Hong Kong is a major tourist destination with its blend of Chinese culture and western influences. Historically, Hong Kong has had a turbulent past with British rule, the Japanese invasion during the Second World War and most recently, the handover of Hong Kong from the British to China in 1997 when the 99 year lease expired.

Hong Kong's population is predominantly Chinese with the vast majority practicing Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. There is also a sizeable Christian community as well as Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. Festivals take place throughout the year and anyone visiting Hong Kong should check the festival calendar to make the most of his or her trip. Many festivals are very lively and colorful with the Chinese New Year being particularly spectacular.

Hong Kong has so many major attractions and tourists visiting for the first time may find it difficult to choose from the variety of attractions on offer if they are only visiting for a short time. To make the most of Hong Kong's attractions, a week is usually enough to take in most of the major sights. Fortunately Hong Kong has a modern, clean and efficient transport system with its Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and Kowloon Canton Railways (KCR) allowing visitors to reach most of the main sights quickly and cheaply. The Star Ferry linking Tsim Sha Tsui, Central District and Wan Chai is a must see with its' spectacular views of the harbour.

For families with children, Hong Kong has two huge amusement parks with Ocean Park lying in the southern district and Disneyland which is based on Lantau Island. Other visitor attractions include the panoramic views of Hong Kong and its' harbour from Victoria Peak which can be reached by taking the peak tram. The views of the harbour at night time are particularly breathtaking. For shoppers, Hong Kong is a shopping paradise with its' Ladies Market, Temple Street Market in Kowloon and Mongkok which is the largest shopping centre in Hong Kong. For people who want to sun bathe and relax, there are some beautiful beaches at Repulse Bay. Finally no visit to Hong Kong would be complete without a visit to Lantau Island to see the Tian Tan Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery. The Buddha is the largest outdoor bronze statue in the world but visitors will have to walk up 260 steps to see the statue up close.

These are just some of the wonders of Hong Kong and anyone visiting for the first time will have their senses overwhelmed by the sights, sounds and tastes of this wonderful destination. Further information about Hong Kong can be found at gotravelhongkong.com. As with any other popular destination, Hong Kong is a very busy tourist destination throughout the year and it is always wise to book your hotel or arrange your travel plans in advance to avoid disappointment. For travellers or holiday makers lucky enough to stay in Hong Kong for longer periods than one week, the islands offer a wealth of entertainment, temples, historical sights, Chinese and international cuisine, festivals and breath-taking scenery to make your visit a memorable one.

Taking in the beauty that nature has gifted mankind, we at times take it for granted and don't appreciate delicateness and its wonder. But, situated in the southern regions of Bangalore, one will find a true gift to nature, that being the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens.

Travel 4 kilometres away from the M.G. Road along the southern outskirts of Bangalore and feast your eyes on the marvel that is the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. One of the oldest in the city, the garden itself is over two centuries old. Not only is it one of the oldest gardens, but it is also one of the most assorted botanical gardens in the whole of South Asia.

The Lalbagh Botanical Gardens was ordained by Haider Ali, one of the Mysore rulers in 1740, who was also Tipu Sultan's father. Much of the tropical varieties of flora and fauna were in fact brought into the gardens by Tipu Sultan himself. One of the highlights of the garden is the Glass House which was designed after the famed Crystal Palace of London, by the wish of the then superintendent to the gardens, John Cameron. It was also, this very man who imported the likes of certain rare varieties of horticulture from the Kew Gardens in London, giving the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens the prestige of rare foliage. One of the things visitors should also notice are the elaborate and ancient irrigation system that is still utilised by the gardens to this date.

Home to many sights of grand trees such as Pencil Cedars and Champake Trees, the gardens are also home to sub-tropical trees and vegetation. Also the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens are home to marvellous displays of artsy flower beds that give the gardens a sense of relaxation and peace on sight. One of the highlights of the gardens however, is the Snow White and Seven Dwarfs display that is found alongside the floral clock. A gift from the Hindusthan Machine Tools company, this attraction is loved my many and is considered an ideal place for a 'Kodak' moment.

Do take the opportunity to visit this marvellous and wonderful garden, and be awed by the beauty that nature presents us before your eyes. Stay at the likes of one of the Bangalore luxury hotels and be enamoured by the serenity and calm of Lalbagh Botanical Gardens upon your visit. One such Bangalore hotel is none other than the Ista Hotel Bangalore that offers guests comfort and relaxation in all of its accommodation options along with its amiable hospitality and much more.

Situated between Nuwara Eliya and Haputale, The Horton Plains National Park is a highland plateau lying at an elevation of 2100 m. Containing the island’s highest plains, the park is characterized by a unique mountainous forest and eco system not found anywhere else in Sri Lanka. The virgin cloud forest and deep red Rhododendron flowers that blossom abundantly in the mist covered highlands gives an aura of mystic beauty to Horton Plains. The sanctuary is also home to a varied animal life including the much sought but elusive leopard. Grazing herds of Sambar are a common sight on the plains while the cries of monkeys are often heard though the animals themselves are rarely seen. In addition, many endemic and rare amphibian and reptile species are also a part of the region’s rich biodiversity.

Horton Plains contains one of Sri Lanka’s most thrilling sights; World’s End. The sheer escarpment falls dramatically perpendicular for 884 m providing a panoramic view of southern Sri Lanka. Towards noon, the rising mist obscures the vision from World’s End creating the impression that the visitor is truly perched at the end of the world. A lesser escarpment known as Small World’s End precedes the former providing a glimpse of the grand sight in store. Another popular attraction in the park is Baker’s Falls, which is located somewhere towards the middle of the trek and makes for an ideal resting place for a picnic before you set off again.

The reserve is of immense scenic and ecological value while its many attractions render a visit to the site, creating an adventurous and rewarding experience. Hence, the mysterious Horton Plains has proven to be one of the most magnetic tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. A sense of magical charm pervades the region rendering a stay in Nuwara Eliya the source of a lifetime of special memories. Choosing to lodge at a Nuwara Eliya luxury hotel will undoubtedly add a touch of colonial elegance and comfort to a visit to the city. Located in a serene environment with a sweeping view of the golf links, Jetwing St. Andrew’s provides its guests with premier facilities coupled with warm Sri Lankan hospitality. Its stately charm and convenience adds a visit to the Garden City of the island a truly enchanting experience.

Author: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

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Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - The Many Attractions of Horton Plains

The culture, the food, the atmosphere of Bangkok is truly any traveler's delight. Whether you want to roam the city, go shopping, golfing or just sight seeing, this is a city that will not disappoint.

When speaking about culture, an intricate part of any culture is art, music and dance, so to understand the true heritage of this mystic filled country a visit to the world famous Siam Niramit should be on any tourists list of things to do.

This famous show in Bangkok draws crowds from all-around and is one of the most breath taking events that take place in Thailand. Siam Niramit is a spectacular performance that magnificently showcases the culture and heritage of Thailand.

Located in the midst of Bangkok, this show performance uses the modern and the traditional stagecraft to amplify and astound its viewers. With over 150 performers and more than five hundred costumes at display, this show is an exciting experience and inspirational event to witness. Making use of the newest technologies in special effects and entertainment in order to amplify the history of Thailand, this show will be a journey through time and space that is sure to leave fond and unforgettable memories in your mind.

If you thought Siam Niramit was just a great show you're quite mistaken. Spread out across ten acres you are sure to find other attractions that complement the performance being held at the main stage. The traditional Thai village and the Thai buffets available around are sure to please your taste buds. The many traditional arts, crafts and Thai keepsakes sold in the shops are rather enjoyable to go through and choose.

To find one of the most convenient Bangkok serviced apartments in the city, why not try the Bangkok Royal President? This Bangkok Sukhumvit hotel with its mix of old world charm and modern living places is one of the most perfect places to escape to after an exhilarating night at the Siam Niramit.

By far one of the biggest tourist attractions are the beaches of Sri Lanka. Serving several purposes than those in search for the perfect tan, beaches in this tropical paradise have always been a crowd puller. Take a pick from secluded alcoves of Arugum Bay to some of the more populace sun kissed beaches of Colombo. Curl your toes in to sand that could vary in texture and colour, watch the sunset or sunrise over waters that shade from anything between turquoise to emerald green.

The satin coastal belt of Sri Lanka stretches 1,330 kilometres. The water sports, entertainment and leisure activities are seemingly endless. Diving is also a popular activity in Sri Lanka, as part of the island is bordered by a large coral reef. Take a dive at Wellawatte beach and find an old ship wreck, in Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa is where a plethora of marine life and corals can be found. Snorkelling another popular activity will be heavenly in the east coast around Pigeon Island off Nilaveli, which is situated close to Trincomalee. Here, visitors can expect to find large fish such as whale shark, tuna, barracuda and four species of turtle.

Surf enthusiasts won't be disappointed at one of Sri Lanka's best and possibly one of the world's most reputed beaches, when setting off to Arugam Bay. Hikkaduwa and Mirissa have also been popular beaches for surfing in Sri Lanka. The beautiful golden sands of Galle and the turquoise oceans that kiss its shores are more noteworthy for being safe to swim in.

Apart from the myriad of water sports to engage in, certain beaches in Sri Lanka are known to have great dining options. Seafood being bought fresh off the boat and made to a both international and local fare, from gourmet to fast food options can be found. Towards the south of the island are the popular party districts on the beach. Hikkaduwa, Arugum Bay and Unawatuna are famed for beach parties and cheaper accommodation, with a sprinkling of luxury resorts. Beaches such as Negombo located just a few miles from the International airport also favour a sprightly nightlife with a blend of dining and resort options. Sri Lanka is fast emerging to become an undiscovered paradise of Asia. With a bountiful harvest of every possible entertainment and leisure option, Sri Lanka should be on any tourist's itinerary. For more details on what you can see and do on your Sri Lanka beach holiday , visit TrulySriLanka. This website is one of the most trusted and valuable travel portals on Sri Lanka travel Sri Lanka travel.

Travel to India is surely a delightful and exciting experience but the only thing that is required is the perfect setting up. India is a land of wonders that exhibits the travelers the bamboozling range of lifetime experiences. The world's highest mountain peaks, a never ending desert, rich flora and fauna and unusual wildlife makes the topography of the country good. India is a lovely mixture of the great geographical as well as cultural variety.

The well off backwaters of Kerala and never ending white, sandy beaches provide a a great taste of the paradise, however the world class dive sites beneath the warm corals of the Andaman and Nicobar islands just wait for the exploration. The very old forests in Madhya Pradesh, royal mosques and temples, along with gorgeous coastline, are just good enough to lure the most jaded visitor. And if you are looking for more, then the India's cookery are considered to be the world most finest culinary.

South India travels are among the most knowledgeable, competent and service oriented trip organization which is run by a group of experienced people in the country.

You will always be welcomed to experience the sensitive south by the invasions all through its history. As compared to other regions of the country south India as well as Indian heritage is more integral.

South India has been fascinated with the world because of its mystical ethnicity, civilization divided and also united by its multiplicity, a land that has been enhanced by richness of its culture. South India travel offers different tour packages which includes- religious tours, spice tours, rail tours, bikes hikes tours, tribal tours, cultural tours, and boat tours. Pick any of the packages and enjoy the thrill of south India. The whole region is blessed with rich culture and heritage and that's what makes it totally different from others.

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Singapore is one of the best destinations in the South East Asia. The city is packed with plenty to do during your stay, from sentosa beaches to historical highlights of colonial past to the high rise modern shopping centres. Singapore has something for everyone, from history and culture, to water parks and world class nature attractions for the whole family.
What to See:
1. Underwater World:- Underwater world Singapore, situated on Sentosa Island of Singapore, is one of the Asia's most exciting oceanarium (Large aquarium). This place offers tourists the opportunity to look at different ocean creatures from a collection of 2500 marine life of 250 species from around the region. One of the main attraction is the Night ocean discovery program which starts on 7pm daily and here the tourists get an opportunity to view a totally different world where ocean creatures come to life as night falls.
2. Jurong Bird Park:- This is one of the world's largest bird park, having a collection of more than 8000 birds from 600 species, which offers tourists an experience that is entertaining and educational. Out of the four walk-in aviaries, the nicer one is the water fall aviary, the world's biggest man made water fall ,which home to more than 1500 free flying African birds. A must see is the penguin parade and their All Stars show at Amphitheatre.
3. Night Safari:- It is one of the most famous tourist attraction in Singapore. It is an open air zoo in a forest that is open only in the night, which can be viewed by walking or by tram. The guest can view 1000 nocturnal animals of 100 species in their natural habitats. The animals are divided into eight zones according to the various geographic regions from which they belong like Southeast Asian rain forest, African Savana, Nepalese river valley, South American Pambas and Burmese Jungle.
4. Art Museum:- The Museum houses 7000 Singapore and Southeast Asian modern and contemporary artworks and around 1000 international works . The collection consists of paintings, sculptures, multimedia installations, drawings, prints, photographs etc. Some of the famous works exhibited here includes works done by Leonardo da vinci, Liu Kang, Cheng Chong Swee, Lim Tze Pen, Chang Tien. The museum is open between 10am to 7 pm from Sunday to Monday and approximate time to complete the museum will be around one hour.
The other major attractions in Singapore are China Town, Little India, Botanical Gardens and Snow City.
Where to Stay: There are many hotel options available in Bahrain , few among those are ' Sentosa Resort, Traders Hotel, Rasa Sentosa Resort, Hilton, Conrad Continentall, Ascott , Amara, Naumi, etc. Most visitors can select from a wide choice of hotel accommodation to fit all pockets, ranging from 5 star comforts to cheap hotels. There are enough online reservation websites available, where Bahrain visitors can search for cheap hotels, luxury hotels, Car Rentals etc.
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To book discounted hotels online, click here Singapore Cheap Hotels - Online hotel reservation. To take a look at more articles just like this one, click here Free Articles - A free online article directory .