The ruins of Ani have always been on my bucket list and I wanted to see them for myself. While I was studying in Istanbul a few years ago, I booked a flight to Kars, the closest city to Ani. However, in a cruel twist of fate, I missed my flight and the opportunity to […]
Tag: religion
5 things to do in Armenia
Armenia is a small country yet has enough things to see that warrants more than just a hurried visit. Travelling around Armenia is easy and convenient. From the capital city of Yerevan, you can reach pretty much everywhere in just a few hours. That means no terrible night buses or whole days spent travelling, and […]
Your guide to Armenia: The church edition
A trip to Armenia is not complete without visiting at least one of its beautiful monasteries. In fact, it is hard to avoid them since they are built in some of the most amazing landscapes in Armenia. Armenia is the oldest surviving Christian country in the world and that speaks volume of the richness of […]
Qilian, a hidden gem waiting for you to discover!
Known as the Switzerland of the East in books, Qilian is a picturesque town that you would not expect in Asia. Yet ask a Chinese tourist where Qilian is and you will probably expect a confused look. Despite how journalists describe Qilian, it never became a famous place. Moreover, its remote location deters tourists from […]
7 things you can do in Qinghai in China
Before visiting Qinghai in China, I must admit that I have not heard of this province! Ironically Qinghai is the fourth largest province in China, yet many people are unaware of its existence. What is there to see in Qinghai? Here are 7 amazing things you can do in Qinghai to justify the effort getting […]
Why you should visit the Sertar Buddhist Institute, and fast
Earlier on I wrote about how I sneaked into the Sertar Buddhist Institute, or Larung Gar. Was it worth all the effort? I dare say it was one of the best decisions ever. Sertar Buddhist Institute is not like any other religious institutes. It is the largest Tibetan Buddhist institute, set 4,000m above sea level […]
This is how a sky burial looks like:
I always believed that the Tibetan culture is the most mysterious and intriguing one in the world. Indeed, I fell in love with whatever they believed in while I was travelling in Tibetan China. Tibetans are the most pious and devoted people I have seen. To them, their religion is their life. Every Tibetan strives […]
8 Things to do in Kunming
Also known as the “Spring City”, Kunming in Yunnan, China is famous for its amazing weather all year round. Due to its high elevation, daytime temperatures are usually around 15 – 25 degrees Celsius. If you are looking to escape the summer heat or the winter frost, Kunming is an excellent choice. Here are 8 […]
Why you should visit Yunnan when in China
Yunnan is seldom on the international tourist radar, simply because everyone is going to Beijing and Shanghai. While Yunnan cannot provide the glitz and glamour that the big cities are proud of, it offers what you can never find in the coastal regions of China. Here are nine reasons why you should visit Yunnan the […]
Wat Pha Sorn Kaew, Thailand’s Most Beautiful Temple
You have seen many temples, but I am sure never something like Wat Pha Sorn Kaew. Wat Pha Sorn Kaew is arguably the best representation of a new era of Buddhist architecture. Set on a mountain peak, the various temple buildings are decorated with more than five million mosaic and pottery pieces. My initial thoughts […]
