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Traveling to Xinjiang: China’s Wild West
Xinjiang is one of China’s most unique regions and one truly worth exploring if you have time. Xinjiang is far from what most would imagine China to be. Uyghurs, the majority group living in Xinjiang, are culturally distinct from most Han Chinese. Aside from their physical features, they mostly practice Islam, speak Uyghur, and have their own cultural traditions. Although a part of China, traveling to Xinjiang almost feels as if one is in an entirely new country. One can describe it as China’s Wild West. Sayram Lake I had limited time in Xinjiang, so I tried to visit the most accessible places from Urumqi. One place was Sayram Lake,…
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Backpacking in Sudan
When I tell my friends I went backpacking in Sudan, the response I usually get is, “Sudan? Why?” Like most people, I had limited knowledge of Sudan; my image was entirely shaped by the mass media. When I envisioned Sudan, I thought about rebels on the back of pick up trucks riding with long rifles, and hungry children roaming the streets. My experience was far from that, in fact, it was the opposite. When I arrived in Khartoum it was probably the most peaceful city I ever set foot in. Wherever I went, I was greeted with the Arabic words “As-salām ‘alaykum.” I truly felt at home in this foreign…
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Day Trips From Tokyo
Many travelers visiting Japan will fly into Tokyo and spend a few days here before heading off to their next destination. For those with limited time in Japan that can’t afford to go far or just have a few extra days to spare, here are four places you can visit if you’re looking for day trips from Tokyo. 1) Kamakura: A small city about an hour by train from Tokyo famous for its temples, beach, and giant Buddha. From Tokyo Station, take the JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura Station. 2) Hakone: A mountainous area west of Tokyo, 1-2 hours away by train, famous for its hot springs, scenic views, relaxed…
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Dali: One of the Most Scenic Places in China
Yunnan is often regarded by Chinese locals as the most beautiful province, and after visiting, I couldn’t agree more. I visited Dali, one of the most scenic places in China and was absolutely stunned by its natural beauty. If you’re in China, Dali is one place you should visit. How to get to Dali Assuming you’re not already in Yunnan province, first you’ll need to fly to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan. Next, you’ll need to decide whether you want to go to Dali by bus, train, taxi, or plane. There are several night trains leaving Kunming from 8 to 11 that take about 6-8 hours on average. You can…
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Which Section of the Great Wall is the Best?
Contrary to what most people believe, the Great Wall is not one long continuous wall, but rather multiple walls. Each part of the wall is unique and not so unique in its own way. Many travelers often have trouble deciding which part of the Great Wall they’d like to visit. With so many walls to choose from, travelers are often left wondering, “Which section of the Great Wall is the best?” The most popular part of the wall is Badaling and consequently the part you will want to AVOID, especially during Chinese holidays and weekends. A simple Badaling Google search is all you need to see to deter you from…
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How to Travel to Tibet Without a Tour
Many people often ask, “How can I travel to Tibet without a tour?” The process, while it seems difficult, is actually straightforward and a lot easier than you think. Tibet is generally defined as Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) located in western China. While this is true, Tibet, the cultural region, extends much further into China. One can visit additional parts of Tibet in Gansu, Sichuan, Qinghai, and Yunnan provinces. These provinces, plus TAR make up what is known as the three traditional regions of Tibet: Lhasa, Kham, and Amdo. Kham encompasses parts of northern Yunnan Province and western Sichuan Province. Amdo extends into parts of Sichuan Province, Qinghai Province, and Gansu Province. Lhasa…
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The Warmth of Humanity in Inle Lake, Myanmar
My journey through Myanmar was a memorable one, not simply due to the abundance of culturally rich historical sites, but due to the warm spirit and hospitality of the Burmese people. In particular, one family I met in the Inle Lake area. My last day in Myanmar was inspiring and I will be forever grateful for such a day. I spent my last day in Myanmar around the Inle Lake area; having spent a number of days cruising around the lake and hiking, I decided to spend my last day relaxing and riding my bike around the surrounding areas. For just a $1, I rented a bike from my hotel and set…
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Two Days in Kuala Lumpur
My friend MJ and I rode the plane from Busan to Kuala Lumpur excited to take our first real vacation outside of South Korea. For me, Malaysia was the 5thcountry I visited, but it felt like the first official for me. Up until this point, I had taken trips to Japan, The Philippines, Thailand, and South Korea, all either with family or with funding provided by my parents. I had paid for this trip and in essence, felt like I was becoming a true adult. We spent two days in Kuala Lumpur, hardly enough time, but good enough to get a feel for the city. Day 1 Arriving at Kuala…
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Hiking the Rice Terraces of Banaue
When you think of the Philippines, most people envision beautiful beaches, and while the Philippines does have those, many are unaware of the incredible rice terraces of Banaue. These terraces, which are often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, are hands down my favorite place in the Philippines. These terraces were carved into the mountains by the indigenous people, largely by hand, over 2000 years ago! If you’re in the Philippines, hiking the Rice Terraces of Banaue is a must! How to Get There? Ask your hotel/hostel to reserve a ticket beforehand. The earlier the better as the seats fill up fast. A one way ticket costs 470PHP…
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Backpacking Hopkins, Belize: A Hidden Gem
Most people have never heard of Hopkins, Belize, and for those that have, it’s likely not on your to-do list in Belize. Hopkins isn’t heavily promoted like other destinations in the country, but I’d argue that it is Belize’s greatest hidden gem. Short History on the Garifuna of Hopkins Hopkins is a unique small town populated by the Garifuna people. The Garifuna are descendants of West African, Central African, Island Carib, and Arawak people. It is said that Spanish ships carrying West African slaves (likely Nigerian) found themselves ship wrecked in 1635 on the island of St. Vincent. The slaves escaped and found refuge among the local Carib-Arawak people.…
