This Tiny, but Mighty, Asian Island is Seriously Under-Hyped

Yes, Taiwan is a wallet-friendly destination, but so is Southeast Asia at large. And while most travelers crowd into Thailand and Bali, this island sitting just off China’s eastern coast remains seriously overlooked.

Amateur move, frankly. If you’re looking to boost your travel street cred, you need to put Taiwan on your hitlist.

Think: A culinary scene defined by Michelin Stars and street food in equal measure. A geographical profile that ranges from mountainous to beachy with a whopping nine national parks. Locals who haven’t yet been burned out by an influx of tourists (the nation is regularly ranked among the friendliest countries in the world). If there’s a defining keyword here, it would be “opportunity.” To surf. To explore. To experience a multi-faceted culture that hasn’t already been hashtagged to death. 

Of course, it also doesn’t hurt that Taiwan, from city to countryside, is straight-up beautiful. While no list is exhaustive, here’s a few of the island nation’s finest features to get you going.

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Dragon and Tiger Pagodas

To the untrained eye, the sheer number of pagodas in Taiwan can be difficult to keep straight. However, you’ll never forget a visit to the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas of Zuoying District, Kaohsiung. Situated on the banks of the man-made Lotus Pond, the staircases and walls of the twin seven-story towers depict stories about heaven and hell, among other prominent figures in local lore. Once inside, spiral staircases deposit you in an overlook above the lotus-covered water. Best practices suggest entering via the dragon’s mouth (dragons are a symbol of power and independence) and out the tiger (a symbol of courage and nobility) to maximize your good fortune.

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Ho Ping Island

Take the Ho Ping Bridge (Taiwan’s first reinforced concrete bridge) to Ho Ping Island for a first-hand lesson at just how cool erosion can be. Here, the land is a series of jagged cliffs, rugged coastlines, and crazy-cool geological patterns. Pairs perfectly with an island sunset and romantic view.

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Taipei 101

If Blade Runner was set in Taiwan, Taipei 101, the 10th tallest building in the world, would be where all the action takes place. Sure, you could skyrocket up to the observation deck on the 91st floor and be rewarded with crazy views of the city (at least on a clear day). But the real prize here is a view of the building itself. For the best vantage point, hike the nearby Elephant Mountain. Brace yourself -- those stairs are steep, but you’ll be well-rewarded for your effort with a sweeping sight of the futuristic district and Taiwan’s most iconic landmark.

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Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

Located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum opened in 2011 as a home for one of the most prized relics in Buddhism, one of the Buddha’s teeth. Open and free to everyone, its visually stunning grounds include one of the largest Buddha statues in Asia (seated on a black platform to look like it’s floating at night), and eight large, multi-story pagodas. Even for non-practitioners, walking the grounds is a calming (dare-we-say) zen-like experience.

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 Jiufen’s Shuqi Road

Spirited Away wasn’t a documentary, but you’d be forgiven for thinking so after visiting Jiufen, Hayao Miyazaki's inspiration for the iconic 2001 film. Along the Shuqi Road, the former gold rush town’s main drag, you’ll find colorful food stalls, red lanterns, and winding staircases that led Chihiro on her epic journey.

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 Xiaoliuqiu

You’re going to want to visit this beach in the south of Taiwan for Flower Vase Rock, a large, floral-shaped outcropping just offshore. But if you’re eager for more geological adventuring, swing by Black Dwarf Cave after your swim. The limestone cave is thought to be haunted -- but even if you don’t spot a specter there’s always coal growths, scuttling crabs, and even an exhibition of wooden sculptures to enjoy.

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Taroko National Park

With its dramatically sharp cliffs and the emerald-colored water of Taroko Gorge, this national park gives you a true sense of Taiwan’s tropical side. And if the area’s abundant greenery leads you to cracking jokes about Jurassic Park, know that you’re not alone. Take in the breezes at Qingshui Cliff, or take in the bucolic scene at Eternal Spring Shrine, a memorial built over a waterfall dedicated to those who died during the local highway’s construction.

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Source -  Laura Studarus a Thrillist contributor

#Vietnam - Festival to offer paragliders views of northern terrace fields

Mu Cang Chai, a rural district in Yen Bai Province with iconic rice terraces, will host a paragliding festival from September 20-22.

The annual festival, organized by VietWings Hanoi Paragliding Club since 2013, has become the largest such event in the country.

Its timing makes the festival more popular: it coincides with the rice harvest season in Mu Cang Chai, which is said to be at its most beautiful from late September to early October, when the fields are dyed yellow.

This year around 200 local and foreign competitors are expected to take part in the festival, six times the number in its inaugural year.

The paragliders will take off from Khau Pha Mountain, one of the four most dangerous passes in Vietnam due to its foggy winding roads and steep terrain.

Khau Pha rises 1,200 meters, and will provide the contestants with the best views of the golden carpet stretching over 500 hectares in the Mu Cang Chai valley.

Visitors who love adventure can join the paragliders as passengers and ride tandem over the terrace fields, voted as one of "the most colorful places" on the planet by U.S.magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

Mu Cang Chai, around seven hours by road to the northwest of Hanoi, is at the foot of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.

The H’Mong ethnic group started carving rice terraces into the mountains centuries ago and continue to plant the crop today.

In 2017 the terraced fields were named one of the 19 most picturesque peaks on earth by U.S. travel site Insider.

Source VN Express

Thailand - Mae Hong Son to open new nature trek route with waterfalls to tourists

The Mae Hong Son Tourism Office is planning to launch a new trekking route to allow tourists to walk through a fertile forest to visit two beautiful waterfalls, an official said.

 

The nature trek route along Mae Sakued creek in Tambon Pha Bong in Muang district was on Tuesday visited by Yothin Taptimthong, director of the Mae Hong Son office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and his deputy, Atthapol Thaweesunthorn.

Yothin said the visit was made for his office to prepare a package for tourists who love nature, forests and waterfalls, to take the Huay Mae Sakued Trek.

According to Yothin, the trek is about 1,860 metres long, running along the creek and through a fertile forest with big trees.

He said the highlights of the trek are two medium-sized waterfalls, Kued Luang Waterfall and Mae Sakued Waterfall. The two waterfalls should be visited during the rainy and winter seasons, when there is an abundant cascade of water.

The nature-study trek is under the supervision of the Mae Surin Waterfall National Park and the area is protected by the third protection unit of the national park.

The entrance to the trek and the unit’s office is about 9 kilometres from Mae Hong Son’s provincial seat, with the road to the office another three kilometres along the entrance road.

Tourists can call the Mae Surin Waterfall National Park office at 053-061-073 to learn more about the trek.

Source - The Nation

#Cambodian resort among Time magazine’s greatest destinations

Shinta Mani Wild at Sre Ambel in Koh Kong province

 Shinta Mani Wild, an innovative luxury resort and conservation centre, has brought fame to Cambodia after Time magazine, one of the most influential international news publications, included it in its 2019 World’s Greatest Places list.

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 Some 100 exceptional destinations around the globe are listed in the World’s Greatest Places. Time started the list last year.

Shinta Mani Wild was included in the ‘To Stay’ section together with iconic destinations from the United States, Kenya, Bhutan, Uruguay, China, and Israel, among other countries. Several cruise ships were also on the list.

 Shinta Mani Wild was the sole destination from Cambodia that made it to the list.

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Chenda Clais, president of the Cambodia Hotel Association, said Shinta Mani Wild deserved the recognition.

“I think it is a well-deserved recognition for a beautiful hotel which is also contributing to preserving Cambodia’s environment as well as making it a tourism destination,” she stressed. “It is an honour for our country.”

Shinta Mani Wild, which sits on more than 160 hectares of forest, is located between Cardamon, Bokor, and Kirirom national parks. The brainchild of renowned designer Bill Bensley, it opened its doors to the public late last year.

Lonely Planet described it as a “radical new concept that combines first-class design with serious conservation goals”.

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To come up with the list, Time, on its website, said that it solicited nominations from museums, parks, hotels, restaurants, industry experts, and from their editors and correspondents around the world. The nominees were evaluated based on key factors that included originality, sustainability, innovation, and influence.

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Source - Khmer Times

#Vietnam - A treasure bequeathed by millions of years of evolution in Phu Yen

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 At the foothills of Bai Xep in An Chan Commune, Tuy An District, Phu Yen Province is a unique geological formation with black and yellow basalt rocks in all kinds of conceivable shapes. Geologists have said that this is the result of volcanic eruptions that took place millions of years ago.

To reach Bai Xep, one has to travel 17 kilometers north on the Doc Lap coastal road of Tuy Hoa Town, the capital of Phu Yen Province.

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Bai Xep is surrrounded by the Ganh Ong (Ong Reef) and the Ganh Ba (Ba Reef) with two long beaches on each side. The place still remains relatively pristine, surrounded by casuarina equisetifolia, a tree that commonly grows in coastal habitats with white sands and cacti.

Thanks to its geological structure, many movies have been shot here, including the award-winning Toi Thay Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh or Yellow Flower On The Grass directed by Victor Vu. The Vietnamese coming-of-age drama won in the 2016 Best Feature Film category of the Young People's Jury Award - part of the annual TIFF Kids International Film Festival in Toronto. It was premiere in Cannes Film Festival 2015.

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  Bai Xep has become one of Phu Yen's iconic tourist attractions. Phu Yen is the first point on the Vietnamese mainland to welcome the sun every morning. It has a diverse topography consisting of mountains, rivers, lagoons, bays, and islands and a myriad of beautiful natural sights for visitors to explore.

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Source - VN Express

Here are the top 10 best places in the world for backpackers

Those considering a backpacking trip might want to take a look at a recent report by UK-based travel website Globehunters. 

Combining current reports related to global happiness scores, safety levels, inclusive internet index and cost of living, Globehunters has come up with a list of the "world's best backpacking destinations".

The list was dominated by Scandinavian countries, with Finland being recognized as the top destination. 

The United Arab Emirates is the only middle eastern country to make it into the top 10, while Singapore in 10^th place was the only representation from Southeast Asia.

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Additionally, as reported by the Evening Standard (https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/best-place-to-backpack-in-world-a4221801.html), the report suggested Pakistan, Tunisia and India for those on a very low budget. Meanwhile, backpackers who prioritize safety should consider exploring Singapore, Switzerland and Japan.

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    1/ Finland
    2/ Denmark
    3/ Canada
    4/ Czech Republic
    5/ Sweden
    6/ Netherlands
    7/ Austria
    8/ United Arab Emirates
    9/ Australia
    10/ Singapore
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Source - TheJakartaPost

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#Paypal

PayPal for money transfer

But how to use ?

 

You must first know PayPal use standard American Dollar.

 

PayPal is not the cheapest online banking system, but is trustful and easy to use.

 

But it's good to inform your customers how the pay you.

 

The best way your customers pay you in Dollars.

 

Example:

 

You live in Thailand and someone want to pay you, inform the pay you in Dollars.

 

An American want pay you, inform him NOT to pay in Thai Baht.

 

Why ?

 

When someone pay you in Thai Baht, Paypal change it automatic in their standard payment system.

 

The change your payment automatic in their Dollars, and charge fees and give you the the lowest rates.

 

You want transfer your money from Paypal to your Thai Bank

 

Ok, But transfer your money to your Thai Bank in Dollars

 

PayPal charge you only fees for the Transfer, and your Thai bank change your payment automatic in Thai Baht and not charge any fees or cost.