Asian Travel Blog

I have talked a little previously about the exciting city of Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia, and today I want to tell you about two of the best places from where to get fine views of the city.

One unmissable sight of Kuala Lumpur is the spectacular Petronas Twin Towers, which, until recently, standing at a magnificent 452 metres, were the tallest buildings in the world. These towers have only recently been superseded in height by the Taipei 101 building in Taiwan, and are regarded by many as a symbol of Malaysia’s modernity. The Skybridge, that connects the two towers, is one of the highest suspended bridges in the world. If you want to get the wonderful view from the Skybridge, entry to this is free, but only to the first 1,200 people who show up, so be sure to arrive early. It is interesting to note that the Skybridge, which is not actually at the top of the Petronas Twin Towers, is the highest point that the members of the general public can go.

If you would like to take in the view of the city from a point even higher than the Twin Towers, then you should try the observation deck on the top floor of the KL Tower. From here you can get really great city views, especially because the KL Tower is built on a hill, and so you are a few meters higher than the Twin Towers. As a bit of extra fun, why not try the revolving restaurant which is just one floor above the observation deck. Here you can get a really excellent all round view while you eat your meal.

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The Indonesian island of Bali has long been a popular tourist destination. The culture of the island has flourished under Chinese and Indian influences, with Buddhism and Hinduism being introduced around about 800BC, and Islam being introduced later on. Bali came under Dutch control in 1909, from when there was a steady stream of European professionals, artists, tourists and intellectuals, and some Dutch influence remains today. By the 1930’s Bali was well-known as an exotic and sophisticated resort.

As well as golden beaches, great food and nightlife, Bali offers exciting attractions such as Goa Gajah Bedulu’s Elephant Cave, which is one of the southern region’s most famous tourist sights. In addition to the caves running through the mountain, the complex above the Petanu River includes temples, statues, pavilions and three pools for bathing. On the outside of the entrance to the cave is the dramatic, carved head of a devil. Once you get inside the cave, it is really dark, so you are well advised to take a flashlight. Inside there is a niche with a statue of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god who is the son of Shiva.

The Taman Burung Bali Bird Park, in Batubulan, has more than a thousand birds of both Indonesian and worldwide origin. The park is set in magnificent gardens, with lush tropical plants and beautiful water features. The park is also has an excellent restaurant where you can sit out and eat, enjoying the natural environment and the birds.

Another must-see of Bali is the Gitgit Waterfall, which is the most impressive waterfall on the island, and can be found not far from the town of Singaraja, which is on the north coast of Bali. If you enjoy walking, it is a pleasant walk through the jungle from Singaraja to the waterfall, but don’t forget to wear decent footwear if you want to do this.

In my next post I will tell you a little about the delightful cuisine of this fabulous island.

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The Heian Shrine, (“Heian Jingu”), is a famous Shinto shrine located in the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto, and is not far from the city center. The torii, which is a traditional Japanese gate found at the entrance to to Shinto shrines, is one of the largest in Japan.

Japan is predominantly Buddhist, but Shinto is a native Japanese religion, and the two religions seem to happily co-exist side by side, with the Japanese generally making their weddings Shinto, and their funerals Buddhist.

One of the major sights of Kyoto, the striking thing about the Heian shrine is its eye-catching colors of vermilion painted woodwork, and contrasting green-tiled roofs.

The shrine was built in 1895, and hosts the Jidai Matsuri, “Festival of Ages”, which is one of the three main festivals of Kyoto, and which takes place on October 22nd every year. Portable shrines are carried through the streets starting from the old Imperial Palace and ending at the Heian Shrine, and it is an amazing sight to see so many people in traditional, colorful Japanese dress. Around 2,000 people take part in the procession, and so it stretches for some kilometers in length!

The shrine also has beautiful gardens with ornamental ponds, irises, water lilies, cherry trees and other eye-catching detail. The best times to visit the gardens are in the spring when there is a profusion of cherry blossom, and fall, when the leaves have turned to gold and red.

Kyoto has plenty of top hotels, as well as more modest places to stay such as backpackers’ hostels, and a Hostelling International Hostel.

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Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the beautiful Taj Mahal, located at Agra, is one of the most popular sights in India. This wonderful monument is in fact a mausoleum built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his much-loved third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth.

The Taj, made from white marble, with wondrous inlays, and with its distinctive dome, is considered to be one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture, which combined elements from Indian, Islamic, Persian, and Turkish architectural styles. It took seventeen years to build, and was finally completed in 1648, with then a further five years for the completion of the beautifully laid out gardens.

Old documents reveal that Ustad Ahmad Lahauri , who was also involved in the construction of the Red Fort at Delhi, was most likely the chief architect of the Taj Mahal. It seems also that Shah Jahan was closely involved in the construction of the Taj, consulting daily with his architects.

In the right light, the image of the Taj can be seen in the wonderful reflecting pool, which makes for a dramatic view.

Agra, located in Uttar Pradesh in northern India, has a number of top hotels including Hilton, Sheraton and Holiday Inn, and there are also budget places to stay, including bed and breakfast places, and backpackers’ hostels. Agra has other examples of Mughal architecture that you might like to see while you are there, such as the Agra Fort.

The best time to visit the Taj Mahal is at dawn, so be sure to set your alarm clock early.

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