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Pyongyang

Pyongyang (Korean: 평양, P'yŏngyang) is the capital city of North Korea, with about 2,750,000 inhabitants. It is on the Taedong River in the southwest of the country and is known as the Capital of the Revolution.

Understand
Pyongyang is the capital city of North Korea, and also a "showcase city" where people have a markedly higher standard of living than elsewhere in the country. Many of the nation's tourist attractions can be found here and will likely form part of most travel itineraries to North Korea.

Largely destroyed during the Korean War in 1952, it was rebuilt to be a model city to boost morale in North Korea. The Russian-style architecture features wide boulevards and lots of green space and decoration. The streets are laid out in an orderly grid, and the city is divided into self-sufficient urban neighborhoods all with similar amenities nearby. As movement is restricted in the city, it stands out among large Asian cities for being spacious, uncrowded, and quiet.

History
Pyongyang has been an important city in the region for millennia. In the 300s and 400s, it was the capital first of Nanglang and then of the Goguryeo kingdom. Historically an important commercial center, in the 16th through 19th centuries it became the center of Christian missionary work in Asia.

When Korea was split after the end of World War II, the Soviet Army entered Pyongyang, and it became the temporary capital, which was later made official with the founding of North Korea. During the Korean War, it was largely destroyed as a result of the largest aerial raid of the entire war. With help from the Soviet Union, it was quickly rebuilt.

Get in
see also North Korea entry requirements and formalities

Nearly all visitors arrive either by plane or train from Beijing. You will need a visa before you travel and the authorities will need a minimum of 2 weeks to process it.

By plane

International flights use a new terminal opened in summer of 2015, featuring more seating, an expanded duty-free store, and additional amenities. The new terminal imposes a US$1 parking fee when exiting the lot.

Air China member of the Star Alliance, announced the resumption of thrice-weekly flights to Pyongyang in 2023, but as of February 2024 does not appear to be actually flying them yet. When available, Air China is preferred by most to Air Koryo due to its far more modern fleet of Boeing 737s.

Air Koryo operates flights to Beijing on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. These leave Pyongyang at 09:00 and return to Pyongyang from Beijing at 13:00.

The cheapest flights in and out of Pyongyang are to Shenyang for US$180 one way on Air Koryo, with service Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

If you are in a position to buy tickets within the country, they are on sale in the Youth Hotel's Air China office, which is about 10 km north-east of the city. They provide a free 30 kg baggage allowance. Tickets may also be purchased online through travel agents who typically interact with either the Beijing or Berlin Air Koryo offices. Expect to pay US$300-320 for a one-way ticket to Beijing.

By train
There are two international train services to Pyongyang, from Beijing (via Dandong and Sinuiju) and Moscow (via Zabaikalsk, Dandong and Sinuiju). Western foreigners will usually be denied entry to North Korea by train (except for those specially chartered by tour companies).

For trains arriving at (평양역), foreigners must exit via the side door at the far end of the station from the gates. Don't join the scrum with the North Koreans, as you won't be allowed to leave via the same door. If you have transported anything via freight on the train, you'll have to go back the next day to pick it up. The (not very busy) customs office is around the back of the building, and is shut between 12:00 and 14:00. There are no charges for collecting customs-cleared goods, and the bureaucracy is fairly simple, especially compared to the chaos of the Beijing railway station.

Get around
Tourists to North Korea will need to be accompanied by an accredited guide or guides, who will arrange where you can visit and how you will get there. However, personal visitors of foreign residents in Pyongyang are free to go around by themselves, unless explicitly told not to by Korean authorities. This can happen, but is not always the case.

By metro
The metro system has two routes. However, if on a package tour, your short trip on the metro will be organised in advance. Only visitors of foreign residents may use the entire metro. Despite being old, the trains run quite efficiently, and are phenomenally cheap at ₩5 per journey irrespective of distance. The biggest drawback to this form of transport is that the metro is only on the west side of the river, while Munsu dong, where all foreign residents live, is on the east side.

By taxi
Taxis can be taken, but drivers are wary of accepting foreigners. One exception might be the Koryo Hotel, near the railway station. Expect the driver to check with the hotel that he is allowed to take you. Generally around €5 will cover a medium distance one way journey, although the rate for foreigners is US$1/km before 18:30 and US$2/km in the evening.

By trolleybus
Foreign residents cannot use buses normally, but sometimes, a tour group sometimes organises the tour of the trolleybus system. However, getting around Pyongyang by trolleybus can be quite tricky, as the numbers displayed on the dashboard are not route numbers - they are the stopping pattern of the route. Routes itself are not numbered, only the stopping patterns, and routes itself are named after destinations.

See

Day trips

 * Mangyongdae, the purported birthplace of Kim Il Sung, is 12 km from central Pyongyang and a good day trip. A collection of huts said to be the Leader's first home is the main attraction. The suburb also features a revolutionary museum, a funfair and a revolutionary school for the children of the elite.
 * The Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery, around 15 km north east of the city, is a good day out. You walk up 300 steps, through gardens with hidden speakers playing mournful music, to fairly identikit bronze busts set on marble plinths. Seriousness, of course, is mandatory. Taking photos is fine, and on a clear day there are magnificent views over the city. At the foot of the hill there is a zoo and a park. One can visit both, at a small charge, although they are sometimes shut. As you approach, the metro terminus is on the right; it takes around 40 minutes to get back into town on the metro. In the zoo itself are a lot of tigers, dogs and chickens. The two Korean breeds of dog (the lighter coloured is the northern, the darker the southern one) are separated from one another by a steel fence and spend most of their lives barking at each other - quite an appropriate metaphor.
 * Some of the tombs of the UNESCO World Heritage listing Complex of Goguryeo Tombs are located in the Taedong river basin outside Pyongyang.
 * Panmunjom, the surreal truce village on the DMZ and demarcation line of North and South Korea, is an unforgettable historical site easily visited on a day trip from Pyongyang.

Do
Normally, tourists in Pyongyang are restricted to guided tours. Personal visitors to foreign residents are usually free to wander around, though they may also be placed under the care of a guide.

Buy
Shopping options are limited. A few department stores exist but have very few things of interest to a visitor. Locals only shop from speciality stores selling groceries and other basic items. Arts and crafts and souvenirs can be purchased in places such as tourist sites and hotels. Some extremely sought-after North Korean souvenirs are metal lapel badges depicting the faces of one or more of the three Kims. They can be difficult for foreigners to acquire; it is often easier to buy them at home on eBay or similar auction sites. There have been reported cases of these badges being seized by customs at departure.

There are several competing prepaid cards available around town, which reduce the hassle of carrying money and change. The ubiquitous and oldest is from the Trade Bank (무역은행), and is available at the Pyongyang Shop in the Embassy district. Its balance is recorded at the hard-currency exchange rate. Guangbok and some stores dealing in local currency offer a card from the Central Bank (중앙은행) with a balance of local won. The Ryugyong commercial bank also offers a card accepted by the Ryugyong shop.

There are several government-run markets, selling a wide range of foods, as well as consumer goods such as shoes and DIY materials. The majority of these products are imported, but some local goods can be found as well. The prices for local products are extremely low by western standards, and the sellers are generally honest although prices are negotiable. These markets are identifiable by their blue, hemispherical roofs. However, apart from Tonghil market, foreigners are generally treated with caution. Indeed, do not be surprised if you are gently, but firmly, escorted from the building. There is no harm in this, providing you comply.

Tonghil market is perhaps the most interesting, as there are many relatively wealthy Koreans shopping there for items many other North Koreans are unable to afford. You need won to shop at these markets, which can be exchanged for hard currencies on the second floor. Photography is prohibited. In Tonghil, be aware that some theft does occur, although it is minimal.

The list of stores known to be open to foreigners consists of:

Eat
Local residents generally eat at home, and as such the Pyongyang restaurant scene is lacking. You will normally eat dinner at your hotel. There are a number of small diners in the city, but they are mostly aimed at local workers and have rather spartan fare—boiled corn, kimchi, some fish or squid, white rice. The legal situation surrounding these semi-private establishments is complicated, and foreigners are not advised to eat at them. A famous local specialty of Pyongyang is cold noodles (랭면 raengmyeon); ask your guide if (s)he can give you some opportunities to try it.

There are, however, several restaurants well-suited for tourists.

Drink
There are few bars and clubs to which foreigners are allowed, although North Korean beer is available at hotels. Some may also offer Chinese and other foreign beers, such as Heineken. The local draught beer is excellent, and costs from €0.50 to €1.40.

There are three main places, apart from restaurants and hotels, where foreign residents go to socialise; the old Diplomatic club, near the Juche tower by the river, the Friendship, inside the Munsu dong foreigners' compound, and the Random Access Club (RAC), run by the UN, also inside the foreigners' compound.

Provided that transport (difficult) and permission (less difficult) is obtainable, all of these can be visited. The RAC Friday nights are legendary (not in an "Ibiza" way, though), although what passed for nightlife has dwindled as foreign aid organisations have left the country during 2009.

Sleep
This will be arranged by your tour company.

Stay safe
Pyongyang is a very safe city for foreigners who follow the rules. See the main article for safety information about North Korea.

In addition to the standard emergency numbers (119 from fixed-line phones, 112 from mobile phones), for medical emergencies in Pyongyang, you can also dial.

Connect
The country code for North Korea is +850, and the area code for Pyongyang is 2 (and possibly also 195), dialed and written domestically as 02. Phone numbers in Pyongyang beginning with 381 (e.g. +850 2-381-xxxx) can be called internationally, and can only make international calls and calls to other 381 numbers. Businesses with such a phone number will usually have a 381 number for international calls and a 382 for domestic calls.

Foreigners staying in Pyongyang can sign up with Koryolink mobile phone service. The setup fee for a SIM card and voice service will be either $80 or €80. Signing up for 3G data costs an additional €180. Fees for the mobile service are $8/month for voice and $14/month for data. The included data plan provides 50M of data. The phone network available to foreigners does not interconnect with the network used by citizens.

Hotels aimed at foreigners may be able to provide Internet access, although it should be requested in advance. If you do not have Internet access and need connection the easiest option is likely to schedule a visit to your embassy.

Embassies
Most foreign embassies in Pyongyang, except for the Chinese and Russian embassies, are in the Munsu-dong area. Citizens of European Union (EU) countries not represented in Pyongyang can seek consular assistance from other EU embassies instead, such as the German or Polish embassies. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Nordic Countries and Australia can get limited consular assistance from the Swedish embassy, although usually only in emergencies. These citizens are also recommended to contact their country's embassy in Seoul or Beijing.

* The Swedish Embassy offers limited consular help to citizens of Australia, Canada, the United States and the Nordic countries. They also handle Schengen visa applications for Italy, Spain and the Nordic countries.

Go next

 * Nampho

title: Pyongyang


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Pyramid Lake

Pyramid Lake is a lake in Nevada, United States. Enclosed entirely within the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe reservation, it is the end point for the Truckee River which begins at Lake Tahoe.

Understand
A large lake (188 sq mi/487 km²) in Western Nevada, the terminus of the Truckee River rising in the Sierra Nevada and flowing out of Lake Tahoe. Since the lake has no outlet, salt and other soluble minerals accumulate making the water about 1/6 as salty as sea water.

Pyramid Lake is of great significance to the area's natives, the Paiute people who have lived in the area for centuries.

History
This is the largest remnant of Lake Lahontan that formed during ice ages, reaching an area of square.

Flora and fauna

 * Cui-Ui (Chasmistes cujus), a type of sucker, found nowhere else and classified as endangered.
 * Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi), native to the Lahontan-Humboldt sub-basin of the Great Basin, but decimated by water withdrawals, pollution, dams, competition with introduced fish species and interbreeding with introduced Rainbow Trout and classified as threatened. Pyramid Lake originally had a relatively long-lived strain of this species that was adapted to the lake environment and grew large enough to prey on adult tui chub.
 * Tui Chub (Gila bicolor), up to 18" (45 cm), but averaging about 10" (25 cm.)

Climate
The large lake that does not freeze in winter has a moderating effect that reduces seasonal and diurnal variations. Due to the open water, temperatures tend to remain above freezing when it is significantly colder away from the lake. Likewise the water moderates summer heat.

From Reno
Take the NV 445 north.

By plane
The nearest airport is Reno-Tahoe International Airport in Reno.

Do

 * Fish for Lahontan Cutthroats. You will need a tribal permit (a Nevada fishing license is not needed). Fishing is mostly by trolling or flycasting from stepladders. Fishing season is October 1 to June 30.
 * Visit hatcheries for Lahontan Cutthroats and Cui-Ui

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Pyramid Lake


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Pyramids

"Pyramids" is a general travel term referring to a large number of man-made structures with similar characteristics, namely, an expansive rectangular base, with sides tapering to a point above the centre of the base.

While many people usually associate them with the ancient cultures of Egypt and Central America, the pyramids, both ancient and modern, can be found at a variety of locations around the globe, including:

Egypt

 * Cairo/Giza — the most famous pyramids of all, the Giza Pyramids, just outside modern Cairo
 * Abusir
 * Dahshur
 * Meidum — one of the earliest pyramids built by the ancient Egyptians
 * Saqqara

France

 * Paris/1st arrondissement (central Paris) — the Louvre Museum is home to the most famous modern pyramid, built in glass and steel

Guatemala

 * Iximche — Mayan ruins
 * Tikal — impressive Mayan ruins

Italy

 * Rome/Aventino-Testaccio — the Italian capital has a famous steep-sided pyramid, built as an ancient cenotaph for a nobleman's tomb

Mexico

 * Chichen Itza
 * Palenque
 * Teotihuacan — some of the largest pyramids of the world in what was once the largest city of the Pre-Columbian Americas

Sudan

 * Meroë — the site of the pyramids built by the Nubians, the southern neighbours of the ancient Egyptians
 * Merowe — downriver from Meroë, Jebel Barkal near Merowe is the site of another set of Sudanese pyramids

United States of America

 * Las Vegas — a large pyramidical structure is to be found at a Las Vegas casino
 * Long Beach — the gymnasium for the basketball and volleyball teams on the California State University, Long Beach campus is an impressive 18-story-tall blue pyramid
 * San Francisco — the Transamerica Pyramid is an iconic skyscraper built in the shape of a very narrow pyramid

title: Pyramids


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Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Pyrénées-Atlantiques is in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Cities

 * Cambo-les-Bains
 * Morenx
 * Oloron-Sainte-Marie
 * Orhez
 * Orisson
 * — in sight of the Pyrenees and home to a renaissance château. Enjoy a ride on the funicular railway.
 * Saint-Palais
 * Bidart
 * Orisson
 * — in sight of the Pyrenees and home to a renaissance château. Enjoy a ride on the funicular railway.
 * Saint-Palais
 * Bidart
 * Saint-Palais
 * Bidart

Get in
Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne International Airport has connections from a number of European cities.

title: Pyrénées-Atlantiques


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Pyrénées-Orientales

Pyrénées-Orientales is a department in Occitanie, France.

Cities and towns

 * — where the flag of Catalonia flies beside that of France
 * - Beautiful seaside town with historic fort
 * — (Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via) ski resort with a friendly micro-climate
 * — a walled town at 1600 metres heavily fortified by Vauban in the late 17th century, still extensively used by the French army. Between here and Olette lies perhaps the most scenic section of the route of Le petit train jaune.
 * — the small village of Casteil is on the road above this and is the nearest access point for the monastery of Saint Martin du Canigou. The even smaller village of Fillols with a beautiful Romanesque church is a pleasing walk away from Vernet-les-Bains.
 * — perfectly walled village and the eastern terminus of Le Petit Train Jaune, a highly scenic stretch of rail with wonderful viaducts
 * — a walled town at 1600 metres heavily fortified by Vauban in the late 17th century, still extensively used by the French army. Between here and Olette lies perhaps the most scenic section of the route of Le petit train jaune.
 * — the small village of Casteil is on the road above this and is the nearest access point for the monastery of Saint Martin du Canigou. The even smaller village of Fillols with a beautiful Romanesque church is a pleasing walk away from Vernet-les-Bains.
 * — perfectly walled village and the eastern terminus of Le Petit Train Jaune, a highly scenic stretch of rail with wonderful viaducts

Other destinations

 * is a peak of 2921 m, but in summer it doesn't demand specialist climbing skills in summer.
 * is an exclave, a Spanish town surrounded by France.
 * is a village with an international railway station, with trains to Barcelona (broad gauge), Toulouse (standard gauge) and Villefranche-de-Conflent (narrow gauge), plus bus to Andorra.

Get in
Perpignan is easily accessible by train from NE Spain and from Paris and southern France. There is also an airport.

By train
High-speed TGV trains connect Perpignan with Paris direct in 5 hours. Many smaller towns are connected with regional TER trains. Additionally, there are overnight Intercités de Nuit trains from Paris to Latour-de-Carol and to Cerbère. Regional Spanish trains, connect Barcelona with the region.

Get around

 * The petit train Jaune  is one possibility, but it should be seen as an attraction in its own right rather than merely as a way of getting around.

See

 * The southern end of the coast is the Côte Vermeille, a beautifully rugged stretch known for its vineyards and historic port towns such as Collioure and Cerbère.

Do

 * Pic Carlit — though nearly 3,000 metres in height, does not require specialist climbing skills in summer. Fabulous views and a good chance of seeing ibex and chamois.

title: Pyrénées-Orientales


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Pyrenees

The Pyrenees are a European mountain range on the border between France and Spain. Andorra is also to be found in the range.

Understand
The Pyrenees are among Europe's highest mountain ranges, separating Spain and the rest of Iberia from France and the rest of Europe. Sections of this mountain range have been designated as s.

Get in
The Pyrenees are highly accessible thanks to numerous airports the length of the chain. On the French side at the Atlantic end, Biarritz/Bayonne is the closest airport to the mountains although Bordeaux airport is only a couple of hours away. Further East, Pau and then Tarbes/Lourdes airports are in the central foothills whilst Toulouse is the major hub serving the central Pyrenees. Carcassonne and Perpignan airports serve the Mediterranean end of the chain.

There are numerous crossing points which take the traveller from the French to the Spanish side of the mountains. In the centre of the chain, a road runs alongside the River Garonne from Saint Beat along the Aran Valley and into Spain. Further West, the Bielsa tunnel up from Saint-Lary-Soulan is a well frequented crossing point as is the Puymorens tunnel which is on the main Toulouse to Barcelona route.

By train
A high speed rail line links Perpignan and Figueres and connects to the French TGV and Spanish AVE networks. Another rail line at the western edge contains a break of gauge and is thus used more rarely these days.

Regions
The mountain range crosses three countries:

France

 * Ariège
 * Haute-Garonne
 * Hautes-Pyrénées
 * Pyrénées-Atlantiques
 * Pyrénées-Orientales

Spain

 * Aragón
 * Catalonia
 * Girona Pyrenees

 * Navarra
 * Basque Country

Andorra
The entire country is contained within this mountain range

Cities
Few major cities are to be found directly inside the mountain range

Stay safe
This is a high mountain range, with peaks up to high so you should be prepared for what that entails, including sudden changes in weather, severe weather, avalanches and other dangers of the mountains. The Pyrenees are also one of a few regions of Europe still containing bears, which usually don't bother humans, but can attack and even kill when drawn in by food or if humans get between a mother and her cub.

title: Pyrenees


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Pyrgos

Pyrgos is a town on Thira, part of the Santorini archipelago in the Greek island group known as the Cyclades.

Understand
Pyrgos is a town in central Thira, the largest island of the Santorini archipelago, and home to one of 5 Venetian castles that were built on the island to defend it against invaders.

In this article, the greater Pyrgos agglomeration is considered which includes Episkopi Gonias and Exo Gonia.

See
During Orthodox Easter, Pyrgos becomes a destination for pilgrims from all over Santorini, and the town is lit by thousands of candles placed on walls, roofs, and pretty much any reasonably flat surface.

Do
Climb the mountain! There are both road and foot paths to the top. See the view from the monastery. It is quite spectacular. The monastery itself is usually closed, but on rare occasions, you can visit. If on foot, you can take a path down the other side of the mountain to Kamari or Perissa, and see Ancient Thira along the way. Note that the path is not marked -- heading up, it comes off of the left side of the road, very close to the top.

Buy
There are plenty of souvenir shops within the perimeter of the Venetian castle, and also several art galleries. Water, snacks, and supplies can be purchased in 2 mini markets near the bus stop.

Eat

Go next

 * Fira
 * Kamari
 * Emporio
 * Megalochori

title: Pyrgos


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Pythion

Pythion is a small border village in Western Thrace, Greece, a few kilometers north of the city of Alexandroupolis and the Kipi - Ipsala border crossing between Greece and Turkey.

Get in
A train runs once M-F from Alexandroupolis to Pythion, Kastaniés and Dikaia.

There is no border crossing at Pythion, as the rail connection to Turkey was axed in 2011. Stay on the train to Kastaniés (Καστανιές), from where you can walk to the border crossing. Edirne is only 4 km north and there will probably be taxis waiting.

Go next
Either head north to Kastaniés (Καστανιές) to reach Edirne in Turkey, or south to Alexandroupolis.

title: Pythion


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Qaanaaq

Qaanaaq, formerly known as Thule, in northern Greenland is one of the world's northernmost civilian settlements, topped only by Longyearbyen on Svalbard and a few military bases. Getting here will be a challenge, as permits may be required for use of the nearby Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Airbase), under U.S. control.

Understand
The alternative name for this settlement is Thule, a name still used by the nearby airbase. The word comes from the Latin "Ultima Thule", meaning the Far North Land.

Permission
A permission to enter or travel through Thule Air Base could as of April 2007 be obtained by sending an application to the foreign affairs department in Denmark. Details can be found (only in Danish) at the national ombudsman's homepage.

If you live outside Greenland or do not have Danish citizenship then you must provide the following information:

 * Name
 * Birthdate and birthplace
 * Permanent address
 * Purpose of the journey
 * Place of residence during your stay
 * Name of the travel agency through which the ticket will be/has been booked.

Applications can be sent or faxed to:
 * Udenrigsministeriet
 * Asiatisk Plads 2
 * 1448 København K
 * Denmark
 * Telefax: +45 33 92 01 70

By foot
The town's pretty small, and you should be able to get around it on foot.

Go next
The Northeast Greenland National Park is the obvious next destination.

title: Qaanaaq


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Qabala

Qabala (Qəbələ) is a city in Azerbaijan's Sheki Region.

Understand
Qabala is rich with historical monuments there are many memorials in Qabala. For example, the remains of old Caucasian Albania's capital Qabala, the stone monuments in the Hachalli (4th century CE), Surkhay tower in the Boyuk Emilli (first millennium BCE), the temple in Hacalli (4th century CE), Surkhay toüer in the south part of town (10th-13th century), a castle in Yengiche (4th-14th century), Monuments in village (antique period) Yenikend, a tower in Hazra (15th century), etc. There are more than 93 memorials in Qabala.

Climate

 * Spring – nature awakens the whole of Qabala greens.
 * Summer – the best time for visitors.
 * Fall – rainy but full of bounty.
 * Winter – a lot of snow.

By taxi
If you come by the taxi from Baku, it takes 2½ hr and costs 12 manat for one person and 48 manat for the whole cab.

By marshrutka
It takes 3 hr and costs 6 manat for one person from Baku.

By marshrutka
No. 1 and 2 run from the bus station to Chanlar restaurant. They cost 0.30 manat.

By taxi
Throughout the city, it costs 1-2 manat for a taxi.

Go next

 * Sheki – A beautiful city in the Caucasus mountains with lots to see and do. It has one of the largest densities of cultural resources and monuments that span 2,700 years of Azerbaijani history. Bus leaves at 09:00, 12:00; 2.90 manat (July 2023).
 * Lahich – A cozy and remote highland village nearby in the west. Famous for its copper work.
 * Shamakhi – A town that used to be the capital of the Medieval state of Shirvan. Famous for its traditional dancers, Şamaxı dancers, and its impressive mosque. An ancient history and once one of the key cities along the Silk Road.
 * Ganja – Azerbaijan's second largest city has a long history, some important sites and an interesting and manifold architecture.
 * Mingechivir – Bus at 08:00; 1.60 manat.
 * Baku – Buses start from 08:00 and leave quite often; 6 manat.

title: Qabala


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Qamdo

Qamdo (also spelt Chamdo; Chinese: 昌都 Chāngdū; Tibetan: ཆབ་མདོ་གྲོང་ཁྱེར། Qamdo) is a city in southeast Tibet.

Understand
As a capital of the former region of Kham, Qamdo has a rich history and heritage. On the banks of the Mekong River, this pleasant and laid back city is a logical place to take a break before traveling deeper into Tibet.

Go next

 * Neydo Tashi Choeling — the main monastery of Karma Chagme Rinpoche, the head of the Neydo Kagyu lineage of Vajrayana Buddhism, is among stunning scenery near the village of Ngom, about three hours from Qamdo city.

title: Qamdo


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Qamdo (prefecture)

Qamdo Prefecture (Tibetan: Chamdo) is in the far east of Tibet.

Cities

 * - the prefectural capital.

title: Qamdo (prefecture)


text:
Qardho

Qardho (Somali: Gardo) is an historic city in Puntland, Somalia.

Understand
Qardho is inhabited by the Cisman Mahmoud, c/rahmanharti[kas-kiqabe] (Abdi Rahiim Ibrahim), and Ciise Mohamoud sub-clans of the Majeerteen and Dashiishe branches of the Somali Darod clan, as well as the Arab (Maxamuud) Saalax in addition to the Madhiban.

Get around
Districts: Qardho consists of the following districts:
 * Hargoble
 * Kambo
 * Kuleejo
 * Qorya'ad
 * Hingood
 * Gacan libaax
 * Wada jir
 * Haracley
 * Shimbiraale
 * Kubo

title: Qardho


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Qasigiannguit

Qasigiannguit is a fishing town of about 1,200 in Western Greenland.

It is located on the shore of Disko Bay.

Get around
You can easily walk around the town. The heliport is located in walking distance from the town centre.

Do
It is possible to ride with sleigh dogs from around December until March.

All year around, a recommended walking trip is to walk east of the town, pass the museum, the heliport, the cemetery, and continue to the lake, which will be completely frozen during the winter.

Sleep
There is only one hotel in the city, Hotel Disko Bay. It is located in the western part of the town, next to the island Quilik.

Stay safe
In the summer time long trousers, long sleeves, a hat and a mosquito-net is a must. In the winter time, it is important to wear proper clothing.

title: Qasigiannguit


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Qassiarsuk

Qassiarsuk (Old Norse: Brattahlid) is a settlement in Southern Greenland.

This village is the place Erik the Red once had his settlement. Several small stone huts and other traces of the Norse settlements can be seen in the area. In Qassiarsuk a church and a longhouse have been reconstructed to give visitors an understanding of life in those days.

By boat
The tourist office in Narsarsuaq arranges trips every day, but it is also possible to hitch a ride with a fisherman.

Over land
Narsaq is situated 50 km by dirt road to the south. It should be possible to walk the road, and experience hikers can cross the countryside.

It is also possible to be shipped across the Narsarsuaq river from Narsarsuaq, and to walk along the dirt road.

See
If you talk with the people in the cafeteria, you can get a guided tour to the reconstruction of Thorhilda's church and a typical longhouse from the same period. You also see the typical dressings of the period, and maybe get to hear some Icelandic, the modern language most closely related to old nordic. It is also possible just to see the reconstructions on your own.

An original Inuit house can also be found in the village.

If you are into geology, you might keep an eye out for crystals in the area. As you walk along the roads look for faults and you may discover beautiful minerals in between the layers of rock.

Buy
Pilersuisoq (the supermarket) has even found it's way to serve the 50 people living here. They have kind of everything - just not very much of everything.

Eat
The cafeteria is worth recommending. It's situated in a pale yellow building with a view over the fjord, and if you've been hiking for days, the daily hot meal is wonderful.

Sleep
The village has two small hostels:

title: Qassiarsuk


text:
Qatar

Qatar (Arabic: قطر; pronounced kut-ar or cutter) is a rich Arab state occupying a small peninsula extending into the Persian Gulf to the north of Saudi Arabia.

Many come to the Middle East seeking the mystic, traditional life of the Bedouins, wandering the desert with their life's belongings on a camel's back. Although tradition is still an important part of the Qatari ethos, the country has well and truly moved into the twenty-first century with the piercing glass skyscrapers of Doha, a booming trade sector and a new-found place in international diplomacy.

Regions
Qatar is administratively divided into eight municipalities, with the capital of each municipality being its eponymous city.

Cities

 * – capital and main economic hub. We also cover the neighbouring cities of Al Rayyan and Lusail as part of Doha as they are effectively part of the urban area of Doha.
 * – northern city with a population of some 36,000, close to Ras Laffan LNG (liquified natural gas) terminal
 * – this article covers the wider area of the northern municipality of Madinat ash Shamal
 * – industrial town south of Doha, and 25 km south of Wakra, with recreational activities on the coast, including the sand dunes of Khor Al Udeid (the Inland Sea)
 * – industrial town south of Doha, and 25 km south of Wakra, with recreational activities on the coast, including the sand dunes of Khor Al Udeid (the Inland Sea)
 * – industrial town south of Doha, and 25 km south of Wakra, with recreational activities on the coast, including the sand dunes of Khor Al Udeid (the Inland Sea)
 * – industrial town south of Doha, and 25 km south of Wakra, with recreational activities on the coast, including the sand dunes of Khor Al Udeid (the Inland Sea)

Other destinations

 * - the ruins of a deserted city and a fort built in 1938 by Sheikh Abdu'llah bin Qasim Al-Thani

Understand
Qatar has the world's third-largest natural-gas reserves, behind only Russia and Iran. Its oil reserves are similar in size to those of the United States of America but will last much longer because its production levels are only one-sixth the rate of that country. Its strategic position has also led to the explosive growth of its flag carrier Qatar Airways, which has turned Doha into one of the world's busiest air hubs. The Qatari government has also been diversifying its economy away from its traditional reliance on oil and natural gas, and has turned the country into one of the main education hubs of the Middle East. By most accounts its people are the wealthiest in the world.

Because its Al Jazeera TV satellite networks broadcast throughout the globe in Arabic and English, Qatar is hugely influential in an otherwise very conservative region.

History
There is evidence that shows the Qatar peninsula had been inhabited by Bedouin and Canaanite tribes from as early as 4000 BCE. While the museum houses a variety of artifacts including spearheads and pieces of pottery, there is little left of the structures that may have once existed. The Al-Jassassiya rock carvings north of Doha give some idea of how these tribes may have lived. More recently, some sandstone buildings and mosques were discovered, piquing the interest of archaeologists as they seek to discover what still lays beneath the sand.

Emerging out of ancient history, Qatar was dominated by various Western and Eastern empires. The Ormus used the peninsula as a trading post and military port, until the Portuguese were able to extend their rule over the region. Neighbouring Bahrain eventually annexed the peninsula, until rebel movements and British intervention again made Qatar independent. Under pressure, Qatar became a part of the Ottoman Empire in 1871 before becoming a British protectorate at the close of World War I. Independence was declared from Britain peacefully in 1971.

Since the accession of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to the throne in 1995 after deposing his father in a coup, Qatar has transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for its pearling industry into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues, which enable Qatar to have the highest GDP per capita in the world. Qatar has become deeply involved in world affairs under the royal family, offering support in peacekeeping missions and UN-mandated wars such as that in the Gulf in 1991. Qatar also plays host to various world conferences, including those of the World Trade Organisation, the UN Climate Convention and various mediation bodies. It leaped onto the world stage with the development of the popular Al Jazeera news network and expansion of Qatar Airways to most of the world's continents, and is rapidly gaining interest among foreigners as it hosted the 2006 Asian Games and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Since the rule of Sheikh Hamad, Qatar has also tried to move away from the Saudi sphere of influence in favor of a more independent foreign policy, resulting in tensions with its neighbors.

People and culture
Qatar's population can be broadly divided into three different groups. Qatari culture is largely based on the traditional Islamic Bedouin culture, and you will often see Qataris walking around in the traditional clothing. Men wear white clothing knowns as the thobe, while women wear black clothing known as the abaya. Today, Qatari citizens only comprise about 10% of the population. Slavery was historically integral to this society, and its legacy survives in the form a vast underclass of underpaid and often horribly mistreated migrant workers, mostly from South Asia and the Philippines, who toil under gruelling conditions for their Qatari and Western masters, and comprise the vast majority of Qatar's population. The third group of people in Qatar are the Western expatriates, who are often used to project an appearance of modernity and progressivism onto to the outside world, often whitewashing the exploitation that this society is built on. Naturally, the three groups tend to clash, and informal segregation exists in this society, mostly designed to prevent foreign workers from mingling with Qataris.

Compared to its main rival the United Arab Emirates, Qatar is somewhat more conservative, though it is generally more liberal that the other Arab Gulf states. While the Doha metropolitan area is modern and cosmopolitan, and is increasingly emerging as a rival to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, locals continue to live a more traditional lifestyle in the smaller towns and rural areas, and expect behavior in accordance with it.

Geography
Qatar is a peninsula that juts into the Persian Gulf. Most of the country consists of low barren plain covered with dunes. In the southeast of Qatar lies the Khor al Adaid, an area with sand dunes and an inlet from the Persian Gulf.

Government
Qatar is an absolute monarchy headed by the emir, who is from the Al-Thani family. While the country has rapidly modernised under the leadership of former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, questions remain on the treatment of migrant workers from other parts of Asia, which many human rights groups describe as exploitative and slave-like. As in most other countries in the region, calls for reform and more democracy on the one hand, and a rising Islamist movement calling for a "purer" (i.e. more fundamentalist) interpretation of the Qur'an and Islam on the other hand, are a major factor in domestic politics.

Economy
Oil is a cornerstone of the Qatari economy; it used to account for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 80% of export earnings and 58% of government revenues. Proven oil reserves of 15 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for at least the next 20 years. Oil and gas have given Qatar the highest GDP per capita by most studies. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 7 trillion m³, more than 11% of the world's total, making it the third largest reserve in the world. Production and export of natural gas are becoming increasingly important. Qatar manages to post very high surpluses each year, and escaped the Global Financial Crisis relatively unscathed.

In addition to the energy sector, Qatar also exports petrochemicals, cement and steel. Doha has a rapidly growing financial sector that is cementing itself as one of the centres of trade and finance within the Middle East. The Qatari government has also outlined its plan to boost tourism and media businesses on the peninsula, creating new sectors to further increase Qatar's profile. In addition, many foreign universities have set up outposts in Qatar, transforming Qatar into one of the main education hubs of the Middle East.

As result of its oil and natural gas wealth, Qatar provides its citizens with one of the world's most comprehensive welfare states despite not levying any income tax on them. However, the country is also reliant on a large and often poorly-paid immigrant workforce who are not given access to the welfare state.

Climate
The climate of Qatar can be described as arid and unforgiving. In the summer, which runs from May through to September, the days are characterised by intense and humid heat, averaging 35°C but not unknown to peak at 50°C. In the winter, October to April, the days are much more bearable at about 20-25°C, with a nice cool evening down to around 15°C. If the heat is to be avoided, the best months to visit would be December, January, and/or February.

Rainfall and storms in Qatar are extremely rare, forcing locals to retrieve water from newly-constructed desalination plants. However, huge sandstorms that envelop the peninsula are common in the summertime. These can be hazardous if not under shelter, and will descend the country into darkness as it blots out the hot sun above. There may also be disruptions to transportation and other services.

Read

 * Allen J. Fromherz, Qatar: A Modern History.
 * Abdul Aziz Al Mahmoud, The Corsair. A debut novel about 19th-century piracy in the Persian Gulf, and the very first novel by a Qatari author.
 * Sophia Al-Maria, The Girl Who Fell to Earth: A Memoir. Written by a Qatari-American based in Doha, this is an entertaining account of a childhood spent trying to bridge the divide between Bedouin and American cultures.

Visitor information

 * Visit Qatar website

Talk
Arabic is the official language of Qatar although the majority of residents do not speak it. Expatriate workers from other parts of Asia and Africa, many of whom have a very limited knowledge of Arabic, far outnumber native Qataris, particularly in Doha. English is the lingua franca, and most Qataris speak it to communicate with the foreign workers who work for them. Among native Qataris, the dialect of Arabic that is spoken is the Gulf dialect. You may encounter foreign labourers speaking diverse languages such as Afrikaans, Mandarin, Japanese, Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog and Thai. While you can get by just fine in Qatar with only English under your belt, your hosts and any other locals you may meet will be very impressed and appreciative if you can recite a few basic Arabic phrases.

Entry requirements
Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) do not require a visa to enter Qatar, and may use National ID Cards to enter the country. They may also stay indefinitely with no restrictions including on employment.

Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, the Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine can visit Qatar without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Citizens of Andorra, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China (mainland), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Georgia, Guyana, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Macau, the Maldives, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Suriname, Taiwan, United Kingdom (British citizen only), United States, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela may visit Qatar without a visa for up to 30 days.

Citizens of India, Iran, Pakistan, Thailand and Ukraine may also visit for up to 30 days without a visa provided they have a confirmed hotel booking through Discover Qatar for their entire duration of stay. Booking your hotel through any other method will require you to obtain a visa in advance.

Citizens of all nationalities who hold valid residence permits for the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Schengen Area, or GCC countries, or valid visas for the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or the Schengen Area may visit without a visa for up to 30 days.

Regardless of nationality, travellers who are in transit through Hamad International Airport do not require a visa if they depart within 24 hours and remain within the airport. Free transit visas, which are valid for up to 96 hours (4 days) and allow travellers to briefly visit Qatar, are also issued to all passengers of any nationality transiting through Hamad International Airport, provided that they travel with Qatar Airways.

For those needing visas, tourist visas are available online through the eVisa system, and you will need to have a sponsor from within Qatar. Visas are issued within four working days if all documents are submitted, and are valid for a stay period up to 30 days in Qatar. If you do not require a visa, you may opt to apply for an ETA, which will allow you to use the automated immigration gates on arrival.

Qatar scrapped the previous requirement for those in the country on work visas to obtain an exit visa to leave for most people in 2020. Exit visas are now only required in very limited circumstances. See the Work section for nore details.

Qatar officially accepts Israeli passports (with the necessary visas) and passports with evidence of visits to Israel.

By plane
Entry by air into Qatar has boomed in the last decade. Most people visiting the country will enter via Hamad International Airport near Doha. State-owned flag carrier Qatar Airways has secured a huge network of flights operating out of its hub in Doha to 124 destinations. In fact, it is of the very few airports in the world with non-stop services to all inhabited continents. Other major airlines also serve the airport, usually running a route between Doha and their own hub in the base country.

A taxi fare from the airport has a default tariff of QR 25.

By car
The only land route to Qatar is from Saudi Arabia. There are plans for a major bridge to link Qatar with neighbouring Bahrain, although these are constantly delayed.

Travel by car is not recommended. The roads between Qatar and other major cities/countries are poor. If you are travelling during the day, be cautious of speeding cars and trucks. Always wear your seat belt and do not speed over 50 mph (80 km/h). Travelling at night is risking your life, with poor visibility and semi-suicidal drivers.

By bus
Bus routes from Saudi Arabia (mostly used by men only) were disrupted in the 2017–2021 diplomatic crisis. Customs can take up to 4 hours especially at night. You will not be treated nearly as well as if you fly into Doha. Flying in costs only slightly more than a bus ticket.

By boat
There are no specific boat routes, but there are commercial freight boats coming into Doha from all over the world, as well as small commercial boats coming in from Dubai and Iran.

Get around
Public transport comes in three forms in Qatar: buses, taxis and limousines, all of which are owned by government-owned Mowasalat (Karwa) apart from some private limousine companies. Within the capital, Doha, there's also a metro.

By bus
The bus service began in October 2005. Ticketing is handled using a Karwa Smartcard, which comes in three types:

 * Smartcard Classic - Initial fee of QR30 with QR20 credit included. Journey prices vary, costing QR2.50 for a short ride. You must tap-in when you get on the bus, and tap-off when you get off to avoid a default QR30 penalty. Can be purchased in various retailers as listed on the Karwa website, but not on board buses.
 * Smartcard 24 Limited - An initial fee of QR10 allows 2 trips on the bus (one return trip) within 24 hours of first tapping-in. You only need to tap-in, and should not tap-off. Can be bought on board the bus for travel in Greater Doha only.
 * Smartcard 24 Unlimited - An initial fee of QR20 gives the user unlimited travel throughout Qatar within 24 hours of first tapping-in. Again, there is no necessity to tap-off. Can be bought aboard the bus.

A large number of routes criss-cross the country, with the network stretching north to Al Khor, west to Dukhan, and as far south as Mesaieed. Timetable and ticketing information can be obtained by calling +974 4436 6053.

By taxi or limousine
The government-owned Mowasalat also runs the taxi and limousine service. The taxis are easily spotted due to their uniform light blue colour with a maroon top. The initial fare on the meter is QR 4, with an extra QR 1.20 per kilometre within Doha and QR 1.80 anywhere outside the capital. A trip to or from the airport has a single tariff of QR 25. To ensure you are not scammed, some precautions should be noted:
 * For journeys within Doha the tariff should be set to '1', and those at night or outside of Doha should be set to '0'.
 * Check the meter is not tampered; signs of a tampered meter include tape and strips of paper around the outside.
 * By law, if a driver refuses to use the meter, the ride should be free.
 * There are occasional reports of unruly drivers locking the taxi doors or refusing to open the trunk until extra payment is made. If such an occurrence happens to you, attempt to leave the car. If not possible, calling the police on 999 should cause the driver to become very cooperative.

The demand for taxis exceeds the supply and waiting times can vary greatly. Attempting to obtain one during morning business hours requires at least 24 hours notice, although even in practice this is unreliable, as the scheduled taxi often doesn't show up. At other times, it may take 90 minutes or more to get an on-call taxi, and hailing one on the street may be impossible much of the time. The only places where you are guaranteed to find a taxi are major malls, the airport and international hotels.

Taxis can be booked and summoned by calling +974 4458 8888.

An alternative to taxis and buses would be to use a limousine service, which will send an unmarked limo car to your location. They are expensive, but luxurious taxis with an initial fee of QR 20, but do not always feature a meter.

International limousine services, such as Uber, Careem, and Lyft are available in Qatar. The apps allow for quick and easy summoning of a driver.

Occasionally, a local driver may offer you a lift if they see you waiting on the side of the road. It is customary to offer some money at the end, though usually they will refuse to take it. A driver offering a lift will slow down and flash their headlights at you; they can be summoned with a wave in response. Although the practice is safe, it is not advisable for solo women.

By metro
A metro opened in 2019 serving Doha and its suburbs. You can travel from point A to B for QR2 per person per trip or buy a day pass for QR6. However, if you are planning to use the metro very frequently, you can buy a metro card for QR30. Free metro link bus services are available from/to metro stations to/from nearby destinations. The metro opens at 06:00 and closes at 23:00.

By car
You can hire a car for about US$20 per day with local car rental companies. Plenty of them are located at the airport and Doha city centre, or else ask your hotel for some advice.

See
For a comparatively small peninsula in the Middle East, there is quite a lot to see in Qatar.

Historical monuments
The history-seeker will not be disappointed, with an assortment of ruins, cave art and museums to keep the mind wandering. Most famous is the archaeological site of Zubarah, where there are the remains of what was once a thriving port city. An early 20th-century fort on the site still stands as a museum, a testament to a bygone era. The Al-Jassassiya rock carvings in north-eastern Qatar are a remarkable site of 900 petroglyphs that are believed to date back to ancient tribes who inhabited the peninsula during the 15th century BCE.

A number of forts and towers exist around the country; most of them have also been restored as museums. The Barzan Towers stand at the edge of the town of Umm Salal Mohammed, erected to safeguard the country's rainwater basin. Another defensive watchtower stands in Al Khor. The popular Al Koot Fort is located in the heart of the capital Doha, with a wide variety of traditional handicrafts within. Others structures include Marwab Fort, Al Thughab Fort, Al Shaghab Fort, Al Rakiyat Fort, Al Wajbah Fort and the ruins of Al Yussoufiya Fort, Umm Al Maa Fort and Al Ghuwair Castle.

The National Museum is housed in an impressive "desert rose stone" shaped building. There are a number of other museums across the country that specialise in history. The Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum in Al Shahaniya is the Sheikh's collection of relics, artefacts and art from Qatar, the Middle East and around the world.

Modern attractions

 * The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha
 * Souq Waqif: the traditional old marketplace of Qatar. Has many good restaurants, especially at night time. Also sells many national products - bargaining is recommended. Closed from 12:30 until 15:30, although in practice most shops don't reopen until 16:00
 * The Pearl: a man-made island connected to Doha by a bridge. You can find a big variety of restaurants and shops, mainly in the high range.
 * Villaggio Mall: a spectacular Venetian style shopping mall with a canal and gondolas as well. A huge variety of shops from casual to luxury.
 * Mathaf: The Arab museum of modern art
 * Katara: "Cultural village" which is home to high-end international and Arab restaurants, a high-end shopping mall, a beach, an opera house, an amphitheatre, and an exhibition hall. It holds many cultural events. See the two small mosques.
 * Aqua park: Aquatic Funfair.
 * Qatar Mall: A huge mall with a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment.
 * Aspire park: A park next to Villaggio mall, it is reserved for families only on the weekend, visiting in the winter months is recommended.
 * MIA park: A park next to the museum of Islamic art, single people are allowed in, visiting in the winter months is recommended.

Do

 * A great activity for tourists is simply to experience the nation's tradition. The traditional Qatari way of life was simple: Bedouin nomads wandering the desert with their camels, and fisherman scouring the ocean floor for pearls to trade. While these two lifestyles are mostly extinct on the peninsula, the government has taken some measures to preserve their traditions for future generations to experience.

 * Many tour companies run desert expeditions by both four-wheel drive and camel. Some may just be for the day, while others can go for up to a week with trekkers camping overnight in a Bedouin tent. The one day "dune-bashing" tours simply involve speeding over the desert's endless dunes in a Landcruiser.

 * The pearling tradition has existed as far back as 2000 BCE, when Mesopotamian records speak of shining "fish eyes" imported from the Gulf region. While the industry went bust after the discovery of oil, a large festival is held each year to celebrate the tradition. The Qatar Marine Festival in Doha often includes a huge sea expedition by various dhow boats to find oyster beds on the ocean floor. Other activities at the festival include a musical performance, a seal show, a sandsculptor's expedition and a water, light and sound show.

 * Many companies offer shipwreck diving for tourists, which can be organised from Doha. Popular diving sites include the man-made Old Club Reef and New Club Reef just out of Messaied, Qapco Reef, the M.O. Shipwreck and the Al Sharque Shipwreck.

 * Other popular watersports include kite-surfing, driving jet-skis, surfing and chartered fishing expeditions.

 * Football: Qatar will host the 2023 AFC Asian Cup for men's national soccer teams, with 24 nations participating. It's held 12 Jan - 10 Feb 2024 to avoid searing summer temperatures. The venues are expected to be those used in Nov / Dec 2022 when Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup.

 * Formula One or Grand Prix motor races are held in November at Lusail Circuit 45 km north of Doha.

Buy
Qatar can be expensive (an espresso in National Library is QR15), but it can also be very cheap (a good meal in a local restaurant is the same price). Touristy areas tend to be more expensive. Petrol is cheap. Prices are generally lower than in the United Arab Emirates.

Keep in mind that the luxury shopping malls designate Fridays, weekends and public holidays as "family day" in order to prevent the migrant workers, who are mostly male and in Qatar without their families, from mingling with Qataris on their days off. While in theory "family day" is designated for women and families, and single men are supposed to be banned regardless of race or nationality, in practice Qatari and white men are admitted to these venues with no problem, while the restriction is only enforced for non-Qatari and non-white men.

Money

The national currency is the Qatari riyal, denoted by the symbol "ر.ق" or "QR" (ISO code: QAR). The riyal is pegged to the US dollar at the rate of QR3.64 to US $1. One riyal is divided into 100 dirhams, with coins issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 dirhams. The riyal is available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 and 500 riyals.

It is fairly straightforward to change major world currencies within Qatar, along with the currencies of Bahrain, Saudia Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Rates are fairly similar between banks and moneychangers, with a large concentration of moneychangers near the Gold Souq of Doha. Banks are abundant across Doha, with branches in the larger cities as well. Travellers cheques are accepted by the major banks.

Shopping
Qatar has many malls in which regular international brands such as H&M, Zara, and Mango. The biggest malls are Mall of Qatar, Festival City, and City Center. Middle Eastern and local brands are also present.

The pearl has luxurious brands from all over the world. It is the premium luxury shopping destination in Qatar.

Blue Salon has huge sales twice a year where you can pick up Armani, Valentino and Cerutti suits for half price. There are many things to buy here but be wary of cheap pearls that have a high possibility of being fake. The many skilled tailors in Qatar make it a good place to have clothes made-to-fit.

The souqs in the centre of Doha also have a lot to offer, although the goods are usually of cheaper quality than those of the malls. Prices are usually negotiable, so practice your bargaining skills. Souq Waqif (The Standing Souk) is the most interesting of the souqs; it has been renovated to look as it did 50 or 60 years ago. You can buy anything from a turban to a pot large enough to cook a baby camel in!

Eat
Qatar has seemingly endless options for food, much of it excellent. If you would like European cuisine in a fancy setting, visit a hotel like the Ramada or the Marriott, both of which also offer excellent sushi and the choice of having alcoholic drinks with your meal (the only restaurants in town that can do this are in the major hotels), but at a steep price. Authentic and delicious Indian and Pakistani food is found throughout the city, ranging from family-oriented places to very basic eateries catering to the Indian and Pakistani workers. You may attract some curious stares in the worker eateries, but the management will almost always be extremely welcoming, and the food is very inexpensive.

Middle Eastern cuisine is everywhere as well, and in many forms—kebabs, breads, hummus, the list goes on. It can be purchased on the cheap from a take-out (many of which look quite unimpressive, but serve awesome food) or from a fancier place, like the wonderful Layali (near Chili's in the 'Cholesterol Corner' area) that serves gourmet Lebanese food and has hookahs with flavored tobacco. Refined Persian cuisine is available for reasonable prices in the royally appointed Ras Al-Nasa`a Restaurant on the Corniche (don't miss the cathedral-like rest rooms).

Traditional Qatari food is very hard to find in restaurants, and largely confined to the homes of locals. If you have Qatari friends, being invited to their homes is generally the best chance you'll get to sample the local cuisine. Qatari food is traditionally eaten by hand, and the most important thing to remember is to use only your right hand, as the left hand is reserved for handling dirty things.

Don't be afraid to venture into the souqs looking for a meal; it will be a unique experience in an authentic setting, and although some of the places you see may look rundown, that's just the area in general, and the food will be probably be quite good. Many of the restaurants in the souqs (as well as the shops) shut down during the afternoon hours. If you are in a funny kind of mood, you can try a McArabia—McDonald's Middle Eastern sandwich available only in the region.

It is illegal to eat in public in the daytime during Ramadan, and restaurants and cafes are forbidden from serving dine-in customers during that period. However, restaurants may still sell takeaway meals for non-Muslim foreigners to take home for consumption in private. However, if you can tide yourself over the restrictions, the evening iftar meals are often elaborate affairs, but be sure to make reservations with the restaurants way in advance as these are extremely popular with the locals.

Dietary restrictions
Being a Muslim country, virtually all food sold in Qatar is halal.

Pork is not served at any restaurants, but is available at inflated prices to non-Muslim foreign residents with a liquor license at the two liquor stores in Doha run by the Qatar Distribution Company (QDC). This license is not available to tourists.

Drink
It's fair to say nobody comes to Qatar for the nightlife. The sale of alcoholic beverages is restricted to restaurants, bars and nightclubs at the major hotels, and they are quite pricey to boot. Driving under the influence and public intoxication carry heavy penalties, including deportation.

It is forbidden to bring alcohol in to the country as a tourist; at Hamad International Airport, customs x-ray bags and will confiscate any bottles of alcoholic drinks. They will issue a receipt valid for two weeks to reclaim the alcohol on exit from the country.

The only liquor stores in Qatar are run by the Qatar Distribution Centre, which has two locations, both in Doha. To purchase things there, you must have a license, which requires a residency permit (visitors are not eligible) and a written letter of permission from your employer that also confirms your basic salary is at least QR3000 per month. The selection is good and is like any alcohol selection of a large supermarket in the West. Prices are reasonable although not cheap.

As far as non-alcoholic drinks go, be sure to hit some of the Indian and Middle Eastern restaurants and juice stalls. They whip up some tasty and exotic fruit juice combinations that really hit the spot.

The national drink of Qatar is the Karak Tea, it is available in many roadside cafeterias and restaurants. The biggest and most famous place to offer the Karak Tea is Tea Time, which has branches all over Qatar. Ask your taxi driver for the nearest Tea Time to experience the traditional Qatari Tea. Arabic coffee, which is popular throughout the Middle East, is also very popular among local Qataris.

Sleep
A cheap hotel starts at about QAR130. A mid-range hotel is about QAR300.

Budget accommodation does not seem to exist in Doha. The only hostel is very hard to find; even the taxi drivers at the airport may have to talk it over! It costs QR100 per night if you don't have YHA membership; QR90 if you do.

Learn
Education City is a new project in Doha funded by the Qatari Government through the Qatar Foundation. It is the home to Qatar Academy, the Learning Centre, the Academic Bridge Program (similar to a college prep school), as well as branch campuses of Texas A&M University (Engineering), Weill Cornell Medical College (Medical) , Virginia Commonwealth University (Arts and Communication), Carnegie Mellon University (Business and Computer Science), Georgetown University (School of Foreign Service), and the latest addition to the fold, Northwestern University (Journalism) and Faculty of Islamic Studies all located in Education City to the east of Doha in the Rayyan area.

In addition to this Education City is home to the Qatar Science and Technology Park, one of the only places in the Middle East undertaking research and development initiatives. The location of so many academics and students is very appealing for research focused organisations. Lastly, Education City is also home to the newly opened Qatar National Library building.

The College of the North Atlantic (based in Newfoundland, Canada), also maintains a campus in Doha in the northern section of the city, near the local Qatar University. The University of Calgary (Nursing) is also in Qatar.

Work
You will need a work visa to be able to work in Qatar, and receiving one will require a Qatari sponsor to apply on your behalf. The previous system requiring foreigners working in Qatar to get an exit permit to leave was largely scrapped in 2020. Now only people who work for the Qatari military, or those in very specific positions in a company are required to obtain an exit visa to leave. In the latter case, the company will have to submit your name to the government in advance with appropriate justification on why you should be required to get an exit visa to leave, and the number of people who are required to get an exit visa to leave is capped at not more than 5% of each company's total workforce.

The work day starts quite early in Qatar. Do not be surprised by 7AM meetings!

In the summer, many small stores and Arab businesses will be open from 08:00-12:00 and 16:00-20:00. During the "siesta", most people return home to escape the oppressive heat.

Qatar has begun to issue permanent residence visas, after the boycott by neighbouring countries; but foreigners who wish to stay permanently and have good relationships with locals of significant clout have been known to retire in Qatar while nominally on a work visa. Foreign women may obtain citizenship by being married to a Qatari man (though this does not apply to foreign men married to Qatari women), but otherwise obtaining citizenship is next to impossible for foreigners. Citizenship may also be granted by decree from the Emir if one has made extraordinary contributions to the country.

Stay safe
The emergency phone number for police, ambulance or fire department is 999.

Qatar is generally a very safe country for tourists, with crime rates among the lowest in the world.

Western women travelling on their own sometimes experience staring from local men, along with other unwanted curiosity. However, this is more of an annoyance than a threat, and Qatari police deal harshly with any complaint of harassment. If you want to fit in better with the locals and attract less stares, a long, black cloak and headscarf worn by local women called the abaya can be purchased at a variety of places in Doha.

Travelling on the roads is probably the largest danger to your wellbeing. Although being safer than most other Asian and Middle Eastern drivers, Qataris often ignore road rules and are intolerant of pedestrians attempting to cross the road. Be safe when walking near or over major highways.

Dust storms and sandstorms are another major issue, being common throughout the dry summer. These natural events can shroud the country in darkness and cause severe respiratory issues. If a sandstorm is approaching, immediately seek shelter or wear a facemask.

Qatar is not a gay-friendly country, and homosexuality is theoretically punishable by the death penalty (though rarely if ever enforced). Gay visitors are advised to be discreet about their sexual orientation and avoid public displays of affection.

Stay healthy
The quality of Qatari hospitals is generally on par with Western standards. Qatari citizens are provided with free healthcare under the government's national health insurance scheme, but this is not available to foreigners. Foreign residents are generally required to purchase private health insurance as part of their visa conditions.

Drink lots of water and take proper precautions for the sun, including clothing that covers your skin and sunscreen.

Tap water is potable, but most residents choose to drink bottled water just in case.

Respect
Qataris share a common culture with Arabs in North Africa and other Middle Eastern countries; therefore, what is considered good manners in Arab world is applicable to Qatar.

Qataris are neither Bahrainis, Emiratis, nor Saudis; referring to a Qatari as either of those will demonstrate that you have no idea what continent you're on. Also, do not compare Qatar to Bahrain, the UAE or Saudi Arabia.

Be careful with your words — honour (saving face) is an important part of Qatari culture and it forms the basis of social interactions in the country. Under current Qatari laws, you can be prosecuted for insulting, making fun of, or defaming someone in public or on social media. Qataris will not hesitate to react angrily if you do anything that makes them lose face. If you have an issue with a Qatari person, talk to them behind closed doors.

Mosques and the state museums have a dress code. For men, shoulders and knees should be covered. In practice this is not strictly enforced: you will be let in if your shorts show your knees, but short shorts are not acceptable.

Respect the Islamic beliefs of Qataris and Bedouins: While there is no legal requirement to wear the hijab, women shouldn't wear tube tops and skimpy outfits. It is absolutely acceptable for any nationality to wear the traditional Qatari clothes, the thobe.

Don't expose the bottoms of your feet to a Qatari when dining. Don't eat with your left hand either, since the left hand is seen as the 'dirty hand'. Similarly, don't attempt to shake hands or hand a package with your left hand.

If your Qatari friend insists on buying you something—a meal or a gift—let them! Qataris are extremely hospitable, and typically there are no strings attached. It is generally a custom to argue for the bill.

During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public. It is illegal and highly disrespectful to locals and Muslims visiting or residing in the country. The laws are nowhere as strict as those of Saudi Arabia but you could still get in trouble with the police.

Newspapers

 * Gulf Times newspaper
 * The Peninsula newspaper
 * I Love Qatar Community News
 * Al Watan Arabic newspaper
 * Qatar Tribune
 * Marhaba Magazine

Connect
You can get by for a few days without a SIM card. Free WiFi is available at many of the museums and art galleries. Download the map of Qatar in Google Maps for when you are on the move and offline.

By phone
When calling from abroad, the country code of Qatar is 974. There are no city or area codes. When calling overseas while within Qatar, the international access code is usually 0. Qatari phone numbers now have eight digits. Previously, they contained seven, but this was changed by the government regulator in 2010. If you encounter a number with only seven digits, you can still use it by repeating the first digit. For example, a phone number that previously began with '3' would now start with '33'.

Qtel, a government-owned company, used to hold a monopoly over telecommunications in the country. Although this changed in 2006 when the Emir allowed new companies to be formed, competition is still weak with only two major operators:
 * Ooredoo (formerly Qtel) - the "Hala" prepaid starter pack costs QR 50 with QR 25 of initial credit. International calls to most countries costs QR 0.66/minute. Has overall better coverage than Vodafone.
 * Vodafone Qatar - prepaid sim packs start from QR 60 with an initial credit of QR 35. International calls to most countries costs QR 0.66/minute.

By post
Qatar has a fairly efficient postal system run by Q-Post. There are dozens of post offices scattered across Doha, along with branches in many major cities. It costs QR2.50 to send a standard postcard to most Western countries. The price drops down to QR1-1.50 when sending a postcard domestically or to most nations within the Middle East and North Africa. Sending parcels can get costly, being counted per kilogram and by distance. A full list of rates and branch locations can be found on the Q-Post website. All mail to Qatar are typically sent to a PO Box, with no post codes used. Delivery to a street address is limited and is an optional service for an additional cost to PO box holders.

Addresses to Qatar should be formatted as:
 * Name of recipient
 * Name of company or organization if relevant
 * PO Box xxxx
 * CITY
 * COUNTRY

An example:
 * John Doe
 * Qatar Airways-I.T. Dept.
 * PO Box 2250
 * DOHA
 * QATAR

title: Qatar


text:
Qatif

Qatif is a city in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. It is an ancient city, more than 3,000 years old. It was the first home for ancient Phoenicians, some of whom emigrated to the Eastern Mediterranean.

Get in
King Fahd International Airport is only 25 kilometers from Qatif city center. Qatif is located almost in the middle of the highway stretching from Dhahran (Saudi Aramco's headquarters), and Ras Tanura (Saudi Arabia's main oil exporting terminal on the Gulf).

title: Qatif


text:
Katzrin

Katzrin (Hebrew: קצרין) or Qatzrin is the largest Jewish town in the Golan Heights, with a population of approximately 7,300 (2019).

Understand
Ancient Katzrin (originally Caesarion?) was a Jewish town that existed from the 2nd century until it was destroyed by an earthquake in the 8th century.

Modern Katzrin was established nearby in 1977 as part of an Israeli program of cementing the Jewish presence in the Golan Heights, considered essential to Israel's ongoing security and territorial integrity.

By bus
From Tiberias: Lines 52 and 57. From Haifa: Line 503. From Beit She'an: Lines 843 and 966. From Tel Aviv: Line 843. From Jerusalem and the Samaria region: Line 966.

Get around
Katzrin is not particularly big, but to get from the town proper to the industrial zone is a half hour walk. There are infrequent buses you can take between the two.

See

Do

 * Talmudic Meditation A few ancient houses in Katzrin have been reconstructed from their remains by archaeologists. These houses look as they would have in the 1st century, complete with replicas of household tools and items. The synagogue is also partially reconstructed from its ruins. Important Talmudic readings have been placed in these reconstructed places to allow for a meditative experience for a pilgrim, tourist, or student in an area that looks and feels like an ancient Jewish village.

Go next
As the primary population center in the Golan Heights, Katzrin forms an ideal base for exploring nearby sites of interest, such as Gamla.

title: Katzrin


text:
Qax

Qax, Qakh, also Kakhi (კახი) or sometimes Gakh is a town in Azerbaijan's Qakh Region. It is at the foot of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, on the river Kurhumchai.

Understand
Most of the 13,800 people (2013) of the Qakh city are Azerbaijani people, but the town and the whole region are very multicultural. Avar people, Tsakhur people and muslim Georgians (called Ingiloy) also live here. The city has become a mountain resort for rich people, so there are now various hotels, resorts, restaurants, cottages, and tea houses in 5 km north of Qax.

By bus
to Qax from:
 * Zaqatala: several marshrutkas par day (15:00/15:30), last bus is at 17:00 (1 manat, 1 hr)
 * Şəki: 08:00, 11:30, 15:00, 17:30

from Qax to: (to Georgia)
 * Agcay: 12:10, 17:10
 * Aliayli: 07:20, 09:00, 13:00
 * Almali: 13:20
 * Baku: 09:00, 21:30, 22:00, 23:00
 * Barda: 09:30
 * Baydarli: 07:20, 10:00, 13:00, 15:45
 * Ganja: 08:00
 * Ibaxli: 12:20, 15:30
 * Ilisu: 07:30, 10:30, 12:00, 14:00, 17:00 (0.40 manat), runs from the big bus station to Ilisu and back. The sign is in Cyrillic, so ask if needed.
 * Lalali: 07:20, 13:10
 * Qashqachay: 07:10, 13:00, 17:30
 * Qum: 07:00, 09:00, 12:00, 14:00, 17:00
 * Şəki: 09:30 12:20 16:30 18:30
 * Tasmali: 07:20, 12:00, 15:00
 * Uzumlu: 16:00
 * Zaqatala: 07:40, 07:50, 08:30, 09:25, 10:05, 11:40, 12:20, 13:25, 14:00, 15:30, 17:15
 * Zarna-Lakit: 07:20, 13:00, 17:00
 * Tbilisi: 08:15, 09:00, 14:00, 16:00 (8 manat)
 * Telavi: 15:00

By car

 * Highway: R16

Get around
Qax is a tiny town and can easily be explored on foot.

Go next

 * Qum – Another tiny and scenic village just nearby.
 * Zaqatala – Larger and more busy than Qax, and the gateway to Georgia.
 * Sheki – A beautiful city in the forested Caucasian Mountains with lots to see and do.
 * At least three marshrutkas a day leave from Qax to Tbilisi, Georgia.

title: Qax


text:
Qayen

Qayen is a city in Khorasan, eastern Iran. Qain is famous for its saffron.

Understand
The history of Qain reaches back about 3,000 years ago. This area was also the center of the Sagarti tribes (Sagartians), one of the thirty Achaemenid satraps.

Get in
Qain passenger terminal in the east of the city receives buses from cities such as Birjand, Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, and Zabul.

The distance from Mashhad to Qain is 380 km, of which 280 km is a two-lane road. The distance from Tehran is 1020 km. It is 1 hour from Tehran to Birjand by plane and 100 km from Birjand to Qain or one hour.

See

 * Jame Qain Mosque is 1100 years old.
 * A mud wall surrounds the modern town.
 * There are several ancient places around the town, Mosques and old houses in the stone alley located in Imamreza (a.s.) Street, Gud Zorkhane, Shirkhoda
 * The Tomb of Bozorgmehr Qaini, 5 km to the south.
 * Cain Museum of Anthropology

Buy
Agricultural products and souvenirs of Qain city are saffron, barberry, post, plum, jujube and handwoven carpet. Saffron is the most prominent product of this city and its functions, which is known as red gold.

title: Qayen


text:
Qazakh

Qazakh, or Qazax, is a city in Azerbaijan's Ganja Region.

See
Some of the best sites around Qazakh are:

 * Mountain Goyazan - there is a beautiful sight to see which is worth to try to climb the mountain, except not alone but with somebody local.
 * Didevan Lake - this is actually water reservoir in border with Armenia, but totally safe to walk around. There is even a nice restaurant on top of the hill, some springs below the hill on the way to Bala Jafarli community. At the right side of this way there is a small forest, there is very cold spring in the forest which is worth to try.
 * Bathroom at Ashagi Salahli community - there is a natural spring on it which is built hamam. Water coming deep from earth is pretty hot to take a hot shower. Yet, locals say the water is useful for skin diseases.
 * Abbasbeyli Lake - this lake is also on border with Armenia except in comparison with Didevan Lake it is a little bit not safe evenings. But fishing can be fun around. Not recommended for swimming.

Go next
A bus to Lankaran leaves the town at 8:50AM daily.

title: Qazakh


text:
Qazvin

Qazvin is the largest city and capital of the Qazvin province in Iran.

Understand
Qazvin was an ancient capital in the Persian Empire and now is known as the calligraphy capital of Iran. The most famous calligrapher was Mir Emad Qazvini. Dehkhoda who wrote the Persian dictionary (you can find his statue in Azadi Square. The most famous poet was Ubayd Zakani.

Qazvin can perhaps be said to be a moderate city, in relation to its adherence to Islamic religious and cultural values. Many people, women in particular, dress modestly but are not limited to the a black hejab, and many women can be seen wearing thin, brightly coloured scarves to cover their hair. However, many women wear an enveloping headdress, designed to completely cover all hair. It is advised to dress respectfully in this context, by all means express yourself through a nature of hejab materials and colours, but be mindful of social and religious values at play.

By plane
The nearest international airports are Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad International Airport, both in Tehran.

Arriving at either airport you can easily hire a taxi, get bus or train to take you to Qazvin. Make sure to hire a registered taxi and agree on payment before you set off. Your taxi fare to Qazvin from IKA is around US$50 (July 2017) and from MIA is around US$40. You travel all the way through a straight highway taking your time at most 2 hours and in the meantime you may enjoy watching beautiful sightseeing and two giant plants of the country, Abeyek Cement and Shahid Rajaee Gas Power plants.

By train
There are multiple trains per day from Tehran, journey time is just under 2½ hours.

By bus
Buses depart very frequently from near Azadi Square in Tehran. The fare is US$2 for the old Mercedes buses and US$3 for modern Volvo or similar buses (July 2017). It takes 2 hours by bus from Tehran to Qazvin.

The bus terminal is open from 06:00 to 22:00.

By car
Qazvin is linked to Tehran and other major cities via a series of motorways, These are not usually too busy, though attempt to avoid times where workers are communting to and from work. Cars can be hired at Tehran International Airport. Taxis are usually the most easiest means of travelling to Qazvin by car. You have a choice of private taxis, or travelling via official taxi ranks. The main difference between the two is the state of the actual cars, however do not be put off by the sight of an elderly, slightly unconventional car, these are usually perfectly safe to travel in.

The normal rate for a shared taxi from Tehran to Qazvin is US$5-9.

See
From Qazvin you can do a day trip to the mountains of Alborz. Most visitors go here to see the remains of Hasan-e-Sabah's castle Alamut, from where he ruled the assassins order, a medieval terrorist organisation. The English words "assassin" and "hashish" are both derived from Hasan's name. The Mongols took Alamut and broke the power of the assassins but failed to completely wipe them out. The castle was reconstructed around 2013 in a way that may seem a bit dubious from an archeological point of view.

 * Qajar Hamam
 * The Grand Hotel - The first modern hotel built in Iran
 * The first modern school built in Iran
 * The first street built in Iran (Sepah)
 * The first Municipality built in Iran
 * The first street built in Iran (Sepah)
 * The first Municipality built in Iran

Qazvin contains three buildings built by Russians in the late 19th-early 20th century. Among these is the current Mayor's office (former Ballet Hall), a water reservoir, and the Cantor church, where a Russian pilot is buried.
 * The Russian Church of Qazvin.

Qazvin contains several archeological excavations dating back 9000 years. There are also 23 castles from the Ismaili Assassins nearby as well. And in the middle of the city lie the ruins of Meimoon Ghal'eh, one of several Sassanid edifices in the area.

Qazvin contains few buildings from the Safavid era, when it was capital of Persia. Perhaps the most famous of the surviving edifices is the Ali Qapu mansion, today a museum in central Qazvin.

Mosques

 * Sanjideh Mosque- Another mosque of Qazvin dating back to pre-Islamic Iran; a former fire temple. Its present-day form is attributed to the Seljukian era.
 * Peighambarieh Shrine- Where four Jewish saints who foretold the coming of Christ, are buried.
 * Sardar School- A mosque Made by two brothers Hossein Khan and Hassan Khan Sardar in 1815, as a fulfillment of their promise if they came back victorious from a battle against the Russians.
 * Peighambarieh Shrine- Where four Jewish saints who foretold the coming of Christ, are buried.
 * Sardar School- A mosque Made by two brothers Hossein Khan and Hassan Khan Sardar in 1815, as a fulfillment of their promise if they came back victorious from a battle against the Russians.

Other attractions near Qazvin are the tombs of two Saljuki era princes, Aboo Saeed Bijar, son of Sad, and Aboo Mansoor Iltai, son of Takin — located in two separate towers known as the Kharaghan twin towers. Constructed in 1067 CE, these were the first monuments in Islamic architecture to include a non-conic two-layered dome.

Do
Wander in the bazaars.

Have a break at Negarossaltaneh Café located at Rasteh Vazeer, Sad-o-saltaneh complex.

Visiting famous parks
 * Mashahir in Shahrdai Street
 * Barajin (Fadak) (10 km from Qazvin)
 * Melat
 * Afarinesh
 * Varchor Waterfall in Razjerd (25 km from Qazvin)

Visit
 * Qazvin Museum
 * Kantour Church
 * Hammam Qajar
 * Aminiha Hosseiniyeh
 * Imamzade Hossein
 * Nabi Mosque
 * Jame Mosque
 * Sepah Street (first street of Iran)
 * Chehel Sotoun
 * alamut (hike, trek)

Paragliding in blue sky flight site in Shafi Abad & Barajin Road, near to Fadak Park (ask a local agent like Irantaste.)

Watching Iranian movies in Bahman Cinema in front of Melat Park (the ticket costs about US$2).

Swimming in Ovan Lake (2 hours by car from Qazvin).

Learn
Try to learn Persian, and use it while in Iran. Iranians are noted for their hospitality, and would greatly appreciate a tourist's attempts to communicate via Persian. Qazvin is an historical city, try and broaden your historical knowledge by sampling the historical sites.

Buy
Take a visit to the bazaar of Qazvin. It is huge and you will be able to find all sorts on display. Jewellery in Iran is of high quality, and cheap by Western standards. The same can be said for electronical goods, which arrive in Iran via Japan, sometimes before the products can be bought in Europe and America.

Shopping complexes

 * City Star in Khayam Street
 * Ferdosi in Ferdosi Street
 * Iranian in Adl Street

Hypermarket
Proma Hypermarket

Eat
Food in Iran is a delicacy, and is made up of a whole range of Middle Eastern influences. Do eat chelo kebab in one of the many restaurants in Qazvin. This meal is pretty much a standard dish in Iran, however Qazvin does have its own regional variations on the dish. The famous Qazvinian food is called "Gheime Nesar". Try to sample as many different foods as possible while in Qazvin, the diversity of flavors and influences makes for delicious food. Restaurants are usually very hospitable, so asking for a variation in the dish, or asking for vegetarian options or about food allergies will not be a problem.

Drink
International health agencies advise drinking bottled water in Iran. This is cheap and therefore not a concern. Alcohol is not tolerated (except for non-Muslims and non-Muslim religious practices). In Iran, if any Muslim is caught partaking in or producing alcohol it is illegal and punishments can be very severe.

Sleep
There are hotels scattered all over the city, it might not be very difficult for you to find a hotel in the Qazvin Area.

Connect
In need of help or advice, contact your national embassy, located in the capital city (Tehran) or you can find tourist information centers in Qazvin, and for Police you can call 110.

Stay safe
Iran is generally a safe country. It is advised however, that being an obvious tourist may attract some unwanted attention from interested Iranians, but do not be alarmed or react negatively. Standard advice to keep your bag secured and safe, and to leave personal and valuable belongings in your hotel room or hotel safe should be regarded. Iranians are generally peaceful, hospitable people, but it is advised to act with caution when walk in the streets alone late at night or when approached by strangers to the same degree that you would in your native country.

Emergency services

 * Police: 110
 * Fire department: 125
 * EMS: 115
 * Road EMS: 115 or 112

Cope
Qazvin is in a modest and mountainous region and the weather in summer is slightly cooler than Tehran. The temperature in summer does not go higher than 35 °C. However, the best time is in the spring and fall, when the climate is warm and breezy.

Go next
Apart from Alamut, a day trip to Alborz has a lot of impressive landscapes to offer along with some other castles from Hasan's time.

title: Qazvin


text:
Qeshm

Qeshm is the largest island in the Persian Gulf, with rocky coastlines that protects a mountainous and often beautiful interior. The coast is dotted with small villages and towns. Qeshm Island is a duty-free zone.

Get in
Travelers from 180 different nations do not require a visa in order to visit Qeshm. Americans, Canadians, and Britons may enter Qeshm without a visa, but they must first submit their application to the airport police office for approval.

The simplest way is to get on a speedboat at Bandar Abbas main harbour. There are lots of them departing each few minutes. The ride takes between 20 and 40 minutes depending on the boat. The rates were about US$2-3 in January 2008.

A car ferry leaves regularly from Bander-e-Pol, about 60 km west of Bandar Abbas. Total cost of return ticket for one car and two persons is 180,000 rials (rates of November 2011). It is allowed to go on the island with a foreign vehicle, although officials will want to see the Carnet de Passage).

There are flights from major cities to Qeshm Island by Qeshm Air.

There is a daily flight from Dubai costs about US$40.

Get around
Qeshm Island is very long (approximately 150 km from east to west), and its main attractions are far away from each other, and therefore taxis are strongly recommended.

The cheapest and safest way to get a taxi is through a hotel, although hailing them of the streets is easy. Bargaining is recommended but some drivers will give quote the exact rate (be wise and distinguish between these two kinds of behaviour). Hotel staff may advise in advance on the legitimate rates to destinations.

In emergencies wave to any vehicle to attract a lift (but remember, don't show a "thumb up" sign as it is considered an obscene gesture, and be prepared to pay the driver. The minimum fare is between 10,000 rials and 25,000 rials.

See

 * Statues Valley.
 * Boat building yards.
 * Statues Valley.
 * Boat building yards.
 * Statues Valley.
 * Boat building yards.
 * Boat building yards.

Do
Meet friendly people and listen to the traditional music.

Buy
Qeshm is a duty-free zone. Here there are many bazaars in Qeshm and the near town of Dargahan where shirts cost around US$2 and trousers for US$5.

Eat

 * Iranian cuisine — in the city centre or the main town named Dergahaan has a wide array of conventional food stalls and restaurants which serve almost all Iranian cuisine with some speciality dishes of Qeshm. The most common item is the Iranian variant of the shewerma, or Arabic meat sandwich. Kebabs and other Iranian dishes are available.

Sleep

 * Qeshm International Hotel, Bahman Blvd.

Go next
Kish Island is a good place to visit from Qeshm.

title: Qeshm


text:
Qiandaohu

Qiandaohu (千岛湖) or Thousand Island Lake is a lake and city in Zhejiang province, China. The lake, which was formed by the construction of a nearby dam, boasts over a thousand islands and clean water used in the production of Nongfu Spring brand drinking water.

Get in

 * The Hangxinjing Expressway offers a 2-hour toll road drive from nearby Hangzhou.

 * Multiple G Trains daily on the Line from Hangzhou to Huangshan stop at Qiandaohu, it takes a good hour only with the Bullet Train.

See

 * The Animal Islands, including Monkey Island and Snake Island, inhabited by the animals that bear the islands' names.

Do

 * Jiulong Brook Rafting, a river rafting course in the mountains near Qiandaohu with mild rapids and splash chutes. Expect to pay around ¥100 per person for admission, including equipment. Rafters will get wet (if not soaked) on the course, so bring a dry change of clothes, towels and plastic bags for afterward. Snacks, Chinese food, water toys, and basic articles of clothing are sold on site.

Eat

 * Fish Head Soup, a local specialty available in many area restaurants and hotels.

Sleep

 * Tachee Island Holiday Hotel, 86571-65011888

Go next

 * Yellow Mountain Huangshan in neighbouring Anhui Province

title: Qiandaohu


text:
Qianshan National Park

Qianshan National Park (千山国家公园 lit.Thousand Mountains) is in Liaoning Province of China.

Understand
A famous mountain 18 km to the south east of Anshan, the 708.3-meter-high Qianshan is densely wooded, and abounds in flora and fauna. The name is an abbreviation of 'Thousand lotus flower mountains'. The peaks were said to resemble the petals of the lotus flower which had been dropped to earth by a goddess. The park area of 44 km2, is filled with both Buddhist and Taoist temples, monasteries and nunneries. It is one of few locations where both religions are found sharing the same site. Among Qianshan's scenic spots is a new discovery - a nature-wrought statue of the Buddha which stands 70 m high. It is claimed to be the largest naturally occurring image of Matria Buddha in the world. Several temples have been built on the peaks of the overlooking hills. The park has since become the venue for the Qianshan Great Buddha Festival in June of every year.

History
The area has a long history of religious worship dating back 1200 years to the Tang dynasty of China. The Emperor Taizong, Li Shimin, of the Tang Dynasty visited the site and added to the temples here. It was enhanced during both Ming and Qing dynasties. Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong visited and the poetry that they wrote while here can be seen. After the revolutions of the 20th century, the site ead abandoned and some buildings were damaged. The park has since been restored and expanded with new temples of the Matria Buddha.

Landscape
Nearly 1000 lotus shaped peaks made of granite. You can hike between the different temples and monasteries of Tang, Ming, and Qing style and other attractions.

Flora and fauna
The area is predominantly pine forest on the mountain tops and deciduous in the valleys.

Climate
In summer, hot, typically 32 °C. Winters are very cold, often as low as -20 °C. Heavy snow is not uncommon in winter.

Get in
The nearest city is Anshan, some 18 km away. Liaoning's provincial capital, Shenyang, lies about 90 km to the north. Shenyang airport is the closest to the park. Coaches and trains run between Anshan and Shenyang very frequently. The train will take 50 minutes and the coach about twice that. Alternatively, Dalian city, south of Anshan also has a public airport. Coaches to and from Dalian run about four times daily.

There is a frequent bus service to Qianshan from the bus station in the centre of Anshan near to the train station. Take bus Number 8. The fare is ¥2 each way. buses are crowded at times, and rather slow. Return buses wait near the main gate of the park. A taxi will take you from Anshan city centre to the main gate for ¥35-40. You can rely on the meter of the taxi; it starts out at ¥6.00 and starts ticking over from 2 km onwards. Taxis are commonly waiting at the park gate for your return journey.

Fees and permits
Entrance to the main park is ¥80 per person from April 1 to October 31 and ¥60 from November 1 to March 31. Electric bus is ¥10 per person per journey. Cable cars cost ¥20 per person at the Great Buddha Scenic Spot and Heaven above Heaven Scenic Spot. The cable car is ¥30 at the Five-Buddha Summit. In addition, some temples and monasteries may charge a small entrance fee upwards of ¥5 each, however, many are free to enter. The Aviary at the back of the park charges an additional entrance fee. The Qianshan Immortal Summit—China's Forest Park, costs ¥30 per person entrance.

Get around
Motor cars are not allowed within the park. Tourists must either walk or hire one of the electric shuttle buses which are available for ¥10 per person per ride. Walking is preferred and is the only method by which to mountain summits may be reached. The main roadway in the valleys is well paved and wide. The mountain tops are gained via well defined, stone laid, paths and stairs. These mountain paths are very steep. For those who are less fit, three cable car routes can convey you up the hill sides. However, none of the cable cars will take you the whole way, leaving you some climbing to do by yourself.

Buy
Hawkers by the roadside sell the usual tourist trinkets in common with other tourist sites in China.

Eat
Within the park, there is little food available other than snacks sold by hawkers by the path side. Just outside the park gates, may traditional Chinese country style restaurants flourish. These will prepare traditional dishes at very reasonable prices though they are not always as clean as one might want. Higher class restaurants are also available nearby.

Drink
For nightlife, it is best to head back into Anshan City. Nightclubs such as the Coco Club and SOS club can be found there as well as many cheaper bars.

Sleep
There are several inexpensive hotels outside of the main gates to the park.

Or you can stay in one of the many large hotels within Anshan City, near to the park.

Stay safe
Mountain paths can be very steep, near vertical in places with handholds and ladders for assistance. Many of them are not for those who have a fear of heights. Young children should be carefully supervised on the mountain paths. Safety barriers run along the most treacherous sections and are sturdy.

Go next

 * Tanggangzi Hot Springs - famous as the place where the last Qing emperor, Puyi, came to bathe with his empress. About 10 km south of Anshan city centre. There are other less well known spas near to Qianshan park gates.
 * Jade Buddha Temple - On the eastern edge of Anshan city on Qianshan Jie. The world's largest statue of Buddha made form a single block of jade.
 * Shenyang is the major city of Liaoning province. It is two hours away by road. In this city are several major tourist sites including some UNESCO world heritage sites.

title: Qianshan National Park


text:
Qianwei

Qianwei (犍为 jiānwéi) is a town in Sichuan.

Public bus
(犍为车站 jiānwéi chēzhàn)

title: Qianwei