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  • Horyuji Temple was founded by Prince Shotoku in 607, credited with the early propagation of Buddhism in Japan. Horyuji is one of the country's oldest temples with the world's oldest surviving wooden structures. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. Horyuji's temple grounds are divided into two main precincts, the Western Precinct and the Eastern Precinct   Enclosed by roofed corridors, the Western Precinct is home to the world's oldest surviving wooden structures which are: the central gate Chumon, the main hall Kondo and a five storied pagoda. They were built during the Asuka Period and have never suffered damage or destruction although they have been renovated many times over the centuries. The main hall houses some of Japan's oldest statues of Buddha where visitors can witness the evolution of Japanese Buddha statues which had lost the more East Indian appearance in earlier creations. The Eastern Precinct showcases the octagonal shaped Yumedono Hall of Visions with life size statues of the founding prince surrounded by statues of Buddha and rakan disciples.
    horyu-ji-3.jpg
  • Ninnaji is one of Kyoto's most interesting temples, featuring a large variety of different buildings and gardens on its spacious grounds. It belongs to Kyoto's UNESCO world heritage sites. Ninnaji was founded in the year 888 as an imperial residence, but like most historic buildings in Japan, suffered repeated destruction in wars and fires over the centuries. Today Ninnaji is the headquarters of the Omuro school of the Buddhist Shingon sect and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    ninnaji-garden-5.jpg
  • Hoi An Old Town - UNESCO World Heritage town Hoi An is a popular stop for visitors to Vietnam.  The towns architectural styles, relaxed atmosphere, and some of the country’s best food.  The town is an attraction in itself, but just 7 km away is an excellent beach and heading the other direction is My Son ruins, another UNESCO World Heritage site.
    thu-bon-bridge.jpg
  • Hoi An Architecture - together with the Chinese and Vietnamese architectural gems, 19th century stucco houses that show both influences from east and west add to the color of this eclectic mixture. Most of these beautiful buildings are well preserved and show an nteresting mix of architecture - all of which gives Hoi An UNESCO World Heritage Status.
    hoi-an-night.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-13.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-4.jpg
  • Hoi An Old Town - UNESCO World Heritage town Hoi An is a popular stop for visitors to Vietnam.  The towns architectural styles, relaxed atmosphere, and some of the country’s best food.  The town is an attraction in itself, but just 7 km away is an excellent beach and heading the other direction is My Son ruins, another UNESCO World Heritage site.
    hoi-an-31.jpg
  • Kanjizaio-in Ato Garden is an excellent example of a Pure Land garden. Maizuru ga Ike  or Dancing Crane Pond is all that is left of the once great temple complex. Kanjisaioin is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites of Hiraizumi. The pond garden remains as beautiful as it was when it was built in the 12th century.  The garden has a large pond with variable coastlines surrounded by Pure Land gardens.  In the center of the pond lies an island, the showpiece of the garden.  The gardens is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty and a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments and Sites of Hiraizumi.  The garden was restored in 1978.
    kanjizaioin-8.jpg
  • Kanjizaio-in Ato Garden is an excellent example of a Pure Land garden. Maizuru ga Ike  or Dancing Crane Pond is all that is left of the once great temple complex. Kanjisaioin is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites of Hiraizumi. The pond garden remains as beautiful as it was when it was built in the 12th century.  The garden has a large pond with variable coastlines surrounded by Pure Land gardens.  In the center of the pond lies an island, the showpiece of the garden.  The gardens is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty and a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments and Sites of Hiraizumi.  The garden was restored in 1978.
    kanjizaioin-7.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-15.jpg
  • Gion Matsuri is the most famous festival in Japan taking place over the month of July. The grand procession of floats Yamaboko Junko takes place on July 17 but can be extremely crowded.  On evenings preceding the procession called Yoiyama, the floats are on display with locals dressed in yukata summer kimono milling around the streets of Shijo.  A second procession of floats occurs on July 24 with fewer floats but may be preferable because it is less crowded and boisterous.  Yamaboko refers to two types of floats used in the parade: there are 23 yama and 10 enormous hoko reaching up to 25 meters tall.  Both yama and hoko are elaborately decorated with unique themes. The festival has a long and almost uninterrupted history dating back to 869.  It was once a purification ritual goryo-e to appease the gods during outbreaks of epidemics. Wherever an outbreak occurred the practice was repeated. In 970, it was decreed an annual event and has seldom been broken ever since. The Gion Matsuri has been declared an Intangible Treasure of Japan by UNESCO World Heritage. 
    gion-matsuri-19.jpg
  • Gion Matsuri is the most famous festival in Japan taking place over the month of July. The grand procession of floats Yamaboko Junko takes place on July 17 but can be extremely crowded.  On evenings preceding the procession called Yoiyama, the floats are on display with locals dressed in yukata summer kimono milling around the streets of Shijo.  A second procession of floats occurs on July 24 with fewer floats but may be preferable because it is less crowded and boisterous.  Yamaboko refers to two types of floats used in the parade: there are 23 yama and 10 enormous hoko reaching up to 25 meters tall.  Both yama and hoko are elaborately decorated with unique themes. The festival has a long and almost uninterrupted history dating back to 869.  It was once a purification ritual goryo-e to appease the gods during outbreaks of epidemics. Wherever an outbreak occurred the practice was repeated. In 970, it was decreed an annual event and has seldom been broken ever since. The Gion Matsuri has been declared an Intangible Treasure of Japan by UNESCO World Heritage. 
    gion-matsuri-15.jpg
  • Kiyomizu Pagoda at Night - Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, a major attraction to the city and a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Not one nail was used in building the entire temple.  It takes its name from the waterfall in the hills nearby, the water itself being sacred -  In Japanese Kiyomizu means clear water or pure water.
    kiyomizu-1.jpg
  • Galle Fort was built first by the Portuguese, then modified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Even today, after 400 years of existence, it still looks well preserved thanks to the efforts of the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka and UNESCO.  The reason for its remarkable state of preservation is that this once busy trading town, visited by the East-India fleets and many regional traders, fell upon slack times after the Dutch had left. The development that did take place focussed on the new town of Galle, outside the Fort.  The Fort is really a walled city, with a rectangular pattern of streets full of the low houses with gables and verandas in the Dutch colonial style.
    galle-fort-8.jpg
  • Nishi Hongan-ji or the "Western Temple of the Original Vow" is one of two temple complexes of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in Kyoto, the other being Higashi Honganji (or "The Eastern Temple of the Original Vow". Today it serves as the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect.  Nish Honganji is older than the Higashi Honganji and has more integral architecture. Together they are listed as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto as also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    nishi-hongaji-07.jpg
  • Gion Matsuri is the most famous festival in Japan taking place over the month of July. The grand procession of floats Yamaboko Junko takes place on July 17 but can be extremely crowded.  On evenings preceding the procession called Yoiyama, the floats are on display with locals dressed in yukata summer kimono milling around the streets of Shijo.  A second procession of floats occurs on July 24 with fewer floats but may be preferable because it is less crowded and boisterous.  Yamaboko refers to two types of floats used in the parade: there are 23 yama and 10 enormous hoko reaching up to 25 meters tall.  Both yama and hoko are elaborately decorated with unique themes. The festival has a long and almost uninterrupted history dating back to 869.  It was once a purification ritual goryo-e to appease the gods during outbreaks of epidemics. Wherever an outbreak occurred the practice was repeated. In 970, it was decreed an annual event and has seldom been broken ever since. The Gion Matsuri has been declared an Intangible Treasure of Japan by UNESCO World Heritage. 
    gion-matsuri-17.jpg
  • Nishi Hongan-ji or the "Western Temple of the Original Vow" is one of two temple complexes of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in Kyoto, the other being Higashi Honganji (or "The Eastern Temple of the Original Vow". Today it serves as the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect.  Nish Honganji is older than the Higashi Honganji and has more integral architecture. Together they are listed as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto as also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    nishi-honganji-05.jpg
  • Gion Matsuri is the most famous festival in Japan taking place over the month of July. The grand procession of floats Yamaboko Junko takes place on July 17 but can be extremely crowded.  On evenings preceding the procession called Yoiyama, the floats are on display with locals dressed in yukata summer kimono milling around the streets of Shijo.  A second procession of floats occurs on July 24 with fewer floats but may be preferable because it is less crowded and boisterous.  Yamaboko refers to two types of floats used in the parade: there are 23 yama and 10 enormous hoko reaching up to 25 meters tall.  Both yama and hoko are elaborately decorated with unique themes. The festival has a long and almost uninterrupted history dating back to 869.  It was once a purification ritual goryo-e to appease the gods during outbreaks of epidemics. Wherever an outbreak occurred the practice was repeated. In 970, it was decreed an annual event and has seldom been broken ever since. The Gion Matsuri has been declared an Intangible Treasure of Japan by UNESCO World Heritage. 
    gion-matsuri-16.jpg
  • Gion Matsuri is the most famous festival in Japan taking place over the month of July. The grand procession of floats Yamaboko Junko takes place on July 17 but can be extremely crowded.  On evenings preceding the procession called Yoiyama, the floats are on display with locals dressed in yukata summer kimono milling around the streets of Shijo.  A second procession of floats occurs on July 24 with fewer floats but may be preferable because it is less crowded and boisterous.  Yamaboko refers to two types of floats used in the parade: there are 23 yama and 10 enormous hoko reaching up to 25 meters tall.  Both yama and hoko are elaborately decorated with unique themes. The festival has a long and almost uninterrupted history dating back to 869.  It was once a purification ritual goryo-e to appease the gods during outbreaks of epidemics. Wherever an outbreak occurred the practice was repeated. In 970, it was decreed an annual event and has seldom been broken ever since. The Gion Matsuri has been declared an Intangible Treasure of Japan by UNESCO World Heritage. 
    gion-matsuri-2.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-14.jpg
  • Nishi Hongan-ji or the "Western Temple of the Original Vow" is one of two temple complexes of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in Kyoto, the other being Higashi Honganji (or "The Eastern Temple of the Original Vow". Today it serves as the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect.  Nish Honganji is older than the Higashi Honganji and has more integral architecture. Together they are listed as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto as also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    nishi-hongaji-08.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-10.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-7.jpg
  • Gion Matsuri is the most famous festival in Japan taking place over the month of July. The grand procession of floats Yamaboko Junko takes place on July 17 but can be extremely crowded.  On evenings preceding the procession called Yoiyama, the floats are on display with locals dressed in yukata summer kimono milling around the streets of Shijo.  A second procession of floats occurs on July 24 with fewer floats but may be preferable because it is less crowded and boisterous.  Yamaboko refers to two types of floats used in the parade: there are 23 yama and 10 enormous hoko reaching up to 25 meters tall.  Both yama and hoko are elaborately decorated with unique themes. The festival has a long and almost uninterrupted history dating back to 869.  It was once a purification ritual goryo-e to appease the gods during outbreaks of epidemics. Wherever an outbreak occurred the practice was repeated. In 970, it was decreed an annual event and has seldom been broken ever since. The Gion Matsuri has been declared an Intangible Treasure of Japan by UNESCO World Heritage. 
    gion-matsuri-14.jpg
  • Gion Matsuri is the most famous festival in Japan taking place over the month of July. The grand procession of floats Yamaboko Junko takes place on July 17 but can be extremely crowded.  On evenings preceding the procession called Yoiyama, the floats are on display with locals dressed in yukata summer kimono milling around the streets of Shijo.  A second procession of floats occurs on July 24 with fewer floats but may be preferable because it is less crowded and boisterous.  Yamaboko refers to two types of floats used in the parade: there are 23 yama and 10 enormous hoko reaching up to 25 meters tall.  Both yama and hoko are elaborately decorated with unique themes. The festival has a long and almost uninterrupted history dating back to 869.  It was once a purification ritual goryo-e to appease the gods during outbreaks of epidemics. Wherever an outbreak occurred the practice was repeated. In 970, it was decreed an annual event and has seldom been broken ever since. The Gion Matsuri has been declared an Intangible Treasure of Japan by UNESCO World Heritage. 
    gion-matsuri-1.jpg
  • Kiyomizu Pagoda Autumn Leaves- a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, a major attraction to the city and a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Not one nail was used in building the entire temple.  It takes its name from the waterfall in the hills nearby, the water itself being sacred -  In Japanese Kiyomizu means clear water or pure water.
    kiyomizu-6.jpg
  • Kiyomizu-dera Temple at Night - Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, a major attraction to the city and a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Not one nail was used in building the entire temple.  It takes its name from the waterfall in the hills nearby, the water itself being sacred -  In Japanese Kiyomizu means clear water or pure water.
    kiyomizu-5.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-5.jpg
  • Nishi Hongan-ji or the "Western Temple of the Original Vow" is one of two temple complexes of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in Kyoto, the other being Higashi Honganji (or "The Eastern Temple of the Original Vow". Today it serves as the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect.  Nish Honganji is older than the Higashi Honganji and has more integral architecture. Together they are listed as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto as also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    nishi-honganji-01.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-3.jpg
  • Kamigamo Shrine Gate - Kamo-wake-ikazuchi-Jinja in the Kita Ward of Kyoto is the oldest Shinto shrine in the ancient city. Since prehistoric times Kamigamo-jinja has preserved and transmitted the legends relating to the birth of the shrine deity, Wakeikazuchi. The area contains many large trees such as oaks, suda chinquappins and weeping cherry trees coexisting in harmony. Kamigamo-jinja was officially registered IN 1994 as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in recognition of its importance as a monument of ancient Kyoto.
    kamigamo-shrine-07.jpg
  • Cruising Halong Bay gives visitors the chance to cruise the bay in style and comfort but also to enjoy kayaking.  Kayaks are usually an "add on" to the boat cruise itself.  It's a great way to view the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay itself.
    halong-kayak-3.jpg
  • Gion Matsuri is the most famous festival in Japan taking place over the month of July. The grand procession of floats Yamaboko Junko takes place on July 17 but can be extremely crowded.  On evenings preceding the procession called Yoiyama, the floats are on display with locals dressed in yukata summer kimono milling around the streets of Shijo.  A second procession of floats occurs on July 24 with fewer floats but may be preferable because it is less crowded and boisterous.  Yamaboko refers to two types of floats used in the parade: there are 23 yama and 10 enormous hoko reaching up to 25 meters tall.  Both yama and hoko are elaborately decorated with unique themes. The festival has a long and almost uninterrupted history dating back to 869.  It was once a purification ritual goryo-e to appease the gods during outbreaks of epidemics. Wherever an outbreak occurred the practice was repeated. In 970, it was decreed an annual event and has seldom been broken ever since. The Gion Matsuri has been declared an Intangible Treasure of Japan by UNESCO World Heritage. 
    gion-matsuri-11.jpg
  • Gion Matsuri is the most famous festival in Japan taking place over the month of July. The grand procession of floats Yamaboko Junko takes place on July 17 but can be extremely crowded.  On evenings preceding the procession called Yoiyama, the floats are on display with locals dressed in yukata summer kimono milling around the streets of Shijo.  A second procession of floats occurs on July 24 with fewer floats but may be preferable because it is less crowded and boisterous.  Yamaboko refers to two types of floats used in the parade: there are 23 yama and 10 enormous hoko reaching up to 25 meters tall.  Both yama and hoko are elaborately decorated with unique themes. The festival has a long and almost uninterrupted history dating back to 869.  It was once a purification ritual goryo-e to appease the gods during outbreaks of epidemics. Wherever an outbreak occurred the practice was repeated. In 970, it was decreed an annual event and has seldom been broken ever since. The Gion Matsuri has been declared an Intangible Treasure of Japan by UNESCO World Heritage. 
    gion-matsuri-8.jpg
  • Kiyomizu Pagoda at Night, Kiyomizu is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, a major attraction to the city and a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Not one nail was used in building the entire temple.  It takes its name from the waterfall in the hills nearby, the water itself being sacred -  In Japanese Kiyomizu means clear water or pure water.
    kiyomizu-4.jpg
  • Galle Fort was built first by the Portuguese, then modified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Even today, after 400 years of existence, it still looks well preserved thanks to the efforts of the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka and UNESCO.  The reason for its remarkable state of preservation is that this once busy trading town, visited by the East-India fleets and many regional traders, fell upon slack times after the Dutch had left. The development that did take place focussed on the new town of Galle, outside the Fort.  The Fort is really a walled city, with a rectangular pattern of streets full of the low houses with gables and verandas in the Dutch colonial style.
    galle-fort-5.jpg
  • The Moss Garden at Saihoji Temple is one of the few temples in Kyoto where visitors must request an invitation in advance before their visit. Visitors are required to participate in chanting and writing sutras before visiting the famous gardens. In this way the monks are able to maintain the temple and garden and prevent mass tourism from destroying the tranquility of this UNESCO World Heritage Japanese garden.
    koke-dera-1.jpg
  • Kiyomizu Temple in Autumn; Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, a major attraction to the city and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Not one nail was used in building the entire temple. It takes its name from the waterfall in the hills nearby, the water itself being sacred - In Japanese Kiyomizu means clear water or pure water.
    kiyomizu-8.jpg
  • Kamigamo Shrine Bridge - Kamo-wake-ikazuchi-Jinja in the Kita Ward of Kyoto is the oldest Shinto shrine in the ancient city. Since prehistoric times Kamigamo-jinja has preserved and transmitted the legends relating to the birth of the shrine deity, Wakeikazuchi. The area contains many large trees such as oaks, suda chinquappins and weeping cherry trees coexisting in harmony. Kamigamo-jinja was officially registered IN 1994 as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in recognition of its importance as a monument of ancient Kyoto.
    kamigamo-shrine-02.jpg
  • Kamigamo Shrine Bridge and Omikuji - Kamo-wake-ikazuchi-Jinja in the Kita Ward of Kyoto is the oldest Shinto shrine in the ancient city. Since prehistoric times Kamigamo-jinja has preserved and transmitted the legends relating to the birth of the shrine deity, Wakeikazuchi. The area contains many large trees such as oaks, suda chinquappins and weeping cherry trees coexisting in harmony. Kamigamo-jinja was officially registered IN 1994 as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in recognition of its importance as a monument of ancient Kyoto.
    kamigamo-shrine-03.jpg
  • Interspersed with the Chinese and Vietnamese architectural gems are 19th century wooden houses that show both influences from east and west. Adding color to this already eclectic mixture are numerous examples of Hoi An’s French Colonial past. These simple but elegant buildings, most of them well preserved or renovated.  This interesting mix of architecture has given the town its UNESCO World Heritage Status.
    hoi-an-architecture-10.jpg
  • Ninnaji Temple Monks - Ninnaji is one of Kyoto's most interesting temples with a large variety of extraordinary buildings & gardens on its spacious grounds. Among the numerous buildings on the grounds are elegant palace style buildings surrounded by beautiful Japanese gardens, a five storied pagoda, various temple halls, a massive entrance gate, bell tower and tea houses.  It was the first imperial temple in Kyoto and  now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    ninnaji-3.jpg
  • Sigiriya, or Lion's rock, is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient fresco paintings which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India.  Sigiriya was built during the reign of King Kassapa I and it is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.  The Sigiriya rock is a hardened magma plug from an extinct and long-eroded volcano. It stands high above the surrounding plain, visible for miles in all directions. The rock rests on a steep mound that rises abruptly from the flat plain surrounding it. The rock itself rises 370 m (1,214 ft) above sea level and is sheer on all sides, in many places overhanging the base. It is elliptical in plan and has a flat top that slopes gradually along the long axis of the ellipse.
    sigiriya-3.jpg
  • Galle Architecture -  With the arrival of colonialism to Sri Lanka which is evident in the architecture. Very few buildings of the Portuguese era survives, however many building from the Dutch era can be found within the fort area of Galle built by the Dutch in the year 1663 which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many important historic buildings were built by the colonial governments. These were often built in one or another European architectural style, which was in fashion at the time such as the Palladian, Renaissance or Neo-classical styles.
    galle-architecture-8.jpg
  • With the arrival of colonialism to Sri Lanka, evident in the architecture, few buildings from the Portuguese period survive although many structures from the Dutch era can be found in the fort area of Galle.  Built by the Dutch in 1663 the fort has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Many important historic buildings were built by the colonial governments built in  European architectural style: Palladian, Renaissance or Neo-classical styles.
    galle-architecture-10.jpg
  • Hoi An Architecture - Much of the city's commerce still revolves along the riverbank of the Thu Bon River as well as most of its ochre colored UNESCO World Heritage buildings.
    thu-bon-river-1.jpg
  • Hoi An Architecture Reflecting on the Thu Bon River - Hoi An Architecture - together with the Chinese and Vietnamese architectural gems, 19th century stucco houses that show both influences from east and west add to the color of this eclectic mixture. Most of these beautiful buildings are well preserved and show an nteresting mix of architecture - all of which gives Hoi An UNESCO World Heritage Status.
    architecture-hoi-an-2.jpg
  • Adding color to Hoi An's eclectic mixture of architecture are numerous examples of Hoi An's French Colonial past. Most of these simple, elegant buildings are well preserved or renovated and have given the town its UNESCO World Heritage Status.
    hoi-an-architecture-8.jpg
  • The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty.  For almost five centuries, it served as the home of the Emperor and his household, as well as the ceremonial and political centre of Chinese government.  Built from 1406 to 1420, the complex consists of 980 surviving buildings. The Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 and is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.
    forbidden-city-2.jpg
  • Stelae of Doctors at the Temple of Literature - <br />
Carved stone turtle steles with elaborate motifs are meant to honor both talent and to encourage study. The turtle is a symbol of longevity.  The doctors steles are a valuable historical resource for the study of culture, education and sculpture in Vietnam.  The Chinese engravings on each stele praise the merits of the monarch and cite the reason for holding royal exams.  The Temple of Literature's 82 steles engraved with the names of doctorate holders dating as far back as 1442 were recognized as a World Documentary Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2010.
    temple-of-literature-10.jpg
  • Hoi An Architecture - together with the Chinese and Vietnamese architectural gems, 19th century stucco houses that show both influences from east and west add to the color of this eclectic mixture. Most of these beautiful buildings are well preserved and show an nteresting mix of architecture - all of which gives Hoi An UNESCO World Heritage Status.
    hoi-an-river-1.jpg
  • Hoi An Architecture - together with the Chinese and Vietnamese architectural gems, 19th century stucco houses that show both influences from east and west add to the color of this eclectic mixture. Most of these beautiful buildings are well preserved and show an nteresting mix of architecture - all of which gives Hoi An UNESCO World Heritage Status.
    hoi-an-river-3.jpg
  • Interspersed with the Chinese and Vietnamese architectural gems are wooden and stucco houses that show both influences from east and west. Adding color to this already eclectic mixture are numerous examples of Hoi An's French Colonial past. These simple but elegant buildings (most of them well preserved or renovated) have given the Hoi An its UNESCO World Heritage Status.
    hoi-an-architecture-2.jpg
  • Sanbo-in is a Buddhist temple in southern Kyoto, famous for the quality of its Japanese garden.  The garden is designed as a strolling garden with a large pond and several paths and bridges and said to contain over 700 stones.  One of the stones, called the Fujito, is said to have cost over 5,000 bushels of rice to obtain. Sanb-in is also a noteworthy illustration of a landscape garden which is designed for viewing from a specific perspective within a building. Laid out in the Momoyama period, the garden depicts "fortuitous crane," the "tortoise" and the "isle of eternal youth" poetic terms that identify specific ways in which stones and ponds are poised in a prescribed, esoteric relationship. .Toyotomi Hideyoshi designed this garden as a venue for an extravagant cherry blossom viewing party.  Sanbo-in is subtemple of Daigoji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Treasure of Japan.IMAGE UNAVAILABLE FOR SALE IN JAPAN
    sanbo-in-8.jpg
  • Galle Architecture -  With the arrival of colonialism to Sri Lanka which is evident in the architecture. Very few buildings of the Portuguese era survives, however many building from the Dutch era can be found within the fort area of Galle built by the Dutch in the year 1663 which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many important historic buildings were built by the colonial governments. These were often built in one or another European architectural style, which was in fashion at the time such as the Palladian, Renaissance or Neo-classical styles.
    galle-architecture-2.jpg
  • Buddha Image and floral offerings at  The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - a Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka and UNESCO World Heritage site.
    sacred-tooth-kandy-2.jpg
  • Bhaktapur Durbar Square at Dawn - the workmanship of the temples here rivals those of Kathmandu and Patan. Durbar Square has a large open brick paved area in the centre surrounded by temples arranged in a harmonious layout for which UNESCO named Bhaktapur Durbar Square a World Heritage Site.
    durbar-square-bhaktapur-3.jpg
  • Yellow Sails on a Halong Bay junk.  Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the must-see spots of any visit to Vietnam.  Note that almost all boats are motor powered, and the sails are mostly decorative - so much so that they are not often unfurled.  Typically, a cruise on the bay involves a retrofitted junk, lots of food, kayaking and cave exploration.
    halong-junk-6.jpg
  • Sanbo-in is a Buddhist temple in southern Kyoto, famous for the quality of its Japanese garden.  The garden is designed as a strolling garden with a large pond and several paths and bridges and said to contain over 700 stones.  One of the stones, called the Fujito, is said to have cost over 5,000 bushels of rice to obtain. Sanb-in is also a noteworthy illustration of a landscape garden which is designed for viewing from a specific perspective within a building. Laid out in the Momoyama period, the garden depicts "fortuitous crane," the "tortoise" and the "isle of eternal youth" poetic terms that identify specific ways in which stones and ponds are poised in a prescribed, esoteric relationship. .Toyotomi Hideyoshi designed this garden as a venue for an extravagant cherry blossom viewing party.  Sanbo-in is subtemple of Daigoji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Treasure of Japan. IMAGE UNAVAILABLE FOR SALE IN JAPAN
    sanbo-in-4.jpg
  • With the arrival of colonialism to Sri Lanka, evident in the architecture, few buildings from the Portuguese period survive although many structures from the Dutch era can be found in the fort area of Galle.  Built by the Dutch in 1663 the fort has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Many important historic buildings were built by colonial governments who had at one time or another controlled Galle.
    galle-architecture-5.jpg
  • Sri Dalada Maligawa or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in city Kandy, Sri Lanka. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the tooth relic governs the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site partly due to the temple.
    sacred-tooth-kandy-3.jpg
  • Halong Bay Boat Crew - Crew taking a break on the deck of a junk on Halong Bay enjoying the UNESCO World Heritage views of Halong Bay even though they see these sights every working day, it is hard not to appreciate the scene, even if it is your own back yard.
    halong-boat-crew.jpg
  • Kiyomizu Dera Temple  - Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Not one nail is used in building the entire temple.  It takes its name from the waterfall within the complex grounds. In Japanese Kiyomizu means clear water or pure water.
    kiyomizu-3.jpg
  • Interspersed with the Chinese and Vietnamese architectural gems are 19th century wooden houses that show both influences from east and west. Adding color to this already eclectic mixture are numerous examples of Hoi An’s French Colonial past. These simple but elegant buildings, most of them well preserved or renovated.  This interesting mix of architecture has given the town its UNESCO World Heritage Status.
    hoi-an-architecture-9.jpg
  • Former Gorin Church is a restoration of Hamawaki Church which was built in 1881 and the second oldest wooden church after Oura Church in Nagasaki. In 1931 Hamawaki Church was reconstructed with a larger space. The dismantled materials were used for the construction of a church in the Gorin district. The restored church uses a rare combination of Japanese and Western construction methods.  It has an outer appearance of a traditional Japanese building but an interior consisting of a nave boarded rib vault ceilings.  It is no longer a church, but maintained by Goto City, and is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Nagasaki Hidden Christian sites.
    gorin-church-2.jpg
  • Galle Architecture -  With the arrival of colonialism to Sri Lanka which is evident in the architecture. Very few buildings of the Portuguese era survives, however many building from the Dutch era can be found within the fort area of Galle built by the Dutch in the year 1663 which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many important historic buildings were built by the colonial governments. These were often built in one or another European architectural style, which was in fashion at the time such as the Palladian, Renaissance or Neo-classical styles.
    galle-architecture-3.jpg
  • Galle Architecture -  With the arrival of colonialism to Sri Lanka which is evident in the architecture. Very few buildings of the Portuguese era survives, however many building from the Dutch era can be found within the fort area of Galle built by the Dutch in the year 1663 which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many important historic buildings were built by the colonial governments. These were often built in one or another European architectural style, which was in fashion at the time such as the Palladian, Renaissance or Neo-classical styles.
    galle-architecture-9.jpg
  • Former Gorin Church is a restoration of Hamawaki Church which was built in 1881 and the second oldest wooden church after Oura Church in Nagasaki. In 1931 Hamawaki Church was reconstructed with a larger space. The dismantled materials were used for the construction of a church in the Gorin district. The restored church uses a rare combination of Japanese and Western construction methods.  It has an outer appearance of a traditional Japanese building but an interior consisting of a nave boarded rib vault ceilings.  It is no longer a church, but maintained by Goto City, and is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Nagasaki Hidden Christian sites.
    gorin-church-3.jpg
  • Galle Architecture is an interesting mixture of colonial Dutch, English and Portuguese blended in with Sinahalese styles. Although few buildings of the Portuguese era survive, many buildings from the Dutch Colonial era can be found within the Galle Fort built in the year 1663. Galle Fort has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site largely because of its well preserved buildings.
    galle-architecture-7.jpg
  • Former Gorin Church is a restoration of Hamawaki Church which was built in 1881 and the second oldest wooden church after Oura Church in Nagasaki. In 1931 Hamawaki Church was reconstructed with a larger space. The dismantled materials were used for the construction of a church in the Gorin district. The restored church uses a rare combination of Japanese and Western construction methods.  It has an outer appearance of a traditional Japanese building but an interior consisting of a nave boarded rib vault ceilings.  It is no longer a church, but maintained by Goto City, and is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Nagasaki Hidden Christian sites.
    gorin-church-9.jpg
  • Hanoi Citadel or as it is officially known: The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Up until 2009, the citadel was a military base and was very much off-limits to visitors until 2010.  Hanoi Citadel occupies a large part of central Hanoi although few visitors come, imagining that it still a military base and closed to the public - despite its being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010. The citadel has been at the centre of military affairs in the capital for more than 1300 years and from here, North Vietnam's military commanders plotted their successful campaign against South Vietnamese and US forces during the Vietnam War.
    Hanoi-contrast.jpg
  • Former Gorin Church is a restoration of Hamawaki Church which was built in 1881 and the second oldest wooden church after Oura Church in Nagasaki. In 1931 Hamawaki Church was reconstructed with a larger space. The dismantled materials were used for the construction of a church in the Gorin district. The restored church uses a rare combination of Japanese and Western construction methods.  It has an outer appearance of a traditional Japanese building but an interior consisting of a nave boarded rib vault ceilings.  It is no longer a church, but maintained by Goto City, and is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Nagasaki Hidden Christian sites.
    gorin-church-7.jpg
  • Sri Dalada Maligawa or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in city Kandy, Sri Lanka. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the tooth relic governs the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site partly due to the temple.
    sacred-tooth-kandy-1.jpg
  • Shimogamo Shrine or Shimogamo jinja in Japanese is an important Shinto sanctuary in Kyoto.  Its official name is Kamo-mioya-jinja and is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan.  Importantly, it is one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
    shimogamo-11.jpg
  • Hanoi Citadel or as it is officially known: The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Up until 2009, the citadel was a military base and was very much off-limits to visitors until 2010.  Hanoi Citadel occupies a large part of central Hanoi although few visitors come, imagining that it still a military base and closed to the public - despite its being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010. The citadel has been at the centre of military affairs in the capital for more than 1300 years and from here, North Vietnam's military commanders plotted their successful campaign against South Vietnamese and US forces during the Vietnam War.
    hanoi-citadel-1.jpg
  • Kozanji Temple was founded by famous monk Myoe and is renowned for its numerous national treasures and important cultural properties, especially the picture scroll called Choju-giga. Toganoo, located deep in the mountains west of Kyoto which are famous for their autumn foliage, is considered an ideal location for mountain asceticism.  Kozanji was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rich collection of historical items rather than for its architecture.
    kozanji-3.jpg
  • Galle Architecture -  With the arrival of colonialism to Sri Lanka which is evident in the architecture. Very few buildings of the Portuguese era survives, however many building from the Dutch era can be found within the fort area of Galle built by the Dutch in the year 1663 which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many important historic buildings were built by the colonial governments. These were often built in one or another European architectural style, which was in fashion at the time such as the Palladian, Renaissance or Neo-classical styles.
    galle-architecture-4.jpg
  • Galle's colourful architecture and street scene it is no wonder that the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.  Many building from the Dutch era can be found within the fort area of Galle although it was originally established by the Portuguese and taken over by the British. Styles vary from Palladian, Renaissance to Neo-classical styles.
    galle-architecture-11.jpg
  • Maples and Stream at Kamigamo Shrine - Kamo-wake-ikazuchi-Jinja in the Kita Ward of Kyoto is the oldest Shinto shrine in the ancient city. Since prehistoric times Kamigamo-jinja has preserved and transmitted the legends relating to the birth of the shrine deity, Wakeikazuchi. The area contains many large trees such as oaks, suda chinquappins and weeping cherry trees coexisting in harmony. Kamigamo-jinja was officially registered IN 1994 as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in recognition of its importance as a monument of ancient Kyoto.
    kamigamo-shrine-05.jpg
  • Kongobuji Temple Gate - Kongobuji is the head temple of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, located on Mount Koya. Its name means "Temple of the Diamond Mountain" and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    kongobuji-temple-1.jpg
  • Kiyomizu Dera Temple Pagoda  - Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Not one nail is used in building the entire temple.  It takes its name from the waterfall within the complex grounds. In Japanese Kiyomizu means clear water or pure water.
    kiyomizu-2.jpg
  • Former Gorin Church is a restoration of Hamawaki Church which was built in 1881 and the second oldest wooden church after Oura Church in Nagasaki. In 1931 Hamawaki Church was reconstructed with a larger space. The dismantled materials were used for the construction of a church in the Gorin district. The restored church uses a rare combination of Japanese and Western construction methods.  It has an outer appearance of a traditional Japanese building but an interior consisting of a nave boarded rib vault ceilings.  It is no longer a church, but maintained by Goto City, and is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Nagasaki Hidden Christian sites.
    gorin-church-4.jpg
  • Hanoi Citadel or as it is officially known: The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Up until 2009, the citadel was a military base and was very much off-limits to visitors until 2010.  Hanoi Citadel occupies a large part of central Hanoi although few visitors come, imagining that it still a military base and closed to the public - despite its being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010. The citadel has been at the centre of military affairs in the capital for more than 1300 years and from here, North Vietnam's military commanders plotted their successful campaign against South Vietnamese and US forces during the Vietnam War.
    hanoi-citadel-4.jpg
  • Bath House of Sri Dalada Maligawa or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth on Kandy Lake -  Since ancient times the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the tooth relic governs the country. Kandy is a UNESCO world heritage site partly due to the its famous temple.
    sacred-tooth-temple-13.jpg
  • Sanbo-in is a Buddhist temple in southern Kyoto, famous for the quality of its Japanese garden.  The garden is designed as a strolling garden with a large pond and several paths and bridges and said to contain over 700 stones.  One of the stones, called the Fujito, is said to have cost over 5,000 bushels of rice to obtain. Sanb-in is also a noteworthy illustration of a landscape garden which is designed for viewing from a specific perspective within a building. Laid out in the Momoyama period, the garden depicts "fortuitous crane," the "tortoise" and the "isle of eternal youth" poetic terms that identify specific ways in which stones and ponds are poised in a prescribed, esoteric relationship. .Toyotomi Hideyoshi designed this garden as a venue for an extravagant cherry blossom viewing party.  Sanbo-in is subtemple of Daigoji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Treasure of Japan.IMAGE UNAVAILABLE FOR SALE IN JAPAN
    sanbo-in-7.jpg
  • Sanbo-in is a Buddhist temple in southern Kyoto, famous for the quality of its Japanese garden.  The garden is designed as a strolling garden with a large pond and several paths and bridges and said to contain over 700 stones.  One of the stones, called the Fujito, is said to have cost over 5,000 bushels of rice to obtain. Sanb-in is also a noteworthy illustration of a landscape garden which is designed for viewing from a specific perspective within a building. Laid out in the Momoyama period, the garden depicts "fortuitous crane," the "tortoise" and the "isle of eternal youth" poetic terms that identify specific ways in which stones and ponds are poised in a prescribed, esoteric relationship. .Toyotomi Hideyoshi designed this garden as a venue for an extravagant cherry blossom viewing party.  Sanbo-in is subtemple of Daigoji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Treasure of Japan. IMAGE UNAVAILABLE FOR SALE IN JAPAN
    sanbo-in-10.jpg
  • Sri Dalada Maligawa or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in city Kandy, Sri Lanka. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the tooth relic governs the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site partly due to the temple.
    sacred-tooth-kandy-6.jpg
  • Guardian at Bhaktapur Durbar Square with its large brick-paved area in the centre, surrounded by temples arranged in a harmonious layout named by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
    guardian.jpg
  • Daigoji Temple guardian within Daigoji temple complex, a UNESCO world heritage site that includes many temple halls, structures and pagodas including Kyoto's oldest building.
    daigoji-guardian.jpg
  • Halong Bay literally Descending Dragon bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes.  Local legend has it that long ago, when the Vietnamese were fighting Chinese invaders, the gods sent a family of dragons to help defend the land. This family of dragons began spitting out jewels and jade. These jewels turned into the islands and islets dotting the bay, linking together to form a great wall against the invaders. The people kept their land safe and formed what later became the country of Vietnam. After that, dragons were interested in peaceful sightseeing of the Earth and decided to live here
    halong-floating-village-2
  • Cruising Halong Bay in a junk is one of  Vietnam's musts, as you can choose  luxury boats with antique accommodations and five star food, or a budget backpacker boat. Spending time on the junk, you’ll not only savor a unique feeling in a world of wonder but also enjoy such activities as photography, fishing, kayaking, and even on-board cooking classes.  Not to mention the UNESCO World Heritage views of Halong Bay itself.
    halong-boat-deck-2.jpg
  • Cruising Halong Bay in a junk is one of  Vietnam's musts, as you can choose  luxury boats with antique accommodations and five star food, or a budget backpacker boat. Spending time on the junk, you’ll not only savor a unique feeling in a world of wonder but also enjoy such activities as photography, fishing, kayaking, and even on-board cooking classes.  Not to mention the UNESCO World Heritage views of Halong Bay itself.
    halong-boat-deck-1.jpg
  • Karst Reflection at Halong Bay - a UNESCO World Heritage site - the bay features thousands of limestone karst isles in various sizes and shapes. Legend has it that long ago when the Vietnamese were fighting Chinese invaders the gods sent a family of dragons to help defend the land. These dragons began spitting out jewels and jade. These jewels turned into the islets dotting the bay linking together to form a great wall against the invaders. The people kept their land safe and formed what later became the country of Vietnam. After that, dragons were interested in peaceful sightseeing of the Earth and decided to live here.
    halong-karst-2.jpg
  • Halong Bay literally Descending Dragon bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes.  Local legend has it that long ago, when the Vietnamese were fighting Chinese invaders, the gods sent a family of dragons to help defend the land. This family of dragons began spitting out jewels and jade. These jewels turned into the islands and islets dotting the bay, linking together to form a great wall against the invaders. The people kept their land safe and formed what later became the country of Vietnam. After that, dragons were interested in peaceful sightseeing of the Earth and decided to live here
    halong-karst-3.jpg
  • Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace "Nirayama Hansharo” was once an iron smelting facility in Izu, Shizuoka. The furnace represents the beginnings of modern iron production in Japan. The furnace received world heritage status in summer 2015 among other sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution which include Miyanohara Coal Mine, Nagasaki Shipyards, Miike Coal Mines, and others.  Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace represented the most advanced technology of the time, and iron produced there was cast into cannons.
    nirayama-reverbaratory-3.jpg
  • Halong Bay Junk at Monkey Island - Cruising Halong Bay in a junk is one of Vietnam's musts - you'll not only savor unique views of the bay but also enjoy such activities as photography, fishing, kayaking, and even on board cooking classes not to mention the UNESCO World Heritage views of Halong Bay itself.
    halong-junk-2.jpg
  • Taking a junk or boat on Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the highlights of any visit to Vietnam.
    halong-bay-night-2.jpg
  • Sigiriya, or Lion's rock, is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient fresco paintings which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India.  Sigiriya was built during the reign of King Kassapa I and it is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.  The Sigiriya rock is a hardened magma plug from an extinct and long-eroded volcano. It stands high above the surrounding plain, visible for miles in all directions.
    sigiriya-5.jpg
  • Sigiriya, or Lion's rock, is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens. Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient fresco paintings which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India.  Sigiriya was built during the reign of King Kassapa I and it is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.  The Sigiriya rock is a hardened magma plug from an extinct and long-eroded volcano. It stands high above the surrounding plain, visible for miles in all directions.
    sigiriya-4.jpg
  • Sigiriya, or Lion's rock, is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient fresco paintings which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India.  Sigiriya was built during the reign of King Kassapa I and it is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.  The Sigiriya rock is a hardened magma plug from an extinct and long-eroded volcano. It stands high above the surrounding plain, visible for miles in all directions.
    sigiriya-1.jpg
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