the quiet lake

In Fu Bo Hill (underground water hill)

In Fu Bo Hill (underground water hill). Can you differentiate between Buddha sculptures from Tang or Song dynasties?

One thousand man pot . Fu Bo Hill

Dagoba in Gui lin (double click on the text picture for details)

Gui lin by night

Ancient south gate

Arc de triomphe?

Gui lin golden bridge

Golden and sliver pagodas

Temple in Seven Star Park, Gui lin

In the temple

In the temple

In Seven Star Park, Chinese history display

Camel hill, Seven Star Park. Bill Clinton made a speech here on environment.

Local minorities people

Red panda, in Seven Star Park

Free hair cut in Da Xu town , 60 km from Gui lin

Market in Da Xu town

Market in Da Xu town

Da Xu town

Da Xu town

Da xu town, Chao Mi a kind of steamed rice dish

Dou Fu (Tofu)

Home made sausages in Da xu town

Ancient village where people still living there. Near Gui lin

Ancient village .

Ancient village.

In ancient village.

Ancient village.

Spontanous smile in Ancient village.

Old car in Ancient village.

Cave in Gui lin

Ling canal. Located in xing’an county , 66 km north of Gui lin. It was built 2221 years ago in 214 BC. For more details double click the text-pictures

Ling Canal

Feng shui-Mei lin pavilion

Me and Ling canal

Ling canal

Xing’an town on ling canal

Xing’an town

Yang shuo where we spent 2 nights is one of tourist destinations specially for foreigners. It’s a very small city surrounded by karst formations and from where you can enjoy boat trips on Li river. The city is a mixture of Chinese charm and western atmosphere, This city reminded me Banff in Canada. Its worthwhile also to rent as we made bicycles and to explore all the area in a relaxed way. Don’t miss also a spectacular night show on the river performed by local farmers.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yangshuo
Yangshuo (Simplified Chinese: 阳朔; Traditional Chinese: 陽朔; Hanyu Pinyin: Yángshuò) is a small town in Guilin, Guangxi Province. Surrounded by towering karst peaks, bordered on one side by the Li River (漓江) it is easily accessible by bus or by boat from nearby Guilin. Over the years, it has become extremely popular with foreign backpackers as a place to unwind. Nowadays, it is rare to visit this city without finding throngs of local and foreign tourists.
The town borders the Li river on one side, and is situated on a small plain between a number of karst peaks. Two main roads run away from the water and form the central part of the town, Chinese Street (Dei Chui Lu) and West Street (西街, xi jie). Most foreign-oriented businesses, such as hostels, hotels, rock climbing companies, restaurants and entertainment venues, are situated on West Street or the pedestrian only Xian Qian Street which runs between Chinese and West Street.
Visitors to Yangshuo often swim in the Li river or the cleaner Yu Long (Dragon River), climb one of the many nearby karst peaks, hire a bicycle for a cycling trip through the karst scenery or simply relax in the town itself, which is largely devoid of vehicular traffic. Additionally, there is a butterfly cave near the town and a number of cave systems. Yangshuo is also China's foremost venue for rock climbing, with around 200 bolted routes and several companies offering guiding and equipment hire. With mountain biking and kayaking becoming more popular, Yangshuo is becoming an adventure sports centre as well as a stop on the traveller's trail.
Most visitors to Yangshuo spend at least some time exploring the surrounding area by bicycle. Because it is still a small place in spite of the rapid tourism development, Yangshuo is one of the only major tourist destinations in the country from which real rural China is easily accessible. Within minutes of the town centre by bike, tourists can find themselves practically lost amongst karst peaks and paddy fields. Bike rental is available from numerous touts on the side of the main streets.

Yang shuo and region

Hotel where we stayed (100RMB/night) in Yang shuo

View from hotel room

Yang shuo area

Me .....

On Li river, Yang shuo

Local people on Li river

Yang shuo town. Coffee shops.....

Yang shuo, House of a famous Chinese artist

Yang shuo town

Sweet food

Specialities from Xing jian

Very popular in Yang Shuo area : Oranges, pomelos and

geant banyan tree.....

Outside Yang shuo

Modern China

Me.....

A village near Yang shuo

Market

At the market....barber and other

At the market Medicinal plants

Beware of SARS

Yang shuo farmers water show

DECEMBER 18 - DECEMBER 21, 2006. Xia men (Fu jian)

2007-01-30T02:58:00.000-05:00

December 18th-20th. Xia men, Fu jian province.

December 17 at 14:30. I left Gui lin for Xia men. 26 hours in a sleeping bus. It was the first experience of this type of bus, Very enjoyable trip and scenery on the way

Long distance bus. Guilin to Xia men 26 hours

Inside the sleeping bus

Stop for the dinner. It was quite cold at night....

View from the bed in the bus while travelling for 26 hours

Fu jian landscapes

Shantou from the bus.

I arrived to Xia men late afternoon. In Xia men a nice Chinese friend took care very good of me showing me all around the city, eating some good food and passing very pleasant time. It was a warm weather and it was interesting to see very clearly Taiwan (Closer than expected).

Xia men seems a very rich city, well developed but keeping charm and quiet atmosphere. With lovely colonial style buildings, refreshing ocean sea breeze along with nice residential developments, Xia men is a very pleasant city to visit or to live in. Xia men known also as Amoy was founded in mid-14th century. Many foreigners landed in Xia men from the 16th century. However, the city was closed to foreigners in the 1750’s. Later on after 1841 Xia men reopened and was the first treaty port. Japan and western countries established consulates in Gu lan yu.
From; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiamen
Xiamen (Simplified Chinese: 厦门; Traditional Chinese: 廈門; Hanyu Pinyin: Xiàmén) is a coastal sub-provincial city in southeastern Fujian province, People's Republic of China. It looks out to the Taiwan Strait and borders the cities of Quanzhou and Zhangzhou to the north and south respectively.
Population1.37 million (2002) GDP ¥38,567 (ca. US$4,660) per capita (2003), ranked 9th in China Major Nationalities. Han
Xiamen and the surrounding countryside is famous for being an ancestral home to overseas Chinese and Taiwanese
Earlier, the name was written 下門 , meaning "Lower Gate"--possibly because of its position at the mouth of the Nine Dragon River--but the authorities found the name too unrefined.
Xiamen is also known as Amoy internationally. Its origin is the characters "下門" (lower gate) in Zhangzhou dialects of Min Nan. Latter, "下門" is changed into the modern toponym "廈門", the same pronunciation in Mandarin, which literally means "The Gate of the Grand Mansion".But it still pronounced as "下門" (lower gate) in Min Nan Chinese.
The districts of Siming and Huli form the Special Economic Zone.
During the early Jin Dynasty, the place was made Tong'an District (同安縣) in 282, a sub-entity of Jin'an Prefecture (晉安郡). During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the city was known as a viable international seaport, and the Chinese scientist and statesman Shen Kuo (1031-1095) spent some of his youth there while his father was staffed as a local bureaucrat in the government. In 1387, the Ming Dynasty used it as base against pirates, and was part of Quanzhou. Koxinga stationed here in 1650, naming it Siming Island (思明洲), or "Remembering the Ming", but the city was renamed by the Manchus in 1680 to Xiamen Subprefecture. The name "Siming" was reverted after the 1912 Xinhai Revolution and made a county. The following it was reverted to Xiamen City. In 1949, Xiamen became a provincial city (省辖市), then upgraded to a vice-province-class city (副省级市), or a municipality. It was made a Special Economic Zone in 1980.
Xiamen was the port of trade first used by Europeans in 1541. It was China's main port in the nineteenth century for exporting tea. As a result, the Amoy dialect had a major influence on how Chinese terminology was translated into English and other European languages. For example, the words "Amoy", "tea" (茶; tê), "cumshaw" (感謝;), "ketchup" (茄汁), and "Pekoe" (白毫;), kowtow (磕頭;), gung-ho, and possibly Japan (jit-pun) originated from the Amoy dialect.
Xiamen was one of the five Chinese treaty ports opened by the Treaty of Nanjing (signed in 1842) at the end of the First Opium War between Britain and China.
In 1999, the largest corruption scandal in China's history was uncovered, implicating up to 200 government officials.
Since Xiamen Special Economic Zone was established, it has opened up to foreign direct investment and created many jobs, factories, export opportunities for local companies and multi-national corporations. Xiamen benefits particularly from investment capital from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Xiamen's primary economic activities include fishing, shipbuilding, food processing, tanning, textiles, machine tools manufacturing, chemical industries, financial and telecommunication services.
Xiamen is one of the favourite destination for foreign investors. By the end of 2000, a total of 4,991 projects with foreign direct investment were approved in the city, with a contractual foreign investment amount of USD17.527 billion and an actual foreign investment amount of USD11.452 billion.
In 1992, Xiamen was ranked among the top 10 Chinese cities in relation to comprehensive strengths with its GDP increasing by an average of over 20% annually. In 2000, Xiamen's GDP amounted to 50.115 billion Yuan, an increase of 15.1% over the previous year, 1.1 percentage points over the expected increase target; and the per-capita GDP was about 4,650 US dollars. Further economic reforms were introduced and this brought about the total volume of imports and exports in 2000 reached USD10.049 billion, while that of exports totalled to USD5.880 billion
By Chinese standards, Xiamen has highly developed banking services. The biggest bank is the state-owned commercial bank, Sino-foreign joint venture "Xiamen International Bank", and solely foreign-funded "Xiamen City Commercial Bank".
Xiamen comprises Xiamen Island (longitude 118° 04'04"E, latitude 24° 26'46" N.), Gulangyu Island, and a larger region along the mouth of Jiulong River on the continent. Huli District and most of Siming District (except Gulangyu) are on Xiamen Island, while the other four districts lie on the mainland. The Gaoji (Gaoqi-Jimei) Causeway built in 1955 has transformed Xiamen Island into a peninsula by linking it with the mainland.
Xiamen Island is located very close to the island of Quemoy (Kinmen), which is governed by the Republic of China (based on Taiwan).
Xiamen Port is one of the top ten ports in China. It is a huge, deepwater, ice-free port that never silts up. Xiamen port is located on Xiamen Island which is at the mouth of the Jiulong River. It has an excellent natural harbour and is well connected to the mainland.
Xiamen was recently voted China's cleanest city, and has many attractions for the tourist. Xiamen and its surrounding countryside provides spectacular scenery and pleasant tree-lined beaches. Gulangyu, also known as Piano Island, is a popular, peaceful weekend getaway with amazing views of the city. Xiamen's Botanical Garden is a nature lover's paradise. The Buddhist Nanputuo Temple, dating back to the Tang Dynasty, is a national treasure.

Xia men from Gulang yu island

New developments in Xia men

Residential areas in Xia men

Residential areas in Xia men

Residential areas in Xia men

Downtown streets

In a shopping center

In downtown

Xia men by night

Christmas in Xia men

Xia men by night

Sea shore

Sea shore

Sea shore

Facing Taiwan: "One country. Two systems. One China"

In one of university in Xia men

Well designed over-pass

Gulang Yu island map

Xia men from Gulang yu island

Different nice houses on Gulang yu island

Me and my friend on in Gulang yu

In Haoyue park on the island

Beaches on Gulang yu island

DECEMBER 21 - DECEMBER 27, 2006. Guang zhou, Shen zhen (Guang dong)

2007-01-30T02:56:00.002-05:00

December 21th-27th Guang dong province.

On 20 evening, I took a 9 hours sleeping bus to from Xiamen to Guangzhou and in very early 21 morning by taxi arrived to a very convenient hotel (CITS hotel, Guangdong Guolu Jiudan, 25 can$) near the main train station.
Guangzhou known as Canton is the capital of Guangdong province and most prosperous city. At first glance it may may look not unlike an Asian Los Angeles with kilometer after kilometer of ring roads and flyovers, skyscrapers, shopping centers. This is may be true but still you can enjoy peaceful parks, nice avenue, convenient subway and world class museums and pleasant riverside scenery. The streets busy but less than I expected are filled with the newly rich shopping and gawping peasants up from the countryside offers an up-close look at the dichotomy that is modern China.
Since my first priority was not an exhaustive visit of temples and historical sites, I passed my time as my favorite activities while traveling: visiting friends, walking around, watching what happen around…..eating…. . I choose however, after recommendation by my Chinese friends, to visit Chen Clan ancestral hall built in 1894 and consisting of 18 buildings of the traditional Lingnan style (traditional Chinese, Japanese and Western traditions) plus courtyards and houses exquisite carvings and paintings.
Only regret is that I didn’t stay longer time in Guang zhou. It will be an excuse to come back.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guangzhou
Guangzhou The Flower City is the capital and the sub-provincial city of Guangdong Province in the southern part of the People's Republic of China. The city is also known by an older English-language name, Canton. It is a port on the Pearl River, navigable to the South China Sea, and is located about 120km north-west of Hong Kong. As of the 2000 census, the city has a population of 6 million, and a metropolitan population of 12.6 million,[citation needed] making it the most populous city in the province and the third most populous metropolitan area in China.
Traditional Chinese: 廣州 Simplified Chinese: 广州 Hanyu Pinyin: Guǎngzhōu. "Canton" was the convenient Portuguese or French romanisation of "Guangdong" Province.[citation needed] The city Guangzhou is the capital of the province and frequently referred as 廣東省城 ("the Canton Province Capital City") or simply 省城 ("the Province City") by Cantonese people. The city naturally represents the province and thus was erroneously used as the city's name. It may have been more convenient for Europeans who during the colonial period generally did not understand Chinese nor the written logographic characters (see exonym and endonym). When the term "Canton" is pronounced in Portuguese it provides a closer oral rendering of the name in its original Cantonese.[citation needed] Guangzhou is the pinyin romanisation of the Mandarin name for the city.
Guangzhou is located at 112°57'E to 114°3'E and 22°26'N to 23°56'N. The city is part of the Pearl River Delta.
It is believed that the first city built at the site of Guangzhou was Panyu (蕃禺, later simplifed to 番禺; Poon Yu in Cantonese) founded in 214 BC. The city has been continuously occupied since that time. Panyu was expanded when it became the capital of the Nanyue Kingdom (南越) in 206 BC.
Recent archaeological founding of her palace suggests that the city might have traded frequently with foreigners by the sea routes. The foreign trade continued through every following dynasty and the city remains a major international trading port to this day.
The Han Dynasty annexed Nanyue in 111 BC, and Panyu became a provincial capital and remains so until this day. In 226 AD, the city became the seat of the Guang Prefecture (廣州; Guangzhou). Therefore, "Guangzhou" was the name of the prefecture, not of the city. However, people grew accustomed to calling the city Guangzhou, instead of Panyu.
Although the Chinese name of Guangzhou replaced Panyu as the name of the walled city, Panyu was still the name of the area surrounding the walled city until the end of Qing era.
Arab and Persian pirates sacked Guangzhou (known to them as Sin-Kalan) in AD 758, ² according to a local Guangzhou government report on October 30, 758, which corresponded to the day of Guisi (癸巳) of the ninth lunar month in the first year of the Qianyuan era of Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty.
During the Northern Song Dynasty, a celebrated poet called Su Shi visited Guangzhou's Baozhuangyan Temple and wrote the inscription "Liu Rong" (Six Banyan Trees) because of the six banyan trees he saw there. It has since been called the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive to the city by sea, establishing a monopoly on the external trade out of its harbour by 1511. They were later expelled from their settlements in Guangzhou (in Portuguese Canton or Cantao), but instead granted use of Macau (first occupied in 1511) as a trade base with the city in 1557. They would keep a near monopoly of foreign trade in the region until the arrival of the Dutch in the early seventeenth century.
After China brought Taiwan under its control in 1683, the Qing government became open to encouraging foreign trade. Guangzhou quickly emerged as one of the most adaptable ports for negotiating commerce and before long, many foreign ships were going there to procure cargos. Portuguese in Macau, Spanish in Manila, and Armenians and Muslims from India were already actively trading in the port by the 1690s, when the French and English East India companies' ships began frequenting the port. Other companies were soon to follow: the Ostend General India Company in 1717; Dutch East India Company in 1729; the first Danish ship in 1731, which was followed by a Danish Asiatic Company ship in 1734; the Swedish East India Company in 1732; followed by an occasional Prussian and Trieste Company ship; the Americans in 1784; and the first ships from Australia in 1788. By the middle of the 18th century, Guangzhou had emerged as one of the world's great trading ports, which was a distinction it maintained until the outbreak of the Opium War in 1839 and the opening of other ports in China in 1842. The privilege during this period made Guangzhou one of the top 3 cities in the world.
Guangzhou was one of the five Chinese treaty ports opened by the Treaty of Nanking (signed in 1842) at the end of the First Opium War between Britain and China. The other ports were Fuzhou, Xiamen, Ningbo, and Shanghai. 1888 German map of Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangzhou
In 1918, "Guangzhou" became the official name of the city, when an urban council was established in it. Panyu became a county's name south of Guangzhou. In both 1930 and 1953, Guangzhou was promoted to the status of a Municipality, but each promotion was cancelled within the year.
Japanese troops occupied Guangzhou from 1938-10-12 to 1945-09-16, after violent bombings. The Imperial Japanese Army established in the city the bacteriological research unit 8604, a section of unit 731, where japanese doctors experimented on human prisoners.
Communist forces entered the city on October 14, 1949. Their urban renewal projects improved the lives of many residents. New housing on the shores of the Pearl River provided homes for the poor boat people. Reforms by Deng Xiaoping, who came to power in the late 1970s, led to rapid economic growth due to the city's close proximity to Hong Kong and access to the Pearl River.
As labor costs increased in Hong Kong, manufacturers opened new plants in the cities of Guangdong including Guangzhou. As the largest city in one of China's wealthiest provinces, Guangzhou attracts farmers from the countryside looking for factory work. Cantonese links to overseas Chinese and beneficial tax reforms of the 1990s have aided the city's rapid growth.
In 2000, Huadu and Panyu were merged into Guangzhou as districts, and Conghua and Zengcheng became county-level cities of Guangzhou.
Guangzhou is the economic centre of the Pearl River Delta and is the heart of one of mainland China's leading commercial and manufacturing regions. In 2006, the GDP exceeded ¥600 billions(USD 76.8 billions), per capita was ¥85,000 (about US $11,000), ranking First among the other 659 Chinese cities.
The Chinese Export Commodities Fair, also called "Canton Fair", is held each spring and autumn by Bo Liu. Inaugurated in the spring of 1957, the Fair is a major event for the city.
With the Guangzhou Metro, opened in 1999, Guangzhou is the fourth city in China to build an underground railway system. Currently there are four lines operational with an ambitious plan to expand rapidly with three lines under construction and four lines that are being planned.
Guangzhou is connected to Hong Kong by train, bus and ferry services. Express trains arrive in Hong Kong at the Hung Hom KCR station. They cover the 182 km route in approximately two hours. Daily ferry sailings include an overnight steamer, which takes eight hours, and high-speed catamarans and hydrofoils which take three hours to reach the China Ferry Terminal or Macau Ferry Pier in Hong Kong.
Since Monday, 1 January 2007, the city government has banned motorcycles from the urban area. From Tuesday, 16 January 2007, motorcycles found violating the ban will be confiscated. The Guangzhou traffic bureau has reported reduced traffic problems and accidents since the motorcycle ban in downtown area.
Guangzhou will hold the 16th Asian Games in November 2010. The city would have to spend about 220 billion yuan (US$26.5 billion) in the run-up to the 2010 event to improve infrastructure, build an athletes' village, a new railway station, as well as completing the second phase of the new Baiyun International Airport.

Downtown Guang zhou

Old together with new in Guang zhou

Old building

Pearl river

Beijing lu

Historical site in Beijing lu

Since my first priority was not an exhaustive visit of temples and historical sites, I passed my time as my favorite activities while traveling: visiting friends, walking around, watching what happen around…..eating…. . I choose however, after recommendation by my Chinese friends, to visit Chen Clan ancestral hall built in 1894 and consisting of 18 buildings of the traditional Lingnan style (traditional Chinese, Japanese and Western traditions) plus courtyards and houses exquisite carvings and paintings.

Outside the coumpund

Roof carvings

Nice and quiet

December 22 th -24th. Shenzhen. I was delighted that one of my Chinese friend in Shenzhen invited me to join with his sister and friends Christmas parties. These friends showed me the city too and took care very good of me.
Shenzhen, a Special Economic Zone stradding the Hong kong border is a very rich modern Chinese city. Despite this, the city seem not overcrowded. Big avenues, clean modern city and very nice and well maintained districts. Very good for shopping specially for computers and electronics. I bought a good Chinese made MP4 player.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenzhen

Shenzhen Chinese: 深圳 Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin: Shēnzhèn Literal meaning: deep drains
Shenzhen is a sub-provincial city of Guangdong province in southern China, located at the border with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Shenzhen is a centre of foreign investment and since the late 1970s has been one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It is also the busiest port in China. In the past two decades, outsiders have invested more than $30 billion in Shenzhen for building factories and forming joint ventures.
The one-time fishing village of Shenzhen, singled out by late Chinese paramount leader Deng Xiaoping, was the first of the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in China. It was originally established in 1979 due to its proximity to Hong Kong, then a prosperous British colony. The SEZ was created to be an experimental ground of capitalism in "socialism with Chinese characteristics."
The location was chosen to attract industrial investments from Hong Kong since the two places are nearby each other and share the same culture. The concept proved to be a great success, propelling the further opening up of China and continuous economic reform. Shenzhen eventually became one of the largest cities in the Pearl River Delta region, which has become one of the economic powerhouses of China as well as the largest manufacturing base in the world.
Shenzhen, formerly known as 'Bao'an County ' (宝安县), was promoted to prefecture level, directly governed by Guangdong province, in November 1979. In May 1980, Shenzhen was formally nominated as a 'special economic zone', the first one of its kind in China. It was given the right of provincial-level economic administration in November 1988.
Shenzhen is the earliest of the five special economic zones in China. Deng Xiaoping is usually credited with the opening up of economic revival in China, often epitomized with the city of Shenzhen, which profited the most from the first legacies of Deng.
The boomtown of Shenzhen is located in the Pearl River Delta. The municipality covers an area of 2,020 km² (780 sq. miles) including urban and rural areas, with a population of thirteen million
Shenzhen is located on the border with the Hong Kong SAR across the Sham Chun River and Sha Tau Kok River, 160 km south of the provincial capital of Guangzhou, and 70 km south of the industrial city of Dongguan. To the west, the resort city of Zhuhai is a 60 km away.
Shenzhen has seen its population and activity develop rapidly since the establishment of the SEZ. With its official population listed at around nine million, but estimated at a total population of seventeen million in metropolitan and its peripheral areas in 2005, Shenzhen has been the fastest growing city in China for the past thirty years and is likely to be the most rapidly evolving city in the world. However, one problem with such a rampant growth of population is the accompanied problem of people without hukou (with 70% of that number being residents without a permanent hukou), most "old" Shenzhen locals felt that the practice of freeing the city to the inland is making it less competitive with other Chinese cities. Among the reasons for this development is the cost of labour, which is substantially lower than in neighbouring Hong Kong.
In 2001, the working population reached 3.3 million. Though the secondary sector of industry had the largest share (1.85 million in 2001, increased by 5.5%), the tertiary sector of industry is growing fast (1.44 million in 2001, increased by 11.6%). Shenzhen's GDP totaled CNY 568.439 billion in 2006, up by 15 percent over the previous year. Its economy grew by 16.3 percent yearly from 2001 to 2005 on average. The proportion of the three industries to the aggregate of GDP was 0.3:51.6:48.1 in 2004 and 0.2:52.4:47.4 in 2005. The proportion of the tertiary industry to GDP was down by 0.7 percent. Shenzhen is in the top ranks among mainland Chinese cities in terms of comprehensive economic power. It ranked the fourth in GDP among mainland Chinese cities in 2001, while it ranked the top in capitation GDP during the same period. Its import and export volumes have been first for the last nine consecutive years. It is the second in terms of industrial output. For five consecutive years, its internal revenue within local budget ranks third. It also comes the third in the actual use of foreign capital.
Shenzhen is also a major manufacturing centre in China. One highrise a day and one boulevard every three days is one famous line referring to Shenzhen in the 1990s. With 13 buildings at over 200 metres tall, including the Shun Hing Square (the 9th tallest building in the world), Shenzhen is a marvel of lights after sunset.
Shenzhen is home to some of China's most successful high-tech companies, such as Huawei and ZTE. A number of foreign IT companies also have facilities in the city - Foxconn has a manufacturing plant based in Shenzhen where they make most of the iPods and laptops for Apple Computer. It appears to be shipping a large majority of the new Intel based machines at this stage. Shenzhen City Commercial Bank is also based in the city.
The Shenzhen Stock Exchange (the SSE) is a mutualized national stock exchange under the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the CSRC) that provides a venue for securities trading. A broad spectrum of market participants, including 540 listed companies, 35 million registered investors and 177 exchange members, create the market. Here buying and selling orders are matched in a fair, open and orderly market, through an automated system to create the best possible prices based on price-time priority.
Integration with Hong Kong
Many visitors who cross the Hong Kong SAR/mainland China border to Shenzhen go for the shopping, where goods and services are supposedly far cheaper than those in Hong Kong. However, without coming prepared knowing the prices of specific items the goods may end up being far more expensive than in Hong Kong while others are only marginally cheaper, even after a long phase of negotiating.
The shopping mall most visited by tourists is Lo Wu Commercial City, situated close to the railway station. This contains an overwhelming array of beauty parlours and stores selling clothes, handbags, fabric, jewellery and electrical goods as well as many vendors of pirated software, DVDs, counterfeit goods and mobile phones. With the number of tourists, it is also a popular location for prostitution, drugs, pickpockets and begging. However, Hua Qiang Bei (North of Huang Qiang Road) is the real mega shopping area favored by locals.
Situated in the Pearl River Delta in China’s Guangdong Province, Shenzhen Port is adjacent to HK. The city’s 260km coastline is divided by the Kowloon Peninsula into two halves, the eastern and the western. Shenzhen’s western port area lies to the east of Lingdingyang in the Pearl River Estuary and possesses a deep water harbour with superb natural shelters. It is about 20 sea miles from Hong Kong to the south and 60 sea miles from Guangzhou to the north. By passing Pearl River system, the western port area is connected with the cities and counties in Pearl River Delta networks; by passing On See Dun waterway, it extends all ports both at home and abroad. The eastern port area lies north of Dapeng Bay where the harbour is wide and calm and is regarded as the best natural harbour in South China.
Shenzhen handled a record number of containers in 2005, ranking as the world's fourth-busiest port, after rising trade increased cargo shipments through the southern Chinese city. Hutchison Whampoa Ltd, China Merchants Holdings (International) Co and other operators of the port handled 16.2 million standard 20-foot boxes last year, a 19 per cent increase.
Investors in Shenzhen are expanding to take advantage of rising volume. Hong Kong-based Hutchison, the world's biggest port operator, and its mainland Chinese partner plan to add six berths at Yantian by 2010, bringing the total to 15. China Merchants, a State-controlled port manager, said on January 6 it will increase its investment in a container terminal in Shenzhen's Mawan. The company also plans to pay its parent company HK$2.07 billion (US$265 million) for land at Shekou to expand its cargo business.
Most tourists, however, choose to stay in a largely expatriate residential community called Shekou, home to a large confiscated (on drug smuggling charges) French cruise liner cemented into the ground.

Near the railway station of Shenzhen

Downtown Shenzhen

High buildings every where

Outside and inside electronic and computer shopping center Inset: with my new MP4 bought here.

Chinese Calligraphy between Hi tech stuff

Outdoor performances

Big sale.....

Sweet products too......

The 22th I joined a Xmas party in conjonction with the English corner friday meeting in the Hi- tech district of Shen zhen.

Therafter some pictures taken in the party.......

Pictures from the party

On the 23 th after a city visit and shopping. Then we had karaoke party and was invited to a very good Xmas BBQ buffet dinner in Seaworld Square in Shekou port.
Shekou, situated on the Pearl River of southern China is around 20 km away from downtown Shenzhen. It's also where China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone, China's first out-oriented Special Economic Zone, is headquartered. Established by the Qing Dynasty Government in 1782. Nowadays Shekou has become one of the city's major scenic spots drawing not only tourists,but also home buyers

During the BBQ dinner

After the dinner . Seaworld Square in Shekou

I came back to Guangzhou (normally train 1.5 hours, 11 can $). Its happen in this return trip something funny for the first time in more than 40 years traveling. I missed my Guang zhou stop while listening to my MP4 and since no one passenger get out!!. So, after an additional one hour travel in more and more country side sceneries, I asked a lady !! She replied ha ha ha Guangzhou is passed already. So I had to go to the end of the line and come back. The controller was very kind. He assigned me the same seat free of charge. However, he say that if I make the same mistake he will punish me but He didn’t mention the kind of punishment!! Like this, I had a free of charge extra 3 hours visit by train of Guang zhou country side. This was my christmas-day gift in China.

Country side Guang zhou. Free seightseeing....

In the train. The controller selling several products...extra pocket money?!

DECEMBER 27 -JANUARY 3, 2007. Hong kong, Macau

2007-01-30T02:56:00.001-05:00

December 27th- January 2rd Hong Kong. I took from Guang zhou a morning train to Kowloon (Hong Kong). It might be my over 25th visit to Hong Kong.
At the arrival, I am welcomed by Falun gong disciples!!.
Accommodation is very expensive (over 100 can$`night) and the hotels are fully booked specially during holiday time. So I stayed in a guest house near the Holiday In in Tsim tsa tsui (Chumking mansion) for 29 can$`night. The location is excellent but room very small and environment very special. However for people who stay in a hotel room only to sleep, its not a bad deal!!!.

First 3 days no internet in Hong Kong. The cables were damaged following the Taiwanese earthquack.

The weather was excellent. I have very good best friends in Hong Kong who took care very good of me: walking in the streets, shopping and visit to shopping centers, new year party and off course eating different kind of foods.

I was surprised to see that the street specially in Mongkok, Kowloon are more overcrowded than mainland China. Also a ban on smoking enter in effect. I noticed that even in China and Thailand the smoking habit decreased from my last visits. We revisited Stanley beach and made a lot of clothe shopping then to cyber port. We went also to Lantau island : Ngong ping village by the newly cable car and visited the Buddha complex.

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Traditional Chinese: 香港特別行政區, commonly known as Hong Kong (Chinese: 香港) is one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China, along with Macau. Comprising more than 260 islands, the territory ( 22°11′00″N, 114°08′00″E) is located on the eastern side of the Pearl River Delta, bordering Guangdong province in the north and facing the South China Sea in the east, west and south.
Establishment: British occupation,January 25, 1841 .Treaty of Nanking August 29, 1842 Japanese occupation December 25, 1941 – August 15, 1945 .Transfer of sovereignty July 1, 1997. Population: 2006 estimate 6,864,000 (100th) Density 6,294.65 /km² (3rd) GDP (PPP) Per capita $38,127 (6th)
Human settlement in the location now known as Hong Kong dates back to the Paleolithic era. The region was first incorporated into Imperial China in the Qin Dynasty, and served as a trading post and naval base during the Tang Dynasty and the Song Dynasty. The area's earliest recorded European visitor was the Portuguese mariner Jorge Álvares, who arrived in 1513. Contact with the United Kingdom was established after the British East India Company founded a trading post in the nearby city of Canton.
In 1839, the refusal by Qing Dynasty authorities to import opium resulted in the First Opium War between China and Britain. Hong Kong Island was first occupied by British forces in 1841, and then formally ceded from China under the Treaty of Nanking at the end of the war. The British established a Crown Colony with the founding of Victoria City the following year. In 1860, after China's defeat in the Second Opium War, the Kowloon Peninsula south of Boundary Street and Stonecutter's Island were ceded to Britain in perpetuity under the Convention of Peking. In 1898, Britain obtained a 99-year lease of the adjacent northern lands and Lantau Island, which became known as the New Territories.
Hong Kong in the late nineteenth century was a major trading post of the British Empire. Hong Kong was declared a free port to serve as an entrepôt of the British Empire. The Kowloon-Canton Railway opened in 1910 with a southern terminus in Tsim Sha Tsui. An education system based on the British model was introduced. The local Chinese population had little contact with the European community of wealthy tai-pans settled near Victoria Peak.
As part of its military campaign in World War II, the Empire of Japan invaded Hong Kong on December 8, 1941. The Battle of Hong Kong ended with British defenders surrendering control of the colony to Japan on December 25. During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, civilians suffered from widespread food shortages caused by imposed rations, and hyper-inflation due to forced exchange of currency for military notes. Hong Kong's population declined from 1.6 million before the invasion to about 600,000 in 1945, when the United Kingdom resumed control of the colony following Japan's defeat in the war.
Japanese troops march along Queen's Road following the British surrender in 1941.
Hong Kong's population recovered quickly after the war, as a wave of mainland migrants arrived for refuge from the ongoing Chinese Civil War. With the proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1949, more migrants fled to Hong Kong from the fear of persecution by the Communist Party of China. Many corporations in Shanghai and Guangzhou also shifted their operations to Hong Kong. The colony became the sole place of contact between mainland China and the Western world, as the communist government increasingly isolated the country from outside influence. Trade with the mainland was interrupted during the Korean War, when the United Nations ordered a trade embargo against the communist government.
The textile and manufacturing industries grew with the help of population growth and low cost of labour. As Hong Kong rapidly industrialized, its economy became driven by exports to international markets. Living standards rose steadily with the industrial growth. The construction of Shek Kip Mei Estate in 1953 marked the beginning of the public housing estate program. Hong Kong was disrupted by chaos during the riots of 1967. Pro-communist leftists, inspired by the Cultural Revolution in the mainland, turned a labour dispute into a violent uprising against the colonial government lasting until the end of the year.
Established in 1974, the Independent Commission Against Corruption dramatically reduced corruption in the government. When the People's Republic of China initiated a set of economic reforms in 1978, Hong Kong became the main source of foreign investments to the mainland. A Special Economic Zone was established the following year in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, located immediately north of the mainland's border with Hong Kong. The economy of Hong Kong gradually displaced textiles and manufacturing with services, as the financial and banking sectors became increasingly dominant. After the Vietnam War ended in 1975, the Hong Kong government spent 25 years dealing with the entry and repatriation of Vietnamese refugees.
With the lease of the New Territories due to expire within two decades, the governments of the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China discussed the issue of Hong Kong's sovereignty in the 1980s. In 1984, the two countries signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, agreeing to transfer the sovereignty of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China in 1997. The declaration stipulated that Hong Kong would be governed as a special administrative region, retaining its laws and high degree of autonomy for at least fifty years after the transfer. Lacking confidence in the arrangement, some residents chose to emigrate from Hong Kong, particularly after the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.
Delegates from the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China attend the handover ceremony of Hong Kong on the night of 1997-06-30.
Hong Kong's economy was affected by the Asian financial crisis of 1997 that hit many East Asian markets. The H5N1 avian influenza also surfaced in Hong Kong that year. Implementation of the Airport Core Programme led to the opening of the new Hong Kong International Airport in 1998, after six years of construction. The project was part of the ambitious Port and Airport Development Strategy that was drafted in the early 1980s.
The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome took hold of Hong Kong in the first half of 2003. That year, half a million people participated in a march to voice disapproval of the Tung administration and the proposal to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law, which had raised concerns over infringements on rights and freedoms. The proposal was later abandoned by the administration.
Hong Kong primarily consists of Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories. The Kowloon Peninsula is attached to the New Territories to the north, and the New Territories spans northwards eventually connecting with mainland China across the Sham Chun River (Shenzhen River). In total, Hong Kong encompasses a collection of 262 islands in the South China Sea, of which Lantau is the largest. Hong Kong Island is the second largest island and the most populated. Ap Lei Chau is the most densely populated island in the world.
The name "Hong Kong", literally meaning "fragrant harbour", is derived from the area around present-day Aberdeen on Hong Kong Island, where fragrant wood products and fragrant incense were once traded.[8] The narrow body of water separating Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula, Victoria Harbour, is one of the deepest natural maritime ports in the world.
Despite Hong Kong's reputation of being intensely urbanized, the territory has made much effort to promote a green environment. Most of the territory remains undeveloped as the terrain is mostly hilly to mountainous with steep slopes. Of the territory's 1,104 square kilometres less than 25% is developed. The remaining land is remarkably green with about 40% of landmass reserved as country parks and nature reserves. Most of the territory's urban development exists on Kowloon peninsula, along the northern shores of Hong Kong island and in scattered settlements throughout the New Territories.
Hong Kong's long, irregular and curvaceous coastline also affords the territory with many bays, rivers and beaches. Despite the territory's extensive wooded and ocean setting, environmental awareness is growing as Hong Kong's air ranks as one of the most polluted. Approximately 80% of the city's smog originates from other parts of the Pearl River Delta.
Hong Kong is 60 kilometres (37 miles) east of Macau on the opposite side of the Pearl River Delta and borders the city of Shenzhen in Guangdong Province to the north. The highest point in the territory is Tai Mo Shan, at a height of 958 metres (3,142 ft) above sea level. Lowlands exist in the northwestern part of the New Territories.
Economy :Hong Kong maintains a highly capitalist economy built on a policy of free market, low taxation and government non-intervention. It is an important centre for international finance and trade, with the greatest concentration of corporate headquarters in the Asia-Pacific region. In terms of gross domestic product per capita and gross metropolitan product, Hong Kong is the wealthiest urban centre in the People's Republic of China. The GDP per capita (PPP) of Hong Kong even exceeded the four big economies in Western Europe (UK, France, Germany, Italy) and Japan in Asia.
Continuing the practice established under the British administration, the Government of Hong Kong mostly leaves the direction of the economy to market forces and the private sector. Since 1980, the government has generally played a passive role under the official policy of positive non-interventionism. Hong Kong has often been cited as a prime example of laissez-faire capitalism in practice, most notably by economist Milton Friedman. It has ranked as the world's freest economy in the Index of Economic Freedom for 13 consecutive years, since the inception of the index in 1995.It also places first in the Economic Freedom of the World Report.
Hong Kong has little arable land and few natural resources within its borders, and must therefore import most of its food and raw materials. Hong Kong is the world's eleventh largest trading entity, with the total value of imports and exports exceeding its gross domestic product. As of 2006, there are 114 countries that maintain consulates in Hong Kong, more than any other city in the world. Much of Hong Kong's exports consists of re-exports, which are products made outside of the territory, especially in mainland China, and distributed through Hong Kong. Even before the transfer of sovereignty to the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong has established extensive trade and investment ties with mainland China. The territory's autonomous status enables it to serve as a point of entry for investments and resources flowing into the mainland. It is also a connecting point for flights from the Republic of China on Taiwan destined for the mainland.
Hong Kong's economy is dominated by services, which accounts for over 90 percent of its gross domestic product. In the past, manufacturing had been the most important sector of the economy, as Hong Kong industrialized following the Second World War. Driven by exports, the economy grew at an average annual rate of 8.9 percent in the 1970s. Hong Kong underwent a rapid transition to a service-based economy in the 1980s, when growth averaged 7.2 percent annually. Much of the manufacturing operations moved to mainland China during this period, and industry now constitutes just 9 percent of the economy. As Hong Kong matured to become a financial centre, growth slowed to an average of 2.7 percent annually in the 1990s. Together with Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan, Hong Kong is known as one of the Four Asian Tigers for its high growth rates and rapid industrialisation between the 1960s and the 1990s.
In 2006, Hong Kong's per-capita GDP ranked as the 6th highest in the world at US$38,127, ahead of countries such as Switzerland, Denmark, and Japan. Its GDP ranked as the 40th highest at US$253.1 billion.
Hong Kong's population increased sharply throughout the 1990s, reaching 6.99 million in 2006.[About 95% of Hong Kong's population is of Chinese descent, the majority of which are Cantonese or from ethnic groups such as Hakka and Teochew. Cantonese, a Chinese dialect commonly spoken in southern China, is Hong Kong's official dialect. English is also an official language widely spoken by more than 1⁄3 of the population.[citation needed] Signs displaying both Chinese and English are extremely common throughout the territory. Since the 1997 handover, new groups of mainland China immigrants have arrived. The usage of Mandarin, the official dialect of mainland China, has also increased. The integration with mainland economy led to a demand in Mandarin speakers.
The remaining 5% of the population is composed of non-ethnic Chinese forming a highly visible group despite their smaller numbers. A South Asian population comprised of Indians, Pakistanis and Nepalese are found. Vietnamese refugees have become permanent residents. Approximately 140,000 Filipinos work in Hong Kong as foreign domestic helpers. A small cadre of domestic workers also originate from Indonesia. There are also a number of Europeans, Americans, Australians, Canadians, Japanese, and Koreans working in Hong Kong's commercial and financial sector.
Hong Kong is frequently described as a place where East meets West, a meeting reflected in its economic infrastructure, education and street culture. On one street corner, there may be traditional Chinese shops selling Chinese herbal medicine, Buddhist paraphernalia or bowls of synthetic shark fin soup. But around the next, one may find theatres showing the latest Hollywood blockbuster, an English-style pub, a Catholic Church or Ronald McDonald inviting passer-bys to a Big Mac. The territory's official languages are Chinese and English; signs in both languages are omnipresent throughout Hong Kong. The government, police and most workplaces and stores conduct business bilingually. British rule may have ended a decade ago but Western culture is deeply ingrained in Hong Kong and coexists seamlessly with traditional philosophy and practices of the Orient.
Hong Kong has an active nightlife in major entertainment districts — Lan Kwai Fong, Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai, etc. These areas are frequented by visitors, expatriates and locals alike. On a clear day, Victoria Peak offers a spectacular view of the city. There is also a promenade along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, which is popular among young Chinese couples. Shopping is often done at night as evident in the Temple Street Night Market where one can also catch free performances of Peking opera.
The city's cosmopolitan flavour can also be seen in the wide variety of cuisines available. While different varieties of Chinese selections, especially seafood, are most popular, there are also many European, American, Japanese, Korean, and other restaurants. Ethnic dishes served in cha chaan teng and dai pai dong are also popular. The people of Hong Kong take their food seriously and many top chefs make their way to the city to show off their talents to these discerning diners.
While Hong Kong is a global centre of trade, perhaps the city's most famous export is its entertainment industry, particularly in the martial arts genre. Several Hollywood performers originate from Hong Kong cinema -- Bruce Lee, Chow Yun-Fat, Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, and Jet Li, to name a few. Behind the camera, Hong Kong filmmakers have also struck fortune in Hollywood such as John Woo, Wong Kar-wai, Tsui Hark and martial arts choreographers who have designed fight scenes in the Matrix trilogy, Kill Bill and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Back in Hong Kong, several homegrown films have also gained international recognition such as Chungking Express, Infernal Affairs, Shaolin Soccer, Rumble in the Bronx and In the Mood for Love. Acclaimed filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has said he's strongly influenced by Hong Kong action cinema. Hong Kong is also the world's main hub for cantopop music. While the territory has been home to many stars, karaoke culture is also part of Hong Kong's nightlife.
The Hong Kong government also supports cultural institutions such as the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Furthermore, the government's Leisure and Cultural Services Department also subsidizes and sponsors the bringing of international performers to Hong Kong.
Due to the creative destruction so endemic to Hong Kong over the past 50 years, few historical buildings remain in Hong Kong. Instead the city has become a centre for modern architecture, especially in and around Central. Dense commercial skyscrapers between Central and Causeway Bay lining the coast of Victoria Harbour is one of Hong Kong's most famous tourist attractions and ranked the best skyline in the world. Four of the top 15 tallest skyscrapers in the world are in Hong Kong. In Kowloon, which once included the anarchistic settlement called the Kowloon Walled City, strict height restrictions on structures were in force until 1998 with the closure of nearby Kai Tak Airport. With restrictions lifted, several new skyscrapers in Kowloon are under construction, including International Commerce Centre which, when completed in 2010, will become the world's fourth tallest.
One of the notable buildings in Hong Kong is I. M. Pei's Bank of China Tower, completed in 1990 and now Hong Kong's third tallest skyscraper. The building attracted heated controversy from the start, as its sharp angles were said to cast negative feng shui energy into the heart of Hong Kong. Predating the Bank of China Tower, another well-known structure is the HSBC Headquarters Building, finished in 1985. It was built on the site of Hong Kong's first skyscraper, which was finished in 1935 and was the subject of a bitter heritage conservation struggle in the late 1970s. Both banks' buildings are featured on many of Hong Kong's banknotes.
The tallest building in Hong Kong is the International Finance Centre 2. One of the largest construction projects in Hong Kong and the world was the new Hong Kong International Airport on Chek Lap Kok near Lantau, a huge land reclamation project linked to the centre of Hong Kong by the Lantau Link, which features three new major bridges: Tsing Ma, the world's sixth largest suspension bridge; Kap Shui Mun, the world's longest cable-stayed bridge carrying both road and railway traffic; and Ting Kau, the world's first major four-span cable-stayed bridge.
Particularly notable about Hong Kong's skyline and streetscape is the omnipresence of public housing estates, which began as a squatter resettlement program in the 1950s, and now houses close to 50% of the population. These estates have evolved from seven-storey walk-up apartments with public toilets and minimal amenities, allocated on a basis of 24 square feet per adult, half of that for a child, to high-quality high-rises. The public rental program has been supplemented with a government-subsidized Home Ownership Scheme.

Hong Kong Island by night from Kowloon

Tram to Victoria peak.

Hong kong Island by night from Victoria peak

SAR building

Hong Kong high buildings

Shopping center, admiralty, Hong Kong island

Mongkok, Kowloon in evening

Shopping center in Mongkok, Xmas time.

Taking the 360 d. cable car in Lantau island to Ngong Ping village

Hong Kong airport from the cable car.

From the cable car

In Ngong Ping village

Me and my friends in Ngong village

A monkey between mokeys before the monkey tale show

Hello................

Good and nice colors

Oh my head........

On Buddha path

Big Buddha

Temple

In front of very expensive toilet facilities!

In Stanley beach

Cute dog thinking about his future......

Repulse bay

Repulse bay

Aberdeen.

January 2rd - January 3rd Macau. Departure at 10:30 AM by hydrofoil ( 1 hour, 20can$). Taxi to my hotel reserved from Hong Kong (east asia hotel 39 can$) very good location and nice room and service. Macau is a very nice lively city. I was expected to see a casino city. Instead I discovered a lovely city full of charm with a mixture of Portuguese and Chinese atmosphere. The visit of Macau is very easy and all important sites are in a walking distance range. Al the directions for the different touristic places are very well posted. Departure from Macau to Bangkok on January 3rd, afternoon by air Asia flight (103 can$)
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macau

Macau 澳門特別行政區 Região Administrativa Especial de Macau
Macau Special Administrative Region
22°10′N, 113°33′E
Establishment Founded by local Chinese 5th century Occupied by Portugal 1557 Special administrative region of the PRC December 20, 1999
Population 2006 (3rd qtr) estimate 513,400 (167th) GDP (PPP) 2006 estimate Total $14.3 billion (139th) Per capita $28,4362 (2006)
The Macau Special Administrative Region (Traditional Chinese: 澳門特別行政區; Hanyu Pinyin: Àomén Tèbié Xíngzhèngqū) [in Mandarin (help·info), in Cantonese (info)] ; Portuguese: Região Administrativa Especial de Macau [in Portuguese (info)], abbreviated as RAEM), commonly known as Macau or Macao (Traditional Chinese: 澳門, or informally known as 馬交 maa-gau) is one of the two special administrative regions (SARs) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), along with Hong Kong. Administered by Portugal until 1999, it was the oldest European colony in China, dating back to the 16th century. The administrative power over Macau was transferred to China in 1999.
Besides historical Chinese and Portuguese world-heritage relics, Macau's biggest attraction is its gambling industry and casinos. Though many forms of gambling are legal, the most popular game is baccarat, which generates over two thirds of the gaming industry's gross receipts.
The name "Macau" (Portuguese pronunciation IPA: [mɐ.'kaw]) is thought to be derived from the Templo de A-Má (Temple of A-Ma or Ma Kok Temple) (媽閣廟, Cantonese Jyutping: Maa1 Gok3 Miu6, local pronunciation: Maa5 Gok3 Miu6 or Maa5 Gok3 Miu5), a still-existing landmark built in 1448 dedicated to the goddess Matsu - the goddess of seafarers and fishermen.
In keeping with saga, a fisherboat sailing across the sea one day found itself in an unexpected rainstorm. Every one on board was about to give up all hope of surviving this natural disaster. An attractive young lady, who had boarded the boat at the eleventh hour, stood up and ordered the tempest to calm down. The gale miraculously ceased and the sea became calm. The fisherboat, without further event, arrived safely at the port of Hoi Keang. The young lady walked ashore to the top of the Barra Hill where, in a glowing aura of light and fragrance; she ascended into heaven immediately. On the specific locale where she set foot on, a temple was built. Several hundred years later, when Portuguese sailors landed and asked the name of the place, the natives replied A-Ma-Gao (i.e. Bay of A-Ma). The peninsula was therefore renamed and Amagao was abbreviated to Macau in modern usage.
The Chinese name Aomen 澳門 (pinyin: Àomén, Cantonese Jyutping: Ou3 Mun4) means "Inlet Gates". The "gates" refer to two erect gate-like mountains of Nantai (Chinese: 南台; Hanyu Pinyin: Nántái) and Beitai (Chinese: 北台; Hanyu Pinyin: Běitái). Alternately, Ao may derive from Macau's previous name Heong San Ou, as it is geographically situated at "Cross' Door". Macau is also known as Hou Keng Ou (壕鏡澳 Oyster-mirror Inlet), Heong San Ou (香山澳 Xiangshan Ao; Fragrant-mountain Inlet), Lin Tou (蓮島 Liandao; Lotus Island), as well as Soda Port (梳打埠).
Historical records show that what was later known as Macau was part of Panyu County, Nanhai District, Guangdong Province, under the Qin empire (221–206 BC). During the Jin Dynasty (265-420), the area was part of Dongguan County and later alternated under the control of Nanhai and Dongguan. In 1152 (during the Song Dynasty, 960–1279), it was identified as administratively part of the new Xiangshan County.
Since at least the 5th century, merchant ships traveling between Southeast Asia and Guangzhou used Haojingao as a way stop for refuge, fresh water, and food.
Members of the southern Song Dynasty and some 50,000 followers were the first recorded inhabitants of the area, seeking refuge in Macau from invading Mongols in 1277. They were able to defend their settlements and establish themselves there. Mong Há has long been the center of Chinese life in Macau and the site of what may be the region's oldest temple, a shrine devoted to the Buddhist Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy).
The Hoklo Boat people were the first to show commercial interest in Macau as a trading center for the southern provinces. During the Ming Dynasty (1368–1643), fishermen migrated to Macau from various parts of Guangdong and Fujian provinces and built the A-Ma Temple in which they prayed for safety on the sea.
Chinese fishermen have been living and working in the Pearl River Delta for more than four thousand years. The small peninsula and islands that came to be called Macau were first settled by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Prior to that, they belonged to various counties within the Chinese Empire, with the village of Mong Ha (Wangxia), located on the Macau peninsula, having been settled during the Yuan Dynasty.
In 1535, the Portuguese obtained the right to anchor ships in Macau harbours and carry out trading activities. In 1553, the Portuguese were enabled to go ashore and establish a settlement, in order to dry out goods drenched by sea water, as a reward for defeating pirates and to serve as middlemen for trade between China and Japan and between both nations and Europe.
In 1557, the Portuguese established a permanent settlement in Macau, and beginning in 1670, Portugal leased the territory, although there was no transfer of sovereignty. Macau prospered as a port and was the subject of repeated attempts by the Dutch to conquer it in the seventeenth century.
Following the Opium War (1839-42), Portugal occupied Taipa and Coloane in 1851 and 1864 respectively. In 1887, Portugal and the Qing government signed the Sino - Portuguese Draft Minutes and the Beijing Treaty, in which China ceded to Portugal the right to "perpetual occupation and government of Macau"; conversely, Portugal pledged to seek China's approval before transferring Macau to another country.
In 1928, the Kuomintang government and the Portuguese government concluded the "Sino-Portuguese Friendship and Trade Treaty." Making only a few provisions concerning tariff principles and matters relating to business affairs, the treaty failed to mention the question with regard to Macau's position. Consequently, the situation of Portuguese occupation and government of Macau remained unchanged. In 1938, Portuguese troops occupied the island of Hengqin, which had already been settled by Portuguese missionaries. Hengqin was taken by the Japanese in 1941 and reverted to China in the end of World War II.
Portugal and the People's Republic of China agreed in 1979 to regard Macau as "a Chinese territory under (temporary) Portuguese administration". Negotiations between the Chinese and Portuguese governments on the question of Macau started in June 1986. In 1987, an international treaty, known as the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration, was signed to make Macau a Special Administrative Region of the PRC.
In 1998, Chinese (Cantonese) was given official status and the same legal power as Portuguese, the official language.
The Chinese government assumed sovereignty over Macau on December 20, 1999, ending 329 years of Portuguese rule.
Macau's economy is based largely on tourism, much of it geared toward gambling.
From 9.1 million visitors in 2000, arrivals to Macau has grown to 18.7 million visitors in 2005, 21.98 million visitors in 2006 and is expected to receive between 24 and 25 million visitors in 2007,with over 50% of the arrivals coming from mainland China. This recent growth has been driven by gambling and related tourism. Tourists from Hong Kong remain numerous, representing about 30% of arrivals. Since the 1999 return to Chinese rule, Triad underworld violence, a dark spot on the economy, has virtually disappeared, to the benefit of the tourism sector.
With the opening of the Sands Macau, the largest casino in the world as measured by total number of table games, in 2004 and Wynn Macau in 2006, gambling revenues from Macau's casinos were for the first time greater than those of Las Vegas Strip (each about $6 billion), making Macau the highest-volume gambling centre in the world, Other casinos and hotels slated to be opened through 2009 are: The Venetian Macao (2007), Four Seasons (2008), MGM Grand Macau (2007), Ponte 16 (2007), Far East Consortium Complex (2007), Grand Hyatt (2009), Galaxy Cotai Megaresort (2008), City of Dreams (2008), Oceanus (2008), Mandarin Oriental Lago Nam Van (2009). The first Phase of Macau's Cotai Strip is scheduled to open in 2007 and will include 19,000 guest rooms throughout seven resort hotels,with the $1.8 billion Venetian Macao serving as the anchor The head of Virgin Group Sir Richard Branson is in the latter stage of negotiation to secure land in Macau, where he is going to set up a US$3 billion casino resort complex As a result, Macau's economy is growing rapidly due to gambling related tourism and construction from the new casino entrants.
Along with Bermuda, British Virgin Islands or Bahamas, Macau is one of the most well-known offshore financial centres and tax havens in a worldwide sense. Banco Nacional Ultramarino, Bank of China, Seng Heng Bank and Tai Fung Bank are among the most influential banks.

Hydrofoil Hong Kong-Macau

Senado square

Senado square

Connected to Senado square at night

Very convenient postings

St Dominic's church

Shopping buildings

St Lawrence church

St Augustine square

An illustration of the mission of the Jesuits in China. These missionaries used Macau as a point of departure and formation during sixteenth century.

Cathedral of macau

Rua da Palha

Santa Casa Da Misericorda

Macau tower and cybernetic fountains

view of other part of Macau.

Streets of Macau

Headquarters of the Macau SAR

A-MA temple. Origin of macau name

Small street and local life

Very popular

Ruins of St pauls

Mount fortress

Nice shop on Rua de S. Antonio

JANUARY 3 - JANUARY 24, 2007. Thailand, Laos

2007-01-30T02:52:00.000-05:00

JANUARY 3 - JANUARY 24, 2007. Thailand, Laos

January 3rd - January 11th Bangkok. I arrived in the evening Stayed one night in hotel then moved to a serviced apartment (275 can$`month) KC court on Nang Linchi, Sathorn district. Passed the week visiting friends, walking around, drinking, and eating…..

KC Court apartment

I Always have my favorite dish on Convent street, Silom area

I also visited my colleagues of King Mongkut Institute of Technology in Ladkrabang Enjoyed dinner with them. I was also happy by the invitation as a speaker in an international symposium in Nong Khai, Thailand next November. http://www.kmitl.ac.th/biocon/speaker.htm ww w.kmitl.ac.th/biocon
I was also glad to see in the university a scientific poster to which my name was associated I received also some good news about an acceptation of a scientific paper I sent to be published. So I worked this week on the editing process.
Was invited to dinner by KIMTL colleagues and received a nice yellow Tshirt gift to wear it on Monday.

Makkasan train station, near Patthunam (Bangkok) 30 minutes train to the University for 5 bahts (15 can. cents)

On the way to Ladkraban by train

On the way to Ladkrabang

On the way to Ladkrabang

In the train

Sometimes you can see this in the train

Arrival by train to Phra Chom Klao, University train station

In the university.

In a class

Some aerobic exercices for students in university

January 12th - January 16th Vientiane Laos. Same trip as before and same program in Vientiane as November 16-22.

January 17th - January 19th Bangkok. Revisiting some places in Bangkok.. Playing the role of “tourist guide” for a Lao friend.

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok
Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon , กรุงเทพมหานคร or Krung Thep (กรุงเทพฯ ) for short, is the capital of and largest city in Thailand, with an official year 2000 census population of 6,355,144, but actually numbering at least twice that.. Bangkok is located at 13°45′N 100°31′ECoordinates: 13°45′N 100°31′E, on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand. The city's wealth of cultural sites makes it one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.The town of Bangkok (บางกอก (help·info)) began as a small trading center and port community on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River serving the Ayutthaya Kingdom, the precursor of modern Thailand which existed from 1350 to 1767. It is believed that the town's name derived from either Bang Makok, bang being the Central Thai name for towns or villages situated on the bank of a river, and makok being the Thai name of either Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz or Elaeocarpus hygrophilus Kurz, or Bang Koh, koh meaning island, a reference to the area's landscape which was carved by rivers and canals.After the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burmese Kingdom in 1767, the newly declared King Taksin established a new capital in the area of then-Bangkok, which became known as Thonburi. When Taksin's reign ended in 1782, King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke reconstructed the capital on the east bank of the river and gave the city a ceremonial name (see below) which became shortened to its current official name, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (which means "city of angels"). The new city, however, also inherited the name Bangkok, which continued to be used by foreigners to refer to the entire city and became its official English name, while in Thai the name still refers only to the old district on the west bank of the river. The city has since vastly modernized and undergone numerous changes, including the introduction of transportation and utility infrastructure in the reigns of King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn, and quickly developed into the economic centre of Thailand.The full ceremonial name of the city given by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, and later edited by King Mongkut, is Krungthep Mahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathani Burirom-udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amonphiman Awatansathit Sakkathattiya Witsanu Kamprasit (กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยามหาดิลกภพ นพรัตน์ราชธานี บุรีรมย์อุดมราชนิเวศน์มหาสถาน อมรพิมานอวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยะวิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์, listen (help·info)). This ceremonial name is composed in combination of two ancient Indian languages, Pāli and Sanskrit. According to the romanisation of these languages, it can actually be written as Krung-dēvamahānagara amararatanakosindra mahindrayudhyā mahātilakabhava navaratanarājadhānī purīrāmasya utamarājanivēsana mahāsthāna amaravimāna avatārasthitya shakrasdattiya vishnukarmaprasiddhi. It translates to "The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukam". Bangkok is the economic center of Thailand, dominating the country's economy and dwarfing other urban centers. In 2005, it produced a GDP (PPP) of about USD 220 billion, which accounts for 43 percent of the country's GDP. Its GDP (PPP) per capita is roughly USD 20,000, one of the highest in Southeast Asia. The Stock Exchange of Thailand is located in Bangkok with over 400 listed companies and combined market capitalization of about 5 trillion Baht (USD 120 billion) as of 5 January 2006. Due to the large amount of foreign representation, Thailand has for several years been a mainstay of the Southeast Asian economy and a key center in Asian business. In the recent mini-crash known as Black Tuesday, the SET lost over Bt 800 billion or USD 25 billion in value, causing markets in the Asia-Pacific to fall and causing a global impact on December 17, 2006. The loss of market valuation evoked fears of a repeat of the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997; however, a partial policy reversal saw market gaining back nearly all of the value lost.Bangkok is home to the headquarters of all Thailand's large commercial banks and financial institutions Tourism is a significant contributor to Thailand's economy, providing about 5 percent of GDP. Bangkok is Thailand's principal international gateway, the major domestic hub, and a destination in its own right.Income inequality of Bangkok's residents is significant, especially between relatively unskilled lower-income immigrants from rural provinces in Thailand and neighboring countries and wealthier government officials, middle class professionals, business elite, and retired foreigners. About 7 percent of Bangkok's population (excluding illegal immigrants who constitute about 5-8 percent of population) lives below the poverty line compared to the national average of 9 percent.The Chao Phraya River basin, the area surrounding Bangkok and nearby provinces are the series of plains and river deltas that lead into the Bay of Bangkok about 30km south of Bangkok City Center. This has given rise to Bangkok's name as 'Venice of the East' due to the number of canals and passages that divide the area into separate patches of land. The city once used these canals which were so plentiful within Bangkok itself as divisions for city districts, however as the city grew in the second half of the 20th century to enormous extents, the plan was abandoned and a different division was uptaken.As the city expanded on the outskirts, the inner city has no where to grow but up. The city has a registered 1000 skyscrapers and ranks 17th as the world's tallest city. This does not include hundreds of new buildings predicted as part of the construction boom in 2007 and the upcoming years. Areas such as Silom-Sathon and Asok have for decades been Thailand's business center. During the 90's when Thailand experienced the world's highest growth rates and underwent an economic transformation. The city went through dramatic changes, the Ratchadaphisek area turned into a business district which continued the Asok area up north for 5 km. The Sukhumvit area, stretching 15-20 km gradually turned into a mixed commerce and residential area. Wireless Road and Chitlom are where some of Bangkok's most expensive land plot exist as well as the most scenic views. Part of the UK Embassy on the corner of Wireless and Rama I Rd., 9 rai or approximately 14400m² in area, sold for USD 92 million or Bt 3.24 billion and is the most expensive single sale of land in Thai record.Perhaps parks of Bangkok do not get as much wide recognition as Hyde Park or Central Park however, Lumphini Park does provide it with regional fame. Renowned as Bangkok's Central Park, it was built in the early 1900s by Rama VI with the same intention. It has since been used to hold grand pageants, ceremonies of the Thai constitution and even used as a camp for Japanese soldiers in WWII. The park's primary function is now however for recreational purposes-it is one of the most visited parks especially on weekdays. On Sundays, the western gates are open for runners to run on to Silom Rd. It normally remains closed at night with police on patrol at regular times due to the large amount of vandalism,robberies and murders reported. Chatuchak Park and Rama IX Park are two of Bangkok's largest parks. The two, built in the past 50 years cater to Bangkok's suburb population are enormous and include botanic gardens, sports clubs and complexes, English/French/Japanese gardens and parks as well as large ponds/lakes. Other famous parks include, Queen Sirikit Park near Lad Yao, Benjasiri Park on Sukhumvit, Saranrom Park across the Grand Palace, Sanam Luang (Royal Field), Suan Romaneenat and Dusit Park.Bangkok is considered to be one of the world's top tourist hotspots and is currently Asia's top tourist destination - the third in the world according to Travel and Leisure magazine. The city boasts some of the country's most visted historical venues such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, the various monuments and shopping malls. There are numerous projects to maintain Bangkok's historic sites such as the Rattanakosin area and river districts. Bangkok is Thailand's major tourist gateway, which means that the majority of foreign tourists arrive in Bangkok. An estimated 15 million foreigners arrive in Bangkok every year and many are lured back for a second visit due to the cheap cost of living and the quality of services provided. Thailand has a variety of shopping experiences from street markets to malls. Tourists have historically always preferred markets and bazaars to the other forms of shopping. The Chatuchak weekend market is one of the largest shopping destinations in Bangkok. Water markets are gradually disappearing but remain strong tourist attractions as many tours are offered through the canals the market is located on. The huge new shopping complex known as Siam Paragon and CentralWorld on Rama I road in Bangkok's city center is one of the biggest and most luxurious malls in south east Asia; it truly is a Asian marvel. The Emporium, on Sukhumvit Road, is the center of fashion, style, and Siam Square is a very common hang-out place for teenagers, as there is a game floor, a food floor with different types of cuisine, and a cinema. Bangkok also includes over 15 world class malls situated around Bangkok mostly centered around Sukhumvit Road. [edit]Transportation Wat Arun, one of the most visited temples in Bangkok Boats and ferries float near the the Rama VIII Bridge [edit]River and canals network An elaborate network of canals, known as ' khlongs ', gave the city the nickname "Venice of the East" at a time when most transportation was done by boat. Today nearly all of the canals have been filled in and converted into traffic-filled streets. However, many khlongs do still exist with people living along them and markets often being operated along the banks as well. However most of the khlongs are severely polluted with sewage and nearly everything else.[4] A notable khlong market is the floating market in Taling Chan district. Through downtown Bangkok runs the Khlong Saen Saeb, which has a canal-boat service, the most extensive of which is the Chao Phraya Express boat run by the Chao Phraya Express Boat Co.,Ltd. There are as many as 30 stops along the both banks of the Saen Saeb khlong. However there are limitations as the further north the boat gets the farther apart are the stations and this impedes the ability of this water taxi to work as a true mass transit system. As with many large cities in developing countries, a large proportion of wealth situated in one area causes that region to develop quickly. In the case of Thailand, this area is Bangkok. Bangkok, like nearby Pattaya, is notorious for some concentrations of massage parlours, go-go bars and karaoke places, with Patpong, Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza being the main areas catering to tourists. There are, however, many places to find a relaxing spot and enjoy one of Asia's most diverse cities. Bangkok offers a widely varied nightlife. There are Westernized clubs and cafes for the rich, and lower-cost bars and pubs that are very popular with the locals. The city's renowned district of Phra Nakhon is home to one of the world's very first international streets–Khao San Rd. A walking street, it allows visitors to see the diversity of the world on one single road where East meets West. Sukhumvit Road boasts some of Asia's most exclusive clubs and restaurants along the 5 km section between Ekamai and Withayu, with a number of activities available for the city's thousands of night owls.

Views of Bangkok from Bayioke building

Bangkok buildings

Modern and classique symbol

On wireless (Wittayu) road

Bayioke hotel apartment from one of Pathunam street.

Victory monument

"green" Buildings on Sukhumvit

Apartment building in Bangkok

Klong transportation

Downtown Bangkok. Lumpini park entrance.

Lumpini park at night

In Pathunam : traffic and meditation

Express boat on Chao phraya river. Very convenient for transportation and seightseeing. Few cents for 1.5 hours.

Inside the boat

On Chao Phraya river bank

Wat Arun. One of the most attractive sights on the river banks is the Wat Arun, Bangkok's oldest temple. When King Tak Sin started to built a new place which was to become the capital, he arrived at dawn; hence the nickname Temple of Dawn. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Arun. Wat Arun (Thai: วัดอรุณ, Temple of the Dawn) is a buddhist temple (wat) in Bangkok, Thailand. The temple is located in the Bangkok Yai district, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The full name of the temple is Wat Arunratchawararam Ratchaworamahavihara (วัดอรุณราชวรารามราชวรมหาวิหาร).

Wat Arun temple in sunset from the boat.

King Rama VIII bridge. Completed in 2002, the Rama VIII Bridge is another sculptural addition to Bangkok's skyline. A single pylon rises from the west bank of the Chaophraya River. From it a series of golden threads stretch out over the river to hold up the road surface which arches gracefully over the river. The pylon is topped by a sort of flame, also painted a golden color. You can see it from much of the old royal city, especially the Golden Mount. There was talk when it opened that an elevator would be installed to take people up inside the pylon to its top, where the view is supposed to be fantastic, but it's not open as yet.

Hotels on Chao Phraya , Sheraton, Shangri la........ Very good buffet

Church on Chao Phraya

Grand palace Wat Prakeo This palace has an area of 218,400 sq. metres and is surrounded by walls built in 1783. The length of the four walls totals 1900 metres. Within these walls are situated government offices and the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha besides the royal residences. When Siam restored law and order after the fall of Ayutthaya the monarch lived in Thonburi on the other side of the river. Rama I, immediately on ascending the throne, moved the centre of administration to this side of the Chao Phraya; and, after erecting public monuments such as fortifications and monasteries, built a palace to serve not only as his residence but also his offices - the various ministries, only one of which remains in the palace walls. This palace came to be known as the Grand Palace, in which the earliest edifices contemporary with the foundation of Bangkok were the two groups of residences named the Dusit-Mahaprasard and the Mahamontien.

Chakri Maha Prasat building of Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat Group. This group was built by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and in the beginning consisted of 11 buildings but only three remain today.This building was constructed by King Rama V to commemorate the centenary of the Chakri Dynasty. It was designed by a British architect in the European style with a pure Thai Style roof. Construction took six years from 1876 to 1882.
On the top floor of the central mansion are kept the royal ashes and the king gives public audiences from the front projection. The second floor serves as an audience hall and the ground floor is the office of the royal guards.
On the top floor of the eastern wing religious objects are kept. the middle floor serves as a reception hall for royal guests. the lower floor serves as a guest waiting room.
On the top floor of the western wing ashes are kept of the royal queens and high ranking princes and princesses. The middle floor is the guest chambers

Thereafter other pictures taken in the grand palace compounda

Some other sights and temples in Bangkok

Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan (Thai: วัดสระเกศราชวรมหาวิหาร, usually short Wat Saket). Buddhist temple (Wat) in Pom Prap Sattru Phai district, Bangkok, Thailand. The temple dates back to Ayutthaya era, when it was called Wat Sakae. King Rama I renovated the temple and renamed it to Wat Saket. During the reign of King Rama III the Chedi Phu Khao Thong (Golden mountain, ภูเขาทอง) was added to the temple. It was finished under King Rama V and then named Suwannabanphot.

Wat Saket :

Bangkok View from the golden mountain

Prayers and Thai dances in the corner of Ratchadamri/Ploenchit roads

In Wat sing temple, in the suburb of Bangkok

Some Shopping centers

Siam Paragon shopping center

Central World Plaza shopping center Formerly known as World Trade Center, this massive shopping mall has recently been re-branded as Central World Plaza.

Central World Plaza

Central World Plaza

Gaysorn department stores

Some other Bangkok scenes.

Morning klong transportation

River tranportation

Sky train (BTS)

Bangkok subway (MTR)

Buses and Tuk tuk transportations

Motobike transportation

Traffic jam in Bangkok

Free coffee early morning in Bangkok

Looking far and close

Want to buy something?

May be a ford Focus for you?

Its Monday.....all in yellow....long live the king.

Street night restaurants Fish BBQ

Street restaurants

Yummy yummy?

Concert on Silom at night

One of the Bangkok bars

Aerobic activities in Lumpini park early evening.

In Lumpini park in evening.

January 19th - January 21th Pattaya. 60 km from Bangkok, 2 hours bus 3.75 can$. Some beach time in pattaya and Jomtien. Pattaya is noisy with too many people, bars and other hassles. Not the best place in Thailand to enjoy calm, nature and nice beaches but it is close to Bangkok and convenient to who don't want to travel far.

far
There are also temples in Pattaya.

In Pattaya

On Jomtien beach, Pattaya

Sunset on Jomtien beach

Pattaya bars

January 21th - January 24th Bangkok. Quietly stayed in Bangkok. Walking around, final shopping, eating, chatting……

January 24th at 7 AM by air Asia flight (56can$) to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. On the way to airport the meter reader of the taxi stopped, the driver charged me less...... at the air asia counter I must pay an extra 30 canadian dollars for extra weight luggage. too much shopping.....

Air Asia plane