Great of Wall of China
Brief History
The Great Wall of China was originally built to protect the boarders that separate Chinese Empire and Xiongnu in 5th-16th century BC. During the construction, an estimate of three million Chinese workers died and the Wall had to be revived several times just to preserve its historical origins. That time, the only construction materials used were only stones and wood.
The Great Wall of Today
Today, the Great Wall of China is not only one of the great wonders in the world but also the one noticeable work of art visible to human eye from the outer space. The entire wall stretches four thousand miles from east to west. The peak wall, which is known as the Ming Wall, is surely a top-of-the-world breathtaking view everyone must explore.
Due to erosions and sandstorms, the height of the Wall is reduced to less than a couple of meters. Many construction workers believe that if most sections of the Wall are made up of mud, the Wall is susceptible to the hazards of soil erosion.
What to See in Great Wall
Traveling to Beijing is incomplete without visiting the Great Wall. The Great Wall is the heart of Beijing and there are three remarkable here. These are North Pass or better known as the “Badaling.” The Badaling is mainly used for the protection. It is 7.8 meters high and 5 meters wide.
The second area is the “West Pass” or the fort situated near the western edges of the Wall. The last area is the “Pass of Shanhaiguan” or the fort near the eastern edges of the Wall.
On the south east side is the “Mutianyu.” This is the Wall that connects the Juyongguan Pass in the west and the Gubeikou in the east. Walking through this 1.3 miles path can really be good for your heart and legs.
Another must-see attraction in the Great Wall is the “Liao Tian Ling.” This is the wall in the west part and is completely short compared to others, only two or three stories high. The stone used in constructing Liao Tian Ling is filled with high-quality metal resulting to its silvery appearance all the time.
The most stand-out area in Great Wall is the “Ming.” It is situated at the peak portion of the Wall and it runs eleven kilometers long, five to eight meters in height, six meters from the bottom and five meters across the top.
Being there!
These days, visiting the Great Wall is as easy as eating pie. All you need to do is go online, book for some Beijing Travel Packages and without knowing it, you’re all packed for the adventure of a lifetime. Near the Great Wall are the Local Inns waiting for your arrival.
There are also 4-5 days tours to choose from. Usually, a Beijing Travel Service will already include your personal tour guide, your driver and a series of convenient amenities like shooting and spa.
Palawan: The Philippine Pride
Palawan is a long and thin island in the Philippine Archipelago, stretching 650 kilometers from northeast to southwest. The whole island is blessed with hectares of lands and tropical forests. The Puerto Princesa, its capital city, is known as the nature’s lovers paradise due to its various beaches and wildlife reserves.
There are various attractions in Palawan and the truth is; one day is not enough to explore all these greatness. Let’s name the three of the great unseen but famous attractions. The first is the Calauit Game Preserve & Wildlife Sanctuary in Calauit Island, Busuanga is one of those extraordinary game reserves of exotic and endemic animals from Africa. If this place is still not enough for you, you should be heading in National Road, Barangay Irawan to see the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. This center is the home of the endangered species of crocodiles and also houses a mini-zoo for other endemic animals in Palawan. Also in Busuanga is the diving hub of Coron Bay. Here, the best activities are not limited to snorkeling but alo open to safari exploration and collecting rough limestone along the cliff.
Three of the unforgettable natural wonders in the world are found in Palawan. These are El Nido Natural Reserve, Tabon Caves and Tubbataha Reefs. The 96,000-hectare of El Nido offers only the best verdant landmasses and azure seascapes. Myriad marine life is found in El Nido, from sea cows, manta rays to the tropical fishes, it’s all here!
The El Nido Resorts are also known for its hidden lagoons, palm forests, orchids, and offshore cruise points. The accommodation inside these resorts is cozy. They provide range of recreational facilities and aqua sports equipment necessarily for your get-go.
The Tabon Caves is truly an archeological treasure as this is the home of series of twenty-thousand-year-old fossils, artifacts preserves and other livelihood implements. The caves are located in Lipuua Point, Quezon, Palawan, just 155 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa.
The 33,000 hectares of Tubbataha Reefs, which is located 98 miles southeast of Puerto Princesa, are the Philippine Largest Marine Reserve where you can immediately find manta rays, reef sharks, a plethora of tropical fish, and giant sea turtles around the corner. If you are a marine biologist, you’ll surely enjoy your stay at Tubbataha.
The great national park is in Palawan. The Subterranean River National Park boasts its exquisite stalactites, glass-ice texture of seawater pools, different species of animals and opaque verdant forest.
Boracay: The Philippine Summer Escapade
Most Filipinos can think of only one place when the summer sun is on. The place is one of those tropical island situated just 200 miles south of Manila going two kilometers northwest of Panay in Western Visayas. The place is also under the administrative supervision of Philippine Tourism Authority. Who doesn’t know the place? Who doesn’t want Boracay?
These days, traveling to Boracay includes series of perks and gems. First off is the means of transportations. Rides are found everywhere. You can ride motor-tricycles, mountain bikes, quadbikes and motorbikes. Bancas and trampolined-boats are to be rented when you want to tour the island by water.
Boracay is a perfect summer destination due to its cool weather brought by Amihan and Habagat. These two are seasonal patterns and Amihan means the cool wind coming from the northeast while Habagat means wind from the southwest.
The Amihan weather strikes every September, October or sometimes, it’s May or June. When Amihan begins, daytime temperatures start in 25-32 degrees Celsius stretching to 28-38. On the onset of Habagat, the island experiences tropical storms and temperatures fall to twenty degrees Celsius.
Apart from the tropical weather, Boracay is also the centerpoint of luxurious hotel, amenities, and fun-filled activities. The moment you step on the white sand, there are three stations you can choose from. The location of Station 1 is the right place for you when you seek for peace and tranquility. The Station 3 is the area for cheap lodgings while the Station 2 is for those who want to stay near the island’s bars.
Resorts, Food & Events…
There are over 3500 resorts scattered all over the place and the decision where to stay depends upon the tourist. Room prices vary from time to time and for this, it is advisable to take advantage of the off-peak rates. The rooms are usually expensive during the summer season but it’s still best to ask for any discount packages.
The Casa Camilla Boracay is one of those affordable hotels in the island of white. The hotel is located at the boat station three. Another is M.R. Holidays Hotel. This is a two-storey building with thirteen rooms and also near the beach.
The Fat Jimmy Resort in station two is also a good choice. Here, the prices agree to your budget and the place offers the basic amenities you need daily. Other rooms to consider are: JMBS Cottages, Freckless Resort and Bamboo Lounge.
A trip to Boaracay is not a delight without splurging the food. Exquisite buffets and restaurants are all over and you must try the Aria’s Italian Food, the True Food’s Indian Cuisine and the Sea Wind’s Buffet. After eating, getting massage is ideally for grabs. Various and skilled masseuses are all over the place and having them in your side is a relaxation delight never to forget.
Special events are held in Boracay annually. The Asian Windsurfing Tour, Boracay International Funboard Cup and Dragon Boat are just three of the many activities. In fact, the Olympic Council of Asia declared that Boracay will host the 2014 Asian Beach Games.