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Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines

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Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines

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Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines

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https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/652/

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Outstanding Universal Value
Brief synthesis
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park encompasses one of the world's most impressive cave systems, featuring spectacular limestone karst landscapes, pristine natural beauty, and intact old-growth forests and distinctive wildlife. It is located in the south-western part of the Philippine Archipelago on the mid western coast of Palawan, approximately 76 km northwest of Puerto Princesa and 360 km southwest of Manila.

The property, comprising an area of approximately 22,202 ha, contains an 8.2km long underground river. The highlight of this subterranean river system is that it flows directly into the sea, with its brackish lower half subjected to tidal influence, distinguishing it as a significant natural global phenomenon. The river's cavern presents remarkable, eye catching rock formations. The property contains a full mountain-to-sea ecosystem which provides significant habitat for biodiversity conservation and protects the most intact and noteworthy forests within the Palawan biogeographic province. Holding the distinction of being the first national park devolved and successfully managed by a local government unit, the park's effective management system is a symbol of commitment by the Filipino people to the protection and conservation of their natural heritage.

Criterion (vii): The Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park features a spectacular limestone or karst landscape. It contains an underground river that flows directly to the sea. The lower half of the river is brackish and subject to ocean tide. The associated tidal influence on the river makes this a significant natural phenomenon. The river's cavern exhibits dramatic speleothems and several large chambers of as much as 120m wide and 60m high. Its accessibility and navigability up to 4.5km inland allows it to be experienced by the general public, who can view the magnificent rock formations on a river cruise unequalled by any other similar experience elsewhere in the world.

Criterion (x): The property contains globally significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. It includes a full mountain-to-sea ecosystem, protecting the most significant forest area within the Palawan Biogeographic Province. There are eight intact forest formations: forest on ultramafic soil, forest on limestone soil, montane forest, freshwater swamp forest, lowland evergreen tropical rainforest, riverine forest, beach forest, and mangrove forest, included in the property. It contains outstanding biodiversity with the Palawan Moist Forest recognized by the WWF's Global Report as containing the richest tree flora, with high levels of regional and local endemism and as being the largest and most valuable limestone forest in Asia.
Integrity
The property, including the karst mountain landscapes and the underground river, is in excellent condition. Integrity of the property is also expressed in the complete "mountain-to-the-sea" ecosystem that protects one of the most significant forests in Asia. The uniqueness of the mangrove forests in the Bay along with the flora and fauna they harbour, and the bioecological connection with the caves and surrounding forest is protected within the core area of the property ensuring the local key inter-related and inter-dependant elements of their natural relationships are protected.

The Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, comprising 22,202 ha and covering three barangays, encompasses the natural values of the property and is of adequate size to protect all the various landforms and the estuarine ecosystem that conveys the Outstanding Universal Value of the property. The boundaries of the property cover the entire watershed of the underground river, thus protecting water quality and quantity and ensuring the long-term viability of the outstanding natural values contained within the property. The biodiversity values of the property are highlighted in Barangay Marufinas which is included in the property along with the adjacent barangays which also contain significant biodiversity values and habitats important to their integrity. Management guidelines are needed to address threats to the property including pollutants impacting on water quality in the underground river. Threats to the property are mainly from adverse activities in adjacent catchment areas, primarily forest clearing and agricultural activities. Tourism activities require careful planning and management to ensure the natural values are not impacted.
Protection and management requirements
Effective site protection is provided at a local rather than a national level through agreements that place legal ownership with the City Government of Puerto Princesa. This arrangement for local ownership ensures the property's national values are maintained even after changes in local management perspectives. The property is also covered by the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 which ensures legal protection and conservation of protected areas in the Philippines. It decrees that all management decisions for the property are made in consultation with the Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB). Multilateral agreement provisions between national government agencies and local stakeholders have been considered throughout the planning and management of the site to ensure protection and conservation of its natural values.

Management of the park is conducted within the boundary as two zones: a core comprising the Park and a surrounding buffer. The Management Plan for the park sets out relevant objectives and programs and provides zoning within the park's boundaries wherein different management regimes apply. Management of the property is very effective, reflecting strong local political support and enabling the provision of reasonable funding and staffing. Its key directive is to conserve the underground river and the forest ecosystem in their most natural state possible.

Management of the buffer is covered by guidelines that seek to regulate activities that may impact on the property. They also provide for the establishment of sustainable protective measures for agricultural lands within the buffer. Thus, not only conserving the natural resources of the area, but also improving the quality of life of its residents. However, more resources are required for the full implementation of the management plan and guidelines.

Tourism, identified as a potential threat, adversely impacting the natural values of the property, is being addressed through tourism management objectives set out in the Management Plan. But as tourist visits are increasing, more staff training in park planning and management is required to ensure effective management of tourism activities. The property's tourism program aims to enhance visitor's experience with nature while protecting the natural values. The threats posed by uncontrolled access from outside developments are being addressed through the implementation of a limit of 600 visitors per day. Wildlife population surveys are conducted annually to monitor the effects of tourism on wildlife.

Threats from activities such as forest clearing and agriculture also need to be addressed in the Management Plan. Water quality in the underground river, invariably affected by upstream activities in the catchment area, as well as concerns about pollution inputs to the river, need to be addressed in the management guidelines. Regular awareness campaigns at the level of the barangays are needed to ensure natural values of the property are conserved within their jurisdictions and the establishment of an integrated land use plan is required to ensure long term conservation of the natural values of the property.

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Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park

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Outstanding Universal Value Brief synthesis Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park encompasses one of the world's most impressive cave systems, featuring spectacular limestone karst landscapes, pristine natural beauty, and intact old-growth forests and distinctive wildlife. It is located in the south-western part of the Philippine Archipelago on the mid western coast of Palawan, approximately 76 km northwest of Puerto Princesa and 360 km southwest of Manila.

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https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/exploring-the-chocolate-hills-of-bohol-philippines/

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But, there's more to just appreciating the wondrous views of this picturesque landscape. It's also important to understand why this long stretch of grassy hills is globally known.

What makes the Chocolate Hills famous?

Curious why it's called the Chocolate Hills when it's not really made of chocolates? It's because these hills, which are usually covered in green grass, dry up and turn chocolatey brown in color during the dry season. There are more than a thousand hills spread over an area of 50 square kilometers in the towns of Carmen, Batuan, and Sagbayan in Bohol. And, while the hills do vary in size, looking at these from afar, it seems like they're almost symmetrical in shape. This results in a majestic landscape that might make you think it's a man-made creation.

Legend has it

It's common for Filipinos to talk about myths and legends surrounding a particular place, especially if its origin is unknown or there's no single explanation behind it. While some argue that these legends were only told to satisfy the curiosity of Filipino children, others claim that it's somewhat a half-truth story.

The story behind the origins of the pride of the Visayan Region is no exception. According to legends, the hills came into existence because of two feuding giants who hurled rocks, boulders, and sand at each other.

After their fight was over, this eventually led to a huge mess of hills - which is the Chocolate Hills we know today. Another legend claims what really transpired was a heartbroken giant cried a lot of tears which led to the formation of these limestone hills. The third legend though is hard to imagine for some - they say these hills were dried feces of carabaos.

How the hills came to be

Setting aside the three legends mentioned above, the widely accepted geological theory behind this strange formation is that the hills were the result of the weathering of marine limestone. The dissolution of limestone thousands of years ago were affected by several factors, such as rainfall and subaerial erosion. According to a plaque displayed at a viewing deck in the town of Carmen, these geological formations were the result of erosion of limestones which were uplifted above sea level and fractured due to tectonic processes. Another explanation claims that the hills were previously coral reefs that erupted after a geologic shift beneath the waters.

The best time and place to see the Chocolate Hills

Of course, you will want to see the hills when they're chocolate brown in color - which is the dry season in the Philippines. This season begins in late November and lasts until May. However, it's still best to check for weather updates when traveling in the Philippines because weather often gets unpredictable.

As for the place where you could get the best view of the hills, there are two areas which should be considered: the viewing deck of the Chocolate Hills Complex in Carmen, and at the Sagbayan Peak.

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Exploring The Chocolate Hills of Bohol, Philippines

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But, there's more to just appreciating the wondrous views of this picturesque landscape. It's also important to understand why this long stretch of grassy hills is globally known. Curious why it's called the Chocolate Hills when it's not really made of chocolates?

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Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

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Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

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Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal_Park

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Rizal Park ( Filipino: Liwasang Rizal, Spanish: Parque Rizal), also known as Luneta Park or simply Luneta, is a historic urban park located in Ermita, Manila, Philippines. It is considered as one of the largest urban parks in Asia, covering an area of 58 hectares (140 acres). The site on where the park is situated was originally known as Bagumbayan during the Spanish colonial period. It is adjacent to the historic Walled City of Intramuros and is a major tourist destination in the Philippines.[citation needed ]

Situated on the eastern shore of Manila Bay, the park plays a significant role in shaping the history of the Philippines. The execution of Filipino patriot José Rizal on December 30, 1896 fanned the flames of the 1896 Philippine Revolution against the Kingdom of Spain. The park was officially named in his honor, and the monument enshrining his remains serves as the park's symbolic focal point. The declaration of Philippine independence from the United States was held here on July 4, 1946, as well as later political rallies, including those of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino, the latter having culminated in the EDSA Revolution in 1986.[citation needed ]

Rizal Park's history began in 1820 when the Paseo de Luneta was completed just south of the walls of Manila on a marshy patch of land next to the beach during the Spanish rule. Prior to the park, the marshy land was the location of a small town called Nuevo Barrio (New Town or Bagumbayan in Tagalog language) that dates back to 1601. The town and its churches, being close to the walled city, were strategically used as cover by the British during their attack. The Spanish authorities anticipated the danger posed by the settlements that immediately surrounded Intramuros in terms of external attacks, yet Church officials advocated for these villages to remain. Because of the part they played during the British Invasion, they were cleared after the short rule of the British from 1762 to 1764. The church of Bagumbayan originally enshrined the Black Nazarene. Because of the order to destroy the village and its church, the image was transferred first to San Nicolas de Tolentino then to Quiapo Church. This has since been commemorated by the Traslación of the relic every January 9, which is more commonly known as the Feast of the Black Nazarene. This is why the processions of January 9 have begun there in the park beginning in 2007. After the clearing of the Bagumbayan settlement, the area later became known as Bagumbayan Field where the Cuartel la Luneta (Luneta Barracks), a Spanish Military Hospital (which was destroyed by one of the earthquakes of Manila), and a moat-surrounded outwork of the walled city of Manila, known as the Luneta ( lunette) because of its crescent shape.

West of Bagumbayan Field was the Paseo de la Luneta (Plaza of the Lunette) named after the fortification, not because of the shape of the plaza which was a long 100-by-300-meter (330 ft × 980 ft) rectangle ended by two semicircles. It was also named Paseo de Alfonso XII (Plaza of Alfonso XII), after Alfonso XII, King of Spain during his reign from 1874 to 1885. Paseo de la Luneta was the center of social activity for the people of Manila in the early evening hours. This plaza was arranged with paths and lawns and surrounded by a wide driveway called "La Calzada" (The Road) where carriages circulate.

Execution of Gómez, Burgos and Zamora

During the Spanish period from 1823 to 1897 most especially in the latter part, the place became notorious for public executions. A total of 158 political enemies of Spain were executed in the park. On February 17, 1872, three Filipino priests, Mariano Gómez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, collectively known as Gomburza, were executed by garrote, accused of subversion arising from the 1872 Cavite mutiny.

The bronze-and-granite Rizal monument is among the most famous sculptural landmarks in the country. It is almost protocol for visiting dignitaries to lay a wreath at the monument. Located on the monument is not merely the statue of Rizal, but also his remains.

On September 28, 1901, the United States Philippine Commission approved Act No. 243, which would erect a monument in Luneta to commemorate the memory of José Rizal, Filipino patriot, writer and poet. The committee formed by the act held an international design competition between 1905 and 1907 and invited sculptors from Europe and the United States to submit entries with an estimated cost of ₱100,000 using local materials.

The first-prize winner was Carlos Nicoli of Carrara, Italy for his scaled plaster model titled "Al Martir de Bagumbayan" (To the Martyr of Bagumbayan) besting 40 other accepted entries. The contract though, was awarded to second-placer Swiss sculptor named Richard Kissling for his "Motto Stella" (Guiding Star).

After more than twelve years of its approval, the shrine was finally unveiled on December 30, 1913 during Rizal's 17th death anniversary. His poem " Mi Ultimo Adios" ("My Last Farewell") is inscribed on the memorial plaque. The site is continuously guarded by ceremonial soldiers of Philippine Marine Corps ' Marine Security and Escort Group

In 1902, William Taft commissioned Daniel Burnham, architect and city planner, to do the city plan of Manila. Government buildings will have Neo-classical edifices with Greco-Roman columns. Burnham chose Luneta as the location of the new government center. A large Capitol building, which was envisioned to be the Philippine version of the Washington Capitol, was to become its core. It was to be surrounded by other government buildings, but only two of those buildings were built around Agrifina Circle, facing each other. They are the Department of Agriculture (now the National Museum of Anthropology) and the Department of Finance (It became the department of Tourism and is now the National Museum of Natural History). These two buildings were completed before the Second World War.

The park was also intended to become a Philippine version of The Mall in Washington, D.C., with the planned building of the government offices.

In August 1954, President Ramon Magsaysay created the Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission to organize and manage the celebrations for the centennial of José Rizal's birth. Its plans include building a grand monument of José Rizal and the Rizal Memorial Cultural Center that would contain a national theater, a national museum, and a national library at the Luneta. The site was declared a national park on December 19, 1955 by virtue of Proclamation No. 234 signed by President Magsaysay. The Luneta National Park spans an area of approximately 16.24 hectares (40.1 acres) covering the area surrounding the Rizal Monument. The Commission of Parks and Wildlife (now Biodiversity Management Bureau) managed the site upon its establishment as a protected area.

In 1957, President Carlos P. Garcia issued Proclamation No. 470 transferring the administration of the national park to the Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission. In 1961, in commemoration of Rizal's birth centennial, the National Library was inaugurated at the park. Its management was then handed over to the National Parks Development Committee, an attached agency of the Department of Tourism, created in 1963 by President Diosdado Macapagal. In 1967, the Luneta National Park was renamed to Rizal Park with the signing of Proclamation No. 299 by President Ferdinand Marcos.

On June 12, 1998, the park hosted many festivities which capped the 1998 Philippine Centennial, the event commemorating a hundred years since the Declaration of Independence from Spain and the establishment of the First Philippine Republic. The celebrations were led by then President Fidel V. Ramos.

Rizal Park was renovated by the National Parks Development Committee in 2011. The German-Filipino William Schaare, who built the old musical dancing fountain at the 40 m × 100 m (130 ft × 330 ft) pool in the 1960s, handled its restoration. Among the other things that were restored were the Flower Clock (now known as the World-Class Filipino Bloom), the Noli Me Tangere Garden and the Luzviminda Boardwalk, which were opened just in time for the 150th birthday celebration of Jose Rizal.

In November 2019, La Madre Filipina was transferred back to its original site in Jones Bridge after 73 years of staying at the Park. Its plinth were reconstructed using the original neoclassic design during the 2019 redevelopment of the bridge.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rizal Park was temporarily closed to the public. Rizal Park partially reopened on July 1, 2020, for jogging and exercise activities only.[citation needed ]

Proposal for the transfer of the park's administration to the City of Manila

In 2019, House Bill No. 2594 was introduced by Buhay Party-List Congressman Lito Atienza, a former Mayor of Manila, seeking the return of ownership and management of the park from the NPDC to the City Government of Manila. The transfer of administration, management, maintenance and operation of the Park including all of its activities, facilities and improvements thereafter, in pursue of Republic Act No. 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of 1991, which encouraged the transfer of power and authority from the National Government to Local Government Units (LGU), in line with the government's devolution program as mandated by the Constitution. The park is also dependent of the services the city renders. National parks which were now administered by LGUs include the Hundred Islands National Park (ownership transferred to Alaminos, Pangasinan in 2005) and the Quezon Memorial Circle (ownership transferred to Quezon City in 2008).

Various mass protests were held during 1986 as opposition to the government of Ferdinand Marcos. This culminated into the People Power Revolution.

February 18, 1981. The Beatification Mass of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions it is considered the first beatification ceremony ever heald outside the Vatican in Church history during the Apostolic visit of Pope John Paul II.

January 15, 1995. The closing Mass of the 10th World Youth Day 1995 was held here attended by more than 10 million people. This is the record gathering of the Roman Catholic Church.

June 12, 1998. The Philippine Centennial Celebrations featured a Grand Centennial Parade culminating in a fireworks display emanating from ships in Manila Bay that was the most expensive ever produced in the country at the time. Rizal Park had over five million celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the Philippine Declaration of Independence.

December 31, 1999 - January 1, 2000. The turn-of-the-century celebration was held here attended by more than 500,000 people.

November 27, 2005. Rizal Park was the venue of the opening ceremony for the 2005 Southeast Asian Games at the Quirino Grandstand. It was held at an open-air park instead of a stadium, a historic first for a Southeast Asian games' opening ceremony. It was again used on December 5, 2005 for the games' closing ceremony.

August 23, 2010. The park was the site of the 11-hour hostage crisis where a Hong Thai Travel Services tour group on a coach was hijacked by Rolando Mendoza, causing casualties and injuries.

August 22-26, 2013. The Million People March was held in the park, and other different locations, to protest against the improper use of Priority Development Assistance Fund.

January 18, 2015. The concluding mass of the Papal visit of Pope Francis was held here attended by more than 6 million people, making it the largest papal gathering in history.

Monthly Flag-Raising Ceremony held every first Monday of the month at the Independence Flagpole for public - started October 2019.

The annual Independence Day (June 12), Rizal Day (December 30) and New Year's Eve (December 31) celebrations are held at the park.

The park is the traditional end of the Marlboro Tour (now known as the Tour de Filipinas), the national road bicycle racing event every April or May. Recently, the tour has ended in Baguio.

The park is also the host of the National Milo Marathon.

The parade of floats for the Metro Manila Film Festival is annually held every Christmas. Recently, the cities and towns in Metro Manila have begun rotating the hosting of the parade.

Presidential inaugurations are usually held in the park every June 30, six years starting from 1992.

The park is divided into three sections:

Northeastern Section: This 16-hectare (40-acre) section is designated as the National Museum Complex which includes the Agrifina Circle, and where the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of Anthropology are located.

Central Section: Located south of Maria Orosa Street is the 22-hectare (54-acre) park proper that extends down up to Roxas Boulevard. This is where the Rizal Monument and several attractions such as the Open-Air Auditorium, Independence Flagpole, Central Musical and Dancing Fountain are located.

Southwestern Section: Includes the Burnham Green, a 10-hectare (25-acre) open field, the Quirino Grandstand and the Manila Ocean Park along Manila Bay.

Children's Playground, the section of the park built for kids, is located at the southeastern corner of the Rizal Park. The playground was also renovated in 2011.[21]

Chinese Garden. An ornate Chinese-style gate, carved with swirling dragons, leads you into this whimsical garden which looks like it has been transported from old Peking. Along the lagoon constructed to simulate a small lake, are pagodas and gazebos that are set off by red pillars and green-tiled roofs and decorated with a profusion of mythical figures.

Japanese Garden. The gardens were built to promote friendship between Japan and the Philippines. Inside is nice place for pleasant walks around the Japanese style gardens, lagoon and bridge.

Noli me Tangere Garden, recently unveiled, It features the Heidelberg fountain where Rizal used to drink from when he was staying in Germany. It was donated as a symbol of Filipino-German friendship, The bust of Ferdinand Blumentritt can be found at the garden.

Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion, established in 1994, was a former parking lot developed into a one-hectare rainforest-like park. The Orchidarium showcases Philippines' rich collection of orchid species and butterflies. The pavilion is also a favorite venue for weddings.

Open-air Auditorium, Designed by National artist for architecture, Leandro Locsin,It features performances provided for free to the general public by the National Parks Development Committee, Department of Tourism and the National Broadcasting Network. Free entertainment are also provided elsewhere in the park.[25] Featured shows are a mix of performances from dance, theatre, to musical performances by local and foreign artists. This is also the venue for the Cinema in the Open-Air, which provides free showing of critically acclaimed films.

Quirino Grandstand, Originally called grand Independence Grandstand. It was designed by architect Juan M. Arellano, in preparation for the proclamation of Independence on July 4, 1946, and to avoid overcrowding in front of the Legislative Building during the inauguration of the Third Philippine Republic. It was designed in Neoclassical style. However, in 1949 Federico Illustre, chief architect at the Bureau of Public Works, modify the some designs of Arellano. It was completed on the reclaimed area along Manila Bay where President Elpidio Quirino was sworn in after winning the presidential election. Since then, newly elected Presidents of the Philippines traditionally take their oath of office and deliver their inaugural address to the nation in the grandstand, which was later renamed after President Quirino. Many important political, cultural and religious events in the post war era have been held here.

Parade grounds and the Burnham Green, Parade grounds is a popular venue for fun run, races, motorcades and parades. The Burnham Green, named after American architect Daniel Burnham is a large open space in front of the Quirino grandstand, Designed to accommodate large crowd gatherings at the park, It also serves as picnic grounds and venue for different sports activities. The Narra tree planted by Pope Paul VI and the bronze statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz that was given by Pope John Paul II can be found in this area.

Valor's Hall/Bulwagan ng Kagitingan, situated at the light and sound complex, Its artistic landscape and design made it one of the top-pick venues for event and cocktail receptions.

Artist's Haven/Kanlungan ng Sining, A site of artistic and natural artworks, It houses the gallery run by the Arts Association of the Philippines (AAP), in collaboration with the NDPC.

Artworks in the Park, The Rizal park features different artworks of some renowned Filipino artists:

Dancing Rings, A replica of Joe Datuin's Dancing Rings, The original sculpture is the Grand Prize winner of the 2008 International Olympic Committee Sports and Arts Contest in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The New Filipino/Ang Bagong Pinoy, A sculpture by Joe Dautin, It features intertwined rings resemble a human figure that represents a new Filipino.

Ang Pagbabago (The Change) Mosaic Murals, It represents the Filipino ideals of peace, love, unity and prosperity. It serves as a call to national renewal and change.

Diorama of Rizal's Martyrdom. On an area north of Rizal monument stands a set of statues depicting Rizal's execution, situated on the spot where he was actually martyred, contrary to popular belief that the monument is the spot where he was executed. In the evenings, a Light & Sound presentation titled "The Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal", features a multimedia dramatization of the last poignant minutes of the life of the Filipino patriot. Rizal's poem Mi Ultimo Adios engraved in a black granite, can also be found here.[26]

Filipino-Korean Soldier Monument. This monument of two Filipino soldiers aiding a Korean soldier is dedicated to the Filipino combat soldiers who fought with the Korean troops during the Korean War.[27]

Soul waves, It represents sea waves as a tribute to Filipino who died during the World War II, It is placed in the park by Korea, as a sign of mutual respect.

The Flower Clock, features a clock on a flower bed. A feature of the park since the 1960s, it was restored in 2011. The clock's hand was sculpted by Filipino Artist, Jose Datuin.

The Gallery of Heroes, is a row of bust sculpture monuments of historical Philippine Heroes. There are 2 rows on both sides of the Central Lagoon, one row on the North Promenade and another row on the South Promenade

Relief map of the Philippines is a giant raised-relief map of the country, including the Scarborough Shoal, Kalayaan, and eastern part of Sabah, in the middle of a small man-made lake.

Statue of the Sentinel of Freedom (or the Lapu-Lapu Monument). The monument was a gift from the people of Korea as appreciation and to honor the memory of freedom-loving Filipinos who helped during the Korean War in the early 1950s (as inscribed in the plaque). Lapu-Lapu was a native Visayan chieftain in Mactan, Cebu and representative of the Sultan of Sulu, and is now known as the first native of the archipelago to resist Spanish colonization. He is retroactively regarded as the first hero of the Philippines. On the morning of April 27, 1521, Lapu-Lapu and the men of Mactan, armed with spears and kampilan, faced Spanish soldiers led by Portuguese captain Ferdinand Magellan in what would later be known as the Battle of Mactan. Magellan and several of his men were killed.

Independence Flagpole, standing at 105 feet (32 m), is the highest flagpole in the Philippines. On this spot in front of Rizal Monument, at 9:15 am July 4, 1946, the full independence of the Republic of the Philippines was proclaimed as authorized by the United States President Harry S. Truman. As of August 2013, the flagpole was restored and increased its height to 150 feet (46 m). The government is expected to spend ₱7.8 million, in preparation for the centennial of Rizal Monument[28]

Kilometer Zero is located within the Park on Roxas Boulevard, in front of the Rizal Monument. It serves as the point from which all road distances from Manila are measured.[29]

Musical Dancing Fountain, Deemed as the biggest and most vibrant dancing fountain in the country, The central lagoon present a show with waters soaring up to 88 feet., fireballs, exploding water rockets and peacock spray water screen.

According to the inventory made by the National Parks Development Committee, there are 3,497 trees in Rizal Park belonging to 112 species as of 2015. 527 of the individual trees are Narra.

In 2012, 30 high-definition closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras were installed to make the area safer for local and foreign tourists. The National Parks Development Committee have stationed police and security officers in the key places in the park for added security.

Like Rizal Avenues, most Philippine towns and cities have a Rizal Park (or a Plaza Rizal), usually its central square. This is also where its Rizal monument is located. Seattle also has its own Rizal Park.

1. ^ "Trivia: 11 things you didn't know about the Black Nazarene". InterAksyon.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016.

2. ^ (1911-12). "The Century Magazine", p.237-249. The Century Co., NY, 1912.

3. ^ "History - Spanish Period" Archived September 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Rizal Park. Retrieved on October 7, 2011.

4. ^ Jernegan, Prescott Ford (1995). "A Short History of the Philippines", p.252. New York: D. Appleton and Company.

5. ^ Vicente, Rafael L. (2005). "The Promise of the Foreign Nationalism and the Technics of Translation in the Spanish Philippines", p. 36. Duke University Press.

6. ^ Torres, Cristina Evangelista (2014). "The Americanization of Manila, 1898 - 1921", p.169. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press.

7. ^ "Proclamation No. 234, s.1955". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.

8. ^ Mejia-Acosta, Iris (May 25, 2011). "Luneta Celebrates Rizal's 150th Birthday with a Fresh Look". Pinay Ads.

9. ^ "Rizal Park, Intramuros sites temporarily closed amid COVID-19 spread". Manila Bulletin.

10. ^ "Events" Archived November 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Rizal Park - NPDC. Retrieved on March 21, 2013.

11. ^ "The Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal" Archived November 30, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Rizal Park - NPDC. Retrieved on October 8, 2011.

12. ^ Teves, Catherine (August 16, 2019). "NPDC to revive Rizal Park with more indigenous trees". Philippine News Agency.

13. ^ Bloom, Mike (December 8, 2020). "The Amazing Race 32 Reveals a New Twist! Check Out an Exclusive Clip of This Week's Episode". .

14. Otakultura.com (2011). ^ "Malaya Map Revealed!" Archived October 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on September 1, 2011.

15. ^ תעצרו הכל! האם הזוג האהוב במירוץ יעזוב אותנו מוקדם מידי? המירוץ למיליון אולסטארס - פרק הדחה. רביעי בערוץ 13. (in Hebrew). September 8, 2020.

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Rizal Park ( Filipino: Liwasang Rizal, Spanish: Parque Rizal), also known as Luneta Park or simply Luneta, is a historic urban park located in Ermita, Manila, Philippines. It is considered as one of the largest urban parks in Asia, covering an area of 58 hectares (140 acres).

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https://theculturetrip.com/asia/vietnam/articles/guide-mekong-delta-vietnam/

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There's so much more to the Mekong Delta than a pagoda and floating market. Leave yourself a chunk of time and follow our guide to this unique ecosystem.

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Hạ Long Bay, Thành phố Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh, Vietnam

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Hạ Long Bay, Thành phố Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh, Vietnam

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Hạ Long Bay, Thành phố Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh, Vietnam

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpOWgms2uto

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Vietnam's Ha Long Bay Is a Spectacular Garden of Islands | National Geographic

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Cu Chi Tunnel, Đường Tỉnh Lộ 15, Phú Hiệp, Phú Mỹ Hưng, Củ Chi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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Cu Chi Tunnel, Đường Tỉnh Lộ 15, Phú Hiệp, Phú Mỹ Hưng, Củ Chi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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Cu Chi Tunnel, Đường Tỉnh Lộ 15, Phú Hiệp, Phú Mỹ Hưng, Củ Chi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ3tsK_jCDs

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Inside The Secret Communist Tunnels Of Vietnam

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Hoi An Ancient Town, Old Town, Minh An, Hội An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam

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Hoi An Ancient Town, Old Town, Minh An, Hội An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam

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Hoi An Ancient Town, Old Town, Minh An, Hội An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam

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http://www.vietnam-guide.com/hoi-an/hoi-an-old-town.htm

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Outstanding Universal Value

Hoi An Ancient town is located in Viet Nam's central Quang Nam Province, on the north bank near the mouth of the Thu Bon River. The inscribed property comprises 30 ha and it has a buffer zone of 280 ha. It is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a small-scale trading port active the 15th to 19th centuries which traded widely, both with the countries of Southeast and East Asia and with the rest of the world. Its decline in the later 19th century ensured that it has retained its traditional urban tissue to a remarkable degree.

The town reflects a fusion of indigenous and foreign cultures (principally Chinese and Japanese with later European influences) that combined to produce this unique survival.

The town comprises a well-preserved complex of 1,107 timber frame buildings, with brick or wooden walls, which include architectural monuments, commercial and domestic vernacular structures, notably an open market and a ferry quay, and religious buildings such as pagodas and family cult houses. The houses are tiled and the wooden components are carved with traditional motifs. They are arranged side-by-side in tight, unbroken rows along narrow pedestrian streets. There is also the fine wooden Japanese bridge, with a pagoda on it, dating from the 18th century. The original street plan, which developed as the town became a port, remains. It comprises a grid of streets with one axis parallel to the river and the other axis of streets and alleys set at right angles to it. Typically, the buildings front the streets for convenient customer access while the backs of the buildings open to the river allowing easy loading and off-loading of goods from boats.

The surviving wooden structures and street plan are original and intact and together present a traditional townscape of the 17th and 18th centuries, the survival of which is unique in the region. The town continues to this day to be occupied and function as a trading port and centre of commerce. The living heritage reflecting the diverse communities of the indigenous inhabitants of the town, as well as foreigners, has also been preserved and continues to be passed on. Hoi An Ancient Town remains an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Far Eastern port.

Criterion (ii): Hoi An is an outstanding material manifestation of the fusion of cultures over time in an international commercial port.

Criterion (v): Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional Asian trading port.
Integrity
Hoi An Ancient Town has retained its original form and function as an outstanding example of a well-preserved traditional South East Asian trading port and commercial centre. It remains complete as a homogenous complex of traditional wooden buildings, with the original organically developed street plan, within the town's original river/seacoast setting.

These original cultural and historic features demonstrate the town's outstanding universal value and are present, well-preserved, and evident within the boundary of the inscribed property, even while it continues to be occupied and function as a trading port, as well as a popular tourism destination. As a result of this economic stagnation since the 19 th century, it has not suffered from development and there has not been pressure to replace the older wooden buildings with new ones in modern materials. This has ensured that the town has retained its traditional urban tissue and is preserved in a remarkably intact state.
Authenticity
Hoi An Ancient Town has retained its traditional wooden architecture and townscape in terms of plot size, materials, façade and roof line. Its original street plan, with buildings backing on to the river, with its infrastructure of quays, canals and bridges in its original setting, also remains. The historic landscape setting is also intact, consisting of a coastal environment of river, seashore, dunes and islands.

Because most of the buildings were constructed in wood it is necessary for them to be repaired at intervals, and so many buildings with basic structures from the 17th and 18th centuries were renewed in the 19th century, using traditional methods of repair. There is currently no pressure to replace older buildings with new ones in modern materials such as concrete and corrugated iron.
Protection and m anagement requirements
Hoi An Ancient Town was classified as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 1985 and subsequently as a Special National Cultural Heritage Site under the Cultural Heritage Law of 2001 amended in 2009. The entire town is State property and is effectively protected by a number of relevant national laws and governmental decisions, such as: the Cultural Heritage Law (2001, amended 2009) and the Tourism Law (2005). The 1997 Hoi An Town Statute defines in regulations that are implemented by the Hoi An Center for Monuments Management and Preservation, the responsible agency of the People's Committee for the management of the property. Day-to-day management involves collaboration with various stakeholders, to maintain the authenticity and integrity of the property and to monitor socio-economic activities within and adjacent to the property. The capacity of the professional staff has been and continues to be developed by many domestic and international training courses. Revenue from entrance tickets is invested directly in the management, preservation and promotion of the property. Management and preservation are further strengthened through master planning and action plans at the local level. There are also regular restoration and conservation programmes.

Multi-disciplinary research conducted by teams of international and national scholars has informed the conservation and interpretation of the town's heritage. This research is on-going. Within the property boundary, the landscape, the townscape, the architecture and all material cultural artifacts are preserved.

A Management Plan was implemented at the time of nomination of the property, and is being kept up to date and reviewed as required by UNESCO to ensure that it remains effective.

The buffer zone is managed to protect the property from external threats. The potential adverse effects to the property caused by annual flooding and urbanization are being effectively controlled with the active participation of all authorities and the local community.

The Master Plan for the Hoi An Ancient town conservation, restoration and promotion together with the city and tourism development was approved by Prime Minister on 12 January 2012, covered the period until 2025.

Long-term management should aim to promote improvement in the living conditions for local residents. As tourism increases a strategy to manage it within the parameters of the site will be required. Strategies to deal with adverse effects of the climate are being developed and should be included in the Management Plan.

In the future, it is an aim to link the Hoi An Ancient Town with the adjacent UNESCO Cu Lao Cham Biosphere Reserve and to build Hoi An into a community integrating ecology, culture and tourism.

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Outstanding Universal Value Hoi An Ancient town is located in Viet Nam's central Quang Nam Province, on the north bank near the mouth of the Thu Bon River. The inscribed property comprises 30 ha and it has a buffer zone of 280 ha.

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Death Railway Museum, Chao Khun Nen Road, Ban Nuea, Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

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Death Railway Museum, Chao Khun Nen Road, Ban Nuea, Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

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Death Railway Museum, Chao Khun Nen Road, Ban Nuea, Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxdyBGYe-eY

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🇹🇭 Death Railway | Kanchanaburi | DJI Phantom 3

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https://www.worldhistory.org/Sukhothai/

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Sukhothai or Sukhothai Historical Park was the former capital of the Kingdom of Sukhothai (1248-1438 CE), which was founded by King Si Inthrathit (r. 1238-1270 CE) and was the first in a series of independent polities that would eventually coalesce together to form what is present-day Thailand. Sukhothai is located in northeast Thailand and lies 12 km (miles) from the modern city of Sukhothai Thani and 430 km (280 miles) from Bangkok. At its height, Sukhothai was a magnificent, albeit, small city with elegant temples, palaces, stunning monuments, and waterways. The effervescence of culture in this city during the 13th and 14th centuries CE has left an indelible imprint on Thai art, language, and politics, and Sukhothai is still revered as the birthplace of Thai culture by Thais today. UNESCO declared Sukhothai and the neighboring ruins of Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet as a single UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 CE.

History of Sukhothai

The historic city of Sukhothai is located in the modern province of Sukhothai in what is presently northeastern Thailand, near the Yom, which is one of the larger tributaries of the Chao Phraya River. In Sanskrit, Sukhothai means "Dawn of Happiness" or "Emergence of Joy." Sukhothai was originally a small Khmer city in design and structure with Hindu temples and canals reminiscent of Angkor Wat. It is likely that the Khmer constructed this city at some point in either the 12th or early 13th century CE, and one can still find a few remains of older Khmer structures at Sukhothai. In the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries CE, the northern and central regions of what is present-day Thailand received an influx of people from what is now south-central China: the Tai.

These people intermarried with local inhabitants, like the Mon and Khmer people, and moved into the area in and around Sukhothai. (To outsiders, these people were known as "Siam," from which the term "Siamese" is thus derived.) They established muang, tiny "city-states," which were subordinate to Khmer rule. It is worth noting that these city-states formed a key juncture in history as the Khmer Empire began to decline after years of warfare with neighboring Champa in the late 12th century and early 13th century CE. A political vacuum in the region followed the death of Jayavarman VII (c. 1181-1218 CE), and the Tai quickly began to challenge Khmer political power in the region, asserting first autonomy and then complete independence from their Khmer overlords.

At the end of the 1300s CE, Sukhothai was one of the largest centers of Buddhism in the world.

In c. 1238 CE, King Si Inthrathit (also known in Thai as "Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao" and other through other honorifics) united several Thai polities under the control of Thai noblemen into a single kingdom under his suzerainty at the city of Sukhothai. (For this reason, the Thai see him as akin to the "founding father of the Thai nation.") The exact circumstances of this event are shrouded in mystery and unfortunately historians only have fragments of broken stele and other partial records. What is known is that Si Inthrathit consolidated his rule and defended the Kingdom of Sukhothai against the Khmer. A younger son of Si Inthrathit, King Ram Khamhaeng (r.c. 1275-1298 CE), expanded the boundaries of the kingdom to the south and east, and formally adopted Theravada as Sukhothai's official religion. Ram Khamhaeng additionally sent envoys to China, helping to stimulate trade and enrich Sukhothai.

Sukhothai flourished over the next 150 years in large part due to its geographic location. Centered almost midway between the Khmer Empire to the southeast and the Burmese Kingdom of Pagan to the northwest, cosmopolitan Sukhothai thrived on commerce and patronage. Sukhothai and the neighboring city of Si Satchanalai (nowadays the Si Satchanalai Historical Park) became centers in the production and exportation of ceramics throughout Southeast Asia. While somewhat similar to Khmer stoneware or Vietnamese ceramics, the artisans of Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai produced pottery with a green-glaze ware, which attracted widespread admiration and can be found as far away as what is present-day Indonesia and the Philippines.

At the end of the 1300s CE, Sukhothai was one of the largest centers of Buddhism in the world. The successors of Sir Inthrathit and Ram Khamhaeng established beautiful Theravada temples and recruited Buddhist monks from afar to come and live in the city of Sukhothai. Of special note are King Lo Thai (r.c. 1298-1347 CE) and King Maha Thammaracha I or "Lu Thai" (r. 1347-1368 CE). Both were devout Buddhists and patrons of the arts who greatly enhanced the city's beauty through the construction of monumental architecture. During their reigns, a distinct style of Sukhothai art emerged, and Lu Thai wrote Thailand's most notable ancient work, the Traibhumikatha ("Sermon on the Three Worlds") in 1345 CE. Images of the Buddha, as reflected in sculpture or painting, became highly stylized and recognizable by virtue of their grace and elegance at Sukhothai. Sukhothai's temples as well delineate a certain ethereal grace with their bell-shaped stupas and lotus-bud finials. Architects and engineers came to Sukhothai to build exquisite monasteries of brick and decorated them with carved stucco.

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The city of Ayutthaya grew quickly into the center of a vast kingdom that would ultimately absorb Sukhothai in 1438 CE.

Nonetheless, despite Sukhothai's wealth and fame, a rival Thai kingdom in the south challenged the city's political and cultural primacy in the region of present-day Thailand during the late 14th century CE: Ayutthaya (c. 1351-1757 CE). Lying on an island at the intersection of the Pa Sak, the Chao Phraya, and Lopburi Rivers and close to the Gulf of Thailand, the city of Ayutthaya grew quickly into the center of a vast kingdom that would ultimately absorb Sukhothai in 1438 CE. King Boromaracha I (r. 1370-1388 CE) was the first king of Ayutthaya to challenge Sukhothai, and subsequent kings from Ayutthaya gradually annexed or conquered territories belonging to Sukhothai. The later kings of Sukhothai acknowledged the supremacy of Ayutthaya in 1378 E, and the kingdom became a province of Ayutthaya in 1438 CE. Inscriptions from Sukhothai in the late 14 and early 15th centuries CE attest to a city and a kingdom beset with internal strife between various noble families, which in large part explains the kingdom's rapid decline. There have been suggestions too that Sukhothai's fortunes fell drastically when the Yom River changed its course, and the production of agriculture in the vicinity of Sukhothai fell.

Sukhothai gradually diminished in population size and in cultural importance, although its prized ceramics continued to be produced in and around Si Satchanalai. Sukhothai suffered repeatedly over the centuries due to intermittent warfare between Ayutthaya and Burma from the 16th-18th centuries CE, and wars with the Burmese, King Naresuan of Ayutthaya (c. 1590-1605 CE) forced many of Sukhothai's residents to relocate closer to Ayutthaya as a result of depopulation. Modern interest in Sukhothai arose again after the defeat of Ayutthaya and the relocation of the Thai capital to Bangkok in 1782 CE. Thai kings and archaeologists came to Sukhothai to study and admire its ruins in the 1800s and 1900s CE. Many of Sukhothai's renowned statues and other works of art are now at the National Museum in Bangkok, Thailand.

Ruins of Sukhothai

Sukhothai is an impressive and monumental ancient Buddhist city that can only be rivaled in Southeast Asia by Angkot Wat in Cambodia, the Buddhist temples of Bagan in Myanmar (Burma), the Hindu temples of Mỹ Sơn in Vietnam, and the ruins of Borobudur and Prambanan in Indonesia. The ruins of Sukhothai in art and architecture reflect the diverse ancestry of the modern Thai people as one finds styles and artistics influences from the Mon, Tai and Khmer peoples. Stylistic overlay from ancient India and Sri Lanka are also quite evident at Sukhothai. The total area of the historic town of Sukhothai is 11, 852 ha of which Sukhothai comprises 7,000 ha., Si Satchanalai comprises 4,514 ha., and Kamphaeng Phet comprises 338 ha.

A unique facet of Sukhothai that is little known or commented on is its amazing accomplishment in hydraulic engineering.

Large city walls running 2 km around Sukhothai once acted as a buffer from invading armies, and there were also three earthen ramparts and two large canals (or moats) that encircled the city. 20 medieval temples (Thai: wat) and countless monuments lie within the historic city of Sukhothai, the most impressive of which is undoubtedly the Wat Mahathat, which contains a statue of the Buddha, an old temple, and ornamental pond. Other structures of special interest include Wat Si Sawai, which is one of Sukhothai's oldest temples founded by the Khmer and dates from the late 12th century or early 13th century CE, and the 13th-century CE Wat Si Chum temple, which contains the largest Buddha image in Sukhothai and measures 15 m (49 ft) high and 11 m (36 ft) wide.

A unique facet of Sukhothai that is little known or commented on is its amazing accomplishment in hydraulic engineering. The medieval inhabitants of Sukhothai created reservoirs, canals, and sophisticated dams, which permitted increased control of waters during times of drought or flooding. The management of water on a large scale helped Sukhothai's farmers and merchants carry out a variety of activities of an agricultural, commercial, and ritual nature. This, in turn, lead to greater prosperity and more social harmony in the city of Sukhothai.

Sukhothai's Legacy

In the 19th century CE, Thais came to see Sukhothai as the first flowering of Thai culture and an important place in their cultural consciousness. Although the city of Sukhothai flourished for just under 200 years, it undoubtedly left an enduring mark on the subsequent course of Thai history and certainly Thai culture as well. When one thinks of the Thai alphabet, Thai architecture, and Thai sculpture, it is important to realize that they all had their genesis at Sukhothai. Thai school children still memorize the lines from a famous stone inscription that dates to c. 1298 CE and evokes Sukhothai's prestige:

This land of Sukhothai is thriving. There are fish in the water and rice in the fields. The lord of the realm does not levy toll on his subjects. They are free to lead their cattle or ride their horses and to engage in trade; whoever wants to trade in elephants, does so; whoever wants to trade in horses, does so; whoever wants to trade in silver and gold, does so.

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Sukhothai or Sukhothai Historical Park was the former capital of the Kingdom of Sukhothai (1248-1438 CE), which was founded by King Si Inthrathit (r. 1238-1270 CE) and was the first in a series of independent polities that would eventually coalesce together to form what is present-day Thailand.

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Komodo Island, Komodo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

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Komodo Island, Komodo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

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Komodo Island, Komodo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHqNWkkMzI0

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Komodo National Park, Indonesia  [Amazing Places 4K]

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Kawah Putih, Sugihmukti, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

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Kawah Putih, Sugihmukti, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

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Kawah Putih, Sugihmukti, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

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https://www.exploresunda.com/kawah-putih.html

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Kawah Putih, or White Crater in English, is a beautiful volcanic lake in Ciwidey, approximately 47 km south of Bandung.

Nowadays, it is as popular as Tangkuban Perahu crater in Lembang, since we can easily reach both craters from the parking lot. Of these two, I would say Kawah Putih is more beautiful than Tangkuban Perahu. The view of the crater is amazing: from the mix of white and greenish color of the lake, the white sandy beach, to the limestone cliffs. Even some trees can grow in this crater.

Since most of the crater is under the water, the scent of sulfur is not too strong, so we are still able to walk around near the lake, capturing the view both into our memory and cameras :) However, please be cautious, usually the smell is stronger after the rain and at dusk.

There are two options to enjoy this amazing view:

Take the stairs down to the lake and walk on the white sandy beach around the lake. Please remember that we are not allowed to play in the water, it is very dangerous. However, the water level is low during the dry season and there are many sand spots we can jump around so we can wandering a bit further.

Alternatively, we can go to the small lookout landing. It is a bit uphill, but it is an easy to walk path. We can see an overlook view of Kawah Putih from up there.

Both provide us with great views and perfect photo opportunities.

Geography and History of Kawah Putih

Kawah Putih is one of the two craters of mount Patuha (2.434 meters above sea level). The first crater was formed when mount Patuha erupted in the tenth century. It is in the northwest side of the summit and it is a dry crater. The second eruption in the 12th century created the crater in the southeast of the first one. Over the years the second crater became a lake and known as Kawah Putih.

The word Patuha was originated from pak tua, meaning old man or elder, since the locals believe that mount Patuha is the oldest mountain. They also believed that it is the meeting place of the spirits of their ancestors. Therefore, nobody dared to go there when Dr. Franz Wilhelm Junghuhn visited southern Bandung in 1837.

Mr. Junghuhn found out the mountain has abundant sulfur, so the Dutch built a sulfur factory called
Zwavel Ontgining Kawah Putih. It changed its name into Kawah Putih Kenzanka Yokoya Ciwidey during Japanese colonization. Nowadays, the factory has long gone, but we still can see the front entrance of the tunnel used to mine the sulfur. It is closed though. Many people believe that sulfur is a cure for some skin diseases, hence, we will find some vendors sell the sulfur in small packets.

Directions to Kawah Putih

Opening Hours:

Ticket:

Rp.20,000 for Indonesian
Rp.50,000 for foreigners

Rp.6,000 parking near the entrance gate
or
Rp.150,000 parking near the crater

Shuttle car:
Rp.35,000 per person

The GPS coordinates are 7°09'57.0"S 107°24'14.4"E.

The opening of the Soroja (Soreang - Pasirkoja) tollroad shortened the traveling time to Kawah Putih. You just need to drive until the end of Soroja, which is less than half hour from Pasirkoja Bandung to reach Soreang. Then, follow the direction to Ciwidey.

Slow down once you have passed Ciwidey Valley Resort. The entrance gate to the crater is on the left side of the road.

The crater itself is still 5 km uphill from the entrance gate. There are three options to reach the crater:

You park near the entrance gate then take the shuttle cars. In 2016 the ticket price for the shuttle car is Rp. 35,000/person.

You may also drive your car to the parking lot near the crater. The ticket price is Rp. 150,000/car.

These tickets are on top of the entrance tickets.

Lastly, you can walk from the lower parking lot to the crater, but it will take much longer time than the other two options and require much more effort since the road is uphill all the way. The good news is you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the forest :)

Love this post? Why don't you pin it to your favorite board :)

Another popular site in Ciwidey is Situ Patenggang a.k.a. Situ Patengan. It is a lake surrounded by tea plantation. Presently, there are two tourist sites in Situ Patenggang, each with its own entrance: the first is Situ Patenggang and the second is the newer Glamping Lake Side inside Rancabali tea plantation.

As I mentioned before, the other most popular craters in Sunda where we can see from the parking lot is Queen Crater of mount Tangkuban Perahu. The other crater in this mountain is Domas crater, where we can walk around and boil some eggs.

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Kawah Putih Ciwidey Bandung | The Best Crater in the South of Bandung

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Kawah Putih, or White Crater in English, is a beautiful volcanic lake in Ciwidey, approximately 47 km south of Bandung. Nowadays, it is as popular as Tangkuban Perahu crater in Lembang, since we can easily reach both craters from the parking lot. Of these two, I would say Kawah Putih is more beautiful than Tangkuban Perahu.

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Mount Bromo, Area Gunung Bromo, Podokoyo, Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia

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Mount Bromo, Area Gunung Bromo, Podokoyo, Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia

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Mount Bromo, Area Gunung Bromo, Podokoyo, Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGVzWG3Gy1U

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Mount Bromo (Java, Indonesia) | Inside an active volcano - SPECTACULAR scenery!

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Prambanan Temple, Jalan Raya Solo - Yogyakarta, Kranggan, Bokoharjo, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

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Prambanan Temple, Jalan Raya Solo - Yogyakarta, Kranggan, Bokoharjo, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

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Prambanan Temple, Jalan Raya Solo - Yogyakarta, Kranggan, Bokoharjo, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

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https://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/prambanan/attractions/prambanan-temple/a/poi-sig/1189508/1002221

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Comprising the remains of some 244 temples, World Heritage-listed Prambanan is Indonesia's largest Hindu site and one of Southeast Asia's major attractions. The highlight is the central compound, where eight main and eight minor temples are assembled on a raised platform - an architectural crescendo of carved masonry and staircases, the high note of which is Candi Shiva Mahadeva. Prambanan sits within a large park dotted with lesser temples - a day is needed to do the site justice.

Extended over two centuries, building at Prambanan commenced in the middle of the 9th century - around 50 years after Borobudur. Little else is known about the early history of this temple complex, although it's thought that it may have been built by Rakai Pikatan to commemorate the return of a Hindu dynasty to sole power in Java. The whole Prambanan Plain was abandoned when the Hindu-Javanese kings moved to East Java and, in the middle of the 16th century, a great earthquake toppled many of the temples. Prambanan remained in ruins for years, its demise accelerated by treasure hunters and locals searching for building materials. While efforts were made in 1885 to clear the site, it was not until 1937 that reconstruction was first attempted. Most temples have now been restored to some extent, and, like Borobudur, Prambanan was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1991.

Prambanan suffered extensive damage in the 2006 earthquake. Although the main temples survived, hundreds of stone blocks collapsed or were cracked (479 blocks in the Shiva temple alone). Today the main structures have been restored, but a lot of work remains to be done and parts of the complex are still off limits.

In the main courtyard, Candi Shiva Mahadeva, dedicated to Shiva, is not only the largest of the temples but also the finest. The main spire soars 47m high and the temple is lavishly carved. The 'medallions' that decorate its base have a characteristic Prambanan motif - small lions in niches flanked by kalpatura (trees of heaven) and a menagerie of stylised half-human, half-bird kinnara (heavenly beings). The vibrant scenes carved onto the inner wall of the gallery encircling the temple are from the Ramayana - they tell how Lord Rama's wife, Sita, is abducted and how Hanuman, the monkey god, and Sugriwa, the white-monkey general, eventually find and release her.

The temple's interior comprises a main chamber at the top of the eastern stairway with a four-armed statue of Shiva the Destroyer. The statue is notable for the fact that this mightiest of Hindu gods stands on a huge lotus pedestal, a symbol of Buddhism. In the southern cell is the potbellied and bearded Agastya, an incarnation of Shiva as divine teacher; in the western cell is a superb image of the elephant-headed Ganesha, Shiva's son and the god of knowledge. Ganesha's right hand, usually holding his ivory tusk, was broken off in the earthquake. In the northern cell, Durga, Shiva's consort, can be seen killing the demon buffalo. Some people believe that the Durga image is actually an image of the Slender Virgin, who, legend has it, was turned to stone by a man she refused to marry. She is still an object of pilgrimage and her name is often used for the temple group.

Candi Vishnu touches 33m and sits just north of Candi Shiva Mahadeva. The temple's impressive reliefs tell the story of Lord Krishna, a hero of the Mahabharata epic, while a four-armed image of Vishnu the Preserver crowns the inner sanctum.

Candi Brahma is Candi Vishnu's twin temple. South of Candi Shiva Mahadeva, it is carved with the final scenes of the Ramayana. The spectacular mouth doorway is noteworthy and the inner chamber contains a four-headed statue of Brahma, the god of creation.

The park surrounding Prambanan contains a number of lesser-known temples, including the Buddhist temple Candi Sewu. Dating from around AD 850, it comprises dozens of outer shrines, decorated with stupas. Originally it was surrounded by four rings of 240 smaller 'guard' temples, leading to its name 'Thousand Temples'. Outside the compound stood four sanctuaries at the points of the compass, of which Candi Bubrah, now reduced to its stone foundation, is the most southern. The renovated main temple has finely carved niches around the inner gallery, which would once have held bronze statues. To reach Candi Sewu, hire a bike (20,000Rp) or take the toy train or golf cart (20,000Rp) that shuttle visitors back and forth from the exit of Prambanan's main temple site; failing that, it's a pleasant 20-minute walk from the main complex through semi-shaded parkland.

Tickets for Prambanan can be purchased online. Options include a combined Prambanan-Kraton Ratu Boko package and a Prambanan-Borobudur discount ticket. Note that the latter is only valid for two days and doesn't cover the extra surcharge to visit at sunrise or sunset.

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Prambanan Temple | Indonesia Attractions

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Comprising the remains of some 244 temples, World Heritage-listed Prambanan is Indonesia's largest Hindu site and one of Southeast Asia's major attractions. The highlight is the central compound, where eight main and eight minor temples are assembled on a raised platform - an architectural crescendo of carved masonry and staircases, the high note of which is Candi Shiva Mahadeva.

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Borobudur Temple, Jalan Badrawati, Kawasan Candi Borobudur, Borobudur, Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia

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Borobudur Temple, Jalan Badrawati, Kawasan Candi Borobudur, Borobudur, Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia

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Borobudur Temple, Jalan Badrawati, Kawasan Candi Borobudur, Borobudur, Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia

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https://www.worldhistory.org/Borobudur/

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The Temple of Borobudur or sometimes "Barabudur" is a Mahayana Buddhist temple located close to Muntilan on the island of Java in Indonesia. Built during the rule of the Sailendra Dynasty (c. 650-1025 CE), Borobudur remains the world's largest Buddhist temple. The Buddhists among the Javanese population performed pilgrimages and other rituals at Borobudur until around the 14th and 15th centuries CE when the temple was abandoned as many Javanese converted to Islam. Rediscovered in 1814 CE, Borobudur has since then been the subject of immense research and archaeological investigations by the Dutch and Javanese. UNESCO designated Borobudur as a World Heritage Site in 1991 CE following a restoration in the 1970s and 1980s CE overseen by President Suharto (1967-1998 CE) and UNESCO, and the iconic temple continues to play a powerful role in shaping Indonesian aesthetics, architecture, and cultural identity. Borobudur is the most visited tourist site in Indonesia.

Geography & History

Borobudur is located about 40 km (25 miles) to the northwest of Yogyakarta and some 86 km (53 miles) west of the city of Surakarta in central Java. The temple lies in an area between two volcanoes - Mt. Sundoro-Sumbing and Mt. Merbabu-Merapi - as well as two rivers - Progo and Elo. Borobudur is situated very close to two other Buddhist temples in the Kedu Plain: Pawon and Mendut. Scholars and archaeologists surmise that some sort of relationship must have existed between the temples as all three are positioned along a straight line. However, what this signifies is still a matter of scholarly debate. What is known is that the ancient and medieval Javanese, whether Hindu or Buddhist, associated the Kedu Plain with tremendous agricultural production, and it was thus considered one of the most sacred places on the island of Java. Ancient peoples regarded the two rivers as especially auspicious as they evoked the sacred Ganges and Yamuna rivers in what is present-day India. Not surprisingly, given the area's favorability, the Hindu Gunung Wukir temple sanctuary, which dates to c. 732 CE, lies only 10 km (6 miles) west of Borobudur in the Kedu Plain too.

Dating the Borobudur temple is based on artistic comparisons of reliefs & inscriptions found in Indonesia & elsewhere.

The period in which the Javanese constructed Borobudur is shrouded in legend and mystery. No records pertaining to its construction or purpose exist, and dating the temple is based on artistic comparisons of reliefs and inscriptions found in Indonesia and elsewhere throughout Southeast Asia. Strong cultural and religious influenced arrived in what is now present-day Indonesia from the Indian subcontinent beginning around the 1st century CE. This influence grew rapidly from c. 400 CE onwards. Hindu and Buddhist merchants and traders settled in the region, intermarried with the local population, and facilitated long-distance trading relations between the indigenous Javanese and ancient India. Over the centuries, the Javanese blended the culture and religions of ancient India with their own.

The name "Borobudur" itself is the subject of intense scholarly debate and is a lingering mystery. Some scholars contend that the name stems from the Sanskrit Vihara Buddha Uhr or the "Buddhist Monastery on a Hill," while others, in turn, argue that Budur is nothing more than a Javanese place name. A stone tablet dating from 842 CE makes mention of Bhumisambharabhudara or the "Mountain of Virtues of Ten Stages of the Boddhisattva." It is probable that the name "Borobudur" could be related to "Bharabhudara."

Modern historians have all disagreed amongst each other as to the political and cultural events that led to Borobudur's construction as well. It is possible that the Hindu Sanjaya dynasty initially began construction of a Shivaite temple on the spot where Borobudur now sits around c. 775 CE and that they were unable to complete their temple as they were driven out of the area by the Sailendra dynasty. (It should be noted, however, that other Javanese historians see the Sailendra and Sanjaya dynasties as one and the same family and that religious patronage simply changed as a result of personal belief. The general consensus is that there were two rival dynasties supporting different faiths.)

Archaeological and scholarly consensus places the end of Borobudur's construction around c. 800-825 CE. King Samaratungga (r. c. 790-835 CE?) is traditionally regarded as the Javanese king who oversaw the completion of Borobudur's construction. Buddhist kings, like Samaratungga, were the rivals of the Hindu Sanjaya dynasty for power within the Mataram kingdom in central Java. The Hindu Javanese under the Sanjaya dynasty constructed Prambanan - Indonesia's largest Hindu temple, located some 19 km (12 miles) to the west of Borobudur- in the same century as Borobudur, and it is entirely possible that Prambanan's construction was a political and cultural response to that of Borobudur.

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Over the following centuries, earthquakes, volcanic eruption, & rainforest growth hid Borobudur from the Javanese, rendering it inaccessible.

What is known is that Buddhists made pilgrimages and took part in Buddhist rituals at Borobudur during the early medieval period until the temple was abandoned at some point during the 1400s CE. The root causes for the abandonment of Borobudur are moreover debated, and the reasons why the temple was ultimately abandoned remains unknown. It is known that in the 10th or 11th century CE, the capital of the Mataram Kingdom moved eastwards away from Borobudur due to volcanic eruptions, which may have diminished Borobudur as a center of pilgrimage. Although Arab, Persian, and Gujarati traders brought Islam to what is present-day Indonesia as early as the 8th and 9th centuries CE, the acceleration of Javanese conversion to Islam began to increase rapidly only in the 15th century CE. As the Javanese population accepted Islam en masse, it makes sense that Borobudur would lessen in importance. Over the following centuries, earthquakes, volcanic eruption, and rainforest growth hid Borobudur from the Javanese, rendering it inaccessible. There is evidence, nonetheless, that Borobudur never left the collective cultural consciousness of the Javanese people. Even after their conversion to Islam, later Javanese stories and myths expressed the temple's association with mystery and negative energies.

In 1814, the Lieutenant Governor-General Thomas Stamford Raffles (1781-1826 CE) who oversaw the brief British occupation of the Dutch East Indes permitted the Dutch explorer Hermann Cornelius (1774-1833 CE) to organize an expedition to find and locate Borobudur, which he did successfully the same year. In the years following Borobudur's rediscovery, the government of the Dutch East Indies commissioned and permitted archaeological studies of the temple, but looting was a major problem in the 19th and early 20th century CE. Experts recommended that Borobudur be left intact in situ, and the first restoration efforts lasted from 1907 to 1911 CE. Today, Borobudur is once again a site of Buddhist pilgrimage and a major tourist destination in Southeast Asia, but Indonesian officials remain worried about damage caused by the foot traffic at the temple, as well as lingering environmental and security issues.

Art & Architecture

Borobudur is an impressive and monumental ancient Buddhist structure that can only be rivaled in Southeast Asia by Angkot Wat in Cambodia, the Buddhist temples of Bagan in Myanmar (Burma), the Hindu temples of Mỹ Sơn in Vietnam, and the ruins of Sukhothai in Thailand. Borobudur's design is a mix of Javanese style and Gupta dynasty architecture, reflecting the blend of indigenous and Indian aesthetics in ancient Java. Over 500 statues of Buddha are positioned around Borobudur, and Borobudur contains roughly 3,000 bas-relief sculptures. These sculptures are all unique in that they depict the Buddha's teachings, life, and personal wisdom. When taken all together, Borobudur can claim to have the largest amount of Buddhist sculptures of any single site in the world today. It is known that in ancient times, sculptors decorated and adorned the temples' various galleries before everything was covered with paint and stucco. This method has helped better preserve these sculptures for over a thousand years.

It is estimated that over 1.6 million blocks of andesite - a volcanic rock - were used in Borobudur's construction. These rocks were cut and joined in a method that did not employ any mortar. Borobudur is made up of three different monuments: the main temple at Borobudur and two smaller temples located to the east of the main temple. The two smaller temples are the Pawon Temple and the Mendut Temple, the latter of which contains a large sculpture of Buddha surrounded by two Bodhisattvas. Collectively, Borobudur, Pawon, and Mendut symbolize the path the individual takes in attaining Nirvana. All three temples lie in a straight line as well. Another Buddhist temple - Ngawen, which dates from the 8th century CE, is located just 10 km (6 miles) from the main temple at Borobudur. A ruined Hindu temple, the Banon Temple, lies just several meters north of Pawon.

The main temple structure at Borobudur is constructed on three levels with a pyramid-shaped base replete with five square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular shaped platforms, and on the upper level, a grand monumental stupa. Fine reliefs form part of the walls of the temples and cover an area of approximately 2,520 m2 (27,125 square feet). 72 stupas each with a statue of the Buddha inside are found around Borobudur's circular platforms. This allocation and delineation of space conforms to the Buddhist conception of the universe. In Buddhist cosmology, the universe is divided into three spheres known as arupadhatu, rupadhatu, and kamadhatu. Arupadhatu is here represented by the three platforms and large stupa, the rupadhatu is represented by the five terraces, and the kamadhatu is represented by the temple's base.

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The Temple of Borobudur or sometimes "Barabudur" is a Mahayana Buddhist temple located close to Muntilan on the island of Java in Indonesia. Built during the rule of the Sailendra Dynasty (c. 650-1025 CE), Borobudur remains the world's largest Buddhist temple.

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https://www.history.com/topics/landmarks/angkor-wat

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Angkor Wat is an enormous Buddhist temple complex located in northern Cambodia. It was originally built in the first half of the 12th century as a Hindu temple. Spread across more than 400 acres, Angkor Wat is said to be the largest religious monument in the world. Its name, which translates to "temple city" in the Khmer language of the region, references the fact it was built by Emperor Suryavarman II, who ruled the region from 1113 to 1150, as the state temple and political center of his empire.

Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, Angkor Wat became a Buddhist temple by the end of the 12th century.

Although it is no longer an active temple, it serves as an important tourist attraction in Cambodia, despite the fact it sustained significant damage during the autocratic rule of the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s and in earlier regional conflicts.

Where Is Angkor Wat?

Angkor Wat is located roughly five miles north of the modern Cambodian city of Siem Reap, which has a population of more than 200,000 people.

However, when it was built, it served as the capital of the Khmer empire, which ruled the region at the time. The word "Angkor" means "capital city" in the Khmer language, while the word "Wat" means "temple."

Initially, Angkor Wat was designed as a Hindu temple, as that was the religion of the region's ruler at the time, Suryavarman II. However, by the end of the 12th century, it was considered a Buddhist site.

Unfortunately, by then, Angkor Wat had been sacked by a rival tribe to the Khmer, who in turn, at the direction of the new emperor, Jayavarman VII, moved their capital to Angkor Thom and their state temple to Bayon, both of which are a few miles to the north of the historic site.

As Angkor Wat's significance within the Buddhist religion of the region increased, so too did the legend surrounding the site. Many Buddhists believe the temple's construction was ordered by the god Indra, and that the work was accomplished in one night.

However, scholars now know it took several decades to build Angkor Wat, from the design phase to completion.

Angkor Wat's Design

Although Angkor Wat was no longer a site of political, cultural or commercial significance by the 13th century, it remained an important monument for the Buddhist religion into the 1800s.

Indeed, unlike many historical sites, Angkor Wat was never truly abandoned. Rather, it fell gradually into disuse and disrepair.

Nonetheless, it remained an architectural marvel unlike anything else. It was "rediscovered" in 1840s by the French explorer Henri Mouhot, who wrote that the site was "grander than anything left to us by Greece or Rome."

The compliment can likely be attributed to the temple's design, which is supposed to represent Mount Meru, the home of the gods, according to tenets of both the Hindu and Buddhist faiths. Its five towers are intended to recreate the five peaks of Mount Meru, while the walls and moat below honor the surrounding mountain ranges and the sea.

By the time of the site's construction, the Khmer had developed and refined their own architectural style, which relied on sandstone. As a result, Angkor Wat was constructed with blocks of sandstone.

A 15-foot high wall, surrounded by a wide moat, protected the city, the temple and residents from invasion, and much of that fortification is still standing. A sandstone causeway served as the main access point for the temple.

Inside these walls, Angkor Wat stretches across more than 200 acres. It's believed that this area included the city, the temple structure and the emperor's palace, which was just north of the temple.

However, in keeping with tradition at the time, only the city's outer walls and the temple were made of sandstone, with the rest of the structures built from wood and other, less durable materials. Hence, only portions of the temple and city wall remain.

Even so, the temple is still a majestic structure: At its highest point-the tower above the main shrine-it reaches nearly 70 feet into the air.

The temple walls are decorated with thousands of bas-reliefs representing important deities and figures in the Hindu and Buddhist religions as well as key events in its narrative tradition. There is also a bas-relief depicting Emperor Suryavarman II entering the city, perhaps for the first time following its construction.

Angkor Wat Today

Unfortunately, although Angkor Wat remained in use until fairly recently-into the 1800s-the site has sustained significant damage, from forest overgrowth to earthquakes to war.

The French, who ruled what is now known as Cambodia for much of the 20th century, established a commission to restore the site for tourism purposes in the early 1900s. This group also oversaw ongoing archeological projects there.

While restoration work was accomplished in bits and pieces under French rule, major efforts didn't begin in earnest until the 1960s. By then, Cambodia was a country transitioning from colonial rule to a limited form of constitutional monarchy.

When Cambodia fell into a brutal civil war in the 1970s, Angkor Wat, somewhat miraculously, sustained relatively minimal damage. The autocratic and barbarous Khmer Rouge regime did battle troops from neighboring Vietnam in the area near the ancient city, and there are bullet holes marking its outer walls as a result.

Since then, with the Cambodian government undergoing numerous changes, the international community, including representatives of India, Germany and France, among others, have contributed to the ongoing restoration efforts.

The site remains an important source of national pride for Cambodians.

In 1992, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Although visitors to Angkor Wat numbered in just the few thousands at the time, the landmark now welcomes some 500,000 visitors each year-many of whom arrive early in the morning to capture images of the sunrise over what still is a very magical, spiritual place.

Sources

Angkor. World Heritage Convention. UNESCO.
Ray, Nick. "Angkor what? Getting to know Cambodia's most iconic temple." LonelyPlanet.com.
Glancey, J. "The surprising discovery at Angkor Wat." BBC.com.
Hoeller, S-C. (2015). "Here's why Angkor Wat was just named the best tourist attraction in the world." BusinessInsider.com.
Cripps, K. (2017). "Angkor Wat travel tips: Expert advice on visiting Cambodia's ancient ruins." CNN.com.

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Angkor Wat is an enormous Buddhist temple complex located in northern Cambodia. It was originally built in the first half of the 12th century as a Hindu temple. Spread across more than 400 acres, Angkor Wat is said to be the largest religious monument in the world.

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Floating Village, on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia., Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

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Floating Village, on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia., Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

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Floating Village, on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia., Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

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https://www.siemreap.net/visit/attractions/sightseeing/floating-villages/

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Preah Monivong Bokor National Park, National Hwy 3, Cambodia

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Preah Monivong Bokor National Park, National Hwy 3, Cambodia

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Preah Monivong Bokor National Park, National Hwy 3, Cambodia

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8PgtaTiSuU

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yAV9JVbT34

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Sihanoukville, Cambodia's Beautiful Beach Town

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Wat Muang, Hua Taphan, Wiset Chai Chan District, Ang Thong, Thailand

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Wat Muang, Hua Taphan, Wiset Chai Chan District, Ang Thong, Thailand

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Wat Muang, Hua Taphan, Wiset Chai Chan District, Ang Thong, Thailand

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It is said that those who touch the Big Buddha's right hand are blessed with luck.

Known formally as Mahaminh Sakayamunee Visejchaicharn, informally as Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin, and simply as the Big Buddha, Wat Muang's Buddha stands at an eye-watering 92 meters tall and 63 meters wide. Completed in 2008, the enormous statue towers above the surrounding, sparsely populated farmland.

As the original Wat Muang was destroyed during the ransacking of the former Thai capital Ayutthaya by the Burmese in the 18th century, the temple's exact origins are unknown. After years of work, the reconstruction of Wat Muang was completed in 1982. In 1990, work started on the Big Buddha and was completed 18 years later, costing around 131 million Thai Baht (around $3.75 million).

The giant concrete structure is finished with gold paint and casts its shadow over not only the Wat Muang monastery and temple, but also the surrounding "Hell Garden" featuring statues depicting various scenes from Buddhist Hell. Other nearby sculptures on display memorialize the Gods and Kings and Thailand and commemorate events from the Burmese-Siamese War. As well as the garden, visitors can enjoy the Viharn Kaew (glass ordination hall), a chamber decorated from floor to ceiling with mirrored mosaic tiles that houses a Buddha made of solid silver.

Know Before You Go

As Ang Thong is a region in Thailand that plays host to a small amount of tourists compared with the likes of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the Southern Gulf, it can be quite difficult to get to Wat Muang. From Bangkok (116km away) or Ayutthaya (44km away) it is best to take a minivan (this is a very common way for people Thais to travel) and ask to be dropped off in Ang Thong. From Ang Thong, it is then possible to rent a car or a motorcycle to complete the remainder of the journey by taking the A 3064 and A 3195 west, a journey of less than 20 minutes from Ang Thong center. The Buddha dominates the skyline and can easily be seen from the road.

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It is said that those who touch the Big Buddha's right hand are blessed with luck. Known formally as Mahaminh Sakayamunee Visejchaicharn, informally as Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin, and simply as the Big Buddha, Wat Muang's Buddha stands at an eye-watering 92 meters tall and 63 meters wide.

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Changi Airport, Airport Boulevard, Singapore

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Changi Airport, Airport Boulevard, Singapore

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Changi Airport, Airport Boulevard, Singapore

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Inside Singapore Changi Airport's New $1.3 Billion Lifestyle Hub