China – VAGABOND IMAGES

Six most restricted countries you might be traveling next

Upendra SwamiAugust 27, 20191120 Views2

According to the pro-democracy think tank Freedom House, internet freedom is declining all around the world. Censorship is being ramped up on everything from social media or e-commerce websites to search engines. Interestingly, many of the countries with the strictest rules and highest censorship are also popular tourist destinations. “With this in mind, it’s wise to check if your next travel destination has any internet restrictions. Especially if you are planning to do some work there,” says Daniel Markuson, digital privacy expert at NordVPN. “One of the most powerful tools to avoid such internet censorship is a virtual private network. Both travelers and locals use VPNs to access the internet with no limitations.” Antalaya, Turkey Tourist destinations with mo...

IndiaInternationalNews

A beautiful ‘Assumption’ leading to discontent!

Upendra SwamiFebruary 18, 20181172 Views0

Almost 5,500 kms from Delhi, far down in Indian Ocean just about 600 kms from coast of Tanzania in Africa, an unimaginably beautiful tiny island with an area of just 11.6 sq. km is a source of discontent because of India. It must be something we rarely know about, but despite its small size Assumption Island, which is part of the Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles has a lot to cherish about. Debate is about India’s plan to make a Naval base at the island. Much to the concern of environmentalists and Seychellois, this island has already been leased out to India for 20 years and just 20 days back India and Seychelles signed a military agreement to develop the Naval base. Good things first. Often called the jewel in the crown of Seychelles, Aldabra is the world’s second largest coral at...

InternationalNews

A Dali for this year’s Lantern Festival in Taiwan

Upendra SwamiJanuary 24, 20181111 Views0

A beagle-inspired handheld lantern for the 2018 Lantern Festival was unveiled at Taipei recently with long ears that “flap” when the lantern moves and a special belly that casts a paw-shaped shadow. Representing the upcoming Year of the Dog in the Chinese zodiac, the lantern is designed in the shape of man’s best friend and is replete with interesting features. The way the ears are attached to the head ensures they flap whenever the lantern is carried, said lantern designer Lin Chia-wei. “There are also hollow cuts of paws on the dog’s belly, creating cute paw shadows on the ground,” Lin said. The lanterns are also decorated with iconic images of Chiayi County, where the annual festival will be held from March 2-11. These include Alishan forest railway, art works from the Southern Bran

InternationalNews

Lost temple discovered after 1,000 years in China

Upendra SwamiJune 4, 20171246 Views0

Chinese archaeologists have found a famous temple that remained hidden for nearly a millennium in China's southwestern Sichuan province. The Fugan Temple, located in downtown Chengdu, was a famous temple that lasted from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317- 420) to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). Daoxuan, a famous Tang Dynasty (618-907) monk, once wrote that an official rite to pray for rain to end a persistent drought was held in front of the temple, and it rained as if the prayers had been heard in heaven. The story was the record of how the temple got its name, Fugan, which means "perceive the blessing." The popular Tang Dynasty poet Liu Yuxi left a poem to commemorate the temple's renovation, describing its heavenly appearance. The poem further noted the temple's important role at

International

Light Up the Night with Color at Hong Kong Disneyland

Upendra SwamiMay 26, 20142182 Views0

Using a magic paintbrush and his vivid imagination, Sorcerer Mickey will light up the night with dazzling colors at the launch of “Disney Paint The Night”, the new nighttime spectacular coming to Hong Kong Disneyland in October 2014! The parade will mark Hong Kong Disneyland's newest chapter after the completion of its three-part expansion project last year. It will appeal to both families and young adults, further boosting the attendance and business of the resort. “Disney Paint The Night” will immerse guests in the color, energy and magic of an all-new nighttime spectacular through interactivity, inviting them to paint the night with their favorite colors. Harnessing the scintillating power of Tinker Bell’s pixie dust, Mickey has enchanted his brush and painted visions inspired

InternationalNews

An airport at half the Everest’s altitude

Upendra SwamiOctober 20, 2013972 Views0

Daocheng Yading Airport, the world’s highest civilian airport, which is located 14,472 feet above sea level, began operations this month in China’s Sichuan province in a remote Tibetan region of China. The new airport is approximately 98 miles from Yading Nature Reserve in the eastern part of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Yading is known as “the last Shangri-La” for its untouched lands and breathtaking scenery. The new airport will cut travel time from this provincial area to the city of Chengdu from two days to just 65 minutes. Additional flights to cities including Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing are scheduled to commence in the future. China’s Tibet Autonomous Region has recently experienced a surge in tourist arrivals, with numbers rising 19.6 percent for the period of J...

IndiaNews

More Indians going to China

Upendra SwamiAugust 12, 2013953 Views0

Whatever the political situations might be, even the border tension between the countries has not been able to deter Indian tourists from flocking to China. It started as a trickle a decade ago and is turning out to be a flood as China has steadily emerged as a new destination for Indians who are going to Chinese cities in droves, lured by budget tours and low cost shopping attractions. Over six lakhs Indians visited China last year taking advantage of the affordable group tour packages offered by Chinese tour groups. Name any top Chinese city, you can find Indian tour groups visiting places like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xian. It highlights the growing trend in the communist giant's tourism sector. It appears that the 'Mysterious China' campaign unleashed by Chinese tour operators...