architecture

Queen Victoria Building (QVB)

james.bell — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:44:51 +0100

455 George Street,
Sydney.

The Queen Victoria Building is renowned for its romantic architecture which can be contrasted with the contemporary buildings which surround it in the centre of Sydney. This shopping centre was built in 1898 to replace the Sydney markets and the building which houses the mall was originally used as a concert hall, library and town offices by Queen Victoria.

There are currently 200 shops in the mall where you will find whatever you are looking for, and even if you don't like shopping you should go to the Queen Victoria Building just to see its beautiful architecture. There are even guided tours available.

The most significant feature within the building is the large central dome which is surrounded by a number of small domes. There are also permanent and temporary exhibitions which include replicas of the British Crown Jewels, an oriental car, paintings and the royal clock.

Sydney Guide

Sydney Harbour Bridge

james.bell — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:27:47 +0100

5 Cumberland Street,
Sydney.

Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the most renowned bridges in Australia. It was opened in 1932 and is still marvelled at for its design and its magnitude. Why not try to climb all 200 stairs which will lead you to Pylon Lookout enabling you to view the whole city, as well as renowned attractions such as Sydney Port and Sydney Opera House.

You can also visit BridgeClimb which enables you to reach the highest point of Sydney Harbour Bridge, or discover its history at the Pylon Lookout museum which displays objects and tools used to make the bridge as well as information about JJC Bradfield, the engineer responsible for building the bridge.

The museum also includes a model of the bridge and a display showing the construction process. The galleries will unveil some of your burning questions such as how many rivets where used during the building process and how many people crossed it before it was opened.

Sydney Guide | Monuments in Sydney

Koishikawa Kōrakuen Garden

james.bell — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:00:35 +0100

1-6-6 Koraku,
Bunkyo-ku,
Tokyo

Koishikawa Kōrakuen Garden was designed in 1629 and is Tokyo’s oldest and prettiest park. It covered around 65 acres of land when it was built by the Mito Tokugawa Family as a second residence in Edo, the former name of the Japanese capital, Tokyo. However, today it is around 17.5 acres as it was reduced in size during Tokyo’s modernisation phase.

The garden was landscaped using Chinese stones, plants and fountains and is renowned for its glowing beauty in the spring when everything starts to bloom and in the autumn when the trees change colour.

The garden has many Chinese elements and it is one of the only Japanese gardens which has been declared National Historical Site.

If you need to find a place of peace and tranquillity within the stress of the city, you should go for a walk in the gardens beside Osensui lake and disconnect from the hustle and bustle.

Tokyo Guide

Tokyo Tower

james.bell — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:24:05 +0100

4-2-8 Shiba-Koen,
Minato-ku,
Tokyo

Tokyo Tower is the Japanese replica of the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris and is used as a transmission antenna. It is 9m higher than the Parisian Tower, weighs 4,000 tonnes and is painted red and white.

The tower was built in 1958 and is the tallest metal structure in the world, standing at 333m high. Although it has never been quite as popular as its French twin, it is worth going up the tower to the observation points, even just to have a bird's eye view of the city. You can stop at the main observation point which is at 150m or climb even further up the tower to the observatory at 250m. From this point you will be able to see Mount Fuji on a clear day.

Apart from the observation levels there are tourist attractions within the tower. For example, Tokyo Tower Wax Museum, Trick Art Gallery, shops and restaurants. The Gallery Aquarium has a collection of 50,000 fish and it is one of the most popular attractions at the tower.

Tokyo Guide

Sensō-Ji

james.bell — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:14:10 +0100

2-3-1 Asakusa,
Tokyo.

If you want to discover the traditional Tokyo and escape the infinite skyscrapers which crowd the city, you should go to the Asakusa where you can wander through the old streets, temples and shops.

Sensō-Ji Temple, also known as Asakusa Kannon was built in 645 AD and is the oldest temple in Tokyo. Each year, around 20 million people visit the temple which was dedicated to the god Kannon and has become one of major tourist attractions in the city.

The main entrance to the temple is via Hozomon or Treasure Gate. The area around the temple is very commercial and there are lots of kiosks and markets where you can buy Japanese biscuits known as osembe, Japanese scarves which are tried around the forehead and are called hachimaki, and souvenirs.

In Sensoji Temple you will be able to see a huge censer, O-koro. According to the tradition, the fumes from this censer strengthened the weak and cured illnesses. If you have time you should also go to the Demboin garden which is near the temple and is an oasis of tranquillity and spirituality.

Tokyo Guide

Sensō-Ji

james.bell — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:14:10 +0100

Tokyo Guide

Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall

james.bell — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:40:52 +0100

U-thong Nai Road,
Bangkok.

Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall was a former reception hall located within the grounds of Dusit Palace. This building dominates the area with its white marble walls and its neoclassical and Italian Renaissance style architecture. It was originally used as the seat for Thai Parliament; however, today it is used to welcome foreign mandates and to host state meeting and royal events.

Below the central dome which crowns the building is the throne room which is elaborately decorated. There are also secondary domes which beautifully al fresco decorated by the Chakri dynasty. From the long room on the upper floor you will be able to see impressive views of the Royal Square.

Bangkok Guide | Historical buildings in Bangkok

Vimanmek Palace

james.bell — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:32:27 +0100

Ratchawithi Road,
Bangkok

Vimanmek Palace was originally built as a summer residence for the Thai Royal Family; however, it was rebuilt in 1901 by King Rama V and is the largest mansion made of golden teak in the world.

It has 81 rooms and is surrounded by the luxurious Dusit gardens. Behind the walls of the palace are some remarkable treasures such as the oldest typewriter in the world with Thai characters, as well as the very first indoor bathroom in Thailand, furniture, porcelain, photographs and royal carriages.

Bangkok Guide | Historical buildings in Bangkok

Wat Phra Kaew -The Temple of the Emerald Buddha

james.bell — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:16:58 +0100

Na Phralan, Phra Nakorn,
within Gran Palace, Bangkok.

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is considered the most important Buddha Temple in Thailand. It is located in the historic centre of Bangkok, inside the Grand Palace and displays a sculpture of a jade Buddha which dates back to the 15th century.

The statue sits on top of a platform and is dressed in different outfits throughout the year. It has a suit which it wears to celebrate important rituals in the presence of the King of Thailand which is said to bring luck to the whole country.

This temple is decorated with statues and pagodas and there are guided tours of the temple in English which explain the history of the building.

Bangkok Guide | Temples in Bangkok

Wat Pho – The Temple of the Reclining Buddha

james.bell — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:08:59 +0100

Thai Wang Road and Maharat Road,
Bangkok

Wat Pho is the largest temple in Bangkok and is home to a colossal sized, gold plated, reclining Buddha, measuring 46m long and 15m high. Within the grounds of Wat Pho there are about 1,000 Buddhas which originate from Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, two Thai cities.

Each year, thousands of visitors come to see the world's largest reclining Buddha in Wat Pho and make a wish by placing a coin in one of the pots on the walls of the temple. Or, if you want to try a Thai massage, you can have one at the temple massage centre.

Bangkok Guide | Temples in Bangkok