Archive for the ‘Asia’ Category

Delhi is the largest metropolis of India by area and in terms of population it is the second largest. It is also known as National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). The city is divided in two parts, the Old Delhi and the New Delhi. New Delhi is the capital of India and Old Delhi was the capital during Shah Jahan kingdom named Shahjahabad. Delhi is famous for culture, architecture and human diversity with too many invaluable monuments and landmarks of love.

FIRST
Red Fort (Lal Qila)
Also famous as Indian language Lal Qila or Lal Qilah, Red Fort is the famous and most popular landmark in Delhi. It is the place where Prime Minister of India raises flag of India on Independence Day. Red Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it was built in the 15th century by Mughal emperor Shahjahan and served as the capital then.

In 1857 it came under the British Indian government when the then Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was exiled. Till 1947, when India got independence, the British India government used the fort as military camp.

Red Fort

SECOND
Qutab Minar
Qutab Minar or Qutub Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world. Build in the 12th century, the minar is of 72.5 meters tall. Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler in India started the construction of the minar in 1193. In 1386 Firuz Shah Tughluq made the topmost storey. This minar is one of the first examples of Indo-Islamic architecture, and prominent too.

THIRD
Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid, opposite to Red Fort, is one of the main attractions of Old Delhi. Jama Masjid was build by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1656 AD. Shah Jahan is that famous emperor who build Taj Mahal.

Jama Masjid is the largest and also the best known mosque in India. Named in Persian language as Masjid-i-Jahan-Numa that means World-reflecting, Jama Masjid lies at the origin of Chandni Chowk, a busy central street in Old Delhi. The courtyard of Jama Masjid holds about 25,000 worshippers.

FORTH
Humayun’s Tomb
Humayun Tomb was built by the wife of Mughal Emperor Humayun’s in 1562 CE. It is an example of Persian architect and was designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyath. It is a garden-tomb and was the first of such kind in the Indian subcontinent. It is located in Nizamuddin East, which is very close to Old Fort or Purana Qila, the Dina-panah citadel. In 1993 Humayun Tomb was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The complex of Humayun Tomb houses tomb of Emperor Humayun, grave of his wife Hamida Begum and Dara Singh, the son of Emperor Shah Jahan.

FIFTH
Old Fort or Purana Qila
Old Fort is actually the inner citadel of the city of Dina-panah. It was founded by Humayun, the second Mughal Emperor. The construction of the fort started in 1533 and it was completed in five years. In 1540 Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun and renamed the fort as Shergarh. However, he died after five years and the next Suri Empire was not so strong. Humayun defeated new Suri and regained the citadel.

India Gate

SIXTH
India Gate
Known as the national monument of India, India Gate is one of the largest memorials of the country. It is one of the famous landmark in New Delhi where people love to spend evenings and weekends with their family, friend or spouse.

India Gate was originally called All India War Memorial. It was commemorates to 90,000 soldiers who lost their lives fighting against for British India Army in World War I and Afghan Wars. Now it is the site of the Indian Army’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier called Amar Jawan Jyoti.

SEVENTH
Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk is the busiest street of Old Delhi running between Lahori Darwaza (Lahore Gate) of Red Fort or Lal Qila to Fatehpuri Masjid and is also one of the oldest markets there. Originally Chandni Chowk means moonlit square and it was originally called Shah Jahanabad in the name of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It was designed by his daughter Jahanara Begum Sahib.

Chandni Chowk near Jama Masjid

EIGHTH
Lotus Temple
Also known as Bahai House of Worship, Lotus Temple is a prominent attraction in New Delhi. The temple was built in 1986 where people of any religion can offer prayer. The temple is in the shape of lotus flower with twenty-seven free-standing marble clad petals in cluster of three.

NINTH
Tughlaqabad Fort
Tughlaqabad Fort was built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq in 14th century. The fort is very big, stretching across 6.5 km. It is now a ruined fort in New Delhi. The Mausoleum of Ghiyas-ud-Tughlaq is also connected to the fort.

TENTH
Dilli Haat
Delhi Haat is a craft bazaar in New Delhi. Stall or crafts from corners of India can be seen here.

Manila, better known as Maynila for the Fillipinos, is the capital city of Philippines. It is also known as the gateway to the well vacationed Philippine Islands. If you are on a visit to Philippines for some fun in the sun then you should stop along the way and find out what Manila has in store for you and for your family!

Here are top 10 things that you can do in Manila.

FIRST
Roller Skating – Rizal Park is one of the largest parks in South East Asia. One can experience a greenery of about one hundred and fifty acres here. Apart from the sightseeing of the Japanese Garden or Chinese Garden one can also enjoy the free music concerts and the roller skating rink in this park. Natives performing Tai Chi and other martial arts is something special to see here.

SECOND
Shopping – Manila is also well known for shopping. Here one can enjoy shopping too much. There are many shops and stores that line Manila’s streets. One thing to take note, Manila celebrates all the major Christian holidays, so on these days most of the shops and stores stay open. On these celebrating days there may not be bus or taxi cab service available in the city.

THIRD
Swimming – Jed’s Island Resort is famous for swimming. It is on the McArthur Highway of Calumpit, Bulacan. It is widely known as a vacation resort and is the perfect place in Manila to enjoy. It has a huge swimming pool with fishing and boating areas. One can also go horseback riding, play volleyball, tennis, or basketball on the land. Kids playing space is also available there.

FORTH
Water Fun – For more of swimming and for more of water fun, one can visit Splash Island. It is a huge park having huge swimming pools, water slides, rides, and many more to have fun with family and kids.

FIFTH
Riding – The Enchanted Kingdom, one of the most popular amusement parks, features 11-story roller coaster, a gigantic Ferris wheel, and 7-areas where one can ride and play with family. The areas are Brooklyn Place, Boulderville, Jungle Outpost, Midway Broadwalk, Portobello, Spaceport, and Victoria Park.

SIXTH
Sunbathing – Sunbathing on White Beach is awesome. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Here one can swim, relax, lie in the sun, go walking, and also take advantage of other activities there with family.

SEVENTH
Sightseeing – Intramuros is very famous for sightseeing. The word Intramuros means “inside the walls.” It is a fort built by the Spaniards in the late 1500s and its walls are 20-feet high and more than mile long. In past Intramuros protected several rich mansions, churches, and schools. Sad to inform that this fort was destroyed in the year 1945 when America fought to regain the city from the grips of Japanese.

Intramuros has been rebuilt to some extent. From here one can see Casa Manila, The Manila Cathedral, Fort Santiago, the Rizal Shrine Museum, and many more interesting structures.

EIGHTH
Relaxing – Visitors usually prefer The Lotus Garden Hotel in Manila. It is a 6-floor building and offers plenty of rest and relaxation. The hotel offers a good night’s sleep, car rentals, massages, a spa, Internet access, television and maid service.

NINTH
Celebrating Christmas – All the major Christian festivals are celebrated in Manila. One can celebrate Christmas like never before in Asia. Christmas is one of the biggest holidays in Manila. There are parties galore starting from mid of October everywhere in Manila.

TENTH
Taking in the Night Life – Loud music is common in Manila. It is also known for its colorful night life. Here one can find bars and other places to mingle like the Jazz Rhythms and the Hard Rock Cafe. Watching performers in theaters watch performers and performing oneself by checking out a karaoke bar are common here.

—————————-
Want to know Philippines more? Read Philippine Studies magazine.