Temple d'Angkor Vat, Angkor

 Temple d'Angkor Vat, Angkor

The largest (the world) and the most famous archaeological site of Angkor temple city, its towers are the symbol of Cambodia, we found the silhouette on the country flag. Since 1992, the temple was declared a World Heritage Site. 

Angkor Wat is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, whose construction began in the early 12th century during the reign of King Suryavarman II (1113-1150) lasted 37 years. Angkor Wat means "temple of the royal city."

Under the reign of Jayavarman VII, from 1181, the temple was adapted to the worship of Buddha and the central sanctuary redesigned, today it is still visited by Buddhist monks.

The Khmer architecture reached its peak here.

It was built on the principle of temple-mountain, that is to say, as a symbolic representation of Mount Meru, the abode of the gods. It is built of sandstone in various colors and laterite blocks.

The high walls are mountains, moats represent the ocean and the top of the temple, the residence of the gods.

Besides reaching the central sanctuary, you have to climb steep stairs to represent the difficulty of accessing the realm of the gods. But the effort is worth it, the view from this sanctuary is breathtaking.

Angkor Wat rises in a part of the ancient royal city of Yasodharapura, built in the late 9th century and is open to the West, unlike other Khmer temples.

Like most temples, it is protected by three successive speakers with external measuring 1.5km 1.3 km, surrounded by a moat of about 200m wide.

Each speaker is going through Gopura (gateway) decorated with Hindu motifs, images of the gods, mythical auspicious animals or floral decorations.

These monumental entrances lead to long paved walkways, the first of which is lined with rows of nagas (snakes).

On either side of the aisle, there are tanks and ancillary buildings. In Khmer architecture, the decor is present on all structural elements lintels, doors, galleries, foundations, walls.

In the galleries, the decorations are storied, they tell scenes of Hindu epics like the Mahabharata or the Ramayana, Buddhist or as various lives of the Buddha, or the events of history.

The shrine is at the center of Angkor Wat, on a platform which every angle is surmounted by a tower and center of a large pyramid-shaped tower.

Each side of the square base of the tower contains a small shrine and inside is the central sanctuary, originally dedicated to Vishnu and now occupied by statues of Buddhas.

The top of the temple has five towers in the shape of lotus buds, the highest peaks at 65 meters. The bas-reliefs on the walls of galleries represent warlike and religious as well as paintings of the life of everyday scenes.

BEIJING - Capital of China (the historic capital)

BEIJING 

Beijing (literally Northern Capital), capital of China policy is also an important economic and cultural center. The which was the capital of several dynasties over 800 years and is steeped in history remains. Beijing is also the host city of the 2008 Olympic Games for which the city was transformed by renovating old traditional neighborhoods and modernizing. The most famous sites around the world are in Beijing, as the mythical Great Muraille- legendary defense line, the Forbidden City - one of the largest and best preserved ancient imperial palace, the Summer Palace - the imperial summer residence.

The architecture of Beijing is marked by its history with these imperial relics and popular Hutong neighborhoods, and also by the wave of modernism found in recent constructions like the Bird's Nest, the Water Cube or National Grand Theater. The pedestrian street of Wangfujing and Qianmen street are entertaining and trendy Houhai is an excellent choice for a drink around the lake.

Beijing is an absolutely must see for all travelers because we can observe the China of yesterday today and tomorrow.

A trip to Vietnam

Vietnam

Vietnam is located on the eastern edge of the Indochinese peninsula, bordering Cambodia, Laos and China. Long land strip bordered by the South China Sea, his face is reminiscent of a Dragon. Which is pretty good news for a country in Southeast Asia.
Geographical features, Vietnam displays a wide range of topography. It consists, in effect, as mountain plains, swamps as sea coasts.

Also, the country can boast conceal plethora of natural, more majestic than each other. Most reputable remain the Mekong Delta and Halong Bay. However, it seems inconceivable to deny the majesty of the mountainous northern region of the country, particularly Sapa, or the island of Phu Quoc, off the coast of the Mekong Delta, which resembles a miniature Vietnam. Similarly, tropical forests and natural parks in addition to curiosity to discover.

Conter Vietnam implies also mention long periods of occupation and conflict he went through. The country does not yet have to be ashamed of his checkered past.

Instead, the Chinese occupation, French as well as the latest conflict with the Americans now allow him to present its visitors a rich heritage, including an architectural point of view. Pagodas and cathedrals or traditional houses and skyscrapers (in Ho Chi Minh City) are everywhere.
Split between sculpture and architecture, remnants Chams are also part of this heritage, judging from the archaeological site of My Son, which is thrilling enough for the most sensitive eyes.

The Great Wall of China, China

GREAT WALL

Welcome to the Great Wall: the largest architectural structure built by man! Because of its length, it is called in Chinese "The infinite wall." It is built as a set of built, destroyed and rebuilt several times in military fortifications and several places between the fifth century BC. AD . the sixteenth century and to mark and defend the northern border of China. Popularly designates as the "Great Wall" section built during the Ming dynasty from the Strait of Shanhai on the banks of the Yalu River to the is to get to Jiayuguan in 

the west. length of the wall varies according to sources. according to a 1990 report, the total length of the walls would be 6 700 km. since 1987, she is a World Heritage .

The Great Wall of China is the longest man-made structure in the world with 6,400 kilometers in length. It begins at the Korean border and ends at the edge of the Gobi Desert. Its height depends on the places it between five and seventeen meters. Its width is impressive, it is five to seven meters. Legend told us we could see the Great Wall of China to the naked eye from the moon, but since then, space travel proved not.

Initially the Chinese wall was not that incredible length. She was broken up, that is to say, each village had established an independent fortification that was not related to the others. The goal was only to prevent herds of cattle from neighboring tribes to mix and thus create conflicts. Besides its height was easily crossed. The real Wall of China as we know it today began to be built in 221 BC when China was unified by the first emperor Qin Shi Huang. It was in the eighteenth century that the wall has reached the proportions it has today to resist the Turkish and Mongol invasions.

The width of the walkway is five meters, punctuated by high bastions of fifteen meters and watchtowers every twenty kilometers where the lookouts lit fires to warn of danger.

Weather Wall of China: Climate and weather forecasts

The Great Wall of China is a series of Chinese military fortifications, the most important architectural structure ever built by man. It starts from the border with the coast north of Beijing and goes to the Gobi Desert. In China, the weather is continental, until very hot in summer and very cold, dry and sunny in the winter. In general, the best time to get there are spring and fall. Indeed, the temperature is about 20 ° C in the autumn, and reached about 15 ° C from April to October in average spring. Although this is a very dry period with sandy winds, it remains a pleasant time to visit the region.

asia

Discover Asia is simply getting together what nature has made more beautiful, incredible natural richness that makes it a paradise!

Its terrain is home to the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest, which rises to 8,848 meters but also very low points as at the Dead Sea with 400 m below the level of the sea.

Everyone will find his account. Traveling in Asia offers a multitude of treasures. Ruins, landscapes and especially modernity to gawk.

From country to country, it is the centuries we are in, from an ancestral Asian futuristic Asia ...

Bon voyage through the corridors of time!
Discovery of Asia

Asia is the largest of all continents with nearly 9% of the total area and the most populous with 3.5 billion people (60% of the world population!) Of which 2 billion are under 20 years .

The many entities that make up Asia are so varied natures it may seem absurd to group them all under the same name!

Indeed, what is common between the vast icy wastes of Siberia, the tropical beaches of Thailand, empty steppes of Kazakhstan, or excessive cities in Japan?

Generally, four major climatic zones are isolated in Asia:

The Monsoon Asia (East Asia + South Asia), Asia Mountains (center + Himalaya Asia), Asia called "cold" (near the Arctic tundra vegetation type and taiga) and Asia called "dry" to the west.
The major Asian from sightseeing areas are:

     Vietnam (Halong Bay, Sapa, Hanoi, Saigon, Hue, Hoi Han, Dalat and the Mekong Delta)
     Laos (Luang Prabang, Vientiane, the Golden Triangle, Vang Vien)
     Cambodia (Sihanoukville, the inevitable ruins of Angkor, Kampot, Siem Reap, ...)
     India (Rajasthan, Calcutta, Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal, Madurai, Allapee, Fort Cochin, Hampi, Goa Area, Auroville, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Nicobar Islands, Punjab, Ladakh .. .)
     Burma (Bagan, Mandalay, ..)
     The inevitable Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket, Ayuttayah, Sukhothai, the Golden Triangle, Koh Samui, Koh Chang, Kho Phi Phi, Koh Phangan, Lobpuri, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, ...)
     The islands of Indonesia (Bali, Borneo, Java, Jakarta, Sumatra, ...)
     Japan (Kyoto, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Mount Fuji, ...)
     China (army Xian, Beijing, Shanghai, Inner Mongolia, Guilin, Taiwan, Tibet, Sichuan, Chengde ...)
     the Philippines
     Singapore (buildigs, zoo, beaches ...), Valley Katmandhu

The best way to go in Asia, is to find a flight to Bangkok or find a holiday or tour in Asia
Tourism across the Asian continent

Thailand, China, India certainly remain the top three tourist destinations of Asia.

For these three countries, it is possible to dig up affordable and many offers of all inclusive holidays, available at reasonable price flights.

Of course, for as far away, it is best to allow at least two weeks ahead to take the time to delve into cultures and radically different moods!

Some are content with all-inclusive packages to spend eight days and seven nights between the beach, the bar and the pool of her hotel-club, with a possible excursion program.

Other Asian countries such as Laos and Vietnam is always more open to international tourism.

Conversely, parts of Asia remain largely removed from the tourist flows: Turkmenistan and Mongolia, for example, are far from being Hot spots vacationers, yet these countries off the beaten path also possess multiple treasures to discover.

To reserve for the more adventurous traveler ...
Things to see and do in Asia

Not easy to decide. Asia deserves to be discovered in every corner. But if we were to select a few places, the choice would be so immense that China and Indonesia this mysterious ... so unusual and multicultural India!

     China

China is a country énormissime. Between its highest population in the world and fifty ethnic groups, discover China is going to the meeting of civilizations.

Starting to china, you will be eligible for more than 5,000 years of art and crafts. Explore the Great Wall of China which is as large as skyscrapers but from another era!

Among the cities not to be missed: Beijing without hesitation to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

     Shanghai

Shanghai offers a reflection of a city decidedly forward-looking. It will definitely visit the viewing platform situated at the 88th floor of the Jinmao Tower.

     Indonesia

It is the ideal destination if you want to reconcile with Mother Nature. The natural setting is magical.

You should know that Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world, with a total of 13,677 islands to date. If you plan to put the anchor in Indonesia, it is essential to discover Bali and Sumatra and rice fields and dense forests.

     India

It is a wonderful country filled with very different cultures. From one city to another, you will feel like you have changed course.

Many things to see, but if we do you advise a few, our choice would be the Taj Mahal, but also on all the palace Rajasthanou still Ellora caves.

But be aware that India is a discovery of the street: its people, cows in the middle of the road, the noise and bustle of big cities ... All is discovered in India.
main Events

In Bali, the mask is more than an accessory. Besides, it is fun!

The World Festival of the mask is held in November (usually 23 to 26 November) in the village of Tejakula, north of the country.

In reality, this village is known for a traditional dance that uses the mask where the celebration of this festival.
Where to go in Asia?

In Asia and in Europe like to illuminate colors of the night. If you are a party animal, you can shop around nightclubs. Some countries like to live the night like Japan. Among the clubs to find in Tokyo, Ageha in the Shinkiba is probably the most fabulous.

There are three tracks, including one on the beach. The entrance is a bit expensive, it costs about 4500 yen per person (a little less than 50 euros).
Where to eat?

You will be surprised and delighted at the same time to see these small restaurants in Asia, friendly and quite attractive prices. Most often, as in China, it sells regional and local food!

This is an opportunity to experience the cuisine of the country! But attention to sanitation. Sometimes cleanliness is absent.

But if you want to eat good Chinese food, there are several interesting places in Beijing as Afunti Restaurant at 2 Houguaibang Hutong (tel +86 (0) 10 6527 2288).
Useful Information
Asia corner to sleep

If you want a home worthy of a fairy tale, Indonesia offers an unparalleled luxury palaces! Our favorite is the Jimbaran Puri Bali.

This is a 5 star hotel with a garden paradise, indeed, it's like paradise! (allow about 150 euros per person per night). Address: Jalan Uluwatu Jimbaran 80361, Indonesia - Tel: (0) 36 170 1605.

For smaller budgets opt for a 3 star. There's a good price.

In China, for example in Shanghai Motel 168 (New Jinqiao Road Jinqiao 179) offers nights at about 20 euros Room (Tel: +8621 63168168).
Travel advice

In order not to spoil your stay, it is advisable to avoid certain times of the year to travel in Asia.

In China, for example, the best time is in April, May Avoid their new year (January and February) where you may not enjoy the various attractions.

For Indonesia, the best period remains between June and September. Avoid the rainy season between December and January where you might actually flooding.
Asian security

Asian security can vary widely, but it is overall a fairly safe part of the world.

Almost all the tourist attractions are far from the conflict, but there are some areas where prevailing conflict and anarchy, we refer of course to Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Pakistan, Yemen, countries that should be avoided.

Some regions of the Caucasus are considered dangerous due to insurgent groups active, particularly the North Caucasus (Chechnya), Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

In India some regions suffer from tensions, the Naxalite Maoist insurgency in India has resurfaced, particularly in Chhattisgarh and the north of the country.

South Asia is a safe region except East Timor facing internal ethnic tensions, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the southern Philippines.

Thailand, the most visited countries in Asia, is perfectly safe, with the notable exception of four provinces in the deep south, where fighting is taking place between Islamic Thai insurgent groups and the military.

There are also tensions in Indonesia where armed groups are fighting for independence of Papua.

Indonesia also faces Islamic extremist groups, we remember the terrible attacks against tourists in 2002 and 2005.

The East Asia is probably the safest area of the continent, despite tensions between North Korea and South Korea.
Useful links:

Chinese Embassy: http://www.amb-chine.fr

Embassy Indonesia http://www.amb-indonesie.fr


Itineraries and Asia

Asia attracts many European travelers with its ancient cultures, with very exotic ways of life for Western travelers, but also thanks to its beaches, cuisine and natural sites.

You will find many circuits found throughout Asia, stays natures and stays in the sea in Southeast Asia and India.

Two great Asian giants fascinates Western: China and India (but also Russia's main interests are the European side).

China today is heir to an ancient culture, you can come and see this great country such as Europe and as diverse as her.

Many travelers are content to visit the east coast of China (Shanghai, Beijing ...) and the south (Yunnan, Guangzhou, Hong Kong ...) but hesitate to push inland to discover strong regional cultures and magnificent natural sites.

India attracts many travelers came for adventure, discover the mysticism of many Indian religions, enjoy the luxury of the past Maharajas or the natural beauty of the country.

You choose how you want to discover India at the seaside in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, in the footsteps of the Maharajas in Rajasthan, in the foothills of the Himalayas or jungle cities like Delhi or Bombay ...

Japan also fascinated by European culture, cuisine and lifestyle ... You can discover the major cities (Tokyo, Kyoto ...) but also to get away and experience life in the countryside in Japan.

South Korea attracts fewer visitors but deserves to be known, especially for its cuisine and culture.

The Southeast Asia is attracting many travelers: discovery in the circuit or the seaside hotel club (or a combination of both) be tempted by Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore.

Discover the amazing culture of Laos or Burma.

For the adventurous you can go take a walk trek in Nepal or Tibet, based in the Mongolian steppes on horseback or exploring Central Asia (Kirghizisatn, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan).